Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine therapies (TCMT) for prostatitis. Methods We searched Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), China EBM/Cochrane center database (CEBM/CCD), PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Papers on Academic Conference of China (PACC), Chinese Dissertation Database Full-Text (CDDBFT), and Evidence-based Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (EBTCMD). All searches were updated on January 15, 2007. We also performed a manual search of the RCTs of TCMT for prostatitis among periodicals related to TCM, researched the related studies by correlative websites, such as “Baidu” and “Google”, gray literatures, and studies included in the references of eligible studies. At least two reviewers independently screened the studies for eligibility, evaluated the quality, and extracted the data from the eligible literatures, with a cross-check to confirm accuracy. Different views were settled by a third party. We evaluated the quality of eligible studies with the revised Jadad’s scale, and extracted valid data using data tables. Meta-analyses were performed for homogeneous studies using RevMan 4.3 software. If heterogeneity existed among the studies, descriptive analysis was conducted. The potential publication-bias was analyzed by funnel plot analysis. Results A total of 52 randomized clinical trials of TCMT for prostatitis (n=5 209) among 1 282 original studies were identified. The methodological quality ranked high in 9 RCTs (the revised scale were ≥ 4 scores), and 22 RCTS reported the methods of random sequence production. The analysis indicated some TCMT were more effective than the treatments in the controls in relieving the proatatitis patients’ pain or discomfort, paruria, impact of symptoms and NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), improving the EPS-WBC and urine flow rate etc. Of the trials, 29 randomized clinical trials of TCMT for prostatitis that studied safety (n=2 502) were identified. The methodological quality ranked high in 8 RCTs (the revised scale were ≥ 4 scores), and 18 RCTs reported the method of random sequence production. Analysis indicated some TCMT may cause lower digestive tract symptoms when compared to the control therapies and some Chinese herbs formulas- may cause sexual disfunction. Conclusion Some TCMT may be more effective than the controls in relieving the patients’ pain or discomfort, paruria, impact of symptoms and NIH-CPSI, improving the prostatic tenderness with DRE, improving the EPS-WBC, lecithin lipophore, and urine flow rate etc. However, some TCMT of the trials included may cause lower digestive tract symptoms when compared to the controls, and some Chinese herbs formulas cause sexual disfunction. Because of the generally low methodological quality and the variations of the herbs used, the overall effects cannot be pooled for analysis. More evidence is needed to support this finding.
Objective To compare the clinical results of yellow micro-pulse laser and traditional laser grid (MLG) photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods Seventy-eight patients (106 eyes) with DME diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into micro-pulse group (39 patients, 51 eyes) and MLG group (39 patients, 55 eyes). The patients of micropulse group underwent 577 nm yellow micro-pulse laser therapy, while the patients of MLG group underwent continuous wavelength laser photocoagulation with a 561 nm yellow green laser. All the patients were examined documenting corrected visual acuity, macular retinal thickness (CMT) and mean sensitivity within macular 10 deg; examination before and after treatment. Six months after treatment was considered as the judgment time for the therapeutic effects. The mean corrected visual acuity, CMT and MS were comparatively analyzed. Results Six months after treatment, the mean corrected visual acuity of micropulse group and MLG group were 0.45plusmn;0.20 and 0.42plusmn;0.20, which increased significantly compared to those before treatment (t=3.404,2.316; P＜0.05). The difference of mean corrected visual acuity between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were 0.08plusmn;0.02 and 0.06plusmn;0.03, the difference was statistically significant between two groups (t=0.532, P＞0.05). The mean CMT of micropulse group and MLG group were (323.94plusmn;68.30) and (355.85plusmn;115.88) mu;m, which decreased significantly compared to those before treatment (t=4.028, 2.039; P＜0.05). The difference of mean CMT between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (55.12plusmn;13.68) and (22.25plusmn;10.92) mu;m. The difference was not statistically significant between two groups (t=1.891,P＞0.05). The mean MS of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (6.63plusmn;2.65) and (4.53plusmn;1.81) dB. The mean MS of micro-pulse group increased significantly compared to that before treatment(t=3.335,P＜0.05). The mean MS of MLG group decreased significantly compared to that before treatment (t=3.589,P＜0.05). The difference of mean MS between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (1.10plusmn;0.33) and (-0.91plusmn;0.25) dB.The difference was statistically significant between groups (t=4.872，P＜0.05). Conclusions In the treatment of DME, yellow micro-pulse laser therapy and MLG can improve visual acuity, and reduce CMT. In addition, yellow micro-pulse laser therapy can improve the MS, but MLG reduces MS.
