Highlights Case-fatality rates (CFRs) were substantially higher in males than in females. CFRs increased substantially from age 60 years in males and from age 70 in females. Delay-adjusted and crude CFRs evolved substantially throughout the epidemic. Early crude and delay-adjusted CFRs estimates must be interpreted with caution.

Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has been the biggest public health crisis in the world. To help develop appropriate public health measures and deploy corresponding resources, many governments have been actively tracking COVID-19 in real time within their jurisdictions. However, one of the key unresolved issues is whether COVID-19 was distributed differently among different age groups and between the two sexes in the ongoing pandemic. The objectives of this study were to use publicly available data to investigate the relative distributions of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among age groups and between the sexes throughout 2020; and to analyze temporal changes in the relative frequencies of COVID-19 for each age group and each sex. Fifteen countries reported age group and/or sex data of patients with COVID-19. Our analyses revealed that different age groups and sexes were distributed differently in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. However, there were differences among countries in both their age group and sex distributions. Though there was no consistent temporal change across all countries for any age group or either sex in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, several countries showed statistically significant patterns. We discuss the potential mechanisms for these observations, the limitations of this study, and the implications of our results on the management of this ongoing pandemic.

Background Obesity is a global epidemic and bariatric surgery is used with increasing frequency to treat its complications. The extent to which bariatric surgery alters the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is unknown. Aims In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the use of DOACs after bariatric surgery and apply our findings to resolve several clinical cases. Materials & Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and http://clinicaltrials.gov from January 1, 2000, to June 15, 2021 for randomized and non‐randomized studies evaluating the use of DOACs for any indication after bariatric surgery. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full‐text articles. Clinical and pharmacokinetic outcomes were pooled by random‐effects meta‐analysis with inverse variance weighting. We used the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale to assess risk of bias in non‐randomized studies and assessed the certainty of evidence with GRADE. Results From 2519 records, we included 28 studies (n = 3229 patients): no randomized trials, 7 cohort studies, 6 case series, and 15 case reports. Incidence rates for arterial thromboembolism, venous thromboembolism and major bleeding were: 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01–5.10), 2.45 (95% CI: 0.40–7.94), and 3.40 (95% CI: 0.80‐9.36) events per 100 patient‐years, respectively. The pooled proportion of peak direct oral anticoagulant drug levels within the expected range was 58% (95% CI: 39%–74%). Conclusion There appears be substantial risk of DOAC malabsorption after bariatric surgery that could affect clinical outcomes, however the certainty of evidence was very low. PROSPERO: CRD42020202636.

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Introduction. This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence to determine the effectiveness of kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts in the treatment of constipation. Methods. Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2022 without any age or language limitations. Eligible studies enrolled participants with constipation who were randomized to receive kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts vs. any nonkiwifruit control. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD) with confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the following outcomes: frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM), abdominal pain and straining, as well as stool type as determined by the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. Our review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021239397). Results. Seven RCTs, including 399 participants (82% female; mean age: 42 years (SD 14.6)), were included. Compared with placebo (n = 95), kiwifruit extracts might increase the weekly frequency of SBM (MD: 1.36; 95% CI: −0.44, 3.16) with low certainty of evidence; moreover, it had an uncertain effect on BSS (SMD: 1.54; 95% CI: −1.33, 4.41) with very low certainty of evidence. Additionally, compared with placebo (n = 119), kiwifruit or its extracts reduced abdominal pain (SMD: −1.44, 95% CI −2.83, −1.66) with moderate certainty of the evidence and improved frequency of straining (SMD: −0.29; 95% CI: −1.03, 0.47). Compared with psyllium, kiwifruit may increase the weekly frequency of SBM (MD: 1.01; 95% CI: −0.02, 2.04) with moderate certainty evidence, and may increase the value on the BSS (indicating softer stools) (MD: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.01, 1.25)with low certainty of evidence. Compared to placebo, kiwifruit-encapsulated extracts may result in an increase in minor adverse events (relative risk: 4.58; 95% CI: 0.79, 26.4). Conclusions. Among individuals with constipation, there is an overall low certainty of evidence indicating that kiwifruit may increase SBM when compared to placebo or psyllium. Although overall results are promising, establishing the role of kiwifruit in constipation requires large, methodologically rigorous trials. Protocol Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42021239397.

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Aims This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts in thetreatment of constipation. Methods Electronic databases were searched from inception until January 2021. Eligible studies enrolled participants with functional constipation (FC) or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) with randomization to receive kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts vs. any non-kiwifruit control. Standardized meandifference (SMD) or mean difference (MD) with confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the following outcomes: weekly frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) and Bristol Stool Scale (BSS). GRADE approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020207365. Results Seven randomized controlled trials including 399 participants (82% female; mean age 42 years [Standard Deviation 14.6]) were included. Compared with placebo, kiwifruit extract might increase weekly frequency of SBM (MD 1.36; 95% CI -0.44 to 3.16) with low certainty evidence. Kiwifruit had an uncertain effecton BSS (SMD 1.54; 95% CI -1.33 to 4.41) with very low certainty evidence. Compared with psyllium, kiwifruitmay increase weekly SBM (MD 1.1; 95% CI -0.02 to 2.04) and may increase BSS (softer stools) (MD 0.63;95% CI 0.01 to 1.25) both with low certainty evidence. Compared to placebo, kiwifruit encapsulated extracts may result in an increase in minor adverse events (Relative Risk 4.58; 95% CI 0.79 to 26.4). Conclusions Among individuals with constipation, overall low certainty of evidence indicate that kiwifruit may increase SBM when compared to placebo or psyllium. Although overall results are promising, establishing therole of kiwifruit in FC or IBS-C requires large, methodologically rigorous trials. Funding Agencies None