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European Urology Aug 2023Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors of the disease is paramount to improve primary and... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors of the disease is paramount to improve primary and secondary prevention strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review and summarize the current evidence on the descriptive epidemiology, large screening studies, diagnostic techniques, and risk factors of PCa.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
PCa incidence and mortality rates for 2020 were obtained from the GLOBOCAN database of the International Agency for Research on Cancer. A systematic search was performed in July 2022 using PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE biomedical databases. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022359728).
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Globally, PCa is the second most common cancer, with the highest incidence in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean. Risk factors include age, family history, and genetic predisposition. Additional factors may include smoking, diet, physical activity, specific medications, and occupational factors. As PCa screening has become more accepted, newer approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biomarkers have been implemented to identify patients who are likely to harbor significant tumors. Limitations of this review include the evidence being derived from meta-analyses of mostly retrospective studies.
CONCLUSIONS
PCa remains the second most common cancer among men worldwide. PCa screening is gaining acceptance and will likely reduce PCa mortality at the cost of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Increasing use of MRI and biomarkers for the detection of PCa may mitigate some of the negative consequences of screening.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the second most common cancer among men, and screening for PCa is likely to increase in the future. Improved diagnostic techniques can help reduce the number of men who need to be diagnosed and treated to save one life. Avoidable risk factors for PCa may include factors such as smoking, diet, physical activity, specific medications, and certain occupations.
Topics: Male; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostate; Risk Factors; Prostate-Specific Antigen
PubMed: 37202314
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2023.04.021 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Apr 2024It has been proposed that cat ownership may be a risk-modifying factor for schizophrenia-related disorders and psychotic-like experiences (PLE). This study aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
It has been proposed that cat ownership may be a risk-modifying factor for schizophrenia-related disorders and psychotic-like experiences (PLE). This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze publications that reported the relationship between cat ownership and schizophrenia-related outcomes.
METHODOLOGY
We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and gray literature for publications between January 1, 1980, and May 30, 2023, regardless of geographical location and language. Backward citation search methods were used to locate additional articles. We included studies that reported original data on cat ownership and schizophrenia-related outcomes. We meta-analyzed estimates based on broad definitions (cat ownership, cat bites, and cat contact) with estimates with or without covariate adjustments. We pooled comparable estimates using random-effects models and assessed the risk of bias, heterogeneity, and study quality.
RESULTS
We identified 1915 studies, of which 106 were chosen for full-text review, ultimately resulting in the inclusion of 17 studies. We found an association between broadly defined cat ownership and increased odds of developing schizophrenia-related disorders. For the studies reporting unadjusted odds ratios (OR; n = 10), the pooled OR was 2.14 (95% CI: 1.29-3.55). Exclusion of one outlier study resulted in a pooled OR (n = 9) of 1.56 (95% CI: 1.27-1.92). For the studies reporting adjusted estimates (n = 5), the pooled OR was 2.44 (95% CI: 1.59-3.73). After excluding one study with suboptimal exposure/design features, the pooled adjusted OR (n = 4) was 2.40 (95% CI: 1.50-3.86). We were unable to aggregate the estimates for the PLE outcomes because of the broad range of measures.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that cat exposure is associated with an increased risk of broadly defined schizophrenia-related disorders; however, the findings related to PLE as an outcome are mixed. There is a need for more high-quality studies in this field.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION
PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023426974. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023426974.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Cats; Psychotic Disorders; Animals; Ownership; Pets
PubMed: 38041862
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad168 -
