scholarly journals Informal Caregiving, Loneliness and Social Isolation: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12101
Author(s):  
André Hajek ◽  
Benedikt Kretzler ◽  
Hans-Helmut König
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies

Background: Several empirical studies have shown an association between informal caregiving for adults and loneliness or social isolation. Nevertheless, a systematic review is lacking synthesizing studies which have investigated these aforementioned associations. Therefore, our purpose was to give an overview of the existing evidence from observational studies. Materials and Methods: Three electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL) were searched in June 2021. Observational studies investigating the association between informal caregiving for adults and loneliness or social isolation were included. In contrast, studies examining grandchild care or private care for chronically ill children were excluded. Data extractions covered study design, assessment of informal caregiving, loneliness and social isolation, the characteristics of the sample, the analytical approach and key findings. Study quality was assessed based on the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Each step (study selection, data extraction and evaluation of study quality) was conducted by two reviewers. Results: In sum, twelve studies were included in our review (seven cross-sectional studies and five longitudinal studies)—all included studies were either from North America or Europe. The studies mainly showed an association between providing informal care and higher loneliness levels. The overall study quality was fair to good. Conclusion: Our systematic review mainly identified associations between providing informal care and higher loneliness levels. This is of great importance in assisting informal caregivers in avoiding loneliness, since it is associated with subsequent morbidity and mortality. Moreover, high loneliness levels of informal caregivers may have adverse consequences for informal care recipients.

scholarly journals Informal caregiving for adults, loneliness and social isolation: a study protocol for a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044902
Author(s):  
André Hajek ◽  
Benedikt Kretzler ◽  
Hans-Helmut König
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Cross Sectional

IntroductionSome empirical studies have identified an association between informal caregiving for adults and loneliness or social isolation. However, there is a lack of a review systematically synthesising empirical studies that have examined these associations. Hence, the aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of evidence from observational studies.Methods and analysisThree electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL) will be searched (presumably in May 2021), and reference lists of included studies will be searched manually. Cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies examining the association between informal caregiving for adults and loneliness or social isolation will be included. Studies focusing on grandchildren care or private care for chronically ill children will be excluded. Data extraction will include information related to study design, definition and measurement of informal caregiving, loneliness and social isolation, sample characteristics, statistical analysis and main results. The quality of the studies will be evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Two reviewers will perform the selection of studies, data extraction and assessment of study quality. Figures and tables will be used to summarise and report results. A narrative summary of the findings will be provided. If data permit, a meta-analysis will be conducted.Ethics and disseminationNo primary data will be collected. Therefore, approval by an ethics committee is not required. We plan to publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020193099.

scholarly journals Determinants of Healthcare Use Based on the Andersen Model: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1354
Author(s):  
André Hajek ◽  
Benedikt Kretzler ◽  
Hans-Helmut König
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Healthcare Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Search ◽  
Andersen Model ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Longitudinal Observational Studies

The aim was to give an overview of longitudinal observational studies investigating the determinants of healthcare use explicitly using the Andersen model. To this end, three electronic databases (Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL) were searched (and an additional hand search was performed). Longitudinal observational studies examining the determinants of healthcare use (outpatient physician services and hospital stays) based on the Andersen model were included, whereas disease-specific samples were excluded. Study quality was evaluated. The selection of studies, extraction of data and assessment of the studies were conducted by two reviewers. The following determinants of healthcare use were displayed based on the (extended) Andersen model: predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, need factors and psychosocial factors. In sum, n = 10 longitudinal studies have been included in our systematic review. The included studies particularly showed a longitudinal association between increased needs and higher healthcare use. Study quality was rather high. However, several studies did not conduct robustness checks or clarify the handling of missing data. In conclusion, this systematic review adds to our current understanding of the factors associated with healthcare use (mainly based on cross-sectional studies). It showed mixed evidence with regard to the association between predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and healthcare use longitudinally. In contrast, increased need factors (in particular, self-rated health and chronic conditions) were almost consistently associated with increased healthcare use. This knowledge may assist in managing healthcare use. Since most of the studies were conducted in North America or Europe, future longitudinal studies from other regions are urgently required.

scholarly journals Fruit and vegetable consumption and the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (07) ◽  
pp. 723-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mijin Lee ◽  
Miso Lim ◽  
Jihye Kim
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Response Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies

AbstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were performed to assess the dose–response associations between fruit or vegetable consumption and the chance of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Studies on the association between fruit or vegetable consumption and the risk of the MetS published from January 1958 to 30 October 2018 were searched using the PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases, and the references of relevant articles were reviewed. Random-effects models were used to estimate the summary OR with 95 % CI for the MetS, and dose–response analysis was conducted to quantify the associations. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated using Q and I2 statistics. A total of nine observational studies (seven cross-sectional studies and two cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. In a dose–response analysis of cohort studies and cross-sectional studies, the summary estimate of the MetS for an increase of 100 g/d in fruit consumption (nine studies) was 0·97 (95 % CI 0·95, 0·99; I2 = 26·7 %), whereas an increase of 100 g/d in vegetable consumption (nine studies) was not associated with a reduction in the MetS (OR 0·98; 95 % CI 0·96, 1·01; I2 = 54·6 %). In conclusion, an increased intake of fruit may reduce the risk of the MetS. For future research, prospective studies or randomised clinical trials are needed to identify the effects of fruits and vegetables by variety on the risk of the MetS.

scholarly journals Association between HIV infection and hypertension: a global systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Davis ◽  
Pablo Perez-Guzman ◽  
Annika Hoyer ◽  
Ralph Brinks ◽  
Edward Gregg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hypertension Risk ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hiv Negative

Abstract Background Improved access to effective antiretroviral therapy has meant that people living with HIV (PLHIV) are surviving to older ages. However, PLHIV may be ageing differently to HIV-negative individuals, with dissimilar burdens of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension. While some observational studies have reported a higher risk of prevalent hypertension among PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals, others have found a reduced burden. To clarify the relationship between HIV and hypertension, we identified observational studies and pooled their results to assess whether there is a difference in hypertension risk by HIV status. Methods We performed a global systematic review and meta-analysis of published cross-sectional studies that examined hypertension risk by HIV status among adults aged > 15 (PROSPERO: CRD42019151359). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and Cochrane CENTRAL to August 23, 2020, and checked reference lists of included articles. Our main outcome was the risk ratio for prevalent hypertension in PLHIV compared to HIV-negative individuals. Summary estimates were pooled with a random effects model and meta-regression explored whether any difference was associated with study-level factors. Results Of 21,527 identified studies, 59 were eligible (11,101,581 participants). Crude global hypertension risk was lower among PLHIV than HIV-negative individuals (risk ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.85–0.96), although heterogeneity between studies was high (I2 = 97%, p < 0.0001). The relationship varied by continent, with risk higher among PLHIV in North America (1.12, 1.02–1.23) and lower among PLHIV in Africa (0.75, 0.68–0.83) and Asia (0.77, 0.63–0.95). Meta-regression revealed strong evidence of a difference in risk ratios when comparing North American and European studies to African ones (North America 1.45, 1.21–1.74; Europe 1.20, 1.03–1.40). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the relationship between HIV status and prevalent hypertension differs by region. The results highlight the need to tailor hypertension prevention and care to local contexts and underscore the importance of rapidly optimising integration of services for HIV and hypertension in the worst affected regions. The role of different risk factors for hypertension in driving context-specific trends remains unclear, so development of further cohorts of PLHIV and HIV-negative controls focused on this would also be valuable.

The association between dietary inflammatory index and risk of central obesity in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 535-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Abbasalizad Farhangi ◽  
Mahdi Vajdi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Central Obesity ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Weighted Mean Difference ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Obesity Indices

Abstract. Backgrounds: Central obesity, as a pivotal component of metabolic syndrome is associated with numerous co-morbidities. Dietary factors influence central obesity by increased inflammatory status. However, recent studies didn’t evaluate the association between central obesity and dietary inflammation index (DII®) that give score to dietary factors according to their inflammatory potential. In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we summarized the studies that investigated the association between DII® with central obesity indices in the general populations. Methods: In a systematic search from PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Sciences and Cochrane electronic databases, we collected relevant studies written in English and published until 30 October 2019. The population of included studies were apparently healthy subjects or individuals with obesity or obesity-related diseases. Observational studies that evaluated the association between DII® and indices of central obesity including WC or WHR were included. Results: Totally thirty-two studies were included; thirty studies were cross-sectional and two were cohort studies with 103071 participants. Meta-analysis of observational studies showed that higher DII® scores were associated with 1.81 cm increase in WC (Pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) = 1.813; CI: 0.785–2.841; p = 0.001). Also, a non-significant increase in the odds of having higher WC (OR = 1.162; CI: 0.95–1.43; p = 0.154) in the highest DII category was also observed. In subgroup analysis, the continent, dietary assessment tool and gender were the heterogeneity sources. Conclusion: The findings proposed that adherence to diets with high DII® scores was associated with increased WC. Further studies with interventional designs are necessary to elucidate the causality inference between DII® and central obesity indices.

scholarly journals Protocol for a systematic review on the experience of informal caregivers for people with a moderate to advanced dementia within a domestic home setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles James ◽  
Catherine Walshe ◽  
Katherine Froggatt
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Advanced Dementia ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Search Terms

