Ultrasound imaging versus palpation method for diagnostic lumbar puncture in neonates and infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ImportanceLumbar puncture (LP) failure rates vary and can be as high as 65%. Ultrasound guidance could increase the success of performing LP.ObjectiveTo summarise the evidence on the use of ultrasound guidance versus palpation method for LP.Data sourcesWe searched computerised databases and published indexes, registries and references identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles without any language restrictions to find studies that compared ultrasound guidance to palpation method for performing an LP.Study selectionStudies were included if they were randomised or quasirandomised trials in neonates and infants that compared ultrasound guidance with palpation method for performing an LP.Data extraction and synthesisStandardised data collection tool was used for data extraction, and two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the studiesMain outcome(s) and measure(s)The primary outcome was the risk of LP failure, while the risk of traumatic tap, needle redirections/reinsertions and procedure durations were secondary outcomesResultsData from four studies and 308 participants is included in the analysis. Ultrasound imaging reduced the risk of LP failure, risk ratio of 0.58 (95% CI 0.15 to 2.28), but it was not statistically significant (p=0.44). Ultrasound imaging significantly reduced the risk of a traumatic tap risk ratio of 0.33 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.82) and p=0.02. The included studies had low to moderate quality; the studies differed based on mean age and with variability on outcome definition.Conclusions and relevanceThis meta-analysis suggests that ultrasound imaging has no effect in increasing lumbar success but is beneficial in reducing the risk of traumatic taps in neonates and infants.Trial registration numberCRD42017055800.

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Observing time effect of SSRIs on suicide risk and suicide-related behaviour: a network meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054479 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e054479

Author(s):

Qing-Hua Chen ◽

Yu-Ling Li ◽

Yi-Ru Hu ◽

Wan-Yuan Liang ◽

Bin Zhang

Keyword(s):

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽

Selection Process ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Time Effect ◽

China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Study Selection ◽

Registration Number ◽

Meta Analyses

IntroductionSuicide is a serious problem worldwide and 90% cases are associated with pre-existing or underlying mental illness. As a common treatment for depressive symptoms that suicidal people may receive, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been linked to a possible increase in suicide rates. Studies focusing on SSRIs and suicide have produced inconsistent results, suggesting that use of SSRIs decreases, increases, has no effect on suicide rates, or that the effect of SSRIs on suicide is age-dependent. This protocol of network meta-analysis aims to precisely evaluate the time effects of SSRIs by observing weekly changes of suicidality in the first 2 months of the treatment, and consequently, to explore whether the effect of the SSRIs on suicide varies depending on the stages of the treatment; if so, we will identify the turning point.Methods and analysisWe will search in the following databases: PubMed, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data, from dates of inception to 9 July 2021, with language restricted to English and Chinese. Studies focusing on the time effect of SSRIs on suicide will be retrieved. Then, the study selection process will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline, and the quality assessment will be conducted with Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. Two researchers will work independently on data extraction using a standardised data extraction spreadsheet. Any disagreement between two researchers will be discussed and determined by a third researcher.Ethics and disseminationThis work does not require ethics approval as it will be based on published studies. This review will be published in peer-reviewed journals.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021244779.

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Incidence and Risk Factors of Relapse After Elective Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation: a Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-129186/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mazou Temgoua ◽

Jerome Boombhi ◽

Joel Noutakdie Tochie ◽

Clovis Nkoke ◽

Cedric Tsinda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Hemodynamic Instability ◽

Electrical Cardioversion ◽

Study Selection ◽

Registration Number ◽

Existing Data

Abstract BackgroundAtrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia and it is associated with life-threatening complications such as hemodynamic instability and thromboembolic events. Electrical cardioversion remains its mainstay of treatment and can be performed either urgently or electively. Relapse after electrical cardioversion has been reported by several primary studies with divergent results, but no detailed summary exists for a critical appraisal of its global incidence and risk factors.Therefore, we propose the first systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing data on the global incidence and risk factors of relapse after electrical cardioversion for AF.MethodsWe will include case-control and cohort studies reporting on the incidence and risk factors of relapse after electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, WHO Global Health Library and Web of Science will be searched for relevant records published between January 01, 2000, and December 15, 2020. Pairs of independents reviewers will perform study selection and data extraction, as well as an assessment of the methodological quality of included studies. Appropriate meta-analysis will then be used to pool studies judged to be clinically homogenous. Egger’s test and funnel plots will be used to detect publication bias. Findings will be reported and compared by the human development level of countries. ResultsThis systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing data on the global incidence and risk factors of relapse after electrical cardioversion for AFConclusionThis review is expected to provide relevant data to help in evaluating the burden and risk factors of relapse after electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. The overall findings of this research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Systematic Review RegistrationThe protocol has been registered in Prospero with this registration number: CRD42020209301

