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Medicine Dec 2022Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease involving multiple systems, which is divided into sporadic LAM (S-LAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex-LAM, mostly...
BACKGROUND
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease involving multiple systems, which is divided into sporadic LAM (S-LAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex-LAM, mostly affecting women who are in childbearing age stage. Data on male patients are limited and scattered. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review to investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of LAM in male.
METHODS
We performed a literature review by searching for all the published reported cases of LAM in male during the past 35 years (April 1986-October 2021).
RESULTS
36 male patients described in 26 references were included in this article. The median age of onset was 34 years (interquartile range: 1-79). The most common initial manifestations were cough, dyspnea, respite, and hemoptysis, with pulmonary complications such as pneumothorax and chylothorax. Five patients (13.9%) were asymptomatic at admission. Nearly half of the 36 male patients had thin-walled air-filled cysts that were visible throughout both lungs. Considering the abovementioned atypical clinical features, misdiagnosis was committed in 8 patients (22.2%). In addition, patients with tuberous sclerosis complex lymphangioleiomyomatosis often have no pulmonary manifestations at onset but present multiple extrapulmonary manifestations and have higher rates of renal angiomyolipomas than patients with S-LAM (P < 0.01). Eventually, 4 patients with S-LAM eventually died.
CONCLUSION
Physicians should increase the awareness of LAM in male. Early monitoring of various systems should be recommended to ensure early management and active follow-up. Tuberous sclerosis complex patients should immediately be tracked for the onset of LAM disease to improve prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; Tuberous Sclerosis; Prognosis; Angiomyolipoma; Kidney Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 36596036
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000032492 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2018Caring for people with dementia is highly challenging, and family carers are recognised as being at increased risk of physical and mental ill-health. Most current... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Caring for people with dementia is highly challenging, and family carers are recognised as being at increased risk of physical and mental ill-health. Most current interventions have limited success in reducing stress among carers of people with dementia. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) draws on a range of practices and may be a promising approach to helping carers of people with dementia.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness of MBSR in reducing the stress of family carers of people with dementia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched ALOIS - the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (all years to Issue 9 of 12, 2017), MEDLINE (Ovid SP 1950 to September 2017), Embase (Ovid SP 1974 to Sepetmber 2017), Web of Science (ISI Web of Science 1945 to September 2017), PsycINFO (Ovid SP 1806 to September 2017), CINAHL (all dates to September 2017), LILACS (all dates to September 2017), World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ClinicalTrials.gov, and Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) up to 6 September 2017, with no language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of MBSR for family carers of people with dementia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened references for inclusion criteria, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias of trials with the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool, and evaluated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE instrument. We contacted study authors for additional information, then conducted meta-analyses, or reported results narratively in the case of insufficient data. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
MAIN RESULTS
We included five RCTs involving 201 carers assessing the effectiveness of MBSR. Controls used in included studies varied in structure and content. Mindfulness-based stress reduction programmes were compared with either active controls (those matched for time and attention with MBSR, i.e. education, social support, or progressive muscle relaxation), or inactive controls (those not matched for time and attention with MBSR, i.e. self help education or respite care). One trial used both active and inactive comparisons with MBSR. All studies were at high risk of bias in terms of blinding of outcome assessment. Most studies provided no information about selective reporting, incomplete outcome data, or allocation concealment.1. Compared with active controls, MBSR may reduce depressive symptoms of carers at the end of the intervention (3 trials, 135 participants; standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.98 to -0.28; P<0.001; low-quality evidence). We could not be certain of any effect on clinically significant depressive symptoms (very low-quality evidence).Mindfulness-based stress reduction compared with active control may decrease carer anxiety at the end of the intervention (1 trial, 78 participants; mean difference (MD) -7.50, 95% CI -13.11 to -1.89; P<0.001; low-quality evidence) and may slightly increase carer burden (3 trials, 135 participants; SMD 0.24, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.58; P=0.18; low-quality evidence), although both results were imprecise, and we could not exclude little or no effect. Due to the very low quality of the evidence, we could not be sure of any effect on carers' coping style, nor could we determine whether carers were more or less likely to drop out of treatment.2. Compared with inactive controls, MBSR showed no clear evidence of any effect on depressive symptoms (2 trials, 50 participants; MD -1.97, 95% CI -6.89 