PRISMA Research Articles

Recruiting Asian Americans for Online Studies: Methodological Systematic Review.

Engaging Asian American participants in research studies helps to understand their health needs and health disparities better. However, recruiting Asian Americans for online studies remains challenging. This study aims to synthesize strategies for recruiting Asian Americans to research studies that collected data online and to further explore the characteristics of the recruited participants. A systematic review method was used. Data were searched in the PubMed, CINAHL, and OVID databases using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and title search strategies. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize strategies for recruiting Asian Americans to online research studies. An independent Student t test (2-tailed and unpaired) was performed to compare the characteristics of recruited Asian Americans, using SPSS 29.0 software. The study was reported in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 checklist. After data extraction, 18 studies were included in this review. Results showed that strategies for recruiting Asian Americans to research studies that collected data online included both online and offline methods. Online recruitment methods included online survey market services, social media groups, online advertisements, and email lists. Offline recruitment methods included churches, community organizations, local clinics, health care centers, American Cancer Society local chapters, and cancer registries. Among the online and offline recruitment methods, social media groups and community recruitment were the most frequently used, respectively. The most commonly used online study platform was self-designed project websites. Participants engaged in the online studies tended to be in their middle adulthood and have a high level of education beyond high school. Compared with those recruited offline, participants recruited online tended to be younger and more highly educated. This study suggests that researchers may use mixed recruitment methods, combining both online and offline approaches, to recruit Asian Americans to online studies. When selecting the recruitment venue, researchers should consider project budget, data security, data quality, and credibility. They should also be aware of the distinct characteristics of participants recruited online versus offline.

The role of primary tumour site surgery in metastatic UTUC: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the impact of primary tumour surgery on survival outcomes in patients with metastatic upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published up to January 2025, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies included adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with mUTUC (cM+ excluding cN + M0). The intervention assessed was primary tumour surgery, compared to non-surgical management, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or best supportive care. Key outcomes measured were surgical/peri-operative outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Ten eligible retrospective studies were identified. Most reported a significant improvement in survival outcomes (PFS, CSS and OS) for patients undergoing primary tumour surgery compared to systemic therapy (STx) alone. Surgery was notably associated with superior OS both for STx plus consolidative surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55-0.81) and cytoreductive surgery plus STx (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68-0.78). The most favourable outcomes were observed in younger patients and those with a single metastatic site. Surgery may improve survival outcomes in mUTUC compared to non-surgical options. However, the current evidence is mainly derived from retrospective studies with potential selection bias. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish criteria for selecting patients who could benefit from surgical intervention.

Due diligence: a bibliometric review and future research agenda

PurposeThis study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art research on the due diligence literature. This topic has recently become a key area of interest for both scholars and managers across multiple dimensions, particularly within the international business landscape.Design/methodology/approachUsing the PRISMA statement as the key guideline for the search and selection process, this paper examines 1,721 English articles from the Scopus database with titles and abstracts. Performance analysis was conducted to identify the overall volume, growth trajectory, and the most important research constituents among existing due diligence studies. In addition, VosViewer was used to perform science mapping techniques, namely co-authorship, bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal a marked increase in scholarly attention toward the topic of due diligence since 2020, charged by the interdisciplinary implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. In synthesizing the intellectual landscape of existing due diligence studies, the paper identifies several prominent themes such as (1) ‘‘mergers and acquisitions,” (2) ‘‘human rights,” (3) ‘‘supply chain and CSR” and (4) ‘‘venture capital investment.” ‘‘COVID-19, ESG, AI and relevant issues” also enters our observation as an emerging trend.Originality/valueThis paper enriches the knowledge of due diligence, a crucial practice in competitive global business. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the inaugural bibliometric analysis focused on due diligence with a comprehensive approach. It explores the most important emerging themes, research trends and critical changes and then shows potential directions for future research on the topic of due diligence.

