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Cureus Oct 2022Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global epidemic causing significant morbidity and mortality. The most occurring DM is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which has similar... (Review)
Review
Clinical Assessment of Intermittent Fasting With Ketogenic Diet in Glycemic Control and Weight Reduction in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global epidemic causing significant morbidity and mortality. The most occurring DM is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which has similar symptoms as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, it is less marked, making it difficult to diagnose during the early stages. The management of T2DM is usually based on weight and glycemic control, which can be achieved through dietary interventions such as intermittent fasting (IF) and the ketogenic diet (KD). Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aim to demonstrate the role of IF and KD in glycemic and weight control among patients with T2DM. Two methods, including an electronic database search through ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, and a manual search were used to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2022. The search yielded 1299 articles, of which only 12 met the inclusion criteria. In addition, study quality appraisal was performed using Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4.1). The pooled results have shown that IF had a similar effect on HBA1c reduction as control interventions (standardized mean differences [SMD]: 0.36%; 95% CI; -0.37, 1.10; P = 0.33, I2 = 87%). Similarly, an insignificant difference in weight reduction between IF and control interventions was recorded (SMD: -1.05%; 95% CI; -2.29, 0.19; P = 0.10, I2 = 96%). On the other hand, KD significantly reduced body weight compared with control diets (SMD: -1.91 kg; 95% CI; -2.96 kg, -0.85 kg; P = 0.0004, I2 = 96%). Similarly, KD had a better effect on the HBA1c percentage reduction than control diets (SMD: -2.00%; 95% CI; -3.76, -0.25; P = 0.03, I2 = 97%). IF and KD have shown reductions in HBA1c and body weight among patients with T2DM. However, the interventions are subject to side effects and should be used with caution and under the supervision of a health professional.
PubMed: 36465743
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30879 -
AJPM Focus Mar 2023Cigarette smoking is a public health problem in the U.S. and is marked by pervasive sociodemographic disparities. State-run quitlines may offer greater access to... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Cigarette smoking is a public health problem in the U.S. and is marked by pervasive sociodemographic disparities. State-run quitlines may offer greater access to cessation services that could in turn help to reduce smoking disparities. The aim of this review was to synthesize the body of literature regarding sociodemographic disparities in the utilization and effectiveness of state-run quitlines.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
The PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this review. Included articles were published between January 1, 1992 and May 28, 2019 and sourced from PubMed and Web of Science. Studies that evaluated state-run quitline utilization or effectiveness (cessation) by sex, race/ethnicity, sexual or gender identity, or SES (income, education, insurance) were included.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Our search yielded 2,091 unique articles, 17 of which met the criteria for inclusion. This review found that quitline utilization was higher among Black and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals than among White individuals and among people with lower income and lower education than among people with higher income and higher education. Quitline use was associated with less smoking cessation among females than among males, among American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals than among individuals from all other races and ethnicities, and among individuals of lower than among those of higher income and education.
CONCLUSIONS
This review found that although communities disproportionately affected by smoking utilize quitlines more commonly than their White and more affluent peers, disparities in cessation persist for American Indian/Alaskan Native and individuals from lower SES groups who use quitlines.
PubMed: 37789942
DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2022.100042 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Sleep is a biological process that impacts nearly every domain of a child's life. Sleep-wake regulation influences and it is highly influenced by developmental variables... (Review)
Review
Sleep is a biological process that impacts nearly every domain of a child's life. Sleep-wake regulation influences and it is highly influenced by developmental variables related to parent-child relationships, such as attachment. The main goal of the present systematic review is to analyze and integrate the findings of empirical studies investigating the relations between attachment and sleep in preschool age, a period marked by important developmental changes that challenge both attachment system and sleep-wake regulation. A database search was performed using a combination of relevant keywords, leading to the identification of 524 articles, with 19 manuscripts assessed for eligibility; finally, seven studies (2344 children) were included. Overall, the findings were not consistent, with some studies reporting significant associations between attachment security and sleep quality, as well as between attachment insecurity and sleep problems, whereas others did not find significant associations. The results are discussed in light of the available theoretical models and integrated in the context of measurement approaches to attachment and sleep heterogeneity, aiming to guide future research on the topic.
PubMed: 34682160
DOI: 10.3390/children8100895 -
Tobacco Induced Diseases 2023Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with several congenital anomalies, including non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs). This systematic review aimed to... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with several congenital anomalies, including non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs). This systematic review aimed to update the literature on the association between ETS and NSOFCs.
