Meta-analysis Of Relative Risk Research Articles

Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: Feasibility, Efficacy and Safety-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is an emerging technique for delivering chemotherapy directly to the peritoneum via a pressurized aerosol. Its growing attention stems from its effectiveness in treating peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) originating from various primary tumors, with gastric cancer (GC) being among the most prevalent. This study aimed to systematically investigate PIPAC's therapeutic role in gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (GCPM). Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching Pubmed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. The meta-analysis of relative risks and mean differences compared patients undergoing one or two PIPAC sessions with those completing three or more, assessing various outcomes. Results: Eighteen studies underwent qualitative analysis, and four underwent quantitative analysis. Patients with three or more PIPAC procedures had shorter hospital stays (MD = -1.2; 95%CI (-1.9; -0.5); p < 0.001), higher rates of histopathological response (RR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.08; 2.90; p = 0.023), and significantly improved overall survival (MD = 6.0; 95%CI 4.2; 7.8; p < 0.001). Other outcomes showed no significant differences. Conclusions: PIPAC demonstrated efficacy in carefully selected patients, enhancing histopathologic response rates and overall survival without prolonging hospital stays. This study underscores the necessity for randomized controlled trials and precise selection criteria to refine PIPAC's implementation in clinical practice.

Abstract 845: Population attributable fraction of cancer incidence due to infectious agents in 2020 in the Republic of Korea

Abstract Purpose: Earlier in 2009, National Cancer Center Korea estimated population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence due to infectious agents as 24.5% in men and 15.4% in women. This study aimed to investigate the proportion of cancer incidence attributable to infectious agents in the Korean population as of 2020. Materials and Methods: We organized the Consensus Committee to establish strategy and methodology of PAF estimation. Based on the consensus, infectious agents and cancer sites for PAF estimation were selected according to the IARC List of classification with sufficient evidence in human. As a result, infectious agents included hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), human papilloma virus (HPV), Clonorchis sinensis (C.sinensis), Epstein Barr virus, and human immunodeficiency virus, and cancer sites included hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCC), gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The PAF was calculated by using Levin’s formula including exposure prevalence and relative risks (RRs). Exposure prevalence data were collected from literature review of studies in Korean population in 2005 or earlier, assuming at least 15 years of latent period from risk exposure to cancer development. We performed systematic review for cohort studies and case-control studies which investigated RRs or ORs of cancer due to infectious agents in Korean population. Pooled RRs were estimated by meta-analysis of RRs or ORs by using random-effects model. Results: The fractions of all cancer incidence attributable to infectious agents were estimated to be 13.5% and 7.1% in men and women, respectively. The reduction in PAFs of cancer incidence due to infection in 2020 compared to 2009 is considered due to decrease in exposure prevalence. The major findings regarding infectious agents with large PAFs are as the following. We found that the fractions of HCC cases attributable to HBV infection were 47.7% and 38.4% for cancer incidence in men and women, respectively. The estimated PAFs of gastric cancer due to H. pylori were 40.4% in men and 38.2% in women. C. sinensis was related to 9.8% of CCC cases in men and 5.2% in women. A total of 77.7% of cervical cancer incidence was attributed to HPV infection. Conclusion: Although the total PAF due to infection has decreased over the last decade, infection still contributes a substantial fraction to cancer incidence in Korea. These recent estimates of cancer burden due to infection are important for planning and evaluating the national cancer prevention programs. Citation Format: Kyung-Shin Lee, Hwa Jin Lee, Yoon-Jung Choi, Moran Ki, Aesun Shin, Jong-Hun Kim, Sue-Kyung Park, So-Seul Sung, Sung Ji Moon, Hong Gwan Seo, Jin-Kyoung Oh, Jeong-Soo Im. Population attributable fraction of cancer incidence due to infectious agents in 2020 in the Republic of Korea [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 845.

Effect of bariatric surgery on long-term cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies.

