scholarly journals A Critical Interpretive Synthesis to Develop Quality Assessment Tools for E-Cigarette Reviews: Scope and Protocol

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. O’Leary ◽  
F. Costanzo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Tobacco Harm Reduction ◽  
Critical Interpretive Synthesis ◽  
Research Bias ◽  
Standard Quality ◽  
Research Standards

ABSTRACTOne component of a systematic review is the quality assessment of studies to determine their inclusion or exclusion. Studies on e-cigarettes are conducted in the contentious atmosphere surrounding tobacco harm reduction, which has resulted at times in research bias. Therefore, the quality assessment of studies on e-cigarettes requires more scrutiny than what is provided by generic tools on study design. This topic-specific quality assessment must examine the tests, measurements, and analysis methods used for their adherence to research standards. Furthermore, the studies need to be carefully screened for bias. Because standard quality assessment tools do not provide this topic-specific guidance, we propose to develop quality assessment tools specifically for reviews on e-cigarettes, and for our living systematic reviews on e-cigarettes for tobacco harm reduction.

scholarly journals POS0716 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FERTILITY OUTCOMES IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 607.2-608
Author(s):  
S. Giambalvo ◽  
C. Garaffoni ◽  
E. Silvagni ◽  
F. Furini ◽  
M. Govoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Ovarian Failure ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Study Quality Assessment

Background:Fertility is thought to be not reduced in women affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), however disease-related factors, psychosocial effects of chronic disease as well as medication exposure might impair gonadal function.Objectives:The aim of this systematic review was to explore clinical, hormonal, serological, instrumental and management factors associated with fertility outcomes in women of childbearing age with SLE.Methods:This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. All articles available in English, published from 1972 to 15th August 2020 in Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Study selection and data collection were performed by two independent reviewers. All data were extracted using a standardized template. Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed by using the NIH risk-of-bias tool [1].Results:Of 788 abstracts, we included in the review 45 studies of which 1 systematic literature reviews, 16 cross-sectional studies, 15 cohort studies, 12 observational studies and 1 case-series study, with a total of 4656 patients. The mean age was 33.5 ± 5.4 years, while the mean disease duration was 97.4 ± 65.2 months. Figure 1 illustrates the quality of the included studies. Definitions of fertility/premature ovarian failure (POF) adopted in the studies varied in terms of the number of months of amenorrhea considered. Most studies did not use a hormonally based definition of fertility. Clinical factors associated with the development of POF were older age at the time initiation of therapy and older age at the onset of SLE disease. Cyclophosphamide exposure (CYC) and its cumulative dose influenced gonadal function in SLE women, leading to amenorrhoea and ovarian failure, as reported in 19 studies. Mycophenolate, azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors and steroids seem to be associated with a lower risk of ovarian failure compared to CYC. 3 studies demonstrated that POF was more frequent in patients treated with CYC not receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH) in comparison to those co-treated with GnRH. 11 studies evaluated the impact of damage and disease activity on ovarian reserve in patients with SLE with conflicting evidence. Finally, 18 studies investigated exposure to hormonal and serological factors able to influence fertility outcomes; among others nor Anti-Müllerian Hormone, neither anti-corpus luteum antibodies were associated with POF.Conclusion:The role of disease activity on fertility in SLE patients is contradictory. Regarding management factors associated with fertility in SLE women of childbearing age, the strongest evidence is about the treatment with CYC and its cumulative dose. Hormonal and serological factors did not impact on fertility outcome but might be used as a surrogate of fertility, especially after treatment with disease-specific drugs.References:[1]Study Quality Assessment Tools NIH. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/study-quality-assessment-tools.[2]Andreoli L. et al. EULAR recommendations for women’s health and the management of family planning, assisted reproduction, pregnancy and menopause in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and/or antiphospholipid syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017; 76: 476–485.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Complications following volar locking plate fixation for distal radial fractures: a systematic review

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 745-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bentohami ◽  
K. de Burlet ◽  
N. de Korte ◽  
M. P. J. van den Bekerom ◽  
J. C. Goslings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Locking Plate ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Volar Locking Plate ◽  
Locking Plate Fixation ◽  
Distal Radial Fractures ◽  
Level Of Evidence

