381,857 papers found

When analyzed separately, data from small studies provide only limited information with limited clinical generalizability, due to small sample size, differing assessments, and limited scope. In this methodological paper we outline a theoretical framework for performing meta-analysis of data obtained from disparate stud…

Over the past two decades neuroimaging data have accumulated showing that the cerebellum, traditionally viewed only as a motor structure, is also active in a wide variety of sensory and cognitive tasks. We have proposed that instead of explicit involvement in any particular motor, sensory, or cognitive task, the cerebe…

OBJECTIVES: To study whether the reporting of clinical outcomes in arthritis trials measured on ordinal and interval scales is adequate in relation to meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic review of randomised trials of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Optimal reporting was def…

OBJECTIVE: To replicate and to critique a recently published meta-analysis[1] of the incidence of nonpreventable serious and fatal adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitalized patients, to better understand its results and conclusions. METHODS: The published methods described in the meta-analysis of Lazarou and colle…

BACKGROUND: Whereas several authors recently reported a positive association between the alpha2-macroglobulin gene (A2M) and late-onset AD (LOAD), others were unable to replicate these findings. Early-onset AD (EOAD) is defined as onset age <65 years. Virtually all patients with LOAD are >65 years of age. OBJECTIVE: T…

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of home visiting programmes on parenting and quality of the home environment. DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature of randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies evaluating home visiting programmes involving at least one postnatal visit. SUBJECTS: Thirty four…

Meta-analyses may become biased if the reported data in the individual trials are biased and if overlap among trials cannot be identified. We describe the unanticipated problems we encountered in collecting data for a meta-analysis comparing a new antifungal agent, fluconazole, with amphotericin B in patients with canc…

We describe a meta-analysis approach for the evaluation of a potential surrogate marker. Surrogate markers are useful in helping to identify therapeutic mechanisms of action and disease pathogenesis, and for selecting therapies to take forward from phase II to phase III clinical trials. They have also become increasing…

We performed a meta-analysis of 38 articles containing 66 treatment groups and 3443 patients in order to evaluate prognostic factors in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. To evaluate overall survival we designed a method to summarize the overall survival curve into one single figure: the log (relative risk) (LRR). Thi…

Agroforestry systems (AFS), which integrate trees into agricultural landscapes, offer a promising strategy for climate change mitigation and biodiversity restoration. The trees can access additional resources, improving soil functions and contributing to soil regeneration through increased organic matter inputs. Howeve…

BACKGROUND: Native coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for 6-8% of congenital heart defects and poses significant morbidity and mortality risks if untreated. By incorporating the most recent evidence, focusing on the pediatric population, this protocol outlines the planned approach for a systematic review and meta-…

BACKGROUND: Trial sequential methods have been introduced to address issues related to increased likelihood of incorrectly rejecting the null hypothesis in meta-analyses due to repeated significance testing. Between-study variance (&#x3c4;) and its estimate () play a crucial role in both meta-analysis and trial sequent…

OBJECTIVES: In evidence synthesis, inconsistency is typically assessed visually and with the Iand the Q statistics. However, these measures have important limitations (i) if there are few primary studies of small sample sizes or (ii) if there are multiple studies with precise estimates. In addition, with the increasing…

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. Omega-3 fatty acid insufficiency has been linked to ASD. This umbrella meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on clinical manifestations in participants with ASD. Based on the PRISMA statement, databases includi…

BACKGROUND: A Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) is recommended to meta-analyze diagnostic test accuracy studies (DTAs) based on aggregate or individual participant data. Since a GLMM does not have a closed-form likelihood function or parameter solutions, computational methods are conventionally used to approximate…

BACKGROUND: There is evidence in the literature suggesting that high time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) can reduce the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels, an important neurotrophin that plays a role in modulating cognition, learning and memory. Children and adolescents usually spend many hours a day on…

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is a significant contributor to&#xa0;newborns morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of highly effective and powerful interventions, the burden of preterm birth has not decreased. Given the relevance of the topic to clinical decision-making, strong conclusive and supporting evidence…

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in diagnostic criteria and provocation protocols has posed challenges in understanding the safety of coronary provocation testing with intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) for the contemporary diagnosis of epicardial and microvascular spasm. OBJECTIVES: We examined the safety of testing and subg…

BACKGROUND: A suboptimal meta-analysis with misleading conclusions, frequently published in the healthcare journals, can compromise decision making in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reporting quality, methodological quality, and risk of bias of meta-analyses of pharmacy services. METHODS: Systematic se…