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Acta Dermato-venereologica Nov 2015Transplant recipients have a raised risk of melanoma but the relative magnitude is uncertain. We undertook a systematic review by searching major databases for relevant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Transplant recipients have a raised risk of melanoma but the relative magnitude is uncertain. We undertook a systematic review by searching major databases for relevant publications to June 2014. Cohort studies quantifying the association between transplantation and melanoma were included and data were pooled using the weighted average method. Among 20 eligible studies the pooled relative risk (pRR) of melanoma was 2.71 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.23-3.30) with significant heterogeneity (p < 0.001). There was no indication of publication bias. Sub-group analyses by study design, follow-up period, adjustment for confounding and quality score did not materially alter results. Among liver and heart transplant patients pRR for melanoma was 5.27 (95% CI 4.50-6.62), higher than the pRR of 2.54 (95% CI 2.18-2.96) among kidney transplant patients. Transplant recipients are at more than double the risk of melanoma overall compared with the general population.
Topics: Heart Transplantation; Humans; Incidence; Kidney Transplantation; Liver Transplantation; Melanoma; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 26012553
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2148 -
Diseases of the Esophagus : Official... Mar 2020Anastomotic leaks (AL) are a major complication after esophagectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to determine identify risks factors for AL (preoperative, intra-operative,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Anastomotic leaks (AL) are a major complication after esophagectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to determine identify risks factors for AL (preoperative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors) and assess the consequences to outcome on patients who developed an AL. This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases up to 31 December 2018. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random-effects modeling and prospectively registered with the PROSPERO database (Registration CRD42018130732). This review identified 174 studies reporting outcomes of 74,226 patients undergoing esophagectomy. The overall pooled AL rates were 11%, ranging from 0 to 49% in individual studies. Majority of studies were from Asia (n = 79). In pooled analyses, 23 factors were associated with AL (17 preoperative and six intraoperative). AL were associated with adverse outcomes including pulmonary (OR: 4.54, CI95%: 2.99-6.89, P < 0.001) and cardiac complications (OR: 2.44, CI95%: 1.77-3.37, P < 0.001), prolonged hospital stay (mean difference: 15 days, CI95%: 10-21 days, P < 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (OR: 5.91, CI95%: 1.41-24.79, P = 0.015). AL are a major complication following esophagectomy accounting for major morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis identified modifiable risk factors for AL, which can be a target for interventions to reduce AL rates. Furthermore, identification of both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors will facilitate risk stratification and prediction of AL enabling better perioperative planning, patient counseling, and informed consent.
Topics: Anastomotic Leak; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagectomy; Humans; Risk Adjustment
PubMed: 31957798
DOI: 10.1093/dote/doz089 -
Allergologia Et Immunopathologia 2018Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that mainly affects extremely pre-term infants, and remains the most common complication of prematurity.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that mainly affects extremely pre-term infants, and remains the most common complication of prematurity. Several studies have shown that prematurity predisposes to the development of asthma in school children and adolescents. Nevertheless, it is not clear to what extent a history of BPD involves an additional risk.
METHODS
A systematic review of studies assessing the association between BPD and asthma in school-children and adolescents was made. A literature search was carried out in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases to retrieve articles published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2016.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies comprising 7433 patients were included in the review. There was considerable heterogeneity in the definitions of BPD and asthma among studies. Overall, the prevalence of asthma was higher in children and adolescents with a history of prematurity and BPD compared with those who did not develop BPD. However, in only one of the studies did this difference reach statistical significance. The main limitation of this review was potential bias due to the lack of adjustment for confounding factors between exposure (BPD) and outcome (asthma) in most of the studies.
CONCLUSION
Based on the studies reviewed, it cannot be argued that BPD, as an independent factor of prematurity, increases the risk of asthma defined by clinical parameters in school-children and adolescents. Further studies of greater methodological quality and homogeneous diagnostic criteria of BPD and asthma are needed for improved assessment of this association.
Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Child; Humans; Population; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28668285
DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2017.02.004 -
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology Jul 2023Historical reports suggest that infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk for high blood pressure (BP) at older ages after adjustment for later... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Historical reports suggest that infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk for high blood pressure (BP) at older ages after adjustment for later age body size. Such adjustment may be inappropriate since adiposity is a known cause of cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the association between SGA births and later BP among preterm births, considering potential background confounders and over-adjustment for later body size.
METHODS
A database search of studies up to October 2022 included MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. Studies were included if they reported BP (systolic [SBP] or diastolic [DBP]) (outcomes) for participants born preterm with SGA (exposure) or non-SGA births. All screening, extraction steps, and risk of bias (using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions [ROBINS-I] tool) were conducted in duplicate by two reviewers. Data were pooled in meta-analysis using random-effects models. We explored potential sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
We found no meaningful difference in later BP between preterm infants with and without SGA status at birth. Meta-analysis of 25 studies showed that preterm SGA, compared to preterm non-SGA, was not associated with higher BP at age 2 and older with mean differences for SBP 0.01 mmHg (95% CI -0.10, 0.12, I = 59.8%, n = 20,462) and DBP 0.01 mm Hg (95% CI -0.10, 0.12), 22 studies, (I = 53.0%, n = 20,182). Adjustment for current weight did not alter the results, which could be due to the lack of differences in later weight status in most of the included studies. The included studies were rated to be at risk of bias due to potential residual confounding, with a low risk of bias in other domains.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence indicates that preterm infants born SGA are not at increased risk of developing higher BP as children or as adults as compared to non-SGA preterm infants.
