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Allergy May 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate evidence on dietary interventions for atopic eczema/dermatitis (AD) skin symptoms in children without food... (Review)
Review
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional and dietary interventions in randomized controlled trials for skin symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis and without food allergy: An EAACI task force report.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate evidence on dietary interventions for atopic eczema/dermatitis (AD) skin symptoms in children without food allergies, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Systematic review updates were conducted in May 2022 and June 2023, focusing on randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) involving children with AD but without food allergies. Specific diets or supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, or postbiotics, were explored in these trials. Exclusions comprised descriptive studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, letters, case reports, studies involving elimination diets, and those reporting on food allergens in children and adolescents. Additionally, studies assessing exacerbation of AD due to food allergy/sensitization and those evaluating elimination diets' effects on AD were excluded. Nutritional supplementation studies were eligible regardless of sensitization profile. Evaluation of their impact on AD clinical expression was performed using SCORAD scores, and a meta-analysis of SCORAD outcomes was conducted using random-effect models (CRD42022328702). The review encompassed 27 RCTs examining prebiotics, Vitamin D, evening primrose oil, and substituting cow's milk formula with partially hydrolyzed whey milk formula. A meta-analysis of 20 RCTs assessing probiotics, alone or combined with prebiotics, revealed a significant reduction in SCORAD scores, suggesting a consistent trend in alleviating AD symptoms in children without food allergies. Nonetheless, evidence for other dietary interventions remains limited, underscoring the necessity for well-designed intervention studies targeting multiple factors to understand etiological interactions and propose reliable manipulation strategies.
PubMed: 38783644
DOI: 10.1111/all.16160 -
Allergy May 2024To inform the clinical practice guidelines' recommendations developed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology systematic reviews (SR) assessed using...
The impact of exposure to tobacco smoke and e-cigarettes on asthma-related outcomes: Systematic review informing the EAACI guidelines on environmental science for allergic diseases and asthma.
To inform the clinical practice guidelines' recommendations developed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology systematic reviews (SR) assessed using GRADE on the impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and active smoking on the risk of new-onset asthma/recurrent wheezing (RW)/low lung function (LF), and on asthma-related outcomes. Only longitudinal studies were included, almost all on combustion cigarettes, only one assessing e-cigarettes and LF. According to the first SR (67 studies), prenatal ETS increases the risk of RW (moderate certainty evidence) and may increase the risk of new-onset asthma and of low LF (low certainty evidence). Postnatal ETS increases the risk of new-onset asthma and of RW (moderate certainty evidence) and may impact LF (low certainty evidence). Combined in utero and postnatal ETS may increase the risk of new-onset asthma (low certainty evidence) and increases the risk of RW (moderate certainty evidence). According to the second SR (24 studies), ETS increases the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and impairs asthma control and LF (moderate certainty evidence). According to the third SR (25 studies), active smoking increases the risk of severe asthma exacerbations and of suboptimal asthma control (moderate certainty evidence) and may impact asthma-related quality-of-life and LF (low certainty evidence).
PubMed: 38783343
DOI: 10.1111/all.16151 -
Environmental Research May 2024Recent reports suggest that benzene exposure may be associated with solid cancers, such as lung and bladder cancers. Instead, evidence on the association between benzene... (Review)
Review
Recent reports suggest that benzene exposure may be associated with solid cancers, such as lung and bladder cancers. Instead, evidence on the association between benzene and colorectal cancer (CRC) is sparse. Thus, we aimed to summarize current literature on the association between occupational benzene exposure and CRC. We searched Pubmed, Embase (through Ovid), and Scopus to retrieve cohort and nested case-control studies on the association between occupational benzene exposure and solid cancers. The search was initially completed in December 2022 and later updated in April 2024. We assessed quality of included studies using a modified version of Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We computed pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CRC according to occupational benzene exposure, using the Paule-Mandel method. Twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. Most of them were conducted in Europe or North America (82.1%) and were industry-based (89.3%). Pooled RRs comparing workers exposed to benzene with those who were unexposed for incidence and mortality were 1.10 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.15) and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.11) for CRC, 1.12 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.24) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.19) for colon cancer, and 1.04 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.14) and 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.19) for rectal cancer, respectively. Only one study supported the occurrence of a dose-response relationship between occupational benzene exposure and CRC, while others found no increase in risk according to dose of exposure or duration of employment. Our findings suggest that occupational benzene exposure may be associated with CRC. Further research with detailed assessment of individual-level exposure is warranted to confirm our results.