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of bariatric surgery and nonsurgery on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with obesity. A systematic literature search of the Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was performed until August 18th, 2021. Population-based cohort studies comparing long-term cardiovascular outcomes for patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery or not were included. A meta-analysis of relative risks (RRs) was performed for all outcomes. We conducted subgroup analyses and meta-regression to explore sources of heterogeneity and the stability of the results. Twenty-one population-based cohort studies involving 2,857,016 participants were identified. The major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) RR in the bariatric surgery group was .53 (95% confidence interval [CI] = .45-.62, P < .001) relative to the nonsurgical group. Relative to the nonsurgical group, the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) (RR= .40, 95% CI = .30-.52, P < .001), stroke (RR = .60, 95% CI = .46-.79, P < .001), cardiovascular death (RR = .43, 95% CI = .35-.54, P < .001), and all-cause death (RR = .44, 95% CI = .32-.59, P<.001) was significantly reduced for patients who underwent bariatric surgery. In subgroup analyses, as the proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus increased, lower RRs for MACE, MI, and stroke were observed in the surgery group relative to the nonsurgical group. The decreased risk of MACE was also observed in the subgroup with median follow-up duration ≥5 years.Bariatric surgery improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with obesity, especially providing long-term benefits, and this effect is more pronounced in patients with comorbid diabetes.

Mortality in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of relative risk and aggravating or attenuating factors.

People with schizophrenia die 15-20 years prematurely. Understanding mortality risk and aggravating/attenuating factors is essential to reduce this gap. We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective, nationwide and targeted cohort studies assessing mortality risk in people with schizophrenia versus the general population or groups matched for physical comorbidities or groups with different psychiatric disorders, also assessing moderators. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality risk ratio (RR); key secondary outcomes were mortality due to suicide and natural causes. Other secondary outcomes included any other specific-cause mortality. Publication bias, subgroup and meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were conducted. Across 135 studies spanning from 1957 to 2021 (schizophrenia: N=4,536,447; general population controls: N=1,115,600,059; other psychiatric illness controls: N=3,827,955), all-cause mortality was increased in people with schizophrenia versus any non-schizophrenia control group (RR=2.52, 95% CI: 2.38-2.68, n=79), with the largest risk in first-episode (RR=7.43, 95% CI: 4.02-13.75, n=2) and incident (i.e., earlier-phase) schizophrenia (RR=3.52, 95% CI: 3.09-4.00, n=7) versus the general population. Specific-cause mortality was highest for suicide or injury-poisoning or undetermined non-natural cause (RR=9.76-8.42), followed by pneumonia among natural causes (RR=7.00, 95% CI: 6.79-7.23), decreasing through infectious or endocrine or respiratory or urogenital or diabetes causes (RR=3 to 4), to alcohol or gastrointestinal or renal or nervous system or cardio-cerebrovascular or all natural causes (RR=2 to 3), and liver or cerebrovascular, or breast or colon or pancreas or any cancer causes (RR=1.33 to 1.96). All-cause mortality increased slightly but significantly with median study year (beta=0.0009, 95% CI: 0.001-0.02, p=0.02). Individuals with schizophrenia <40 years of age had increased all-cause and suicide-related mortality compared to those ≥40 years old, and a higher percentage of females increased suicide-related mortality risk in incident schizophrenia samples. All-cause mortality was higher in incident than prevalent schizophrenia (RR=3.52 vs. 2.86, p=0.009). Comorbid substance use disorder increased all-cause mortality (RR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.47-1.80, n=3). Antipsychotics were protective against all-cause mortality versus no antipsychotic use (RR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84, n=11), with largest effects for second-generation long-acting injectable anti-psychotics (SGA-LAIs) (RR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.27-0.56, n=3), clozapine (RR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.34-0.55, n=3), any LAI (RR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.39-0.58, n=2), and any SGA (RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.63, n=4). Antipsychotics were also protective against natural cause-related mortality, yet first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) were associated with increased mortality due to suicide and natural cause in incident schizophrenia. Higher study quality and number of variables used to adjust the analyses moderated larger natural-cause mortality risk, and more recent study year moderated larger protective effects of antipsychotics. These results indicate that the excess mortality in schizophrenia is associated with several modifiable factors. Targeting comorbid substance abuse, long-term maintenance antipsychotic treatment and appropriate/earlier use of SGA-LAIs and clozapine could reduce this mortality gap.

