Background-There is encouraging evidence of the efficacy of proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors; however, their long-term safety remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of studies to evaluate the longterm safety of PCSK9 inhibitors. Methods and Results-Our search strategy yielded 11 studies (9 smaller early-phase and 2 larger outcome trials). The outcomes assessed were cumulative serious adverse events, musculoskeletal adverse events, neurocognitive adverse events, and stroke. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Subgroup analysis was done to assess the difference in safety between the smaller early-phase studies and the larger outcome studies. Our meta-analysis suggested no difference in the incidence of serious adverse events (OR, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88−1.15), musculoskeletal adverse events (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.87−1.13), neurocognitive adverse events (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.64−2.59), or stroke (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.57−3.65) with the use of PCSK9 inhibitors. Subgroup analysis of the 2 large outcome studies did suggest an increased incidence of neurocognitive adverse events (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.34−6.06) with the use of PCSK9 inhibitors. However, the overall incidence of neurocognitive adverse events and stroke was <1%, whereas the cumulative incidence of serious adverse events and musculoskeletal events was >10% in both the groups. Conclusions-Our analysis suggests that PCSK9 inhibitors are not associated with an increased risk of cumulative severe adverse effects, musculoskeletal effects, or stroke. There is a signal toward adverse neurocognitive effects, seen in the outcome studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up. There should be close monitoring, for the increased risk of neurocognitive events in the ongoing outcome studies and post-marketing surveillance. (Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2017;10:e003153.

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SUMMARY The evidence base for the optimal laboratory diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in adults is currently unresolved due to the uncertain performance characteristics and various combinations of tests. This systematic review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory testing algorithms that include nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) to detect the presence of C. difficile. The systematic review and meta-analysis included eligible studies (those that had PICO [population, intervention, comparison, outcome] elements) that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of NAAT alone or following glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) or GDH EIAs plus C. difficile toxin EIAs (toxin). The diagnostic yield of NAAT for repeat testing after an initial negative result was also assessed. Two hundred thirty-eight studies met inclusion criteria. Seventy-two of these studies had sufficient data for meta-analysis. The strength of evidence ranged from high to insufficient. The uses of NAAT only, GDH-positive EIA followed by NAAT, and GDH-positive/toxin-negative EIA followed by NAAT are all recommended as American Society for Microbiology (ASM) best practices for the detection of the C. difficile toxin gene or organism. Meta-analysis of published evidence supports the use of testing algorithms that use NAAT alone or in combination with GDH or GDH plus toxin EIA to detect the presence of C. difficile in adults. There is insufficient evidence to recommend against repeat testing of the sample using NAAT after an initial negative result due to a lack of evidence of harm (i.e., financial, length of stay, or delay of treatment) as specified by the Laboratory Medicine Best Practices (LMBP) systematic review method in making such an assessment. Findings from this systematic review provide clarity to diagnostic testing strategies and highlight gaps, such as low numbers of GDH/toxin/PCR studies, in existing evidence on diagnostic performance, which can be used to guide future clinical research studies.