Protocol For Meta-analysis Research Articles

Effects of probiotic supplementation on the anthropometric nutritional status of patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin production or utilization. Previous studies have shown a relationship between the gut microbiota and DM, driving interest in probiotic supplementation to modulate the microbiota and glucose metabolism in patients with DM, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Probiotics can influence metabolic factors and improve the composition of the microbiota, possibly helping to reduce weight in patients with DM. The objective of this review is to compile and analyze the most relevant evidence on the effects of probiotic supplementation on the nutritional anthropometric status of patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methodological guidelines will be followed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the study has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under reference number CRD42023480243. Studies will be selected through an active search of the PubMed, Science Direct, and SCOPUS databases using the following search descriptors: gut microbiota, body weight, and metabolic diseases, according to medical subject headings. The assessment of the methodological quality of the studies will be carried out using the Cochrane Collaboration instrument. The risk of bias will be analyzed using the Revised Cochrane tool for risk of bias in randomized controlled trials (RoB 2). A meta-analysis will be performed if heterogeneity is acceptable and justifiable; otherwise, the results will be presented in a qualitative narrative synthesis. The results of probiotic supplementation are expected to demonstrate improvements in anthropometric parameters such as body weight, BMI and abdominal and waist circumference in patients with T2DM, thus providing valuable evidence for clinical application.

Effect of therapeutic exercises on the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a protocol of a systematic review

IntroductionAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects an estimated 200 million adolescents globally and curvatures exceeding 30° at skeletal maturity are associated with increased health risks in adulthood. The International Society for...

Determinants of higher education graduates’ employability: a scoping review

PurposeGraduates’ employability has been recognised as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in the theoretical literature. However, some critics have emerged around the lack of relation between structural, contextual and individual dimensions that have been acknowledged as relevant for the understanding of graduates’ employability. This study aims to map empirical research, grounded on a scoping and integrative review of the research published to date on the determinants of graduates’ employability and offer a wider perspective of the knowledge produced across different disciplinary fields, and theoretical and methodological approaches.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol for Scoping Reviews, a systematic and extensive search of the literature was carried out and 74 studies focusing on the determinants of graduates’ employability were selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, data were extracted, analysed and interpreted with quantitative and qualitative techniques.FindingsThe results evidence that multiple factors mainly related to higher education attributes, educational arrangement, personal and interpersonal attributes, and socioeconomic conditions predict the odds of obtaining a job after graduation. This review also demonstrates some fragmentation of knowledge produced in this field and identifies a lack of an integrative approach, calling for more multidisciplinary research that might favour a more comprehensive knowledge of graduates’ employability.Originality/valueBy considering the different factors together, from individual and contextual levels, the present review offers an original and clearer overall picture of what is currently known and what is still unresearched about the determinants of graduates’ employability.

Mifepristone as a non-emergency contraceptive among women of reproductive age: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMifepristone is a selective progesterone receptor modulator with decades of data demonstrating its potential as a highly effective emergency as well as non-emergency contraceptive. Despite considerable evidence pointing to the...

Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions after Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

To synthesise up-to-date research evidence for non-pharmacological interventions to improve various sleep outcomes (e.g., sleep quality, duration) in postsurgical cardiac patients. Sleep disturbances are common amongst postsurgical cardiac patients, yet the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in improving various sleep outcomes has not been comprehensively reviewed. A systematic review and meta-analysis guided by the PRISMA protocol. CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant research in May 2023. Included studies used a randomised controlled trial design that applied a non-pharmacological intervention for postsurgical cardiac patients and reported sleep as an outcome. For the meta-analysis, mean effect sizes were separately calculated for studies with regular and reverse-scored scales. Of 37 studies included, the most common cardiac surgery was coronary artery bypass graft. Most interventions were performed within the first postoperative week and assessed sleep quality outcomes using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The interventions are categorised into five types. Human resource-based strategies emerged as the most effective. The meta-analysis of 27 eligible studies showed a mean effect size of 0.76 for studies with regular scoring scales and - 1.04 for those with reverse-scored scales, indicating medium to large effect sizes. Our findings provide strong evidence that non-pharmacological interventions, particularly human resource-based strategies, significantly improve sleep quality in postsurgical cardiac patients. The medium to large effect sizes underscore the clinical significance of these findings. Healthcare professionals should consider incorporating non-pharmacological interventions, especially human resource-based strategies, in care plans for postsurgical cardiac patients to improve sleep outcomes and promote recovery. These interventions should be tailored to individual physical and cultural differences for maximum effectiveness. Future research should evaluate the long-term effects of these interventions on various sleep outcomes, using both objective and subjective measures to provide a comprehensive assessment of their efficacy. This study adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Patient and public contributions were not required for this review.

