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Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023People who have been infected by COVID-19 showing persistent symptoms after 4 weeks from recovery are thought to suffer from Long-COVID syndrome (LC). There is...
OBJECTIVE
People who have been infected by COVID-19 showing persistent symptoms after 4 weeks from recovery are thought to suffer from Long-COVID syndrome (LC). There is uncertainty on the clinical manifestations of LC. We undertook a systematic review to summarize the available evidence about the main psychiatric manifestations of LC.
METHOD
PubMed (Medline), Scopus, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched until May 2022. Studies reporting estimation of emerging psychiatric symptoms and/or psychiatric diagnoses among adult people with LC were included. Pooled prevalence for each psychiatric condition was calculated in absence of control groups to compare with.
RESULTS
Thirty-three reports were included in the final selection, corresponding to 282,711 participants with LC. After 4 weeks from COVID-19 infection recovery, participants reported the following psychiatric symptoms: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic symptoms (PTS), cognitive and sleeping disturbances (i.e., insomnia or hypersomnia). The most common psychiatric manifestation resulted to be sleep disturbances, followed by depression, PTS, anxiety, and cognitive impairment (i.e., attention and memory deficits). However, some estimates were affected by important outlier effect played by one study. If study weight was not considered, the most reported condition was anxiety.
CONCLUSIONS
LC may have non-specific psychiatric manifestations. More research is needed to better define LC and to differentiate it from other post-infectious or post-hospitalization syndromes.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42022299408).
PubMed: 37415689
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1138389 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Blood pressure (BP) reactivity to stress is associated with cardiovascular events and the incidence of hypertension, therefore, tolerance to stressors is important for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Blood pressure (BP) reactivity to stress is associated with cardiovascular events and the incidence of hypertension, therefore, tolerance to stressors is important for better management of cardiovascular risks. Exercise training is among the strategies that have been investigated as blunting the peak response to stressors, however, its efficacy is poorly explored. The aim was to explore the effects of exercise training (at least four weeks) on BP responses to stressor tasks in adults. A systematic review was performed in five electronic databases (MEDLINE, LILACS, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, and PsycInfo). Twenty-three studies and one conference abstract was included in the qualitative analysis, totaling 1121 individuals, and k = 17 and 695 individuals in the meta-analysis. Favorable results (random-effects) for exercise training were found, with attenuated peak responses in systolic (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.34 [-0.56; -0.11], representing average reductions of 2.5 ± 3.6 mmHg) and null effects on diastolic BP (SMD = -0.20 [-0.54; 0.14], representing average reductions of 2.0 ± 3.5 mmHg). The analysis removing outliers' studies improved the effects for diastolic (SMD = -0.21 [-0.38; -0.05]) but not systolic BP (SMD = -0.33 [-0.53; -0.13]). In conclusion, exercise training seems to lower stress-related BP reactivity, therefore has the potential to improve patients' ability to better respond to stressful situations.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Blood Pressure; Exercise; Hypertension
PubMed: 37414810
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38041-9 -
Pathology, Research and Practice Aug 2023Management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is still challenging. Despite the diagnostic ascertainment by bioptic examination, this method is poorly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Management of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is still challenging. Despite the diagnostic ascertainment by bioptic examination, this method is poorly informative of the prognosis and subsequent malignant transformation. Prognosis is based on histological findings by grading of dysplasia. Immunohistochemical expression of p16 has been investigated in different studies, with controversial results. In this scenario, we systematically revised the current evidence about p16 immunohistochemical expression and the risk of malignization of OPMDs.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
After a proper set of keywords combination, 5 databases were accessed and screened to select eligible studies. The protocol was previously registered on PROSPERO (Protocol ID: CRD42022355931). Data were obtained directly from the primary studies as a measure to determine the relationship between CDKN2A/P16 expression and the malignant transformation of OPMDs. Heterogeneity and publication bias were investigated by different tools, such as Cochran's Q test, Galbraith plot and Egger and Begg Mazumdar's rank tests.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis revealed a twofold increased risk to malignant development (RR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.36-2.96 - I = 0%). Subgroup analysis did not highlight any relevant heterogeneity. Galbraith plot showed that no individual study could be considered as an important outlier.
