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HRB Open Research 2018Testicular cancer (TC) is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men aged 15-40 years. The incidence of TC is on the rise. Benign testicular disorders, such as...
Testicular cancer (TC) is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men aged 15-40 years. The incidence of TC is on the rise. Benign testicular disorders, such as testicular torsion and epididymitis, can lead to testicular ischemia, sepsis, and infertility if left untreated. This updated systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of studies promoting men's knowledge and awareness of testicular disorders and/or self-examination, behaviours and/or intentions to examine their testes, and help-seeking behaviours and/or intentions for testicular disorder symptoms. Academic Search Complete, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, the Cochrane Library, the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched for studies published between April 2018 and August 2023. Methodological quality was assessed and results were synthesised meta-narratively. Five studies were included. The majority of the reviewed interventions were successful in increasing men's awareness of TC and self-examination, including a PowerPoint presentation, an online educational brochure, video-assisted teaching, a motivational video, and a virtual reality game. Only one study addressed help-seeking for testicular symptoms and promoted men's awareness of benign as well as malignant testicular diseases. This review highlights the importance of evaluating innovative educational interventions aimed at younger men, whilst raising their awareness of testicular disorders and increasing their help-seeking intentions for testicular disorder symptoms. Given the lack of consensus around scheduled testicular self-examination among younger men, clinicians are encouraged to instruct men to familiarise themselves with the look and feel of their own testes and to seek timely medical attention for abnormalities. The protocol of the previous version of this review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration number CRD42018093671.
PubMed: 32002508
DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.12837.3 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Oct 2023Increase in presentations of self-harm to primary care, a risk factor of suicide, has led to a growing interest in identifying at-risk populations. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Increase in presentations of self-harm to primary care, a risk factor of suicide, has led to a growing interest in identifying at-risk populations.
AIM
To examine whether osteoporosis or fractures are risk factors for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide.
DESIGN AND SETTING
This was a systematic review of observational studies in adults (>18 years) that had examined the role of osteoporosis and/or fractures in subsequent self-harm, suicidal ideation, and/or suicide.
METHOD
Six databases were searched from inception to July 2019. Additional citation tracking of eligible studies was undertaken in November 2022. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment of full-text articles were performed independently by at least two authors. Where possible, meta-analysis was run on comparable risk estimates.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies were included: two examined the outcome of self-harm, three suicidal ideation, and 10 suicide. In approximately half of studies on osteoporosis, the risk of suicidal ideation and suicide remained significant. However, pooling of adjusted odds ratios from three studies indicated no association between osteoporosis and suicide (1.14, 95% confidence interval = 0.88 to 1.49). Nine studies examined the risk of a mixture of fracture types across different outcomes, limiting comparisons. However, all studies examining vertebral fracture ( = 3) reported a significant adjusted negative association for self-harm and suicide.
CONCLUSION
Patients with vertebral fractures, a risk potential factor for suicide, may benefit from clinical case finding for mood disorders with personalised primary care management. However, because of the limited number and quality of studies and mixed findings, further examination of these associations is warranted.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Suicidal Ideation; Risk Factors; Osteoporosis
PubMed: 37722857
DOI: 10.3399/BJGP.2023.0035 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Mar 2024To compare the effect of conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets on periodontal health. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
To compare the effect of conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets on periodontal health.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A search of information up to October 2022 was carried out in the following electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), EMBASE, SciELO and Google Scholar. We included studies that were randomised clinical trials, dealing with conventional brackets and self-ligating brackets and their effect on periodontal health, with no language restriction and no time limit. The Risk of Bias 2 (Rob 2.0) tool was used to determine the risk of bias of the included studies. The information selected from the studies was entered and analysed with RevMan 5.3, using the mean and standard deviation with a 95% confidence interval as a measure. Finally, an analysis was performed using the GRADE system to classify the quality of the evidence and grade the strength of the recommendation.
RESULTS
The preliminary search yielded a total of 399 articles, discarding those that did not meet the selection criteria, leaving only 13 articles. The effect of conventional and self-ligating brackets on periodontal health was determined using periodontal probing depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and bleeding index (BI), showing advantages of self-ligating brackets in PI and BI, and no differences compared to self-ligating brackets in PPD and GI.
CONCLUSIONS
Self-ligating brackets probably better preserve periodontal health compared to conventional brackets regarding plaque accumulation and bleeding on probing. Conventional brackets, self-ligating brackets, periodontal health, orthodontic treatment, systematic review, meta-analysis.