Effectiveness and Safety of Tranexamic Acid Use in Acute Traumatic Injury in the Prehospital and In-hospital Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to assess efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) use in acute traumatic injuries. PubMed and Cochrane libraries were searched for relevant RCTs published between January 2011 and January 3, 2021. Cohen's Q Test for heterogeneous effects was used to determine the appropriateness of fixed versus random effects models. Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of relative risk of mortality between treatment and placebo groups in the in-hospital, and perioperative settings was not significant. However, the risk of mortality is significantly lower in the treatment versus placebo group when TXA was given as loading dose only. Ten of the 11 studies evaluating perioperative use of TXA included in systematic review found significantly lower blood loss in the treatment compared with placebo groups, but results of meta-analysis showed no significant difference. Results of meta-analysis indicate that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the in-hospital treatment group is greater than that of the placebo. In subset analysis of studies using only a single loading dose, there were no significant differences in VTE. Systematic review supports TXA benefits are most evident when given shortly after injury and meta-analysis supports TXA reduces mortality as a single loading dose. Systematic review supports perioperative use of TXA when large volume blood loss is anticipated. Meta-results showed no significant difference in risk of thromboembolism in single-dose TXA treatment compared with placebo. These findings suggest that TXA is safe and effective for control of traumatic bleeding.

Primary Care Relevant Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes in Patients With COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the best available evidence regarding individual risk factors, simple risk scores, and multivariate models that use patient characteristics, vital signs, comorbidities, and laboratory tests relevant to outpatient and primary care settings. Medline, WHO COVID-19, and MedRxIV databases were searched; studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed in parallel, and variables describing study characteristics, study quality, and risk factor data were abstracted. Study quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. Random effects meta-analysis of relative risks (categorical variables) and unstandardized mean differences (continuous variables) was performed; multivariate models and clinical prediction rules were summarized qualitatively. A total of 551 studies were identified and 22 studies were included. The median or mean age ranged from 38 to 68 years. All studies included only inpatients, and mortality rates ranged from 3.2% to 50.5%. Individual risk factors most strongly associated with mortality included increased age, c-reactive protein (CRP), d-dimer, heart rate, respiratory rate, lactate dehydrogenase, and procalcitonin as well as decreased oxygen saturation, the presence of dyspnea, and comorbid coronary heart and chronic kidney disease. Independent predictors of adverse outcomes reported most frequently by multivariate models include increasing age, increased CRP, decreased lymphocyte count, increased lactate dehydrogenase, elevated temperature, and the presence of any comorbidity. Simple risk scores and multivariate models have been proposed but are often complex, and most have not been validated. Our systematic review identifies several risk factors for adverse outcomes in COVID-19-infected inpatients that are often available in the outpatient and primary care settings: increasing age, increased CRP or procalcitonin, decreased lymphocyte count, decreased oxygen saturation, dyspnea on presentation, and the presence of comorbidities. Future research to develop clinical prediction models and rules should include these predictors as part of their core data set to develop and validate pragmatic outpatient risk scores.

Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori Infections and GERD: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study evaluates the association between the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Relevant studies were identified by conducting literature search in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CNKI, VANFUN, and VIP databases. The prevalence rates of gastroesophageal reflux, heartburn, epigastric pain, and nausea were extracted from the identified research articles and were used in meta-analysis of relative risks (RR) to achieve an overall effect size of the relationship between H. pylori eradication and GERD. A total of 19 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux was significantly higher in patients with H. pylori eradication compared with patients without it (RR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06-2.24; p=0.02). A subgroup analysis did not identify any significant difference in GERD prevalence in studies conducted outside China (RR: 1.62, 95% CI: 0.98-2.68) or in China (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.76-2.22). There were no significant differences in heartburn (RR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.88-1.20), epigastric pain (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.13-7.56), or nausea (RR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.07-2.72) risk between patients with and without H. pylori eradication. Eradication of H. pylori infection is found to be associated with GERD, although regional differences may exist in the prevalence. Well-designed studies especially those with stratification of patients' basic conditions are needed to seek refined evidence of the association between H. pylori eradication and the GERD.

Deep Brain Electrode Externalization and Risk of Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