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The Effect of Pandemic Prevalence on the Reported Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Candidates: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

10.1101/2021.06.05.21258394 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rajeev Sharma ◽

Abhijith Anand

Keyword(s):

Risk Ratio ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Phase 3 ◽

Bias Assessment ◽

Vaccine Candidates ◽

Study Selection ◽

Meta Regression Analysis

Abstract Importance The efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates reported in Phase 3 trials varies from ~45% to ~95%. It is important to explain the reasons for this heterogeneity. Objective To test the hypothesis that the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates falls with increasing prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data Sources ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO, McGill and LSHTM trackers of COVID-19 candidate vaccines, peer reviewed publications, and press releases were searched until March 31st, 2021. Study Selection All RCTs reporting efficacy outcomes from Phase 3 trials till March 31st, 2021 were included. Of the 11 vaccine candidates that had started their Phase 3 trials by November 1, 2020. Phase 3 efficacy outcomes were available for 8 vaccine candidates. (PROSPERO CRD42021243121). Data Extraction and Synthesis Both authors independently extracted the data required from identified sources, using PRISMA guidelines. The analysis included all RCTs reported in peer reviewed publications and publicly available sources. A random effects model with restricted maximum likelihood estimator was used to summarize the treatment effects. Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess risk of bias. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Main Outcomes and Measures SARS-CoV-2 infections per protocol in vaccine and placebo groups, risk ratio, prevalence of the COVID-19 infection rate in the populations where the Phase 3 trials were conducted. Results 8 vaccine candidates had reported efficacy data from a total of 20 independent Phase 3 trials, representing a total of 221,968 subjects, 453 infections across the vaccinated groups and 1,554 infections across the placebo groups. The overall estimate of the risk-ratio is 0.24 (95% CI, 0.17-0.34, p < 0.01), with an I2 statistic of 88.73%. The meta-regression analysis with pandemic prevalence as the moderator explains almost half the variance in risk ratios across trials (R2=49.06%, p<0.01). Conclusion and Relevance Pandemic prevalence explains almost half of the between-trial variance in reported efficacies. Efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates declines as the pandemic prevalence increases.

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Epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection in animals in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-02749-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdou Fatawou Modiyinji ◽

Jean Joel Bigna ◽

Sebastien Kenmoe ◽

Fredy Brice N. Simo ◽

Marie A. Amougou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Study Selection ◽

Language Restriction

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis in humans worldwide and have high burden in the resource-limited countries. Better knowledge of the epidemiology of hepatitis in animals in Africa can help to understand the epidemiology among humans. The objective of this study was to summarize the prevalence of HEV infection and distribution of HEV genotypes among animals in Africa. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, African Journals Online, and Africa Index Medicus from January 1st, 2000 to March 22th, 2020 without any language restriction. We considered cross-sectional studies of HEV infection in animals in Africa. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality of included studies were done independently by two investigators. Prevalence data were pooled using the random-effects meta-analysis. This review was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42018087684. Results Twenty-five studies (13 species and 6983 animals) were included. The prevalence (antibodies or ribonucleic acid [RNA]) of HEV infection in animals varied widely depending on biological markers of HEV infection measured: 23.4% (95% confidence interval; 12.0–37.2) for anti-HEV immunoglobulins G, 13.1% (3.1–28.3) for anti-HEV immunoglobulins M, and 1.8% (0.2–4.3) for RNA; with substantial heterogeneity. In subgroup analysis, the immunoglobulins G seroprevalence was higher among pigs 37.8% (13.9–65.4). The following HEV genotypes were reported in animals: Rat-HEV genotype 1 (rats and horses), HEV-3 (pigs), HEV-7 (dromedaries), and Bat hepeviruses (bats). Conclusions We found a high prevalence of HEV infection in animals in Africa and HEV genotypes close to that of humans. Some animals in Africa could be the reservoir of HEV, highlighting the need of molecular epidemiological studies for investigating zoonotic transmission.

