Tryptophan Catabolites in Bipolar Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

ObjectiveTryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) are implicated in the pathophysiology of mood disorders by mediating immune-inflammation and neurodegenerative processes. We performed a meta-analysis of TRYCAT levels in bipolar disorder (BD) patients compared to healthy controls.MethodsA systematic literature search in seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Emcare, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier) was conducted on TRYCAT levels in cerebrospinal fluid or peripheral blood according to the PRISMA statement. A minimum of three studies per TRYCAT was required for inclusion. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were computed using random effect models. Subgroup analyses were performed for BD patients in a different mood state (depressed, manic). The methodological quality of the studies was rated using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality assessment Scale.ResultsTwenty-one eligible studies were identified. Peripheral levels of tryptophan (SMD = -0.44; p < 0.001), kynurenine (SMD = - 0.3; p = 0.001) and kynurenic acid (SMD = -.45; p = < 0.001) were lower in BD patients versus healthy controls. In the only three eligible studies investigating TRP in cerebrospinal fluid, tryptophan was not significantly different between BD and healthy controls. The methodological quality of the studies was moderate. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant difference in TRP and KYN values between manic and depressed BD patients, but these results were based on a limited number of studies.ConclusionThe TRYCAT pathway appears to be downregulated in BD patients. There is a need for more and high-quality studies of peripheral and central TRYCAT levels, preferably using longitudinal designs.

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The Use of Green Coffee Extract as a Weight Loss Supplement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2011/382852 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 63

Author(s):

Igho Onakpoya ◽

Rohini Terry ◽

Edzard Ernst

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

Green Coffee ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Using Data

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of green coffee extract (GCE) as a weight loss supplement, using data from human clinical trials. Electronic and nonelectronic searches were conducted to identify relevant articles, with no restrictions in time or language. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Five eligible trials were identified, and three of these were included. All studies were associated with a high risk of bias. The meta-analytic result reveals a significant difference in body weight in GCE compared with placebo (mean difference: kg; 95%CI: , ). The magnitude of the effect is moderate, and there is significant heterogeneity amongst the studies. It is concluded that the results from these trials are promising, but the studies are all of poor methodological quality. More rigorous trials are needed to assess the usefulness of GCE as a weight loss tool.

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Prevalence of HTN in Iran: Meta-analysis of Published Studies in 2004-2018

Current Hypertension Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573402115666190118142818 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 113-122

Author(s):

Mehdi Jafari Oori ◽

Farahnaz Mohammadi ◽

Kian Norozi ◽

Masoud Fallahi-Khoshknab ◽

Abbas Ebadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Effect Model ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Standard Tool ◽

Egger Test ◽

Significant Health

Introduction: Prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is increasing in the developing countries like Iran. Various studies have reported different rates of HTN in Iran. The purpose of this study was to estimate an overall prevalence of HTN in Iran. Methodology: Using the English and Persian key derived from Mesh, the databases including MagIran, Iran Medex, SID, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar as a searching engine were reviewed: from 2004 to 2018. The overall prevalence of MA was estimated using Random effect model. The I2 test was used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Additionally, the quality of studies was evaluated using a standard tool. Publication bias was conducted with the Egger test. Meta-regression and analysis of subgroups were analyzed based on variables such as age, marital status, region and tools. Data were analyzed using STATA 12 software. Results: Analysis of 58 primary articles with a sample size of 902580 showed that the prevalence of HTN in Iran was 25% (with 95% CI of 22-28). The highest prevalence of HTN was related to elderly (42%). The prevalence of HTN was 25% (95% CI: 19-31) in women and 24% (95% CI: 20-28) in men with no significant difference (p = 0.758). The results also indicated that the prevalence of HTN was not related to the year of studies (p = 0.708) or sample size (p = 769). Conclusion: Despite the advancements in science and technology, along with health and prevention of diseases, the overall prevalence of HTN raised in Iran. Since HTN is a silent disease with significant health consequences and economic burden, programs designed to better HTN control seem vital to enhance community health.

