Epidemiology of childhood injuries in Saudi Arabia: a scoping review

Abstract Background Injury is the leading cause of death among Saudi children. Despite that, much remains unknown on the epidemiology and the extent of burden. This scoping review aims to describe previous literature on injury burden, including types, causes, and outcomes. Methods We conducted a scoping literature search of English published articles on injuries among Saudi children between 0 to 18 years old using Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science between January 2000 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the type and the cause of childhood injuries. Data extraction was based on specified data elements that included study characteristics and epidemiological parameters. The STROBE checklist was used to assess the quality of publications. Results The initial review identified 3,384 studies. Of which, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 20,136 children were included; of them, 69% were males. Among studies that examined overall injuries, falls represented 31.9%, while 25.1% were due to Motor Vehicle Collision (MVC). The leading cause of fractures was falls (37.9%), followed by MVC (21.5%). The leading cause was flames (52.1%) followed by scald (36.4%) for burns. While for poisoning, medications were the leading cause of (39.9%), followed by toxic household products (25.7%). Weighted mortality rates were 5.2% for overall injuries, 8.3% for fractures of the skull and spine, and 17.4% for burns. Conclusions MVC and falls are associated with the highest share of injuries in the kingdom. These findings can guide prevention efforts to reduce injury burden and improve population health. Further population-based research is warranted to explore the determinants of childhood injuries across all regions of Saudi Arabia.

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Gender disparity between authors in leading medical journals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e051224

Author(s):

Vaidehi Misra ◽

Frozan Safi ◽

Kathryn A Brewerton ◽

Wei Wu ◽

Robin Mason ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Data Extraction ◽

Gender Disparity ◽

High Impact ◽

Original Research ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Journals ◽

The Usa ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Data Elements

ObjectivesEvaluate gender differences in authorship of COVID-19 articles in high-impact medical journals compared with other topics.DesignCross-sectional review.Data sourcesMedline database.Eligibility criteriaArticles published from 1 January to 31 December 2020 in the seven leading general medical journals by impact factor. Article types included primary research, reviews, editorials and commentaries.Data extractionKey data elements were whether the study topic was related to COVID-19 and names of the principal and the senior authors. A hierarchical approach was used to determine the likely gender of authors. Logistic regression assessed the association of study characteristics, including COVID-19 status, with authors’ likely gender; this was quantified using adjusted ORs (aORs).ResultsWe included 2252 articles, of which 748 (33.2%) were COVID-19-related and 1504 (66.8%) covered other topics. A likely gender was determined for 2138 (94.9%) principal authors and 1890 (83.9%) senior authors. Men were significantly more likely to be both principal (1364 men; 63.8%) and senior (1332 men; 70.5%) authors. COVID-19-related articles were not associated with the odds of men being principal (aOR 0.99; 95% CI 0.81 to 1.21; p=0.89) or senior authors (aOR 0.96; 95% CI 0.78 to 1.19; p=0.71) relative to other topics. Articles with men as senior authors were more likely to have men as principal authors (aOR 1.49; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.83; p<0.001). Men were more likely to author articles reporting original research and those with corresponding authors based outside the USA and Europe.ConclusionsWomen were substantially under-represented as authors among articles in leading medical journals; this was not significantly different for COVID-19-related articles. Study limitations include potential for misclassification bias due to the name-based analysis. Results suggest that barriers to women’s authorship in high-impact journals during COVID-19 are not significantly larger than barriers that preceded the pandemic and that are likely to continue beyond it.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020186702.

