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JAMA Network Open Dec 2023Contemporary studies raise concerns regarding the implications of excessive screen time on the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the existing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Contemporary studies raise concerns regarding the implications of excessive screen time on the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the existing literature consists of mixed and unquantified findings.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analyis of the association between screen time and ASD.
DATA SOURCES
A search was conducted in the PubMed, PsycNET, and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global databases for studies published up to May 1, 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
The search was conducted independently by 2 authors. Included studies comprised empirical, peer-reviewed articles or dissertations published in English with statistics from which relevant effect sizes could be calculated. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Two authors independently coded all titles and abstracts, reviewed full-text articles against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and resolved all discrepancies by consensus. Effect sizes were transformed into log odds ratios (ORs) and analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis and mixed-effects meta-regression. Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Publication bias was tested via the Egger z test for funnel plot asymmetry. Data analysis was performed in June 2023.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The 2 main variables of interest in this study were screen time and ASD. Screen time was defined as hours of screen use per day or per week, and ASD was defined as an ASD clinical diagnosis (yes or no) or ASD symptoms. The meta-regression considered screen type (ie, general use of screens, television, video games, computers, smartphones, and social media), age group (children vs adults or heterogenous age groups), and type of ASD measure (clinical diagnosis vs ASD symptoms).
RESULTS
Of the 4682 records identified, 46 studies with a total of 562 131 participants met the inclusion criteria. The studies were observational (5 were longitudinal and 41 were cross-sectional) and included 66 relevant effect sizes. The meta-analysis resulted in a positive summary effect size (log OR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.34 to 0.74]). A trim-and-fill correction for a significant publication bias (Egger z = 2.15; P = .03) resulted in a substantially decreased and nonsignificant effect size (log OR, 0.22 [95% CI, -0.004 to 0.44]). The meta-regression results suggested that the positive summary effect size was only significant in studies targeting general screen use (β [SE] = 0.73 [0.34]; t58 = 2.10; P = .03). This effect size was most dominant in studies of children (log OR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.66 to 1.29]). Interestingly, a negative summary effect size was observed in studies investigating associations between social media and ASD (log OR, -1.24 [95% CI, -1.51 to -0.96]).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that the proclaimed association between screen use and ASD is not sufficiently supported in the existing literature. Although excessive screen use may pose developmental risks, the mixed findings, the small effect sizes (especially when considering the observed publication bias), and the correlational nature of the available research require further scientific investigation. These findings also do not rule out the complementary hypothesis that children with ASD may prioritize screen activities to avoid social challenges.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Screen Time; Publication Bias
PubMed: 38064216
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46775 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Oct 2023To investigate potential moderating effects of resistance exercise dose components including intensity, volume and frequency, for the management of common tendinopathies. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To investigate potential moderating effects of resistance exercise dose components including intensity, volume and frequency, for the management of common tendinopathies.
DESIGN
Systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regressions.
DATA SOURCES
Including but not limited to: MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, ClinicalTrials.gov and ISRCTN Registry.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials investigating resistance exercise as the dominant treatment class, reporting sufficient information regarding ≥2 components of exercise dose.
RESULTS
A total of 110 studies were included in meta-analyses (148 treatment arms (TAs), 3953 participants), reporting on five tendinopathy locations (rotator cuff: 48 TAs; Achilles: 43 TAs; lateral elbow: 29 TAs; patellar: 24 TAs; gluteal: 4 TAs). Meta-regressions provided consistent evidence of greater pooled mean effect sizes for higher intensity therapies comprising additional external resistance compared with body mass only (large effect size domains: = 0.50 (95% credible interval (CrI): 0.15 to 0.84; p=0.998); small effect size domains ( = 0.04 (95% CrI: -0.21 to 0.31; p=0.619)) when combined across tendinopathy locations or analysed separately. Greater pooled mean effect sizes were also identified for the lowest frequency (less than daily) compared with mid (daily) and high frequencies (more than once per day) for both effect size domains when combined or analysed separately (p≥0.976). Evidence for associations between training volume and pooled mean effect sizes was minimal and inconsistent.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION
Resistance exercise dose is poorly reported within tendinopathy management literature. However, this large meta-analysis identified some consistent patterns indicating greater efficacy on average with therapies prescribing higher intensities (through inclusion of additional loads) and lower frequencies, potentially creating stronger stimuli and facilitating adequate recovery.
