scholarly journals Decompression surgery for spinal metastases: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara Bakar ◽  
Joseph E. Tanenbaum ◽  
Kevin Phan ◽  
Vincent J. Alentado ◽  
Michael P. Steinmetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Spinal Metastases ◽  
Neurological Function ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Decompression Surgery ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Posterior Decompression ◽  
Wide Range

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on reported outcomes following decompression surgery for spinal metastases. METHODS The authors conducted MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science database searches for studies reporting clinical outcomes and complications associated with decompression surgery for metastatic spinal tumors. Both retrospective and prospective studies were included. After meeting inclusion criteria, articles were categorized based on the following reported outcomes: survival, ambulation, surgical technique, neurological function, primary tumor histology, and miscellaneous outcomes. RESULTS Of the 4148 articles retrieved from databases, 36 met inclusion criteria. Of those included, 8 were prospective studies and 28 were retrospective studies. The year of publication ranged from 1992 to 2015. Study size ranged from 21 to 711 patients. Three studies found that good preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS ≥ 80%) was a significant predictor of survival. No study reported a significant effect of time-to-surgery following the onset of spinal cord compression symptoms on survival. Three studies reported improvement in neurological function following surgery. The most commonly cited complication was wound infection or dehiscence (22 studies). Eight studies reported that preoperative ambulatory or preoperative motor status was a significant predictor of postoperative ambulatory status. A wide variety of surgical techniques were reported: posterior decompression and stabilization, posterior decompression without stabilization, and posterior decompression with total or subtotal tumor resection. Although a wide range of functional scales were used to assess neurological outcomes, four studies used the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale to assess neurological function. Four studies reported the effects of radiation therapy and local disease control for spinal metastases. Two studies reported that the type of treatment was not significantly associated with the rate of local control. The most commonly reported primary tumor types included lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study reports a systematic review of the literature on decompression surgery for spinal metastases. The results of this study can help educate surgeons on the previously published predictors of outcomes following decompression surgery for metastatic spinal disease. However, the authors also identify significant gaps in the literature and the need for future studies investigating the optimal practice with regard to decompression surgery for spinal metastases.

Is Individual Child Play Therapy Effective?

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Drisko ◽  
Perri Corvino ◽  
Lisa Kelly ◽  
Jane Nielson
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Play Therapy ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Individual Child ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Child Play ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Wide Range

This article reports a systematic review of the effectiveness of individual child play therapy with children aged 4–12 on several different presenting concerns. From over 5,000 citations, 180 studies were reviewed in detail and 17 met the inclusion criteria. A wide range of results on different concerns were revealed, with effect sizes ranging from d = –0.04 to g = 3.63, though most ranged from .35 to .80. Across most concerns, play therapy was affirmed as an empirically supported therapy.

scholarly journals Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Improve During Pregnancy? A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Jethwa ◽  
Suzanne Lam ◽  
Colette Smith ◽  
Ian Giles
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
In Pregnancy

Objective.We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity during pregnancy using objective disease activity scoring systems.Methods.A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE/Medline, Cochrane, and LactMed databases was performed. Our inclusion criteria for analysis were prospective studies, more than 5 patients per study, and data on RA using an objective scoring system conducted by a clinician/health professional.Results.Ten studies were eligible for final analysis, which included 237 patients, of which prepartum data were available for 204 patients. Postpartum disease activity was recorded in 135 pregnancies.Conclusion.Disease activity improved in 60% of patients with RA in pregnancy and flared in 46.7% postpartum.

