scholarly journals Diagnostic Balance Tests for Assessing Risk of Falls and Distinguishing Older Adult Fallers and Non-Fallers: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Žiga Kozinc ◽  
Stefan Löfler ◽  
Christian Hofer ◽  
Ugo Carraro ◽  
Nejc Šarabon

Falls are a major cause of injury and morbidity in older adults. To reduce the incidence of falls, a systematic assessment of the risk of falling is of paramount importance. The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive comparison of the diagnostic balance tests used to predict falls and for distinguishing older adults with and without a history of falls. We conducted a systematic review of the studies in which instrumented (force plate body sway assessment) or other non-instrumented balance tests were used. We analyzed the data from 19 prospective and 48 retrospective/case-control studies. Among the non-instrumented tests, the single-leg stance test appears to be the most promising for discrimination between fallers and non-fallers. In terms of body sway measures, the center-of-pressure area was most consistently associated with falls. No evidence was found for increased benefit of the body sway test when cognitive tasks were added, or the vision was eliminated. While our analyses are limited due to the unbalanced representation of different test and outcome measures across studies, we can recommend the single-leg test for the assessment of the risk of falling, and the measurements of body sway for a more comprehensive assessment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliakbar Vaisi-Raygani ◽  
Masoud Mohammadi ◽  
Rostam Jalali ◽  
Akram Ghobadi ◽  
Nader Salari

Abstract Background one of the most important age-dependent physiologic alterations in the body composition of older adult people is obesity and overweight, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality rate. Objective The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of obesity in older adults in Iran. Methods The present study was conducted via meta-analysis and systematic review method, from March 2000 to October 2018. Subject-related literature was obtained via searches in ScienceDirect, Medline (PubMed), SID, Magiran, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Heterogeneity of studies was assessed using the I2 index, and data were analyzed by Comprehensive-Meta analysis software. Results In the assessment of 18 studies and 29,943 persons aged over 50 years, the prevalence of obesity in older adults of Iran was 21.4% (95%CI: 26.6–16.9%) based on the meta-analysis. The highest obesity prevalence was obtained in older adults of Babol (Amir Shahr) which was 44.2% (95%CI: 41.1–47.2%) in 2007, while the minimum obesity prevalence was found in older adults of Razavi Khorasan which was 11.3% (95%CI, 10–12.8%) in 2007. Further, as the sample size and the study year increased, the obesity prevalence diminished in older Iranian adults (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that the prevalence of obesity in the older adults of Iran is high. Accordingly, healthcare planners and politicians should consider effective and practical policies to reduce obesity in older adults.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Abdel Monem Abdallah ◽  
Mohamed Soliman El-Debeiky ◽  
Amr Abdel Raouf Abdel Nasser

Abstract Background Undescended testis is the most common endocrinological disease in the male newborn period. Incidence varies between 1.0% and 4.6% in full-term neonates, with rates as high as 45% in preterm neonates. Failure or delay of treatment can result in reduced fertility and/or increased testicular cancer risk in adulthood. Aim and objectives : To establish, through the available literature, which is the best technique, either hormonal therapy or surgical orchiopexy for treatment of palpable undescended testis through systematic review and meta-analysis. Subjects and methods : The review considered case-control studies, case report studies, and retrospective case follow-up evaluating the effectiveness or efficacy of a certain technique of treatment of palpable undescended testicles over other techniques either hormonal therapy and surgical orchiopexy according to age of the patient, This review considered all studies that involve infants with palpable undescended testicles, Search strategy is designed to include both manual and electronic data available. Electronic searches involved searching databases of PubMed (from Jan. 1987 till July 2017), EMbase, CINAHL and Cochrane database. Results The overall success rate of primary orchiopexy is 96.4% and the overall success rate for 2- stage FS is 86%. Conclusion There is good evidence for early placement of undescended testes in the scrotal position to prevent potential impairment of fertility and reduce the risk of testicular malignancy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brunetta Porcelli ◽  
Andrea Pozza ◽  
Nicola Bizzaro ◽  
Andrea Fagiolini ◽  
Maria-Cristina Costantini ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Miao ◽  
Lin Guan

Background: Many case–control studies have investigated the association between dietary cholesterol and gastric cancer, yielding inconsistent findings. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to assess the relationship between dietary cholesterol intake and gastric cancer among adults.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify articles that evaluated the association of dietary cholesterol with gastric cancer up to May 2021. Pooled odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using random-effects models. Dose–response analysis was used to explore the shape and strength of the association.Results: Fourteen case–control studies with 6,490 gastric cancer patients and 17,793 controls met our inclusion criteria. In the meta-analysis of the highest vs. the lowest dietary cholesterol categories, a significantly higher (~35%) risk of gastric cancer was observed in association with high cholesterol consumption (pooled OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.29–1.62, I2 = 68%; 95%CI: 45–81%). Subgroup analysis also showed this positive relationship in population-based case–control studies, those conducted on non-US countries, those with a higher number of cases and high-quality studies, those that collected dietary data via interviews, studies not adjusted for Helicobacter pylori infection, and studies where the body mass index was controlled. Besides, a non-linear dose–response association was also identified (P = 0.03).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that dietary cholesterol intake could significantly augment the risk of gastric cancer in case–control studies. Prospective cohort studies with large sample sizes and long durations of follow-up are required to verify our results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuber J.S. Soares ◽  
Alexandre D. Lopes ◽  
Eduardo Nogueira ◽  
Victor Candido ◽  
Suzana A. de Moraes ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaiana Barbosa Ferreira Pacheco ◽  
Candice Simões Pimenta de Medeiros ◽  
Victor Hugo Brito de Oliveira ◽  
Edgar Ramos Vieira ◽  
Fabrícia Azevêdo da Costa Cavalcanti

Abstract Background: Exergaming is a fun, engaging, and interactive form of exercising and it may help overcome some of the traditional exercise barriers and help improve adherence by older adults providing therapeutic applications for balance recovery and functional mobility. The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the effects of exergames in older adults’ mobility and balance. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. The following databases were searched from inception to August 2019: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL and INSPEC. We selected randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of exergames on balance or mobility of older adults without neurological conditions, in comparison to no intervention or health education. Two review authors independently screened the trials titles and abstracts and identified trials for inclusion according to the eligibility criteria. Trial selection presented an almost perfect agreement between the authors regarding the interrater reliability (kappa = 0.84; p<0,001). Then, a descriptive analysis of the quantitative data was performed to summarize the evidence. Meta-analysis was carried using Revman. Random effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence at 95% confidence interval. Results: After screening 822 trials, twelve trials comparing exergames with no intervention were included. A total of 1520 older adults participated in the studies, with mean age of 76±6 years for the experimental group and 76±5 years for the control group. Three studies found significant improvements in balance based on center of pressure sway and Berg Balance Scale scores. Three studies found improved mobility based on the timed up and go, 30-second chair stand, and 8-foot up and go test. Conclusions: Exergames improved balance and mobility in older adults without neurological disorders. High quality studies with standardized assessment protocols are necessary to improve evidence.


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