5,003,322 papers found

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to evaluate critically the evidence from systematic reviews as well as narrative reviews of the effects of melatonin (MLT) on health and to identify the potential mechanisms of action involved. METHODS: An umbrella review of the evidence across systematic reviews and narrative reviews of endo…

BACKGROUND: The Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized clinical trials was introduced in 2008 and has frequently been commented on and used in systematic reviews. We wanted to evaluate the tool by reviewing published comments on its strengths and challenges and by describing and analysing how the tool is applied to…

With ever-increasing prevalence of various mental disorders worldwide, a comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric disorders among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is needed to strengthen the knowledge base. This umbrella review aims to summarize the current evidence on the p…

BACKGROUND: There is a need for a clear and actionable definition of maternal sepsis, in order to better assess the burden of this condition, trigger timely and effective treatment and allow comparisons across facilities and countries. The objective of this study was to review maternal sepsis definitions and identifica…

BACKGROUND: Enhancing health equity has now achieved international political importance with endorsement from the World Health Assembly in 2009.  The failure of systematic reviews to consider effects on health equity is cited by decision-makers as a limitation to their ability to inform policy and program decision…

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to re-evaluate the systematic reviews and meta-analyses on statins for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and construct an umbrella review, thereby providing robust evidence-based for the clinical application of statins in ED treatment. METHODS: A comprehensive computerized…

AIM: Anastomotic leak (AL) is the most important complication of intestinal surgery with an anastomosis. Whilst a number of studies have defined risk factors for AL, frustratingly, low-risk patients still develop AL. Studies have looked at drain fluid analysis for detection of AL, but these findings have failed to tran…

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) is critical to ensure better quality end of life care, and older adults are often a target of ACP. However, ACP interventions and their outcomes are neither standardised nor conclusive. OBJECTIVES: To synthesise existing ACP systematic reviews and identify the types and outcomes…

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence that the search strategies upon which systematic reviews (SRs) are based frequently contain errors are incompletely reported or insensitive. OBJECTIVE: To appraise the quality of search strategies in the 10 leading specialty neurosurgical journals and identify factors associated…

INTRODUCTION: The number of systematic reviews of health economic evaluations (SR-HEs) is increasing. We aimed at providing a detailed overview of the characteristics and applied methods in recently published SR-HEs. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (03/2017) for SR-HEs published since 2015 using validated search filters.…

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgical procedures (LSP) have grown in popularity due to their purported benefits of improved effectiveness and efficiency. This study summarizes the Cochrane systematic reviews' (CSRs') evidence comparing the use of LSP versus open procedures used for surgical patient management and comparing…

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews (SRs) have been proposed as a type of research methodology that should be acceptable for a graduate research thesis. The aim of this study was to analyse whether PhD theses in European biomedical graduate programs can be partly or entirely based on SRs. METHODS: In 2016, we surveyed indi…

Systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy studies can provide the best available evidence to inform decisions regarding the use of a diagnostic test. In this guide, the authors provide a practical approach for clinicians to appraise diagnostic accuracy systematic reviews and apply their results to patient care. The fir…

OBJECTIVE: To consolidate evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the association between reproductive factors in women of reproductive age and their subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN: Umbrella review. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases for systematic review…

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are handheld electronic vaping devices which produce an aerosol formed by heating an e-liquid. Some people who smoke use ECs to stop or reduce smoking, but some organizations, advocacy groups and policymakers have discouraged this, citing lack of evidence of efficacy and safety.…

INTRODUCTION: Dry mouth is moderately prevalent in the older population. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological alternatives have been assessed to manage its manifestation. This umbrella review synthesised the evidence on approaches to managing xerostomia and hyposalivation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched for syst…

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rapid reviews have gained popularity as a pragmatic approach to synthesize evidence in a timely manner to inform decision-making in healthcare. This article provides an overview of the key concepts and methodological considerations in conducting rapid reviews, drawing from a series of recently…

Whilst there is growing evidence highlighting the importance of paternal mental illness (PMI) on child development, this relationship still remains under-studied and often over-looked. Considering the increasingly active role of fathers in their children's upbringing, a comprehensive overview of the impact of PMI on ch…

Evidence about the effects of digital health interventions (DHIs) on the psychological outcomes of perinatal women is increasing but remains inconsistent. An umbrella review was conducted to (1) assess the effect of DHIs on depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and (2) compare the effects of DHIs on different digital…

BACKGROUND: Social isolation and loneliness affect one in four older adults in many regions around the world. Social isolation and loneliness are shown to be associated with declines in physical and mental health. Intersecting social determinants of health influence both the risk of being socially isolated and lonely a…