Morphine or hydromorphone: which should be preferred? A systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-319059
Author(s):  
Sarah Spénard ◽  
Charles Gélinas ◽  
Evelyne D. Trottier ◽  
Fannie Tremblay-Racine ◽  
Niina Kleiber
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Intravenous Administration ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Data ◽  
Epidural Administration ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Routes Of Administration ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically review available paediatric literature on comparisons between morphine (Mo) and hydromorphone (Hm), to guide clinicians to rationally use these medications.DesignSystematic review within four databases for all studies published from 1963 to July 2019.SettingAll paediatric settings.EligibilityAll studies comparing Mo to Hm in individuals younger than 21 years.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was to compare clinical efficacy and side effects of Mo and Hm. The secondary outcomes were the comparison of pharmacokinetic profiles and the description of predefined Mo to Hm conversion ratios used across the paediatric literature.ResultsAmong 754 abstracts reviewed, 59 full-text articles met inclusion criteria and 24 studies were included in the analysis: 4 studies compared pharmacodynamics of Mo and Hm and 20 studies reported the use of a predefined Mo to Hm conversion ratio. Most studies had a poor methodological quality. Available evidence suggests that, when given intravenously, the equianalgesic ratio of Mo to Hm is 5:1. Intravenous administration with this ratio results in a similar rate of adverse effects, including pruritus and nausea. The epidural administration with a ratio of 10:1 results in more pruritus and urinary retention with Mo than Hm. Pharmacokinetic data were reported in only one study. A wide range of pre-established ratios for different routes of administration were reported, but few were based on evidence.ConclusionCurrent literature does not permit a rational choice between Mo and Hm. A ratio of 5:1 seems adequate for intravenous administration and leads to a similar rate of adverse effects.

A systematic review of research methodology in telemedicine studies

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 230-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Whitten ◽  
Liv Karen Johannessen ◽  
Tove Soerensen ◽  
Deede Gammon ◽  
Michael Mackert
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Patient Studies ◽  
Selection Of

We conducted a systematic review of 15 relevant databases for articles about telemedicine. After eliminating articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 1615 remained for analysis. Three raters coded the articles to assess various theoretical and methodological variables. Only 5% ( n = 85) of the telemedicine articles made mention of any theory or paradigmatic approach. Studies commonly reported the objectives (96%) but rarely stated a research question or hypothesis (11%). Randomized selection of the subjects was reported in 11% of patient studies and 4% of studies where providers were the subject. There was a wide range in the number of subjects employed, although the majority of studies were based on sample sizes of less than 100. Only 26% of the studies reported a time frame. Until the telemedicine field adheres to agreed standards of reporting methodological details it will be difficult to draw firm conclusions from review studies.

scholarly journals Smartphone Addiction and Associated Health Outcomes in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12257
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Anne-Maree Parrish ◽  
Sojib Bin Zaman ◽  
Mohammad Saud Alotaibi ◽  
Hassan Hosseinzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Smartphone Addiction ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Background: Smartphones play a critical role in increasing human–machine interactions, with many advantages. However, the growing popularity of smartphone use has led to smartphone overuse and addiction. This review aims to systematically investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on health outcomes. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to carry out the systematic review. Five electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus were searched to identify eligible studies. Eligible studies were screened against predetermined inclusion criteria and data were extracted according to the review questions. This review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020181404). The quality of the articles was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: A total of 27 of 2550 articles met the inclusion criteria. All of the studies were cross-sectional and focused on physical, mental, and neurological health outcomes. The majority of the studies focused on mental health outcomes and consistent associations were observed between smartphone addiction and several mental health outcomes. Anxiety and depression were commonly found to mediate mental health problems. A wide range of physical health sequelae was also associated with smartphone addiction. Furthermore, there was an association between smartphone addiction and neurological disorders. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there are consistent associations between smartphone addiction and physical and mental health, especially mental health. Social awareness campaigns about smartphone addiction and its impact on physical and mental health are needed. Further studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are warranted to validate the impacts of smartphone addiction.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Passing as Non-Autistic in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Libsack ◽  
Elliot Keenan ◽  
Caroline Freden ◽  
Julianne Mirmina ◽  
Nathaniel Iskhakov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Clinical Diagnoses ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Ethnicity Data