METHODS
Four databases were searched up to March 2022, and studies that evaluated the association between ETS and NSOFCs were selected. Two authors selected the studies, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias. Comparing the association of maternal exposure to ETS and active parental smoking with NSOFCs allowed for the creation of pooled effect estimates for the included studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-six studies were deemed eligible for this review, of which 14 were reported in a previous systematic review. Twenty five were case-control studies, and one was a cohort study. In total, these studies included 2142 NSOFC cases compared to 118129 controls. All meta-analyses showed an association between ETS and the risk of having a child with NSOFC, based on the cleft phenotype, risk of bias, and year of publication, with a pooled increased odds ratio of 1.80 (95% CI: 1.51-2.15). These studies had a marked heterogeneity, which decreased upon subgrouping based on the recent year of publication and the risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS
ETS exposure was associated with more than a 1.5-fold increase in the risk of having a child with NSOFC, showing a higher odds ratio than paternal and maternal active smoking.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database # CRD42021272909.
PubMed: 37313116
DOI: 10.18332/tid/163177 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2021All corneal cross-linking techniques attenuated disease progression in patients with pediatric keratoconus for at least one year based on a meta-analysis. A standard and... (Review)
Review
All corneal cross-linking techniques attenuated disease progression in patients with pediatric keratoconus for at least one year based on a meta-analysis. A standard and accelerated technique led to marked improvement in visual acuity. We determined the efficacy and safety of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in pediatric keratoconus by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. The PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant studies on the effects of standard, transepithelial, and/or accelerated CXL protocols in patients aged 18 years or younger. Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare the data collected at baseline and 12 months. The primary outcomes were maximum keratometry (Kmax) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and the secondary outcomes were the thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and manifest refraction spherical equivalent or cylindrical refraction. Our search yielded 7913 publications, of which 26 were included in our systematic review and 21 were included in the meta-analysis. Standard CXL significantly improved the Kmax, UCVA, and BCVA, and significantly decreased the TCT. Accelerated CXL significantly improved UCVA and BCVA. In the transepithelial and accelerated-transepithelial CXL methods, each measurable parameter did not change after treatments. All CXL techniques attenuated disease progression in patients with pediatric keratoconus for at least one year. Standard and accelerated CXL led to marked improvement in visual acuity.
PubMed: 34203646
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10122626 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Despite numerous initiatives and resources to save and protect the health and sexual rights of girls and women, the persistently high rate of unwanted pregnancy,... (Review)
Review
Despite numerous initiatives and resources to save and protect the health and sexual rights of girls and women, the persistently high rate of unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has remain a topical public health challenge. This study hypothesised that the continuous conspicuous omission of boys/men in the interventions to combat this menace could be a long-life impediment to the realisation of sustainable health for girls and women in the region. The study adopted a systematic review of extant population-based published studies from Scopus, Google Scholars, PubMed, EMBASE, and AJOL. Literature coverage included the post-United Nations' coordinated International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo, 1994, which marked the beginning of a massive campaign for women/girls sexual rights. The obtained qualitative data were appraised and synthesised towards spurring policy recommendations for gender balanced initiatives on the sexual and reproductive health rights in SSA. The study highlighted that unwanted pregnancy occurs only when a boy/man has unprotected sex with a girl/woman without considering her choice or rights. It is considered ironic that the dominant factors are boys and men but many enlightenment initiatives/campaigns are concentrated on girls and women. The study developed a schematic save-a-girl-child framework that illustrated the possible dividends inherent in the training of a boy-child to achieve a safer world for the girls/women. It recommends increase in the exposure of boys and men to sexual education and counselling, which can motivate them to be supporters of family planning, supporters of only wanted pregnancy, wanted fatherhood, marital fidelity, intimate partners' harmonious living rather than violence, and wife or partner empowerment.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Male; Female; Health Services Accessibility; Human Rights; Women's Rights; Family Planning Services; United Nations
PubMed: 36498385
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316313 -
Nutrients Apr 2023The purpose of this study is to understand the conflicting results from previous studies on the association between carbohydrate intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The purpose of this study is to understand the conflicting results from previous studies on the association between carbohydrate intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the most recent scientific evidence. A systematic review used three electronic databases to gather literature on the association between carbohydrate intake and CVD. Considering the discrepancies, either fixed or random effect models were chosen to determine the effect size, and sensitivity analysis results, as well as publication bias, were also presented. The meta-analysis found that individuals with the highest carbohydrate intake had a 1.15-fold increased risk of CVD compared to those with the lowest intake (hazard ratio, HR: 1.15, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.07-1.23). Further subgroup analysis revealed that this association was only present in Asia, with a 1.52-fold increased risk (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.17-1.97), while no associations were seen in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The relationship between carbohydrate intake and CVD was non-linear, with a marked escalation beyond 60% of total energy from carbohydrates. Our findings suggest that a high-carbohydrate diet may raise the risk of CVD, particularly in Asian populations. This association may be due to the higher carbohydrate consumption and genetic variations found in Asia.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Cardiovascular Diseases; Europe; Carbohydrates; Asia; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37049580
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071740 -
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine Nov 2021There is a paucity of data regarding osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTPs), in part because they are far less common than osteochondral lesions of the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is a paucity of data regarding osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTPs), in part because they are far less common than osteochondral lesions of the talus.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the topographical characteristics of OLTPs and outcomes after surgical intervention, while analyzing the level of evidence (LOE) and quality of evidence (QOE) of the included studies.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
METHODS
A systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies reporting clinical data for OLTPs were included. The LOE and QOE of the included studies were evaluated using a 5-level grading system and the modified Coleman Methodology Score, respectively.
