Clinical heterogeneity in random‐effect meta‐analysis: Between‐study boundary estimate problem

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (21) ◽  
pp. 4131-4145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Yoneoka ◽  
Masayuki Henmi
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shasha Guo ◽  
Qiang Sun ◽  
Xinyang Zhao ◽  
Liyan Shen ◽  
Xuemei Zhen

Abstract Background Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health globally. Irrational utilization of antibiotics being one of the main reasons of antibiotic resistant. Children as a special group, there's more chance of getting infected. Although most of the infection is viral in etiology, antibiotics still are the most frequently prescribed medications for children. Therefore, high use of antibiotics among children raises concern about the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing. This systematic review aims to measuring prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children in China. Methods English and Chinese databases were searched to identify relevant studies evaluating the prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic utilization in Chinese children (0-18 years), which were published between 2010 and July 2020. A Meta-analysis of prevalence was performed using random effect model. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and modified Jadad score was used to assess risk of bias of studies. In addition, we explored the risk factors of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children using qualitative analysis. Results Of 10,075 studies identified, 98 eligible studies were included after excluded duplicated studies. A total of 79 studies reported prevalence and 42 studies reported risk factors for antibiotic utilization in children. The overall prevalence of antibiotic utilization among outpatients and inpatients were 63.8% (35 studies, 95% confidence interval (CI): 55.1-72.4%), and 81.3% (41 studies, 95% CI: 77.3-85.2%), respectively. In addition, the overall prevalence of caregiver’s self-medicating of antibiotics for children at home was 37.8% (4 studies, 95% CI: 7.9-67.6%). The high prevalence of antibiotics was associated with multiple factors, while lacking of skills and knowledge in both physicians and caregivers was the most recognized risk factor, caregivers put pressure on physicians to get antibiotics and self-medicating with antibiotics at home for children also were the main factors attributed to this issue. Conclusion The prevalence of antibiotic utilization in Chinese children is heavy both in hospitals and home. It is important for government to develop more effective strategies to improve the irrational use of antibiotic, especially in rural setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manit Srisurapanont ◽  
Sirijit Suttajit ◽  
Surinporn Likhitsathian ◽  
Benchalak Maneeton ◽  
Narong Maneeton

AbstractThis study compared weight and cardiometabolic changes after short-term treatment of olanzapine/samidorphan and olanzapine. Eligible criteria for an included trial were ≤ 24 weeks, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared olanzapine/samidorphan and olanzapine treatments in patients/healthy volunteers and reported weight or cardiometabolic outcomes. Three databases were searched on October 31, 2020. Primary outcomes included weight changes and all-cause dropout rates. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratios (RRs) were computed and pooled using a random-effect model. This meta-analysis included four RCTs (n = 1195). The heterogeneous data revealed that weight changes were not significantly different between olanzapine/samidorphan and olanzapine groups (4 RCTs, SDM = − 0.19, 95% CI − 0.45 to 0.07, I2 = 75%). The whole-sample, pooled RR of all-cause dropout rates (4 RCTs, RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.23, I2 = 0%) was not significant different between olanzapine/samidorphan and olanzapine groups. A lower percentage of males and a lower initial body mass index were associated with the greater effect of samidorphan in preventing olanzapine-induced weight gain. Current evidence is insufficient to support the use of samidorphan to prevent olanzapine-induced weight gain and olanzapine-induced cardiometabolic abnormalities. Samidorphan is well accepted by olanzapine-treated patients.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Zuin ◽  
Gianluca Rigatelli ◽  
Claudio Bilato ◽  
Carlo Cervellati ◽  
Giovanni Zuliani ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The prevalence and prognostic implications of pre-existing dyslipidaemia in patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and mortality risk in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing dyslipidaemia. Methods Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed in abstracting data and assessing validity. We searched MEDLINE and Scopus to locate all the articles published up to January 31, 2021, reporting data on dyslipidaemia among COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors. The pooled prevalence of dyslipidaemia was calculated using a random effects model and presenting the related 95% confidence interval (CI), while the mortality risk was estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects models with odds ratio (OR) and related 95% CI. Statistical heterogeneity was measured using the Higgins I2 statistic. Results Eighteen studies, enrolling 74.132 COVID-19 patients [mean age 70.6 years], met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of dyslipidaemia was 17.5% of cases (95% CI: 12.3-24.3%, p < 0.0001), with high heterogeneity (I2=98.7%). Pre-existing dyslipidaemia was significantly associated with higher risk of short-term death (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.19-2.41, p = 0.003), with high heterogeneity (I2=88.7%). Due to publication bias, according to the Trim-and-Fill method, the corrected random-effect ORs resulted 1.61, 95% CI 1.13-2.28, p < 0.0001 (one studies trimmed). Conclusions Dyslipidaemia represents a major comorbidity in about 18% of COVID-19 patients but it is associated with a 60% increase of short-term mortality risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000797
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Consorti ◽  
Gianmarco Panzera

