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Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica May 2018To provide an update on the evidence base for the nature of the relationship between negative symptoms and depressive features in people with schizophrenia, and propose...
OBJECTIVE
To provide an update on the evidence base for the nature of the relationship between negative symptoms and depressive features in people with schizophrenia, and propose new models that reflect their complex relationship.
METHOD
A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2210 articles were identified from EMBASE, PsychInfo and MEDLINE, and further two articles were hand-searched from references. Twenty-seven met inclusion criteria and were included in the review.
RESULTS
In schizophrenia, primary evidence suggests symptoms of low mood, suicidal ideation and pessimism have more specificity for depression whereas alogia and blunted affect may have more specificity as negative symptoms. Anhedonia, anergia and avolition may be common to both.
CONCLUSION
It may be possible to further distinguish depressive features from negative symptoms in schizophrenia when detailed phenomenology is considered. However, in a proposed dimensional model, these two domains continue to share certain phenomena, highlighting their close relationship.
Topics: Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 29532909
DOI: 10.1111/acps.12873 -
Journal of Affective Disorders Sep 2023Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition with poor treatment outcomes. Improved understanding of the aetiology can inform prevention and treatment approaches;... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition with poor treatment outcomes. Improved understanding of the aetiology can inform prevention and treatment approaches; hence several studies have assessed early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) in OCD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise the evidence on relationships between the 18 EMSs and OCD.
METHODS
The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022329337). A systematic search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Complete was conducted on 4 June 2022. Studies in peer-reviewed journal articles were included if they assessed EMSs and OCD (diagnosis or symptom severity) in adults with a mean age of 18 years or older. Studies were excluded if they were not in English, did not include original quantitative data, or reported on case studies. Study details were tabulated and the meta-analysis findings were presented using forest plots. Methodological quality was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS).
RESULTS
Based on 22 studies (pooled N = 3699), all 18 EMSs were positively correlated with OCD. The largest associations were with the dependence/incompetence (r = 0.40 95 % CI [0.32, 0.47]), vulnerability to harm or illness (r = 0.40 95 % CI [0.32, 0.48]), and negativity/pessimism schemas (r = 0.42 95 % CI [0.22, 0.58]).
LIMITATIONS
Several meta-analyses showed considerable heterogeneity and publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest all EMSs, particularly those relating to disproportionate negative expectations and a perceived inability to cope, are implicated in OCD. Psychological prevention and treatment for OCD may benefit from targeting these schemas.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37217101
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.053 -
Interactive Journal of Medical Research Nov 2022Inpatient portals are online platforms that allow patients to access their personal health information and monitor their health while in the acute care setting. Despite... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Inpatient portals are online platforms that allow patients to access their personal health information and monitor their health while in the acute care setting. Despite their potential to improve quality of care and empower patients and families to participate in their treatment, adoption remains low. Outpatient portal studies have shown that physician endorsement can drive patients' adoption of these systems. Insights on physicians' perspectives on use of these platforms can help improve patient and physician satisfaction and inpatient portal uptake.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand physicians' perspectives toward inpatient portals.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted for studies published between 1994 and November 2021 using keywords for physicians' perspectives toward patient portals and personal health records. Databases included PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Articles solely focused on nonphysician clinicians or addressing only outpatient settings or shared notes were excluded from this review. Two reviewers performed title, abstract, and full-text screening independently. Bias assessment was performed using the JBI SUMARI Critical Appraisal Tool (Joanna Briggs Institute). Inductive thematic analysis was done based on themes reported by original authors. Data were synthesized using narrative synthesis and reported according to overarching themes.
RESULTS
In all, 4199 articles were collected and 9 included. All but 2 of the studies were conducted in the United States. Common themes identified were communication and privacy, portal functionality and patient use, and workflow. In studies where physicians had no prior patient portal experience, concerns were expressed about communication issues created by patients' access to laboratory results and potential impact on existing workflow. Concerns about negative communication impacts were not borne out in postimplementation studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Physicians perceived inpatient portals to be beneficial to patients and saw improvement in communication as a result. This is consistent with outpatient studies and highlights the need to improve training on portal use and include physicians during the design process. Health care organizations and information technology entities can take steps to increasing clinician comfort. Physician concerns involving patient portal usage and managing patient expectations also need to be addressed. With improved clinician support, initial pessimism about communication and workload issues can be overcome. Limitations of this review include the small number of pre- and postimplementation studies found. This is also not a review of perspectives on open notes, which merits separate discussion.