CONCLUSION
Pooled analysis showed that p16 assessment may arise adjunct tool to dysplasia grading, leading to an optimized determination of the potential progression to cancer of OPMDs. The p16 overexpression analysis by immunohistochemistry techniques has a multitude of virtues that may facilitate its incorporation in the day-to-day prognostic study of OPMDs.
Topics: Humans; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Biomarkers, Tumor; Prognosis; Precancerous Conditions; Mouth Neoplasms
PubMed: 37406376
DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154656 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Jun 2023Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a predominant route of infection for children in Ethiopia. No study has so far reported a nationwide... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a predominant route of infection for children in Ethiopia. No study has so far reported a nationwide estimate of the risk of MTCT of HBV. We conducted a meta-analysis of surveys and estimated the pooled risk of MTCT of HBV in the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
METHODOLOGY
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Africa Index Medicus, and Google Scholar databases for peer-reviewed articles. The pooled risk of MTCT of HBV was estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird technique with logit transformed proportions and statistical heterogeneity was estimated using I2 statistic, which was explored by subgroup and meta-regression analyses.
RESULTS
The overall pooled risk of MTCT of HBV in Ethiopia was 25.5% (95% CI, 13.4%-42.9%). In women without HIV infection, the risk of MTCT of HBV was 20.7% (95% CI 2.8%-70.4%), and 32.2% (95% CI 28.1%-36.7%) in women with HIV infection. After excluding the outlier study, the risk of MTCT of HBV in studies that included only HIV negative women was 9.4% (95% CI, 5.1%-16.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of MTCT of HBV in Ethiopia widely varied by HBV/HIV coinfection. A sustainable control and elimination of HBV in Ethiopia requires improved access to birth-dose HBV vaccine and implement immunoglobulin prophylaxis for exposed infants. Given the limited health resources in Ethiopia, prenatal antiviral prophylaxis integrated with antenatal care may be a cost-effective approach to significantly reduce the risk of MTCT of HBV.
Topics: Infant; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Hepatitis B virus; HIV Infections; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Ethiopia; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Hepatitis B
PubMed: 37406056
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17931 -
Vaccines May 2023Post-marketing vaccine safety surveillance aims to monitor and quantify adverse events following immunization in a population, but little is known about their... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Post-marketing vaccine safety surveillance aims to monitor and quantify adverse events following immunization in a population, but little is known about their implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to synthesize methodological approaches used to assess adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in LMICs.
METHODS
For this systematic review, we searched articles published from 1 December 2019 to 18 February 2022 in main databases, including MEDLINE and Embase. We included all peer-reviewed observational COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring studies. We excluded randomized controlled trials and case reports. We extracted data using a standardized extraction form. Two authors assessed study quality using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. All findings were summarized narratively using frequency tables and figures.
RESULTS
Our search found 4254 studies, of which 58 were eligible for analysis. Many of the studies included in this review were conducted in middle-income countries, with 26 studies (45%) in lower-middle-income and 28 (48%) in upper-middle-income countries. More specifically, 14 studies were conducted in the Middle East region, 16 in South Asia, 8 in Latin America, 8 in Europe and Central Asia, and 4 in Africa. Only 3% scored 7-8 points (good quality) on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale methodological quality assessment, while 10% got 5-6 points (medium). About 15 studies (25.9%) used a cohort study design and the rest were cross-sectional. In half of them (50%), vaccination data were gathered from the participants' self-reporting methods. Seventeen studies (29.3%) used multivariable binary logistic regression and three (5.2%) used survival analyses. Only 12 studies (20.7%) performed model diagnostics and validity checks (e.g., the goodness of fit, identification of outliers, and co-linearity).
CONCLUSIONS
Published studies on COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance in LMICs are limited in number and the methods used do not often address potential confounders. Active surveillance of vaccines in LMICs are needed to advocate vaccination programs. Implementing training programs in pharmacoepidemiology in LMICs is essential.
PubMed: 37376424
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061035 -
Mindfulness May 2023Positive effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on occupational health have been demonstrated by several systematic review studies during the last two... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Positive effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on occupational health have been demonstrated by several systematic review studies during the last two decades. So far, existing reviews excluded mindfulness-informed interventions (MIIs) that build on informal approaches or mixed techniques aiming at improving mindfulness indirectly. To address this research gap, the present comprehensive meta-analysis synthesizes the results of RCTs of MBIs and MIIs conducted in various workplace settings.