BackgroundMany studies explored the use of simulation in basic surgical education, with a variety of devices, contexts and outcomes, with sometimes contradictory results.ObjectivesThe objectives of this meta-analysis were to focus the effect that the level of physical resemblance in a simulation has on the development of basic surgical skill in undergraduate medical students and to provide a foundation for the design and implementation of a simulation, with respect to its effectiveness and alignment with the learning outcomes.Study selectionWe searched PubMed and Scopus database for comparative randomised studies between simulations with a different level of resemblance. The result was synthesised as the standardised mean difference, under a random effect model.FindingsWe selected 12 out of 2091 retrieved studies, reporting on 373 undergraduate students (mean of subjects 15.54±6.89). The outcomes were the performance of simple skills and the time to complete a task. Two studies reported a scoring system; seven studies reported time for a task; and three studies reported both. The total number of measures included in the meta-analysis was 456 for score and 504 for time. The pooled effect size did not show any significant advantage in a simulation of a high level of physical resemblance over a lower level, both for the scoring system (−0.19, 95% CI −0.44 to 0.06) and for time (−0.14, 95% CI −0.54 to 0.27).ConclusionSimulations with a low level of physical resemblance showed the same effect as the simulation using a higher level of resemblance on the development of basic surgical skills in undergraduate students.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
Shih-Yi Lin ◽  
Cherry Yin-Yi Chang ◽  
Cheng-Chieh Lin ◽  
Wu-Huei Hsu ◽  
I.-Wen Liu ◽  
...  

Background: The evidence indicates that the optimal observation period following renal biopsy ranges between 6 and 8 h. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored whether differences exist in the complication rates of renal biopsies performed in outpatient and inpatient settings. Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1985 to February 2020. Two reviewers independently selected studies evaluating the bleeding risk from renal biopsies performed in outpatient and inpatient settings and reviewed their full texts. The primary and secondary outcomes were risks of bleeding and major events (including mortality) following the procedure, respectively. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the original study design (i.e., prospective or retrospective). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random effect meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Results: Data from all 10 eligible studies, which included a total of 1801 patients and 203 bleeding events, were included for analysis. Renal biopsies in outpatient settings were not associated with a higher bleeding risk than those in inpatient settings (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.59–1.11; I2 = 0%). The risk of major events was also comparable across both groups (OR = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.16–1.29; I2 = 4%). Conclusions: Similar rates of bleeding and major events following renal biopsy in outpatient and inpatient settings were observed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adineh Jafarzadeh ◽  
Alireza Mahboub-Ahari ◽  
Moslem Najafi ◽  
Mahmood Yousefi ◽  
Koustuv Dalal

Abstract Background Irrational household storage of medicines is a world-wide problem, which triggers medicine wastage as well as its associated harms. This study aimed to include all available evidences from literature to perform a focused examination of the prevalence and factors associated with medicine storage and wastage among urban households. This systematic review and meta-analysis mapped the existing literature on the burden, outcomes, and affective socio-economic factors of medicine storage among urban households. In addition, this study estimated pooled effect sizes for storage and wastage rates. Methods Household surveys evaluating modality, size, costs, and affective factors of medicines storage at home were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, SCOPUS, ProQuest, and Google scholar databases in 2019. Random effect meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were used to pool effect sizes for medicine storage and wastage prevalence among different geographical regions. Results From the 2604 initial records, 20 studies were selected for systematic review and 16 articles were selected for meta-analysis. An overall pooled-prevalence of medicine storage and real wastage rate was 77 and 15%, respectively. In this regard, some significant differences were observed between geographical regions. Southwest Asia region had the highest storage and wastage rates. The most common classes of medicines found in households belonged to the Infective agents for systemic (17.4%) and the Nervous system (16.4%). Moreover, income, education, age, the presence of chronic illness, female gender, and insurance coverage were found to be associated with higher home storage. The most commonly used method of disposal was throwing them in the garbage. Conclusions Factors beyond medical needs were also found to be associated with medicine storage, which urges effective strategies in the supply and demand side of the medicine consumption chain. The first necessary step to mitigate home storage is establishing an adequate legislation and strict enforcement of regulations on dispensing, prescription, and marketing of medicines. Patient’s pressure on excessive prescription, irrational storage, and use of medicines deserve efficient community-centered programs, in order to increase awareness on these issues. So, hazardous consequences of inappropriate disposal should be mitigated by different take back programs, particularly in low and middle income countries.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040061
Author(s):  
Getinet Ayano ◽  
Asmare Belete ◽  
Bereket Duko ◽  
Light Tsegay ◽  
Berihun Assefa Dachew

