scholarly journals Causal Inference in Psychopathology: A Systematic Review of Mendelian Randomisation Studies Aiming to Identify Environmental Risk Factors for Psychopathology

2016 ◽  
Vol a4 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Pingault ◽  
Charlotte A. M. Cecil ◽  
Joseph Murray ◽  
Marcus R Munafò ◽  
Essi Viding
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Causal Inference ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Mendelian Randomisation ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Effective Interventions

Psychopathology represents a leading cause of disability worldwide. Effective interventions need to target risk factors that are causally related to psychopathology. In order to distinguish between causal and spurious risk factors, it is critical to account for environmental and genetic confounding. Mendelian randomisation studies use genetic variants that are independent from environmental and genetic confounders in order to strengthen causal inference. We conducted a systematic review of studies (N = 19) using Mendelian randomisation to examine the causal role of putative risk factors for psychopathology-related outcomes including depression, anxiety, psychological distress, schizophrenia, substance abuse/antisocial behaviour, and smoking initiation. The most commonly examined risk factors in the reviewed Mendelian randomisation studies were smoking, alcohol use and body mass index. In most cases, risk factors were strongly associated with psychopathology-related outcomes in conventional analyses but Mendelian randomisation indicated that these associations were unlikely to be causal. However, Mendelian randomisation analyses showed that both smoking and homocysteine plasma levels may be causally linked with schizophrenia. We discuss possible reasons for these diverging results between conventional and Mendelian randomisation analyses and outline future directions for progressing research in ways that maximise the potential for identifying targets for intervention.

scholarly journals Polygenic risk prediction models for colorectal cancer: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Sassano ◽  
Marco Mariani ◽  
Gianluigi Quaranta ◽  
Roberta Pastorino ◽  
Stefania Boccia
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Risk Prediction ◽  
Genetic Variants ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Risk Prediction Models ◽  
Discriminatory Accuracy ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors

Abstract Background Risk prediction models incorporating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could lead to individualized prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the added value of incorporating SNPs into models with only traditional risk factors is still not clear. Hence, our primary aim was to summarize literature on risk prediction models including genetic variants for CRC, while our secondary aim was to evaluate the improvement of discriminatory accuracy when adding SNPs to a prediction model with only traditional risk factors. Methods We conducted a systematic review on prediction models incorporating multiple SNPs for CRC risk prediction. We tested whether a significant trend in the increase of Area Under Curve (AUC) according to the number of SNPs could be observed, and estimated the correlation between AUC improvement and number of SNPs. We estimated pooled AUC improvement for SNP-enhanced models compared with non-SNP-enhanced models using random effects meta-analysis, and conducted meta-regression to investigate the association of specific factors with AUC improvement. Results We included 33 studies, 78.79% using genetic risk scores to combine genetic data. We found no significant trend in AUC improvement according to the number of SNPs (p for trend = 0.774), and no correlation between the number of SNPs and AUC improvement (p = 0.695). Pooled AUC improvement was 0.040 (95% CI: 0.035, 0.045), and the number of cases in the study and the AUC of the starting model were inversely associated with AUC improvement obtained when adding SNPs to a prediction model. In addition, models constructed in Asian individuals achieved better AUC improvement with the incorporation of SNPs compared with those developed among individuals of European ancestry. Conclusions Though not conclusive, our results provide insights on factors influencing discriminatory accuracy of SNP-enhanced models. Genetic variants might be useful to inform stratified CRC screening in the future, but further research is needed.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors for Spasticity After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huangling Zeng ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
Yang Guo ◽  
Sheng Tan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Severe Spasticity

