5,043,467 papers found

This article is a guidance how to write systematic reviews (SR's) and meta-analyses (MA) in orthopaedics and which aspects to focus on for transparency, systematicity and readability. Both SR and MA summarise and synthesise the best evidence available on a specific topic. This requires a systematic, structured and tran…

In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. To identify research gaps and inform HIV prevention for MSM, we conducted a scoping review of systematic reviews using CDC's Prevention Research Synthesis database. Eligibility criteria comprised English-language systematic re…

BACKGROUND: Favorable outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cancer (GBC) have been reported; yet consensus on the indications and surgical techniques for laparoscopic surgery for GBC is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current status of laparoscopic surgery for GBC by analyzing the results of a survey of…

INTRODUCTION: Pain is a significant healthcare challenge, impacting millions worldwide. Pharmacists have increasingly taken on expanded roles in managing pain, particularly in primary and ambulatory care contexts. This umbrella review aims to systematically evaluate evidence from published systematic reviews that explo…

When atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in pre-operative open heart surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting and valve operations, it represents an independent risk factor for cardiac events and reduced survival. Due to the complexity of the subject, especially when evaluating success rates (reversion and…

OBJECTIVE: To describe the principal role of value judgments in the analysis and synthesis of evidence as they are involved in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and health technology assessments. METHOD: Using the tools of conceptual analysis, we characterize three main types of value judgments and propose an outline…

OBJECTIVE: We present a case of neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) diagnosed with magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) in the acute stage. METHODS: NA is an uncommon neurologic syndrome that affects mainly the brachial plexus. MRN is considered to be more sensitive than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for peripheral nervous s…

Diagnostic protocols for acromegaly have evolved over time reflecting the refinement of assays for the biochemical assessment of the GH-IGF-I axis and greater understanding of disease process. In February 1999, an International Consensus Conference was held in Cortina, Italy, to define the criteria for cure of acromega…

Asthma and atopy are complex phenotypes that are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. A review of nearly 500 papers on disease association studies identified 25 genes that have been associated with an asthma or atopy phenotype in six or more populations. An additional 54 genes have been associated in 2…

A critical evaluation of existing scientific evidence of treatment efficacy can be an important part of communicating risk and benefits of treatment options to patients during the course of clinical practice. A checklist of key methodological issues to examine when reading a research study is presented and discussed. S…

PURPOSE: From a social interactional and ecological framework, studies were reviewed that (1) compared family factors in children with epilepsy with those in children from normative groups, healthy children, children with a chronic illness, or siblings; and (2) examined the relationship between distinct family factors…

Inflexible use of evidence hierarchies confuses practitioners and irritates researchers. So how can we improve the way we assess research?

Creating good guidelines

OBJECTIVES: To collate and appraise evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on interventions to prevent stillbirth and reduce perinatal mortality across the reproductive continuum, including preconception, antenatal, intrapartum and immediate newborn periods. DESIGN: Umbrella review synthesising ev…

CONTEXT: Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and curcumin may help improve lipid metabolism. OBJECTIVE: This umbrella review and updated meta-analysis assessed the effects of curcumin supplementation on lipid profiles. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (Medline, Sc…