When evaluating deep brain stimulation (DBS) for newer indications, patients may benefit from trial stimulation prior to permanent implantation or for investigatory purposes. Although several case series have evaluated infectious complications among DBS patients who underwent trials with external hardware, outcomes have been inconsistent. To determine whether a period of lead externalization is associated with an increased risk of infection. We conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses compliant systematic review of all studies that included rates of infection for patients who were externalized prior to DBS implantation. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed to estimate the pooled proportion of infection across studies, and a meta-analysis of relative risks was conducted on those studies that included a control group of nonexternalized patients. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed via I2 index. Our search retrieved 23 articles, comprising 1354 patients who underwent lead externalization. The pooled proportion of infection was 6.9% (95% CI: 4.7%-9.5%), with a moderate to high level of heterogeneity between studies (I2=62.2%; 95% CI: 40.7-75.9; P<.0001). A total of 3 studies, comprising 212 externalized patients, included a control group. Rate of infection in externalized patients was 5.2% as compared to 6.0% in nonexternalized patients. However, meta-analysis was inadequately powered to determine whether there was indeed no difference in infection rate between the groups. The rate of infection in patients with electrode externalization is comparable to that reported in the literature for DBS implantation without a trial period. Future studies are needed before this information can be confidently used in the clinical setting.

Association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and lower extremity amputation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundThe association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i’s) and lower extremity amputation is unclear.PurposeTo systematically review randomized control trials (RCTs) and observational studies quantifying risk of lower extremity amputations associated with SGLT2i use.Data sources and study selectionWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 2011 to February 2020 for RCTs and observational studies including lower extremity amputation outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with SGLT2i’s vs. alternative treatments or placebo.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently extracted data.Main outcomes and measuresOur primary outcome was risk of lower limb amputation. Secondary outcomes included peripheral arterial disease, peripheral vascular disease, venous ulcerations, and diabetic foot infections. We also evaluated the risk of bias. We conducted random and fixed effects relative risk meta-analysis of RCTs.ResultsAfter screening 2,006 studies, 12 RCTs and 18 observational studies were included, of which 7 RCTs and 18 observational studies had at least one event. The random effects meta-analysis of 7 RCTs suggested the absence of a statistically significant association between SGLT2i exposure with evidence of substantial statistical heterogeneity (n = 424/23,716 vs n = 267/18,737 in controls; RR 1.28, CI’s 0.93–1.76; I2 = 62.0%; p = 0.12) whereas fixed effects analysis showed an increased risk with statistical heterogeneity (RR 1.27, 1.09–1.48; I2 = 62%; p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis of canagliflozin vs placebo showed a statistically significantly increased risk in a fixed effects meta-analysis (n = 2 RCTs, RR 1.59, 1.26–2.01; I2 = 88%; p = 0.0001) whereas the meta-analysis of dapagliflozin or empagliflozin (n = 2 RCTs each) and a single RCT for ertugliflozin did not show a significantly increased risk. The findings from observational studies were too heterogeneous to be pooled in a meta-analysis and draw meaningful conclusions. Both randomized and observational studies were of generally good methodological quality.ConclusionsOverall, there was no consistent evidence of SGLT2i exposure and increased risk of amputation. The increased risk of amputation seen in the large, long-term Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study (CANVAS) trial for canagliflozin, and select observational studies, merits continued exploration.

Efficacy of Hemospray in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BackgroundRecently, amongst other hemostatic modalities, Hemospray (TC-325) has emerged as an effective method for managing patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of Hemospray in patients with non-variceal upper GIB.MethodsOur primary outcomes were clinical and technical success; secondary outcomes were aggregate rebleeding, early rebleeding, delayed rebleeding, refractory bleeding, mortality, and treatment failure. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted for all reported primary and secondary outcomes. A relative risk meta-analysis was conducted for studies reporting direct comparisons between Hemospray and other hemostatic measures.ResultsA total of 20 studies with 1280 patients were included in the final analysis. Technical success of Hemospray was seen in 97% of cases (95% confidence interval [CI] 94-98%, I2=52.89%) and a significant trend towards increasing technical success was seen during publication years 2011-2019. Clinical success of Hemospray was seen in 91% of cases (95%CI 88-94%, I2=47.72%), compared to 87% (95%CI 75-94%, I2=0.00%) for other hemostatic measures. The secondary outcomes of aggregate rebleeding, early rebleeding, delayed rebleeding, refractory rebleeding, mortality and treatment failure following the use of Hemospray were seen in 27%, 20%, 9%, 8%, 8%, and 31% of cases, respectively.ConclusionHemospray is safe, effective and non-inferior to traditional hemostatic measures for the management of non-variceal upper GIB, and can thus be used as an alternative option.

Association between hyperlipidemia and mortality after incident acute myocardial infarction or acute decompensated heart failure: a propensity score matched cohort study and a meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of HLP, defined as having a pre-existing or a new in-hospital diagnosis based on low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level ≥100 mg/dL during index hospitalisation or...

