scholarly journals Clinical Features of Coexisting Anti-NMDAR and MOG Antibody-Associated Encephalitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayue Ding ◽  
Xiangyu Li ◽  
Zhiyan Tian
Keyword(s):  
Optic Neuritis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Antibody Titer ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Involuntary Movement ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Fixed Effects Model

Coexisting anti-NMDAR and MOG antibody (anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+)-associated encephalitis have garnered great attention. This study aimed to perform a secondary analysis to determine the clinical features of this disease. We searched several databases for related publications published prior to April 2021. A pooled analysis was conducted with the fixed-effects model using the Mante-Haenszel method (I2 ≤ 50%), or the random-effects model computed by the DerSimonian–Laird method (I2 > 50%). Stata software (version 15.0 SE) was used for the analyses. Nine observational studies and 16 case reports (58 cases with anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+, 21.0 [8.5, 29.0] years, male 58.6%) were included. The incidences (95%CI) of anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+ in the patients with serum MOG-IgG+ and CSF anti-NMDAR-IgG+ were 0.09 (0.02–0.19) and 0.07 (0.01–0.19), respectively. The median [IQR] of CSF anti-NMDAR antibody titer was 32 [10, 100], and the serum anti-MOG antibody titer was 100 [32, 320]. The prominent clinical symptoms were encephalitic manifestations, including seizures (56.9%) and abnormal behavior (51.7%), rather than demyelinating manifestations, such as speech disorder (34.5%) and optic neuritis (27.6%). Relapse occurred in 63.4% of anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+ patients, in whom 50.0% of cases relapsed with encephalitic manifestations, and 53.8% relapsed with demyelinating manifestations. The common MRI changes were in the cortex or subcortex (70.7%) and brainstem (31.0%). 31.3% of patients presented with unilateral cerebral cortical encephalitis with epilepsy and 12.5% displayed bilateral frontal cerebral cortex encephalitis. Anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+ patients showed more frequent mental behavior (OR, 95%CI, 68.38, 1.36–3,434.37), involuntary movement (57.86, 2.53–1,325.11), sleep disorders (195.00, 7.07–5,380.15), and leptomeninge lesions (7.32, 1.81–29.58), and less frequent optic neuritis (0.27, 0.09–0.83) compared to anti-NMDAR-IgG−/MOG-IgG+ patients and presented more common relapse (5.63, 1.75–18.09), preceding infection (2.69, 1.03–7.02), subcortical lesions (116.60, 4.89–2,782.09), basal ganglia lesions (68.14, 2.99–1,554.27), brainstem lesions (24.09, 1.01–574.81), and spinal cord lesions (24.09, 1.01–574.81) compared to anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG−. In conclusion, anti-NMDAR-IgG+/MOG-IgG+ was rarely observed, but the incidence rate of relapse was very high. The overall symptoms seemed to be similar to those of NMDAR encephalitis.

scholarly journals Clinical symptoms, comorbidities and complications features in severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis without cases duplication

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhufeng Wang ◽  
Hongsheng Deng ◽  
Changxing Ou ◽  
Jingyi Liang ◽  
Yingzhi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Q Statistic

Abstract Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 posed a challenge to global healthcare. The mortality rates of severe cases range from 8.1% to 31.8%, and it is particularly important to identify risk factors that aggravate the disease.Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis, using 7 databases to assess clinical characteristics, comorbidities and complications in severe and non-severe patients with COVID-19. All the observational studies were included. We performed a random or fixed effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled proportion and 95% CI. Measure of heterogeneity was estimated by Cochran’s Q statistic, I2 index and P value.Results: 4881 cases from 25 studies related to COVID-19 were included. The most prevalent comorbidity was hypertension (severe: 33.4%, 95% CI: 25.4% - 41.4%; non-severe 21.6%, 95% CI: 9.9% - 33.3%), followed by diabetes (severe: 14.4%, 95% CI: 11.5% - 17.3%; non-severe: 8.5%, 95% CI: 6.1% - 11.0%). The prevalence of ARDS, AKI and shock were all higher in severe cases, with 41.1% (95% CI: 14.1% - 68.2%), 16.4% (95% CI: 3.4% - 29.5%) and 19.9% (95% CI: 5.5% - 34.4%), rather than 3.0% (95% CI: 0.6% - 5.5%), 2.2% (95% CI: 0.1% - 4.2%) and 4.1% (95% CI -4.8% - 13.1%) in non-severe patients, respectively. The death rate was higher in severe cases (30.3%, 95% CI: 13.8% - 46.8%) than non-severe cases (1.5%, 95% CI: 0.1% - 2.8%).Conclusions: Hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases may be risk factors for COVID-19 patients to develop into severe cases.