to 2.95; P=0.43; low-quality evidence). We could not be certain of any effect on clinically significant depressive symptoms (very low-quality evidence).In this comparison, MBSR may also reduce carer anxiety at the end of the intervention (1 trial, 33 participants; MD -7.27, 95% CI -14.92 to 0.38; P=0.06; low-quality evidence), although we were unable to exclude little or no effect. Due to the very low quality of the evidence, we could not be certain of any effects of MBSR on carer burden, the use of positive coping strategies, or dropout rates.We found no studies that looked at quality of life of carers or care-recipients, or institutionalisation.Only one included study reported on adverse events, noting a single adverse event related to yoga practices at home AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: After accounting for non-specific effects of the intervention (i.e. comparing it with an active control), low-quality evidence suggests that MBSR may reduce carers' depressive symptoms and anxiety, at least in the short term.There are significant limitations to the evidence base on MBSR in this population. Our GRADE assessment of the evidence was low to very low quality. We downgraded the quality of the evidence primarily because of high risk of detection or performance bias, and imprecision.In conclusion, MBSR has the potential to meet some important needs of the carer, but more high-quality studies in this field are needed to confirm its efficacy.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Caregivers; Dementia; Depression; Family; Humans; Mindfulness; Patient Dropouts; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 30106471
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012791.pub2 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022Informal caregivers of people with a mental illness are at increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress, so preventive interventions are needed.
INTRODUCTION
Informal caregivers of people with a mental illness are at increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress, so preventive interventions are needed.
METHOD
The review was reported in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42018094454). The PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched in June 2019. The Cochrane Risk of Bias and Jadad scale scores were used to assess study quality. Inclusion criteria were: RCTs of informal caregiver interventions regardless of the care receiver's mental illness and intervention modality. Interventions should be compared to a waitlist, treatment as usual or active control, taught in real-time by a mental health professional, include an outcome measure on psychological distress, and published in a peer-reviewed journal article in English. RCTs were excluded if the intervention was given in dyads (caregiver + care receiver), limited to the provision of respite care where the patient sample included a mix of both physical and psychological illnesses, unpublished, not peer-reviewed, study protocols, or dissertations.
RESULTS
A total of 2,148 studies were identified; of these, 44 RCT studies met the inclusion criteria, and 31 had sufficient data to conduct a meta-analysis including subgroup analysis ( = 1,899). The systematic review showed that thirty-one out of the 44 RCTs had an effect of the intervention on decreasing psychological distress. The results of the meta-analysis, which included informal caregiver interventions, compared to waitlist, treatment as usual, or active control, regardless of care-receiver mental illness or intervention modality showed a small effect of -0.32 (95% CI -0.53 to -0.11). The heterogeneity of the included studies was high ( = 78). The subgroup analysis included manualized interventions lasting at least 8 weeks and the subgroup analysis that included an active control showed a small effect and low heterogeneity. Lack of active control and long-term follow-up is a limitation of most of the studies.
CONCLUSION
The evidence supports that several interventions improve the mental health of caregivers. Manualized interventions ≥ 8 weeks with active participation are most effective. Future RCTs should improve methodology, and research should investigate which intervention modality is most effective for what kind of caregiver. Future research should clearly specify what the included intervention components are, use longer follow-up times, and conduct mediational analyses to better understand what mechanisms create the effect of an intervention.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Identifier: CRD42018094454.
PubMed: 36276315
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.949066 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Jul 2020With continued growth in the older adult population, US federal and state costs for long-term care services are projected to increase. Recent policy changes have shifted...
BACKGROUND
With continued growth in the older adult population, US federal and state costs for long-term care services are projected to increase. Recent policy changes have shifted funding to home and community-based services (HCBS), but it remains unclear whether HCBS can prevent or delay long-term nursing home placement (NHP).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE (OVID), Sociological Abstracts, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Embase (from inception through September 2018); and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Joanna Briggs Institute Database, AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center, and VA Evidence Synthesis Program reports (from inception through November 2018) for English-language systematic reviews. We also sought expert referrals. Eligible reviews addressed HCBS for community-dwelling adults with, or at risk of developing, physical and/or cognitive impairments. Two individuals rated quality (using modified AMSTAR 2) and abstracted review characteristics, including definition of NHP and interventions. From a prioritized subset of the highest-quality and most recent reviews, we abstracted intervention effects and strength of evidence (as reported by review authors).
RESULTS
Of 47 eligible reviews, most focused on caregiver support (n = 10), respite care and adult day programs (n = 9), case management (n = 8), and preventive home visits (n = 6). Among 20 prioritized reviews, 12 exclusively included randomized controlled trials, while the rest also included observational studies. Prioritized reviews found no overall benefit or inconsistent effects for caregiver support (n = 2), respite care and adult day programs (n = 3), case management (n = 4), and preventive home visits (n = 2). For caregiver support, case management, and preventive home visits, some reviews highlighted that a few studies of higher-intensity models reduced NHP. Reviews on other interventions (n = 9) generally found a lack of evidence examining NHP.
DISCUSSION
Evidence indicated no benefit or inconsistent effects of HCBS in preventing or delaying NHP. Demonstration of substantial impacts on NHP may require longer-term studies of higher-intensity interventions that can be adapted for a variety of settings. Registration PROSPERO # CRD42018116198.
Topics: Aged; Case Management; Humans; Independent Living; Nursing Homes; Skilled Nursing Facilities; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 31898134
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-019-05568-5 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Jul 2016Educating carers about symptom management may help meet patient and carer needs in relation to distressing symptoms in advanced disease. Reviews of the effectiveness of... (Review)
Review
What Are the Key Elements of Educational Interventions for Lay Carers of Patients With Advanced Disease? A Systematic Literature Search and Narrative Review of Structural Components, Processes and Modes of Delivery.
CONTEXT
Educating carers about symptom management may help meet patient and carer needs in relation to distressing symptoms in advanced disease. Reviews of the effectiveness of carer interventions exist, but few have focused on educational interventions and none on the key elements that comprise them but which could inform evidence-based design.
OBJECTIVES
To identify the key elements (structural components, processes, and delivery modes) of educational interventions for carers of patients with advanced disease.
METHODS
We systematically searched seven databases, applied inclusion and exclusion criteria, conducted quality appraisal, extracted data, and performed a narrative analysis.
RESULTS
We included 62 articles related to 49 interventions. Two main delivery modes were identified: personnel-delivered interventions and stand-alone resources. Personnel-delivered interventions targeted individuals or groups, the former conducted at single or multiple time points, and the latter delivered as series. Just more than half targeted carers rather than patient-carer dyads. Most were developed for cancer; few focused purely on symptom management. Stand-alone resources were rare. Methods to evaluate interventions ranged from postintervention evaluations to fully powered randomized controlled trials but of variable quality.
CONCLUSION
Published evaluations of educational interventions for carers in advanced disease are limited, particularly for non-cancer conditions. Key elements for consideration in developing such interventions were identified; however, lack of reporting of reasons for nonparticipation or dropout from interventions limits understanding of the contribution of these elements to interventions' effectiveness. When developing personnel-delivered interventions for carers in advanced disease, consideration of the disease (and, therefore, caring) trajectory, intervention accessibility (timing, location, and transport), and respite provision may be helpful.
Topics: Caregivers; Humans; Palliative Care
PubMed: 27112309
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.341 -
Drugs & Aging Dec 2023There has been considerable focus on the use of psychotropic agents in people living with dementia in long-term care. However, psychotropic use often commences well... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There has been considerable focus on the use of psychotropic agents in people living with dementia in long-term care. However, psychotropic use often commences well before transitioning to long-term care.
OBJECTIVES
To synthesize the available literature to identify factors associated with psychotropic medication use in people living with dementia in the community.
METHODS
This PROSPERO-registered review reports findings from a comprehensive search of Embase, PsycINFO, and PubMed (including MEDLINE) databases according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria (2010-2022). Inclusion criteria were original prospective or retrospective design research papers enrolling people diagnosed with dementia utilizing a psychotropic medication and living at home. Quality and risk of bias was assessed Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The last search was conducted in November 2022. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize the emergent factors identified, and a meta-analysis was undertaken on suitable data.
RESULTS
The search identified 619 articles. After review and exclusions, 39 articles were included for synthesis, including 1,338,737 people. The majority of papers (67%) were rated as low risk of bias and corresponding good quality. Thematic analysis suggested associations between psychotropic prescribing and patient and environmental factors, with little data concerning carer and prescriber factors. Such factors included age (< 75 years, > 90 years), sex, more advanced functional decline, and living alone. Meta-analysis identified significant associations between psychotropic use and respite (temporary full-time care or hospitalization) and comorbid psychiatric illness.
CONCLUSIONS
While it is clear from this review that there remains a significant lack of clarity as to the reasons why these medications are being utilized in this population, this review provides greater insight and understanding into the context of psychotropic use. The study has highlighted an opportunity for further targeted research to be conducted and provides a much-needed context for this to occur.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021286322.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Dementia; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Psychotropic Drugs
PubMed: 37943474
DOI: 10.1007/s40266-023-01070-0 -
PloS One 2020Children are impacted when parents are ill. This systematic review gives an overview of the current state of research and extracts what children and parents found...
Informing children of their parent's illness: A systematic review of intervention programs with child outcomes in all health care settings globally from inception to 2019.
INTRODUCTION
Children are impacted when parents are ill. This systematic review gives an overview of the current state of research and extracts what children and parents found helpful in the interventions aimed at informing children of their parent's illness.
METHODS
This review was registered with PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five health and social science databases were searched from inception to November 2019 to identify original, peer-reviewed articles in English describing effective interventions. The authors selected and reviewed the studies independently, and any inconsistencies were resolved by discussion in face-to-face meetings and emails. A descriptive synthesis of evidence-based concepts from quantitative and qualitative studies was conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 13 892 titles and 144 full-text articles were reviewed with 32 selected for final inclusion, 21 quantitative, 11 qualitative and no mixed-method studies published from 1993 to November 2019. Most of the research was conducted in mental health, including substance abuse (n = 22), but also in cancer care (n = 6) and HIV care (n = 4). Most studies using quantitative method showed a small to moderately positive statistically significant intervention effect on the child's level of internalized symptoms. Content analysis of the results of studies employing qualitative methodology resulted in four concepts important to both children and parents in interventions (increased knowledge, more open communication, new coping strategies and changed feelings) and three additional concepts important to parents (observed changes in their children's behavior, the parent's increased understanding of their own child and the relief of respite).
CONCLUSIONS
In the literature there is evidence of mild to moderate positive effects on the child's level of internalized symptoms as well as concepts important to children and parent's worth noting when trying to bridge the still existing knowledge gaps. In further efforts the challenges of implementation as well as adaptation to differing clinical and personal situations appear key to address.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Emotions; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Neoplasms; Parent-Child Relations; Parents
PubMed: 32453799
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233696 -
BMJ Open Mar 2024Mental health inpatient facilities are increasingly focusing on creating therapeutic, person-centred care environments. However, research shows that this focus may have...
OBJECTIVES
Mental health inpatient facilities are increasingly focusing on creating therapeutic, person-centred care environments. However, research shows that this focus may have unintended consequences for healthcare staff. Designs that do not pay attention to staff needs may risk contributing to stress, burnout, job dissatisfaction and mental exhaustion in the work environment. This systematic review aims to identify and synthesise current research on the design factors of adult mental health inpatient facilities that impact healthcare staff.
DESIGN
A mixed method systematic review was conducted to search for empirical, peer-reviewed studies using the databases CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science from their inception up to 5 September 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal checklists were used to assess the methodological quality of the eligible studies. Data were extracted and grouped based on the facility design factors.
RESULTS
In our review, we included 29 peer-reviewed empirical studies that identified crucial design factors impacting healthcare staff in adult mental health inpatient facilities. Key factors included layouts providing optimal visibility, designated work and respite areas, and centrally located nursing stations. Notably, mixed perceptions regarding the benefits and challenges of open and glass-enclosed nursing stations suggest areas requiring further research. Facilities in geographically remote locations also emerged as a factor influencing staff dynamics. Additionally, although only supported by a limited number of studies, the significance of artwork, sensory rooms for respite, appropriate furniture and equipment, and access to alarms was acknowledged as contributory factors.
CONCLUSION
Through the synthesis of existing research, this review identified that the design of mental health facilities significantly impacts staff well-being, satisfaction, performance and perception of safety. Concluding that, in order to create a well-designed therapeutic environment, it is essential to account for both service users and staff user needs.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022368155.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Delivery of Health Care; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Inpatients; Mental Health; Health Personnel; Facility Design and Construction
PubMed: 38448069
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074368