Experiences of rehabilitation professionals in palliative care: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

The objective of this review is to explore the experiences of rehabilitation professionals in the provision of palliative care. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of rehabilitation in palliative care, the integration of rehabilitation professionals into palliative care teams is not widespread. This review will explore the lived experiences of rehabilitation professionals in palliative care, particularly their perceptions, challenges, rewards, and role impact. It will include qualitative and mixed methods studies conducted across diverse palliative care settings. This review will follow the JBI methodology for qualitative synthesis. The search strategy will include PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro, as well as gray literature sources and citation searching. Screening results will be presented using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. Critical appraisal, data extraction, and meta-aggregation will be conducted. The synthesized findings and their ConQual scores will be used to inform the review's recommendations. PROSPERO CRD42025639926.

Cultural Tourism in Kenya: A Systematic Review of Opportunities, Challenges, and Sustainable Development Pathways

The landscape of cultural tourism in Kenya is explored by this systematic review with a keen focus on opportunities, challenges, and sustainable development pathways. With the application of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, empirical and theoretical literature from the past five years have been analysed by the review to identify key themes and evidence-based insights. Peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and institutional publications are some of the sources from which Studies were derived. Findings show a growing recognition of cultural tourism as a promoter of socio-economic development, particularly in regions like Mount Kenya. Nonetheless, Key Issues such as policy gaps, scarce infrastructure, and restricted community participation hinder its potential. The review concludes by highlighting critical areas for intervention and recommends multi-stakeholder collaboration, strategic policy frameworks, and sustainable practices to advance cultural tourism in Kenya

Immune-Mediated Disorders in Patients With Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring, organ-specific autoimmune disorder characterized by hair loss. Emerging evidence suggests that AA frequently coexists with other immune-mediated diseases, but the strength and consistency of these associations remain unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence and risk of immune-mediated comorbidities in patients with AA, focusing on dermatological, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, and systemic immune-mediated conditions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published from January 2000 through July 2024. Case-control studies reporting immune-mediated comorbidities in AA with sufficient data to calculate odds ratios (ORs) were included. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 462,945 AA patients and 11,488,192 healthy controls. Data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The analysis revealed significantly increased odds of comorbid immune-mediated diseases in patients with AA, including atopic dermatitis (OR 2.63), autoimmune thyroiditis (OR 1.57), inflammatory bowel disease (OR 1.20), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR 3.28), and vitiligo (OR 6.61). The prevalence of these comorbidities ranged from 0.34% for multiple sclerosis to 38.65% for atopic disorders. These findings confirm that AA is associated with a heightened risk of various immune-mediated conditions. The strong links, particularly with vitiligo, systemic lupus erythematosus, and autoimmune thyroiditis, underscore the need for comprehensive screening and interdisciplinary management of patients with AA.

Assessing the appropriate intravitreal ranibizumab dose for retinopathy of prematurity: A systematic review.

BackgroundDespite the use of laser therapy as the current treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the administration of ranibizumab is recognized as a promising alternative treatment for ROP despite the current use of laser therapy. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to systematically analyze the effectiveness of different ranibizumab dosage.MethodsA literature search of PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect was conducted for studies including infants with ROP, using intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) as primary monotherapy, and reporting ROP regression and recurrence. All studies were required to be written in English-language and published in the last ten years. The selection process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.ResultsA total of ten studies were reviewed, including three randomized controlled trials, five retrospectives, and two case series. Furthermore, 549 patients and 867 eyes in the treatment group were evaluated, examining various stages of ROP and different therapeutic methods. All studies reported ROP regression, ranging from 68.9% to 100%, while 80% reported ROP recurrence following IVR.ConclusionIntravitreal injections of ranibizumab were effective in improving ROP outcomes. Meanwhile, lower doses of IVR provided comparable therapeutic benefits to the higher dose, potentially with fewer side effects.

EHealth Literacy and Its Outcomes Among Postsecondary Students: Systematic Review.

