Hematologic Neoplasms As Risk Factor For Severe COVID-19: A Systematic Review Protocol

Abstract Background: Patients with hematologic neoplasm may have compromised immunity due to their malignancy and/or treatment, and may be at elevated risk of severe COVID-19. However, the studies bring together patients with hematologic neoplasms and solid tumors into a single group, making no distinction about the types of hematological tumors and their treatments. This systematic review is designed to explore the risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with hematologic neoplasm. Studies about patients, adult or children, with hematologic neoplasm and COVID-19 will be included. Methods: A systematic review according to Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of etiology and risk will be performed. The review will consider as participants adults or children with COVID-19 infection detected by RT-PCR or serology (SARS-CoV-2 antibody). We will be included studies without routine labs confirmation of COVID-19 if the patients presented clinical/physical exam and computed tomography suggesting COVID-19. The exposure of interest will be hematologic neoplasm, which include lymphomas, acute and chronic leukemias, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and myeloproliferative diseases. We will consider cohort, case-control, analytical cross-sectional studies. Outcomes among patients with COVID-19 are critical symptoms, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, mechanical ventilation and deaths. We will exclude studies with other neoplasms than hematologic neoplasms. Search strategies have been created for the Embase, Medline and LILACS. Two reviewers independently will assess the studies for their eligibility, will extract data and will evaluate their risk of bias. Similar outcomes measured in at least two studies will be plotted in the meta-analysis using the Joanna Briggs Institute System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information. Discussion: This systematic review aims to evaluate if patients with hematologic neoplasm may be at elevated risk of severe COVID-19. This review will differ from the previous ones because we will include controlled studies and groups with only hematologic neoplasm, excluding other cancers. The main hypothesis of our research is that not all hematological cancer patients have high risk of severe COVID-19. Trial registration number: PROSPERO CRD42020199318.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Performance of host blood transcriptomic signatures for diagnosing and predicting progression to tuberculosis disease in HIV-negative adults and adolescents: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026612 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. e026612 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Humphrey Mulenga ◽

Erick Wekesa Bunyasi ◽

Stanley Kimbung Mbandi ◽

Simon C Mendelsohn ◽

Benjamin Kagina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Messenger Rna ◽

Literature Search ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Systematic Review Protocol ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Host Blood ◽

True False

IntroductionOne-quarter of the global population, including the majority of adults in tuberculosis (TB) endemic countries, are estimated to beMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) infected. An estimated 10 million new TB cases occurred in 2017. One of the biggest challenges confronting TB control is the lack of accurate diagnosis and prediction of prevalent and incident TB disease, respectively. Several host blood transcriptomic messenger RNA (mRNA) signatures that reflect the host immune response following infection with MTB and progression to TB disease in different study populations have recently been published, but these TB biomarkers have not been systematically described. We will conduct a systematic review of the performance of host blood transcriptional signatures for TB diagnosis and prediction of progression to TB disease.Methods and analysisThis systematic review will involve conducting a comprehensive literature search of cohort, case–control, cross-sectional and randomised-controlled studies of the performance of host blood transcriptomic signatures for TB diagnosis and prediction of progression to TB disease. We will search Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO libraries, complemented by a search of bibliographies of selected articles for other relevant articles. The literature search will be restricted to studies published in English from 2005 to 2018 and conducted in HIV-uninfected adults and adolescents (≥12 years old). Forest plots and a narrative synthesis of the findings will be provided. The primary outcomes will be sensitivity, specificity, as well as true/false positives and true/false negatives. Heterogeneity resulting from differences in the design, composition and structure of individual signatures will preclude meta-analysis and pooling of results.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this systematic review protocol. The results of this review will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal as well as conference presentations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017073817.

Download Full-text

Necessity of dural tenting sutures in modern neurosurgery: protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027904 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. e027904 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Łukasz Przepiórka ◽

Przemysław Kunert ◽

Jarosław Żyłkowski ◽

Jan Fortuniak ◽

Patrycja Larysz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Potential Space ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

The Past ◽

Prisma Statement ◽

Ethical Committee Approval ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionThe ongoing need for dural tenting sutures in a contemporary neurosurgical practice has been questioned in the literature for over two decades. In the past, these sutures were supposed to prevent blood collecting in the potential space between the skull and the dura by elevating the latter. Theoretically, with modern haemostasis and proper postoperative care, this technique should not be necessary and the surgery time can be shortened. Unfortunately, there is no evidence-based proof to either support or reject this hypothesis.Methods and analysisThe systematic review will be performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Eight electronic databases of peer-reviewed journals will be searched, as well as other sources. Eligible articles will be assessed against inclusion criteria. The intervention is not tenting the dura and this will be compared with the usual dural tenting sutures. Where possible, ‘summary of findings’ tables will be generated.Ethics and disseminationEthical committee approval is not required for a systematic review protocol. Findings will be presented at international neurosurgical conferences and published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018097089.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the use of Unna boot in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers in adults: systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. e032091

Author(s):

Thalita Paranhos ◽

Caroline S B Paiva ◽

Fernanda C I Cardoso ◽

Priscila P Apolinário ◽

Flavia Figueiredo Azevedo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

New York ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Leg Ulcers ◽

Venous Flow ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Venous Leg Ulcers ◽