Objective To investigate the relationship of choroidal thickness and visual acuity after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in eyes without high myopia. Methods Fifty-three eyes of 53 patients with RRD and without highly myopic eyes after anatomically successful surgical repair were enrolled in this study. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were recorded. Spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assess the postoperative foveal structure, central foveal thicknesses (CFT) and choroidal thickness. The correlation between the postoperative BCVA and abnormality of the fovea, CFT and choroidal thickness was evaluated. According to the postoperative thickness of the choroid, the patients were divided into le;150.00 mu;m group and ＞150.00 mu;m group; the improvement of postoperative BCVA in the two groups was analyzed. The state of inside and outside section (IS/OS) and the external limiting membrane (ELM) was divided into reconstructed and un-reconstructed categories. The postoperative BCVA, CFT and choroidal thickness of two types were comparatively analyzed. Results At the last time of follow up, the mean BCVA was 0.52plusmn;0.47. The results of spectral domain OCT showed that the mean CFT was (207.45plusmn;63.63) and mean choroidal thickness was (175.46plusmn;62.68) mu;m. The postoperative BCVA correlated positively with IS/OS junction and choroidal thickness (r=4.92, 4.63; P＜0.05), but was insignificantly associated with ELM junction, whether subretinal fluids were present or not, whether epiretinal membrane was affected or not, whether there was macular edema or not and CFT (r=0.24, 1.20, 0.30, 0.03, 0.14; P＞0.05). Two weeks to three months after surgery, the improvement of BCVA in ＞150.00 mu;m group was significantly higher than that in le;150.00 mu;m group (t=-2.318, P＜0.05). Compared the reconstructed with un-reconstructed IS/OS eyes, the differences of mean BCVA and mean choroidal thickness were statistically significantly different (t=-5.253, 2.396; P＜0.05). The difference of mean CFT was not statistically significant (t=1.454，P＞0.05). Compared the reconstructed with un-reconstructed ELM eyes, the differences of mean BCVA and mean choroidal thickness were statistically significantly different (t=-5.940, 3.563;P＜0.05). The difference of mean CFT was not statistically significant (t=1.117, P＞0.05). Conclusion The choroidal thickness has a significant correlation with visual acuity after successful repair of RRD in eyes without high myopia.
Objective To investigate the relationship between morphologic macular changes and visual outcome in eyes with persistent submacular fluid (SMF) after surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and the relevant factors of persistent submacular fluid. Methods Sixty-three consecutive patients (63 eyes) who underwent successful surgery for macula-off RRD were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into three groups according to duration of SMF: no SMF group, short-term group (duration of SMF less than three months) and long-term group (duration of SMF more than three months). The follow-up ranged from six to 12 months. The morphologic macular changes, height of SMF and thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) one month after surgery were assessed by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The relationship between morphologic macular changes and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity and the relevant factors of persistent SMF were evaluated. Results Forty-five of 63 eyes (71.42%) presented morphologic changes after surgery. SMF was detected in 32 eyes (50.79%), which included 21 patients that had long-term course of SMF. Irregular thickness of the photoreceptor outer segments (OS) was observed in 23 eyes; disrupted inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction was noted in 21 eyes, and disrupted external limiting membrane (ELM) was noted in 14 eyes. Irregular thickness of OS in long-term group was significantly higher than that in short-term group (chi;2=5.788, P=0.035). The proportion of IS/OS disruption and ELM discontinuation in long-term group was also higher than those in short-term group, but there was no statistically significant difference (chi;2=0.744, 0.375; P=0.472, 0.403). The postoperative visual acuity correlated positively with preoperative visual acuity and the time of retinal detachment (r=0.611, -0.374; P=0.007, 0.037). There was a significant difference of postoperative logMAR visual acuity (U=28.640, P=0.049) among no SMF group (0.27plusmn;0.26), short-term group (0.42plusmn;0.31) and long-term group (0.53plusmn;0.41). The postoperative visual acuity was insignificantly associated with irregular OS and IS/OS disruption (r=0.331, 0.320; P=0.073, 0.102). The irregular OS correlated positively with IS/OS disruption (r=0.388, P=0.027). The postoperative visual acuity in eyes with disrupted both IS/OS and ELM significantly decreased (U=29.920, P=0.036). The surgery manner (r=0.477, P＜0.001), time of preoperative retinal detachment (r=0.354, P=0.047) and SMF height one month after surgery (r=0.375, P=0.039) were factors influencing persistent SMF. Conclusions The incidence of postoperative photoreceptor lesion was increased with time of persistent SMF. Disruption of both IS/OS and ELM after surgery means a poorer vision outcome. Duration of preoperative macular detachment, type of surgery and SMF heights one month after surgery were important factors for persistent SMF.
