Acupuncture for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: an overview of systematic reviews / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate the report quality, methodological quality and evidence quality of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of acupuncture for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).@*METHODS@#The SRs/MAs of acupuncture for IVF-ET were searched electronically from databases of CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, from inception of each database to September 27th, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Using PRISMA statement, the AMSTAR 2 scale and the GRADE system, the report quality, methodological quality and evidence quality of the included SRs/MAs were assessed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 28 SRs/MAs were included, with PRISMA scores ranging from 8.5 points to 27 points. The problems of report quality focused on protocol and registration, retrieval, risk of bias in studies, additional analysis, limitations and funding. The methodological quality of included studies was generally low, reflecting on items 2, 3, 7, 10, 12 and 16. A total of 85 outcome indexes were included in the GRADE system for evidence grade evaluation. Most of the evidences were low or very low in quality. The reasons for the downgrade were related to study limitations, inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture therapy improves the outcomes of IVF-ET, but the methodological quality and evidence quality of related SRs/MAs are low. It is recommended to conduct more high-quality studies in the future to provide more reliable evidences.

Re-evaluation of systematic reviews of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the methodological quality, report quality and evidence quality of the Meta-analysis and systematic reviews of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy, aiming to provide decision-making basis for clinical treatment.@*METHODS@#The systematic reviews and Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for children with cerebral palsy were searched in CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMbase. The retrieval time was from the database establishment to June 30th, 2022. AMSTAR 2 (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews) was used to evaluate the methodological quality， and PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analyses) was used to evaluate the report quality, and GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.@*RESULTS@#A total of 14 systematic reviews were included, including 37 primary outcome indexes. According to AMSTAR 2 evaluation results, there were 4 low quality studies, 10 very low quality studies, and low scores on items 2, 4, 7, 10 and 16. PRISMA scores ranged from 15 to 25, and the main reporting problems reflected in structured abstracts, program and registration, retrieval, and funding sources, etc. According to the GRADE classification results, there were 3 high quality evidences, 7 medium quality evidences, 10 low quality evidences and 17 very low quality evidences. The main downgrading factors were limitations, imprecision and publication bias.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture and moxibustion has a certain effect for cerebral palsy in children, but the quality of methodology, reporting and evidence in the included literature is poor, and the comparison of curative effect between different acupuncture and moxibustion methods is unclear.

Re-evaluation of systematic reviews of acupuncture and moxibustion for childhood autism / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To re-evaluate the systematic review/Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for childhood autism (CA), aiming to provide decision-making basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*METHODS@#The systematic review and/or Meta-analysis of acupuncture and moxibustion for CA were searched in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases. The retrieval time was from the database establishment to May 5th, 2022. PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and Meta-analyses) was used to evaluate the report quality, and AMSTAR 2 (a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews 2) was used to evaluate the methodological quality, bubble map was used to construct the evidence map and GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.@*RESULTS@#A total of 9 systematic reviews were included. The PRISMA scores ranged from 13 to 26. The report quality was low, and there was a serious lack in the aspects of program and registration, search, other analysis and funding. The main problems in methodology included not making prespecified protocol, incomplete retrieval strategy, not providing a list of excluded literatures, and incomplete explanation on heterogeneity analysis and bias risk. The evidence map showed that 6 conclusions were valid, 2 conclusions were possible valid and 1 conclusion was uncertain valid. The overall quality of evidence was low, and the main factors leading to the downgrade were limitations, followed by inconsistency, imprecision and publication bias.@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture and moxibustion has a certain effect for CA, but the quality of reporting, methodology and evidence in included literature need to be improved. It is suggested to perform high-quality and standardized research in the future to provide evidence-based basis.