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Diagnosing Overtraining Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/19417381211044739 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194173812110447

Author(s):

Justin Carrard ◽

Anne-Catherine Rigort ◽

Christian Appenzeller-Herzog ◽

Flora Colledge ◽

Karsten Königstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Exercise Tests ◽

Overtraining Syndrome ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Study Characteristics

Context: Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition characterized by a long-term performance decrement, which occurs after a persisting imbalance between training-related and nontraining-related load and recovery. Because of the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test, OTS remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Objective: To systematically review and map biomarkers and tools reported in the literature as potentially diagnostic for OTS. Data Sources: PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus were searched from database inception to February 4, 2021, and results screened for eligibility. Backward and forward citation tracking on eligible records were used to complement results of database searching. Study Selection: Studies including athletes with a likely OTS diagnosis, as defined by the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine, and reporting at least 1 biomarker or tool potentially diagnostic for OTS were deemed eligible. Study Design: Scoping review following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Level of Evidence: Level 4. Data Extraction: Athletes’ population, criteria used to diagnose OTS, potentially diagnostic biomarkers and tools, as well as miscellaneous study characteristics were extracted. Results: The search yielded 5561 results, of which 39 met the eligibility criteria. Three diagnostic scores, namely the EROS-CLINICAL, EROS-SIMPLIFIED, and EROS-COMPLETE scores (EROS = Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome study), were identified. Additionally, basal hormone, neurotransmitter and other metabolite levels, hormonal responses to stimuli, psychological questionnaires, exercise tests, heart rate variability, electroencephalography, immunological and redox parameters, muscle structure, and body composition were reported as potentially diagnostic for OTS. Conclusion: Specific hormones, neurotransmitters, and metabolites, as well as psychological, electrocardiographic, electroencephalographic, and immunological patterns were identified as potentially diagnostic for OTS, reflecting its multisystemic nature. As exemplified by the EROS scores, combinations of these variables may be required to diagnose OTS. These scores must now be validated in larger samples and within female athletes.

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Algorithms for Prediction of Clinical Deterioration on the General Wards: A Scoping Review

Journal of Hospital Medicine ◽

10.12788/jhm.3630 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Roel V Peelen ◽

Yassin Eddahchouri ◽

Mats Koeneman ◽

Tom H van de Belt ◽

Harry van Goor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Vital Signs ◽

Population Data ◽

Primary Objective ◽

General Ward ◽

Clinical Deterioration ◽

Predictive Algorithms ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Input Variables

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this scoping review was to identify and describe state-of-the-art models that use vital sign monitoring to predict clinical deterioration on the general ward. The secondary objective was to identify facilitators, barriers, and effects of implementing these models. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases until November 2020. STUDY SELECTION: We selected studies that compared vital signs–based automated real-time predictive algorithms to current track-and-trace protocols in regard to the outcome of clinical deterioration in a general ward population. DATA EXTRACTION: Study characteristics, predictive characteristics and barriers, facilitators, and effects. RESULTS: We identified 1,741 publications, 21 of which were included in our review. Two of the these were clinical trials, 2 were prospective observational studies, and the remaining 17 were retrospective studies. All of the studies focused on hospitalized adult patients. The reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranged between 0.65 and 0.95 for the outcome of clinical deterioration. Positive predictive value and sensitivity ranged between 0.223 and 0.773 and 7.2% to 84.0%, respectively. Input variables differed widely, and predicted endpoints were inconsistently defined. We identified 57 facilitators and 48 barriers to the implementation of these models. We found 68 reported effects, 57 of which were positive. CONCLUSION: Predictive algorithms can detect clinical deterioration on the general ward earlier and more accurately than conventional protocols, which in one recent study led to lower mortality. Consensus is needed on input variables, predictive time horizons, and definitions of endpoints to better facilitate comparative research.

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Issues in reporting of systematic review methods in health app-focused reviews: A scoping review

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/1460458220952917 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 2930-2945

Author(s):

Rebecca Grainger ◽

Hemakumar Devan ◽

Bahram Sangelaji ◽

Jean Hay-Smith

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Efficacy ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Reporting Standard ◽

Systematic Review Methods ◽

Protocol Registration ◽

Mobile Health Apps ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Data Elements