Topics: Infant; Female; Child; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Child, Preschool; Infant, Premature; Blood Pressure; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Fetal Growth Retardation; Hypertension; Infant, Newborn, Diseases
PubMed: 36688258
DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12955 -
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 2016To review literature and provide a pooled effect for the association between multimorbidity and mortality in older adults. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To review literature and provide a pooled effect for the association between multimorbidity and mortality in older adults.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed of articles held on the PUBMED database published up until January 2015. Studies which used different diseases and other conditions to define frailty, evaluated multimorbidity related only to mental health or which presented disease homogeneity were not included. A meta-analysis using random effect to obtain a pooled effect of multimorbidity on mortality in older adults was conducted only with studies which reported hazard ratio (HR). Stratified analysis and univariate meta-regression were performed to evaluate sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Out of 5806 identified articles, 26 were included in meta-analysis. Overall, positive association between multimorbidity and mortality [HR: 1.44 (95%CI: 1.34; 1.55)] was detected. The number of morbidities was positively related to risk of death [HR: 1.20 (95%CI: 1.10; 1.30)]. Compared to individuals without multimorbidity, the risk of death was 1.73 (95%CI: 1.41; 2.13) and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.81; 4.08) for people with 2 or more and 3 or more morbidities, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was high (96.5%). The sample, adjustment and follow-up modified the associations. Only nine estimates performed adjustment which included demographic, socioeconomic and behaviour variables. Disabilities appear to mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Multimorbidity was associated with an increase in risk of death. Multimorbidity measurement standardization is needed to produce more comparable estimates. Adjusted analysis which includes potential confounders might contribute to better understanding of causal relationships between multimorbidity and mortality.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Chronic Disease; Comorbidity; Global Health; Humans; Morbidity; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27500661
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2016.07.008 -
Stroke Nov 2019Background and Purpose- Chronic kidney disease is strongly associated with stroke with various purported mechanisms proposed. Low glomerular filtration rate appears to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Background and Purpose- Chronic kidney disease is strongly associated with stroke with various purported mechanisms proposed. Low glomerular filtration rate appears to be a risk factor for stroke independent of cardiovascular risk factors in epidemiological studies, but there has been no systematic assessment of the impact of more complete adjustment for blood pressure on the association. Methods- We did a systematic review to February 2018 (MEDLINE/EMBASE) for cohort studies or randomized controlled trials that reported stroke incidence in adults according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. Study and participant characteristics and relative risks (RR) were extracted. Estimates were combined using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by x statistics and and by subgroup strata and meta-regression. Results- We identified 168 studies reporting data on 5 611 939 participants with 115 770 stroke outcomes. Eighty-five studies (3 417 098 participants; 72 996 strokes) provided adequate data for meta-analysis of estimated glomerular filtration rate and stroke risk. Incident stroke risk was increased among participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m (RR=1.73; 95% CI, 1.57-1.90; <0.001), but there was substantial heterogeneity between studies (<0.0001; , 78.5%). Moreover, the association was reduced after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, with progressive attenuation on more thorough adjustment for hypertension: single baseline blood pressure measure (RR=1.63; CI, 1.34-1.99; <0.001); history or treated hypertension (RR=1.35; CI, 1.24-1.46; <0.001); multiple blood pressure measurements over months to years (RR=1.10; CI, 1.02-1.18; =0.01). Conclusions- The association between chronic kidney disease and stroke appears to be highly dependent on the method of adjustment for hypertension. The apparently independent relationship between chronic kidney disease and stroke may be confounded by their shared association with long-term prior blood pressure.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Female; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Risk Factors; Stroke; Time Factors
PubMed: 31594463
DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.025442 -
PloS One 2013The fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) polymorphisms have been implicated in the susceptibility of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. However, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) polymorphisms have been implicated in the susceptibility of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. However, the results have been inconsistent. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association of FTO gene polymorphisms with overweight/obesity risk among children and adolescents.
METHODS
PubMed and Embase were used to search for eligible published literatures. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effect models.
RESULTS
A total of 21 articles containing 23 studies (11208cases and 35015controls) were included in our analysis. The results indicated that variant in FTO gene was significantly associated with increased risk of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents (OR=1.35; 95%CI: 1.27-1.44; P<0.001). The overall pooled ORs for risk obesity and overweight were 1.34 (95%CI: 1.21-1.48) and 1.35 (95%CI: 1.25-1.47), respectively. Subgroup analyses also showed similar trends in most subgroups of adjustment for covariates and unadjustment, different ethnicities (Caucasians, Asians, and Amerindians), and each of three investigated polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs1421085, and rs1558902).
CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis suggested a positive association between FTO gene polymorphism and overweight/obesity risk among children and adolescents. Further prospective studies should be recommended to confirm the observed association, and underlying mechanism should be investigated to clarify the association of FTO gene polymorphism with overweight/obesity.
Topics: Adolescent; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; Child; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Obesity; Overweight; Polymorphism, Genetic; Proteins; Publication Bias
PubMed: 24278475
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082133 -
Arthritis Research & Therapy Aug 2011Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy on the risk of infection in patients with RA.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted by using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database to January 2010 to identify studies among populations of patients with RA that reported a comparison of infection incidence between patients treated with GC therapy and patients not exposed to GC therapy.
RESULTS
In total, 21 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 42 observational studies were included. In the RCTs, GC therapy was not associated with a risk of infection (relative risk (RR), 0.97 (95% CI, 0.69, 1.36)). Small numbers of events in the RCTs meant that a clinically important increased or decreased risk could not be ruled out. The observational studies generated a RR of 1.67 (1.49, 1.87), although significant heterogeneity was present. The increased risk (and heterogeneity) persisted when analyses were stratified by varying definitions of exposure, outcome, and adjustment for confounders. A positive dose-response effect was seen.
CONCLUSIONS
Whereas observational studies suggested an increased risk of infection with GC therapy, RCTs suggested no increased risk. Inconsistent reporting of safety outcomes in the RCTs, as well as marked heterogeneity, probable residual confounding, and publication bias in the observational studies, limits the opportunity for a definitive conclusion. Clinicians should remain vigilant for infection in patients with RA treated with GC therapy.
Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Infections; Risk Factors
PubMed: 21884589
DOI: 10.1186/ar3453 -
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Mar 2016Previous meta-analyses of cohort studies indicate a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and allcause mortality, with reduced risk for low-volume drinkers.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Previous meta-analyses of cohort studies indicate a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and allcause mortality, with reduced risk for low-volume drinkers. However, low-volume drinkers may appear healthy only because the "abstainers" with whom they are compared are biased toward ill health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether misclassifying former and occasional drinkers as abstainers and other potentially confounding study characteristics underlie observed positive health outcomes for lowvolume drinkers in prospective studies of all-cause mortality.
METHOD
A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of studies investigating alcohol use and mortality risk after controlling for quality-related study characteristics was conducted in a population of 3,998,626 individuals, among whom 367,103 deaths were recorded.
RESULTS
Without adjustment, meta-analysis of all 87 included studies replicated the classic J-shaped curve, with low-volume drinkers (1.3-24.9 g ethanol per day) having reduced mortality risk (RR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.83, 0.90]). Occasional drinkers (<1.3 g per day) had similar mortality risk (RR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.79, 0.89]), and former drinkers had elevated risk (RR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.14, 1.31]). After adjustment for abstainer biases and quality-related study characteristics, no significant reduction in mortality risk was observed for low-volume drinkers (RR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.88, 1.07]). Analyses of higher-quality bias-free studies also failed to find reduced mortality risk for low-volume alcohol drinkers. Risk estimates for occasional drinkers were similar to those for low- and medium-volume drinkers.
CONCLUSIONS
Estimates of mortality risk from alcohol are significantly altered by study design and characteristics. Meta-analyses adjusting for these factors find that low-volume alcohol consumption has no net mortality benefit compared with lifetime abstention or occasional drinking. These findings have implications for public policy, the formulation of low-risk drinking guidelines, and future research on alcohol and health.
Topics: Alcohol Abstinence; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholic Intoxication; Alcoholism; Bias; Cause of Death; Female; Humans; Male; Mortality; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 26997174
DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2016.77.185 -
International Journal of Endocrinology 2021Previous studies have reached mixed conclusions regarding the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and osteoporosis. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis based on... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have reached mixed conclusions regarding the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and osteoporosis. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis based on published studies that explored the association between osteoporosis and MS.
METHODS
To identify related literature, a systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases from inception to June 2020 was performed. Original studies that reported the risk estimates of osteoporosis morbidity for two or three categories of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with MS were selected. Two independent investigators screened and selected the articles. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Of 2632 identified studies, nine cross-sectional studies with 14 datasets were eligible for our meta-analysis. In seven studies (10 datasets), the summarized ORs of osteoporosis for MS were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52-0.99). Subgroup analyses by gender showed that significant inverse associations were observed only in men (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.96) but not in women (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.41-1.22). The definition of MS, the source of the study population, and the adjustment of covariates affected the estimates. In two studies (4 datasets), there was no evidence for an association between MS and decreased BMD.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrated that MS was significantly associated with a lower osteoporosis risk. There might be gender differences in the association between MS and osteoporosis. In addition, the association was likely to relate to the definition of MS, the source of the study population, and the adjustment of covariates.
PubMed: 34354749
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6691487