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of complications following volar locking plate fixation of distal radial fractures. A computer-based search was carried out using EMBASE and PUBMED/MEDLINE. Only prospective comparative and prospective cohort studies that presented data concerning complications after treatment of distal radial fractures with a volar locking plate in human adults with a minimal follow-up of 6 months were included. Two quality assessment tools were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies (level of evidence rating according to the Oxford Centre of Evidence Based Medicine and the modified version of the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group’s former quality assessment tool). Thirty three studies were eligible for final assessment. Most complications were problems with nerve and tendon function as well as complex regional pain syndrome. With an overall complication rate of 16.5%, most of which were ‘minor’ complications and low rates of nonunion and malunion, volar locking plate fixation can be considered a reasonably safe treatment option for patients with distal radial fractures.

scholarly journals Systematic review protocol exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of general practitioners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Jefferson ◽  
Su Golder ◽  
Veronica Dale ◽  
Holly Essex ◽  
Elizabeth McHugh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Systematic Review Protocol ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
The Impact

Background Over recent years chronic stress and burnout have been reported by doctors working in general practice in the UK NHS and internationally. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed general practitioners working lives; adding potential pressures from avoiding infection and addressing pent-up demand for care, but also changing processes such as rapidly taking up remote consultations. To date, there has been a focus on exploring the impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing of hospital clinicians. No registered systematic reviews currently focus on exploring the impact of the pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of general practitioners. Aims and objectives To synthesise the current international evidence base exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of general practitioners, and which factors are associated with their reported mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. Methods In this paper we report a systematic review protocol, following PRISMA guidance. In our search strategy we will identify primary research studies or systematic reviews exploring the mental health and wellbeing of general practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic in four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo and Medrxiv) and Google Scholar. We will hand-search reference lists and grey literature. Two reviewers will undertake all stages including study selection, data extraction and quality assessment, with arbitration by a third reviewer where necessary. We will use standardised quality assessment tools to ensure transparency and reduce bias in quality assessment. Depending on the quality of included studies, we may undertake a sensitivity analysis by excluding studies from narrative synthesis that are rated as low quality using the checklists. We will describe the findings across studies using narrative thematic data synthesis, and if sufficiently homogenous data are identified, we will pool quantitative findings through meta-analysis.

scholarly journals Vitamin B12 status, cognitive decline and dementia: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies

2012 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1948-1961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona O'Leary ◽  
Margaret Allman-Farinelli ◽  
Samir Samman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Methylmalonic Acid ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Prospective Cohort Studies

Poor vitamin B12 status may lead to the development of cognitive decline and dementia but there is a large variation in the quality, design of and results reported from these investigations. We have undertaken a systematic review of the evidence for the association between vitamin B12 status and cognitive decline in older adults. A database search of the literature to 2011 was undertaken, using keywords related to vitamin B12 and cognition. All prospective cohort studies assessing the association of serum vitamin B12 or biomarkers were included. Quality assessment and extraction of the data were undertaken by two researchers. The quality assessment tool assigns a positive, neutral or negative rating. Of 3772 published articles, thirty-five cohort studies (n 14 325 subjects) were identified and evaluated. No association between serum vitamin B12 concentrations and cognitive decline or dementia was found. However, four studies that used newer biomarkers of vitamin B12 status (methylmalonic acid and holotranscobalamin (holoTC)) showed associations between poor vitamin B12 status and the increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia diagnosis. In general, the studies were of reasonable quality (twenty-one positive, ten neutral and four negative quality) but of short duration and inadequate subject numbers to determine whether an effect exists. Future studies should be of adequate duration (at least 6 years), recruit subjects from the seventh decade, choose markers of vitamin B12 status with adequate specificity such as holoTC and/or methylmalonic acid and employ standardised neurocognitive assessment tools and not screening tests in order to ascertain any relationship between vitamin B12 status and cognitive decline.

scholarly journals Surgical Intervention for Paediatric Infusion-Related Extravasation Injury: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Little ◽  
S Dupré ◽  
JCR Wormald ◽  
MD Gardiner ◽  
C Gale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Case Series ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
List Type ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Study Quality Assessment