Topics: Humans; Resistance Training; Rotator Cuff; Exercise Therapy; Patella; Tendinopathy
PubMed: 37169370
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105754 -
Gene Dec 2023Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotyped behavior and deficits in communication and social interactions. To date,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by stereotyped behavior and deficits in communication and social interactions. To date, numerous studies have investigated the associations between genetic variants and ASD risk. However, the results of these published studies lack a clear consensus. In the present study, we performed a systematic review on the association between genetic variants and ASD risk. Meanwhile, we conducted a meta-analysis on available data to identify the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of candidate genes and ASD risk.
METHODS
We systematically searched public databases including English and Chinese from their inception to August 1, 2022. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality. Odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval were used as effect indexes to evaluate the association between the SNPs of candidate genes and the risk of ASD. Heterogeneity was explored through subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses. Publication bias was assessed by using Egger's and Begg's tests for funnel plot asymmetry. In addition, TSA analysis were performed to confirm the study findings.
RESULTS
We summarized 84 SNPs of 32 candidate genes from 81 articles included in the study. Subsequently, we analyzed 16 SNPs of eight genes by calculating pooled ORs, and identified eight significant SNPs of contactin associated protein 2 (CNTNAP2), methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), and vitamin D receptor (VDR). Results showed that seven SNPs, including the CNTNAP2 rs2710102 (homozygote, heterozygote, dominant and allelic models) and rs7794745 (heterozygote and dominant models), MTHFR C677T (homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, recessive and allelic models) and A1298C (dominant and allelic models), OXTR rs2254298 (homozygote and recessive models), VDR rs731236 (homozygote, dominant, recessive and allelic models) and rs2228570 (homozygote and recessive models), were showed to be correlated with an increased ASD risk. By contrast, the VDR rs7975232 was correlated with a decreased the risk of ASD under the homozygote and allelic models.
CONCLUSION
Our study summarized research evidence on the genetic variants of ASD and provides a broad and detailed overview of ASD risk genes. The C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of MTHFR, rs2710102 and rs7794745 polymorphisms of CNTNAP2, rs2254298 polymorphism of OXTR, and rs731236 and rs2228570 polymorphisms of VDR were genetic risk factors. The rs7975232 polymorphism of VDR was a genetic protective factor for ASD. Our study provides novel clues to clinicians and healthcare decision-makers to predict ASD susceptibility.
Topics: Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Alleles; Heterozygote; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)
PubMed: 37598788
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147723 -
Cerebellum (London, England) Jun 2024Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a heterogenous group of rare neurodegenerative conditions sharing an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. More than 40 SCAs have... (Review)
Review
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a heterogenous group of rare neurodegenerative conditions sharing an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. More than 40 SCAs have been genetically determined. However, a systematic review of SCA epidemiology in Europe is still missing. Here we performed a narrative review of the literature on the epidemiology of the most common SCAs in Europe. PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE were searched from inception until 1 April 2023. All English peer-reviewed articles published were considered and then filtered by abstract examination and subsequently by full text reading. A total of 917 original articles were retrieved. According to the inclusion criteria and after reviewing references for useful papers, a total of 35 articles were included in the review. Overall, SCA3 is the most frequent spinocerebellar ataxia in Europe. Its frequency is strikingly higher in Portugal, followed by Germany, France, and Netherlands. None or few cases were described in Italy, Russia, Poland, Serbia, Finland, and Norway. SCA1 and SCA2 globally displayed similar frequencies, and are more prevalent in Italy, United Kingdom, Poland, Serbia, and France.
Topics: Humans; Spinocerebellar Ataxias; Europe; Prevalence
PubMed: 37698771
DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01600-x -
Gene Dec 2023Identification of genetic risk factors for PCOS susceptibility. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
IMPORTANCE
Identification of genetic risk factors for PCOS susceptibility.
OBJECTIVE
To identify genetic risk variants of the genes involved in metabolic or inflammatory pathways.
DATA SOURCES
Relevant literature was identified and extracted from PubMed, Central Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Science Direct by using a set of keywords related to pre-determined genes up to 06 May 2023. Study selection and synthesis: PRISMA guidelines were followed to design the protocol which is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023422501). Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for different gene variants were calculated under different genetic models (dominant model, recessive model, additive model, and allele model) by using Review Manager software 4.2.
MAIN OUTCOMES
Metabolic genetic variants FTO rs9939609, IL-6 rs1800795 and CAPN10 rs3842570, rs2975760, and RAB5B rs705702 are associated with PCOS risk.
RESULTS
Forty-four relevant articles have been identified for genes involved in metabolic (n = 23) or inflammatory pathways (n = 21). There is a significant association (p < 0.05) of IL-6 rs1800795 and FTO rs9939609 with increased risk.CAPN10 rs2975760 Ins allele is suggested as a protective factor among only the non-Asian population. Also, a significant association of CAPN10 rs2975760 and RAB5B rs705702 with increased risk among the Asian population is suggested. However, no significant association could be found between CAPN10 rs3792267, rs5030952, and SUMO1P1 rs2272046, and the risk of PCOS in any of the subpopulations analysed. In silico analysis suggests the deleterious effect of IL-6 rs1800795.