PubMed: 38600930
DOI: 10.4317/jced.61378 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2023Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are important components of physical behaviour associated with long-term health outcomes. Environmental and cultural... (Review)
Review
Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are important components of physical behaviour associated with long-term health outcomes. Environmental and cultural factors may influence physical behaviour. To explore full day PA and SB in children and adolescents (2-18 years old) in the Middle East, a systematic literature review was performed including 183 journal articles. A wide range of PA and SB outcomes were reported, in some cases making synthesis of results difficult. As a consequence, results were generally reported narratively (MVPA time, total PA, SB time). Meta-regression of daily step count revealed females took 4600 fewer steps than males, with 3000 fewer steps on weekdays than weekends, and overweight individuals taking 2800 fewer steps/day. Steps decreased with age. Meta-regression for TV viewing time demonstrated an increase by 0.04 h per year of age. Even though environmental and cultural conditions may be different, PA and SB of children and adolescents in the Middle East were largely comparable to those of Europeans and North Americans. The wide range of data collection instruments used (both self-report questionnaire and body-worn devices) and heterogeneity of data made synthesis of reported data across studies very difficult, suggesting a need for greater standardisation of data collection methods.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Sedentary Behavior; Exercise; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report; Middle East
PubMed: 37887678
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206940 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2023Gestational diabetes mellitus is a growing global health problem. Inadequate management during pregnancy can lead to maternal and foetal complications. Currently, mobile... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Gestational diabetes mellitus is a growing global health problem. Inadequate management during pregnancy can lead to maternal and foetal complications. Currently, mobile health (mHealth) delivers healthcare services, playing an increasingly important role in the management of blood glucose in GDM. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of mHealth intervention in pregnant women with GDM. Based on randomised controlled trials of mHealth application in GDM patients searched from the database, literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation were conducted independently by two researchers. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software. The review included 27 studies with a total of 3483 patients. The results showed a significant improvement in glycemic control. In addition, mHealth interventions could reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve self-management ability. In a subgroup analysis, recording of delivery mode and WeChat combined phone call indicated significant differences with mHealth interventions. It was suggested that mHealth interventions imposed a positive effect on glycemic control and reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in GDM patients. Our results demonstrated that the application of mHealth interventions can act as an effective and feasible approach to self-management to promote the self-management level and awareness of GDM patients.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Pregnant Women; Diabetes, Gestational; Telemedicine; Blood Glucose; Mobile Applications
PubMed: 37605977
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2245906 -
The Lancet. Public Health Sep 2023Syphilis is causing epidemics in many countries. Syphilis self-testing (SST) has potential to increase testing and treatment coverage in the same manner as documented... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Syphilis is causing epidemics in many countries. Syphilis self-testing (SST) has potential to increase testing and treatment coverage in the same manner as documented for self-testing of, for example, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and COVID-19. We aimed to synthesise current evidence on the utility of SST.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and, where possible, meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications published from Jan 1, 2000, to Oct 13, 2022. We included publications with original data on any syphilis rapid tests, including dual HIV-syphilis tests. Study populations were not restricted. We used random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the pooled proportion of people offered SST who undertook the test. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022302129).
FINDINGS
In total, 40 499 citations were identified. 11 publications from seven studies from the USA, Zimbabwe, and China met eligibility criteria. Of those, four studies reported data from men who have sex with men and five studies used dual HIV-SST. Using data from one randomised controlled trial and three observational studies, the pooled proportion of people who received SST kits who undertook the test was 88% (95% CI 85-91). No studies provided data on the sensitivity or specificity of SST. Overall, user and provider preference for SST was high, with participants reporting convenience, privacy, rapid results, autonomy, trust in blood-based tests, decreased facility contact, and time savings, with individuals being able to correctly self-test. Publications from China reported that SST had lower costs per person tested than existing facility-based testing options.
INTERPRETATION
Our review builds on the literature for self-testing across different disease areas and demonstrates that SST has the potential to reach underserved populations. As this review found that SST use was acceptable and feasible to implement, SST can be used as an additional syphilis testing approach. Since no data on the sensitivity and specificity of SST were found, further implementation research will be required to guide the best strategies for SST service delivery and future scale-up.
FUNDING
WHO, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and Unitaid.
Topics: Male; Humans; Syphilis; Self-Testing; Homosexuality, Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities; COVID-19; Australia; HIV Infections
PubMed: 37482070
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00128-7 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Apr 2024Suicide and self-injury have become increasingly serious public health crises. Yet current evidence about the association between sedentary behavior (SB) and suicide is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Suicide and self-injury have become increasingly serious public health crises. Yet current evidence about the association between sedentary behavior (SB) and suicide is inconclusive. We explore the relationship between SB and suicide behavior to provide intervention measures to change the risk factors of the latter.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from database inception to September 10, 2023. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effect measures. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on gender, regions and countries, age, and study type.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies were included. According to the meta-analysis of suicide type, compared with individuals without sedentary behavior, individuals with sedentary behavior have a higher risk of suicide attempt (OR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.15-1.37, p < 0.001), suicide ideation (OR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.28-1.68, p < 0.001) and suicide plan (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.16-1.44, p < 0.001). We conducted multiple subgroup analyses for different suicidal behaviors. The analysis found that SB can increase the risk of suicide attempt in different subgroups of different genders, different research centers, Africa, and adolescents; SB can increase the risk of suicide ideation in the subgroups of different genders and ages, different research centers, Asia and Africa; SB can increase the risk of suicide plan in the subgroups of different genders, multi-center study, Africa, and adolescents.