Blood Advances Oct 2023Bispecific antibodies, a novel immunotherapy with promising efficacy against multiple myeloma, form immune synapses between T-cell surface marker CD3 and malignant cell... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Bispecific antibodies, a novel immunotherapy with promising efficacy against multiple myeloma, form immune synapses between T-cell surface marker CD3 and malignant cell markers, including B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), FcRH5, and G protein-coupled receptor GPRC5D. These bispecific antibodies so effectively deplete plasma cells (and to some extent T-cells) that patients are at increased risk of developing infections. A systematic review and meta-analysis of infections in published studies of patients with myeloma treated with bispecific antibodies was conducted to better characterize the infection risks. A literature search used MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane to identify relevant studies between inception and February 10, 2023, including major conference presentations. Phase 1b-3 clinical trials and observational studies were included. Sixteen clinical trials comprising 1666 patients were included. Median follow-up was 7.6 months and 38% of the cohort had penta-drug refractory disease. Pooled prevalence of all-grade infections was 56%, whereas the prevalence of grade ≥3 infections was 24%. Patients who were treated with BCMA-targeted bispecifics had significantly higher rates of grade ≥3 infections than non-BCMA bispecifics (25% vs 20%). Similarly, patients treated with bispecifics in combination with other agents had significantly higher rate of all-grade infection than those receiving monotherapy (71% vs 52%). In observational studies (n = 293), excluded from the primary analysis to ensure no overlap with patients in clinical trials, several infections classically associated with T-cell depletion were identified. This systematic review identifies BCMA-targeted bispecifics and bispecific combination therapy as having higher infection risk, requiring vigilant infection screening and prophylaxis strategies.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Myeloma; Antibodies, Bispecific; B-Cell Maturation Antigen; Immunotherapy; T-Lymphocytes; CD3 Complex
PubMed: 37467036
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010539 -
The Lancet. Neurology Dec 2023The safety and efficacy of oral anticoagulation for prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in people with atrial fibrillation and spontaneous intracranial... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH): prospective, individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials.
BACKGROUND
The safety and efficacy of oral anticoagulation for prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events in people with atrial fibrillation and spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage are uncertain. We planned to estimate the effects of starting versus avoiding oral anticoagulation in people with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation.
METHODS
In this prospective meta-analysis, we searched bibliographic databases and trial registries using the strategies of a Cochrane systematic review (CD012144) on June 23, 2023. We included clinical trials if they were registered, randomised, and included participants with spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation who were assigned to either start long-term use of any oral anticoagulant agent or avoid oral anticoagulation (ie, placebo, open control, another antithrombotic agent, or another intervention for the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events). We assessed eligible trials using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We sought data for individual participants who had not opted out of data sharing from chief investigators of completed trials, pending completion of ongoing trials in 2028. The primary outcome was any stroke or cardiovascular death. We used individual participant data to construct a Cox regression model of the time to the first occurrence of outcome events during follow-up in the intention-to-treat dataset supplied by each trial, followed by meta-analysis using a fixed-effect inverse-variance model to generate a pooled estimate of the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021246133.
FINDINGS
We identified four eligible trials; three were restricted to participants with atrial fibrillation and intracranial haemorrhage (SoSTART [NCT03153150], with 203 participants) or intracerebral haemorrhage (APACHE-AF [NCT02565693], with 101 participants, and NASPAF-ICH [NCT02998905], with 30 participants), and one included a subgroup of participants with previous intracranial haemorrhage (ELDERCARE-AF [NCT02801669], with 80 participants). After excluding two participants who opted out of data sharing, we included 412 participants (310 [75%] aged 75 years or older, 249 [60%] with CHADS-VASc score ≤4, and 163 [40%] with CHADS-VASc score >4). The intervention was a direct oral anticoagulant in 209 (99%) of 212 participants who were assigned to start oral anticoagulation, and the comparator was antiplatelet monotherapy in 67 (33%) of 200 participants assigned to avoid oral anticoagulation. The primary outcome of any stroke or cardiovascular death occurred in 29 (14%) of 212 participants who started oral anticoagulation versus 43 (22%) of 200 who avoided oral anticoagulation (pooled HR 0·68 [95% CI 0·42-1·10]; I=0%). Oral anticoagulation reduced the risk of ischaemic major adverse cardiovascular events (nine [4%] of 212 vs 38 [19%] of 200; pooled HR 0·27 [95% CI 0·13-0·56]; I=0%). There was no significant increase in haemorrhagic major adverse cardiovascular events (15 [7%] of 212 vs nine [5%] of 200; pooled HR 1·80 [95% CI 0·77-4·21]; I=0%), death from any cause (38 [18%] of 212 vs 29 [15%] of 200; 1·29 [0·78-2·11]; I=50%), or death or dependence after 1 year (78 [53%] of 147 vs 74 [51%] of 145; pooled odds ratio 1·12 [95% CI 0·70-1·79]; I=0%).