The importance of full text screening when judging eligibility criteria in a systematic review: a systematic survey / A importância da avaliação do texto completo ao julgar os critérios de elegibilidade em uma revisão sistemática: uma revisão de métodos

Aim: To evaluate if statistically significant results are more likely to be reported in title/abstracts compared to non-significant outcomes. Methods: In this methodological survey, we reanalyzed 59 observational studies from a previous systematic review. The PECO question was: Patient (P): children with primary teeth; Exposure (E): low birth weight and/or preterm; Comparison (C): normal birth weight and/or full-term; Outcome (O): dental caries. We analyzed the presence of key terms in the titles and abstracts, such as gestational age, preterm, full-term, birth weight, low/normal birth weight. Full texts were analyzed for "positive outcomes" (statistically significant association, p < 0.05 or 95% CI not crossing the null effect line) related to the association between the outcome and the exposure; and "negative outcomes" (when the outcome had statistically similar occurrence between the exposure and the comparison group). The odds ratio (OR) was calculated between the presence of key terms in titles/abstracts and the type of outcome (positive or negative). Results: Of 59 studies, 66% cited the key terms in titles/abstracts, and 75% reported negative outcomes. Studies with positive outcomes were more likely to report key terms in the titles/abstracts compared to studies with negative outcomes (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 0.9-22.4; Chi-square test: p = 0.06). Studies with statistically significant outcomes, favoring the exposure or the comparison, were more likely to report these data in the titles/abstracts. Conclusion: When conducting a systematic review, the final decision related to the inclusion of a study must be based on a full-text level.

Objetivo: Avaliar se os resultados estatisticamente significativos são mais prováveis de serem relatados nos títulos/resumos dos artigos do que os resultados não significativos. Métodos: Neste levantamento metodológico, foram reanalisados 59 estudos observacionais de uma revisão sistemática anterior. A questão PECO foi: Paciente (P): crianças com dentes decíduos; Exposição (E): baixo peso ao nascer e/ou pré-termo; Comparação (C): peso normal ao nascer e/ou a termo; Resultado (O): cárie dentária. Foi analisada a presença de termos-chave nos títulos/resumos, como idade gestacional, pré-termo, a termo, peso ao nascer, baixo/peso normal ao nascer. Textos completos foram analisados para "desfechos positivos" (associação estatisticamente significativa, p < 0,05 ou IC 95% não cruzando a linha de efeito nulo) relacionados à associação entre o desfecho e a exposição; e "desfechos negativos" (quando o desfecho teve ocorrência estatisticamente semelhante entre a exposição e o grupo de comparação). Foi calculada a odds ratio (OR) entre a presença de termos-chave nos títulos/resumos e o tipo de resultado (positivo ou negativo). Resultados: Dos 59 estudos, 66% citaram os termos-chave nos títulos/resumos e 75% relataram resultados negativos. Estudos com resultados positivos foram mais propensos a relatar os termos-chave nos títulos/resumos em comparação com estudos com resultados negativos (OR: 4,5; IC 95%: 0,9-22,4; teste do qui-quadrado: p = 0,06). Estudos com significância estatística os desfechos, favorecendo a exposição ou a comparação, foram mais propensos a relatar esses dados nos títulos/resumos. Conclusão: Ao realizar uma revisão sistemática, a decisão final quanto à inclusão de um estudo deve ser baseada por meio da análise do texto completo.

Compreendendo o GRADE: PICO e qualidade dos estudos / Understanding GRADE system: PICO and study quality

A saúde baseada em evidências se refere ao uso criterioso do conhecimento científico existente, oriundo de pesquisas clínicas, utilizando metodologias específicas que garantam solidez e clareza nas informações a serem aplicadas na tomada de decisão clínica. Dessa forma, reduzem-se as incertezas no julgamento clínico. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever a metodologia PICO e a qualidade dos estudos com base no sistema GRADE. (AU)

Evidence-based health refers to the judicious use of existing scientific knowledge from clinical research, using specific methodologies that ensure solidity and clarity to the information to be applied in clinical decision-making, thus reducing uncertainties in clinical judgment. The objective of this article is to describe PICO methodology and the quality of studies in the GRADE system. (AU)

Sobre las revisiones sistemáticas y narrativas de la literatura en Medicina / On systematic and narrative literature reviews in medicine

Las revisiones de la literatura son cada día más frecuentes en el ámbito biomédico, ya sea de tipo narrativo, revisiones sistemáticas o meta-análisis. En este artículo se revisan y describen las características de cada una de ellas, con sus ventajas y desventajas. Además, se presentan los principales elementos a tener en consideración en el análisis de los meta-análisis, incluyendo análisis de sensibilidad, búsqueda de heterogeneidad y sesgos de publicación.