Occupational Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. There are many occupational factors that have been suggested to cause prostate cancer. Our aim was to evaluate the evidence for causality by a literature review of occupational factors. We searched literature in Medline and SCOPUS from 1966 to June 30, 2015 to identify occupational risk factors for prostate cancer. The following risk factors were selected: farmers/agricultural workers, pesticides – whole group, and separately organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides, carbamates and triazines, cadmium, chromium, cutting fluids, acrylonitrile, rubber manufacturing, whole body vibration, shift work, flight personnel, ionizing radiation, and occupational physical activity. For each factor a literature search was performed and presented as meta-analysis of relative risk and heterogeneity (Q and I2 index). A total of 168 original studies met the inclusion criteria with 90,688 prostate cancer cases. Significantly increased risks were observed for the following occupational exposures: pesticides (metaRR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.32; I2 = 84%), and specifically group of organochlorine pesticides (meta relative risk [metaRR] = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03–1.14; I2 = 0%), chromium (metaRR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.07–1.34; I2 = 31%), shift work (metaRR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05–1.49; I2 = 78%) and pilots (metaRR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.02–1.94; I2 = 63%) and occupational physical activity in cohort studies (metaRR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.81–0.94; I2 = 0%). The literature review supports a causal association for a few of the previously suggested factors.

Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

SummaryBackgroundAlcohol use is a leading risk factor for death and disability, but its overall association with health remains complex given the possible protective effects of moderate alcohol consumption on some conditions. With our comprehensive approach to health accounting within the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016, we generated improved estimates of alcohol use and alcohol-attributable deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 195 locations from 1990 to 2016, for both sexes and for 5-year age groups between the ages of 15 years and 95 years and older.MethodsUsing 694 data sources of individual and population-level alcohol consumption, along with 592 prospective and retrospective studies on the risk of alcohol use, we produced estimates of the prevalence of current drinking, abstention, the distribution of alcohol consumption among current drinkers in standard drinks daily (defined as 10 g of pure ethyl alcohol), and alcohol-attributable deaths and DALYs. We made several methodological improvements compared with previous estimates: first, we adjusted alcohol sales estimates to take into account tourist and unrecorded consumption; second, we did a new meta-analysis of relative risks for 23 health outcomes associated with alcohol use; and third, we developed a new method to quantify the level of alcohol consumption that minimises the overall risk to individual health.FindingsGlobally, alcohol use was the seventh leading risk factor for both deaths and DALYs in 2016, accounting for 2·2% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·5–3·0) of age-standardised female deaths and 6·8% (5·8–8·0) of age-standardised male deaths. Among the population aged 15–49 years, alcohol use was the leading risk factor globally in 2016, with 3·8% (95% UI 3·2–4·3) of female deaths and 12·2% (10·8–13·6) of male deaths attributable to alcohol use. For the population aged 15–49 years, female attributable DALYs were 2·3% (95% UI 2·0–2·6) and male attributable DALYs were 8·9% (7·8–9·9). The three leading causes of attributable deaths in this age group were tuberculosis (1·4% [95% UI 1·0–1·7] of total deaths), road injuries (1·2% [0·7–1·9]), and self-harm (1·1% [0·6–1·5]). For populations aged 50 years and older, cancers accounted for a large proportion of total alcohol-attributable deaths in 2016, constituting 27·1% (95% UI 21·2–33·3) of total alcohol-attributable female deaths and 18·9% (15·3–22·6) of male deaths. The level of alcohol consumption that minimised harm across health outcomes was zero (95% UI 0·0–0·8) standard drinks per week.InterpretationAlcohol use is a leading risk factor for global disease burden and causes substantial health loss. We found that the risk of all-cause mortality, and of cancers specifically, rises with increasing levels of consumption, and the level of consumption that minimises health loss is zero. These results suggest that alcohol control policies might need to be revised worldwide, refocusing on efforts to lower overall population-level consumption.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Impact of public smoking bans on children\u2019s exposure to tobacco smoke at home: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackroundMeta-analysis of the impact of public smoking bans on children’s exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home.MethodsThe electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFo, ASSIA, CINAHL were searched. German public health journals not captured by these databases and grey literature were considered in addition.Studies were included when they reported children’s SHS exposure at home in relation to smoke-free legislation by measuring exposure before and after the introduction of a public smoking ban. Studies had to provide results on exposure prevalences of children aged below 18 years. Language of publications was restricted to German and English.Details of the included studies (n = 15) were extracted by one author and checked for accuracy by a second author. Given the exposure prevalences before and after the introduction of a smoke-free legislation, a random-effects meta-analysis of relative risks (RR) was conducted. Results were presented in a forest plot.ResultsMeta-analysis showed that the overall effect was a decreased exposure to SHS in the children’s homes after introduction of a public smoking ban (RR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.62–0.83). Only two of the 15 studies indicated an increased exposure. Sensitivity analyses considering the type of smoke-free legislation, children’s age group and study quality did not substantially alter the result.ConclusionThe assumption of a displacement of smoking into homes with children due to smoke-free legislation in public places could not be confirmed. Additional research is needed to analyse long-term trends.