INTERPRETATION
For people with atrial fibrillation and intracranial haemorrhage, oral anticoagulation had uncertain effects on the risk of any stroke or cardiovascular death (both overall and in subgroups), haemorrhagic major adverse cardiovascular events, and functional outcome. Oral anticoagulation reduced the risk of ischaemic major adverse cardiovascular events, which can inform clinical practice. These findings should encourage recruitment to, and completion of, ongoing trials.
FUNDING
British Heart Foundation.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Prospective Studies; Stroke; Intracranial Hemorrhages; Anticoagulants; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37839434
DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00315-0 -
Stroke Oct 2023Although coronary calcification quantification is an established approach for cardiovascular risk assessment, the value of quantifying carotid calcification is less... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Although coronary calcification quantification is an established approach for cardiovascular risk assessment, the value of quantifying carotid calcification is less clear. As a result, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between extracranial carotid artery plaque calcification burden and ipsilateral cerebrovascular ischemic events.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1946 to July 6, 2022; OVID Embase 1974 to July 6, 2022; and The Cochrane Library (Wiley). We performed meta-analyses including studies in which investigators performed a computed tomography assessment of calcification volume, percentage, or other total calcium burden summarizable in a single continuous imaging biomarker and determined the association of these features with the occurrence of ipsilateral stroke or transient ischemic attack.
RESULTS
Our overall meta-analysis consisted of 2239 carotid arteries and 9 studies. The presence of calcification in carotid arteries ipsilateral to ischemic stroke or in stroke patients compared with asymptomatic patients did not demonstrate a significant association with ischemic cerebrovascular events (relative risk of 0.75 [95% CI, 0.44-1.28]; =0.29). When restricted to studies of significant carotid artery stenosis (>50%), the presence of calcification was associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke (relative risk of 0.56 [95% CI, 0.38-0.85]; =0.006). When the analysis was limited to studies of patients with mainly nonstenotic plaques, there was an increased relative risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke of 1.72 ([95% CI, 1.01-2.91]; =0.04). Subgroup meta-analyses of total calcium burden and morphological features of calcium showed wide variability in their strength of association with ischemic stroke and demonstrated significant heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of calcification in carotid plaque confers a reduced association with ipsilateral ischemic events, although these results seem to be limited among carotid arteries with higher degrees of stenosis. Adoption of carotid calcification measures in clinical decision-making will require additional studies providing more reproducible and standardized methods of calcium characterization and testing these imaging strategies in prospective studies.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Calcium; Brain Ischemia; Stroke; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Diseases; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Carotid Stenosis; Risk Assessment; Calcinosis; Ischemic Stroke; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37638399
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.042807 -
The Knee Oct 2023Treatment of patellar instability remains up for debate, and a combination of tibial tubercle osteotomy and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLr) of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Treatment of patellar instability remains up for debate, and a combination of tibial tubercle osteotomy and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLr) of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has become the mainstay treatment for recurrent lateral patellar dislocation. Due to limited small studies, there remains a variety of surgical techniques still being practiced. The use of MPFL reconstruction, in isolation, has demonstrated promise.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate if isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (iMPFLr) can safely and efficaciously restore knee stability and to present the patient demographics, surgical techniques, graft choices, clinical outcomes, and complications after iMPFLr for recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD).
METHODS
A review of the current literature according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, yielded 299 abstracts. Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria accounting for 1200 patients. Data was pooled and analyzed focusing on patient demographics, graft type used, Kujala, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, Tegner, and complications.
