A Systematic and a Scoping Review on the Psychometrics and Clinical Utility of the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) in the Clinical Screening and Assessment of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

(1) Background: The volume-viscosity swallow test (V-VST) is a clinical tool for screening and diagnosis of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Our aims were to examine the clinical utility of the V-VST against videofluoroscopy (VFS) or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES) and to map the V-VST usage with patients at risk of OD across the years since it was described for the first time, carrying a systematic and a scoping review. (2) Methods: We performed both a systematic review (SR) including studies that look at the diagnostic test accuracy, and a scoping review (ScR) with articles published from September 2008 to May 2020. Searches were done in different databases, including PubMed and EMBASE from September 2008 until May 2020, and no language restrictions were applied. A meta-analysis was done in the SR to assess the psychometric properties of the V-VST. Quality of studies was assessed by Dutch Cochrane, QUADAS, GRADE (SR), and STROBE (ScR) criteria. The SR protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registration: CRD42020136252). (3) Results: For the diagnostic accuracy SR: four studies were included. V-VST had a diagnostic sensitivity for OD of 93.17%, 81.39% specificity, and an inter-rater reliability Kappa = 0.77. Likelihood ratios (LHR) for OD were 0.08 (LHR–) and 5.01 (LHR+), and the diagnostic odds ratio for OD was 51.18. Quality of studies in SR was graded as high with low risk of bias. In the ScR: 34 studies were retrieved. They indicated that V-VST has been used internationally to assess OD’s prevalence and complications. (4) Conclusions: The V-VST has strong psychometric properties and valid endpoints for OD in different phenotypes of patients. Our results support its utility in the screening and clinical diagnosis and management of OD.

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Measuring perceived adequacy of staffing to incorporate nurses’ judgement into hospital capacity management: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. e045245

Author(s):

Carmen J E M van der Mark ◽

Hester Vermeulen ◽

Paul H J Hendriks ◽

Catharina J van Oostveen

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Workforce Planning ◽

Nurse Staffing ◽

Measurement Instruments ◽

Health Measurement ◽

Factors Influencing

BackgroundMatching demand and supply in nursing work continues to generate debate. Current approaches focus on objective measures, such as nurses per occupied bed or patient classification. However, staff numbers do not tell the whole staffing story. The subjective measure of nurses’ perceived adequacy of staffing (PAS) has the potential to enhance nurse staffing methods in a way that goes beyond traditional workload measurement or workforce planning methods.ObjectivesTo detect outcomes associated with nurses’ PAS and the factors that influence PAS and to review the psychometric properties of instruments used to measure PAS in a hospital setting.Design and methodsA scoping review was performed to identify outcomes associated with PAS, factors influencing PAS and instruments measuring PAS. A search of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Business Source Complete and Embase databases identified 2609 potentially relevant articles. Data were independently extracted, analysed and synthesised. The quality of studies describing influencing factors or outcomes of PAS and psychometric properties of instruments measuring PAS were assessed following the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality appraisal checklist and the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments guidelines.ResultsSixty-three studies were included, describing 60 outcomes of PAS, 79 factors influencing PAS and 21 instruments measuring PAS. In general, positive PAS was related to positive outcomes for the patient, nurse and organisation, supporting the relevance of PAS as a staffing measure. We identified a variety of factors that influence PAS, including demand for care, nurse supply and organisation of care delivery. Associations between these factors and PAS were inconsistent. The quality of studies investigating the development and evaluation of instruments measuring PAS was moderate.ConclusionsMeasuring the PAS may enhance nurse staffing methods in a hospital setting. Further work is needed to refine and psychometrically evaluate instruments for measuring PAS.

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Psychometric Properties of Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaires: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol

10.21203/rs.3.rs-135830/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tahereh Mokhtarian-Gilani ◽