PubMed: 36378521
DOI: 10.2196/39542 -
International Journal of Mental Health... Dec 2022Mental and substance use disorders are leading contributing factors for the Australian non-fatal burden of disease. These disorders frequently co-occur in the mental... (Review)
Review
Mental and substance use disorders are leading contributing factors for the Australian non-fatal burden of disease. These disorders frequently co-occur in the mental health population, and mental health nurses are the largest group of professionals treating dual diagnosis. A comprehensive understanding of mental health nurses' attitudes and perceptions is required to inform future implementation of dual diagnosis training programs. A systematic literature review of sources derived from electronic databases including Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS review, and PsychINFO, along with Connected Papers. Selection criteria included a focus on mental health nurses' attitudes towards dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use. Extracted data was qualitatively synthesized. Of the 5232 articles retrieved initially, 12 were included in the review. Four themes emerged from the synthesis: drug and alcohol use among mental health consumers (seven studies), caring for dual diagnosis consumers (eight studies), role perception (six studies), and treatment optimism (five studies). Salient beliefs included substance use as a self-inflicted choice (71%) or a form of 'self-medication' (29%); a lack of willingness to provide care (75%), or a strong commitment to care (25%); greater comfort with screening and acute medical management rather than ongoing management (83%); and pessimism about treatment effectiveness (100%). Mental health nurses' beliefs and attitudes towards dual diagnosis were often negative, which is likely to result in poor quality care and treatment outcomes. However, the lack of recent studies in this research area indicates the need for up-to-date knowledge that can inform the development of training programs.
Topics: Humans; Mental Health; Australia; Psychiatric Nursing; Substance-Related Disorders; Attitude of Health Personnel
PubMed: 35909095
DOI: 10.1111/inm.13043 -
PloS One 2021Preterm birth(<37 gestational weeks) is associated with numerous adversities, however, data on positive developmental outcomes remain limited. We examined if preterm and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
Preterm birth(<37 gestational weeks) is associated with numerous adversities, however, data on positive developmental outcomes remain limited. We examined if preterm and term born(≥37 gestational weeks) adults differ in dispositional optimism/pessimism, a personality trait associated with health and wellbeing. We assessed if birth weight z-score, neurosensory impairments and parental education modified the outcome.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for cohort or case-control studies(born ≥ 1970) with data on gestational age and optimism/pessimism reported using the Life-Orientation-Test-Revised in adulthood(≥18 years). The three identified studies(Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults; Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) provided data for the two-step random-effects linear regression Individual-Participant-Data meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Preterm and term borns did not differ on optimism(p = 0.76). Preterms scored higher on pessimism than term borns(Mean difference = 0.35, 95%Confidence Interval 0.36, 0.60, p = 0.007), although not after full adjustment. Preterm born participants, but not term born participants, with higher birth weight z-score, had higher optimism scores (0.30 raw score units per standard deviation increase, 95% CI 0.10, 0.49, p = 0.003); preterm vs term x birth weight z-score interaction p = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS
Preterm and term born adults display similar optimism. In preterms, higher birth weight may foster developmental trajectories promoting more optimistic life orientations.
Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Male; Optimism; Pessimism; Premature Birth
PubMed: 34793498
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259463 -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2019Optimism and pessimism can be easily measured and are potentially modifiable mindsets that may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Optimism and pessimism can be easily measured and are potentially modifiable mindsets that may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review of the association between optimism and risk for future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.
DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION
PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through July 2, 2019, to identify all cohort studies investigating the association between optimism and pessimism and cardiovascular events and/or all-cause mortality by using the following Medical Subject Heading terms: optimism, optimistic explanatory style, pessimism, outcomes, endpoint, mortality, death, cardiovascular events, stroke, coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were screened and extracted independently by 2 investigators (A.R. and C.B.). Adjusted effect estimates were used, and pooled analysis was performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline was followed.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Cardiovascular events included a composite of fatal cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or new-onset angina. All-cause mortality was assessed as a separate outcome.
RESULTS
The search yielded 15 studies comprising 229 391 participants of which 10 studies reported data on cardiovascular events and 9 studies reported data on all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 years (range, 2-40 years). On pooled analysis, optimism was significantly associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (relative risk, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.78; P < .001), with high heterogeneity in the analysis (I2 = 87.4%). Similarly, optimism was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.92; P < .001), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 73.2%). Subgroup analyses by methods for assessment, follow-up duration, sex, and adjustment for depression and other potential confounders yielded similar results.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings suggest that optimism is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Future studies should seek to better define the biobehavioral mechanisms underlying this association and evaluate the potential benefit of interventions designed to promote optimism or reduce pessimism.
