scholarly journals Seasonality and symptoms of depression: A systematic review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Øverland ◽  
Wojtek Woicik ◽  
Lindsey Sikora ◽  
Kristoffer Whittaker ◽  
Hans Heli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bias Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Great Heterogeneity ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Study Designs

Abstract Aims Lay opinions and published papers alike suggest mood varies with the seasons, commonly framed as higher rates of depression mood in winter. Memory and confirmation bias may have influenced previous studies. We therefore systematically searched for and reviewed studies on the topic, but excluded study designs where explicit referrals to seasonality were included in questions, interviews or data collection. Methods Systematic literature search in Cochrane database, DARE, Medline, Embase, PsychINFO and CINAHL, reporting according to the PRISMA framework, and study quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Two authors independently assessed each study for inclusion and quality assessment. Due to large heterogeneity, we used a descriptive review of the studies. Results Among the 41 included studies, there was great heterogeneity in regards to included symptoms and disorder definitions, operationalisation and measurement. We also observed important heterogeneity in how definitions of ‘seasons’ as well as study design, reporting and quality. This heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis and publication bias analysis. Thirteen of the studies suggested more depression in winter. The remaining studies suggested no seasonal pattern, seasonality outside winter, or inconclusive results. Conclusions The results of this review suggest that the research field of seasonal variations in mood disorders is fragmented, and important questions remain unanswered. There is some support for seasonal variation in clinical depression, but our results contest a general population shift towards lower mood and more sub-threshold symptoms at regular intervals throughout the year. We suggest future research on this issue should be aware of potential bias by design and take into account other biological and behavioural seasonal changes that may nullify or exacerbate any impact on mood.

Hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for preeclampsia, hypertension and prematurity in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A meta-analysis

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110071
Author(s):  
Jiaoniu Duan ◽  
Dan Ma ◽  
Xiaoting Wen ◽  
Qianyu Guo ◽  
Jinfang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
English Language ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fetal Outcomes ◽  
Pregnancy Hypertension ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Prospective Cohorts ◽  
Ottawa Scale

Objectives This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HCQ in improving the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies with SLE. Methods A literature search was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database for relevant English language articles, and Wanfang, CNKI and VIP for Chinese articles, from the databases’ inception to April 30, 2020. These studies compared the maternal and/or fetal outcomes between pregnant patients with SLE who were administered HCQ during pregnancy (HCQ+ group) and those who were not administered HCQ (HCQ− group). Two investigators extracted the data and assessed the quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and GRADE criteria independently. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. All statistical analyses were conducted using the Stata 12.0 software. Results Nine studies involving 1132 pregnancies were included in the study (3 case controls, 2 prospective cohorts, 4 retrospective cohorts). Preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and prematurity were significantly lower in the HCQ+ group than in the HCQ− group (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.21–0.59), (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19–0.89) and (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.86), respectively. There were no significant differences in the rates of HELLP Syndrome (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.19–3.96), gestational diabetes (OR 2.3, 95% CI 0.44–12.12), thrombotic events (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.05–1.51), spontaneous abortion (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.96–3.26), premature rupture of membranes (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.24–1.39), oligohydramnios (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.38–2.14), live birth (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.60–2.47), stillbirth (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.50–2.00), congenital malformation (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.14–2.04), low birth weight (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.43–1.39), intrauterine distress (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.41–2.76,), intrauterine growth restriction (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.06–5.43), or five-minute APGAR score <7 (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.20–2.58) between the two groups. Conclusions HCQ treatment during pregnancy could reduce the risk of preeclampsia, pregnancy hypertension and prematurity in SLE patients. The certainty of evidence is high but majority of the studies included are retrospective studies and not randomized controlled trials. Therefore, the multidisciplinary management of pregnant patients with SLE should promote HCQ use, irrespective of disease activity or severity.