Nourossadat kariman ◽

Hamid Sharif-Nia ◽

Mahbobeh Ahmadi-Doulabi ◽

Malihe Nasiri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaires ◽

General Quality

Abstract Background:The postpartum quality of life refers to women's understanding of their standing in the postpartum crisis that differs depending on their health status, social support, cultural status and values, attitudes, goals and standards. The present systematic review will identify, describe, and critically assess the psychometric properties of postpartum quality of life questionnaires.Methods/Design:A systematic review will be conducted in databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from January 2000 to January 2020. The psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the instruments used in the primary studies will be assessed, and the selection, methodological quality assessment and data extraction processes of the studies will be independently assessed by two reviewers with expertise in conducting systematic reviews, so as to minimize potential personal bias. Eligible resources are selected after any lack of consensus is put to debate.The risk of bias is assessed using the COSMIN RISK of Bias checklist, and to evaluate the quality of the studies, the protocol is written based on the PRISMA-P1 standards. The results of the studies will be judged based on good measurement properties, and the results of all the studies are qualitatively summarized to produce a reference for the general quality of the results. The general quality of the evidence will be determined using a modified GRADE method.Discussion:This study assessed the psychometric properties of questionnaires used for assessing postpartum quality of life and its results can be used to identify the most appropriate tool for health applications in measuring postpartum quality of life. Systematic review registration: reference number in PROSPRO CRD42020166301

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Diagnostic Test Accuracy of the 4AT for Delirium Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207515 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7515 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eunhye Jeong ◽

Jinkyung Park ◽

Juneyoung Lee

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Diagnostic Test ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Test Accuracy ◽

Test Accuracy ◽

Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽

Bivariate Model ◽

Data Synthesis

Under-recognition of delirium is an international problem. For the early detection of delirium, a feasible and valid screening tool for healthcare professionals is needed. This study aimed to present a scientific reason for using the 4 ‘A’s Test (4AT) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the diagnostic test accuracy. We systematically searched articles in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases and selected relevant articles on the basis of the predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of the included articles was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of the Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. We estimated the pooled values of diagnostic test accuracy by employing the bivariate model and the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model in data synthesis. A total of 3729 patients of 13 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity of the 4AT were 81.5% (95% confidence interval: 70.7%, 89.0%) and 87.5% (79.5%, 92.7%), respectively. Given the 4AT’s evidence of accuracy and practicality, we suggest healthcare professionals to utilize this tool for routine screening of delirium. However, for detecting delirium in the dementia population, further work is required to evaluate the 4AT with other cut-off points or scoring methods in order for it to be more sensitive and specific.

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Weight loss as a predictor of cancer in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp18x695801 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 68 (670) ◽

pp. e311-e322 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Brian D Nicholson ◽

William Hamilton ◽

Jack O’Sullivan ◽

Paul Aveyard ◽

FD Richard Hobbs

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Biliary Tree ◽

Clinical Feature ◽

Test Accuracy ◽

Index Test ◽

Likelihood Ratios ◽

Predictive Values

BackgroundWeight loss is a non-specific cancer symptom for which there are no clinical guidelines about investigation in primary care.AimTo summarise the available evidence on weight loss as a clinical feature of cancer in patients presenting to primary care.Design and settingA diagnostic test accuracy review and meta-analysis.MethodStudies reporting 2 × 2 diagnostic accuracy data for weight loss (index test) in adults presenting to primary care and a subsequent diagnosis of cancer (reference standard) were included. QUADAS-2 was used to assess study quality. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, and positive predictive values were calculated, and a bivariate meta-analysis performed.ResultsA total of 25 studies were included, with 23 (92%) using primary care records. Of these, 20 (80%) defined weight loss as a physician’s coding of the symptom; the remainder collected data directly. One defined unexplained weight loss using objective measurements. Positive associations between weight loss and cancer were found for 10 cancer sites: prostate, colorectal, lung, gastro-oesophageal, pancreatic, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ovarian, myeloma, renal tract, and biliary tree. Sensitivity ranged from 2% to 47%, and specificity from 92% to 99%, across cancer sites. The positive predictive value for cancer in male and female patients with weight loss for all age groups ≥60 years exceeded the 3% risk threshold that current UK guidance proposes for further investigation.ConclusionA primary care clinician’s decision to code for weight loss is highly predictive of cancer. For such patients, urgent referral pathways are justified to investigate for cancer across multiple sites.

