Prevalence of the Use of Herbal Medicines among Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Although herbal medicines are used by patients with cancer in multiple oncology care settings, the magnitude of herbal medicine use in this context remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to establish the prevalence of herbal medicine use among patients with cancer, across various geographical settings and patient characteristics (age and gender categories). Methods. Electronic databases that were searched for data published, from January 2000 to January 2020, were Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, Embase, and African Index Medicus. Eligible studies reporting prevalence estimates of herbal medicine use amongst cancer patients were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Studies were grouped by World Bank region and income groups. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore source of heterogeneity. Results. In total, 155 studies with data for 809,065 participants (53.95% female) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled prevalence of the use of herbal medicine among patients with cancer was 22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18%–25%), with the highest prevalence estimates for Africa (40%, 95% CI: 23%–58%) and Asia (28%, 95% CI: 21%–35%). The pooled prevalence estimate was higher across low- and middle-income countries (32%, 95% CI: 23%–42%) and lower across high-income countries (17%, 95% CI: 14%–21%). Higher pooled prevalence estimates were found for adult patients with cancer (22%, 95% CI: 19%–26%) compared with children with cancer (18%, 95% CI: 11%–27%) and for female patients (27%, 95% CI: 19%–35%) compared with males (17%, 95% CI: 1%–47%). Conclusion. Herbal medicine is used by a large percentage of patients with cancer use. The findings of this review highlight the need for herbal medicine to be integrated in cancer care.

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Auditory and visual hallucination prevalence in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291718003161 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (14) ◽

pp. 2342-2353 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charlotte Louise Eversfield ◽

Llwyd David Orton

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractBackgroundNon-motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), such as auditory hallucinations (AH), contribute to disease burden but are not well understood.MethodsSystematic review and random-effects meta-analyses of studies reporting AH associated with PD or DLB. Prevalence of visual hallucinations (VH) in identified studies meeting eligibility criteria were included in meta-analyses, facilitating comparison with AH. Synthesis of qualitative descriptions of AH was performed. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for primary journal articles, written in English, published from 1970 to 2017. Studies reporting AH prevalence in PD or DLB were screened using PRISMA methods.ResultsSearches identified 4542 unique studies for consideration, of which, 26 met inclusion criteria. AH pooled prevalence in PD was estimated to be 8.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.3–14.5], while in DLB was estimated to be 30.8% (±23.4 to 39.3). Verbal hallucinations, perceived as originating outside the head, were the most common form of AH. Non-verbal AH were also common while musical AH were rare. VH were more prevalent, with an estimated pooled prevalence in PD of 28.2% (±19.1 to 39.5), while in DLB they were estimated to be 61.8% (±49.1 to 73.0). Meta-regression determined that the use of validated methodologies to identify hallucinations produced higher prevalence estimates.ConclusionsAH and VH present in a substantial proportion of PD and DLB cases, with VH reported more frequently in both conditions. Both AH and VH are more prevalent in DLB than PD. There is a need for standardised use of validated methods to detect and monitor hallucinations.

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Depression, Anxiety, and Other Mental Disorders in Patients With Cancer in Low- and Lower-Middle–Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JCO Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/go.21.00056 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1233-1250

Author(s):

Zoe J. Walker ◽

Siqi Xue ◽

Michael P. Jones ◽

Arun V. Ravindran

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorders ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

International Classification Of Diseases ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Classification Of Diseases

PURPOSE Cancer is a growing public health issue in low- and lower-middle–income countries (LLMICs), but the mental health consequences in this setting have not been well-characterized. We aimed to systematically evaluate the available literature on the prevalence, associates, and treatment of mental disorders in patients with cancer in LLMICs. METHODS We systematically searched Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of major depression or anxiety disorders in this population, defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases criteria. We qualitatively reviewed studies that examined the prevalence of depressive or anxiety disorders defined by self-report tools, the prevalence of other mental disorders, associated factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the treatment of mental disorders in this population. RESULTS Forty studies spanning a 15-year period were included in the review. The pooled prevalence defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases criteria was 21% for major depression (95% CI, 15 to 28) and 18% for anxiety disorders (95% CI, 8 to 30). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were most frequently associated with advanced disease and low levels of education. Among the four studies evaluating treatment, three evaluated the effectiveness of psychotherapy and one evaluated a yoga program. CONCLUSION The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer generally appears higher in LLMICs than in upper-income countries. Our findings demonstrate the existence of a significant and underappreciated disease burden. We suggest that clinicians remain vigilant to psychiatric symptoms. Improved screening and treatment are likely to improve quality of life and reduce both morbidity and mortality.