PubMed: 38782339
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119213 -
The Knee Jun 2024Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a common orthopedic surgery procedure whose incidence has increased over the past few decades. Nevertheless, it is... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a common orthopedic surgery procedure whose incidence has increased over the past few decades. Nevertheless, it is believed that neuromuscular control remains altered from the early stages after ACLR to later years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the magnitude of co-contraction during functional tasks in subjects with unilateral ACLR.
METHODS
A systematic review design was followed. The search strategy was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 2024. The inclusion criteria involved studies using electromyography (EMG) data to calculate muscle pair activation via the co-contraction index (CCI) in ACLR individuals during functional tasks. The Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and study quality was evaluated using National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools.
RESULTS
The search strategy found a total of 792 studies, of which 15 were included in this systematic review after reviewing the eligibility criteria. The magnitude of co-contraction was assessed in a total of 433 ACLR individuals and 206 controls during functional tasks such as hop, drop-land, step-up/step-down, and gait. Overall, approximately 79.6% of individuals who had undergone ACLR exhibited increased levels of co-contraction magnitude in the ACLR limb, while 8.5% showed low co-contraction levels.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the review suggest that, during functional tasks, most individuals who have undergone ACLR exhibit changes of co-contraction magnitude in the involved limb.
Topics: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; Humans; Electromyography; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Skeletal
PubMed: 38781829
DOI: 10.1016/j.knee.2024.05.005 -
Marine Environmental Research Jun 2024Antibiotic residue stands as a significant ongoing environmental issue, with aquaculture being a major source of annual antibiotic discharge into the ocean.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Antibiotic residue stands as a significant ongoing environmental issue, with aquaculture being a major source of annual antibiotic discharge into the ocean. Nevertheless, there is still an incomplete evaluation of antibiotic residues in the Beibu Gulf, an area encompassed by two prominent aquaculture nations, China and Vietnam. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the presence antibiotic residues in the Beibu Gulf based on published studies. Data were obtained through eight databases up to December 19th, 2023, and were updated on April 15th, 2024. The pooled concentration of antibiotic residues in seawater was 5.90 (ng/L), ranging from 5.73 to 6.06 (ng/L), and was 8.03 (ng/g), ranging from 7.77 to 8.28 (ng/g) in sediments. Fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and macrolides were identified as the main antibiotics found in both seawater and sediment samples. The Beibu Gulf showed higher antibiotic levels in its western and northeastern areas. Additionally, the nearshore mangrove areas displayed the highest prevalence of antibiotic residues. It is strongly advised to conduct regular long-term monitoring of antibiotic residues in the Beibu Gulf. Collaborative surveys covering the entire Beibu Gulf involving China and Vietnam are recommended.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Environmental Monitoring; Seawater; Water Pollutants, Chemical; China; Vietnam; Aquaculture
PubMed: 38776723
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106560 -
PloS One 2024To synthesize the impact of improvement interventions related to care coordination, discharge support and care transitions on patient experience measures.
AIM
To synthesize the impact of improvement interventions related to care coordination, discharge support and care transitions on patient experience measures.
METHOD
Systematic review. Searches were completed in six scientific databases, five specialty journals, and through snowballing. Eligibility included studies published in English (2015-2023) focused on improving care coordination, discharge support, or transitional care assessed by standardized patient experience measures as a primary outcome. Two independent reviewers made eligibility decisions and performed quality appraisals.
RESULTS
Of 1240 papers initially screened, 16 were included. Seven studies focused on care coordination activities, including three randomized controlled trials [RCTs]. These studies used enhanced supports such as improvement coaching or tailoring for vulnerable populations within Patient-Centered Medical Homes or other primary care sites. Intervention effectiveness was mixed or neutral relative to standard or models of care or simpler supports (e.g., improvement tool). Eight studies, including three RCTs, focused on enhanced discharge support, including patient education (e.g., teach back) and telephone follow-up; mixed or neutral results on the patient experience were also found and with more substantive risks of bias. One pragmatic trial on a transitional care intervention, using a navigator support, found significant changes only for the subset of uninsured patients and in one patient experience outcome, and had challenges with implementation fidelity.
CONCLUSION
Enhanced supports for improving care coordination, discharge education, and post-discharge follow-up had mixed or neutral effectiveness for improving the patient experience with care, compared to standard care or simpler improvement approaches. There is a need to advance the body of evidence on how to improve the patient experience with discharge support and transitional approaches.