No guidelines exist for the conduct and reporting of manuscripts with systematic searches of app stores for, and then appraisal of, mobile health apps (‘health app-focused reviews’). We undertook a scoping review including a systematic literature search for health app-focused reviews describing systematic app store searches and app appraisal, for apps designed for patients or clinicians. We created a data extraction template which adapted data elements from the PRISMA guidelines for systematic literature reviews to data elements operationalised for health app-focused reviews. We extracted the data from included health app-focused reviews to describe: (1) which elements of the adapted ‘usual’ methods of systematic review are used; (2) methods of app appraisal; and (3) reporting of clinical efficacy and recommendations for app use. From 2798 records, the 26 included health app-focused reviews showed incomplete or unclear reporting of review protocol registration; use of reporting guidelines; processes of screening apps; data extraction; and appraisal tools. Reporting of clinical efficacy of apps or recommendations for app use were infrequent. The reporting of methods in health app-focused reviews is variable and could be improved by developing a consensus reporting standard for health app-focused reviews.

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A protocol for a scoping review of equity measurement in mental health care for children and youth

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-020-01495-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

William Gardner ◽

Stuart G. Nicholls ◽

Graham J. Reid ◽

Brian Hutton ◽

Candyce Hamel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Full Text ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Open Science ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Study Selection ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Two Stages

Abstract Background Mental health (MH) problems are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality for children and youth. Problems of lack of equity in child and youth MH services (CYMHS)—including, but not limited to, problems in inaccessibility and quality of services—are widespread. Characterizing the nature of equity in CYMHS is an ongoing challenge because the field lacks a consistent approach to conceptualizing equity. We will conduct a scoping review of how equity in MH services for children and youth has been defined, operationalized, and measured. Our objectives are to discover: (1) What conceptual definitions of equity are used by observational studies of CYMHS?; (2) What service characteristics of CYMHS care do indices of equity cover?; (3) What population dimensions have been used to operationalize equity?; (4) What statistical constructs have been used in indices that measure CYMHS equity?; and (5) What were the numerical values of those indices? Methods The following databases will be searched: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, CINAHL, EconLit, and Sociological Abstracts. Searches will be conducted from the date of inception to the end of the last full calendar year (December 2019). Studies will be included if they include an evaluation of a mental health service for children or youth (defined as those under 19 years of age) and which quantify variation in some aspect of child or youth mental health services (e.g., accessibility, volume, duration, or quality) as a function of socio-demographic and/or geographic variables. Study selection will occur over two stages. Stage one will select articles based on title and abstract using the liberal-accelerated method. Stage two will review the full texts of selected titles. Two reviewers will work independently on full-text reviewing, with each study screened twice using pre-specified eligibility criteria. One reviewer will chart study characteristics and indices to be verified by a second reviewer. Reviewers will resolve full-text screening and data extraction disagreements through discussion. Synthesis of the collected data will focus on compiling and mapping the types and characteristics of the indices used to evaluate MH services equity. Discussion The planned, systematic scoping review will survey the literature regarding how equity in MH services for children and youth has been operationalized and help inform future studies of equity in CYMHS. Systematic review registration Open Science Foundation ID SYSR-D-19-00371, https://osf.io/58srv/.

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Neighborhood Characteristics and Frailty: A Scoping Review

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnz072 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. e270-e285 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Heather Fritz ◽

Malcolm P Cutchin ◽

Jamil Gharib ◽

Neehar Haryadi ◽

Meet Patel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Model ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Later Life ◽

Included Study ◽

Neighborhood Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

Index Approach ◽

Study Characteristics

Abstract Background and Objectives Frailty is highly prevalent in later life and associated with early mortality and adverse health outcomes. The neighborhood has been identified as an important contributor to individual health, and neighborhood characteristics may contribute to frailty development. A scoping review was conducted of the peer-reviewed literature to better understand how physical and social neighborhood characteristics contribute to frailty. Research Design and Methods Following an established scoping review methodology, we searched four peer-reviewed databases for relevant studies published from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. Data extracted from studies included study characteristics, operationalization of neighborhood, the conceptual model of the neighborhood–frailty relationship, operationalization of frailty, and study findings for associations among neighborhood variables and frailty indicators. Results A total of 522 articles were identified and 13 articles were included in the final data charting. Existing studies suggest that neighborhood characteristics are associated with frailty in later life. Few studies articulated a conceptual model identifying exact mechanisms through which neighborhood factors affected frailty. Studies designs were mostly cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies did not measure neighborhood characteristics over time. Studies varied considerably in how they operationalized the neighborhood. Frailty was most commonly assessed using a 5-point phenotype or a frailty index approach. Discussion and Implications Findings indicate that research on the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and frailty is an emerging area of inquiry. Additional studies are needed to more definitely explicate mechanisms through which neighborhoods contribute to, or protect older adults from, frailty.