CONCLUSION
and relevance: The study suggests the role of various genetic variants for genetic predisposition to PCOS among different subpopulations.
Topics: Female; Humans; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Interleukin-6; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37714276
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147796 -
The Journal of Headache and Pain Dec 2023Migraine is the world's second most common disabling disorder, affecting 15% of UK adults and costing the UK over £1.5 billion per year. Several costly new drugs have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Migraine is the world's second most common disabling disorder, affecting 15% of UK adults and costing the UK over £1.5 billion per year. Several costly new drugs have been approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
AIM
To assess the cost-effectiveness of drugs used to treat adults with chronic migraine.
METHODS
We did a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials of preventive drugs for chronic migraine. We then assessed the cost-effectiveness of the currently prescribable drugs included in the review: Onabotulinum toxin A (BTA), Eptinezumab (100mg or 300mg), Fremanezumab (monthly or quarterly dose), Galcanezumab or Topiramate, each compared to placebo, and we evaluated them jointly. We developed a Markov (state-transition) model with a three-month cycle length to estimate the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for the different medications from a UK NHS and Personal Social Services perspective. We used a two-year time horizon with a starting age of 30 years for the patient cohort. We estimated transition probabilities based on monthly headache days using a network meta-analysis (NMA) developed by us, and from published literature. We obtained costs from published sources and applied discount rates of 3.5% to both costs and outcomes.
RESULTS
Deterministic results suggest Topiramate was the least costly option and generated slightly more QALYs than the placebo, whereas Eptinezumab 300mg was the more costly option and generated the most QALYs. After excluding dominated options, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between BTA and Topiramate was £68,000 per QALY gained and the ICER between Eptinezumab 300mg and BTA was not within plausible cost-effectiveness thresholds. The cost-effectiveness acceptability frontier showed that Topiramate is the most cost-effective medication for any amount the decision maker is willing-to-pay per QALY.
CONCLUSIONS
Among the various prophylactic medications for managing chronic migraine, only Topiramate was within typical cost-effectiveness threshold ranges. Further research is needed, ideally an economic evaluation alongside a randomised trial, to compare these newer, expensive CGRP MAbs with the cheaper oral medications.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Topiramate; Migraine Disorders; Headache; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Decision Making; Quality-Adjusted Life Years
PubMed: 38053051
DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01686-y -
Cells Dec 2023Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease and presents a major public health problem worldwide. It is characterized by a recurrent... (Review)
Review
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease and presents a major public health problem worldwide. It is characterized by a recurrent and/or chronic course of inflammatory skin lesions with intense pruritus. Its pathophysiologic features include barrier dysfunction, aberrant immune cell infiltration, and alterations in the microbiome that are associated with genetic and environmental factors. There is a complex crosstalk between these components, which is primarily mediated by cytokines. Epidermal barrier dysfunction is the hallmark of AD and is caused by the disruption of proteins and lipids responsible for establishing the skin barrier. To better define the role of cytokines in stratum corneum lipid abnormalities related to AD, we conducted a systematic review of biomedical literature in PubMed from its inception to 5 September 2023. Consistent with the dominant T2 skewness seen in AD, type 2 cytokines were featured prominently as possessing a central role in epidermal lipid alterations in AD skin. The cytokines associated with T1 and T17 were also identified to affect barrier lipids. Considering the broad cytokine dysregulation observed in AD pathophysiology, understanding the role of each of these in lipid abnormalities and barrier dysfunction will help in developing therapeutics to best achieve barrier homeostasis in AD patients.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Cytokines; Epidermis; Skin; Lipids
PubMed: 38132113
DOI: 10.3390/cells12242793 -
Current Oncology Reports Sep 2023Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating progressive disease resulting in various impairments and dysfunctions. Complete decongestive therapy embodies... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a debilitating progressive disease resulting in various impairments and dysfunctions. Complete decongestive therapy embodies conservative rehabilitation treatments for BCRL. Surgical procedures performed by plastic and reconstructive microsurgeons are available when conservative treatment fails. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate which rehabilitation interventions contribute to the highest level of pre- and post-microsurgical outcomes.
