scholarly journals Prediction or causality? A scoping review of their conflation within current observational research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chava L. Ramspek ◽  
Ewout W. Steyerberg ◽  
Richard D. Riley ◽  
Frits R. Rosendaal ◽  
Olaf M. Dekkers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Causal Structure ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Methodological Error ◽  
Clinical Neurology ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Journal Impact ◽  
Frequent Reason ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractEtiological research aims to uncover causal effects, whilst prediction research aims to forecast an outcome with the best accuracy. Causal and prediction research usually require different methods, and yet their findings may get conflated when reported and interpreted. The aim of the current study is to quantify the frequency of conflation between etiological and prediction research, to discuss common underlying mistakes and provide recommendations on how to avoid these. Observational cohort studies published in January 2018 in the top-ranked journals of six distinct medical fields (Cardiology, Clinical Epidemiology, Clinical Neurology, General and Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Surgery) were included for the current scoping review. Data on conflation was extracted through signaling questions. In total, 180 studies were included. Overall, 26% (n = 46) contained conflation between etiology and prediction. The frequency of conflation varied across medical field and journal impact factor. From the causal studies 22% was conflated, mainly due to the selection of covariates based on their ability to predict without taking the causal structure into account. Within prediction studies 38% was conflated, the most frequent reason was a causal interpretation of covariates included in a prediction model. Conflation of etiology and prediction is a common methodological error in observational medical research and more frequent in prediction studies. As this may lead to biased estimations and erroneous conclusions, researchers must be careful when designing, interpreting and disseminating their research to ensure this conflation is avoided.

scholarly journals Implementing an automated monitoring process in a digital, longitudinal observational cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Lindner ◽  
Anja Weiß ◽  
Andreas Reich ◽  
Siegfried Kindler ◽  
Frank Behrens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Missing Values ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Automated Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Process ◽  
Observational Cohort

Abstract Background Clinical data collection requires correct and complete data sets in order to perform correct statistical analysis and draw valid conclusions. While in randomized clinical trials much effort concentrates on data monitoring, this is rarely the case in observational studies- due to high numbers of cases and often-restricted resources. We have developed a valid and cost-effective monitoring tool, which can substantially contribute to an increased data quality in observational research. Methods An automated digital monitoring system for cohort studies developed by the German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ) was tested within the disease register RABBIT-SpA, a longitudinal observational study including patients with axial spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Physicians and patients complete electronic case report forms (eCRF) twice a year for up to 10 years. Automatic plausibility checks were implemented to verify all data after entry into the eCRF. To identify conflicts that cannot be found by this approach, all possible conflicts were compiled into a catalog. This “conflict catalog” was used to create queries, which are displayed as part of the eCRF. The proportion of queried eCRFs and responses were analyzed by descriptive methods. For the analysis of responses, the type of conflict was assigned to either a single conflict only (affecting individual items) or a conflict that required the entire eCRF to be queried. Results Data from 1883 patients was analyzed. A total of n = 3145 eCRFs submitted between baseline (T0) and T3 (12 months) had conflicts (40–64%). Fifty-six to 100% of the queries regarding eCRFs that were completely missing were answered. A mean of 1.4 to 2.4 single conflicts occurred per eCRF, of which 59–69% were answered. The most common missing values were CRP, ESR, Schober’s test, data on systemic glucocorticoid therapy, and presence of enthesitis. Conclusion Providing high data quality in large observational cohort studies is a major challenge, which requires careful monitoring. An automated monitoring process was successfully implemented and well accepted by the study centers. Two thirds of the queries were answered with new data. While conventional manual monitoring is resource-intensive and may itself create new sources of errors, automated processes are a convenient way to augment data quality.

scholarly journals Decision-making in Surgery or Active Surveillance for Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Anna Sawka ◽  
Sangeet Ghai ◽  
Ogemdi Ihekire ◽  
Jennifer Jones ◽  
Amiram Gafni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Papillary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Papillary Thyroid ◽  
Missed Appointments ◽  
Physician Visits ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Study Participants