Background: Spasticity is a common sequela of stroke. The incidence of poststroke spasticity (PSS) has not been systematically reviewed in recent years, and some risk factors remain debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors for PSS.Methods: We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WANFANG and CBM) inception to May 12, 2020. Observational studies summarizing the incidence or risk factors for PSS were included. Only cohort studies were enrolled in meta-analysis. For risk factors examined in at least three different studies, we combined effects into odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results: One thousand four hundred sixty-seven studies were retrieved and 23 were involved in meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of spasticity after stroke was 25.3% and that after the first-ever stroke was 26.7%. The incidence of spasticity after the first-ever stroke with paresis was 39.5%. The prevalence of disabling or severe spasticity (MAS ≥ 3) in stroke patients with paresis was 9.4% (95% CI 0.056–0.133), and severe spasticity was 10.3% (95% CI 0.058–0.149). Moderate to severe paresis (OR = 6.573, 95% CI 2.579–16.755, I2 = 0.0%), hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 1.879, 95% CI 1.418–2.490, I2 = 27.3%) and sensory disorder were risk factors for PSS.Conclusions: The incidence of PSS was significantly higher in stroke patients with paresis. Patients with moderate to severe paresis and sensory disorder should be closely followed up. The role of hemorrhagic stroke in predicting PSS remains to be further explored.

Under pressure: A systematic review of stress and its impact among graduate students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongkyung Cho ◽  
Christopher S Hayter
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Science Policy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Research And Policy

Abstract Despite increasing interest related to the role of graduate students in economic and social development, science policy scholars have overlooked the role of stress and its broader impact on the conduct of science. To motivate future empirical research, this study systematically reviews the literature on antecedents and impact of stress among graduate students, examining thirty-four journal articles published from 2000 to 2018. We find that not only do multiple definitions of stress exist, but also that scholars have neglected broader theoretical implications and comparative dimensions of the phenomenon. While this outcome can be explained partially by the paucity of different national and disciplinary perspectives, these factors nonetheless hinder the design and implementation of effective interventions that can help graduate students reduce and manage stress levels and thus improve the conduct of science. We introduce a conceptual model of our findings and discuss implications for future research and policy.

Regional Interdependence and the Role of the Lower Body in Elbow Injury in Baseball Players: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (14) ◽  
pp. 3652-3660
Author(s):  
Matthew Jordan Deal ◽  
Bradley P. Richey ◽  
Cyrus Anthony Pumilia ◽  
Ibrahim Mamdouh Zeini ◽  
Charles Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Lower Extremity Injury ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Extremity Injury ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Elbow Pain ◽  
Elbow Injury

Background: Elbow injuries are exceedingly common in baseball players. Previous studies have identified that upper extremity strength and range of motion deficits pose a risk for these injuries, but few studies have examined the effect of lower extremity deficits. Given the role of the lower extremity in the kinetic chain of the baseball throwing motion, lower body deficits may affect the kinematics of the upper extremity and play a role in the elbow injury of baseball players. Purpose: To systematically review the current literature investigating the association of trunk and lower extremity deficits with elbow pain or injury in baseball players. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify and analyze all previous studies focused on the association of elbow pain and/or injury with functional deficits of the trunk and lower extremities. Results: A total of 14 studies met inclusion criteria, examining a range of baseball players extending from youth to professional athletes. One of the 14 studies examined other types of overhead throwing athletes alongside baseball players. Lower extremity–related risk factors for elbow pain and injury in these athletes were found and stratified per level of play. Factors included specific hip range of motion, lower extremity injury or pain, balance, and foot arch posture. Associations were also found with lower extremity injury and noncompliance with primary prevention programs. Conclusion: Specific lower extremity deficits were found to be independent risk factors for elbow pain and injury in throwing athletes at certain levels of play. Additionally, prevention programs designed to correct deficits in identified risk factors were effective in reducing the incidence of elbow injury in youth athletes. These results highlight the potential of screening and subsequent intervention to reduce the incidence of elbow injury in certain subsets of baseball players.

Cyberbullying

2019 ◽  
pp. 286-304
Author(s):  
Michelle F. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Findings

The purpose of this chapter is to examine cyberbullying among children and adolescents. This chapter is organized into six sections, including (1) explaining the definitions, technologies used, the role of anonymity, and prevalence rates of cyberbullying, (2) discussing the characteristics and risk factors associated with cyberbullying involvement, (3) reviewing research findings on the psychological and behavioral consequences resulting from cyberbullying involvement, (4) discussing solutions and recommendations, (5) exploring future directions, and (6) providing conclusions. The chapter will draw on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-design research methodologies from psychology, sociology, social work, and criminology.

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