RESULTS
Across all studies the weighted mean age was found to be an average of 24.5 years, BMI was 24.9 kg/m, follow-up was 47.3 months, as 67% were female, TT-TG distance was 15.3 mm, and Caton Deschamps index 1.11. The pooled effect size difference of pre versus post assessment of Kujala was -2.8, IKDC was -4.5, Lysholm was -6.4, and Tegner was -0.74. The pooled complication rate was found to be 8% across all included studies. A subgroup analysis was also performed, specifically looking at how single bundle, double bundle, gracilis, semitendinosus and knee angle during fixation effect outcome data.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that isolated MPFL reconstruction is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent patellar dislocations. Given the efficacy of isolated MPFL reconstruction, future investigations should aim to uncover the exact TT-TG distance, trochlear dysplasia, and patella alta grade for selecting patients to undergo this procedure. Furthermore, more primary research needs to be conducted on this topic due to the overall lack of published data from randomized controlled studies and no broad standardization of outcome measurements.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
(4) Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Young Adult; Adult; Male; Patellar Dislocation; Patellofemoral Joint; Joint Instability; Knee Joint; Joint Dislocations; Ligaments, Articular; Patella
PubMed: 37531844
DOI: 10.1016/j.knee.2023.07.003 -
Journal of Psychiatric Research Aug 2023Rapid-cycling in bipolar disorder (RC-BD) is associated with greater illness morbidity and inferior treatment response but many aspects remain unclear, prompting this... (Review)
Review
Rapid-cycling in bipolar disorder (RC-BD) is associated with greater illness morbidity and inferior treatment response but many aspects remain unclear, prompting this systematic review of its definitions, prevalence, and clinical characteristics. We searched multiple literature databases through April 2022 for systematic reviews or meta-analyses on RC-BD and extracted associated definitions, prevalence, risk-factors, and clinical outcomes. We assessed study quality (NIH Quality Assessment Tool) and levels of evidence (Oxford criteria). Of 146 identified reviews, 22 fulfilling selection criteria were included, yielding 30 studies involving 13,698 BD patients, of whom 3777 (27.6% [CI: 26.8-28.3]) were considered RC-BD, as defined in 14 reports by ≥4 recurrences/year within the past 12 months or in any year, without considering responsiveness to treatment. Random-effects meta-analytically pooled one-year prevalence was 22.3% [CI: 14.4-32.9] in 12 reports and lifetime prevalence was 35.5% [27.6-44.3] in 18 heterogenous reports. Meta-regression indicated greater lifetime prevalence of RC-BD among women than men (p=0.003). Association of RC-BD with suicide attempts, and unsatisfactory response to mood-stabilizers was supported by strong evidence (Level 1); associations with childhood maltreatment, mixed-features, female sex, and type-II BD had moderate evidence (Level 2). Other factors: genetic predisposition, metabolic disturbances or hypothyroidism, antidepressant exposure, predominant depressive polarity (Level 3), along with greater illness duration and immune-inflammatory dysfunction (Level 4) require further study. RC-BD was consistently recognized as having high prevalence (22.3%-35.5% of BD cases) and inferior treatment response. Identified associated factors can inform clinical practice. Long-term illness-course, metabolic factors, and optimal treatment require further investigation.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Antidepressive Agents; Bipolar Disorder; Hypothyroidism; Prevalence; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic
PubMed: 37429185
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.06.021 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jul 2023To review the evidence on trends and impacts of private equity (PE) ownership of healthcare operators.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence on trends and impacts of private equity (PE) ownership of healthcare operators.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and SSRN.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION
Empirical research studies of any design that evaluated PE owned healthcare operators.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The main outcome measures were impact of PE ownership on health outcomes, costs to patients or payers, costs to operators, and quality. The secondary outcome measures were trends and prevalence of PE ownership of healthcare operators.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Studies were classified as finding either beneficial, harmful, mixed, or neutral impacts of PE ownership on main outcome measures. Results across studies were narratively synthesized and reported. Risk of bias was evaluated using ROBINS-I (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions).