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Efficacy of Oral Ginger (Zingiber officinale) for Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/6295737 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Chen X. Chen ◽

Bruce Barrett ◽

Kristine L. Kwekkeboom

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Weighted Mean Difference ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Zingiber Officinale ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Meta Analyses

This systematic review examines the efficacy of oral ginger for dysmenorrhea. Key biomedical databases and grey literature were searched. We included randomized controlled trials comparing oral ginger against placebo or active treatment in women with dysmenorrhea. Six trials were identified. Two authors independently reviewed the articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. We completed a narrative synthesis of all six studies and exploratory meta-analyses of three studies comparing ginger with placebo and two studies comparing ginger with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ginger appeared more effective for reducing pain severity than placebo. The weighted mean difference on a 10 cm visual analogue scale was 1.55 cm (favoring ginger) (95% CI 0.68 to 2.43). No significant difference was found between ginger and mefenamic acid (an NSAID). The standardized mean difference was 0 (95% CI −0.40 to 0.41). Available data suggest that oral ginger could be an effective treatment for menstrual pain in dysmenorrhea. Findings, however, need to be interpreted with caution because of the small number of studies, poor methodological quality of the studies, and high heterogeneity across trials. The review highlights the need for future trials with high methodological quality.

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Regional and chronological differences in prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a systemic review and meta-analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-58460/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jeong-Whun Kim ◽

Seung Cheol Han ◽

Hyung Dong Jo ◽

Sung-Woo Cho ◽

Jin Youp Kim

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Effect Model ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Subgroup Analyses

Abstract Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction are frequently reported in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the reported prevalence of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction varies widely, and the reason for the inter-study differences is unclear. Hence, in this meta-analysis, we performed subgroup analyses to investigate the factors that contribute to the inter-study variability in the prevalence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Out of 943 citations, we included 55 eligible studies with 13,527 patients with COVID-19 for a systematic review. The overall pooled prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were 51.4% and 47.5%, respectively, in the random-effect model. In subgroup analyses, the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were significantly different among four geographical regions (both P < 0.001, respectively). Although the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction did not significantly differ according to the time of enrollment, the subgroup analyses including only studies from the same geographical region (Europe) revealed a significant difference in olfactory dysfunction according to the time of enrollment. The regional and chronological differences in the prevalences of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions partly explain the wide inter-study variability.

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Quality of life and objective functional impairment in lumbar spinal stenosis: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of moderators

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032314 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e032314 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fabio Ferretti ◽

Anna Coluccia ◽

Roberto Gusinu ◽

Giacomo Gualtieri ◽

Vitaliano Francesco Muzii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Lumbar Spinal ◽

Objective Functional Impairment ◽

Objective Functional

BackgroundLumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spine disease associated with a strong impairment in various quality of life areas, particularly the ability to perform work-related activity. Depression is a condition frequently associated. There is no comprehensive review on quality of life and objective functional impairment in LSS. This paper presents the protocol of the first systematic review and meta-analysis summarising evidence about quality of life and functional impairment in patients with LSS compared with healthy controls. Comorbid depressive disorders, age, gender, LSS duration, disability, pain severity and study methodological quality will be investigated as moderators.MethodsThe protocol is reported according to PRISMA-P guidelines. Studies will be included if they were conducted on patients aged 18 years old or older with primary LSS and if they reported data on differences in the levels of quality of life or objective functional impairment between patients with LSS and healthy controls. Independent reviewers will search published/unpublished studies through electronic databases and additional sources, will extract the data and assess the methodological quality. Random-effects meta-analysis will be carried out by calculating effect sizes as Cohen’sdindices. Heterogeneity will be examined by theI2and theQstatistics. Moderators will be investigated through meta-regression.ConclusionsA summary of the evidence on quality of life and functional impairment in LSS may suggest clinical and occupational health medicine strategies aimed to timely detect and prevent these outcomes. Higher percentages of patients with LSS with depression may be expected to be related to poorer quality of life. Depressive comorbidity might impact negatively on quality of life because it is associated with dysfunctional coping, disability and psychophysiological symptoms.Ethics and disseminationThe current review does not require ethics approval. The results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals.Review registrationCRD42019132209.