The Us ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionChronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an anomaly of the normal functioning of the venous system caused by valvular incompetence with or without the obstruction of venous flow. This condition can affect either or both of the superficial and the deep venous systems. Venous dysfunction can even result in congenital or acquired disorders, and its complications include venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The objective of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of Unna boot in the treatment of wound healing of VLU by assessing the quality of the available evidence.Methods and analysisA literature search in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, BVS/BIREME, Embase, ProQuest, BDTD, Thesis and Dissertation Catalog, Sao Paulo Research Foundation/Thesis and dissertation, OPEN THESIS, A service of the US National Institute of Health, Center for Reviews and Dissemination-University of New York and SciElo published in the last 10 years, the period from January 1999 to March 2019. The review will include primary studies (original), and Controlled Trials or Observational studies (cross-sectional, case–control or longitudinal studies) with VLU. The exclusion will include leg ulceration due to different causes, such as pressure, arterial, diabetic or mixed-aetiology leg ulcers. Data synthesis will be performed using a narrative summary and quantitative analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review does not require approval by the ethics committee, as individual patient data will not be collected. Dissemination of findings will be through publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or via conference presentations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019127947

Download Full-text

Use of metabolomics for predicting spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic pregnant women: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e026033 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Renato T Souza ◽

Rafael Bessa Galvão ◽

Debora Farias Batista Leite ◽

Renato Passini Jr ◽

Philip Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Preterm Birth ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Research Question ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Spontaneous Preterm Birth ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionPreterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and short- and long-term morbidity. The aetiology and pathophysiology of spontaneous PTB (sPTB) are still unclear, which makes the identification of reliable and accurate predictor markers more difficult, particularly for unscreened or asymptomatic women. Metabolomics biomarkers have been demonstrated to be potentially accurate biomarkers for many disorders with complex mechanisms such as PTB. Therefore, we aim to perform a systematic review of metabolomics markers associated with sPTB. Our research question is ‘What is the performance of metabolomics for predicting spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic pregnant women?’Methods and analysisWe will focus on studies assessing metabolomics techniques for predicting sPTB in asymptomatic pregnant women. We will conduct a comprehensive systematic review of the literature from the last 10 years. Only observational cohort and case-control studies will be included. Our search strategy will be carried out by two independent reviewers, who will scan title and abstract before carrying out a full review of the article. The scientific databases to be explored include PubMed, MedLine, ScieLo, EMBASE, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus and others.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review protocol does not require ethical approval. We intend to disseminate our findings in scientific peer-reviewed journal, the Preterm SAMBA study open access website, specialists’ conferences and to our funding agencies.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018100172.

Download Full-text

Hypertension and frailty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024406 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e024406 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Davide L Vetrano ◽

Katie M Palmer ◽

Lucia Galluzzo ◽

Simona Giampaoli ◽

Alessandra Marengoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Hypertension Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Pooled Prevalence ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Registration Number ◽

Definition Of ◽

Study Setting

ObjectiveTo review the association between hypertension and frailty in observational studies.DesignA systematic review of the PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases was performed. A meta-analysis was performed if at least three studies used the same definition of frailty and a dichotomous definition of hypertension.Setting, participants and measuresStudies providing information on the association between frailty and hypertension in adult persons, regardless of the study setting, study design or definition of hypertension and frailty were included.ResultsAmong the initial 964 articles identified, 27 were included in the review. Four longitudinal studies examined the incidence of frailty according to baseline hypertension status, providing conflicting results. Twenty-three studies assessed the cross-sectional association between frailty and hypertension: 13 of them reported a significantly higher prevalence of frailty in hypertensive participants and 10 found no significant association. The pooled prevalence of hypertension in frail individuals was 72% (95% CI 66% to 79%) and the pooled prevalence of frailty in individuals with hypertension was 14% (95% CI 12% to 17%). Five studies, including a total of 7656 participants, reported estimates for the association between frailty and hypertension (pooled OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.89).ConclusionsFrailty is common in persons with hypertension. Given the possible influence of frailty on the risk–benefit ratio of treatment for hypertension and its high prevalence, it is important to assess the presence of this condition in persons with hypertension.Trial registration numberCRD42017058303.

Download Full-text

The outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in African countries: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Asthma Research and Practice ◽

10.1186/s40733-020-00064-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Degena Bahrey Tadesse ◽

Shishay Wahdey ◽

Melaku Negash ◽

Ebud Ayele ◽

Teklehaimanot Gereziher Haile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Age Group ◽

African Countries ◽

Unpublished Studies ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Health Organization ◽

Analysis Protocol

Abstract Background According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared as a pandemic and public health emergency that infected more than 5 million people worldwide at the time of writing this protocol. Strong evidence for the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group has not been published in Africa. Therefore, this protocol will be served as a guideline to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa. Methods Published and unpublished studies on the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa and written in any language will be included. Databases (PubMed / MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Google, EMBASE, Web of Science, Microsoft Academic, WHO COVID-19 database, Cochran Library, Africa Wide Knowledge, and Africa Index Medicus) from March to August 2020 will be searched. Two independent reviewers will select, screen, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. The proportion will be measured using a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis will be conducted to manage heterogeneity. The presence of publication bias will be assessed using Egger’s test and visual inspection of the funnel plots. This systematic and meta-analysis review protocol will be reported per the PRISMA-P guidelines. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol will be expected to quantify the outcome of COVID-19 among the geriatric age group in Africa. Systematic review registration This protocol was submitted for registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) in April 2020 and accepted with the registration number: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO). CRD42020180600.