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Antenatal Service Quality: A Scoping Review

Childhood Stunting, Wasting, and Obesity, as the Critical Global Health Issues: Forging Cross-Sectoral Solutions ◽

10.26911/the7thicph.03.31 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yayuk Puji Lestari ◽

◽

Farida Kartini ◽

Keyword(s):

Service Quality ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Personnel ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Care Services ◽

Electronic Bibliographic Database ◽

Health Organization

ABSTRACT Background: Maternal mortality rate (MMR) is an indicator of the success of health development in a country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a series of new recommendations to improve the quality of antenatal care to reduce the risk of birth and pregnancy complications and provide a positive pregnancy experience. This study aimed to review the antenatal service quality. Subjects and Method: This was a scoping review using an electronic bibliographic database method. Articles were collected from 5 databases, namely Science Direct, PubMed, EBSCO, Wiley, and ProQuest. This study was carried out systematically from 2009 to 2019. The articles used in this scoping review were described in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flowchart. Results: Based on 10 articles out of 190 articles according to inclusion criteria, the review results showed that the quality of antenatal care was divided into physical examinations and supporting examinations carried out in antenatal care services, suggestions and infrastructure in antenatal care services, and availability of health personnel in antenatal care services. Conclusion: The quality of antenatal care services is strongly influenced by the standard of the equipment used, the standard of examination, facilities and infrastructure and the availability of health personnel. Keywords: quality, antenatal care, scoping review Correspondence: Yayuk Puji Lestari. Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta. Jl. Ringroad Barat No.63, Mlangi Nogotirto, Gamping, Rice Field Area, Nogotirto, Kec. Gamping, Sleman Regency 55592, Yogyakarta Special Region. Email: [email protected]. Mobile : 085349033588. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.31

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Empowering Patients Living With Chronic Conditions Using Video as an Educational Tool: Scoping Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/26427 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (7) ◽

pp. e26427

Author(s):

Olga Navarro ◽

Marta Escrivá ◽

Raquel Faubel ◽

Vicente Traver

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Low Cost ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Self Management ◽

Educational Videos ◽

Educational Potential

Background Video is used daily for various purposes, such as leisure, culture, and even learning. Currently, video is a tool that is available to a large part of the population and is simple to use. This audio-visual format has many advantages such as its low cost, speed of dissemination, and possible interaction between users. For these reasons, it is a tool with high dissemination and educational potential, which could be used in the field of health for learning about and management of chronic diseases by adult patients. Objective The following review determines whether the use of health educational videos by adult patients with chronic diseases is effective for their self-management according to the literature. Methods An electronic literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE (via the EBSCOhost platform) databases up to April 2020 was conducted. The systematic scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Results After reviewing 1427 articles, 12 were selected as the most consistent with the proposed inclusion criteria. After their review, it was found that the studies showed that video is effective as a tool for improving care related to chronic diseases. Conclusions Video is effective in improving the care and quality of life for patients with chronic diseases, whether the initiative for using video came from their health care professionals or themselves.

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A Framework to Assess the Quality of Non-traditional Articles in the Field of Disaster Response and Management

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2018.61 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (02) ◽

pp. 147-151

Author(s):

Mary Hall ◽

Chris Cartwright ◽

Andrew C. K. Lee

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Theoretical Framework ◽

Added Value ◽

Quality Of Reporting ◽

Data Set ◽

Critical Appraisal Skills ◽

Meta Analyses

AbstractObjectiveWhile carrying out a scoping review of earthquake response, we found that there is no universal standardized approach for assessing the quality of disaster evidence, much of which is variable or not peer reviewed. With the lack of a framework to ascertain the value and validity of this literature, there is a danger that valuable insights may be lost. We propose a theoretical framework that may, with further validation, address this gap.MethodsExisting frameworks – quality of reporting of meta-analyses (QUORUM), meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE), the Cochrane assessment of bias, Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists, strengthening the reporting of observation studies in epidemiology (STROBE), and consensus guidelines on reports of field interventions in disasters and emergencies (CONFIDE)–were analyzed to identify key domains of quality. Supporting statements, based on these existing frameworks were developed for each domain to form an overall theoretical framework of quality. This was piloted on a data set of publications from a separate scoping review.ResultsFour domains of quality were identified: robustness, generalizability, added value, and ethics with 11 scored, supporting statements. Although 73 out of 111 papers (66%) scored below 70%, a sizeable portion (34%) scored higher.ConclusionOur theoretical framework presents, for debate and further validation, a method of assessing the quality of non-traditional studies and thus supporting the best available evidence approach to disaster response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:147–151)

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The Value of Pepsinogen in GC Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2019/7087232 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ling Liu ◽

Junjie Lang ◽

Yuelong Jin ◽

Yan Chen ◽

Weiwei Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Barium Meal ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Likelihood Ratios ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

High Quality Research ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Cochrane Library