Non-invasive screening for coronary artery disease in asymptomatic diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

It is unclear whether non-invasive screening of asymptomatic diabetic patients for coronary artery disease (CAD) may improve cardiac outcomes. Thus, we performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT's) on this topic. We searched appropriate RCT's in five online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) from January 2000 to November 2017 and in 41 recent reviews. Two investigators independently extracted and assessed study data using standardised forms. Additional unpublished data were obtained from trial authors. The primary endpoint 'any cardiac event' was a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina (UA), or heart failure (HF) hospitalisation. We performed a meta-analysis of relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the Mantel-Haenszel method. We included five RCT's with 3299 patients, of which 189 (5.7%) experienced any cardiac event on follow-up (weighted mean 4.1 years). Non-invasive CAD screening significantly reduced any cardiac event by 27% [RR 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.97), P = 0.028, number needed to screen 56]. This result was driven by important, albeit non-significant decreases in non-fatal MI [RR 0.65 (95% CI 0.41-1.02), P = 0.062] and HF hospitalisation [RR 0.61 (95% CI 0.33-1.10), P = 0.100]. Non-invasive CAD screening did not significantly affect cardiac death [RR 0.92 (95% CI 0.53-1.60), P = 0.77] and UA [RR 0.73 (95% CI 0.41-1.31), P = 0.29]. Compared with the standard care, non-invasive CAD screening reduced cardiac events by 27% in asymptomatic diabetic patients, largely through reductions in non-fatal MIs, and HF hospitalisations. The present results justify larger, appropriately powered trials to potentially revisit current recommendations.

Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided Strategy in Acute Coronary Syndrome. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundThere are limited data on the prognosis of deferral of lesion treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) based on fractional flow reserve (FFR).ObjectivesTo provide a systematic review of the current evidence on the prognosis of deferred lesions in ACS patients compared with deferred lesions in non-ACS patients, on the basis of FFR.MethodsWe searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2000 and September 2017 that compared prognosis of deferred revascularization of lesions on the basis of FFR in ACS patients compared with non-ACS patients. We conducted a pooled relative risk meta-analysis of four primary outcomes: mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, myocardial infarction (MI) and target-vessel revascularization (TVR).ResultsWe identified 7 studies that included a total of 5,107 patients. A pooled meta-analysis showed no significant difference in mortality (relative risk [RR] = 1.44; 95% CI, 0.9-2.4), CV mortality (RR = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.4-4.3) and TVR (RR = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.9-2.3) after deferral of revascularization based on FFR between ACS and non-ACS patients. Such deferral was associated with significant additional risk of MI (RR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.4-2.4) in ACS patients.ConclusionThe prognostic value of FFR in ACS setting is not as good as in stable patients. The results demonstrate an increased risk of MI but not of mortality, CV mortality, and TVR in ACS patients.

Aspirin as a potential modality for the chemoprevention of breast cancer: A dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies from 857,831 participants.