METHOD
A systematic literature search was conducted in five electronic databases complemented by manual search. Random-effects models were used to synthesize standardized mean differences () for 25 outcomes and seven overarching categories of outcomes, and to detect various temporal effects. Meta-regressions were run to elucidate average between mindfulness intervention types and intervention and population characteristics, with the goal of detecting sources of heterogeneity and help guide the selection of the most appropriate mindfulness intervention type.
RESULTS
Based on 91 eligible studies (from 92 publications), including 4927 participants and 4448 controls, the synthesis shows that MBIs and MIIs significantly improve mindfulness ( = 0.43; 95%- [0.33;0.52]), well-being ( = 0.63; 95%- [0.34;0.93]), mental health ( = 0.67; 95%- [0.48;0.86]), stress ( = 0.72; 95%- [0.54;0.90]), resilience ( = 1.06; 95%- [-0.22;2.34]), physical health ( = 0.45; 95%- [0.32;0.59]), and work-related factors ( = 0.62; 95%- [0.14;1.10]). Sensitivity analyses demonstrate a tendency towards smaller effect sizes due to extreme outliers. Effect sizes are stable in short-term follow-up assessments (1-12 weeks) for most outcomes, but not for long-term follow-up assessments (13-52 weeks). Meta-regressions suggest that observable intervention characteristics (e.g., online delivery) and population characteristics (e.g., age of participants), as well as study quality, do not explain the prevalence of heterogeneity in effect sizes.
CONCLUSIONS
Generally effective, mindfulness interventions are a useful tool to enhance aspects of employee health. However, because of heterogeneity and risk of bias, studies aiming at high-quality data collection and thorough reporting are necessary to draw firm conclusions.
PREREGISTRATION
A protocol of this systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (Registration-No. CRD42020159927).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-023-02130-7.
PubMed: 37362186
DOI: 10.1007/s12671-023-02130-7 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023The study's purpose was to evaluate the correlation between overall survival (OS) and its potential surrogate endpoints: pathologic complete response (pCR) and...
PURPOSE
The study's purpose was to evaluate the correlation between overall survival (OS) and its potential surrogate endpoints: pathologic complete response (pCR) and event-free survival (EFS)/disease-free survival (DFS) in neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant HR+/HER2- breast cancer.
METHODS
Systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and other relevant sources to identify literature that have reported outcomes of interest in the target setting. The strength of correlation of EFS/DFS with OS, pCR with OS, and pCR with EFS/DFS was measured using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) based on weighted regression analysis. For Surrogate Endpoint-True Endpoint pairs where correlation was found to be moderate, surrogate threshold effect (STE) was estimated using a mixed-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the scale and weights used and removing outlier data.
RESULTS
Moderate correlation was observed of relative measures [log(HR)] of EFS/DFS and OS (r = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.96, < 0.0001). STE for HR was estimated to be 0.73. Association between EFS/DFS at 1, 2 and 3 years with OS at 4- and 5-year landmarks was moderate. Relative treatment effects of pCR and EFS/DFS were not strongly associated (r: 0.24; 95% CI: -0.63, 0.84, = 0.6028). Correlation between pCR and OS was either not evaluated due to inadequate sample size (relative outcomes) or weak (absolute outcomes). Results obtained in the sensitivity analyses were similar to base scenario.
CONCLUSION
EFS/DFS were moderately correlated with OS in this trial-level analysis. They may be considered as valid surrogates for OS in HR+/HER2- breast cancer.
PubMed: 37205193
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1119102 -
JB & JS Open Access 2023Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been considered the definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Although tremendous improvements have been made in surgical...
UNLABELLED
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been considered the definitive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Although tremendous improvements have been made in surgical techniques for conventional TKA, a substantial dissatisfaction rate among patients has persisted because of moderate-to-severe pain and stiffness following TKA. Robot-assisted TKA was developed as an alternative to conventional TKA with the goal of improving operative precision and producing better clinical outcomes with minimal postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic outcomes, duration of surgery, and complication rate between robot-assisted TKA and conventional TKA.
