Editorial note to the special issue “Risk factors for sporadic foodborne diseases by meta-analysis of observational studies”

Abstract Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders impose a significant and most often underappreciated burden to the individual, nation, healthcare system, and society as a whole. To the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of reliable estimates on the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Ethiopia. The objective of this study will be to assess the existing literature on the prevalence rates and determinant factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Ethiopia. Method We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, PEDro, and Ebsco (from January 2000 onwards). Gray literature will be identified through searching Google Scholar and dissertation databases. Observational studies reporting on the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among adult Ethiopians will be included. The primary outcome will be the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Secondary outcomes will be the prevalence of any risk factors in association with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct random effects meta-analysis of observational data. Subgroup analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity (e.g., gender, sample size, type of occupation). Publication bias and heterogeneity between the included studies will also be assessed and reported. Discussion This systematic review will provide a synthesis of the literature on the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their risk factors in Ethiopia. The results of this review could help the policymakers in occupational health and healthcare sectors in identifying priority areas for interventions in work-related musculoskeletal disorders and will also serve as a baseline for the decision-making processes of musculoskeletal health promotion, work exposure implementations, and prevention programs in workplaces. Systematic review registration PROSPERO, CRD42020164240

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Dietary acid load and cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019001125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 2823-2834 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Elnaz Daneshzad ◽

Fahimeh Haghighatdoost ◽

Leila Azadbakht

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dietary Acid ◽

Acid Load

AbstractObjective:Dietary acid load (DAL) might contribute to change the levels of cardiometabolic risk factors; however, the results are conflicting. The present review was conducted to determine the relationship between DAL and cardiometabolic risk factors.Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis.Setting:A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases including ISI Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar for observational studies which assessed cardiometabolic risk factors across DAL. Outcomes were lipid profile, glycaemic factors and anthropometric indices. Effect sizes were derived using a fixed- or random-effect model (DerSimonian–Laird). Also, subgroup analysis was performed to find the probable source of heterogeneity. Egger’s test was performed for finding any publication bias.Results:Thirty-one studies were included in the current review with overall sample size of 92 478. There was a significant relationship between systolic blood pressure (SBP; weighted mean difference (WMD) = 1·74 (95 % CI 0·25, 3·24) mmHg;P= 0·022;I2= 95·3 %), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; WMD = 0·75 (95 % CI 0·07, 1·42) mmHg;P= 0·030;I2= 80·8 %) and DAL in cross-sectional studies. Serum lipids, glycaemic parameters including fasting blood sugar, glycated Hb, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and waist circumference had no significant relationship with DAL. No publication bias was found. BMI was not associated with DAL in both cross-sectional and cohort studies.Conclusions:Higher DAL is associated with increased SBP and DBP. More studies are needed to find any relationship of DAL with lipid profile and glycaemic factors.

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Environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban settings: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023359 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. e023359

Author(s):

Mohd Hatta Abdul Mutalip ◽

Mohd Amierul Fikri Mahmud ◽

Noor Aliza Lodz ◽

Norzawati Yoep ◽

Eida Nurhadzira Muhammad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Environmental Risk ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Environmental Risk Factors ◽

Primary Data ◽

Urban Settings ◽

Susceptible Populations

IntroductionLeptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease that causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease can cause sporadic epidemics and recent epidemics have become more apparent in urban localities. There is lack of documented evidence on the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection among the urbanites, thereby impeding initiatives for prevention in urban settings. We aim to systematically search published articles and synthesise evidence on the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection among the susceptible populations in urban localities, particularly to identify the risk factors of non-recreational leptospirosis infection.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic review of observational studies that investigated environmental risk factors of leptospirosis in urban localities. The search will be performed for any eligible articles from selected electronic databases from 1970 until May 2018. The study will include any studies that investigated risk factors of confirmed leptospirosis cases who acquired the infection in urban locality, particularly exposures from the non-recreational and non-water-related activities. Study selection and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline. All data will be extracted using a standardised data extraction form and quality of the studies will be assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale guideline. Descriptive and meta-analysis will be performed by calculating the standardised median ORs and risk ratios for types of the non-recreational risk factors stratified by social, living conditions and environmental exposures, types of reservoirs and transmissions and types of activities and employments associated with leptospirosis infection in urban locality.Ethics and disseminationNo primary data will be collected thus no formal ethical approval is required. The results will be disseminated though a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentation.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018090820.

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