Is hospitalization a risk factor for cognitive decline in older age adults?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Lucia Chinnappa-Quinn ◽  
Steve Robert Makkar ◽  
Michael Bennett ◽  
Ben C. P. Lam ◽  
Jessica W. Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Meta Analyses

ABSTRACT Objectives: Many studies document cognitive decline following specific types of acute illness hospitalizations (AIH) such as surgery, critical care, or those complicated by delirium. However, cognitive decline may be a complication following all types of AIH. This systematic review will summarize longitudinal observational studies documenting cognitive changes following AIH in the majority admitted population and conduct meta-analysis (MA) to assess the quantitative effect of AIH on post-hospitalization cognitive decline (PHCD). Methods: We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Selection criteria were defined to identify studies of older age adults exposed to AIH with cognitive measures. 6566 titles were screened. 46 reports were reviewed qualitatively, of which seven contributed data to the MA. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: The qualitative review suggested increased cognitive decline following AIH, but several reports were particularly vulnerable to bias. Domain-specific outcomes following AIH included declines in memory and processing speed. Increasing age and the severity of illness were the most consistent risk factors for PHCD. PHCD was supported by MA of seven eligible studies with 41,453 participants (Cohen’s d = −0.25, 95% CI [−0.02, −0.49] I2 35%). Conclusions: There is preliminary evidence that AIH exposure accelerates or triggers cognitive decline in the elderly patient. PHCD reported in specific contexts could be subsets of a larger phenomenon and caused by overlapping mechanisms. Future research must clarify the trajectory, clinical significance, and etiology of PHCD: a priority in the face of an aging population with increasing rates of both cognitive impairment and hospitalization.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Effect of Expectancy on Treatment Responses to Acupuncture

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Colagiuri ◽  
Caroline A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Placebo Acupuncture ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Treatment Responses ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Relevant Outcome

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture often find equivalent responses to real and placebo acupuncture despite both appearing superior to no treatment. This raises questions regarding the mechanisms of acupuncture, especially the contribution of patient expectancies. We systematically reviewed previous research assessing the relationship between expectancy and treatment responses following acupuncture, whether real or placebo. To be included, studies needed to assess and/or manipulate expectancies about acupuncture and relate these to at least one health-relevant outcome. Nine such independent studies were identified through systematic searches of Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cochrane Clinical Trials Register. The methodology and reporting of these studies were quite heterogeneous, meaning that meta-analysis was not possible. A descriptive review revealed that five studies found statistically significant effects of expectancy on a least one outcome, with three also finding evidence suggestive of an interaction between expectancy and type of acupuncture (real or placebo). While there were some trends in significant effects in terms of study characteristics, their generality is limited by the heterogeneity of study designs. The differences in design across studies highlight some important methodological considerations for future research in this area, particularly regarding whether to assess or manipulate expectancies and how best to assess expectancies.

Cause and effect in studies on unemployment, mental health and suicide: a meta-analytic and conceptual review

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 909-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Milner ◽  
A. Page ◽  
A. D. LaMontagne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Temporal Relationships ◽  
Causal Assumptions ◽  
Confounder Adjustment ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundThere are ongoing questions about whether unemployment has causal effects on suicide as this relationship may be confounded by past experiences of mental illness. The present review quantified the effects of adjustment for mental health on the relationship between unemployment and suicide. Findings were used to develop and interpret likely causal models of unemployment, mental health and suicide.MethodA random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on five population-based cohort studies where temporal relationships could be clearly ascertained.ResultsResults of the meta-analysis showed that unemployment was associated with a significantly higher relative risk (RR) of suicide before adjustment for prior mental health [RR 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–1.83]. After controlling for mental health, the RR of suicide following unemployment was reduced by approximately 37% (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00–1.30). Greater exposure to unemployment was associated with higher RR of suicide, and the pooled RR was higher for males than for females.ConclusionsPlausible interpretations of likely pathways between unemployment and suicide are complex and difficult to validate given the poor delineation of associations over time and analytic rationale for confounder adjustment evident in the revised literature. Future research would be strengthened by explicit articulation of temporal relationships and causal assumptions. This would be complemented by longitudinal study designs suitable to assess potential confounders, mediators and effect modifiers influencing the relationship between unemployment and suicide.

scholarly journals Does studying abroad influence graduates’ wages?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolai Netz ◽  
Fine Cordua
Keyword(s):  
Research Field ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wage Effect ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
New Research ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Employer Change