scholarly journals Prevalence and laboratory analysis of malaria and dengue co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manas Kotepui ◽  
Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background A clear understanding of the epidemiology of malaria and dengue co-infection is essential for informed decisions on appropriate control strategies for dengue and malaria. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the relationship of malaria and dengue co-infection and related it to alterations in platelet, hemoglobin, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels when compared to malaria mono-infection. Methods A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines was conducted. All published articles available in PubMed and Web of Science (ISI) databases before October 21, 2017 were recruited. All epidemiological studies except case reports on the prevalence or incidence of malaria and dengue co-infection among patients visiting hospitals with febrile illness were included. Studies that involved conference abstracts, protocols, systematic reviews, only mono-dengue or mono-malaria infections, and only animal or in vitro studies were excluded after screening the titles, abstracts, and body texts. Studies were additionally excluded after full text review when they lacked epidemiologic data on malaria and dengue co-infection. Two reviewers independently screened, reviewed, and assessed all the studies. Cochrane Q (Chi-square) and Moran’s I2 were used to assess heterogeneity, and the funnel plot was used to examine publication bias. The summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a fixed-effects model. Thirteen cross-sectional and two retrospective studies were eligible to be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Results Out of the 2269 citations screened, 15 articles were eligible to be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The 15 studies involved 13,798 (10,373 cases with malaria and 3425 with dengue) patients in 9 countries. Thirteen studies compared the incidence and odds of Plasmodium sp. infection, five studies compared the odds of mean platelet, three studies compared Plasmodium parasite density, and four studies compared the odds of hemoglobin, hematocrit, AST, and ALT levels among co-infected groups and single-malaria-infected groups. Conclusions This study showed that dengue and malaria co-infection was associated with decreased odds of malaria infection, malaria parasitemia, AST, and ALT levels when compared to malaria mono-infection. However, malaria and dengue co-infection was associated with increased odds of platelet and hemoglobin levels when compared to malaria mono-infection.

scholarly journals Neurological Symptoms, Comorbidities, and Complications of COVID-19: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Kimia Vakili ◽  
Mobina Fathi ◽  
Mohammadreza Hajiesmaeili ◽  
Melika Salari ◽  
Diksha Saluja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cerebrovascular Disorders ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Fixed Effects Model

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Recently, it has been shown that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has caused a pandemic since December 2019, can be accompanied by some neurological disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of the most common neurological symptoms and comorbidities and systematically review the literature regarding the most prevalent neurological complications of COVID-19 infection. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> All relevant studies had been collected from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. All extracted data were analyzed using Stata version 11.2. The <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> index was applied, and a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model was used for pooled estimation to assess the heterogeneity of studies. Furthermore, Egger and Beeg’s tests were used to evaluate the publication bias. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fifty-seven studies (26 observational and 31 case reports) were included (including 6,597 COVID-19 patients). The most prevalent general symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnea with 84.6% (95% CI: 75.3–92.1; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 98.7%), 61.3% (95% CI: 55.3–67.0; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 94.6%), and 34.2% (95% CI: 25.6–43.4; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 97.7%), respectively. Neurological symptoms observed among COVID-19 patients were fatigue, gustatory dysfunction, anorexia, olfactory dysfunction, headache, dizziness, and nausea with 42.9% (95% CI: 36.7–49.3; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 92.8%), 35.4% (95% CI: 11.2–64.4; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.2%), 28.9% (95% CI: 19.9–38.8; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 96.3%), 25.3% (95% CI: 1.6–63.4; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.6%), 10.1% (95% CI: 2.7–21.0; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 99.1%), 6.7% (95% CI: 3.7–10.5; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 87.5%), and 5.9% (95% CI: 3.1–9.5; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 94.5%). The most prevalent neurological comorbidity in COVID-19 was cerebrovascular disease with 4.3% (95% CI: 2.7–6.3; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> = 78.7%). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The most prevalent neurological manifestations of COVID-19 include fatigue, gustatory dysfunction, anorexia, olfactory dysfunction, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Cerebrovascular disorders can either act as a risk factor for poorer prognosis in COVID-19 patients or occur as a critical complication in these patients. Guillain-Barre syndrome, encephalitis, and meningitis have also been reported as complications of COVID-19.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis about the Effect of Bisphosphonates on the Risk of Skeletal-Related Event in Men with Prostate Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1604-1612
Author(s):  
Congcong Wu ◽  
Hua Jiang ◽  
Jianghua Chen
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Related Event ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Skeletal Related Event