Objective To observe the efficacy of glucocorticoid and Mecobalamin in the treatment of optic neuritis. Methods Seventy-four patients (118 eyes) with optic neuritis were enrolled in this study. There were 38 patients (55 eyes) with optic nerve papillitis, 36 patients (63 eyes) with retrobulbar neuritis. The patients were divided into treatment and control group, 37 patients (59 eyes) in each group. The treatment group received semiretrobulbar injection of 500 μg Mecobalamin per day, 10 times for one course; after two to three courses changed oral 500 μg Mecobalamin, three times per day. Systemic intravenous injection of 15 dexamethasone mg per day for one week, then prednisolone 30 mg per day orally, the dosage was reduced every five days for 5 mg; oral administration of vitamin B1, 10 mg three times per day, use of energy mixture, vasodilators. Control group underwent the same therapy as the treatment group without Mecobalamin. The efficacy differences between two groups were comparatively analyzed. Results Among 59 eyes in the treatment group, 42 eyes (71.19%) were markedly effective, 15 eyes (25.42%) were valid and two eyes (3.39%) were invalid. The total effective rate was 96.61%. Among 59 eyes in the control group, 30 eyes (50.85%) were markedly effective, 26 eyes (44.07%) were valid and three eyes (5.08%) were invalid. The total effective rate was 94.92%. The difference of total effective rate between two groups was not statistically significant (χ2=1.10, P＞0.05); but there was a difference in markedly effective rate between two groups (χ2=5.65, P＜0.05). Conclusion Mecobalamin combined with glucocorticoids was effective in the treatment of optic neuritis.
Objective To evaluated the efficacy of vitreoretinal surgery for X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) and its complications. Methods Twentyone XLRS patients (27 eyes) with retinal detachment or vitreous hemorrhage who were treated by vitreoretinal surgery were enrolled in this study. There were microcystislike splitting in all the eyes. The mean visual acuity was 0.11±0.09 and the mean area of macular splitting was (1.09±0.56) mm2. Among the eyes, there were 12 eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, five eye with traction retinal detachment, six eyes with vitreous hemorrhage and four eyes with retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. All the patients underwent a standard threeport pars plana vitrectomy. Internal limiting membrane peeling, laser photocoagulation, and C3F8 gas or silicone oil tamponade were carried out in different condition. The follow-up was 9-122 months (average 51 months). The preoperative visual acuity and anatomic structure of retina were observed. Results The mean visual acuity at last visit was increased to 0.26±0.15, the difference was significant (t=-6.320, P=0.000). It improved in 20 eyes (74.1%), remained unchanged in seven eyes (25.9%). The retina remained attached in 27 eyes. The mean area of macular splitting was decreased to (0.29±0.21) mm2, the difference was significant (t=10.358, P=0.000). The complications were found in four eyes (14.8%) which including two eyes with proliferative vitroretinopathy and traction retinal detachment six and eight months after surgery, one eye with cataract four months after surgery, and one eye with vitreous hemorrhage 15 months after surgery. The retina remained attached in these four eyes after reoperation. Conclusion Vitreoretinal surgery can significantly improve visual acuity, resume the anatomic structure of retina.
Objective To observe the changes of anatomic structure and visual function after surgery in highly myopia patients with macular hole and retinal detachment (MHRD). Methods Twentyfive patients (25 eyes) with MHRD who underwent vitreous and internal membrane peeling surgery combined with silicone oil tamponade, were enrolled in this study. All the patients had undergone the examinations of logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT), MP-1 microperimetry and multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) before and three months after surgery. The visual acuity, structure of macular hole and macula, fixation point, mean sensitivity (MS) within 10° of macular area and four quadrants including supertemporal, supernasal, intranasal and infratemporal, average response densities of N1 and P1 waves at all 6 rings before and after surgery were observed. Results Three months after surgery, the logMAR visual acuity improved (t=8.265， P＜0.05). Twentyfour eyes (96%) were anatomically reattached, one eye (4%) was not anatomically reattached completely. The results of MP-1 microperimetry showed that foveal fixation was found in two eyes (8%), weak foveal fixation was found in four eyes (16%), paracentral fixation was found in 19 eyes (76%). There were four eyes (16%) with stable fixation, nine eyes (36%) with relatively unstable fixation and 12 eyes (48%) with unstable fixation. The MS value within 10° of macular area was 9.031±4.245 dB. The MS value difference among four quadrants was statistically significant (F=7.40，P=0.015). The mf-ERG results showed that the average response densities of N1 and P1 waves at all 6 rings were increased (P＜0.05). Conclusion The macular hole heals, retina remains reattached, visual acuity, and fixation are improved in the most of MHRD eyes after surgery.