eHealth literacy is essential for postsecondary students; however, few studies have systematically reviewed its levels and related outcomes in this population. This study aims to systematically review the existing literature on eHealth literacy levels and the associated outcomes among postsecondary students. We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, APA PsycInfo and APA PsycArticles, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Base, and OpenGrey databases for studies published from 2006 to July 01, 2024, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were eligible if they were quantitative research papers, assessed eHealth literacy, described the relationship between eHealth literacy and other outcomes, and included postsecondary students. The risk of bias was assessed using the modified Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. A total of 89 cross-sectional studies were included from among 45,168 eHealth literacy-related publications, with 68 rated as high quality and 21 as moderate quality. Various assessment tools were used across studies, with the eHealth Literacy Scale being the most commonly used (56/89, 63%). Reported eHealth literacy total scores ranged from 23.6 (SD 6.8) to 31.4 (SD 4.4), and mean item scores ranged from 3.42 (SD 0.61) to 4.10 (SD 0.56). Associated outcomes were grouped into cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains. eHealth literacy was positively associated with cognitive outcomes, including health knowledge, self-efficacy, disease prevention behaviors, and health attitudes. Regarding emotional outcomes, eHealth literacy was linked to higher psychosocial well-being, more positive emotions, and lower negative emotions; however, its associations with overall well-being, depression, and COVID-19 fear were inconclusive. Regarding behavioral outcomes, eHealth literacy was associated with greater use of electronic information, disease prevention practices, volunteerism, and clinical decision-making. Its relationships with health care use, social media engagement, and healthy living were more complex and context-dependent. eHealth literacy among postsecondary students ranges from moderate-low to moderate-high, with variations due to inconsistent assessment tools. It shows positive associations with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes, though links to healthy living, digital and health service engagement, and certain psychosocial aspects remain complex. Future research should standardize measurements and explore the mechanisms across disciplines and cultures to guide effective health promotion. PROSPERO CRD42024559587; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024559587.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence for predicting short and long-term complications following metabolic bariatric surgery - a systematic review

Background: Machine learning (ML) and other applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing medicine, particularly in the field of surgery. These models have the potential to outperform traditional predictive tools, aiding clinicians in decision making and enhancing operative safety through improved patient selection. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar, guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, to identify studies employing ML and AI algorithms to predict postoperative complications following metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). The search included primary studies published in English up to November 2024. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used as a surrogate metric for algorithm performance, with values exceeding 0.8 considered clinically significant; however, studies were not excluded based on AUROC thresholds. Results: The search identified 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. These were categorized into seven domains: general complications (8 studies, 34.8%), readmissions after MBS (4 studies, 17.4%), hemorrhage (1 study, 4.3%), leaks (1 study, 4.3%), venous thromboembolism (3 studies, 13.0%), nutritional deficiencies (4 studies, 17.4%), and miscellaneous complications such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, gallbladder disease, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (3 studies, 13.0%). The studies spanned from 2007 to 2024, with 87.0% (20/23) published in or after 2019. In total, 87 AI/ML algorithms were analyzed. While several studies reported AUROC values exceeding 0.7, the highest achieved was 0.94. However, most studies exhibited methodological limitations, including a lack of external validation and inadequate handling of imbalanced datasets, where complication events were markedly fewer than non-events. Conclusions: While AI and ML approaches generally outperform traditional predictive models in forecasting postoperative complications following MBS, few algorithms demonstrated clinically significant performance with AUROC values above 0.8. Future research should adopt more rigorous methodologies and implement strategies to address imbalanced datasets, ensuring broader clinical applicability of AI/ML tools.

Cardiovascular Diseases and Type D Personality: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature of the Last 10 Years

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death globally, with a significant impact on public health and quality of life. In addition to traditional risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hypercholesterolemia, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests the crucial role of psychosocial factors, including personality, in the development and prognosis of CVDs. In recent decades, researchers have focused on the so-called “type D personality.” Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Fifteen studies were included in the final quantitative analysis, involving 5687 people. The qualitative assessment of the studies included in this meta-analysis was conducted adopting the Quality System Tool. Results: Several studies have shown a significant correlation between type D personality and an increased risk of CVDs, as well as a worse prognosis in patients with established CVDs. The overall quality of the studies included in this synthesis ranged from 0.70 to 0.96, indicating the general good quality levels of the studies (69%). The association between type D personality and CVDs in terms of prevalence underlined a raw proportion of 0.36. Conclusions: This study reinforces the significance of type D personality as a psychological risk factor for CVD, with implications for both disease prevalence and severity.