Background. The current gold standard for gastric cancer (GC) screening is pathology or a barium meal followed by X-ray. This is not applicable to a wide range of screening capabilities due to the lack of operability. This article used a meta-analysis to evaluate the value of pepsinogen (PG) screening for GC.Methods. PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and CBM databases were systematically searched for published studies that used serum PG to diagnose GC. Articles were searched from January 2003 to January 2018. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were extracted and evaluated, and the quality of the methodologies evaluated using the QUADAS entry. The meta-analysis (MA) was performed using Meta-DiSc 1.4 software. Stata 12.0 software was used to assess publication bias.Results. A total of 19 studies were finally included from a total of 169,009 cases. The MA showed a combined sensitivity and specificity of 0.56 (95% CI (0.53–0.59),P<0.01) and 0.71 (95% CI (0.70-0.71),P<0.01), respectively. The combined likelihood ratios were +LR = 2.82 (95% CI (2.06–3.86),P<0.01) and −LR = 0.56 (95% CI (0.45–0.68),P<0.01). The combined DOR was 5.41 (95% CI (3.64~ 8.06),P<0.01), and the area under the SROC curve was 0.7468.Conclusions. Serum PG provides medium levels of sensitivity and specificity for GC assessment. To be used in a clinical setting, further high-quality research must be performed and verified.

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EUS-Guided FNA for Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: a Meta-Analysis

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1159/000430290 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 1197-1209 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Qi-Xian Wang ◽

Jun Xiao ◽

Matthew Orange ◽

Hu Zhang ◽

You-Qing Zhu

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Cystic Lesions ◽

Clinical Tool ◽

Current Standard ◽

Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽

Fluid Analysis

Background: Preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) must be reliable as the current standard treatment, major or total pancreatectomy, dramatically affects quality of life. Additionally, early diagnosis of malignancy is essential to an improved prognosis. The diagnostic accuracy of fluid analysis using endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been demonstrated in pancreatic solid lesions. The utility of this technique in the diagnosis of PCLs is still unknown. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in multiple databases. Studies differentiating benign and malignant PCLs via EUS-FNA were included in this meta-analysis. The quality of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) was adopted to evaluate the selected studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve analyses were conducted. Two main classification types of malignancy were characterized and analyzed. We also generated a subgroup analysis of available clinical factors. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg's and Egger's tests. Results: Sixteen studies containing 1024 subjects have been published. The pooled sensitivity for malignant cytology according to classification 1 was 0.51 (95% CI, 0.45-0.58), and pooled specificity was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92-0.96). When the detected PCLs were identified as classification 2, suspicious malignancy or potential malignancy, sensitivity and specificity were similar, 0.52 (95% CI, 0.46-0.57) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98) respectively. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that EUS-FNA is a reliable clinical tool for the diagnosis of PCLs. However, a more accurate algorithm is needed to reduce various biases and to improve the sensitivity of EUS-FNA in the detection of malignant PCLs.

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Understanding the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034654 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. e034654

Author(s):

Megan Topping ◽

Jacinta Douglas ◽

Di Winkler

Keyword(s):

Lived Experience ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Research Question ◽

Neurological Disability ◽

Complex Needs ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Disability Support ◽

Ethical Approval

IntroductionAdults with disability as the result of an acquired neurological disorder often have varying and complex support needs. Consequently, adults with complex needs often require paid support to enable them to exercise choice and control and participate fully and effectively in society. Given support is so critical for this population, this scoping review aims to further understand the factors that influence the quality of paid disability support for adults with acquired neurological disability and complex needs.Methods and analysisThe methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, with the modifications recommended by Levac and O’Brien and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: extension for Scoping Reviews will be used. Systematic and comprehensive electronic database searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and Embase. The review will follow a six-stage framework including (1) identifying the research question/s, (2) identifying the relevant studies, with (3) study selection and (4) charting of data by two independent coders, (5) collating, summarising and reporting data and (6) expert consultation which will be sought from people with lived experience, as well as clinical and academic experts. Work on this scoping review began in June 2019 and will be completed by June 2020.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval will not be required to conduct the scoping review. However, the consultation with people with lived experience will be conducted via codesign workshops. The codesign workshops have received ethical approval from La Trobe University Ethics Committee (reference number: HEC19232). It is intended that review findings will be made available to relevant stakeholders through a peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and workshops.

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