While long described in anecdotal accounts of the lived experiences of autistic individuals, the phenomenon of behaving in ways that appear inconsistent with the presence of autism (or passing as non-autistic; PAN) has recently seen a dramatic increase in scrutiny in the published scientific literature. Increased research attention has coincided with a proliferation of methods, definitions, measures, and population assumptions associated with PAN. To date, however, no review has sought to systematically identify and synthesize the literature on PAN. This systematic review reflects the state of the PAN literature as of May 2020. Ninety articles were screened, 66 were identified for evaluation, and 46 met inclusion criteria and were reliably coded for study characteristics and participant characteristics. Results reveal that the PAN literature includes a relatively even mix of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies, and that a variety of terms are used for PAN (with masking and camouflage being the most frequent). Sample sizes varied widely (from one to 832 participants), with 63.06% of participants being categorized as autistic. Nearly all studies reported methods for confirming autism diagnoses, with community and clinical diagnoses being most common. The majority of studies reported participant gender, with slightly more females included than males on average, but fewer than half of all studies compared PAN across genders. Nearly all studies reported participant age, demonstrating a wide range of 2 to 79 years, with a mean age of 23.85. Conversely, only 23.91% of studies provided participant race or ethnicity data. Nearly all studies formally or informally excluded participants with intellectual disability. Finally, measures of internalizing symptoms, which are often thought to be linked to PAN, were reported in only 17.4% of studies. Implications for gaps in understanding of PAN and future directions for the field are discussed.

scholarly journals The impact of selection criteria and study design on reported survival outcomes in extracorporeal oxygenation cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR): a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Karve ◽  
Dominique Lahood ◽  
Arne Diehl ◽  
Aidan Burrell ◽  
David H. Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Prospective Studies ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Newcastle Ottawa Scale ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during cardiac arrest (ECPR) has increased exponentially. However, reported outcomes vary considerably due to differing study designs and selection criteria. This review assessed the impact of pre-defined selection criteria on ECPR survival. Methods Systematic review applying PRISMA guidelines. We searched Medline, Embase, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews for RCTs and observational studies published from January 2000 to June 2021. Adult patients (> 12 years) receiving ECPR were included. Two investigators reviewed and extracted data on study design, number and type of inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Outcomes included overall and neurologically favourable survival. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed. Results 67 studies were included: 14 prospective and 53 retrospective. No RCTs were identified at time of search. The number of inclusion criteria to select ECPR patients (p = 0.292) and study design (p = 0.962) was not associated with higher favourable neurological survival. However, amongst prospective studies, increased number of inclusion criteria was associated with improved outcomes in both OHCA and IHCA cohorts. (β = 0.12, p = 0.026) and arrest to ECMO flow time was predictive of survival. (β = -0.023, p < 0.001). Conclusions Prospective studies showed number of selection criteria and, in particular, arrest to ECMO time were associated with significant improved survival. Well-designed prospective studies assessing the relative importance of criteria as well as larger efficacy studies are required to ensure appropriate application of what is a costly intervention.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of the Cardiovascular Manifestations and Outcomes in the Setting of Coronavirus-19 Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samarthkumar Thakkar ◽  
Shilpkumar Arora ◽  
Ashish Kumar ◽  
Rahul Jaswaney ◽  
Mohammed Faisaluddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Myocardial Infection ◽  
The Impact

The impact of coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19), has been profound. Though COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, it has also been associated with a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) manifestations portending extremely poor prognosis. The principal hypothesis for CV involvement is through direct myocardial infection and systemic inflammation. We conducted a systematic review of the current literature to provide a foundation for understanding the CV manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19. PubMed and EMBASE databases were electronically searched from the inception of the databases through April 27th, 2020. A second literature review was conducted to include major trials and guidelines that were published after the initial search but before submission. The inclusion criteria for studies to be eligible were case reports, case series, and observation studies reporting CV outcomes among patients with COVID-19 infection. This review of the current COVID-19 disease and CV outcomes literature revealed a myriad of CV manifestations with potential avenues for treatment and prevention. Future studies are required to understand on a more mechanistic level the effect of COVID-19 on the myocardium and thus provide avenues to improve mortality and morbidity.

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