We describe our experience conducting a prospective observational cohort study on the management of small, low risk papillary thyroid cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study participants are given the choice of active surveillance (AS) or surgery, and those in the AS arm are followed at the study center, whereas surgical patients undergo usual care. During the pandemic we have transitioned from in-person research patient visits to largely virtual care of patients under AS. As of 30 October 2020, we had enrolled 181 patients enrolled in our study (including 25 during the pandemic), of which 92.3% (167/181) consented to telephone communication and 79.0% (143/181) consented to secure videoconferencing communication. Prior to the pandemic, 74.5% (117/157) of our patients chose AS over surgery, whereas during the pandemic, 96.0% (24/25) chose AS. Of the 133 study patients who were under AS within the timeframe from 12 March 2020, to 30 October 2020, the percentage of patients who missed appointments was 8.3% (11/133, for neck ultrasound and physician visits, respectively) and delayed appointments was 23.3% (31/133). This preliminary data suggests that prospective observational research on AS of thyroid cancer can safely continue during the pandemic.

scholarly journals What you need to know about scoping reviews

Medwave ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. e8144-e8144
Author(s):  
Catalina Verdejo ◽  
Luis Tapia-Benavente ◽  
Bastián Schuller-Martínez ◽  
Laura Vergara-Merino ◽  
Manuel Vargas-Peirano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Recent Model ◽  
Reporting Guideline ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Reproducible Method ◽  
Meta Analyses

The increasing amount of evidence has caused an increasing amount of literature reviews. There are different types of reviews —systematic reviews are the best known—, and every type of review has different purposes. The scoping review is a recent model that aims to answer broad questions and identify and expose the available evidence for a broader question, using a rigorous and reproducible method. In the last two decades, researchers have discussed the most appropriate method to carry out scoping reviews, and recently the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses’ for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guideline was published. This is the fifth article of a methodological collaborative series of narrative reviews about general topics on biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. This review aims to describe what scoping reviews are, identify their objectives, differentiate them from other types of reviews, and provide considerations on how to carry them out.

scholarly journals Top 100 Publications as Measured by Altmetrics in the Field of Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jee-Eun Kim ◽  
Yerim Kim ◽  
Kang Min Park ◽  
Dae Young Yoon ◽  
Jong Seok Bae
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Clinical Neurology ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Journal Impact

Background. Altmetrics analyze the visibility of articles in social media and estimate their impact on the general population. We performed an altmetric analysis of articles on central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease (CIDD) and investigated its correlation with citation analysis. Methods. Articles in the 91 journals comprising the “clinical neurology,” “neuroscience,” and “medicine, general, and internal” Web of Science categories were searched for their relevance to the CIDD topic. The Altmetric Explorer database was used to determine the Altmetric.com Attention Score (AAS) values of the selected articles. The papers with the top 100 AAS values were characterized. Results. Articles most frequently mentioned online were primarily published after 2014 and were published in journals with high impact factors. All articles except one were dealt with the issue of multiple sclerosis. Most were original articles, but editorials were also common. Novel treatments and risk factors are the most frequent topics. The AAS was weakly correlated with journal impact factors; however, no link was found between the AAS and the number of citations. Conclusions. We present the top 100 most frequently mentioned CIDD articles in online media using an altmetric approach. Altmetrics can rapidly offer alternative information on the impact of research based on a broader audience and can complement traditional metrics.

