-
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Feb 2017Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a clinical risk factor for sleep bruxism (SB). Both OSAS and SB are reported to be associated with sleep-related arousal... (Review)
Review
Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a clinical risk factor for sleep bruxism (SB). Both OSAS and SB are reported to be associated with sleep-related arousal reactions, although no clear causative link has been established. An electronic literature search was conducted of the MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, SAGE Journals and EBSCOhost databases covering the period January 2006 and September 2016. Sequential screenings at the title, abstract and full-text levels were performed. The review included observational studies in the English language with a clearly established aim to assess the relationship between OSAS and SB using full-night PSG. The seven-item quality-assessment tool for experimental bruxism studies was used to assess the methodology across the studies. After a comprehensive screening of titles, abstracts and full texts, only three studies that met the pre-defined criteria were finally included in this systematic review. Two studies gave evidence that OSAS is associated with the occurrence of SB events: (i) SB events frequently occur during micro-arousal events consequent on apnoea-hypopnoea (AH) events and (ii) most SB events occur in temporal conjunction with AH events termination. However, one study did not report a strong association between AH and SB events. It can be concluded that there are not enough scientific data to define a clear causative link between OSAS and SB. However, they appear to share common clinical features. Further studies should focus on the intermediate mechanisms between respiratory and SB events.
Topics: Comorbidity; Consensus; Humans; Polysomnography; Reference Values; Risk Factors; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Sleep Bruxism
PubMed: 27977045
DOI: 10.1111/joor.12468 -
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Nov 2023Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are currently the gold standard... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are currently the gold standard in the treatment of MS and their effectiveness has been assessed through randomized clinical trials (RCTs). However, there is limited evidence on the impact of DMTs on fatigue in (PwMS). We conducted a systematic review to 1) understand whether fatigue is included as an outcome in MS trials of DMTs; 2) determine the effects on fatigue of treating MS with DMTs and 3) assess the quality of MS trials including fatigue as an outcome.
METHODS
Two independent researchers systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1993 to January 2023 for RCTs that measured fatigue as an outcome. Adherence to reporting standards was assessed with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)-Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO), while the risk of bias (RoB) was assessed with the RoB 2 tool by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022383321).
RESULTS
The search strategy identified 130 RCTs of DMTs of which 7 (5%) assessed fatigue as an outcome. Of the 7 trials, only two presented statistically significant results. In addition, the reporting of fatigue among RCTs was suboptimal with a mean adherence to the CONSORT-PRO Statement of 36% across all trials. Of the 7 trials included, four were assessed as 'high' RoB..
CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue has a major impact on PwMS yet there is limited trial-based evidence on the impact of DMTs on fatigue. Assessment of fatigue as an outcome is underrepresented in trials of DMTs and the reporting of PRO trial data is suboptimal. Thus, it is imperative that MS researchers conduct RCTs that include fatigue as an outcome, to support clinicians and people with MS (PwMS) to consider the impact of the different DMTs on fatigue.
Topics: Humans; Fatigue; Multiple Sclerosis; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Reference Standards; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37839365
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.105065 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2022Respiratory oscillometry is gaining global attention over traditional pulmonary function tests for its sensitivity in detecting small airway obstructions. However, its... (Review)
Review
Respiratory oscillometry is gaining global attention over traditional pulmonary function tests for its sensitivity in detecting small airway obstructions. However, its use in clinical settings as a diagnostic tool is limited because oscillometry lacks globally accepted reference values. In this scoping review, we systematically assessed the differences between selected oscillometric reference equations with the hypothesis that significant heterogeneity existed between them. We searched bibliographic databases, registries and references for studies that developed equations for healthy adult populations according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A widely used Caucasian model was used as the standard reference and compared against other models using Bland-Altman and Lin's concordance correlational analyses. We screened 1202 titles and abstracts, and after a full-text review of 67 studies, we included 10 in our analyses. Of these, three models had a low-to-moderate agreement with the reference model, particularly those developed from non-Caucasian populations. Although the other six models had a moderate-to-high agreement with the standard model, there were still significant sex-specific variations. This is the first systematic analysis of the heterogeneity between oscillometric reference models and warrants the validation of appropriate equations in clinical applications of oscillometry to avoid diagnostic errors.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Oscillometry; Reference Values; Respiratory Function Tests
PubMed: 35831009
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0021-2022 -
International Journal For Equity in... Nov 2021Many programs are undertaken to facilitate the empowerment of vulnerable populations across the world. However, an overview of appropriate empowerment measurements to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Many programs are undertaken to facilitate the empowerment of vulnerable populations across the world. However, an overview of appropriate empowerment measurements to evaluate such initiatives remains incomplete to date. This systematic review aims to describe and summarise psychometric properties, feasibility and clinical utility of the available tools for measuring empowerment in psychosocially vulnerable populations.
METHODS
A systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was completed. A descriptive approach was used for data analysis. Papers were eligible if they explored the development, validation, cross-cultural translation or the utility of an empowerment measurement tool in the context of psychosocially vulnerable populations.
RESULTS
Twenty-six included articles described twenty-six separate studies in which 16 empowerment measurement tools were developed, validated/translated, or used. There was heterogeneity in empowerment constructs, samples targeted, and psychometric properties measured. The measurement of reliability of the included instruments was satisfactory in most cases. However, the validity, responsiveness, interpretability, feasibility and clinical utility of the identified measurement tools were often not adequately described or measured.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review provides a useful snapshot of the strengths as well as limitations of existing health related empowerment measurement tools used with psychosocially vulnerable populations in terms of their measurement properties, and constructs captured. It highlights significant gaps in empowerment tool measurement, development and evaluation processes. In particular, the results suggest that in addition to systematic assessments of psychometric properties, the inclusion of feasibility and clinical utility as outcome measures are important to assess relevance to clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34789249
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01585-1 -
JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck... Aug 2017Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures address the need for patient-centered data and are now used in diverse clinical, research, and policy pursuits. They are... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures address the need for patient-centered data and are now used in diverse clinical, research, and policy pursuits. They are important in conditions causing upper airway-related dyspnea in which the patient's reported experience and physiological data can be discrepant.
OBJECTIVES
To perform a systematic review of the literature on upper airway dyspnea-related PRO measures and to rigorously evaluate each measure's developmental properties, validation, and applicability.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
This study strictly adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE via the PubMed interface, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Health and Psychosocial Instruments (HaPI) database were searched using relevant vocabulary terms and key terms related to PRO measures and upper airway-related dyspnea. Three investigators performed abstract review, and 2 investigators independently performed full-text review by applying an established checklist to evaluate the conceptual model, content validity, reliability, construct validity, scoring and interpretability, and respondent burden and presentation of each identified instrument. The initial literature search was conducted in November 2014 and was updated in April 2016.
FINDINGS
Of 1269 studies reviewed, 3 upper airway-related dyspnea PRO measures met criteria for inclusion. One PRO measure was designed de novo to assess upper airway-related dyspnea symptoms and monitor treatment outcomes, while 2 were adapted from established instruments designed for lower airway disease. Measurement properties and psychometric characteristics differed, and none met all checklist criteria. Two met a criterion in each of 7 domains evaluated. Two demonstrated test-retest and internal consistency reliability, and 2 showed that their scores were responsive to change. Thematic deficiencies in current upper airway-related dyspnea PRO measures are lack of patient involvement in item development (content validity), plan for interpretation, and literacy level assessments.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
PRO measures are critical in the assessment of patients with upper airway-related dyspnea. Three instruments with disparate developmental rigor have been designed or adapted to assess this construct. Care must be taken to understand the measurement characteristics and contextual relevance before applying these PRO measures for clinical, research, or quality initiatives.
Topics: Checklist; Dimensional Measurement Accuracy; Dyspnea; Humans; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28594976
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.0348 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Nov 2018Laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy, a critical component of the assessment of voice disorders, is rarely used as a treatment outcome measure in the scientific...
OBJECTIVE
Laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy, a critical component of the assessment of voice disorders, is rarely used as a treatment outcome measure in the scientific literature. We hypothesized that this is because of the lack of a widely used standardized, validated, and reliable method to assess and report laryngeal anatomy and physiology, and undertook a systematic literature review to determine the extent of the inconsistencies of the parameters and scales used in voice treatment outcome studies.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic literature review.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane for studies where laryngeal endoscopy with stroboscopy was used as a treatment outcome measure with search terms representing "stroboscopy" and "treatment" guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards.
RESULTS
In the 62 included articles, we identified 141 terms representing 49 different parameters, which were further classified into 20 broad categories. The six most common parameters were magnitude of glottal gap, mucosal wave amplitude, location or shape of glottal gap, regularity of vibration, phase symmetry, and presence and size of specific lesions. Parameters were assessed on scales ranging from binary to 100 points. The number of scales used for each parameter varied from 1 to 24, with an average of four different scales per parameter.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a lack of agreement in the scientific literature regarding which parameters should be assessed to measure voice treatment outcomes and which terms and scales should be used for each parameter. This greatly diminishes comparison and clinical implementation of the results of treatment outcomes research in voice disorders. We highlight a previously published tool and recommend it for future use in research and clinical settings.
Topics: Calibration; Humans; Laryngeal Diseases; Laryngoscopy; Observer Variation; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Reference Standards; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Stroboscopy
PubMed: 29103609
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.09.018 -
Environment International Jun 2022Systematic evidence maps are increasingly used to develop chemical risk assessments. These maps can provide an overview of available studies and relevant study... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Systematic evidence maps are increasingly used to develop chemical risk assessments. These maps can provide an overview of available studies and relevant study information to be used for various research objectives and applications. Environmental epidemiological studies that examine the impact of chemical exposures on various 'omic profiles in human populations provide relevant mechanistic information and can be used for benchmark dose modeling to derive potential human health reference values.
OBJECTIVES
To create a systematic evidence map of environmental epidemiological studies examining environmental contaminant exposures with 'omics in order to characterize the extent of available studies for future research needs.
METHODS
Systematic review methods were used to search and screen the literature and included the use of machine learning methods to facilitate screening studies. The Populations, Exposures, Comparators and Outcomes (PECO) criteria were developed to identify and screen relevant studies. Studies that met the PECO criteria after full-text review were summarized with information such as study population, study design, sample size, exposure measurement, and 'omics analysis.
RESULTS
Over 10,000 studies were identified from scientific databases. Screening processes were used to identify 84 studies considered PECO-relevant after full-text review. Various contaminants (e.g. phthalate, benzene, arsenic, etc.) were investigated in epidemiological studies that used one or more of the four 'omics of interest: epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics . The epidemiological study designs that were used to explore single or integrated 'omic research questions with contaminant exposures were cohort studies, controlled trials, cross-sectional, and case-control studies. An interactive web-based systematic evidence map was created to display more study-related information.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic evidence map is a novel tool to visually characterize the available environmental epidemiological studies investigating contaminants and biological effects using 'omics technology and serves as a resource for investigators and allows for a range of applications in chemical research and risk assessment needs.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Epidemiologic Studies; Humans; Reference Values; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 35551006
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107243 -
Current Pediatric Reviews 2017To identify the anthropometric variables in equations/reference values of impulse oscillometry system (IOS) parameters in preschoolers, children and adolescents. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
To identify the anthropometric variables in equations/reference values of impulse oscillometry system (IOS) parameters in preschoolers, children and adolescents.
METHOD
Systematic search on the databases MEDLINE/Ovid, SCOPUS and SciELO using the key words "preschool, child and adolescent", "impulse oscillometry", "reference values" and its variations.
RESULTS
This review considered a total of 13 articles. The studies presented height, weight, sex and age as the variables correlated to oscillometric parameters. Most studies do not present the correlation values of analyzed variables, and only a few presented the results considering gender differences. The coefficients of determination of the equations were low, specially for the samples including preschoolers. Height was identified as the most influent predictive variable to IOS parameters in the studied age group.
CONCLUSION
Anthropometric variables, especially height, plays an important role determining reference values/equations for oscillometric parameters, however, the data acquisition method should be standardized.
Topics: Adolescent; Anthropometry; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Oscillometry; Reference Values
PubMed: 28637400
DOI: 10.2174/1573396313666170622075940 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Increasing attention on workplace wellbeing and growth in workplace wellbeing interventions has highlighted the need to measure workers' wellbeing. This systematic...
INTRODUCTION
Increasing attention on workplace wellbeing and growth in workplace wellbeing interventions has highlighted the need to measure workers' wellbeing. This systematic review sought to identify the most valid and reliable published measure/s of wellbeing for workers developed between 2010 to 2020.
METHODS
Electronic databases Health and Psychosocial Instruments, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched. Key search terms included variations of AND . Studies and properties of wellbeing measures were then appraised using Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments.
RESULTS
Eighteen articles reported development of new wellbeing instruments and eleven undertook a psychometric validation of an existing wellbeing instrument in a specific country, language, or context. Generation and pilot testing of items for the 18 newly developed instruments were largely rated 'Inadequate'; only two were rated as 'Very Good'. None of the studies reported measurement properties of responsiveness, criterion validity, or content validity. The three instruments with the greatest number of positively rated measurement properties were the Personal Growth and Development Scale, The University of Tokyo Occupational Mental Health well-being 24 scale, and the Employee Well-being scale. However, none of these newly developed worker wellbeing instruments met the criteria for adequate instrument design.
DISCUSSION
This review provides researchers and clinicians a synthesis of information to help inform appropriate instrument selection in measurement of workers' wellbeing.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=79044, identifier: PROSPERO, CRD42018079044.
Topics: Humans; Mental Health; Health Personnel; Language; Workplace; Working Conditions
PubMed: 37293618
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1053179 -
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Sep 2017This systematic review and meta-analysis (MA) aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of questionnaires, clinical assessment and portable diagnostic devices compared... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis (MA) aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of questionnaires, clinical assessment and portable diagnostic devices compared to the reference standard method polysomnography (PSG) in assessing sleep bruxism (SB). Two reviewers searched electronic databases for diagnostic test accuracy studies that compared questionnaires, clinical assessment or portable diagnostic devices for SB, with the reference standard method PSG, comprising previous studies from all languages and with no restrictions regarding age, gender or time of publication. Of the 351 articles, eight met the inclusion criteria for qualitative, and seven for quantitative analysis. The methodology of selected studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2). The studies were divided and analysed over three groups: three studies evaluating questionnaires, two regarding the clinical assessment of tooth wear and three covering portable diagnostic devices. The MA indicated that portable diagnostic devices showed the best validity of all evaluated methods, especially as far as a four-channel EMG/ECG recording is concerned. Questionnaires and the clinical assessment can be used as screening methods to identify non-SB individuals, although it is not that good in identifying subjects with SB. The quality of evidence identified through GRADEpro, was from very low-to-moderate, due to statistical heterogeneity between studies.
Topics: Electromyography; Humans; Patient Selection; Polysomnography; Reference Standards; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sleep Bruxism
PubMed: 28477392
DOI: 10.1111/joor.12520