RESULTS
The electronic search identified 1778 studies, with 55 meeting the inclusion criteria. Studies spanned eight countries, with most (n=47) analyzing PE ownership of healthcare operators in the US. Nursing homes were the most commonly studied healthcare setting (n=17), followed by hospitals and dermatology settings (n=9 each); ophthalmology (n=7); multiple specialties or general physician groups (n=5); urology (n=4); gastroenterology and orthopedics (n=3 each); surgical centers, fertility, and obstetrics and gynecology (n=2 each); and anesthesia, hospice care, oral or maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, and plastics (n=1 each). Across the outcome measures, PE ownership was most consistently associated with increases in costs to patients or payers. Additionally, PE ownership was associated with mixed to harmful impacts on quality. These outcomes held in sensitivity analyses in which only studies with moderate risk of bias were included. Health outcomes showed both beneficial and harmful results, as did costs to operators, but the volume of studies for these outcomes was too low for conclusive interpretation. In some instances, PE ownership was associated with reduced nurse staffing levels or a shift towards lower nursing skill mix. No consistently beneficial impacts of PE ownership were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
Trends in PE ownership rapidly increased across almost all healthcare settings studied. Such ownership is often associated with harmful impacts on costs to patients or payers and mixed to harmful impacts on quality. Owing to risk of bias and frequent geographic focus on the US, conclusions might not be generalizable internationally.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42022329857.
Topics: Humans; Ownership; Hospitals; Nursing Homes; Health Services; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 37468157
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-075244 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2024Around one-third of older adults aged 65 years or older who live in the community fall each year. Interventions to prevent falls can be designed to target the whole...
BACKGROUND
Around one-third of older adults aged 65 years or older who live in the community fall each year. Interventions to prevent falls can be designed to target the whole community, rather than selected individuals. These population-level interventions may be facilitated by different healthcare, social care, and community-level agencies. They aim to tackle the determinants that lead to risk of falling in older people, and include components such as community-wide polices for vitamin D supplementation for older adults, reducing fall hazards in the community or people's homes, or providing public health information or implementation of public health programmes that reduce fall risk (e.g. low-cost or free gym membership for older adults to encourage increased physical activity).
OBJECTIVES
To review and synthesise the current evidence on the effects of population-based interventions for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in older people. We defined population-based interventions as community-wide initiatives to change the underlying societal, cultural, or environmental conditions increasing the risk of falling.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, and two trials registers in December 2020, and conducted a top-up search of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase in January 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster RCTs, trials with stepped-wedge designs, and controlled non-randomised studies evaluating population-level interventions for preventing falls and fall-related injuries in adults ≥ 60 years of age. Population-based interventions target entire communities. We excluded studies only targeting people at high risk of falling or with specific comorbidities, or residents living in institutionalised settings.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane, and used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. We prioritised seven outcomes: rate of falls, number of fallers, number of people experiencing one or more fall-related injuries, number of people experiencing one or more fall-related fracture, number of people requiring hospital admission for one or more falls, adverse events, and economic analysis of interventions. Other outcomes of interest were: number of people experiencing one or more falls requiring medical attention, health-related quality of life, fall-related mortality, and concerns about falling.