scholarly journals Determinants of Citation in Epidemiological Studies on Phthalates: A Citation Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 3053-3067
Author(s):  
Miriam J. E. Urlings ◽  
Bram Duyx ◽  
Gerard M. H. Swaen ◽  
Lex M. Bouter ◽  
Maurice P. A. Zeegers
Keyword(s):  
Impact Factor ◽  
Journal Impact Factor ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Citation Network ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Point Estimate ◽  
Citation Bias ◽  
Journal Impact ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractCiting of previous publications is an important factor in knowledge development. Because of the great amount of publications available, only a selection of studies gets cited, for varying reasons. If the selection of citations is associated with study outcome this is called citation bias. We will study determinants of citation in a broader sense, including e.g. study design, journal impact factor or the funding source of the publication. As a case study we assess which factors drive citation in the human literature on phthalates, specifically the metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). A systematic literature search identified all relevant publications on human health effect of MEHP. Data on potential determinants of citation were extracted in duplo. Specialized software was used to create a citation network, including all potential citation pathways. Random effect logistic regression was used to assess whether these determinants influence the likelihood of citation. 112 Publications on MEHP were identified, with 5684 potential citation pathways of which 551 were actual citations. Reporting of a harmful point estimate, journal impact factor, authority of the author, a male corresponding author, research performed in North America and self-citation were positively associated with the likelihood of being cited. In the literature on MEHP, citation is mostly driven by a number of factors that are not related to study outcome. Although the identified determinants do not necessarily give strong indications of bias, it shows selective use of published literature for a variety of reasons.

The outsourcing of health and physical education

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Sperka ◽  
Eimear Enright
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
School Level ◽  
Health And Physical Education ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Length Data ◽  
Scholarly Inquiry ◽  
Selection Of

The outsourcing, or external provision, of Health and Physical Education (HPE) has only relatively recently become the focus of research. This critical scoping review of empirical work on outsourcing in HPE seeks to examine the extent, nature, and range of research that has been undertaken and provide a context for future scholarly inquiry. Literature was sourced from two educational databases, a manual search of five HPE journals, and searches of citations and references. A content analysis of the 31 empirical articles retrieved was undertaken to identify country of origin, study focus, participants recruited, subject and school level researched, study length, data sources, nature of analysis, and theoretical framework. This was followed by a critical analysis of the findings of each empirical study to identify knowledge gaps regarding the outsourcing of HPE. This process revealed that outsourcing varied from being an explicit research focus to becoming of interest as a result of the findings of the study. Nonetheless, there was consistency across all publications in the selection of primary schools as data collection contexts and the recruitment of either school staff or external agency employees as research participants. Thematic analysis of the findings of the articles resulted in three dominant themes: ‘curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment’, ‘expertise’, and ‘partnerships’. Overall, this critical scoping review highlighted that it is crucial that outsourcing continues to be a focus of inquiry for the field and that both balance and depth is sought in the research design of studies that are undertaken.

scholarly journals Selection of an HLA-C*03:04-Restricted HIV-1 p24 Gag Sequence Variant Is Associated with Viral Escape from KIR2DL3+ Natural Killer Cells: Data from an Observational Cohort in South Africa

PLoS Medicine ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. e1001900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelique Hölzemer ◽  
Christina F. Thobakgale ◽  
Camilo A. Jimenez Cruz ◽  
Wilfredo F. Garcia-Beltran ◽  
Jonathan M. Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Natural Killer Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Viral Escape ◽  
Sequence Variant ◽  
Killer Cells ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF ANTIBIOTICS USE IN PEDIATRIC PNEUMONIA PATIENTS AGED 3 MONTHS - 5 YEARS

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Dhita Evi Aryani ◽  
Didik Hasmono ◽  
Nun Zairina ◽  
Landia Setiawan
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Lung Parenchyma ◽  
Antibiotics Resistance ◽  
Pediatric Pneumonia ◽  
Antibiotics Use ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Rational Use Of Antibiotics ◽  
Selection Of