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Evacuation solutions for individuals with functional limitations in the built environment: a scoping review protocol

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01844-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Brad W. R. Roberts ◽

Abdulrahman Al Bochi ◽

Mark Weiler ◽

Yashoda Sharma ◽

Cesar Marquez-Chin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Built Environment ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Open Science ◽

Included Study ◽

Study Data ◽

Different Types ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Science Framework

Abstract Background Whether due to aging, disability, injury, or other circumstances, an increasing number of Canadians experience functional limitations that reduce their ability to participate in activities of daily life. While the built environment has become increasingly accessible, existing Canadian evacuation guidelines lack comprehensive strategies for evacuating individuals with functional limitations from buildings during emergencies. To inform guideline revisions, a map of existing solutions for evacuating such individuals is required. Therefore, this scoping review aims to provide an account of solutions that have been reported to safely evacuate individuals with functional limitations from the built environment. Methods We will conduct a scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. To identify potentially relevant studies, comprehensive searches (from January 2002 onwards) of the CINAHL, Ei Compendex, Inspec, Embase, MEDLINE, KCI, RSCI, SciELO CI, Web of Science Collection, and Scopus databases will be performed. Using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers will independently (1) classify identified studies as relevant, irrelevant, or maybe relevant by evaluating their titles and abstracts and (2) classify the relevant and maybe relevant studies as included or excluded by evaluating their full-text. From each included study, data on publication information, study purpose, methodological details, evacuation information, and outcomes will be extracted using a set of data extraction items. We will present a numerical summary of the key characteristics of the included studies. For each evacuation activity, reported evacuation solutions will be summarized, and citations provided for functional limitations that are targeted by a given evacuation solution. To inform Canadian evacuation guideline revisions, we will tabulate evacuation activities common to different types of buildings and emergencies. Discussion To our knowledge, this will be the first scoping review to identify the state and use of solutions for evacuating individuals with functional limitations from the built environment. Identifying solutions that enable all individuals to safely evacuate from different types of buildings will allow us to inform recommendations for the revision of evacuation guidelines in Canada and other jurisdictions. The findings of this scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at relevant conferences, and made publicly available on the internet. Systematic review registration Open Science Framework: osf.io/jefgy

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Using theatre as an arts-based knowledge translation strategy for health-related information: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032738 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e032738 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amanda Hall ◽

Bradley Furlong ◽

Andrea Pike ◽

Gabrielle Logan ◽

Rebecca Lawrence ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Translation ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Target Population ◽

Translation Strategy ◽

Related Information ◽

Study Results ◽

Full Text Review ◽

Health Related ◽

Study Characteristics

IntroductionSubstantial delays in translating evidence to practice mean that many beneficial and vital advances in medical care are not being used in a timely manner. Traditional knowledge translation (KT) strategies have tended to target academics by disseminating findings in academic journals and at scientific conferences. Alternative strategies, such as theatre-based KT, appear to be effective at targeting broader audiences. The purpose of this scoping review is to collate and understand the current state of science on the use of theatre as a KT strategy. This will allow us to identify gaps in literature, determine the need for a systematic review and develop additional research questions to advance the field.Methods and analysisThis review will follow established scoping review methods outlined by Arksey and O’Malley in conjunction with enhanced recommendations made by Levacet al. The search strategy, guided by an experienced librarian, will be conducted in PubMed, CINHAL and OVID. Study selection will consist of three stages: (1) initial title and abstract scan by one author to remove irrelevant articles and create a shortlist for double screening, (2) title and abstract scan by two authors, and (3) full-text review by two authors. Included studies will report specifically on the use of theatre as means of KT of health-related information to any target population. Two reviewers will independently extract and chart the data using a standardised data extraction form. Descriptive statistics will be used to produce numerical summaries related to study characteristics, KT strategy characteristics and evaluation characteristics. For those studies that included an evaluation of the theatre production as a KT strategy, we will synthesise the data according to outcome.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was not required for this study. Results will be published in relevant journals, presented at conferences and distributed via social media.