Topics: Cause of Death; Coronary Artery Disease; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Optimism; Stroke
PubMed: 31560385
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.12200 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2000The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer was not clear. A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis was therefore... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer was not clear. A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis was therefore undertaken to evaluate the available evidence from all relevant randomised trials.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy on survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. To investigate whether or not pre-defined patient sub-groups benefit more or less from chemotherapy.
SEARCH STRATEGY
MEDLINE and CANCERLIT searches were supplemented by information from trial registers and by hand searching relevant meeting proceedings and by discussion with relevant trialists and organisations.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Trials comparing primary treatments of surgery, surgery + radiotherapy, radical radiotherapy or supportive care versus the same primary treatment, plus chemotherapy were eligible for inclusion provided that they randomised non-small cell lung cancer patients using a method which precluded prior knowledge of treatment assignment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
A quantitative meta-analysis using updated information from individual patients from all available randomised trials was carried out. Data from all patients randomised in all eligible trials were sought directly from those responsible. Updated information on survival, and date of last follow up were obtained, as were details of treatment allocated, date of randomisation, age, sex, histological cell type, stage and performance status. To avoid potential bias, information was requested for all randomised patients including those who had been excluded from the investigators' original analyses. All analyses were done on intention to treat on the endpoint of survival. For trials using cisplatin-based regimens, subgroup analyses by age, sex, histological cell type, tumour stage and performance status were also done.
MAIN RESULTS
Data from 52 trials and 9387 patients were included. The results for modern regimens containing cisplatin favoured chemotherapy in all comparisons and reached conventional levels of significance when used with radical radiotherapy and with supportive care. Trials comparing surgery with surgery plus chemotherapy gave a hazard ratio of 0.87 (13% reduction in the risk of death, equivalent to an absolute benefit of 5% at 5 years). Trials comparing radical radiotherapy with radical radiotherapy plus chemotherapy gave a hazard ratio 0.87 (13% reduction in the risk of death equivalent to an absolute benefit of 4% at 2 years), and trials comparing supportive care with supportive care plus chemotherapy gave a hazard ratio of 0.73 (27% reduction in the risk of death equivalent to a 10% improvement in survival at one year). The essential drugs needed to achieve these effects were not identified. No difference in the size of effect was seen in any subgroup of patients. In all but the radical radiotherapy setting, older trials using long term alkylating agents tended to show a detrimental effect of chemotherapy. This effect reached conventional significance in the adjuvant surgical comparison.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
At the outset of this meta-analysis there was considerable pessimism about the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. These results offer hope of progress and suggest that chemotherapy may have a role in treating this disease.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 10796867
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002139 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Jan 2023Biogenetic causal explanations of mental disorders are commonly used for public education and campaigns. However, the influence of biogenetic explanations on the ideas... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Biogenetic causal explanations of mental disorders are commonly used for public education and campaigns. However, the influence of biogenetic explanations on the ideas about and attitudes toward mental illness is unclear. We examined the influence of biogenetic explanations on attitudes toward mental disorders using a meta-analytic method accompanied by subgroup analyses.
METHODS
The protocol for this meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020158656) in March 2020. Experimental and correlational studies were analyzed separately. Five outcome measures related to attitudes toward mental disorders were included: 'attitude toward help-seeking,' 'blame,' 'perceived dangerousness,' 'prognostic pessimism,' and 'social distance.' Subgroup analyses were performed for the type of mental disorder, population, and geographic region for which a biogenetic explanation was provided.
RESULTS
A total of 44 studies were included, of which 24 were experimental and 20 were correlational. A positive attitude toward help-seeking was associated with having a biogenetic concept (d = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.67; < 0.001) in general population and in Eastern countries in particular. Although a biogenetic explanation was associated with a decreased level of blame (d = -0.20; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.02; = 0.029) in the general population, it was also associated with significantly higher levels of perceived dangerousness (d = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.23; = 0.008). A tendency toward a higher level of prognostic pessimism and social distance was associated with a biogenetic concept of mental disorders although there was no statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Having a biogenetic concept of the cause of mental disorders was related with a positive attitude toward help-seeking, particularly in the general population and individuals living in Eastern countries. Providing a biogenetic explanation decreased blame toward individuals with mental illness but was associated with increased perceived dangerousness and prognostic pessimism. Therefore, although a biogenetic explanation promotes public use of mental health services, it should be carefully applied to avoid an increase in negative thoughts, such as that mental illness is biologically irreversible and untreatable.