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Prevalence of schistosomiasis and its association with anemia among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04642-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ishag Adam ◽

Nadiah A. ALhabardi ◽

Osama Al-Wutayd ◽

Ammar H. Khamis

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Prevalence Estimate ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Schistosomiasis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease that can lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. To our knowledge, there has been no systematic review and meta-analysis of schistosomiasis during pregnancy. Methods We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Relevant published studies were searched in international databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), from their inception until May 31, 2020. The retrieved studies were assessed for quality using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. OpenMeta Analyst software was used for the statistical analysis. Results Thirty-two studies enrolling 21024 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. All 32 of these studies were conducted in Africa. Of these studies, 19, 11, and 2 investigated S. mansoni, S. haematobium, and combined S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections, respectively. The pooled prevalence estimate of schistosomiasis during pregnancy was 13.2% (95 CI 11.0–15.4). A random model was used because of high heterogeneity (Q = 99.14; P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, the pooled prevalence estimate of S. haematobium was significantly higher than the pooled prevalence estimates of S. mansoni [22.5% (95% CI 1.6–43.5) vs 8.7% (95% CI 6.0–11.3, P = 0.016), respectively]. The results of meta-regression analyses showed a non-significant difference in the prevalence of schistosomiasis during pregnancy according to the study sample sizes and year of publication. Only six studies evaluated the association between schistosomiasis during pregnancy and anemia. Schistosomiasis was associated with anemia in these six studies (OR = 3.02, 95% = 1.25‒7.28, P = 0.014). Conclusion The present meta-analysis suggests that schistosomiasis during pregnancy is an existing health problem. This meta-analysis also highlights the lack of data on the determinants and outcomes of schistosomiasis during pregnancy. Preventive measures are needed and could be part of antenatal care in areas endemic with schistosomiasis.

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Reported prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among men who have sex with men in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.2.18100/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Hanlin Fu ◽

Tubao Yang ◽

Xiaobing Wu ◽

Yumao Cai ◽

tiejian feng

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Exclusion Criterion ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Meta Analyses

Abstract Background: Men who have sex with men(MSM) in China are at high risk for suicidality but often overlooked. Several studies have reported the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, the estimates varies substantially between studies. This systematic review aimed to establish pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among MSM in China, in order to arouse the attention of the public.Methods: The relevant studies up to April 2019 were systematically searched via several electronic databases. Studies were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criterion and the random-effects meta-analyses were adopted to calculate the pooled prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Heterogeneity between studies and publication bias was also assessed.Results: A total of 23 articles were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimate of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was 20.1% (95%CI: 16.7%-23.7%) and 6.8%(95%CI: 5.0%-8.9%), respectively. Significant heterogeneity was found for both combined effects. Heterogeneity in the estimates could be partially explained by survey points, HIV infection and average age.Conclusions: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among MSM in China was moderate high, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the subgroup and effective psychological interventions need to be established and implemented to reduce the suicide-related problems among Chinese MSM.

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Prevalence and dynamics of clinically significant bacterial contaminants in herbal medicines sold in East Africa from 2000 to 2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tropical Medicine and Health ◽

10.1186/s41182-020-00295-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdul Walusansa ◽

Savina Asiimwe ◽

Hussein. M. Kafeero ◽

Iramiot. J. Stanley ◽

Jamilu. E. Ssenku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herbal Medicine ◽

East Africa ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

East African ◽

African Region ◽

Bacterial Contaminants ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Public Health Protection

Abstract Background Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world, and those caused by bacteria are common in the East African region. In this region, trade and consumption of herbal medicine has been expanding in the recent decades. Herbal medicines may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria; however, there is limited information due to fragmented studies in East Africa. In this meta-analysis, we critically analyzed original research related to the incidence of pathogenic bacterial contaminants of HM in the East African region since 2000. The aim was to create a comprehensive understanding of the extent and dynamics of bacterial contamination in HM, to guide future research and concerted public health protection in the region. Methodology The study was conducted according to the standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. We searched and evaluated published articles from eleven electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, HerbMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scifinder Scholar, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EMBASE, Biological Abstracts and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau Abstracts). Prevalences of different bacterial species, Cochran’s Q test, and the I2 statistic for heterogeneity were evaluated using a software called MedCalcs. Random and fixed effects models were used to determine the pooled prevalence of clinically significant bacteria from studies which were included in this meta-analysis. The potential sources of heterogeneity were examined through sensitivity analysis, sub-group analysis, and meta-regression at 95% level of significance. Results Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Overall, the studies were highly heterogeneous (I2 = 98.48%) and there was no evidence of publication bias. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent contaminant. Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were the most frequently reported primary pathogens with pooled prevalence of 10.4% and 6.3%, respectively. Our findings are in tandem with recent systematic reviews conducted in Europe and Asia, but are in discrepancy with the reviews recently conducted in southern Africa. Conclusion and recommendations The East African herbal medicine industry poses considerable health risks to communities through dissemination of clinically significant bacteria. Presence of enteric bacterial contaminants indicates possible fecal pollution of herbal medicine region-wide. Adequate research pertaining to microbial safety of herbal medicine in the East African countries remains highly desired. The latter will enable establishment of strong, region-wide herbal safety mechanisms in order to support comprehensive public health protection in East Africa.