Topics: Humans; Patient Discharge; Transitional Care; Patient-Centered Care; Patient Satisfaction; Continuity of Patient Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38771768
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299176 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2024Prevention of obesity in children is an international public health priority given the prevalence of the condition (and its significant impact on health, development and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Prevention of obesity in children is an international public health priority given the prevalence of the condition (and its significant impact on health, development and well-being). Interventions that aim to prevent obesity involve behavioural change strategies that promote healthy eating or 'activity' levels (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and/or sleep) or both, and work by reducing energy intake and/or increasing energy expenditure, respectively. There is uncertainty over which approaches are more effective and numerous new studies have been published over the last five years, since the previous version of this Cochrane review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of interventions that aim to prevent obesity in children by modifying dietary intake or 'activity' levels, or a combination of both, on changes in BMI, zBMI score and serious adverse events.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was February 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials in children (mean age 5 years and above but less than 12 years), comparing diet or 'activity' interventions (or both) to prevent obesity with no intervention, usual care, or with another eligible intervention, in any setting. Studies had to measure outcomes at a minimum of 12 weeks post baseline. We excluded interventions designed primarily to improve sporting performance.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our outcomes were body mass index (BMI), zBMI score and serious adverse events, assessed at short- (12 weeks to < 9 months from baseline), medium- (9 months to < 15 months) and long-term (≥ 15 months) follow-up. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS
This review includes 172 studies (189,707 participants); 149 studies (160,267 participants) were included in meta-analyses. One hundred forty-six studies were based in high-income countries. The main setting for intervention delivery was schools (111 studies), followed by the community (15 studies), the home (eight studies) and a clinical setting (seven studies); one intervention was conducted by telehealth and 31 studies were conducted in more than one setting. Eighty-six interventions were implemented for less than nine months; the shortest was conducted over one visit and the longest over four years. Non-industry funding was declared by 132 studies; 24 studies were funded in part or wholly by industry. Dietary interventions versus control Dietary interventions, compared with control, may have little to no effect on BMI at short-term follow-up (mean difference (MD) 0, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10 to 0.10; 5 studies, 2107 participants; low-certainty evidence) and at medium-term follow-up (MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.12; 9 studies, 6815 participants; low-certainty evidence) or zBMI at long-term follow-up (MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.01; 7 studies, 5285 participants; low-certainty evidence). Dietary interventions, compared with control, probably have little to no effect on BMI at long-term follow-up (MD -0.17, 95% CI -0.48 to 0.13; 2 studies, 945 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and zBMI at short- or medium-term follow-up (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.01; 8 studies, 3695 participants; MD -0.04, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.02; 9 studies, 7048 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Five studies (1913 participants; very low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events: one reported serious adverse events (e.g. allergy, behavioural problems and abdominal discomfort) that may have occurred as a result of the intervention; four reported no effect. Activity interventions versus control Activity interventions, compared with control, may have little to no effect on BMI and zBMI at short-term or long-term follow-up (BMI short-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.13; 14 studies, 4069 participants; zBMI short-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.02; 6 studies, 3580 participants; low-certainty evidence; BMI long-term: MD -0.07, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.10; 8 studies, 8302 participants; zBMI long-term: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.04; 6 studies, 6940 participants; low-certainty evidence). Activity interventions likely result in a slight reduction of BMI and zBMI at medium-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.05; 16 studies, 21,286 participants; zBMI: MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.09 to -0.02; 13 studies, 20,600 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Eleven studies (21,278 participants; low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events; one study reported two minor ankle sprains and one study reported the incident rate of adverse events (e.g. musculoskeletal injuries) that may have occurred as a result of the intervention; nine studies reported no effect. Dietary and activity interventions versus control Dietary and activity interventions, compared with control, may result in a slight reduction in BMI and zBMI at short-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.01; 27 studies, 16,066 participants; zBMI: MD -0.03, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.00; 26 studies, 12,784 participants; low-certainty evidence) and likely result in a reduction of BMI and zBMI at medium-term follow-up (BMI: MD -0.11, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.00; 21 studies, 17,547 participants; zBMI: MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.07 to -0.02; 24 studies, 20,998 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Dietary and activity interventions compared with control may result in little to no difference in BMI and zBMI at long-term follow-up (BMI: MD 0.03, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.16; 16 studies, 22,098 participants; zBMI: MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.01; 22 studies, 23,594 participants; low-certainty evidence). Nineteen studies (27,882 participants; low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events: four studies reported occurrence of serious adverse events (e.g. injuries, low levels of extreme dieting behaviour); 15 studies reported no effect. Heterogeneity was apparent in the results for all outcomes at the three follow-up times, which could not be explained by the main setting of the interventions (school, home, school and home, other), country income status (high-income versus non-high-income), participants' socioeconomic status (low versus mixed) and duration of the intervention. Most studies excluded children with a mental or physical disability.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The body of evidence in this review demonstrates that a range of school-based 'activity' interventions, alone or in combination with dietary interventions, may have a modest beneficial effect on obesity in childhood at short- and medium-term, but not at long-term follow-up. Dietary interventions alone may result in little to no difference. Limited evidence of low quality was identified on the effect of dietary and/or activity interventions on severe adverse events and health inequalities; exploratory analyses of these data suggest no meaningful impact. We identified a dearth of evidence for home and community-based settings (e.g. delivered through local youth groups), for children living with disabilities and indicators of health inequities.