Background: Although the adjuvant therapy of bisphosphonates in prostate cancer is effective in improving bone mineral density, it is still uncertain whether bisphosphonates could decrease the risk of Skeletal- Related Event (SRE) in patients with prostate cancer. We reviewed and analyzed the effect of different types of bisphosphonates on the risk of SRE, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, radiation therapy to the bone, surgery to bone, hypercalcemia, bone pain, or death as a result of prostate cancer. Methods: A systemic literature search was conducted on PubMed and related bibliographies. The emphasis during data extraction was laid on the Hazard Ratio (HR) and the corresponding 95% Confidence Interval (CI) from every eligible Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). HR was pooled with the fixed effects model, and preplanned subgroup analyses were performed. Results: 5 RCTs (n = 4651) were included and analyzed finally after screening 51 articles. The meta-analysis of all participants showed no significant decrease in the risk of SRE when adding bisphosphonates to control group (HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679). There was no significant improvement on SRE neither in the subgroups with Metastases (M1) or Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (CSPC) (respectively HR = 0.968, 95% CI = 0.874 - 1.072, p = 0.536, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 4) p = 0.679; HR = 0.954, 95% CI = 0.837 - 1.088, p = 0.484, I2 = 0.0% (d.f. = 3) p = 0.534). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that bisphosphonates could not statistically significantly reduce the risk of SRE in patients with prostate cancer, neither in the subgroups with M1 or CSPC.

scholarly journals Statin use and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139172
Author(s):  
Rimesh Pal ◽  
Mainak Banerjee ◽  
Urmila Yadav ◽  
Sukrita Bhattacharjee
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Adjusted Risk ◽  
Risk Estimates ◽  
Statin Use

PurposeObservations studies have shown that prior use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. However, the available data are limited, inconsistent and conflicting. Besides, no randomised controlled trial exists in this regard. Hence, the present meta-analysis was conducted to provide an updated summary and collate the effect of statin use on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 using unadjusted and adjusted risk estimates.MethodsPubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched using appropriate keywords till December 18 2020, to identify observational studies reporting clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients using statins versus those not using statins. Prior and in-hospital use of statins were considered. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Unadjusted and adjusted pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs were calculated.ResultsWe included 14 observational studies pooling data retrieved from 19 988 patients with COVID-19. All the studies were of high/moderate quality. Pooled analysis of unadjusted data showed that statin use was not associated with improved clinical outcomes (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.69 to 1.50, p=0.94, I2=94%, random-effects model). However, on pooling adjusted risk estimates, the use of statin was found to significantly reduce the risk of adverse outcomes (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.63, p<0.0005, I2=0%, fixed-effects model).ConclusionsStatin use is associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Individuals with multiple comorbidities on statin therapy should be encouraged to continue the drug amid the ongoing pandemic.

scholarly journals Association between early bronchiolitis and the development of childhood asthma: a meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043956
Author(s):  
Guizuo Wang ◽  
Dong Han ◽  
Zhengdong Jiang ◽  
Manxiang Li ◽  
Shumei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Registration Number