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Impact of maternal supplementation with probiotics during pregnancy on atopic eczema in childhood – a meta-analysis

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114511003400 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 107 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Katja Doege ◽

Donata Grajecki ◽

Birgit-Christiane Zyriax ◽

Elena Detinkina ◽

Christine zu Eulenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Eczema ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Placebo ◽

Study Selection ◽

The Impact

In the present study, we sought to conduct a literature review of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, which assessed the impact of probiotics intake during pregnancy on the development of eczema in children. A meta-analysis was conducted for comparison of the development of atopic eczema in children whose mothers took probiotics during pregnancyv.placebo. Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were performed independently and in duplicate. The studies were rated according to their size in order to calculate the influence of individual studies on the meta-analysis. A total of seven randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, published between 2001 and 2009, were selected from the PubMed and Ovid databases for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was performed with statistical software Stata/SE11.0. The completed meta-analysis of the seven studies shows a significant risk reduction for atopic eczema in children aged 2–7 years by the administration of probiotics during pregnancy (reduction 5·7 %;P = 0·022). However, this effect was only significant for lactobacilli (reduction 10·6 %;P = 0·045), but not for a mixture of various bacterial strains as probiotics (difference 3·06 %,P = 0·204). In conclusion, the meta-analysis shows that the administration of lactobacilli during pregnancy prevents atopic eczema in children aged from 2 to 7 years. However, a mixture of various bacterial strains does not affect the development of atopic eczema, independent of whether they contain lactobacilli or not.

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What does my neighbourhood have to do with my weight? A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and body weight

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017567 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e017567

Author(s):

Shimels Hussien Mohammed ◽

Mulugeta Molla Birhanu ◽

Tesfamichael Awoke Sissay ◽

Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold ◽

Balewgizie Sileshi Tegegn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Registration Number ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Status ◽

Using Data

IntroductionIndividuals living in poor neighbourhoods are at a higher risk of overweight/obesity. There is no systematic review and meta-analysis study on the association of neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES) with overweight/obesity. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the existing evidence on the association of NSES with overweight/obesity.Methods and analysisCross-sectional, case–control and cohort studies published in English from inception to 15 May 2017 will be systematically searched using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar. Selection, screening, reviewing and data extraction will be done by two reviewers, independently and in duplicate. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) will be used to assess the quality of evidence. Publication bias will be checked by visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. Heterogeneity will be checked by Higgins’s method (I2statistics). Meta-analysis will be done to estimate the pooled OR. Narrative synthesis will be performed if meta-analysis is not feasible due to high heterogeneity of studies.Ethics and disseminationEthical clearance is not required as we will be using data from published articles. Findings will be communicated through a publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at professional conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017063889.

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Thromboembolic events, recurrent bleeding and mortality after resuming anticoagulant following gastrointestinal bleeding

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th15-01-0063 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 114 (10) ◽

pp. 819-825 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Chatree Chai-Adisaksopha ◽

Christopher Hillis ◽

Manuel Monreal ◽

Daniel Witt ◽

Mark Crowther

Keyword(s):

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Anticoagulation Therapy ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Recurrent Bleeding ◽

Thromboembolic Events ◽

Gi Bleeding ◽

Study Selection ◽

Language Restriction ◽

Randomised Controlled

SummaryGastrointestinal (GI) bleeding commonly complicates anticoagulant therapy. We aimed to systematically review the published literature to determine the risk of thromboembolism, recurrent GI bleeding and mortality for patients on long-term anticoagulation who experience GI bleeding based on whether anticoagulation therapy was resumed. We performed a systematic review of phase III randomised controlled trials and cohort studies in patients with atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism who received oral anticoagulant. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL (from 1996-July 2014), conferences abstracts (from January 2006-July 2014) and www.clinicaltrials.gov (up to the last week of July 2014) with no language restriction. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. A total of three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The resumption of warfarin was associated with a significant reduction in thromboembolic events (hazard ratio [HR] 0.68, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.52 to 0.88, p < 0.004, I2=82 %). There was an increase in recurrent GI bleeding but not statistically significant for patients who restarted warfarin compared to those who did not (HR 1.20, 95 % CI 0.97 to 1.48, p = 0.10, I2 = 0 %). Resumption of warfarin was associated with significant reduction in mortality (HR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.66 to 0.88, p < 0.001, I2 = 87 %). This meta-analysis demonstrates that resumption of warfarin following interruption due to GI bleeding is associated with a reduction in thromboembolic events and mortality without a statistically significant increase in recurrent GI bleeding.Institution where the work was performed: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

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Aromatherapy for Symptom Relief in Patients with Burn: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina58010001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Hye Won Lee ◽

Lin Ang ◽

Jung Tae Kim ◽

Myeong Soo Lee

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Symptom Relief ◽

Routine Care ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Review Author ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Study Selection ◽