Transdiagnostic Efficacy of Cariprazine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Efficacy Across Ten Symptom Domains

Introduction: The introduction of the transdiagnostic approach in psychiatry shifts the focus from discrete diagnoses to shared symptoms across various disorders. The Transdiagnostic Global Impression—Psychopathology (TGI-P) scale is a newly developed tool designed to assess psychiatric symptoms across diagnostic boundaries. It evaluates ten core symptom domains—positive, negative, cognitive, manic, depressive, addiction, anxiety, sleep, hostility, and self-harm—regardless of specific diagnoses. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of cariprazine across these ten transdiagnostic symptom domains. Methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed on EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov. Efficacy measures such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) were used to assess cariprazine’s effect on the ten transdiagnostic symptoms. Multilevel random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of cariprazine versus placebo in alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms across clinical trials. Results: A total of 30 studies were included in the review. Cariprazine showed therapeutic benefits on positive, negative, manic, and depressive symptoms in specifically designed trials. Preliminary positive effects were seen on anxiety, hostility, and cognitive symptoms across disorders. However, specific trials have not been conducted for anxiety disorders or cognitive impairment. Meta-analyses demonstrated that cariprazine significantly reduces both depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to placebo. Cariprazine significantly improved sleep-related symptoms in both mania and depression trials. Suicidality was evaluated in non-suicidal populations, and no increase was observed. Addiction symptoms were part of the exclusion criteria in the RCTs, so they could not be assessed. Previous reports of cariprazine’s anti-craving and anti-abuse effects come from real-world evidence rather than RCT data. Conclusions: Cariprazine appears to be promising in addressing a broad range of symptom domains across psychiatric conditions.

A Systematic Review of Two-Phase Expansion Losses: Challenges, Optimization Opportunities, and Future Research Directions

Two-phase expansion processes have emerged as a promising technology for enhancing energy efficiency in power generation, refrigeration, waste heat recovery systems (for example, partially evaporated organic Rankine cycle, organic flash cycle, and trilateral flash cycle), oil and gas, and other applications. However, despite their potential, widespread adoption is hindered by inherent challenges, particularly energy losses that reduce operational efficiency. This review systematically evaluates the current state of two-phase expansion technologies, focusing on the root causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies for expansion losses. This work used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Using the PRISMA framework, 52 relevant publications were identified from Scopus and Web of Science to conduct the systematic review. A preliminary co-occurrence analysis of keywords was also conducted using VOSviewer version 1.6.20. Three clusters were observed in this co-occurrence analysis. However, the results may not be significant. Therefore, the extended work was done through a comprehensive analysis of experimental and simulation studies from the literature. This study identifies critical loss mechanisms in key components of two-phase expanders, such as the nozzle, diffuser, rotor, working chamber, and vaneless space. Also, losses arising from wetness, such as droplet formation, interfacial friction, and non-equilibrium phase transitions, are examined. These phenomena degrade performance by disrupting flow stability, increasing entropy generation, and causing mechanical erosion. Several losses in the turbine and volumetric expanders operating in two-phase conditions are reported. Ejectors, throttling valves, and flashing flow systems that exhibit similar challenges of losses are also discussed. This review discusses the mitigation and the strategy to minimize the two-phase expansion losses. The geometry of the inlet of the two-phase expanders plays an important role, which also needs improvement to minimize losses. The review highlights recent advancements in addressing these challenges and shows optimization opportunities for further research.

Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections May Be Beneficial in Patients with Less Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that impairs quality of life. Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are used to restore synovial fluid viscosity and improve joint function. The present systematic review investigated the prognostic factors influencing the effect of intra-articular HA injections for knee osteoarthritis (OA). The endpoint of interest was whether patient characteristics and molecular weight of the HA influence patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at different follow-ups. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the 2020 PRISMA statement. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of intra-articular HA injections in the knee were accessed. Data concerning the visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne scales were collected at baseline and the last follow-up. OA was scored using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification. The endpoint of interest was whether patient characteristics and the molecular weight of HA influence clinical outcomes. The study included 71 RCTs and data from 10,590 patients; 67% (7082 of 10,570) were women. The mean age of the patients was 61.8 ± 5.1years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.8 ± 2.3kg/m2. HA injections lead to an initial worsening of symptoms; however, patients with early stage osteoarthritis, particularly older women, may experience significant long-term improvements. Further research should standardise treatment protocols and investigate the role of HA molecular weight in optimising outcomes.