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Evaluation of Childbirth Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women with Variables: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Current Psychiatry Research and Reviews ◽

10.2174/2666082217666211210102459 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Ayse Deliktas Demirci ◽

Merve Kochan ◽

Kamile Kabukcuoglu

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Moderating Variables ◽

Moderator Analysis ◽

Effect Model ◽

Significant Difference ◽

New Variables

Objective : The present study aims to examine childbirth self-efficacy levels with potential moderating variables. Methods: The systematic searches were conducted in nine databases in July 2019. The PRISMA checklist was used. The quality of studies was evaluated by two researchers. The random-effect model was used in the present meta-analysis. The heterogeneity tests and moderator analyses were performed. There were 18 eligible articles. Results: Results indicated that childbirth self-efficacy levels do not change based on parity (Q=0.784, p=0.376 for efficacy expectancy, Q=0.190, p=0.663 for outcome expectancy). The between-study variance was not significant for subdimensions of CBSEI (Qb = 1.531, p = .216), which means no significant difference between OE and EE levels was found. The between-study variance was not significant for OE levels (Qb = 0.333, p = .847), which means no significant difference was found between Outcome-AL, Outcome-SS, and OE-16. The moderator analysis, including Efficacy-AL, Efficacy-SS, and EE-16 presented a higher pooled mean score for EE-16 (111.56; 95% CI = 98.66 to 124.46). However, the between-study variance was not significant for EE levels (Qb = 4.240, p = .120). Despite the moderator analysis, the finding of high heterogeneity suggests the need for further studies which examine the concept of childbirth self-efficacy with additional variables. Conclusion: The study presents that childbirth self-efficacy levels do not change based on parity, stages of labor and subdimensions of CBSEI. Researchers need to examine the concept of childbirth self-efficacy with new variables for further clarify of concept.

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Effect of vitamins C and E supplementation onHelicobacter pylorieradication: a meta-analysis

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114511003813 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 1632-1637 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Guogang Li ◽

Lan Li ◽

Chaohui Yu ◽

Li Chen

Keyword(s):

Methodological Quality ◽

Eradication Rate ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Small Sample ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Significant Difference ◽

H Pylori ◽

Randomised Controlled

Vitamins C and E can act as potent antioxidants to reduce the damage caused by reactive oxygen species in gastric mucosa. Whether vitamin supplements forHelicobacter pylorieradication regimen could improve the rate of eradication remains uncertain. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of vitamins C and E supplementation for the eradication ofH. pylori. Searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and addressed the clinical questions of this analysis were further assessed. Of the six RCT included, five had a low methodological quality. Of the six RCT, three compared the efficacy of the eradication regimenv.eradication regimen plus vitamins C and E. The result of the meta-analysis showed a non-significant difference in the eradication rate ofH. pyloribetween the two groups (risk ratio (RR) 0·93,P = 0·76). Another three RCT compared the eradication regimenv.eradication regimen plus vitamin C only, and there too there was no significant difference in the eradication rate (RR 0·83,P = 0·32). In conclusion, vitamins C and/or E supplements to theH. pylorieradication regimen could not improve the eradication rate. However, currently available data do not draw a definitive conclusion about the effectiveness of antioxidant vitamins onH. pylorieradication, owing to the small sample size and low-to-moderate methodological quality.

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Association of variants within the GST and other genes with anti-tubercular agents related toxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

10.1101/515817 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Marty Richardson ◽

Jamie Kirkham ◽

Kerry Dwan ◽

Derek J Sloan ◽

Geraint Davies ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Wild Type ◽

Mutant Type ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Homozygous Mutant