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Prevalence of osteoarthritis in lower middle- and low-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rheumatology International ◽

10.1007/s00296-021-04838-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ismail Yahaya ◽

Tanya Wright ◽

Opeyemi O. Babatunde ◽

Nadia Corp ◽

Toby Helliwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Middle Income ◽

Bias Score ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Prevalence Estimates

AbstractEvidence from the Global Burden of Disease studies suggests that osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant cause of disability globally; however, it is less clear how much of this burden exists in low-income and lower middle-income countries. This study aims to determine the prevalence of OA in people living in low-income and lower middle-income countries. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception to October 2018 for population-based studies. We included studies reporting the prevalence of OA among people aged 15 years and over in low-income and lower middle-income countries. The prevalence estimates were pooled across studies using random effects meta-analysis. Our study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018112870.The search identified 7414 articles, of which 356 articles were selected for full text assessment. 34 studies were eligible and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of OA was 16·05% (95% confidence interval (CI) 12·55–19·89), with studies demonstrating a substantial degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 99·50%). The pooled prevalence of OA was 16.4% (CI 11·60–21.78%) in South Asia, 15.7% (CI 5·31–30·25%) in East Asia and Pacific, and 14.2% (CI 7·95–21·89%) in Sub Saharan Africa. The meta-regression analysis showed that publication year, study sample size, risk of bias score and country-income categories were significantly associated with the variations in the prevalence estimates. The prevalence of OA is high in low-income and lower middle-income countries, with almost one in six of the study participants reported to have OA. With the changing population demographics and the shift to the emergence of non-communicable diseases, targeted public health strategies are urgently needed to address this growing epidemic in the aging population.

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Widespread use of herbal medicines by people living with human immunodeficiency virus and contamination of herbal medicines with antiretrovirals in Nigeria

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462418809749 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 371-377

Author(s):

J Gini ◽

A Amara ◽

Sujan D Penchala ◽

David J Back ◽

L Else ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Herbal Medicine ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽

Deficiency Syndrome ◽

Medicine Use ◽

Street Vendors ◽

Hiv Therapy ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus

Herbal medication use amongst people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) is widespread and understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of herbal medicine use amongst PLWH and possible contamination with antiretrovirals (ARVs). Countrywide collection of herbal samples sold by street vendors in Nigeria for the following indications: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome, fever and general weakness. Samples were screened using a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method for the presence of the following ARVs: efavirenz, nevirapine, lopinavir, darunavir, ritonavir, atazanavir, emtricitabine, tenofovir and lamivudine. A survey was conducted among 742 PLWH attending four HIV clinics in Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 22.0 (IBM Corp., 2013, Armond, NY). Of the 138 herbal medicines sampled, three (2%) contained detectable levels of tenofovir, emtricitabine and/or lamivudine. Additionally, of the 742 PLWH surveyed, 310 (41.8%) reported herbal medicine use. Among the users, 191 (61.6%) started taking herbals after commencing HIV therapy while herbal medicine use preceded ARVs treatment in 119 (38.4%) PLWH. We found herbal use to be widespread among PLWH in Nigeria, with increasing use after commencing ARV. Three herbal preparations were also found to contain detectable levels of ARVs. This is a concern and should be studied widely across the region and countries where herbal medicine use is prevalent and poorly regulated.