Download Full-text

Therapeutic interventions for osteoarthritis of the wrist: a systematic review and meta-analysis

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.16218.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 1484

Author(s):

Benjamin Dean ◽

Shwan Henari ◽

Neal Thurley ◽

Chris Little ◽

Ian McNab ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Prospective Studies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Osteoarthritis Of The Wrist ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

And Function

Background: In order to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for osteoarthritis of the wrist in adults we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE via OVID, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus via EBSCO databases were searched from inception to 25th April 2018.All randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and any prospective studies of adults with wrist osteoarthritis investigating any intervention with a comparator were included. Data were extracted and checked for accuracy and completeness by pairs of reviewers. Primary outcomes were pain and function. Comparative treatment effects were analysed by random effects at all time points. Results: Three RCTs were identified for inclusion after screening and all had a high risk of bias. Two compared proximal row carpectomy (PRC) with four corner fusion (4CF) for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, while the other compared leather with commercial wrist splints in patients with chronic wrist pain, of which a small group had wrist osteoarthritis. Conclusion: There is no prospective study comparing operative to non-operative treatment for wrist osteoarthritis, while there is a paucity of prospective studies assessing the effectiveness of both non-operative and operative interventions. Further research is necessary in order to better define which patients benefit from which specific interventions. Registration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42018094799.

Download Full-text

Macrolides for the treatment of COVID-19: A living systematic review protocol

10.31219/osf.io/rvp59 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Catalina Verdejo ◽

Laura Vergara-Merino ◽

Natalia Carvajal-Juliá ◽

Nicolás Meza ◽

Eva Madrid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Direct Evidence ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Randomised Trials ◽

Web Based ◽

Central Register ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol

ObjectiveThis living systematic review aims to provide a timely, rigorous and continuously updated summary of the evidence available on the role of macrolides for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.Data sources We will conduct searches in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), grey literature and in a centralised repository in L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence). L·OVE is a platform that maps PICO questions to evidence from Epistemonikos database. In response to the COVID-19 emergency, L·OVE was adapted to expand the range of evidence it covers and customised to group all COVID-19 evidence in one place. The search will cover the period until the day before submission to a journal.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies and methods We adapted an already published common protocol for multiple parallel systematic reviews to the specificities of this question. We will include randomised trials evaluating the effect of macrolides — as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs — versus placebo or no treatment in patients with COVID-19. Randomised trials evaluating macrolides in infections caused by other coronaviruses, such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, and non-randomised studies in COVID-19 will be searched in case we find no direct evidence from randomised trials, or if the direct evidence provides low- or very low-certainty for critical outcomes.Two reviewers will independently screen each study for eligibility, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. We will pool the results using meta-analysis and will apply the GRADE system to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. A living, web-based version of this review will be openly available during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will resubmit it every time the conclusions change or whenever there are substantial updates.Ethics and dissemination No ethics approval is considered necessary. The results of this review will be widely disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, social networks and traditional media.PROSPERO Registration number CRD42020181032

Download Full-text

Infection-associated biofilms and statins: protocol for systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e046290

Author(s):

Dora Yesenia Valencia ◽

Magdiel Habila ◽

D Jean McClelland ◽

Abraham Degarege ◽

Purnima Madhivanan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

High Yield ◽

Ethical Review ◽

Bias Assessment ◽

Medical Librarian ◽

Registration Number ◽

Review Protocol

IntroductionOwing to their propensity for being associated with infections, biofilms have become a focus in infectious disease research. There is evidence suggesting that statins, which are commonly used for prevention of cardiovascular disease, may prevent biofilm-associated infections, but this association has not been well-understood.Methods and analysisThis systematic review protocol will include six database searches from their inception to 20 August 2020. A medical librarian will conduct the searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS and CENTRAL, without any limits. Bibliographies of selected articles, previously published reviews and high-yield journals that publish on statins and/or biofilms will be searched to identify additional articles. The screening and data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers using DistillerSR. All included papers will also be evaluated for quality using Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool, and we will examine for publication bias. If there are two or more studies with quantitative estimates that can be combined, we will conduct a meta-analysis after assessing for heterogeneity. We will report all findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Analyses-P framework.Ethics and disseminationThere are conflicting results on the effect of statins on biofilm-associated infections. The rise of antibiotic resistance in medical settings warrants a deeper understanding of this association, especially if statins can be used as a novel antibiotic. The findings of this review will assess the association between statin use and biofilm-associated infection to inform future medical practice. No formal ethical review is required for this protocol. All findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020193985.

Download Full-text