ObjectiveEarly life bronchiolitis has been hypothesised to be associated with the subsequent risk of persistent wheezing or asthma. However, the link remains controversial. The objective of our study was to evaluate the association between bronchiolitis before 2 years of age and the late-onset wheezing/asthma.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsPubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for studies published between 1955 and January 2020. Meanwhile, we also checked through the reference lists of relevant articles to see whether these references included reports of other studies that might be eligible for the review. Cohort and case–control studies assessing the association between early-life bronchiolitis and late-onset wheezing/asthma were included in this meta-analysis. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Results were pooled using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model according to the heterogeneity among studies.Results32 original articles with 292 844 participants, which met the criteria, were included in this meta-analysis. Bronchiolitis before 2 years of age was associated with an increased risk of subsequent wheezing/asthma (relative risk=2.46, 95% CI 2.14 to 2.82, p<0.001). After categorising studies into different groups based on age at the end of follow-up, geographical region and study quality, the association still remained significant.ConclusionsThe meta-analysis indicates an association between bronchiolitis before 2 years of age and the wheezing/asthma in later life. Well-designed and highly standardised prospective studies that better address bias due to potential confounding factors are needed to validate the risk identified in our meta-analysis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018089453.

scholarly journals Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Stimulated Radioiodine Therapy in Patients with Multinodular Goiters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 841-849
Author(s):  
Chunmei Xu ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Huikai Miao ◽  
Tianyue Xie ◽  
Xiaojun Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Dose Group ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Radioiodine Therapy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
High Dose Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Recombinant Human Thyrotropin

AbstractA potential reduction of goiter volume (GV) of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) on multinodular goiters (MNG) was previously reported but controversial. Hence we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of rhTSH-stimulated radioiodine therapy in patients with MNG. PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched. Mean difference (MD) and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived by using an inverse variance random-effects model and fixed-effects model, respectively. Six studies (n=237) were involved in the analysis. For 12 months follow up, high dose (>0.1 mg) of rhTSH significantly reduced GV (MD=17.61; 95% CI=12.17 to 23.04; p<0.00001) compared with placebo. No effective pooled results of low dose of rhTSH (<0.1 mg) were applicable for only one study included. For 6 months follow up, the source of heterogeneity was determined by subgroup and sensitivity analysis. High dose group showed vast improvement in GV reduction (MD=16.62; 95% CI=1.34 to 31.90; p=0.03). The reduction of low dose group compared with placebo was inferior to high dose group. No available data were obtained to assess the influence of rhTSH after 36 months follow up for the only included study. Hypothyroidism incidence was higher for rhTSH group. No publication bias was seen. High dose of rhTSH treatment-stimulated radioactive 131I therapy after 6 months and 12 months follow up had a better effect in reducing GV, but with higher incidence of hypothyroidism. Owing to the limited methodological quality, more clinical researches are warranted in the future.