Topics: Humans; Stereotyping; Help-Seeking Behavior; Attitude to Health; Social Stigma; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 36647220
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e25 -
BMC Psychology Nov 2022Conspiracy theories can have particularly harmful effects by negatively shaping health-related behaviours. A significant number of COVID-19 specific conspiracy theories...
Conspiracy theories can have particularly harmful effects by negatively shaping health-related behaviours. A significant number of COVID-19 specific conspiracy theories emerged in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic outbreak. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic (2020), to identify their prevalence, their determinants and their public health consequences. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and PsycINFO to detect all studies examining any conspiracy theory related to COVID-19 between January 1st 2020, and January 10th 2021. Forty-three studies were included with a total of 61,809 participants. Between 0.4 and 82.7% of participants agreed with at least one conspiracy belief. Certain sociodemographic factors (young age, female gender, being non-white, lower socioeconomic status), psychological aspects (pessimism, blaming others, anger) and other qualities (political conservatism, religiosity, mistrust in science and using social media as source of information) were associated with increased acceptance of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy beliefs led to harmful health-related behaviours and posed a serious public health threat. Large-scale collaborations between governments and healthcare organizations are needed to curb the spread of conspiracy theories and their adverse consequences.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pandemics; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Social Media; Public Health
PubMed: 36320071
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00959-6 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Apr 2019How much statistical power do randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in reproductive medicine? (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY QUESTION
How much statistical power do randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in reproductive medicine?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The largest trials in reproductive medicine are unlikely to detect plausible improvements in live birth rate (LBR), and meta-analyses do not make up for this shortcoming.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Effectiveness of interventions is best evaluated using RCTs. In order to be informative, these trials should be designed to have sufficient power to detect the smallest clinically relevant effect. Similar trials can subsequently be pooled in meta-analyses to more precisely estimate treatment effects.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A review of power and precision in 199 RCTs and meta-analyses from 107 Cochrane Reviews was conducted.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Systematic reviews published by Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility with the primary outcome live birth were identified. For each live birth (or ongoing pregnancy) meta-analysis and for the largest RCT in each, we calculated the power to detect absolute improvements in LBR of varying sizes. Additionally, the 95% CIs of estimated treatment effects from each meta-analysis and RCT were recorded, as these indicate the precision of the result.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Median (interquartile range) power to detect an improvement in LBR of 5 percentage points (pp) (e.g. 25-30%) was 13% (8-21%) for RCTs and 16% (9-33%) for meta-analyses. No RCTs and only 2% of meta-analyses achieved 80% power to detect an improvement of 5 pp. Median power was high (85% for trials and 93% for meta-analyses) only in relation to 20 pp absolute LBR improvement, although substantial numbers of trials and meta-analyses did not achieve 80% power even for this improbably large effect size. Median width of 95% CIs was 25 pp and 21 pp for RCTs and meta-analyses, respectively. We found that 28% of Cochrane Reviews with LBR as the primary outcome contain no live birth (or ongoing pregnancy) data.
LARGE-SCALE DATA
The data used in this study may be accessed at https://osf.io/852tn/?view_only=90f1579ce72747ccbe572992573197bd.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The design and analysis decisions used in this study are predicted to overestimate the power of trials and meta-analyses, and the size of the problem is therefore likely understated. For some interventions, it is possible that larger trials not reporting live birth or ongoing pregnancy have been conducted, which were not included in our sample. In relation to meta-analyses, we calculated power as though all participants were included in a single trial. This ignores heterogeneity between trials in a meta-analysis, and will cause us to overestimate power.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Trials capable of detecting realistic improvements in LBR are lacking in reproductive medicine, and meta-analyses are not large enough to overcome this deficiency. This situation will lead to unwarranted pessimism as well as unjustified enthusiasm regarding reproductive interventions, neither of which are consistent with the practice of evidence-based medicine or the idea of informed patient choice. However, RCTs and meta-analyses remain vital to establish the effectiveness of fertility interventions. We discuss strategies to improve the evidence base and call for collaborative studies focusing on the most important research questions.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
There was no specific funding for this study. KS and SL declare no conflict of interest. AV consults for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA): all fees are paid directly to AV's employer. JW declares that publishing research benefits his career. SR is a Statistical Editor for Human Reproduction. JW and AV are Statistical Editors for Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility. DRB is funded by the NHS as Scientific Director of a clinical IVF service.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
None.
Topics: Birth Rate; Female; Humans; Infertility; Live Birth; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reproductive Medicine; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30838395
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez017