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Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Jun 2017Renaming schizophrenia is a potential strategy to reduce the stigma attached to people with schizophrenia. However, the overall associations between renaming... (Review)
Review
Renaming schizophrenia is a potential strategy to reduce the stigma attached to people with schizophrenia. However, the overall associations between renaming schizophrenia and stigma-related outcomes have not been fully elucidated. We conducted a systematic review of studies that empirically examined the outcomes between new or alternative terms and old or existing terms for schizophrenia. We searched for relevant articles in eight bibliographic databases, conducted a Google search, examined reference lists, and contacted relevant experts. We found a total of 2601 reference records, and 23 articles were included in this review. Overall, in countries where schizophrenia has been renamed, the name changes may be associated with improvements in adults' attitudes toward people with schizophrenia, and with increased diagnosis announcement. However, studies conducted in countries where schizophrenia has not been renamed report inconsistent findings. In addition, renaming may not influence portrayals of schizophrenia in the media. Most studies included in our review had a risk of bias in their methodology, and we employed a vote-counting method to synthesize study results; therefore, the impacts of renaming are still inconclusive. Future studies are needed to address the following issues: use of univariate descriptive statistics, adjustment for confounding variables, use of reliable measures, and employing a question that addresses the image of split or multiple personalities. Evidence is limited regarding the associations between renaming and stigma experienced by both people with schizophrenia and their families (e.g., perceived stigma, self-stigma, discrimination experience, and burden). Further research in these populations is needed to confirm the effects of renaming schizophrenia.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenic Psychology; Social Stigma; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 28177184
DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12510 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Dec 2022Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a collective name for approximately 4700 synthetic chemicals ubiquitous in the aquatic environment worldwide. They are used... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a collective name for approximately 4700 synthetic chemicals ubiquitous in the aquatic environment worldwide. They are used in a wide array of products and are found in living organisms around the world. Some PFAS have been associated with cancer, developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption, and other health effects. Only a fraction of PFAS are currently monitored and regulated and the presence and effects on aquatic organisms of many PFAS are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the health effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of PFAS on aquatic organisms at different consumer trophic levels through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The main result shows that PFAS in concentrations up to 13.5 μg/L have adverse effects on body size variables for secondary consumers. However, no significant effects on liver or gonad somatic indices and neither on fecundity were found. In addition, the results show that there are large research gaps for PFAS effects on different organisms in aquatic environments at environmentally relevant concentrations. Most studies have been performed on secondary consumers and there is a substantial lack of studies on other consumers in aquatic ecosystems.
Topics: Fluorocarbons; Aquatic Organisms; Ecosystem
PubMed: 36244496
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120422 -
The Saudi Dental Journal Jul 2023This study aimed to establish intermaxillary tooth size ratios (overall index (OI) and anterior index (AI)) for normal occlusion and different Angle's malocclusions... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to establish intermaxillary tooth size ratios (overall index (OI) and anterior index (AI)) for normal occlusion and different Angle's malocclusions specific to the Saudi population and compare them to Bolton's values, which were specific to Americans.
METHODS
The Saudi Digital Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase were searched systematically to acquire articles which reported OI and AI for Saudi patients; inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Data, including author's name, publication year, city, measurement technique, number of subjects, type of occlusion, means, and standard deviations, were extracted and sorted. To assess the methodological quality of the included studies, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies was utilized.
RESULTS
Of the 1473 articles, eight met the inclusion criteria and were included in the -analysis. Values for normal occlusion and Bolton's values were not significantly different. All malocclusion classes showed significant differences in the overall OI and AI values compared with Bolton's original values and values for normal occlusion, but they did not differ from each other. Gender showed an effect only on the OI ratio for Class III malocclusion.
CONCLUSIONS
Bolton's original values can be used in Saudi patients only with normal occlusion. For cases with any Angle's malocclusion, we recommend using an AI value of 79.08 (±3.4) for both genders. Classes I and II, regardless of gender, have the same OI value of 92.51 (±2.82). For Class III, values of 91.97 (±2.4) for females and 93.13 (±2.6) for males can be used.
PubMed: 37520607
DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.03.006 -
Contact Lens & Anterior Eye : the... Feb 2022The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence on quality-of-life outcomes of long-term contact lens wear. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence on quality-of-life outcomes of long-term contact lens wear.
METHODS
A search for original articles that used validated measures to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in long-term (≥2 years) contact lens wearers was conducted in Medline Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases. The information including PRO measure (name, type, content) and key quality-of-life outcomes findings were extracted.
RESULTS
Seven articles that used 4 PRO measures to evaluate quality of life outcomes of long-term contact lens wear met the inclusion criteria. The median (range) number of contact lens wearers in these studies was 116 (31-247). The studies were conducted in 4 countries: USA, Spain, China, and Russia. All studies were conducted in myopic populations. None of the studies provided information on psychometric properties, validity and reliability of the PRO measures used. Five studies were conducted in children of which 3 studies evaluated PROs of myopia control contact lens wear. The studies reported that contact lens wear, including myopia control lens wear, was an effective method of refractive correction in children and adults in the long term in PRO-perspective, and resulted in a better quality of life status than with glasses. However, long-term dry eye and discomfort related symptoms were reported.