We review quantitative studies that empirically examine whether studying abroad influences graduates’ wages. After describing features of the existing studies, we assess existing evidence on the size of the wage effect of studying abroad. We then examine corresponding effect heterogeneities, before discussing mechanisms mediating the effect of studying abroad on wages. We conclude by highlighting directions for future research. In a nutshell, our review suggests that studying abroad has a moderate positive effect on graduates’ early career wages in various national and institutional settings. However, this effect tends to vary across groups of graduates, employment contexts, and types of stays abroad. An increased likelihood of employer change and of gaining access to large and multinational companies as well as improved access to high-wage labor markets abroad appear to be the empirically most relevant mechanisms mediating the effect of studying abroad on wages. Other assumed explanatory mechansims, such as improved language skills and a greater tendency to pursue further education, turn out to be less relevant. On balance, our review illustrates that the examined research field has made great progress in recent years. It also shows how research can be further advanced by a stronger degree of standardization of study designs, internationally comparative and longitudinal datasets, the analysis of further plausible mediating mechansism, and a focus on new research questions.

scholarly journals Improving the transparency of meta-analyses with interactive web applications

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjebm-2019-111308
Author(s):  
Thomas P Ahern ◽  
Richard F MacLehose ◽  
Laura Haines ◽  
Deirdre P Cronin-Fenton ◽  
Per Damkier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Web Applications ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Summary Estimate ◽  
Specific Association ◽  
Meta Analyses

Increased transparency in study design and analysis is one proposed solution to the perceived reproducibility crisis facing science. Systematic review and meta-analysis—through which individual studies on a specific association are ascertained, assessed for quality and quantitatively combined—is a critical process for building consensus in medical research. However, the conventional publication model creates static evidence summaries that force the quality assessment criteria and analytical choices of a small number of authors onto all stakeholders, some of whom will have different views on the quality assessment and key features of the analysis. This leads to discordant inferences from meta-analysis results and delayed arrival at consensus. We propose a shift to interactive meta-analysis, through which stakeholders can take control of the evidence synthesis using their own quality criteria and preferred analytic approach—including the option to incorporate prior information on the association in question—to reveal how their summary estimate differs from that reported by the original analysts. We demonstrate this concept using a web-based meta-analysis of the association between genetic variation in a key tamoxifen-metabolising enzyme and breast cancer recurrence in tamoxifen-treated women. We argue that interactive meta-analyses would speed consensus-building to the degree that they reveal invariance of inferences to different study selection and analysis criteria. On the other hand, when inferences are found to differ substantially as a function of these choices, the disparities highlight where future research resources should be invested to resolve lingering sources of disagreement.

Psychosocial Interventions for Family Carers of People With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1198-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Áine Teahan ◽  
Attracta Lafferty ◽  
Eilish McAuliffe ◽  
Amanda Phelan ◽  
Liam O’Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Family Carers ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Study Designs

Objective:This study aimed to review and synthesize findings of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions aimed at improving outcomes for family carers of people with dementia. Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We systematically searched the following databases: Cochrane, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycInfo, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA). RevMan 5 software was used to conduct meta-analysis and subgroup analysis using a random-effects model. Results: The search yielded 22 high-quality intervention articles that were suitable for further meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that psychosocial interventions have a small to moderate significant effect on carer burden (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.34, confidence interval [CI] = [−0.59, −0.09]), depression (SMD = −0.36, CI = [−0.60, −0.13]), and general health (SMD = 0.34, CI = [0.18, 0.51]). Discussion: Psychosocial interventions had a positive impact on carer outcomes; however, these results should be interpreted with caution, given the significant level of heterogeneity in study designs. Future research could examine contextual and implementation mechanisms underlying psychosocial interventions to develop effective support systems for family carers of people with dementia.

scholarly journals Condition-Based Maintenance—An Extensive Literature Review

Machines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Quatrini ◽  
Francesco Costantino ◽  
Giulio Di Gravio ◽  
Riccardo Patriarca
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Condition Based Maintenance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Extensive Literature Review ◽  
Specific Implementation