Abstract Background The knowledge about the experience of informal caregivers who provide care to people with moderate to advanced dementia in a domestic home setting is limited. A consequence of long hours of caregiving in addition to dealing with normal challenges of daily living is their experience of a poor quality of life. Some of their experiences may be described in terms of a feeling of powerlessness to make changes during care provision. This feeling may also suggest an experience of moral distress. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise qualitative evidence relating to these experiences. Methods This review adopts a narrative synthesis approach. A search will be conducted for studies written in the English language in the bibliographic databases MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Academic Search Complete covering periods from 1984 to present. Included studies will be qualitative or mixed-methods designs. The search terms will be related to dementia and caregivers, and the process will be focused on dementia at the moderate to the advanced stages within the domestic home setting. Reference lists of included papers will also be searched for additional relevant citations. Search terms and strategies will be checked by two independent reviewers. The identification of abstracts and full texts of studies will be done by the author, while the quality and the risk of bias will also be checked by the two independent reviewers. Discussion Psychological distress is cited as an experience reported within informal caregiving. For the caregiver, it is associated with a negative impact on general health. To date, no synthesis exists on the specific experience of informal caregiving for people with moderate to advanced dementia within the domestic home setting. This review considers that variation of accounts contributes to how the informal caregivers’ general experience is explored in future research. This may enable gaps in current knowledge to be highlighted within the wider context of caregiving in the domestic home setting. Systematic review registration This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020183649).

scholarly journals Knowledge of blood donation and associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e044343
Author(s):  
Addisu Getie ◽  
Adam Wondmieneh ◽  
Melaku Bimerew ◽  
Getnet Gedefaw ◽  
Asmamaw Demis
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Study Participants

ObjectiveTo assess the level of knowledge about blood donation and associated factors in Ethiopia.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsBoth published and unpublished cross-sectional studies on the level of knowledge about blood donation in Ethiopia were included. Articles from different databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, HINARI, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar and African Journals Online were searched. Cochrane I2 statistics were used to check for heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses of evidence of heterogeneity were carried out. Egger’s test with funnel plot was conducted to investigate publication bias.ResultTwenty cross-sectional studies with a total of 8338 study participants (4712 men and 3626 women) were included. The overall nationwide level of knowledge about blood donation was 56.57% (95% CI 50.30 to 62.84). Being in secondary school and above (adjusted OR=3.12; 95% CI 2.34 to 4.16) and being male (adjusted OR=1.81; 95% CI 1.44 to 2.28) were the factors associated with level of knowledge about blood donation.ConclusionMore than half of the study participants were knowledgeable about blood donation. Sex and educational status were the factors significantly associated with level of knowledge about blood donation in Ethiopia. Therefore, there is a need for education and dissemination of information about blood donation among the general population to build adequate knowledge and maintain regular blood supply.

Additional appointments and discomfort associated with compliance-free fixed Class II corrector treatment: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Phuong ◽  
Nathalia Carolina Fernandes Fagundes ◽  
Sahar Abtahi ◽  
Mary Roduta Roberts ◽  
Paul W Major ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Weak Recommendation ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies

Summary Objective A critical analysis of the literature to determine the prevalence and type of emergency/additional appointments, and discomfort levels associated with fixed Class II correctors. Methods Studies examining patient’s sources of discomfort or emergency appointments associated with compliance-free Class II correctors were included. Comprehensive searches up to July 2018 were conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE (OvidSP), PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. A partial grey literature search was taken using Google Scholar and OpenGrey. Two reviewers independently performed the selection process and risk of bias assessment. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies were used. A summary of the overall strength of evidence was presented using ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ (GRADE) tool. Included studies were evaluated according to their design, study quality, consistency, and directness. Results The selected studies were published between 2001 and 2018, and the number of patients per studied group ranged from 8 to 182. One thousand five hundred forty-two patients were evaluated in total. The patients’ mean age at start of treatment ranged from 10 to 16.9 years and the fixed Class II corrector treatment duration ranged from 4 to 12 months. The included studies in this systematic review were too clinically heterogeneous (different appliances, different data recollection processes) to justify a meta-analysis. Limitations This review was not previously registered. A low level of evidence was observed among the two randomized trials, the 10 cohorts and three cross-sectional studies identified. Conclusions The main source of discomfort from Forsus-type appliances appears to be soreness in the cheeks (low level of evidence with a weak recommendation strength). Most evaluated patients treated with a Herbst appliance, regardless of design, will experience complications (fractures and/or dislodging) requiring emergency appointments (low level of evidence with a weak recommendation strength). Registration The review protocol was not registered.

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