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How do children and adolescents experience healthcare professionals? Scoping review and interpretive synthesis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054368 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e054368

Author(s):

Gail Davison ◽

Martina Ann Kelly ◽

Richard Conn ◽

Andrew Thompson ◽

Tim Dornan

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Medical Information ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Contextual Information ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Trusting Relationships ◽

Methodological Principles

ObjectiveExplore children’s and adolescents’ (CADs’) lived experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs).DesignScoping review methodology provided a six-step framework to, first, identify and organise existing evidence. Interpretive phenomenology provided methodological principles for, second, an interpretive synthesis of the life worlds of CADs receiving healthcare, as represented by verbatim accounts of their experiences.Data sourcesFive key databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus, and Web of Science), from inception through to January 2019, reference lists, and opportunistically identified publications.Eligibility criteriaResearch articles containing direct first-person quotations by CADs (aged 0–18 years inclusive) describing how they experienced HCPs.Data extraction and synthesisTabulation of study characteristics, contextual information, and verbatim extraction of all ‘relevant’ (as defined above) direct quotations. Analysis of basic scope of the evidence base. The research team worked reflexively and collaboratively to interpret the qualitative data and construct a synthesis of children’s experiences. To consolidate and elaborate the interpretation, we held two focus groups with inpatient CADs in a children’s hospital.Results669 quotations from 99 studies described CADs’ experiences of HCPs. Favourable experiences were of forming trusting relationships and being involved in healthcare discussions and decisions; less favourable experiences were of not relating to or being unable to trust HCPs and/or being excluded from conversations about them. HCPs fostered trusting relationships by being personable, wise, sincere and relatable. HCPs made CADs feel involved by including them in conversations, explaining medical information, and listening to CADs’ wider needs and preferences.ConclusionThese findings strengthen the case for making CADs partners in healthcare despite their youth. We propose that a criterion for high-quality child-centred healthcare should be that HCPs communicate in ways that engender trust and involvement.

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Evaluation of Spin in the Abstracts of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Atopic Dermatitis Treatments and Interventions

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000515299 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Vanessa Lin ◽

Raahi Patel ◽

Alexis Wirtz ◽

Deepika Mannem ◽

Ryan Ottwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atopic Dermatitis ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Included Study ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Quality Of Reporting ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Meta Analyses

Background: Spin – the misrepresentation of a study’s results – has been identified in abstracts of studies focused on a variety of disorders from multiple fields of medicine. Objectives: This study’s primary objective was to evaluate the abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses focused on the treatment of atopic dermatitis for the nine most severe forms of spin. Methods: We systematically searched Embase and MEDLINE for systematic reviews of atopic dermatitis therapies. Screening and data extraction occurred in a masked, duplicate fashion. Each included study was evaluated for the nine most severe types of spin and other study characteristics. Results: Our searches retrieved 2,456 studies, of which 113 were included for data extraction. Spin was found in 74.3% of our included studies (84/113). Spin type 6 occurred most frequently (68/113, 60.2%). Spin types 1, 2, and 9 were not identified. All industry-funded systematic reviews contained spin in their abstract. The presence of spin was not associated with any specific study characteristics, including the methodological quality of the study. Conclusions: Severe forms of spin were found in the majority of abstracts for systematic reviews of atopic dermatitis treatments. Steps should be taken to prevent spin to improve the quality of reporting in abstracts.

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