CONCLUSION
Overall, contact lens use improved quality of life status in children and adults. More research is required to better understand the long-term quality-of-life outcomes of contact lens wear.
Topics: Adult; Child; Contact Lenses; Eyeglasses; Humans; Myopia; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34656447
DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.101521 -
Obesity Research & Clinical Practice 2023The association between early-life exposure to antibiotics and overweight/obesity is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to address this issue.
BACKGROUND
The association between early-life exposure to antibiotics and overweight/obesity is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to address this issue.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and grey literature from inception to August 10, 2022, for cohort studies investigating the association between early-life exposure to antibiotics and weight outcomes. Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and examined the certainty of the evidence. Random-effects meta-analyses was used for pooling the data. The review was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42021265417.
RESULTS
We included 42 studies and data from 28 of them were pooled in the quantitative synthesis. Overall antenatal (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.16; 518,095 children, very low certainty) and second trimester (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.08-1.14, 248,469 children, low certainty) exposure to antibiotics were associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity in childhood/adolescence. Overall early postnatal antibiotic exposure was also associated with increased likelihood of overweight/obesity in childhood/adolescence (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.12, 1,488,316 children, very low certainty). The magnitude of the association increased from exposure to one (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.15, 512,954 children) to four or more courses of antibiotics (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17-1.46, 543,627 children).
CONCLUSION
Antenatal and early postnatal exposure to antibiotics is associated increased likelihood of overweight/obesity, although the findings are limited by the very low certainty of evidence. We highlight the need for homogeneous prospective studies addressing potential confounding factors to further explore the link between exposure to antibiotics and the risk of excess body weight.
PubMed: 37573229
DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2023.07.001 -
BMJ Open Oct 2016To examine the factors associated with hope and hopelessness in patients with cancer in Asian countries, and the instruments used to measure hope and hopelessness. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To examine the factors associated with hope and hopelessness in patients with cancer in Asian countries, and the instruments used to measure hope and hopelessness.
METHORDS
A comprehensive systematic review was conducted with search terms, including cancer, hope, hopelessness and individual Asian country names, on CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed and Scopus databases. Only quantitative studies on adult cancer populations in Asia examining hope or hopelessness were included.
RESULTS
A total of 2062 unique articles were retrieved from the databases, and 32 studies were selected for inclusion in this review. Hope and hopelessness were most frequently measured with the Herth Hope Index and the Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, respectively. The biopsychosocial factors that were most consistently associated with hope and hopelessness included sociodemographic variables (education, employment and economic status); clinical factors (cancer stage, physical condition and symptoms); and psychosocial factors (emotional distress, social support and connections, quality of life, control or self-efficacy, as well as adjustment and resilience).
DISCUSSION
There is a need for more studies from South and Southeast Asia as most studies hailed from East Asia. This review highlighted the possibility of cultural differences influencing factors related to hope, suggesting that cross-cultural studies specifically would facilitate understanding behind these variations, although future reviews on hope should also include studies on hopelessness for a comprehensive understanding of the concept. Finally, more longitudinal research could be conducted to assess whether the factors associated with hope and hopelessness change over time and disease progression.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Anxiety; Asia; Asian People; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hope; Humans; Neoplasms; Prognosis; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Social Support; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 27855093
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012087 -
Systematic review of the epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Arab countries.Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Apr 2015To assess the epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Arab countries, and identify gaps for future research. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the epidemiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Arab countries, and identify gaps for future research.
METHODS
We searched PubMed from July 1978 to July 2014 and reviewed local journals with cross-referencing. The keywords we used were ADHD, diagnosis, prevalence, incidence, factor, diagnosis, rate, risk, and each of the names of the 22 Arab countries (Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and so on). Studies were eligible for inclusion if they investigated the epidemiology of ADHD in any Arab country, and were published in English. The search was conducted from 2nd to 5th August 2014 in King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
RESULTS
A total of 22 articles were included in the review. Twenty studies were cross-sectional and found the prevalence of ADHD ranged between 1.3-16%, prevalence of hyperactive type ADHD between 1.4-7.8%, and the prevalence of inattention type between 2.1-2.7%. Only 2 case-control studies investigated potential risk factors. Evidence extracted from these studies shows a significant association between ADHD and male gender, previous psychiatric illness in the family, vitamin D deficiency, poor school performance, sleep problems, and nocturnal enuresis.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of ADHD in Arab countries is comparable to reports in North America, Africa, and other countries of the Middle East. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the prognosis and determinants of this condition in the Arab world.