Support for Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty scholarship: A systematic scoping review.

Support for Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty scholarship: A systematic scoping review.

Comprehensive analysis of the potential of microRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers of placenta accreta spectrum: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is an abnormal pregnancy condition that contributes significantly to maternal mortality and morbidity. Approximately 50-67% of PAS cases are undiagnosed before delivery. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find biomarkers that can be used for early detection so that PAS interventions can be provided promptly to reduce maternal mortality. Aims: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of PAS. Methods: A literature search was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The search was conducted on several databases, including PubMed and ScienceDirect. The risk of bias in the included articles was assessed based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. A random-effects model was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive-likelihood ratio (PLR), negative-likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC). The subgroup analysis was carried out to investigate the heterogeneity. Deeks' funnel plot and Fagan's nomogram were used to evaluate the publication bias clinical application of miRNAs as a PAS diagnostic biomarker, respectively. Results: Based on three included studies involving 165 PAS cases, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, AUC were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82-0.95), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79-0.89), 7.24 (95% CI: 5.42-9.06), 0.33 (95% CI: 0.20-0.46), 72.06 (95% CI: 49.27-94.85), and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90-0.94). Subgroup analysis showed that using cluster and upregulated miRNA enhances the diagnostic power of miRNA. There is no publication bias in this study (p=0.52). Conclusions: This study highlights the superior diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs in diagnosing PAS, indicating their potential as valuable biomarkers for detecting PAS.

A systematic review: impact of dry needling, isometric, and eccentric exercises on pain and function in individuals with patellar tendinopathy

This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing body of evidence and provide a comprehensive analysis of the effects of dry needling, isometric, and eccentric exercises on pain severity and functional impairment in individuals diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy. The review was conducted in strict accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, PEDro, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant literature from 2010 to August 2022. The therapeutic effects of dry needling, isometric exercises, and eccentric exercises on patellar tendinopathy were critically assessed. The risk of bias was determined using the McMaster Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies, while the level of evidence and recommendation grades were assigned based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines.The primary outcomes of interest were pain severity and functional impairment, particularly among elite volleyball and basketball athletes suffering from patellar tendinopathy. The systematic review incorporated nine clinical trials, including two on dry needling, four on isometric exercises, and three on eccentric exercises. The quality of the included studies ranged from 70% to 93%, as evaluated through the McMaster Critical Review Form. The two dry needling trials were deemed to be of high quality (93%), while the four isometric trials were classified as moderate quality (75%). Similarly, the three trials on eccentric exercises were rated at an average of 78%, indicating moderate quality.Of the nine trials, six were randomized controlled trials, with a 1B level of evidence (Grade A recommendation), while three trials, comprising two cross-over trials and one controlled clinical trial, were categorized as 2B evidence (Grade B recommendation). The findings from this review suggest that dry needling and eccentric exercises are more effective for long-term pain reduction and improvement in knee function, whereas isometric exercises appear to provide greater benefit for short-term pain relief, particularly during athletic activity. Although physical therapy-based interventions show promise for sustained management, the limited data underscores the need for further high-quality research in this domain. Systematic Review Registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.asp?ID=CRD42022360057, identifier (CRD42022360057).

Patients' requests and physicians' prescribing behavior. A systematic review.

Patients' requests and physicians' prescribing behavior. A systematic review.

Over-the-counter Psychosis: A Systematic Review of the Misuse of Antihistamines, Cough Medicines, and Decongestants and the Risk of Developing Psychosis.