MAIN RESULTS
We included nine studies: two cluster RCTs and seven non-randomised trials (of which five were controlled before-and-after studies (CBAs), and two were controlled interrupted time series (CITS)). The numbers of older adults in intervention and control regions ranged from 1200 to 137,000 older residents in seven studies. The other two studies reported only total population size rather than numbers of older adults (67,300 and 172,500 residents). Most studies used hospital record systems to collect outcome data, but three only used questionnaire data in a random sample of residents; one study used both methods of data collection. The studies lasted between 14 months and eight years. We used Prevention of Falls Network Europe (ProFaNE) taxonomy to classify the types of interventions. All studies evaluated multicomponent falls prevention interventions. One study (n = 4542) also included a medication and nutrition intervention. We did not pool data owing to lack of consistency in study designs. Medication or nutrition Older people in the intervention area were offered free-of-charge daily supplements of calcium carbonate and vitamin D. Although female residents exposed to this falls prevention programme had fewer fall-related hospital admissions (with no evidence of a difference for male residents) compared to a control area, we were unsure of this finding because the certainty of evidence was very low. This cluster RCT included high and unclear risks of bias in several domains, and we could not determine levels of imprecision in the effect estimate reported by study authors. Because this evidence is of very low certainty, we have not included quantitative results here. This study reported none of our other review outcomes. Multicomponent interventions Types of interventions included components of exercise, environment modification (home; community; public spaces), staff training, and knowledge and education. Studies included some or all of these components in their programme design. The effectiveness of multicomponent falls prevention interventions for all reported outcomes is uncertain. The two cluster RCTs included high or unclear risk of bias, and we had no reasons to upgrade the certainty of evidence from the non-randomised trial designs (which started as low-certainty evidence). We also noted possible imprecision in some effect estimates and inconsistent findings between studies. Given the very low-certainty evidence for all outcomes, we have not reported quantitative findings here. One cluster RCT reported lower rates of falls in the intervention area than the control area, with fewer people in the intervention area having one or more falls and fall-related injuries, but with little or no difference in the number of people having one or more fall-related fractures. In another cluster RCT (a multi-arm study), study authors reported no evidence of a difference in the number of female or male residents with falls leading to hospital admission after either a multicomponent intervention ("environmental and health programme") or a combination of this programme and the calcium and vitamin D programme (above). One CBA reported no difference in rate of falls between intervention and control group areas, and another CBA reported no difference in rate of falls inside or outside the home. Two CBAs found no evidence of a difference in the number of fallers, and another CBA found no evidence of a difference in fall-related injuries. One CITS found no evidence of a difference in the number of people having one or more fall-related fractures. No studies reported adverse events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Given the very low-certainty evidence, we are unsure whether population-based multicomponent or nutrition and medication interventions are effective at reducing falls and fall-related injuries in older adults. Methodologically robust cluster RCTs with sufficiently large communities and numbers of clusters are needed. Establishing a rate of sampling for population-based studies would help in determining the size of communities to include. Interventions should be described in detail to allow investigation of effectiveness of individual components of multicomponent interventions; using the ProFaNE taxonomy for this would improve consistency between studies.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Accidental Falls; Cholecalciferol; Controlled Before-After Studies; Dietary Supplements; Fractures, Bone
PubMed: 38180112
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013789.pub2 -
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review Mar 2024We conducted a systematic review investigating the influence of visual perspective and body ownership (BO) on vicarious brain resonance and vicarious sensations during... (Review)
Review
We conducted a systematic review investigating the influence of visual perspective and body ownership (BO) on vicarious brain resonance and vicarious sensations during the observation of pain and touch. Indeed, the way in which brain reactivity and the phenomenological experience can be modulated by blurring the bodily boundaries of self-other distinction is still unclear. We screened Scopus and WebOfScience, and identified 31 articles, published from 2000 to 2022. Results show that assuming an egocentric perspective enhances vicarious resonance and vicarious sensations. Studies on synaesthetes suggest that vicarious conscious experiences are associated with an increased tendency to embody fake body parts, even in the absence of congruent multisensory stimulation. Moreover, immersive virtual reality studies show that the type of embodied virtual body can affect high-order sensations such as appropriateness, unpleasantness, and erogeneity, associated with the touched body part and the toucher's social identity. We conclude that perspective plays a key role in the resonance with others' pain and touch, and full-BO over virtual avatars allows investigation of complex aspects of pain and touch perception which would not be possible in reality.
PubMed: 38429591
DOI: 10.3758/s13423-024-02477-5