Reviews are becoming more common in the biomedical field, whether it be a narrative type, systematic review, or meta-analysis. In this article, I review and describe the characteristics of each of them, with their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, I discuss main elements to considerer when you read meta-analyzes, including sensitivity analysis, search for heterogeneity and, publication biases.

Association between Retinal Vascular Geometric Changes and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was detected in retinal arteriolar tortuosity (Z=0.91) and venular tortuosity (Z=1.31) (both p>0.05). However, the retinal arteriolar FD (mean difference: −0.03, 95% CI: −0.05, −0.01) and venular FD (mean difference: −0.03, 95% CI: −0.05, −0.02) were associated with cognitive impairment.CONCLUSIONS: A smaller retinal microvascular FD might be associated with cognitive impairment. Further large-sample and well-controlled original studies are required to confirm the present findings.

Effect of periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis and diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of periodontal treatment on glycemic control and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and periodontitis Objective: To evaluate the effect of scaling and root planing (SRP) on the metabolic control and systemic inflammation of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methodology: A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE database via PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from their oldest records up to July 2018. Only randomized clinical trials (RCT) were considered eligible for evaluating the effect of periodontal treatment on markers of metabolic control [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C)] and systemic inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP)] in patients with T2D. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk assessment tool. Meta-analyses were performed for HbA1c and CRP using random effects models. The size of the overall intervention effect was estimated by calculating the weighted average of the differences in means (DM) between the groups in each study. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-statistic method (x2 and I²). The level of significance was established at p<0.05. Results: Nine RCT were included. SRP was effective in reducing HbA1c [DM=0.56 (0.36-0.75); p<0.01] and CRP [DM=1.89 (1.70-2.08); p<0.01]. No heterogeneity was detected (I2=0%, p>0.05). Conclusions: SRP has an impact on metabolic control and reduction of systemic inflammation of patients with T2D.

GIRADS: método de clasificación de masas anexiales, revisión sistemática y metanálisis. 10 años de experiencia / GIRADS: adnexal masses classification method, systematic review and metanalysis. 10 years of experience

OBJETIVO: evaluar la experiencia en la utilización del método GIRADS para clasificar masas anexiales a diez años de su primera publicación. MÉTODO: Se realizó búsqueda de estudios que utilizan el sistema GIRADS: Medline (Pubmed), Google Scholar y Web of Science, desde enero de 2009 hasta diciembre de 2019. Se calculó la sensibilidad y especificidad agrupada, Likelihood ratio (LR) (+) y LR (-) y Odds ratio de diagnóstico (DOR). La calidad de los estudios se evaluó con QUADAS-2. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 15 estudios y se incluyeron 13 de ellos con 4473 masas, 878 de ellas malignas. La prevalencia media de malignidad ovárica fue del 23 % y la agrupada de 19.6%. El riesgo de sesgo fue alto en cuatro estudios para el dominio "selección de pacientes" y fue bajo en todos en todos los estudios para los dominios "prueba índice" y "prueba de referencia". La sensibilidad, especificidad, LR (+) y LR (-) agrupadas y el DOR del sistema GIRADS para clasificar las masas anexiales fueron: 96.8% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% = 94% - 98%), 91.2 % (IC 95 % = 85% - 94%), 11.0 (IC 95% = 6.9 -13.4) y 0.035 (IC 95% = 0.02- 0.09), y 209 (IC 95% = 99-444), respectivamente. La heterogeneidad fue alta para la sensibilidad y especificidad. De acuerdo a la metaregresión, la heterogeneidad entre los estudios se explica por la prevalencia de malignidad, múltiples observadores y la ausencia de diagnóstico histopatológico para todos los casos incluidos en un determinado estudio. CONCLUSIÓN: el sistema GIRADS tiene un buen rendimiento diagnóstico para clasificar masas anexiales.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the experience of using GIRADS method to classify adnexal masses ten years after its publication. METHOD: A search was carried out for studies reporting on the use of the GIRADS system in the Medline (Pubmed), Google Scholar and Web of Science databases, from January 2009 to December 2019. Pooled sensitivity and specificity, Likelihood ratio (LR) (+) and LR (-) and Diagnostic Odds ratio (DOR) were calculated. The quality of the studies was assessed by QUADAS-2. RESULTS: 15 studies were identified, and 13 of them were included with 4473 masses, of which 878 were malignant. The mean prevalence of ovarian malignancy was 23% and the prevalence pooled. of 19.6%. The risk of bias was high in four studies for the domain 'patient selection' and low for all studies for the domains 'index test' and 'reference test'. The sensitivity, specificity, pooled LR (+) and LR (-) and the DOR of the GIRADS system to classify adnexal masses were 96.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 94% -98%), 91.2 % (95% CI = 85% -94%), 11.0 (95% CI = 6.9-13.4) and 0.035 (95% CI = 0.02-0.09), and 209 (95% CI = 99-444), respectively. Heterogeneity was high for both sensitivity and specificity. According to meta-regression, this heterogeneity was explained by the prevalence of malignancy, the use of multiple observers, and the absence of histopathological diagnosis for all cases included in a given study. CONCLUSION: the GIRADS system has a good diagnostic performance to classify adnexal masses.