LIMITATIONS
Future research should focus on objective SB measurement and explore its dose-response relation and time limit.
CONCLUSION
A sedentary lifestyle is associated with suicide behavior risk, with varying effects across age groups and regions, as evidenced in both single-center and multi-center studies.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Male; Female; Sedentary Behavior; Suicide, Attempted; Suicidal Ideation; Self-Injurious Behavior; Risk Factors; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38266927
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.193 -
BMJ Open Dec 2023This study aimed to estimate the pooled level of self-care behaviour among heart failure patients in Ethiopia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to estimate the pooled level of self-care behaviour among heart failure patients in Ethiopia.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCE
PubMed/MEDLINE, HINARI, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, African journals online and University repositories were searched from 1 January 2000 to 1 November 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
We include studies that examined self-care behaviour among heart failure patients, studies that report factors associated with self-care behaviour and observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control and cohort) with full text available.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
The data were extracted with Microsoft Excel and analysed by using STATA V.11 software. The weighted inverse variance random-effects model at 95% CI was used to estimate the pooled level of self-care behaviour and its associated factors among heart failure patients. Tests of heterogeneity, test of publication bias and subgroup analyses were also employed.
RESULTS
Thirteen cross-sectional studies with 4321 study participants were included; and the pooled level of good self-care behaviour among heart failure patients in Ethiopia was found to be 38.3% (95% CI 31.46 to 45.13). Only 68.8% of heart failure patients were knowledgeable about heart failure. Knowledge about heart failure (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=3.39; 95% CI 2.42 to 4.74) and absence of comorbidity (AOR=2.69; 95% CI 1.35 to 5.37) were significantly associated with good self-care behaviour among heart failure patients in Ethiopia.
CONCLUSION
The majority of heart failure patients in Ethiopia did not adhere to the recommended self-care behaviours. Nearly one-third of heart failure patients were not knowledgeable about heart failure. Knowledge about heart failure and the absence of comorbidities were significantly associated with good self-care behaviour. Therefore, efforts should be devoted to increasing knowledge and preventing comorbidities among heart failure patients.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023394373.
Topics: Humans; Ethiopia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Self Care; Odds Ratio; Heart Failure; Prevalence
PubMed: 38072478
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071960 -
The Australian & New Zealand Journal of... Dec 2023Although many pregnant women accept referrals to stop-smoking support, the uptake of appointments often remains low. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although many pregnant women accept referrals to stop-smoking support, the uptake of appointments often remains low.
AIM
The aim was to review the success of interventions to increase the uptake of external stop-smoking appointments following health professional referrals in pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and CINAHL were searched in February 2023 for studies with interventions to increase the uptake rates of external stop-smoking appointments among pregnant women who smoke. Eligible studies included randomised, controlled, cluster-randomised, quasi-randomised, before-and-after, interrupted time series, case-control and cohort studies. Cochrane tools assessing for bias and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
Two before-and-after studies were included, including a combined total of 1996 women who smoked during pregnancy. Both studies had a serious risk of bias, and meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity. One study testing carbon monoxide monitors and opt-out referrals showed increased uptake of external stop-smoking appointments, health professional referrals and smoking cessation rates compared to self-identified smoking status and opt-in referrals. Results were limited in the second study, which used carbon monoxide monitors, urinary cotinine levels and self-disclosed methods to identify the smoking status with opt-out referrals. Only post-intervention data were available on the uptake of appointments to external stop-smoking services. The number of health professional referrals increased, but change in smoking cessation rates was less clear.
CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence to inform practice regarding strategies to increase the uptake of external stop-smoking appointments by women during pregnancy.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Smoking Cessation; Carbon Monoxide; Pregnant Women; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; Smoking
PubMed: 37621216
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13745 -
The Science of Diabetes Self-management... Dec 2023The purpose of this systematic literature review was to explore studies that report the experiences of adolescents, their families, and health care professionals of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The purpose of this systematic literature review was to explore studies that report the experiences of adolescents, their families, and health care professionals of adolescents' transition to self-management of type 1 diabetes (T1DM).
METHODS
SocINDEX, PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched. Studies reporting on experiences of transition to self-management of T1DM for adolescents, their parents, siblings, and health care professionals published between January 2010 amd December 2021 were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool guided trustworthiness and relevance of selected studies.
RESULTS
A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that adolescents' experiences of transitioning to self-management of T1DM are interconnected with the supports provided by others (eg, family, teachers, friends). Considering interdependence and collective lived experiences is essential to developing effective and personalized family, peer, and social interventions to facilitate transition and to avoid negative outcomes in later life. The renegotiation of roles within the network of supports that impact adolescents' transition and adolescents' self-negotiation have been neglected.
CONCLUSION
Transition to self-management of T1DM is a dynamic and iterative process comprising of continuous shifts between interdependence and independence, making it challenging for all involved. A number of research gaps and avenues for future research are outlined.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Self-Management; Self Care; Parents; Peer Group
PubMed: 37927049
DOI: 10.1177/26350106231206779