Studies Reporting Prevalence Data Research Articles

Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis and pharyngeal carriage: A meta-analysis.

ObjectiveAntibiotic treatment of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis is important in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) prevention, however clinical guidelines for prescription vary. GAS carriers with acute viral infections may receive antibiotics unnecessarily. This review assessed the prevalence of GAS pharyngitis and carriage in different settings.MethodsA random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Prevalence estimates for GAS+ve pharyngitis, serologically-confirmed GAS pharyngitis and asymptomatic pharyngeal carriage were generated. Findings were stratified by age group, recruitment method and country income level. Medline and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant literature published between 1 January 1946 and 7 April 2017. Studies reporting prevalence data on GAS+ve or serologically-confirmed GAS pharyngitis that stated participants exhibited symptoms of pharyngitis or upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) were included. Included studies reporting the prevalence of asymptomatic GAS carriage needed to state participants were asymptomatic.Results285 eligible studies were identified. The prevalence of GAS+ve pharyngitis was 24.1% (95% CI: 22.6–25.6%) in clinical settings (which used ‘passive recruitment’ methods), but less in sore throat management programmes (which used ‘active recruitment’, 10.0%, 8.1–12.4%). GAS+ve pharyngitis was more prevalent in high-income countries (24.3%, 22.6–26.1%) compared with low/middle-income countries (17.6%, 14.9–20.7%). In clinical settings, approximately 10% of children swabbed with a sore throat have serologically-confirmed GAS pharyngitis, but this increases to around 50–60% when the child is GAS culture-positive. The prevalence of serologically-confirmed GAS pharyngitis was 10.3% (6.6–15.7%) in children from high-income countries and their asymptomatic GAS carriage prevalence was 10.5% (8.4–12.9%). A lower carriage prevalence was detected in children from low/middle income countries (5.9%, 4.3–8.1%).ConclusionsIn active sore throat management programmes, if the prevalence of GAS detection approaches the asymptomatic carriage rate (around 6–11%), there may be little benefit from antibiotic treatment as the majority of culture-positive patients are likely carriers.

Prevalence of otologic signs and symptoms in adult patients with temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of otologic signs and symptoms in adult patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Search strategies were developed for each of the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, Proquest, LIVIVO, and Google Scholar and OpenGrey was used to assess the grey literature. It was included in this review only observational studies using either research diagnostic criteria (RDC)/TMD or DC/TMD indexes were selected. The Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data from the Joanna Briggs Institute was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. A proportion random effects meta-analysis was conducted within the eight included studies. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were selected. All of the included studies used the RDC/TMD and report associated otologic signs and symptoms. The studies were clustered into groups based on prevalence for each individual sign or symptom. The most prevalent otologic symptom associated with TMD was ear fullness (74.8% standard deviation (SD), 43.02 to 96.25%; n=50), followed by otalgia (55.1% SD, 31.78 to 77.30; n=386), tinnitus (52.1% SD, 38.43 to 65.74; n=1293), vertigo (40.8% SD, 11.29 to 74.72; n=374), and hearing loss (38.9% SD, 2.83 to 85.46; n=744). The prevalence of otologic signs and symptoms in adult patients with TMD is high. The most prevalent otologic symptom in patient adults with TMD is ear fullness. This study intends to provide understanding over the prevalence of otologic signs and symptoms in TMD cases in adults.

The development of a critical appraisal tool for use in systematic reviews addressing questions of prevalence.

Recently there has been a significant increase in the number of systematic reviews addressing questions of prevalence. Key features of a systematic review include the creation of an a priori protocol, clear inclusion criteria, a structured and systematic search process, critical appraisal of studies, and a formal process of data extraction followed by methods to synthesize, or combine, this data. Currently there exists no standard method for conducting critical appraisal of studies in systematic reviews of prevalence data. A working group was created to assess current critical appraisal tools for studies reporting prevalence data and develop a new tool for these studies in systematic reviews of prevalence. Following the development of this tool it was piloted amongst an experienced group of sixteen healthcare researchers. The results of the pilot found that this tool was a valid approach to assessing the methodological quality of studies reporting prevalence data to be included in systematic reviews. Participants found the tool acceptable and easy to use. Some comments were provided which helped refine the criteria. The results of this pilot study found that this tool was well-accepted by users and further refinements have been made to the tool based on their feedback. We now put forward this tool for use by authors conducting prevalence systematic reviews.