Decision support tool for designing out waste: a conceptual framework

PurposeConstruction activities are anticipated to experience steady growth worldwide, resulting in massive construction and demolition waste (CDW). Despite introducing five designing out waste (DoW) principles to combat CDW from the early design stage, the design process remains a notable contributor to CDW generation due to designers’ limited knowledge and experience. The decision-making process in identifying and selecting DoW solutions is relatively underexplored in the current literature. This study aims to bridge this gap by reviewing existing literature to investigate the implementation of DoW principles and uncover potential areas to support designers in selecting DoW solutions for their projects.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the Preferred Reporting Item for systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol, a systematic literature review is adopted to analyse 50 selected articles published from 2000 to 2023 in order to develop the conceptual framework, which was subsequently reviewed by industry experts.FindingsThis review critically examines the current state of DoW implementation, the decision-making criteria for selecting DoW solutions and the available tools for DoW implementation. Existing limitations and future research directions to aid DoW in decision-making were identified. Drawing from the review’s findings, a conceptual framework is formulated to develop a decision support tool for selecting DoW alternatives.Originality/valueThe outcome of this review offers researchers insight into identifying existing gaps and potential areas to aid the DoW decision-making process. Construction professionals can use the findings to develop a decision support tool for selecting DoW alternatives, thereby minimising waste generation in construction projects.

The impact of screen time and social media on youth self-harm behaviour and suicide: A protocol for a systematic reviews.

Social media, gaming, and other types of screen time have been associated with a number of child and adolescent mental health concerns, including NSSI, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicides. However, findings have been complicated by a quickly changing technological landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic. Inconsistent findings may be related to the dissimilar impacts of different screen time types on different age groups. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the pattern of impact of different screen time types on children and adolescents, investigating age groups of particular risk, and synthesising outcomes, recommendations, and strategies described to inform future studies and guidelines. A systematic review will be conducted of all study types, and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The following databases will be searched for relevant publications: CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, PsychArticles, Scopus, and Web of Science. Searches will be limited by language (English). Article selection, quality evaluation, and data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment will be conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists for the appropriate study type. Ethics approval is not required since we are not using patient data. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal article, and disseminated via conference presentations. CRD42023493058.

Nutritional Supplementation to Preserve Healthy Lean Mass and Function During Periods of Pharmacological and Nonpharmacological-Induced Weight Loss: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Weight loss without adequate anabolic stimuli can lead to reductions in lean, as well as adipose, tissue. Health benefits typically associated with weight loss are therefore attenuated,as body composition potentially shifts from an obese to sarcopenic/frail phenotype. In contrast to the traditional connotation of frailty, this might occur in younger adults and is characterized by reduced performance in functional tasks of daily living. Nutritional supplements as an adjunct to weight loss intervention could support the maintenance of lean mass, particularly if structured exercise is contraindicated. This systematic review aims to quantify the effect of nutritional supplements, without concurrent exercise, on lean mass in individuals undergoing pharmacological and nonpharmacological-induced weight loss. This protocol describes a prospective systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of nutritional supplements on lean mass during weight loss. Comparison arms will not use nutritional supplements. Literature searches will be conducted using the following online databases: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey. Outcome measures related to body composition, lean mass, skeletal muscle mass/size, or physical function will be extracted. Risk of bias will be assessed using the United States National Heart Lung and Blood Institute quality assessment tool for controlled intervention studies. A meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesize comparable outcomes. The results of this review will be reported in adherence to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) standards, and published in a peer-reviewed journal. This study will be the first to systematically review nutritional interventions for the preservation or accretion of lean mass during weight loss. This review will identify gaps in the literature and inform the development of optimized weight loss strategies, for use in research and practice. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: PROSPERO CRD42024521540.