The widespread availability and accessibility of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines play a vital role in modern healthcare systems, enabling individuals to manage minor health concerns independently. However, certain OTC medications possess pharmacological properties that render them susceptible to misuse and abuse, including stimulants, laxatives, sedatives, and opiate-containing products. Misuse involves improper dosage, duration, or indication, while abuse entails non-therapeutic use to achieve psychoactive effects or other illicit purposes, potentially leading to dependence and addiction. This review explores the risk of developing psychotic symptoms associated with OTC drug misuse. Synthesizing existing literature, it comprehensively examines the relationship between antihistamines, cough medicines, and decongestants misuse, and the onset of psychotic symptoms. A systematic literature review was carried out using Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases through the following search strategy: ("diphenhydramine" OR "promethazine" OR "chlorpheniramine" OR "dimenhydrinate" OR "dextromethorphan" OR "pseudoephedrine" OR codeine- based cough medicines) AND ("abuse" OR "misuse" OR "craving" OR "addiction") NOT review NOT (animal OR rat OR mouse). For data gathering purposes, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed. Research methods were registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024527558). We analysed 46 relevant studies out of an initial pool of 2,677 articles. Key findings indicate that antihistamines, dextromethorphan, and other OTC drugs can induce psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and thought disorders when abused. Dextromethorphan is particularly associated with a chronic tendency towards psychosis, whereas other substances more commonly result in acute substance-induced psychosis. The study underscores the necessity for increased awareness and specific interventions to address the misuse of OTC drugs and their potential to cause significant psychiatric disorders, emphasizing the broader public health implications of such misuse.

Propofol Versus Methohexital in Electroconvulsive Therapy: Impact on Treatment Efficacy and Adverse Effects. A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a widely used treatment for depression, but the choice of the anesthetic that is used for induction may affect both clinical outcomes and the occurrence of adverse effects (AEs). Propofol and methohexital are frequently used in Finland, yet their relative impact on treatment efficacy and AEs remains uncertain. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases were searched up to January 21, 2025. Studies comparing propofol and methohexital in adult patients receiving ECT for depression and utilizing numeric scales for depression assessment were included. The primary outcome was the clinical treatment response, defined by the number of ECT sessions required to achieve remission. The secondary outcome was the variation of AEs associated with ECT between comparator groups. We included eight studies in the final analysis with 194 patients in the propofol group and 198 patients in the methohexital group. Five of the studies were randomized controlled trials and three were retrospective cohort studies. Three randomized controlled trials with 131 patients: 62 (47%) in propofol group and 69 (53%) in methohexital group were included in meta-analysis. The number of ECT sessions required for recovery did not differ between groups. All studies demonstrated effective alleviation of depression through ECT, regardless of anesthetic choice. However, AEs were inconsistently reported, and a comprehensive overview of the topic was not possible. Low-quality evidence suggests equal efficacy of propofol compared to methohexital with regard to clinical remission of depression after ECT. Trial Registration: PROSPERO; CRD42024520709. This systematic review and meta-analysis presents the available but limited and low-quality evidence in this study area, and supports an interpretation that propofol and methohexital have similar efficacy when facilitating electroconfulsive therapy as treatment for depression, to relieve depression symptoms.

Educational Interventions to Control Hypertension: A Systematic Review

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a noncommunicable disease and one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Educational interventions have been conducted to prevent and control HTN. This systematic review tried to summarize the effectiveness of educational interventions to improve blood pressure (BP) control. Methods: Search was done between January 15, 2023 and June 20, 2023, in databases of Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (for English articles), as well as SID, IranMedex and Magiran (for Persian articles). Educational intervention studies about controlling BP were selected. The keywords used for the search were “BP,” “HPN,” “hypertensive,” “high BP,” “HTN,” “education,” “health education,” “educational intervention,” “effectiveness,” “interventions” and “training methods.” The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) was used to determine the quality of selected studies. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and checklist were used for reporting. Results: After searching the aforementioned electronic databases, 4467 related articles (2655 in English and 1812 in Persian) were retrieved. A total of 2625 articles were duplicates, and 1821 articles did not match the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were removed. Finally, 21 studies (10 English and 11 Persian articles) entered the review. In these studies, various individual or community-based interventions were applied, including family-centered, person-centered, texting, training in group sessions, multiple interventions, and community-based interventions. Different methods were used for education, such as lectures, questions and answers (Q&A), group discussion, face-to-face training, counseling, telephone consultation, and PowerPoint presentations. The results showed the positive effect of the designed educational interventions in controlling HPN; however, studies aimed at self-care education were more effective. Conclusion: Different types of educational interventions and training methods were effective in the control of HTN. Educational interventions are a cheap and applicable way to promote self-care behaviors in hypertensive patients.