ObjectivesTo assess the global prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms, dysthymia and major depressive disorders (MDDs) among homeless people.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesDatabases including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched up to February 2020 to identify relevant studies that have reported data on the prevalence of depressive symptoms, dysthymia and MDDs among homeless people.Eligibility criteriaOriginal epidemiological studies written in English that addressed the prevalence of depressive problems among homeless people.Data extraction and synthesisA random-effect meta-analysis was performed to pool the prevalence estimated from individual studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed to compare the prevalence across the groups as well as to identify the source of heterogeneities. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s quality assessment checklist was used to measure the study quality. Cochran’s Q and the I2 test were used to assess heterogeneity between the studies.ResultsForty publications, including 17 215 participants, were included in the final analysis. This meta-analysis demonstrated considerably higher prevalence rates of depressive symptoms 46.72% (95% CI 37.77% to 55.90%), dysthymia 8.25% (95% CI 4.79% to 11.86%), as well as MDDs 26.24% (95% CI 21.02% to 32.22%) among homeless people. Our subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was high among younger homeless people (<25 years of age), whereas the prevalence of MDD was high among older homeless people (>50 years of age) when compared with adults (25–50 years).ConclusionThis review showed that nearly half, one-fourth and one-tenth of homeless people are suffering from depressive symptoms, dysthymia and MDDs, respectively, which are notably higher than the reported prevalence rates in the general population. The findings suggest the need for appropriate mental health prevention and treatment strategies for this population group.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
David Núñez-Fuentes ◽  
Esteban Obrero-Gaitán ◽  
Noelia Zagalaz-Anula ◽  
Alfonso Javier Ibáñez-Vera ◽  
Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa ◽  
...  

Balance problems are one of the most frequent symptoms in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). However, the extent and nature of this balance disorder are not known. The objective of this work was to determine the best evidence for the alteration of postural balance in patients with FMS and analyze differences with healthy controls. To meet this objective, a systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. A bibliographical search was carried out in PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and SciELO. Observational studies that assessed postural balance in patients with FMS compared to healthy subjects in baseline conditions, were selected. In a random-effect model, the pooled effect was calculated with the Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Nineteen studies reporting data of 2347 participants (95% female) were included. FMS patients showed poor balance with a large effect on static (SMD = 1.578; 95% CI = 1.164, 1.992), dynamic (SMD = 0.946; 95% CI = 0.598, 1.294), functional balance (SMD = 1.138; 95% CI = 0.689, 1.588) and on balance confidence (SMD = 1.194; 95% CI = 0.914, 1.473). Analysis of the Sensory Organization Test showed large alteration of vestibular (SMD = 1.631; 95% CI = 0.467, 2.795) and visual scores (SMD = 1.317; 95% CI = 0.153, 2.481) compared to healthy controls. Patients with FMS showed worse scores for different measures of postural balance compared to healthy controls. Concretely, FMS patients appear to have poor vestibular and visual scores with a possible somatosensory dependence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-91
Author(s):  
Yan Deng ◽  
Siqi Zhao ◽  
Guangwen Cheng ◽  
Jiajia Yang ◽  
Benchao Li ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) induced the majority number of dementia patients. The prevalence of MCI in China varied across studies with different screening tools and diagnostic criteria. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled MCI prevalence among the population aged 55 years and older in China. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, and CBMdisc were searched for studies on prevalence of MCI among Chinese elderly between January 1, 1980, and February 10, 2020. The quality assessment was conducted via external validity, internal validity, and informativity, the pooled prevalence was calculated through the random-effect model, and the homogeneity was evaluated by Cochran’s <i>Q</i> test and <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fifty-three studies with 123,766 subjects were included. The pooled prevalence of MCI among Chinese elderly was 15.4% (95% CI: 13.5–17.4%). Subgroup analyses indicated that the prevalence calculated with different screening tools was 20.2% (95% CI: 15.1–25.9%) for Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 13.0% (95% CI: 10.7–15.5%) for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). According to different diagnostic criteria, the prevalence was 14.8% (95% CI: 12.2–17.6%) for Petersen criteria, 15.0% (95% CI: 12.7–17.5%) for DSM-IV, and 21.2% (95% CI: 17.5–25.2%) for Chinese Expert Consensus on Cognitive Impairment (CECCI). Besides, women, older adults, illiterate people, rural residents, and those who lived with unhealthy lifestyles and morbidity showed higher prevalence. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The prevalence of MCI in China was 15.4%, which varied by demographics, lifestyles, morbidity, screening tools, and diagnostic criteria. In further studies, screening tools and diagnosis criteria should be considered when estimating MCI prevalence.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Angelina R. Sutin ◽  
Damaris Aschwanden ◽  
Martina Luchetti ◽  
Yannick Stephan ◽  
Antonio Terracciano

Background: A sense of purpose in life has been associated with healthier cognitive outcomes across adulthood, including risk of dementia. The robustness and replicability of this association, however, has yet to be evaluated systematically. Objective: To test whether a greater sense of purpose in life is associated with lower risk of dementia in four population-based cohorts and combined with the published literature. Methods: Random-effect meta-analysis of prospective studies (individual participant data and from the published literature identified through a systematic review) that examined sense of purpose and risk of incident dementia. Results: In six samples followed up to 17 years (four primary data and two published; total N = 53,499; n = 5,862 incident dementia), greater sense of purpose in life was associated with lower dementia risk (HR = 0.77, 95%CI = 0.73–0.81, p <  0.001). The association was generally consistent across cohorts (I2 = 47%), remained significant controlling for clinical (e.g., depression) and behavioral (e.g., physical inactivity) risk factors, and was not moderated by age, gender, or education. Conclusion: Sense of purpose is a replicable and robust predictor of lower risk of incident dementia and is a promising target of intervention for cognitive health outcomes.


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