Systematic Reviews

BACKGROUND: There has been a sharp increase in the prevalence of hypertension in young and middle-aged people at high risk of the disease. Despite the fact that good self-management can be effective in controlling blood pressure, patients do not perform well in this area, resulting in poor blood pressure control. It is therefore particularly important to gain a thorough understanding of patients' attitudes to self-management and the factors that influence them. The aim of this study was to synthesise the qualitative research on attitudes, motivations and challenges of self-management in young and middle-aged hypertensive patients, to analyse the synthesised results using the COM-B model and to propose appropriate improvement actions...

BACKGROUND: The impact of rapid urbanization taking place across the world is posing variegated challenges. Especially in terms of communicable disease, the risk is more concentrated in urban poor areas where basic amenities are inadequate. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the effective community-based interventions (CBIs) aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases among the urban poor in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

IMPORTANCE: Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder causing depigmentation. There is a lack of evidence-based medical evidence regarding ruxolitinib efficacy and safety for vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. The literature screening was independently conducted by two reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: For continuous variables, weighted mean difference (WMD) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed...

BACKGROUND: Despite primary care being largely free at the point of delivery, many Canadians experience challenges in accessing the services they need. A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence on the level of unmet need for primary care in Canada and its social determinants. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were screened from inception to December 2023 using relevant search terms for primary care and unmet healthcare needs...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a precancerous lesion that increases the risk of gastric cancer. Several preliminary studies have examined the prevalence of GIM. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted aimed estimating the global prevalence of GIM. METHODS: The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on the PRISMA reporting guidelines in the range of 1988-2022. Articles related to the purpose of the study were obtained from Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), MagIran, SID databases, and Google Scholar search engine using relevant and validated keywords in MeSH/Emtree...

BACKGROUND: People living with advanced, non-malignant chronic conditions often have extensive and complex care needs. Informal or family caregivers often provide the care and support needed by those with advanced chronic conditions at home. These informal caregivers experience many challenges associated with their caring role, which can impact their own wellbeing. Whilst there is growing evidence around the impact on carers, guidance on support for informal caregivers of patients with advanced, non-malignant, chronic conditions is lacking, with little evidence available on effective psychosocial carer interventions...

BACKGROUND: Fibrin sealants are increasingly used in head and neck surgery to aid hemostasis, but individual studies lack conclusive evidence. This systematic review investigates their effectiveness compared to placebo or usual care in head and neck surgery. METHODS: Studies comparing fibrin sealant to placebo or usual care in patients 18 years or older who have undergone soft tissue surgery of the head and neck with drain placement were included. Primary outcomes include wound complications and time to surgical drain removal postoperatively...

BACKGROUND: Home-based chemotherapy (HBC) has emerged as a standard option for treating various types of cancer, primarily to decrease the waiting time for treatment. As HBC gains more recognition, ongoing research is delving into the experiences of patients with cancer who receive chemotherapy in a home setting or chemotherapy closer to home. Understanding these experiences is vital for the use of chemotherapy delivery outside the traditional hospital environments. This review aims to synthesize and critically appraise qualitative studies that investigate the experience and perspectives of patients with cancer who received parenteral chemotherapy administration in home settings...

AIM: To provide an overview of the various influencing factors related to the positive aspects of caring for dementia patients by family caregivers. DESIGN: A systematic mixed studies review. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guided this protocol as reported. Peer-reviewed studies published in English from 1997 to the present will be searched via information sources, gray literature, and the following databases: Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pneumonia is a common but serious complication in patients with lung cancer. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of respiratory exercise on reducing postoperative pneumonia in patients with lung cancer and to provide a reliable basis for clinical treatment and nursing of patients with lung cancer. METHODS: Two reviewers searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang, and Weipu databases...

BACKGROUND: Meta-epidemiological research plays a vital role in providing empirical evidence needed to develop methodological manuals and tools, but the reporting quality has not been comprehensively assessed, and the influence of reporting guidelines remains unclear. The current study aims to evaluate the reporting quality of meta-epidemiological studies, assess the impact of reporting guidelines, and identify factors influencing reporting quality. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase for meta-epidemiological studies...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

INTRODUCTION: Enteral nutrition (EN) is the recommended nutritional support in most critically ill populations. When given by feeding tube, EN may be administered either continuously or intermittently. It is unclear which approach is superior in reducing gastrointestinal complications-such as diarrhea-and meeting nutritional targets. The main objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis are to (1) determine whether continuous or intermittent enteral nutrition is associated with higher incidence of adverse gastrointestinal outcomes, including diarrhea, and (2) determine which feeding modality is associated with reaching nutritional goals...

BACKGROUND: Arecae Semen is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in the medical service and food industry, but in recent years, the carcinogenesis of edible Arecae Semen chewing has aroused comprehensive attention, therefore it is necessary to evaluate its medicinal properties. Increasing evidence has shown that Arecae Semen Compounds (ASC) possess antidepressant ability. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ASC in the treatment of depression. METHODS: We retrieved articles in eight databases from their inception to May 2024...

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian Ministry of Health has developed and provided the Citizen's Electronic Health Record (PEC e-SUS APS), a health information system freely available for utilization by all municipalities. Given the substantial financial investment being made to enhance the quality of health services in the country, it is crucial to understand how users evaluate this product. Consequently, this scoping review aims to map studies that have evaluated the PEC e-SUS APS. METHODS: This scoping review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) framework, as well as by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Checklist extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR)...

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine that has been recently introduced as an alternative to propofol for general anesthesia. While both agents have been compared in terms of safety and efficacy, their relative effects on postoperative quality of recovery (QoR) remain unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of remimazolam and propofol on subjective QoR in surgical patients who underwent general anesthesia. METHODS: Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to May 28, 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials comparing remimazolam and propofol in terms of postoperative QoR...

BACKGROUND: Children utilizing invasive home mechanical ventilation (administered via tracheostomy tube) receive intensive care at home without the support of trained staff typically present in an intensive care unit; within the context of worsening home nursing shortages, much of the 24/7 care burden falls to families which are likely under supported. Prior reviews have explored the quality of life of children receiving various forms of mechanical ventilation, without addressing the impact on the family...