Pneumonia is an infectious disease that causes acute inflammation of the lung parenchyma and compaction exudate in the lung tissue. In addition to causing significant morbidity and mortality, pneumonia is also difficult to diagnose, treatments are less precise and less taken seriously. Pneumonia caused the death of 14% of children under five in Indonesia, with a mortality rate of 83 children per day. The difficulty of diagnosis, the selection of a less appropriate antibiotics, side effects, differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug in infants and antibiotics resistance is to be a problem in itself. Therefore it is necessary to study the analysis of the use of antibiotics in patients with pneumonia of children aged 3 months till 5 years. The aim of this research to analyze antibiotics therapy in patients with pneumonia of children aged 3 months till 5 years. Method: an observational cohort analysis was carried out in the Pediatrics Respirology Division Dr. Soetomo Hospital Surabaya. Data was collected from February to May 2014. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were observed prospectively and the quantity and quality of antibiotics usage assessed with Gyssens category. Result: from February to May 2014 period, prospectively, the antibiotics usage quantitative evaluation used DDD/patient days shows that ampicillin 34.39DDD/100 patient days. Qualitative evaluation using Gyssens category on 75 antibiotics therapy shows that 32% considered appropriate. So, this study showed that ampicillin is most widely and qualitative analysis, only 32% of rational use of antibiotics.

scholarly journals Hubungan kebiasaan melewatkan sarapan dan Pemilihan jajanan dengan kejadian Wasting di Desa Sembung Kecamatan Wringinanom Kabupaten Gresik

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 237
Author(s):  
Aditya Faisal Rakhman ◽  
Taufiqurrahman Taufiqurrahman
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Snack Food ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Skipping Breakfast ◽  
Selection Of

Background: Wasting prevalence in Indonesia is never been decreased for years. Wasting caused by many factors such as skipping breakfast and inappropriate selection of snacks that contribute to children’s level of nutritional intake adequacy.Objectives: The purpose of this research was to analyze correlation between skipping breakfast and selection of snack among elementary school children. Method: This was an analytical observational research with case control design conducted in three elementary schools in Sembung Village, Gresik. The sample size was 22 students in each group, which taken using a simple random sampling technique at student of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Data was collected by interviewing the respondent with structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was classified with BMI/Age using WHO-MGRS standard. Association among variables were analyzed using Chi-Square test. (α=0.05). Result: The result showed that 68.2% respondent from cases used skipping breakfast while 27.3% respondent from control used to skip breakfast. 22.7% respondent in cases used to consume high nutritional value snack food while 72.7% respondent in control used to consume high nutritional value snack food. Chi-Square test showed there was an association between breakfast habits and the selection of snack with wasting (p=0.007; OR=5.714) (p=0.001; OR=9.067).Conclusion: Skipping breakfast habits and the selection of snack had a correlation with wasting incident in village children.ABSTRAKLatar Belakang: Prevalensi wasting di Indonesia tidak pernah mengalami penurunan yang signifikan selama tahun ke tahun. Kejadian wasting dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor seperti kebiasaan sarapan dan pemilihan makanan jajanan yang mampu berkontibusi terhadap tingkat kecukupan energi dan zat gizi anak.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara kebiasaan melewatkan sarapan dan kebiasan memilih jajanan makanan kejadian wasting pada anak sekolah dasar di pedesaan.Metode: Penelitian observasional analitik dengan desain case control ini dilakukan di 3 sekolah dasar di Desa Sembung Kecamatan Wringinanom Kabupaten Gresik. Besar sampel penelitian ini adalah 22 sampel untuk masing -masing kelompok yang berasal dari kelas III, IV dan V dan diambil secara simple random sampling. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan cara wawancara pada anak dengan kuisioner tersktutur. Klasifikasi berdasarkan pada nilai tabel z-score IMT/U WHO-MGRS.  Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji chi-square (α=0,05)Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 68,2% responden kelompok kasus, terbiasa melewatkan sarapan sedangkan 27,3% responden kelompok kontrol terbiasa melewatkan sarapan. 22,7% responden kelompok kasus terbiasa membeli makanan jajan bernilai gizi tinggi sedangkan 72,7% responden kelompok kontrol terbiasa membeli makanan jajan bernilai gizi tinggi. Hasil Uji Chi-Square menunjukkan ada hubungan antara kebiasaan sarapan dan pemilihan makanan jajanan dengan kejadian wasting (p= 0,007 OR: 5,714) (p= 0,001 OR: 9,067).Kesimpulan: Kebiasaan melewatkan sarapan dan pemilihan makanan jajanan berhubungan dengan kejadian wasting pada anak pedesaan.

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