RECENT FINDINGS
Studies published between 2002 and 2022 were grouped for analysis. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022341650) and followed the PRISMA guidelines. Levels of evidence were based upon study design and quality. The initial literature search yielded 296 results, of which, 13 studies met all inclusion criteria. Lymphovenous bypass anastomoses (LVB/A) and vascularized lymph node transplant (VLNT) emerged as dominant surgical procedures. Peri-operative outcome measures varied greatly and were used inconsistently. There is a dearth of high quality literature leading to a gap in knowledge as to how BCRL microsurgical and conservative interventions complement each other. Peri-operative guidelines are needed to bridge the knowledge and care gap between lymphedema surgeons and therapists. A core set of outcome measures for BCRL is vital to unify terminological differences in the multidisciplinary care of BCRL. Complete decongestive therapy embodies conservative rehabilitation treatments for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Surgical procedures performed by microsurgeons are available when conservative treatment fails. This systematic review investigated which rehabilitation interventions contribute to the highest level of pre- and post-microsurgical outcomes. Thirteen studies met all inclusion criteria and revealed that there is a dearth of high quality literature leading to a gap in knowledge as to how BCRL microsurgical and conservative interventions complement each other. Furthermore, peri-operative outcome measures were inconsistent. Peri-operative guidelines are needed to bridge the knowledge and care gap between lymphedema surgeons and therapists.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Lymphedema; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 37402044
DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01439-9 -
Clinical and Experimental Medicine Dec 2023The hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency disease originally described as Job syndrome. The fundamental causative variant of the HIES is...
The hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency disease originally described as Job syndrome. The fundamental causative variant of the HIES is an autosomal dominant mutation in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene. It is characterized by recurrent staphylococcal cold skin abscess, sinopulmonary infection, eczema, head and face anomalies, frequent bone fractures, eosinophilia and extremely high serum IgE levels (IgE ≥ 2000 IU/mL). However, multiple other genetic defects are also known as HIES-like disorders. Apart from infectious manifestations, STAT3, DOCK8 and TYK2 gene mutations are associated with various malignancies. The most common malignancies reported in these patients are lymphomas, including Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) of B and T cells. This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of malignancies in HIES and the factors associated with malignancy in these patients. In this survey, all articles published until April 1st, 2023, in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases based on three groups of keywords related to HIES syndrome and malignancy were reviewed by three different researchers. Finally, 26 articles were evaluated from which 24 papers were meta-analyzed. In the current study, the demographic information of 1133 patients with HIES, which was mentioned in 24 articles enrolled in the project, was collected, and the information related to patients who had malignancy was analyzed and meta-analyzed. A total of 96 patients out of 1133 studied patients had at least one type of malignancy, the overall prevalence of malignancies reported in the articles was 6.5% (95% confidence interval 4.1-9%), and the total prevalence of malignancy in patients with NHL type and patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was 2.9% (95% confidence interval 1.7-4.4%) and 2.2% (95% confidence interval 0.3-4.1%), respectively. The results of this study indicated that in 6.5% of cases, HIES was complicated with malignancy, and considering the higher rate of these malignancies in women as well as in DOCK8 mutation sufferers, it is necessary for physicians to be aware of this association and includes malignancy screening in follow-up and periodic examinations of these patients. Indeed, more studies in this field will help to clarify the precise figures and predisposing factors of the relationship between HIES and malignancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Job Syndrome; Prevalence; Neoplasms; Immunoglobulin E; Lymphoma; Mutation; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
PubMed: 37924455
DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01228-5 -
Risk Management and Healthcare Policy 2024The COVID-19 pandemic presents the possibility of future large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. In response, we conducted a systematic review of COVID-19 pandemic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic presents the possibility of future large-scale infectious disease outbreaks. In response, we conducted a systematic review of COVID-19 pandemic risk assessment to provide insights into countries' pandemic surveillance and preparedness for potential pandemic events in the post-COVID-19 era.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to systematically identify relevant articles and synthesize pandemic risk assessment findings to facilitate government officials and public health experts in crisis planning.
METHODS
This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and included over 620,000 records from the World Health Organization COVID-19 Research Database. Articles related to pandemic risk assessment were identified based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant articles were characterized based on study location, variable types, data-visualization techniques, research objectives, and methodologies. Findings were presented using tables and charts.
RESULTS
Sixty-two articles satisfying both the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Among the articles, 32.3% focused on local areas, while another 32.3% had a global coverage. Epidemic data were the most commonly used variables (74.2% of articles), with over half of them (51.6%) employing two or more variable types. The research objectives covered various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with risk exposure assessment and identification of risk factors being the most common theme (35.5%). No dominant research methodology for risk assessment emerged from these articles.
CONCLUSION
Our synthesized findings support proactive planning and development of prevention and control measures in anticipation of future public health threats.
PubMed: 38623576
DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S444494