MRSA Nasal Colonization in Children

We report a meta-analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization prevalence in children and a review of the risk factors as well as molecular genetic characterization. All relevant studies reporting prevalence data on MRSA nasal colonization in children published between January 2000 and August 2010 were retrieved from the MEDLINE database and analyzed. After screening 544 studies, 50 studies were included. We obtained an estimate of MRSA prevalence of 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-3.1); of 5.2% (95% CI: 3.1-7.3) in children with underlying conditions and of 2.3% (95% CI: 1.8-2.7) in healthy children; 5.4% (95% CI: 3.1-7.7) in children recruited in hospitals and 3% (95% CI: 2.4-3.6) in children recruited in the community. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV is the most diffused cassette globally. The hospital remains the environment where the microorganism circulates most. Children with underlying conditions could act as vectors of microorganisms between the hospital and the community. MRSA prevention strategies should be tailored to each specific institution, taking into account the nosocomial prevalence of MRSA nasal colonization and infections, and the prevalence of nasal colonization in the community that refers to the specific health care center.

The prevalence of incontinence in people with cognitive impairment or dementia living at home: A systematic review

To investigate the prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence in people with cognitive impairment or dementia, living at home. We searched electronic databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, BNI, and the Cochrane Library (including DARE, NTIS), from January 1, 1990 to 2012 week 13 (April 4) for studies reporting prevalence data of urinary and fecal incontinence in the population of interest. Quality assessments of studies considered risk of bias in criteria for prevalence studies. Due to the heterogeneity of the included study populations and results, meta-analysis was not appropriate and a narrative analysis was undertaken. From 427 references, eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies provided prevalence rates as findings incidental to their primary question. Populations and assessment tools were varied. Reported prevalence of urinary incontinence ranged from 1.1% in a general community population to 38% in those receiving home care services. Reported rates of fecal incontinence were from 0.9% in a community population to 27% in a population attending an old age psychiatry outpatient clinic. The prevalence of incontinence in people with dementia or cognitive impairment living at home has not been clearly established. Population level data is required to inform clinicians and to reliably underpin decision-making in service planning, resource allocation and interventions for people with dementia and incontinence.

HIV infection and sexual risk behaviour among youth who have experienced orphanhood: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that orphaned children and adolescents might have elevated risk for HIV infection. We examined the state of evidence regarding the association between orphan status and HIV risk in studies of youth aged 24 years and younger.MethodsUsing systematic review methodology, we identified 10 studies reporting data from 12 countries comparing orphaned and non-orphaned youth on HIV-related risk indicators, including HIV serostatus, other sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and sexual behaviours. We meta-analyzed data from six studies reporting prevalence data on the association between orphan status and HIV serostatus, and we qualitatively summarized data from all studies on behavioural risk factors for HIV among orphaned youth.ResultsMeta-analysis of HIV testing data from 19,140 participants indicated significantly greater HIV seroprevalence among orphaned (10.8%) compared with non-orphaned youth (5.9%) (odds ratio = 1.97; 95% confidence interval = 1.41-2.75). Trends across studies showed evidence for greater sexual risk behaviour in orphaned youth.ConclusionsStudies on HIV risk in orphaned populations, which mostly include samples from sub-Saharan Africa, show nearly two-fold greater odds of HIV infection among orphaned youth and higher levels of sexual risk behaviour than among their non-orphaned peers. Interventions to reduce risk for HIV transmission in orphaned youth are needed to address the sequelae of parental illness and death that might contribute to sexual risk and HIV infection.

Barcelona's asthma epidemics.

<h3>Introduction</h3> The global uptake rates of lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose CT remain low. Since numerous factors contribute to the underuse of LCS, a theory-informed approach to identify and address the uptake of LCS barriers and facilitators is required. This study aims to document the methods which were used to identify, appraise, and synthesise the available qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods evidence, addressing the barriers and facilitators at the individual and healthcare provider level, according to the social–ecological model, before identifying gaps to aid future practices and policies. <h3>Methods and analysis</h3> The following databases will be searched: PubMed, Ovid (Journals @ Ovid Full Text and Ovid MEDLINE), EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database, from their creation up to 31 December 2020. Two reviewers will be involved in independently screening, reviewing, and synthesising the data; and calibration exercises will be conducted at each stage. Disagreements between the two reviewers will be resolved by arbitration by a third reviewer. The Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data from the Joanna Briggs Institute, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme criteria adapted for qualitative studies, and the 16-item Quality Assessment Tool (QATSDD) will be used in the quality assessment of primary studies. We will perform data synthesis using the Review Manager software, V.5.3. <h3>Ethics and dissemination</h3> This study is a review of published data and therefore needs no ethical approval. The findings of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. <h3>Trial registration number</h3> CRD42020162802.