METHODS
We conducted relevant literature searches of Medline, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library databases with use of specific keywords. The outcomes for continuous variables were pooled into mean differences, whereas the outcomes for dichotomous variables were pooled into odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals with use of random-effects models.
RESULTS
A total of 12 randomized clinical trials were included. Our pooled analysis revealed that robot-assisted TKA was associated with fewer outliers in the hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle (p < 0.0001), femoral component (coronal) angle (p = 0.0006), femoral component (sagittal) angle (p = 0.009), tibial component (coronal) angle (p = 0.05), and tibial component (sagittal) angle (p = 0.01) when compared with conventional TKA. The postoperative HKA angle was also significantly more neutral in the robot-assisted TKA group (mean difference, -0.77°; p < 0.0001). However, the complication rate did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Robot-assisted TKA may produce more accurate placement of the prosthetic component and better joint alignment accuracy than conventional TKA as shown by fewer outliers in several joint angles.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
PubMed: 37197698
DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.23.00010 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... May 2023Concerns have been raised about the predictability of achieving appropriate tibial plateau angles (TPA), the occurrence of axis shift and tibial length reduction... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Concerns have been raised about the predictability of achieving appropriate tibial plateau angles (TPA), the occurrence of axis shift and tibial length reduction following cranial closing wedge ostectomy (CCWO). The primary objective of this review was to quantify typical errors in achieving target TPA with CCWO, with secondary objectives of assessing axis shift and length reduction. Retrospective or prospective studies of CCWO used as the primary treatment, from any date and in English, were eligible for inclusion. Searches were performed in EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Agricola, Scopus, Web of Science, and CAB abstracts. Risk of bias was assessed, and data were screened for outliers and influential cases. Extracted data from 11 included studies were tabulated and underwent meta-analysis using R. Mean errors in TPA after CCWO ranged from - 0.6-2.9°, indicating the possibility of both under- and over-correction depending on the selected technique. Errors were relatively consistent for technique subgroups. Mean axis shifts ranged from 3.4° to 5.2°, and length reduction ranged from 0.4% to 3.2% of initial length, based on 6/11 and 3/11 studies, respectively. Data had high heterogeneity, many studies had small populations, and reporting standards were inconsistent. Concerns about the predictability of postoperative TPA may be overstated. With the limited data available, limb shortening does not appear to be a clinically important consideration. Axis shift will occur to varying degrees and must be considered during CCWO planning, as it influences the postoperative TPA. Careful choice of CCWO technique may allow clinicians to reliably achieve predictable TPA values.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Anterior Cruciate Ligament; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Osteotomy; Tibia; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Stifle; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37148995
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105989 -
Molecular Psychiatry Apr 2023Neuroinflammatory processes have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurological diseases. Studies on this topic often rely on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Neuroinflammatory processes have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurological diseases. Studies on this topic often rely on analysis of inflammatory biomarkers in peripheral blood. Unfortunately, the extent to which these peripheral markers reflect inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (CNS) is unclear.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and found 29 studies examining the association between inflammatory marker levels in blood and cerebrospinal (CSF) samples. We performed a random effects meta-analysis of 21 studies (pooled n = 1679 paired samples) that reported the correlation of inflammatory markers in paired blood-CSF samples.
RESULTS
A qualitative review revealed moderate to high quality of included studies with the majority of studies reporting no significant correlation of inflammatory markers between paired blood-CSF. Meta-analyses revealed a significant low pooled correlation between peripheral and CSF biomarkers (r = 0.21). Meta-analyses of individual cytokines revealed a significant pooled correlation for IL-6 (r = 0.26) and TNFα (r = 0.3) after excluding outlier studies, but not for other cytokines. Sensitivity analyses showed that correlations were highest among participants with a median age above 50 (r = 0.46) and among autoimmune disorder patients (r = 0.35).
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed poor correlation between peripheral and central inflammatory markers in paired blood-CSF samples, with increased correlations in certain study populations. Based on the current findings, peripheral inflammatory markers are a poor reflection of the neuroinflammatory profile.
Topics: Humans; Cytokines; Central Nervous System; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37055513
DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01976-6