RESULTS
Included were 20 studies with 426 OLTPs; 4 studies were LOE 2 and 16 studies were LOE 4. Overall, 86.7% of OLTPs were associated with a traumatic history and/or previous ankle sprain. OLTPs were most commonly located in the centromedial region of the tibial plafond (30.4%), with the fewest number of OLTPs found in the anteromedial region of the tibial plafond (3.9%). In 17 of the studies, a total of 46.9% of OLTPs were associated with coexisting osteochondral lesions of the talus. The most frequently used surgical technique to treat OLTPs was microfracture, which resulted in good clinical outcomes at midterm follow-up.
CONCLUSION
The results of this systematic review indicated that OLTPs are frequently preceded by ankle trauma and are often associated with coexisting osteochondral lesions of the talus. Clinical outcomes after arthroscopic intervention appear to produce good results in the midterm, but the low LOE, poor QOE, marked heterogeneity, and underreporting of the data confound any recommendation based on this systematic review.
PubMed: 34778469
DOI: 10.1177/23259671211029208 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2023Menstruation is a natural occurrence marked by the periodic release of endometrial cells within the uterine lining from the female genital area. Menstruation knowledge... (Review)
Review
Menstruation is a natural occurrence marked by the periodic release of endometrial cells within the uterine lining from the female genital area. Menstruation knowledge remains highly essential for young adolescents. Inadequate awareness and understanding of menstruation have far-reaching consequences on the overall wellbeing and health outcomes of young adults worldwide. Adolescent girls make up a large percentage of high school students in Nigeria. Girls in countries with low to middle incomes are frequently misled or uneducated regarding menstruation. Menstrual health literacy (MHL) is the level of knowledge concerning matters related to menstrual health. It is observed that a lack of menstrual health literacy is seen among young adults. This systematic review aimed to examine menstruation literacy, attitudes, and adolescent girls' practices in Nigeria. This systematic review included quantitative, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, and qualitative primary research studies relating to menstruation literacy, attitudes, and practices of adolescents in Nigeria. Articles for this study were searched for on databases such as PubMed and BioMed Central using keywords. These studies were subjected to stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria where the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used, and 13 articles were included after critical appraisal. Data extracted were analysed using narrative synthesis. Findings indicated that knowledge regarding menstruation among adolescents (82.6%) was poor. Menstruation information was obtained from mothers, which was positive as some adolescents reported their closeness to their mothers. Regarding attitudes towards menstruation among adolescents, it was reported that more respondents (70.3%) had negative attitudes towards menstruation. Most of the respondents in Nigeria were not adequately prepared for the onset of their first menstrual period. Knowledge and attitude levels were low regarding periods for adolescents. The only exception was their positive attitude towards using water and soap to wash their hands during menstruation. The review shows a significant gap between adolescents' menstruation knowledge and actual hygienic methods during menstruation. It is therefore required for educational awareness programmes and campaigns to be put in place to educate adolescents about menstruation.
Topics: Young Adult; Adolescent; Female; Humans; Menstruation; Nigeria; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Mothers
PubMed: 38138175
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59122073 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Peripheral and autonomic neuropathy are common disease manifestations in systemic amyloidosis. The neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuron-specific biomarker, is... (Review)
Review
Peripheral and autonomic neuropathy are common disease manifestations in systemic amyloidosis. The neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuron-specific biomarker, is released into the blood and cerebrospinal fluid after neuronal damage. There is a need for an early and sensitive blood biomarker for polyneuropathy, and this systematic review provides an overview on the value of NfL in the early detection of neuropathy, central nervous system involvement, the monitoring of neuropathy progression, and treatment effects in systemic amyloidosis. A literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed on 14 February 2024 for studies investigating NfL levels in patients with systemic amyloidosis and transthyretin gene-variant (v) carriers. Only studies containing original data were included. Included were thirteen full-text articles and five abstracts describing 1604 participants: 298 controls and 1306 v carriers or patients with or without polyneuropathy. Patients with polyneuropathy demonstrated higher NfL levels compared to healthy controls and asymptomatic carriers. Disease onset was marked by rising NfL levels. Following the initiation of transthyretin gene-silencer treatment, NfL levels decreased and remained stable over an extended period. NfL is not an outcome biomarker, but an early and sensitive disease-process biomarker for neuropathy in systemic amyloidosis. Therefore, NfL has the potential to be used for the early detection of neuropathy, monitoring treatment effects, and monitoring disease progression in patients with systemic amyloidosis.
Topics: Humans; Prealbumin; Intermediate Filaments; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis; Amyloidosis; Polyneuropathies; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38612579
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073770