BackgroundPrevious meta-analyses on the relationship between aspirin use and breast cancer risk have drawn inconsistent results. In addition, the threshold effect of different doses, frequencies and durations of aspirin use in preventing breast cancer have yet to be established.ResultsThe search yielded 13 prospective cohort studies (N=857,831 participants) that reported an average of 7.6 cases/1,000 person-years of breast cancer during a follow-up period of from 4.4 to 14 years. With a random effects model, a borderline significant inverse association was observed between overall aspirin use and breast cancer risk, with a summarized RR = 0.94 (P = 0.051, 95% CI 0.87-1.01). The linear regression model was a better fit for the dose-response relationship, which displayed a potential relationship between the frequency of aspirin use and breast cancer risk (RR = 0.97, 0.95 and 0.90 for 5, 10 and 20 times/week aspirin use, respectively). It was also a better fit for the duration of aspirin use and breast cancer risk (RR = 0.86, 0.73 and 0.54 for 5, 10 and 20 years of aspirin use).MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases through early October 2016 for relevant prospective cohort studies of aspirin use and breast cancer risk. Meta-analysis of relative risks (RR) estimates associated with aspirin intake were presented by fixed or random effects models. The dose-response meta-analysis was performed by linear trend regression and restricted cubic spline regression.ConclusionOur study confirmed a dose-response relationship between aspirin use and breast cancer risk. For clinical prevention, long term (>5 years) consistent use (2-7 times/week) of aspirin appears to be more effective in achieving a protective effect against breast cancer.

A systematic review and meta analysis of the longevity of anterior and posterior all-ceramic crowns

BackgroundClinical experience suggests that there is a difference in survival between anterior and posterior all ceramic restorations. ObjectivesThis systematic review compared the difference in survival for full coverage all-ceramic materials used in adults to restore anterior or posterior vital teeth, not involved with fixed dental prostheses, but opposed by teeth. Data and sourcesSearches using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, including hand searches, with the inclusion criteria containing all-ceramic full coverage crowns in human adults over 17 years of age, prospective and retrospective studies, opposed by teeth, periodontal pocketing ≤5mm, but not involving implant supported crowns or non-vital teeth. All papers were published between 1980 and March 2014 and available in English. From the selected studies a meta analysis was undertaken. The chi square test, I2, Begg’s and Egger’s test were analysed and the publication bias was assessed using a Funnel plot. The, Kappa scores were 0.63, 0.88, and 0.81 at each selection stage. Study selectionsPooled data produced 1112 anterior crowns with 73 failures (6.5%) and 1821 posterior crowns with 166 failures (9.1%) with a follow up time from 36 to 223 months. Relative risk meta-analysis of the 14 selected papers demonstrated that anterior all-ceramic crowns were 50% less likely to fail than posterior all-ceramic crowns (p=0.001). ConclusionThese results indicate that there were differences in failure between anterior and posterior all ceramic crowns but the difference was only 3%. Although this has clinical relevance and some caution is needed when prescribing all ceramic posterior crowns the difference was relatively small. Clinical significanceThe clinically relevant results of this review, based on currently available data, demonstrate a need for some caution when considering posterior all-ceramic crowns. Lithium disilicate restorations were observed to have higher failures on anterior restorations and more research is needed to investigate why.

Type 2 Diabetes Among People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To clarify the prevalence and predictors of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and where possible compare this to healthy controls. We searched major electronic databases until May 2015 for studies reporting T2DM prevalence in people with PTSD. Two independent authors extracted data and completed methodological quality appraisal. A random-effects meta-analysis was used. From 1171 candidate publications after exclusions, nine publications were included (n = 23,396; 28.6% male; mean age = 35-60 years). The overall prevalence of T2DM was 10.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1%-12.0%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that war veterans experience higher prevalence of T2DM (16.3%; 95% CI = 5.2%-31.8%; n studies = 3, n = 473) compared with mixed samples (11.8%; 95% CI = 6.34-18.7, p < .001; n studies = 4, n = 2753). Increasing age (β = 0.0593, 95% CI = 0.010-0.109, z = 2.34, p = .019), median year of publication (β = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.14 to -0.03, z = -3.09, p = .002), and a lower percentage of white participants (β = -3.21, 95% CI = -5.12 to -1.29, z = -2.28, p = .001) predicted prevalence of T2DM. A relative risk meta-analysis comparing controls (n = 125,723) against those with PTSD (n = 23,203) demonstrated a significantly increased risk of T2DM (n studies = 5, relative risk = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.17-1.89, p = .001). People with PTSD are at a high risk for developing T2DM. The current findings should, however, be interpreted with caution because most studies were based on self-report data.

Educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health

Urinary incontinence is a common health problem that carries with it a significant burden. Nearly twice as many men suffer from this problem than women, and studies have demonstrated that help-seeking behavior is more challenging for men. This information sheet is based on a systematic review and focuses on the best-available evidence regarding educational interventions to raise men's awareness of bladder and bowel health. It also provides recommendations for practice.