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Bias; Body Mass Index; Diet, Healthy; Energy Intake; Exercise; Pediatric Obesity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sedentary Behavior; Sleep
PubMed: 38763517
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015328.pub2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2024Global Burden of Disease studies identify hearing loss as the third leading cause of years lived with a disability. Their estimates point to large societal and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Global Burden of Disease studies identify hearing loss as the third leading cause of years lived with a disability. Their estimates point to large societal and individual costs from unaddressed hearing difficulties. Workplace noise is an important modifiable risk factor; if addressed, it could significantly reduce the global burden of disease. In practice, providing hearing protection devices (HPDs) is the most common intervention to reduce noise exposure at work. However, lack of fit of HPDs, especially earplugs, can greatly limit their effectiveness. This may be the case for 40% of users. Testing the fit and providing instructions to improve noise attenuation might be effective. In the past two decades, hearing protection fit-test systems have been developed and evaluated in the field. They are called field attenuation estimation systems. They measure the noise attenuation obtained by individual workers using HPDs. If there is a lack of fit, instruction for better fit is provided, and may lead to better noise attenuation obtained by HPDs.
OBJECTIVES
To assess: (1) the effects of field attenuation estimation systems and associated training on the noise attenuation obtained by HPDs compared to no instruction or to less instruction in workers exposed to noise; and (2) whether these interventions promote adherence to HPD use.
SEARCH METHODS
We used CENTRAL, MEDLINE, five other databases, and two trial registers, together with reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify studies. We imposed no language or date restrictions. The latest search date was February 2024.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-RCTs, controlled before-after studies (CBAs), and interrupted time-series studies (ITSs) exploring HPD fit testing in workers exposed to noise levels of more than 80 A-weighted decibels (or dBA) who use hearing protection devices. The unit 'dBA' reports on the use of a frequency-weighting filter to adjust sound measurement results to better reflect how human ears process sound. The outcome noise attenuation had to be measured either as a personal attenuation rating (PAR), PAR pass rate, or both. PAR pass rate is the percentage of workers who passed a pre-established level of sufficient attenuation from their HPDs, identified on the basis of their individual noise exposure.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, risk of bias, and extracted data. We categorised interventions as fit testing of HPDs with instructions at different levels (no instructions, simple instructions, and extensive instructions).