Mapping the tuberculosis scientific landscape among BRICS countries: a bibliometric and network analysis

BACKGROUND The five BRICS (Brazil, Russian, Indian, China, and South Africa) countries bear 49% of the world's tuberculosis (TB) burden and they are committed to ending tuberculosis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to map the scientific landscape related to TB research in BRICS countries. METHODS Were combined bibliometrics and social network analysis techniques to map the scientific publications related to TB produced by the BRICS. Was made a descriptive statistical data covering the full period of analysis (1993-2016) and the research networks were made for 2007-2016 (8,366 records). The bubble charts were generated by VantagePoint and the networks by the Gephi 0.9.1 software (Gephi Consortium 2010) from co-occurrence matrices produced in VantagePoint. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm provided the networks' layout. FINDINGS During the period 1993-2016, there were 38,315 peer-reviewed, among them, there were 11,018 (28.7%) articles related by one or more authors in a BRICS: India 38.7%; China 23.8%; South Africa 21.1%; Brazil 13.0%; and Russia 4.5% (The total was greater than 100% because our criterion was all papers with at least one author in a BRICS). Among the BRICS, there was greater interaction between India and South Africa and organisations in India and China had the highest productivity; however, South African organisations had more interaction with countries outside the BRICS. Publications by and about BRICS generally covered all research areas, especially those in India and China covered all research areas, although Brazil and South Africa prioritised infectious diseases, microbiology, and the respiratory system. MAIN CONCLUSIONS An overview of BRICS scientific publications and interactions highlighted the necessity to develop a BRICS TB research plan to increase efforts and funding to ensure that basic science research successfully translates into products and policies to help end the TB epidemic.

Ética de la revisión por pares en publicaciones científicas / Ethics of peer reviewing in scientific publications

RESUMEN La revisión por pares garantiza que los materiales publicados sean válidos y confiables, tanto como sea posible. El objetivo fue reconocer la importancia del trabajo de los revisores en las publicaciones científicas médicas y de la observación de los aspectos éticos durante su desempeño. Las revisiones por pares pueden ser a ciegas, a doble ciegas o abiertas, cada una de ellas con ventajas y desventajas. Durante las publicaciones de resultados de investigaciones científicas pueden producirse sesgos por parte de los revisores. Entre los sesgos de los revisores relacionados con faltas éticas se encuentran: los incumplimientos en plazos de revisión, la superficialidad de las revisiones, el lenguaje ofensivo contra editores o autores, el "amiguismo cognitivo" y el "sesgo de ego" por propia voluntad, entre otros. No obstante, es posible implementar acciones para minimizar los sesgos relacionados con esas faltas éticas. El trabajo de los revisores es digno de reconocer, teniendo en cuenta que casi siempre es realizado durante el tiempo libre, de forma voluntaria y por personas de alto prestigio como investigadores. En el mundo actual esta labor ha sido amenazada con la proliferación de revistas predadoras, pero también destacan los intentos para su reivindicación y promoción, como el del sitio web Publons. En el trabajo de los revisores intervienen múltiples factores, a veces contradictorios: intereses, deberes, derechos; pero todos ellos deben ponderarse sobre la base de una sólida formación y desempeño éticos (AU).

ABSTRACT Peer reviews guarantee published materials be as valid and reliable as it be possible. Recognize reviewers' work importance on scientific medical publication as well as the ethics issues to be accomplished during their performance. Development: Peer reviews could be single blind, double blind or open, each one with its advantages and disadvantages. During scientific research results publications, peer reviewer biases could be occurred. Some peer reviewer biases are related to ethical mistakes: no fulfillment of time limits, superficial evaluations, offense languages against editors or authors, at will cognitive cronyism and "ego bias", among others. Nevertheless, measures' implementation to minimize biases related to ethical mistakes is possible. The reviewers' work is suitable to be recognized, taking into account it is done almost all the times on free time, without financial compensation and by researchers with recognized prestige. In the present word, even when this work has been threat by predatory journals spreads, some intent to do it justice and promotion are highlight, as do the website Publons. Multiple factors, contradictory sometime, are involved in the reviewers' work: interests, duties, rights; but all of them should be pondering over the base of a solid ethic education and behavior (AU).

Metodologia para realizar e interpretar uma revisão sistemática e metanálise individual de dados de participantes / Methodology to perform and interpret a systematic review and individual meta-analysis of participants' data

Metanálise é o método estatístico utilizado na revisão sistemática para integrar os resultados dos estudos incluídos e aumentar o poder estatístico da pesquisa primária.Estudos de metanálise, decorrentes de uma revisão sistemática, envolvem a combinação e a análise de evidências, que são utilizadas para produzir resultados baseados em conjunto de pesquisas prévias. Métodos tradicionais de metanálise sintetizam os dados agregados obtidos de publicações de estudo, como estimativa de efeito de tratamento (odds ratio, risco relativo) e sua incerteza associada (erro padrão ou intervalo de confiança). Uma abordagem alternativa é a metanálise individual de dados de participantes ou de pacientes, nos quais os dados de nível individual bruto para cada estudo são obtidos e utilizados para síntese. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar, de forma metodológica, como realizar e interpretar uma revisão sistemática e uma metanálise individual de dados de participantes. (AU)

A meta-analysisis the statistical method used in the systematic review to integrate the result sof includeds tudies, and to increase the statistical power of primary research. Meta-analysis studies, stemming from a systematic review, involve the combination and analysis of evidence that are used to produce results based on a set of previous research. Traditional meta-analysis methods synthesize aggreg ate data obtained from study publications, such as anestimate of treatment effect (odds ratio, relative risk) and the ir associated uncertainty (standard error or confidence interval). An alternative approach isthe individual meta-analysis of participants' or patients' data, in whichgross individual-level data for eachstudy are obtained and used for synthesis. The objective of this articleis to present a method o logical way of performing and in ter preting a systematic review and individual meta-analysisof the participants' data. (AU)