This paper presents an extensive literature review on the field of condition-based maintenance (CBM). The paper encompasses over 4000 contributions, analysed through bibliometric indicators and meta-analysis techniques. The review adopts Factor Analysis as a dimensionality reduction, concerning the metric of the co-citations of the papers. Four main research areas have been identified, able to delineate the research field synthetically, from theoretical foundations of CBM; (i) towards more specific implementation strategies (ii) and then specifically focusing on operational aspects related to (iii) inspection and replacement and (iv) prognosis. The data-driven bibliometric results have been combined with an interpretative research to extract both core and detailed concepts related to CBM. This combined analysis allows a critical reflection on the field and the extraction of potential future research directions.

scholarly journals Case Series, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis of Basilar Bifurcation Aneurysms Treated Between 2001 and 2017

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Dandurand ◽  
Swetha Prakash ◽  
Amir A Sepehry ◽  
Katherine Tourigny ◽  
Charles Haw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bias Analysis ◽  
Complete Occlusion ◽  
Bifurcation Aneurysm

Abstract INTRODUCTION A lower rate of aneurysmal recanalization in stent assisted coiling vs coiling alone has been observed. This study aims to stratify and compare degree of occlusion outcomes by treatment modalities for basilar bifurcation aneurysms. Secondarily, this study aims to stratify and compare postoperative adverse events. METHODS Medical literature including MEDLINE and EMBASE database was searched. We performed metaregressions, bias analysis, and fail-safe N. We controlled for the quality of the studies. RESULTS Eligible studies (N = 12) and study center patients (n = 117) data were pooled for a total of 396 nonduplicated patients. Patients were separated into 4 groups: microsurgical, stent-assisted coiling, coiling, stent only. Stent-assisted coiling had a lower rate of retreatment (17% vs 24%) and higher rate of post-treatment haemorrhage (5% vs 3%) compared to coiling. Stent-assisted coiling had a higher rate of complete occlusion (55% vs 45%) and lower rate of residual aneurysm (15% vs 23%) compared to coiling. Comparative analyses were performed. Microsurgical technique remained the most morbid treatment modality with the best rate of complete occlusion (93%) and lowest rehemorrhage (2%) and retreatment rate (5%). CONCLUSION This is the first and largest meta-analysis focusing on patients treated for basilar bifurcation aneurysm. This is the first study to stratify and compare degree of occlusion and clinical outcomes per treatment modality. This is the first study to report higher rates of post-treatment hemorrhage with stent-assisted coiling. This study provides benchmark data to guide clinicians in future treatment decision-making and encourages future research to stratify outcomes.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Incidence Rate of Takayasu Arteritis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Rutter ◽  
Jonathan Bowley ◽  
Peter C. Lanyon ◽  
Matthew J. Grainge ◽  
Fiona A. Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Takayasu Arteritis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Global Epidemiology ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Different Populations

AbstractObjectivesTakayasu arteritis (TAK), is a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease causing large vessel vasculitis. Onset is typically between the ages of 20-30. It is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, notably due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. It has a poorly understood global epidemiology. Our objective was to systematically review the available evidence in order to calculate the incidence rate of TAK.MethodsThree databases (Medline, PubMed and Embase) were searched in November 2019 and the results were screened by two reviewers. A random effects meta-analysis was then conducted in R to calculate the overall incidence rate. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. The quality of the studies was assessed using an adapted Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Further sub-group analyses were performed by quality, sex, research setting and geographical location. Publication bias was assessed using a Begg’s funnel plot.ResultsThe incidence rate for TAK per million person-years with 95% confidence intervals was 1.11 per million person years (95% CI 0.75 – 1.65). The heterogeneity in the data was extremely high in all analyses, which suggests that there was considerable variation in incidence rates across the different populations studied. TAK was found to be more common in women (incidence rate 2.01 per million person-years, 95% CI 1.39-2.90).ConclusionsTAK is an extremely rare disease. It affects women more commonly than men. There is considerable variation in the incidence rate between populations. We suggest that future research should focus on discrete populations in order to better identify genetic and environmental risk factors.

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