MAIN RESULTS
We included three RCTs (756 participants). We did not find any studies that examined whether fit testing and training contributed to hearing protector use, nor any studies that examined whether age, gender, or HPD experience influenced attenuation. We would have included any adverse effects if mentioned by the trial authors, but none reported them. None of the included studies blinded participants; two studies blinded those who delivered the intervention. Effects of fit testing of HPDs with instructions (simple or extensive) versus fit testing of HPDs without instructions Testing the fit of foam and premoulded earplugs accompanied by simple instructions probably does not improve their noise attenuation in the short term after the test (1-month follow-up: mean difference (MD) 1.62 decibels (dB), 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.93 to 4.17; 1 study, 209 participants; 4-month follow-up: MD 0.40 dB, 95% CI -2.28 to 3.08; 1 study, 197 participants; both moderate-certainty evidence). The intervention probably does not improve noise attenuation in the long term (MD 0.15 dB, 95% CI -3.44 to 3.74; 1 study, 103 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Fit testing of premoulded earplugs with extensive instructions on the fit of the earplugs may improve their noise attenuation at the immediate retest when compared to fit testing without instructions (MD 8.34 dB, 95% CI 7.32 to 9.36; 1 study, 100 participants; low-certainty evidence). Effects of fit testing of HPDs with extensive instructions versus fit testing of HPDs with simple instructions Fit testing of foam earplugs with extensive instructions probably improves their attenuation (MD 8.62 dB, 95% CI 6.31 to 10.93; 1 study, 321 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and also the pass rate of sufficient attenuation (risk ratio (RR) 1.75, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.11; 1 study, 321 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) when compared to fit testing with simple instructions immediately after the test. This is significant because every 3 dB decrease in noise exposure level halves the sound energy entering the ear. No RCTs reported on the long-term effectiveness of the HPD fit testing with extensive instructions.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
HPD fit testing accompanied by simple instructions probably does not improve noise attenuation from foam and premoulded earplugs. Testing the fit of foam and premoulded earplugs with extensive instructions probably improves attenuation and PAR pass rate immediately after the test. The effects of fit testing associated with training to improve attenuation may vary with types of HPDs and training methods. Better-designed trials with larger sample sizes are required to increase the certainty of the evidence.
Topics: Humans; Ear Protective Devices; Noise, Occupational; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Diseases
PubMed: 38757544
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD015066.pub2 -
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung May 2024The International Classification of Sleep Disorders categorized catathrenia as a respiratory disorder, but there are doubts whether episodes appear during rapid eye... (Review)
Review
STUDY OBJECTIVES
The International Classification of Sleep Disorders categorized catathrenia as a respiratory disorder, but there are doubts whether episodes appear during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep or the non-rapid eye movement (NREM), their duration, and symptoms. The main objectives were to identify the most common features and relations of catathrenia.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The Joanna Briggs Institute and the ROBINS-I tools were chosen to assess the risk of bias.
RESULTS
A total of 288 records were identified, 31 articles were included. The majority of the studies had a moderate risk of bias. 49.57% of episodes occurred during the NREM sleep, while 46% took place during REM. In 60.34% females, catathrenia was more common in the NREM, while in 59.26% of males was in REM sleep (p < 0.05). Females and obese individuals were found to have shorter episodes (p < 0.05). Age was inversely correlated with minimal episodes duration (r = - 0.34). The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was inversely correlated with the maximal episode duration (r = - 0.48).
CONCLUSIONS
Catathrenia occurs with similar frequency in both genders. The most frequent symptoms embraced groaning, awareness of disturbing bedpartners, and daytime somnolence-not confirmed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. The episodes occur more frequently in NREM than in REM sleep. Catathrenia may be considered as a sex-specific condition. The effects of CPAP treatment leading to shortening episodes duration, which may indicate the respiratory origin of catathrenia.
PubMed: 38755507
DOI: 10.1007/s11325-024-03033-0 -
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation May 2024It is difficult to predict which employees, in particular those with musculoskeletal pain, will return to work quickly without additional vocational advice and support,...
PURPOSE
It is difficult to predict which employees, in particular those with musculoskeletal pain, will return to work quickly without additional vocational advice and support, which employees will require this support and what levels of support are most appropriate. Consequently, there is no way of ensuring the right individuals are directed towards the right services to support their occupational health needs. The aim of this review will be to identify prognostic factors for duration of work absence in those already absent and examine the utility of prognostic models for work absence.
METHODS
Eight databases were search using a combination of subject headings and key words focusing on work absence, musculoskeletal pain and prognosis. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of studies, extracted data from all eligible studies and assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS or PROBAST tools, an adapted GRADE was used to assess the strength of the evidence. To make sense of the data prognostic variables were grouped according to categories from the Disability Prevention Framework and the SWiM framework was utilised to synthesise findings.
RESULTS
A total of 23 studies were included in the review, including 13 prognostic models and a total of 110 individual prognostic factors. Overall, the evidence for all prognostic factors was weak, although there was some evidence that older age and better recovery expectations were protective of future absence and that previous absence was likely to predict future absences. There was weak evidence for any of the prognostic models in determining future sickness absence.
CONCLUSION
Analysis was difficult due to the wide range of measures of both prognostic factors and outcome and the differing timescales for follow-up. Future research should ensure that consistent measures are employed and where possible these should be in-line with those suggested by Ravinskaya et al. (2023).
PubMed: 38753046
DOI: 10.1007/s10926-024-10205-y