AbstractObjectivesThis systematic review aims to assess the quality of literature supporting surgical interventions for paediatric extravasation injury and to determine and summarize their outcomes.MethodsWe performed a systematic review by searching Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE as well as AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to February 2019. All studies other than case reports were eligible for inclusion if the population was younger than 18 years old, there was a surgical intervention aimed at treating extravasation injury and they reported on outcomes. Risk of bias was graded according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) study quality assessment tools.Results26 studies involving 728 children were included – one before-and-after study and 25 case series. Extravasation injuries were mainly confined to skin and subcutaneous tissues but severe complications were also encountered, including amputation (one toe and one below elbow). Of the surgical treatments described, the technique of multiple puncture wounds and instillation of saline and/or hyaluronidase was the most commonly used. However, there were no studies in which its effectiveness was tested against another treatment or a control and details of functional and aesthetic outcomes were generally lacking.ConclusionThere is a lack of high quality evidence to support treatment of extravasation injury in children. A definitive trial of extravasation injuries, or a centralized extravasation register using a universal grading scheme and core outcome set with adequate follow-up, are required to provide evidence to guide clinician decision-making.Strengths and LimitationsA systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPEROTwo authors used a bespoke inclusion/exclusion form to independently assess study eligibilityStudies were eligible for inclusion if the population was younger than 18 years old, if there was a surgical intervention aimed at treating extravasation injury in any setting and if they reported on short- or long-term outcomesTwo researchers also independently assessed the included studies’ risk of methodological bias using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) study quality assessment tools18 years old may represent a relatively arbitrary cut-off age to differentiate between ‘paediatric’ and ‘adult’ in terms of extravasation injury

Relationship of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Origin on the Distal Femur to the Distal Femoral Physis: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle R. Sochacki ◽  
Kevin G. Shea ◽  
Kunal Varshneya ◽  
Marc R. Safran ◽  
Geoffrey D. Abrams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Medial Patellofemoral Ligament ◽  
Distal Femur ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Skeletally Immature ◽  
Quality Assessment Tool ◽  
Femoral Physis

Background: The relationship between the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and the distal femoral physis has been reported in multiple studies. Purpose: To determine the distance from the MPFL central origin on the distal femur to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies investigating the anatomic origin of the MPFL on the distal femur and its relationship to the medial distal femoral physis in skeletally immature participants. Study methodological quality was analyzed with the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool, with studies categorized as low risk, high risk, or unclear risk of bias. Continuous variable data were reported as mean ± SD. Categorical variable data were reported as frequency with percentage. Results: Seven articles were analyzed (298 femurs, 53.7% male patients; mean age, 11.7 ± 3.4 years). There was low risk of bias based on the Anatomical Quality Assessment tool. The distance from the MPFL origin to the distal femoral physis ranged from 3.7 mm proximal to the physis to 10.0 mm distal to the physis in individual studies. Six of 7 studies reported that the MPFL origin on the distal femur lies distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of specimens. The MPFL originated distal to the medial distal femoral physis in 92.8% of participants at a mean distance of 6.9 ± 2.4 mm. Conclusion: The medial patellofemoral ligament originates distal to the medial distal femoral physis in the majority of cases at a mean proximal-to-distal distance of 7 mm distal to the physis. However, this is variable in the literature owing to study design and patient age and sex.

scholarly journals PNS194 Within-Person Comparison Diagnostic Studies: A Systematic Review of Quality Assessment Tools

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. S673
Author(s):  
A. Furber ◽  
C. Springate ◽  
A. Martin ◽  
B. Ghosh ◽  
H. Gould ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Diagnostic Studies

scholarly journals The Content of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents in Heated Tobacco Product: Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3-S) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Shoim Hidayat ◽  
Putri Ayuni Alayyannur
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tobacco Harm Reduction ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Health Organization

According to World Health Organization (WHO), most of health hazards due to smoking comes from exposure to cigarette smoke (smoke aerosol), formed from the burning process of tobacco in conventional cigarettes. This propels the implementation of the concept of tobacco harm reduction by striving for products for those still craving for tobacco can still consume, but at a lower risk. This study aims to determine the difference in HPHC content between conventional cigarettes and HTP. The research method used was literature review. In the preliminary stage, the researchers carried out a process of screening titles and abstracts from studies and then independently filtered the text papers completely according to the objectives of this study. The review yielded 22 journals meeting with the rules and regulations in this research. The results showed that all 9 HPHCs recommended for reduction (nine TobReg priority constituent) were shown to be 90% lower in HTP compared to conventional cigarettes. The conclusion was that there were differences in the HPHC content between conventional cigarettes and HTP. Keywords: HPHC; HTP; Conventional Cigarettes

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