Effectiveness of ePRO-based symptom management for cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

To systematically synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness of electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO)-based symptom management on readmission rate, quality of life, symptom burden, anxiety, depression, and mortality in adult cancer patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA guideline in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Scopus for studies of randomized controlled trials reporting ePRO-based symptom management from January 1st, 2018, to May 31st, 2023. Two reviewers independently assessed risk-of-bias using Cochrane Risk-of-Bias version 2 and extracted the data. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify the source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed by using the leave-one-out method. The study protocol was registered on the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (INPLASY) (DOI: https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.6.0010 ). A total of 10 studies were included in our review, comprising a total of 5321 participants. The results showed ePRO-based symptom management can improve quality of life (QOL) (SMD = 4.42, 95% CI 0.14 to 8.69, P = 0.04) in cancer patients. No significant differences in the impact on the improvement of readmission rate (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.04, P = 0.15), symptom burden (SMD = 1.23, 95% CI - 1.34 to 3.79, P = 0.35), anxiety (SMD = - 0.00, 95% CI - 0.34 to 0.34, P = 0.99), depression (SMD = 0.03, 95% CI - 0.17 to 0.24, P = 0.74), and mortality (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.83, P = 0.36) between the two groups. In the subgroup analysis, readmission rates more than 30days were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (relative rate (RR) = 0.85, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.99, P = 0.03). Also, the intervention group's QOL significantly improved compared to the control group when assessed within 1month after the intervention (SMD = 4.35, 95% CI 3.75 to 4.94, P < 0.00001). In the sensitivity analysis, it was found that the results for readmission rates and quality of life (QOL) were unstable, indicating that further research is needed in the future. Cancer patients often have different symptoms. Symptom management in cancer patients is an emerging topic. However, due to the limited numbers of included studies, the long-term effect of ePRO-based symptom management still needed to be validated. inplasy (DOI: https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.6.0010 ).

Risk factors of large for gestational age among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionWomen with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are more likely to give birth to large for gestational age (LGA) infants, due to abnormalities in glucose metabolism during pregnancy. Although previous studies...

Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological management for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis protocol

BackgroundChronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) has posed a significant burden on affected individuals and healthcare systems. While pharmacological treatments are commonly used, non-pharmacological management strategies have gained attention for...

Explaining reproductive health inequalities among people with intellectual disabilities: a meta-narrative review protocol

IntroductionPeople with intellectual disabilities experience health inequalities at a greater level than their non-disabled peers. Notably, while general health status is starting to receive some attention, the reproductive health and...

Prevalence of physical inactivity and associated factors among adults in Eastern African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionPhysical inactivity is a major global public health concern, increasing the risk factor of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mortality. The WHO has initiated the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity...

Depression and Anxiety Among Arab Individuals in the United States: A Meta-analysis.

Emerging research suggests that the increasing population of Arab immigrants and refugees living in the United States (U.S.) has a greater risk for depression and anxiety than other groups. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety for Arabs in the U.S., to examine the moderating effects of key demographic variables (gender, immigration status, ethnicity) and study characteristics (research design and quality) on the prevalence of anxiety and depression, and to evaluate the direct effects of additional demographic and study characteristics on prevalence rates. Using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), we searched PubMed, Embase, CINHAL, ProQuest, and the Web of Science databases for articles published between January 2000 and March 2023. Two reviewers each individually extracted the articles' data and evaluated the reported study's methodological quality using a well-established checklist. Statistical analyses consisted of random effects models to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety across all studies, separate random effects models for distinct demographic (e.g., immigration status) and methodologic (e.g., study quality) subgroups that might have unique prevalence rates, and a meta-regression to identify additional variables (e.g., age of individuals) that might influence prevalence rates. Our review included 17 studies with a total sample population size of 22, 558 participants. Results indicated that the estimated prevalence of depression overall was 48% (CI 34, 63%) and 58% (CI 33, 83%) for the prevalence of anxiety. Our subgroup analyses uncovered notable variations in prevalence rates based on gender composition, immigration status, ethnicity, and research quality while results of the meta-regressions demonstrated effects of publication year and age of the Arab individual on the estimated prevalence of depression and anxiety. The high prevalence rates for depression and anxiety identified through this meta-analysis are very concerning and underscore the urgent need to address mental health concerns in Arab communities. Results of subgroup and meta-regression analyses suggest that refugees, individuals from specific countries of origin, and younger Arabic persons may need particular attention by clinicians in screening for and treating their depression and anxiety. Our results also signify the need for further high-quality studies to more rigorously assess prevalence of these mental health problems, since we found evidence of potential publication bias and approximately one third of the studies in the review had less optimal methodological quality based on our evaluation. Ultimately, in-depth research regarding the causes of anxiety or depression among Arab individuals will be essential to the development of culturally competent interventions that may reduce their very high prevalence rates.

Prevalence and influencing factors of sarcopenia among patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

IntroductionEpidemiological literature indicates that sarcopenia (SA) is increasingly prevalent among patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This study aims to provide the pooled prevalence of SA and identify determinant factors associated...

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of live births after uterus transplantation: A systematic review.