Tafamidis, a Noninvasive Therapy for Delaying Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tafamidis functions to delay the loss of function in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP), which is a rare inherited amyloidosis with progressive sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of tafamidis in TTR-FAP patients, with the aim of improving the evidence-based medical evidence of this treatment option for TTP-FAP. METHODS: A systematic search of the English-language literature in five databases was performed through to May 31, 2018 by two reviewers who independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We extracted efficacy and safety outcomes and performed a meta-analysis. Statistical tests were performed to check for heterogeneity and publication bias. RESULTS: The meta-analysis identified six relevant studies. The tafamidis group showed smaller changes from baseline in the Neuropathy Impairment Score–Lower Limbs [mean difference (MD)=−3.01, 95% confidence interval (CI)=−3.26 to −2.75, p < 0.001] and the Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy total quality of life score (MD=−6.67, 95% CI=−9.70 to −3.64, p < 0.001), and a higher modified body mass index (MD=72.45, 95% CI=69.41 to 75.49, p < 0.001), with no significant difference in total adverse events [odds ratio (OR)=0.69, 95% CI=0.35 to 1.35, p=0.27]. The incidence of adverse events did not differ between tafamidis and placebo treatment except for fatigue (OR=0.13, 95% CI=0.02 to 0.72, p=0.02) and hypesthesia (OR=0.16, 95% CI=0.03 to 0.92, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis has demonstrated that tafamidis delays neurologic progression and preserves a better nutritional status and the quality of life. The rates of adverse events did not differ between the patients in the tafamidis and placebo groups. Tafamidis might be a safer noninvasive option for patients with TTR-FAP.

Association of pretreatment thrombocytosis with prognosis in ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between pre-treatment thrombocytosis and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles regarding the prognosis of OC patients with pre-treatment thrombocytosis by the end of March 2018. Pooled estimates for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) events were calculated as hazard ratios (HRs) either on a fixed or random effect model by Stata 13.0 software. Funnel plot and Egger's test were applied to evaluate publication bias and sensitivity analyses were undertaken to estimate the strength of outcomes. RESULTS: Eleven studies that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, including a total of 4,953 patients. Pooled results showed that pre-treatment thrombocytosis was significantly associated with OS (HR=1.722; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.437–2.064) and PFS (HR=1.452; 95% CI=1.323–1.593) in the cohort. Significant correlation was found in OS and PFS between pre-treatment thrombocytosis and both epithelial OC (all stages and differentiation degrees of OC) and advanced epithelial OC (III or IV) by subgroup analyses, which were performed according to publication year, country, case numbers, OC category, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and cut-off value. However, subgroup analyses indicated no significant correlation between pre-treatment thrombocytosis and OS for patients with high-grade serous (poorly differentiated or undifferentiated) OC (HR=1.220; 95% CI=0.946–1.573; p=0.125). Egger's test demonstrated no obvious publication bias in the articles enrolled in this study (OS: p=0.226; PFS: p=0.071). CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment thrombocytosis might be taken as an independent prognostic indicator for patients with OC.

High Temperatures and Kidney Disease Morbidity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, serious concerns have been raised regarding the impacts of rising temperatures on health. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between elevated temperatures and kidney disease through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: In October 2017, 2 researchers independently searched related studies in PubMed and Embase. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, including only studies that presented odds ratios, relative risks, or percentage changes, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The characteristics of each study were summarized, and the Egger test and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: Eleven studies that met the criteria were included in the final analysis. The pooled results suggest an increase of 30% (95% CI, 20 to 40) in kidney disease morbidity with high temperatures. In a disease-specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed for both renal colic or kidney stones and other renal diseases. In a study design–specific subgroup analysis, statistically significant results were observed in both time-series analyses and studies with other designs. In a temperature measure–specific subgroup analysis, significant results were likewise found for both studies using mean temperature measurements and studies measuring heat waves or heat stress. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that morbidity due to kidney disease increases at high temperatures. We also found significant results in subgroup analyses. However, further time-series analyses are needed to obtain more generalizable evidence.

Influence of Anesthesia Type on Outcomes after Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Meta-Analysis / 신경중재치료의학