Meta Analyses

Background and Objectives: This review aimed to provide an updated review of evidence regarding the effects of aromatherapy in relieving symptoms of burn injuries, focusing on pain and physiological distress. Materials and Methods: Fifteen databases (including five English databases, four Korean medical databases, and four Iranian databases) and trial registries were searched for studies published between their dates of inception and July 2021. Two review authors individually performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment, and any discrepancies were solved by a third review author. Results: Eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed in this updated systematic review. Our meta-analyses revealed that inhaled aromatherapy plus routine care showed beneficial effects in relieving pain after dressing, as compared to placebo plus routine care (p < 0.00001) and routine care alone (p = 0.02). Additionally, inhaled aromatherapy plus routine care (p < 0.00001) and aromatherapy massage plus routine care (p < 0.0001) also showed superior effects in calming anxiety, as compared to routine care alone. None of the included studies reported on AEs. Overall, the risk of bias across the studies was concerning. Conclusions: This updated review and synthesis of the studies had brought a more detailed understanding of the potential application of aromatherapy for easing the pain and anxiety of burn patients.

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Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Patients Treated Concurrently with Antiresorptive and Antiangiogenic Agents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology ◽

10.36401/jipo-21-14 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Akanksha Srivastava ◽

Graciela M. Nogueras Gonzalez ◽

Yimin Geng ◽

Alexander M. Won ◽

Jeffrey Myers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relative Risk ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw ◽

Accurate Estimation ◽

Antiangiogenic Agents ◽

Study Selection ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Exposure Variable ◽

Retrospective Cohort Studies

ABSTRACT Introduction Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a known adverse event related to the use of antiresorptive (AR) drugs. More recently, an association between antiangiogenic (AA) drugs and MRONJ has been suggested. This review aimed to investigate the overall prevalence and relative risk of MRONJ in patients treated concurrently with AA and AR agents in comparison with a single AA or AR drug. Methods A review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020214244). A systematic literature search, study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were carried out following PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used to summarize relative estimates for the outcomes, namely prevalence and relative risk of MRONJ. Exposure variable included type of drug, specifically AA and AR agents administered either concurrently or individually. Results Eleven studies were included in the final qualitative and quantitative syntheses. The overall pooled weighted prevalence of MRONJ with concurrent AA-AR drugs was 6% (95% CI: 3–8%), compared with 0% (95% CI: 0–0%) for AA only and 5% (95% CI: 0–10%) for AR only. However, high heterogeneity was noted among included studies. Retrospective cohort studies showed a higher pooled prevalence of 13% (95% CI: 10–17%) for concurrent AA-AR therapy. The pooled risk ratio for MRONJ revealed a risk with concurrent AA-AR drugs 2.57 times as high as with AR only (95% CI: 0.84–7.87); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Concurrent AA-AR drugs had a risk for MRONJ 23.74 times as high as with AA only (95% CI: 3.71–151.92). Conclusions High-quality, representative studies are needed for accurate estimation of relative risk of MRONJ with concurrent AA and AR therapy.

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Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma: systematic review

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2017-313615 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 103 (5) ◽

pp. F467-F473 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Eloise Müller-Schulte ◽

Gerhard Kurlemann ◽

Anja Harder

Keyword(s):

Illicit Drugs ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Bias Analysis ◽

Random Effects Models ◽

Registration Number

ObjectiveTo determine whether prenatal and perinatal maternal consumption of alcohol, tobacco and/or illicit drugs is associated with risk of neuroblastoma.Data sourcesMedline and Embase (both from inception to February 2017), and reference lists of included studies.Study selectionTo be eligible, a study had to be an original report including data on intake of alcohol, tobacco smoking and/or consumption of illicit drugs during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma in the child.Data extractionFrom eligible studies, data study characteristics as well as effect measures and confounders were extracted. We assessed unadjusted and confounder-adjusted estimates, performed risk of bias analysis, constructed random-effects models and assessed heterogeneity.ResultsWe identified 14 case–control studies (1987–2016) involving a total of 3114 children with neuroblastoma. Meta-analysis of unadjusted estimates showed an association between alcohol (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.49), tobacco (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.44) and illicit drug consumption during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma during childhood, with illicit drug consumption showing the strongest association (OR 3.26; 95% CI 1.36 to 7.86). However, adjusted estimates were highly heterogeneous.LimitationsAll studies were at high risk of bias.ConclusionsSmoking, alcohol or illicit drugs during pregnancy might play a role in the development of neuroblastoma. However, well-designed studies are needed to assess whether these exposures are causal and whether time period during pregnancy, dose or co-consumption of substances is critical.Trial registration numberRegistration number CRD42016036165.

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