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is a treatment for absolute uterine factor infertility. The results of pregnancies of this complex infertility treatment should be established. The aim of the study was to systematically review maternal and neonatal outcomes in the pregnancies of women who have undergone UTx. The population of this review were women that have undergone UTx and delivered child(ren). Cesarean delivery after UTx were planned to be compared with studies reporting maternal mortality/morbidity and perinatal mortality/morbidity after delivery by elective cesarean section without UTx. Systematic literature searches were performed utilizing Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Cinahl, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov for studies written in English language and published between January 1, 2010, and November 08, 2023. No study design limitation was applied. If no comparative studies were identified, we planned to report the outcomes from the case reports and case series. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias using a checklist for case series. The study protocol was registered with the International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (registration number: INPLASY202310052). Twenty-four articles were identified, containing data on 40 unique live births. Multiple publications including same cases were identified and clearly indicated. No comparative studies were identified. The certainty of evidence was very low, as all studies were either case reports (n = 15) or case series (n = 9). All deliveries were by cesarean section and 47.5% of them resulted in emergency cesarean sections. Out of the 21 elective cesarean sections, 52.4% were performed before 37 weeks' gestation. Historical comparison to population data on pregnancies delivered by cesarean section found a markedly increased risk for both the mother and child following cesarean section for UTx. Risks for placenta previa and preterm birth were notably high after UTx; however, some of the later may reflect the results of provider-initiated births. The maternal and perinatal outcomes of 40 live births post-UTx indicate that these pregnancies may be at high risk of maternal and perinatal complications. Aiming to delay elective cesarean section beyond 37 weeks' gestation could potentially reduce some of these risks. Registration of maternal and perinatal outcomes after UTx through quality registries are essential and obstetrical care guidelines for these women should be established.

Assessing the Comparative Efficacy of Sentinel Lymph Node Detection Techniques in Vulvar Cancer: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection techniques in the management of vulvar cancer. Vulvar cancer, though rare, predominantly affects older women and requires effective management strategies. The SLN technique has become a standard approach for early-stage cases, offering reduced morbidity compared to complete lymphadenectomy. Currently, various SLN detection methods exist, including the use of Technetium-99m (Tc99m), Indocyanine Green (ICG), and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO), but there is a lack of comprehensive comparison of their efficacy. This review will systematically search relevant databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and Embase following PRISMA guidelines, to gather data from clinical trials. The primary outcome will be the detection rates of SLN techniques with secondary outcomes examining patient characteristics and procedural factors. The analysis will utilize random-effects models to compare detection rates across studies. The results of this study aim to provide insights into the optimal SLN detection method with potential implications for clinical practice guidelines in vulvar cancer management. The protocol is registered under the PROSPERO registration number CRD42024590774.

Is therapeutic plasma exchange effective in leptospirosis-associated severe pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome? A systematic review.

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis fast becoming a global burden. Pulmonary haemorrhages are a deadly complication, with case fatality rates >50%. Systemic vasculitis is thought to be the pathological process responsible for pulmonary haemorrhages and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is one of the treatments offered. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of TPE in managing leptospirosis-associated severe pulmonary haemorrhagic syndrome (SPHS). A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol. The search used Medical Subject Headings in PubMed with keywords 'Leptospirosis' OR 'Leptospira' OR 'Weil disease' AND 'plasmapheresis' OR 'plasma exchange' AND 'pulmonary haemorrhage' OR 'alveolar haemorrhage'. The search was widened to include the Google Scholar database. The review was confined to English-language articles and focused on primary research studies. Nineteen articles were considered for analysis. There were no randomized controlled trials. A non-randomized trial and a retrospective cohort documented recovery following adjuvant TPE treatment. Most case reports mention significant improvement and complete recovery following administration of TPE. One case reported the death of a patient despite treatment. However, this review revealed a lack of strong evidence endorsing the routine application of TPE as a therapeutic intervention for cases of SPHS. Thus we recommend the initiation of a well-structured randomized controlled trial to ensure an accurate assessment of the efficacy of TPE.

Assessing national medicines policies: a protocol for systematic review of access to medicine assessment metrics and indicators

IntroductionEfforts to improve access to essential medicines globally include the implementation and assessment of national medicine policies. Although existing assessment tools may identify gaps, they do not link these to...

Prenatal exposure to antibiotics and the risk of orofacial clefts: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionOrofacial clefts (OFCs), including cleft lip, cleft palate and combined cleft lip and palate, are among the most common craniofacial malformations in newborns and present significant healthcare challenges. Emerging evidence...