Topics: Adult; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Humans; Middle East; Prevalence
PubMed: 25864066
DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2015.2.20140678 -
Cancer Medicine Mar 2024Due to encouraging pre-clinical data and supportive observational studies, there has been growing interest in applying cardiovascular drugs (including aspirin,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Due to encouraging pre-clinical data and supportive observational studies, there has been growing interest in applying cardiovascular drugs (including aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, statins, and metformin) approved to treat diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus to the field of oncology. Moreover, given growing costs with cancer care, these medications have offered a potentially more affordable avenue to treat or prevent recurrence of cancer. We sought to investigate the anti-cancer effects of drugs repurposed from cardiology or anti-inflammatories to treat cancer. We specifically evaluated the following drug classes: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors, aspirin, metformin, and both angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. We also included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) because they exert a similar mechanism to aspirin by blocking prostaglandins and reducing inflammation that is thought to promote the development of cancer.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review using PubMed and Web of Science with search terms including "aspirin," "NSAID," "statin" (including specific statin drug names), "metformin," "ACE inhibitors," and "ARBs" (including specific anti-hypertensive drug names) in combination with "cancer." Searches were limited to human studies published between 2000 and 2023.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The number and percentage of studies reported positive results and pooled estimates of overall survival, progression-free survival, response, and disease-free survival.
RESULTS
We reviewed 3094 titles and included 67 randomized clinical trials. The most common drugs that were tested were metformin (n = 21; 30.9%), celecoxib (n = 20; 29.4%), and simvastatin (n = 8; 11.8%). There was only one study that tested cardiac glycosides and none that studied ACE inhibitors. The most common tumor types were non-small-cell lung cancer (n = 19; 27.9%); breast (n = 8; 20.6%), colorectal (n = 7; 10.3%), and hepatocellular (n = 6; 8.8%). Most studies were conducted in a phase II trial (n = 38; 55.9%). Most studies were tested in metastatic cancers (n = 49; 72.1%) and in the first-line setting (n = 36; 521.9%). Four studies (5.9%) were stopped early because of difficulty with accrual. The majority of studies did not demonstrate an improvement in either progression-free survival (86.1% of studies testing progression-free survival) or in overall survival (94.3% of studies testing overall survival). Progression-free survival was improved in five studies (7.4%), and overall survival was improved in three studies (4.4%). Overall survival was significantly worse in two studies (3.8% of studies testing overall survival), and progression-free survival was worse in one study (2.8% of studies testing progression-free survival).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Despite promising pre-clinical and population-based data, cardiovascular drugs and anti-inflammatory medications have overall not demonstrated benefit in the treatment or preventing recurrence of cancer. These findings may help guide future potential clinical trials involving these medications when applied in oncology.
Topics: Humans; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; Lung Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Aspirin; Antihypertensive Agents; Metformin
PubMed: 38491813
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7049 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Dec 2022The offspring of parents with Anxiety Disorders (AD) are at high risk for different types of psychopathology, including AD. However, little is known about how parental... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The offspring of parents with Anxiety Disorders (AD) are at high risk for different types of psychopathology, including AD. However, little is known about how parental anxiety during pregnancy and/or the postnatal period might result in alterations in behavior or neurodevelopmental changes in offspring. To examine the effect of parental AD on offspring behavior and neurodevelopment, we conducted a systematic review.
METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases.
RESULTS
Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Prenatal maternal anxiety is related to negative temperament, increased attention to fearful vocalizations, decreased alertness, and impaired psychomotor and cognitive development in early and middle childhood. AD during the postnatal period is associated with greater negative temperament, internalizing symptoms, and anxiety symptoms in early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
CONCLUSION
Our review is the first to demonstrate that prenatal and postnatal AD symptoms impact offspring. Future research should explore the mediating and moderating factors leading to the development of psychopathology in the offspring of parents with AD.
Topics: Adolescent; Pregnancy; Female; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Anxiety Disorders; Psychopathology; Parents; Child of Impaired Parents; Temperament
PubMed: 36174782
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.049 -
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Feb 2024To review cut-points calibrated and independently validated from wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and time... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To review cut-points calibrated and independently validated from wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and time spent sedentary (SED) in children and adolescents.
DESIGN
Systematic literature review.
METHODS
Five databases were searched for relevant cut-point calibration and independent validation studies relating to wrist worn ActiGraphs in children and adolescents from inception through 30 April 2022. Extracted data included: country of publication; study name; population; device model; wear location; sampling frequency; epoch length; activity protocol; criterion method and definitions used to classify PA intensity; statistical methods for calibration; statistical methods for validation/cross-validation; and MVPA and SED outcome.
RESULTS
Fourteen calibration studies and seven independent validation studies were identified. Calibrated cut-points for MVPA vector magnitude counts ranged from 7065 to 9204 counts per minute (cpm) and 63.5 to 201 milli-gravitational units (mg). For SED, calibrated cut-points ranged from <2556 cpm to 4350 cpm and 30.8 to 48.1 mg. Classification accuracy values determined by independent validation studies varied, with kappa values ranging from 0.31 to 0.60 and area under the curve statistics ranging from 0.51 to 0.84 for MVPA and kappa values ranging from 0.31 to 0.44 and area under the curve statistics ranging from 0.70 to 0.85 for SED.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this systematic literature review support the use of the Crouter and colleagues cut-points for the measurement of MVPA and SED for children and adolescents aged 6-12 years. Further work is required to independently validate cut-points developed in younger children and older adolescents.
Topics: Child; Humans; Adolescent; Wrist; Exercise; Calibration; Wrist Joint; Research Design; Accelerometry
PubMed: 38087661
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.008