Objective To observe the clinical effects of vitreoretinal surgery for myopic foveoschisis, evaluate the visual prognostic factors. Methods Twentyseven eyes of 23 patients with myopic foveoschisis underwent vitreoretinal surgery were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients had undergone the examinations of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, direct ophthalmoscope, binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, A or B ultrasonic scan and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Follow-up duration varied from 6 to 36 months, with the mean of (19.4±10.03) months. The visual acuity, retinal reattachment and the complications were observed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the prognosis of visual acuity. Results Twentyone eyes (7778％) were anatomically reattached, six eyes (2222%) were not anatomically reattached. Postoperative BCVA improved in 24 eyes (8889％), reduced or remained unchanged in three eyes (11.11％). No ocular complications such as fundus hemorrhage, low or high intraocular pressure, endophthalmitis were found. The preoperative BCVA （OR=9.11, P=0.007）, axial length （OR=0.31, P=0.038） and the photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS) junction line continuity （OR=4。32，P=0.001） are closely related to visual prognosis. Conclusions Vitreoretinal surgery is an effective approach to treat myopic foveoschisis with both anatomical and visual improvement. The preoperative BCVA, axial length and IS/OS line continuity are closely related to visual prognosis.
Objective To observe the macular structure changes and its relationship with visual function in patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH). Methods Forty-seven patients (47 eyes) with IMH who underwent pars plana vitrectomy were enrolled in this study. All patients were examined including bestcorrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, B-scan ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and MP-1. All the patients underwent a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy. The BCVA, mean light sensitivity (MS) in macular area, macular hole diameter, the photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS/OS) junction defect, external limiting membrane (ELM) defect were observed on the 1st, 3rd and 6th months after surgery, and then the relationship of IS/OS junction defect, ELM defect, sensitive and BCVA were analyzed. Results The 1st, 3rd and 6th months after surgery, the logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA (t=16.4, 35.7, 20.7; P＜0.05) and MS （t=－13.8, －17.9, －2.5; P＜0.05） were improved significantly; the macular hole diameter （t=7.7, 7.7, 7.7;P＜0.05）, IS/OS junction defect （t=24.1, 19.3, 27.4; P＜0.05） and ELM （t=20.5, 6.7, 15. 8; P＜0.05） defect were decreased significantly. Preoperative IS/OS junction defect and ELM defect were both related to sensitive （r=-0.55, -0.53; P＜0.05）, but uncorrelated with BCVA （r=0.13, 0.13; P＞0.05）. IS/OS junction defect and ELM defect 1st, 3rd and 6th months after surgery were both related to MS and BCVA （P＜0.05）. Conclusions The logMAR BCVA and MS increases, while IS/OS junction and defect ELM defect decreases after surgery in IMH patients. IS/OS junction defect and ELM defect after surgery were both related to sensitive and BCVA.
Objective To compare the efficacy of 23G and 20G vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy. Methods Thirty-eight eyes of 33 patients with diabetic retinopathy who underwent primary vitrectomy were enrolled in this study. Twenty eyes of 18 patients underwent 23G microincision vitrectomy (23G group). Eighteen eyes of 15 patients underwent 20G vitrectomy (20G group). The followup ranged from 6 to 12 months. The surgical time, number of iatrogenic retinal tears, times of coagulation for hemorrhage, instrumental change for fibromembrane removal, intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after surgery, postoperative complications, anatomic success rate, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed. Results The mean surgical times were (63.5±21.7) and (83.9±27.5) minutes in 23G and 20G group which was a significant difference (t=2.55, P=0.02). The numbers of iatrogenic retinal tears were six and 14, while the mean times of coagulation were 71 and 104 in 23G and 20G group respectively. There were three and 12 eyes needing instrumental change for fibromembrane removal in 23G and 20G group with significant difference (χ2=10.58, P=0.001). At the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after surgery, IOP were (10.2±2.0), (13.4±2.5), and (14.9±2.3) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) in 23G group, (16.5±2.9), (19.3±2.4), and (20.1±2.9) mm Hg in 20G group. Compared with each other, the differences were statistically significant (t=7.71, 7.41, 6.18; P＜0.01). There was one eye with intraocular hemorrhage, one eye with neovascular glaucoma (NVG), and one eye with retinal detachment (RD) in 23G group. There were two eyes with intraocular hemorrhage, two eyes with NVG, and one eye with RD in 20G group. Compared with each other, the differences were not statistically significant (χ2=0.49, 0.49, 0.01; P＞0.05). The anatomic success rates were 950% and 94.4% in 23G and 20G group without significant difference (χ2=0.01, P=0.94). There were no complications such as endophthalmitis or choroidal detachment. In 23G group, BCVA was ＜0.05 in one eye, 0.05 – 0.09 in five eyes, 0.1 -0.2 in 10 eyes, ≥0.3 in two eyes. In 20G group, BCVA was ＜0.05 in one eye, 0.05 - 0.09 in nine eyes, 0.1 -0.2 in six eyes, ≥0.3 in two eyes. Compared with each other, the differences were not statistically significant (χ2=2.70, P＞0.05). Conclusion 23G microincision vitrectomy is beneficial to shorten the operation time, reduce instrumental changes, decrease intraoperative complications, and enhance visual rehabilitation.