AbstractBackgroundIndividuals receiving treatment with anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs may experience serious side-effects, such as anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATDH). Genetic variants, such as polymorphisms of the GST gene and other genes, may increase the risk of experiencing such toxicity events. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence base for associations between variants of the GST gene and other genes and toxicity outcomes related to anti-TB drugs.MethodsWe searched for relevant studies in MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, BIOSIS and Web of Science. We pooled effect estimates for each genotype on each outcome, and stratified all analyses by country. We qualitatively assessed the methodological quality of the included studies.ResultsWe included data from 28 distinct cohorts of patients in the review. The methodological quality of included studies was variable, with several important areas of concern. For GSTM1, patients with the homozygous null genotype were significantly more likely to experience hepatotoxicity than patients with heterozygous or homozygous present genotype (odds ratio [OR]=1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15, 1.82). Moderate heterogeneity was observed in this analysis (I2=51.2%). No significant difference was observed for the GSTT1 null polymorphism. For the rs3814057 polymorphism of the PXR gene, both heterozygous genotype and homozygous mutant-type significantly increased hepatotoxicity risk compared with homozygous wild-type (heterozygous versus homozygous wild-type: OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.06, 3.69; I2=0%; homozygous mutant-type versus homozygous wild-type: OR=2.18, 95% CI 1.07, 4.44; I2=0%).ConclusionsWe found that it is challenging to perform robust synthesis of the evidence base for associations between GST and other genetic variants and toxicity related to anti-TB drugs. We identified significant associations between the GSTM1 null and PXR rs3814057 polymorphisms and ATDH. To the best of our knowledge, no meta-analyses on genetic variants other than variants of the NAT2, CYP2E1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have been published. Our results therefore add to the existing understanding of the association between genetic variants and hepatotoxicity.

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A Methodological Quality Assessment of Meta-Analysis Studies in Dance Therapy Using AMSTAR and AMSTAR 2

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8040446 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 446

Author(s):

Hye-Ryeon Kim ◽

Chang-Hwan Choi ◽

Eunhye Jo

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Dance Therapy ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Quality Level ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Evaluation Scores ◽

Significant Difference

Although earlier meta-analysis studies have provided evidence-based information useful for decision-making, debate regarding their quality continues. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of meta-analysis studies in the field of dance therapy (DT) using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and AMSTAR 2 assessment tools. Meta-analysis studies on DT were collected from various databases. Seven meta-analysis studies were selected for this study. Our findings showed that the quality level of the meta-analysis studies related to DT was “High” on the AMSTAR evaluation, but their quality decreased to “Low” on the AMSTAR 2 evaluation. Moreover, using AMSTAR 2, 71.43% of the studies fell within the category of “Moderate” or below. There was no statistically significant difference in the quality scores of the characteristics of these studies. Our results suggest that (1) education on meta-analysis guidelines is required to improve the quality of DT-related meta-analysis studies, and (2) methodological caution is warranted, since different outcomes in evaluation scores for each tool may be obtained when using AMSTAR and AMSTAR 2. Based on this study, it is expected that common and specific guidelines for meta-analysis in DT can be established.

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Association between Serum Prolactin Levels and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

NeuroImmunoModulation ◽

10.1159/000519552 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Hai Duc Nguyen ◽

Ngoc Minh Hong Hoang ◽

Myeonghee Ko ◽

Dongjin Seo ◽

Shinhyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Random Effect ◽

Random Effect Model ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Serum Prolactin ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Standard Mean Difference ◽

Significant Difference

Introduction: Prolactin (PRL) exerts inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties and is also thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). However, serum PRL levels in patients with NDs were inconsistent in the research literature. Objective: We aimed to assess the serum PRL levels in patients with NDs. Methods: Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library database, clinicaltrials.gov, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and reference lists of articles were searched up to December 31, 2020. Pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by fixed-effect or random-effect model analysis. Results: A total of 36 comparisons out of 29 studies (3 RCTs and 26 case controls) focusing on NDs (including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease [HD], multiple sclerosis [MS], and epilepsy) were reported. The meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in serum PRL levels between patients with NDs and healthy controls (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: −0.16 to 0.96, p = 0.16). Subgroup analysis showed that serum PRL levels in patients with HD and MS were higher than those of healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with NDs aged <45 years had higher serum PRL levels (SMD = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.16–1.78, p = 0.018) than healthy controls. High serum PRL levels were found in subgroups such as the microenzymatic method, Asia, and the Americas. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed serum PRL levels in patients with HD and MS were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. Serum PRL levels were associated with age, region, and detection method. Other larger sample studies using more uniform detection methods are necessary to confirm our results.

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