PURPOSE: To assess clinical and angiographic outcomes after endovascular treatment (EVT) in ischemic stroke patients according to anesthesia types (general anesthesia vs. conscious sedation). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review through an online data base between January 1990 and September 2017 was performed. A fixed effect model was used in cases of <50% heterogeneity. The primary outcomes were good clinical outcome at the 3-month follow-up and successful recanalization. A meta-regression analysis was done to estimate primary outcomes of log odds ratio (OR) on onset-to-puncture time (OTP) differences. Publication bias was determined using Begg’s funnel plot and additional the Trim and Fill method. RESULTS: Sixteen articles including 2,662 patients (general anesthesia, n=1,275; conscious sedation, n=1,387) were included. General anesthesia significantly decreased good outcomes than conscious sedation (OR, 0.564; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.354–0.899). However, outcomes did not differ significantly in randomized controlled trials (RCTs; OR, 1.101; 95% CI, 0.395–3.071). Anesthesia type was not associated with successful recanalization (OR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.787–1.233). General anesthesia increased the risk of mortality (OR, 1.532; 95% CI, 1.187–1.976) and pneumonia (OR, 1.613; 95% CI, 1.172–2.221), but not symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 1.125; 95% CI, 0.767–1.652). The meta-regression analysis showed no linear relationship between OTP differences and log OR of good outcome (coefficient, 0.0004; P=0.95) or successful recanalization (coefficient, 0.0005; P=0.94), respectively. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia seemed to be associated with adverse clinical outcome after EVT. However, its efficacy was not demonstrated in RCTs. Successful recanalization did not differ according to anesthesia type. Studies using individual patient data based on further RCTs are necessary to elucidate anesthesia effect on procedural and clinical outcomes.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insufficient systematic reviews were conducted in the previous meta-analyses about the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with CKD. METHODS: A systematic review of studies that evaluated the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with CKD compared to a control group was performed. Only studies with adult patients were included, and studies with renal transplant recipients or diabetic nephropathy patients were excluded. Random-effects model meta-analyses with sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted to confirm the robustness of the main result. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore the influence of potential heterogeneity on the outcomes. The methodological quality of the included publications was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Nonrandomized Studies. Publication bias was also assessed. RESULTS: In total, 47 studies were identified and analyzed. The total prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48.2% (1,968/4,084) in patients with CKD and 59.3% (4,097/6,908) in the control group. Pooled analysis showed a significantly lower prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with CKD (vs control group: odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.79). Sensitivity analyses revealed consistent results, and meta-regression analysis showed no significant confounders. No publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest a lower prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with CKD.

Intervention meta-analysis: application and practice using R software / 한국역학회지

The objective of this study was to describe general approaches for intervention meta-analysis available for quantitative data synthesis using the R software. We conducted an intervention meta-analysis using two types of data, continuous and binary, characterized by mean difference and odds ratio, respectively. The package commands for the R software were “metacont”, “metabin”, and “metagen” for the overall effect size, “forest” for forest plot, “metareg” for meta-regression analysis, and “funnel” and “metabias” for the publication bias. The estimated overall effect sizes, test for heterogeneity and moderator effect, and the publication bias were reported using the R software. In particular, the authors indicated methods for calculating the effect sizes of the target studies in intervention meta-analysis. This study focused on the practical methods of intervention meta-analysis, rather than the theoretical concepts, for researchers with no major in statistics. Through this study, the authors hope that many researchers will use the R software to more readily perform the intervention meta-analysis and that this will in turn generate further related research.

Efficacy of miltefosine compared with glucantime for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 한국역학회지

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is most common form of leishmaniasis and is characterized by ulcerative skin lesions. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials that compared the efficacy of miltefosine and glucantime for the treatment of CL. We searched the following databases: Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform search portal of World Health Organization, Sid, Irandoc, Magiran, and clinicaltrials.gov. We used keywords including “miltefosine,” “glucantime,” and “Leishmania.” The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A random-effects model was employed for the analysis. We assessed heterogeneity by the chi-square test and the I² index statistic. When heterogeneity was present, meta-regression analyses were performed. The Egger method was used to assess publication bias; when it was significant, the trim-and-fill method was used to test and adjust for publication bias. A total of 1,570 reports were identified, of which 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. In the meta-analysis, there was no significant difference between the efficacy of miltefosine and glucantime; however, subgroup analysis showed that, regarding parasite species other than Leishmania braziliensis, miltefosine was significantly superior to glucantime (intention to treat; relative risk, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.32). In the meta-regression, only the glucantime injection type was significant at the p=0.1 level. The Egger test found statistically significant publication bias; however, including the 3 missing studies in the trim-and-fill analysis did not change the results. This meta-analysis found that miltefosine seems to be more effective than glucantime, at least in species other than L. braziliensis, for treating CL.