Critical illness myopathy in intensive care setting

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa K Fouad ◽  
Ashraf M Hazem ◽  
Kareem M Elnaghy
Keyword(s):  
Critical Illness ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Usual Care Group ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Analysis Study ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Aim of the Work to provide cumulative data about the efficacy and safety of neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with usual care (UC) versus usual care alone in ICU patients with Critical Illness Myopathy (CIM). Methodology The current systematic review was done on studies published between 2009 and 2019. The total number of patients in all the included studies was 1259 patients; 652 in NMES group, and 607 in UC group. Our data were divided into two groups: NMES (652 patients), and UC (607 patients). Metaanalysis study was done on 11 studies which described and compared the 2 different techniques for treatment of CIM; with overall number of patients (N = 1259). Results Regarding 1ry outcome measures, we found 8 studies reported critical Critical illness myopathy (CIM), critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), and the overlap, critical care setting   MRC scale for muscle strength, with total number of patients (N = 968). The random-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed non-significant difference in mean MRC scale in NMES group compared to usual care group (p &gt; 0.05). We also found 11 studies reported ICU stay with total number of patients (N = 1259). The random-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed nonsignificant difference in mean ICU stay in NMES group compared to usual care group (p &gt; 0.05). We also found only 2 studies reported SF-36 scale for quality of life, with total number of patients (N = 270). The fixed-effects model of the metaanalysis study showed highly significant decrease in mean SF-36 scale in NMES group compared to usual care group (p = 0.003). Regarding 2ry outcome measure, we found 3 studies reported CIM incidence with total number of patients (N = 394). The fixed-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed marked decrease in CIM incidence in NMES group compared to usual care group, but not reaching statistical significance (p &gt; 0.05). We also found 9 studies reported mortality rate with total number of patients (N = 1044). The fixed-effects model of the meta-analysis study showed non-significant difference in mortality rate in NMES group compared to usual care. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that NMES combined with usual care was not associated with significant differences in global muscle strength, ICU stay, quality of life score, CIM incidence and mortality rate in comparison with usual care alone in critically ill patients. Conclusion NMES is not superior to usual care in management of CIM. Usual care remains the mainstay of management of CIM with significant better outcomes, in addition to preventive measures as early aggressive treatment of sepsis and MOF, blood glucose control, optimizing certain drugs use, early enteral nutrition, maintaining water, electrolyte and acidbase balance.

Use of Statins and Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Seven Randomized Clinical Trials and Nine Observational Studies

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (34) ◽  
pp. 8606-8612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanos Bonovas ◽  
Kalitsa Filioussi ◽  
Nikolaos Tsavaris ◽  
Nikolaos M. Sitaras
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Fixed Effects Model

Purpose A growing body of evidence suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against breast cancer. Laboratory studies demonstrate that statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical relevance of these data remains unclear. The nonconclusive nature of the epidemiologic data prompted us to conduct a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature. Patients and Methods A comprehensive search for articles published up until 2005 was performed; reviews of each study were conducted; and data were abstracted. Before meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using the random and the fixed-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results Seven large randomized trials and nine observational studies (five case-control and four cohort studies) contributed to the analysis. We found no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity among the studies. Statin use did not significantly affect breast cancer risk (fixed effects model: RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.14; random effects model: RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.18). When the analyses were stratified into subgroups, there was no evidence that study design substantially influenced the estimate of effects. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. Conclusion Our meta-analysis findings do not support a protective effect of statins against breast cancer. However, this conclusion is limited by the relatively short follow-up times of the studies analyzed. Further studies are required to investigate the potential decrease in breast cancer risk among long-term statin users.

The relationship between migraine and infant colic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy A Gelfand ◽  
Peter J Goadsby ◽  
I Elaine Allen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Fixed Effects Model ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Infant Colic ◽  
The Relationship

Context Infant colic is a common and distressing disorder of early infancy. Its etiology is unknown, making treatment challenging. Several articles have suggested a link to migraine. Objective The objective of this article was to perform a systematic review and, if appropriate, a meta-analysis of the studies on the relationship between infant colic and migraine. Data sources Studies were identified by searching PubMed and ScienceDirect and by hand-searching references and conference proceedings. Study selection For the primary analysis, studies specifically designed to measure the association between colic and migraine were included. For the secondary analysis, studies that collected data on colic and migraine but were designed for another primary research question were also included. Data extraction Data were abstracted from the original studies, through communication with study authors, or both. Two authors independently abstracted data. Main outcomes and measures The main outcome measure was the association between infant colic and migraine using both a fixed-effects model and a more conservative random-effects model. Results Three studies were included in the primary analysis; the odds ratio for the association between migraine and infant colic was 6.5 (4.6–8.9, p < 0.001) for the fixed-effects model and 5.6 (3.3–9.5, p = 0.004) for the random-effects model. In a sensitivity analysis wherein the study with the largest effect size was removed, the odds ratio was 3.6 (95% CI 1.7–7.6, p = 0.001) for both the fixed-effects model and random-effects model. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, infant colic was associated with increased odds of migraine. If infant colic is a migrainous disorder, this would have important implications for treatment. The main limitation of this meta-analysis was the relatively small number of studies included.

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