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More than 50 long-term effects of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95565-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Lopez-Leon ◽

Talia Wegman-Ostrosky ◽

Carol Perelman ◽

Rosalinda Sepulveda ◽

Paulina A. Rebolledo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Original Data ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

Attention Disorder ◽

Initial Recovery ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractCOVID-19 can involve persistence, sequelae, and other medical complications that last weeks to months after initial recovery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify studies assessing the long-term effects of COVID-19. LitCOVID and Embase were searched to identify articles with original data published before the 1st of January 2021, with a minimum of 100 patients. For effects reported in two or more studies, meta-analyses using a random-effects model were performed using the MetaXL software to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% CI. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A total of 18,251 publications were identified, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of 55 long-term effects was estimated, 21 meta-analyses were performed, and 47,910 patients were included (age 17–87 years). The included studies defined long-COVID as ranging from 14 to 110 days post-viral infection. It was estimated that 80% of the infected patients with SARS-CoV-2 developed one or more long-term symptoms. The five most common symptoms were fatigue (58%), headache (44%), attention disorder (27%), hair loss (25%), and dyspnea (24%). Multi-disciplinary teams are crucial to developing preventive measures, rehabilitation techniques, and clinical management strategies with whole-patient perspectives designed to address long COVID-19 care.

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3 Estimating the Burden of Dementia in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afab028.03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. i1-i6

Author(s):

Y Xiang ◽

K Chan ◽

I Rudan

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

Disease Burden ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Middle Income ◽

Dementia Prevalence ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

The Future ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Policy And Planning

Abstract Background and Objectives Rapid increase in life expectancy has resulted in an increase in the global burden of dementia that is expected to become a leading cause of morbidity in the future. Low- and middle-income countries are expected to bear an increasing majority of the burden, but lack data for accurate burden estimates that are key for informing policy and planning. Bayesian methods have recently gained recognition over traditional frequentist approaches for modelling disease burden for their superiority in dealing with severely limited data. This study provides updated estimates of dementia prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) for the years 2015, 2020 and 2030. Given the paucity of data, estimates were developed using a Bayesian methodology and confirmed by the traditional frequentist approach, with the aim of providing methodological insights for future disease burden estimates. Methods A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify all relevant primary studies published between the years 2010–2018. The quality of the included studies was critically assessed. A random-effects model (REM) and a Bayesian normal-normal hierarchical model (NNHM) were used to obtain the pooled prevalence estimate of dementia for people aged 60 and above. The latter model was also developed to estimate age-specific dementia prevalence. Using UN population estimates, total and age-specific projections of the burden of dementia were calculated. Results The prevalence of dementia in LAC was found to be 14% (10–21%) in those above age 60 based on REM, and 8% (5–11.5%) based on NNHM. The prevalence increased from 2% (1–4%) in people aged 60–69 to 29% (20–37%) in people above the age of 80. The number of people living with dementia in LAC in 2015 was estimated at 5.68 million, with future projections of 6.86 million in 2020 and 9.94 million in 2030. Conclusions The findings of this review found that burden of dementia in LAC is substantial and continues to rapidly grow. The projected rise in dementia cases in the future should prompt urgent governmental response to address this growing public health issue. We were also able to demonstrate that given the overall paucity of data, a Bayesian approach was superior for estimating disease prevalence and burden.

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Effects of social protection on tuberculosis treatment outcomes in low or middle-income and in high-burden countries: systematic review and meta-analysis

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/0102-311x00153116 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Kaio Vinicius Freitas de Andrade ◽

Joilda Silva Nery ◽

Ramon Andrade de Souza ◽

Susan Martins Pereira

Keyword(s):

Treatment Outcomes ◽

Social Protection ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Middle Income ◽

High Burden ◽

Tb Treatment ◽

Protection Strategies ◽

Meta Analyses

Tuberculosis (TB) is a poverty infectious disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Evidences suggest that social protection strategies (SPS) can improve TB treatment outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize such evidences through systematic literature review and meta-analysis. We searched for studies conducted in low- or middle-income and in high TB-burden countries, published during 1995-2016. The review was performed by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and LILACS. We included only studies that investigated the effects of SPS on TB treatment outcomes. We retained 25 studies for qualitative synthesis. Meta-analyses were performed with 9 randomized controlled trials, including a total of 1,687 participants. Pooled results showed that SPS was associated with TB treatment success (RR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.03-1.14), cure of TB patients (RR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.01-1.22) and with reduction in risk of TB treatment default (RR = 0.63; 95%CI: 0.45-0.89). We did not detect effects of SPS on the outcomes treatment failure and death. These findings revealed that SPS might improve TB treatment outcomes in lower-middle-income economies or countries with high burden of this disease. However, the overall quality of evidences regarding these effect estimates is low and further well-conducted randomized studies are needed.

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