ObjectiveTo systematically review the correlation between the birth number and the risk of breast cancer of Chinese female. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including the CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases from inception to September 1st 2015, to collect case-control studies about the correlation between the number of births and the risk of breast cancer among Chinese female. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed by using Stata software. ResultsA total of 14 case-control studies involving 3 428 patients and 3 906 controls were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the females who had term birth had significant lower incidence of breast cancer than those without childbirth history (OR=0.429, 95%CI 0.322 to 0.571). Subgroup analysis based on the number of term birth showed that:Compared with the female without childbirth history, those who had term birth of one time (OR=0.464, 95%CI 0.321 to 0.670), two times (OR=0.394, 95%CI 0.269 to 0.576) and≥3 times (OR=0.340, 95%CI 0.232 to 0.499) had significant lower incidence of breast cancer. ConclusionTerm birth is a protective factor for breast cancer of Chinese female, and more times of term birth will decrease the risk of breast cancer.
An increasing number of health system researchers use systematic review to synthesize research evidence to inform the development of health policies at global and national levels. However, there are methodological challenges facing the health system research in undertaking systematic reviews of health policy literatures. This paper explored the constraints and promise of systematic review as a tool for evidence-based health system research in developing countries. It introduced the systematic review method and its evolution in health research over the past decades. The paper then discussed the definition of health system research, as system science, and contrasted its features/characteristics to those of medical research. It discussed and analyzed if the systematic review could be an effective tool for evidence-based health system research, particularly in developing countries. The paper concludes that the systematic review may be a very useful tool that can be used for evidence-based health system research to address specific policy issues; however, research on some health system/policy issues may not be appropriate to use the systematic review at all.
Objective To evaluate the effect of prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth in adolescents and adults compared with the retention of these wisdom teeth. Methods We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register （to 4 August, 2004）, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials （CENTRAL）, PubMed （1966 to 4 August, 2004）, EMBASE （1974 to 4 August, 2004）. There was no restriction to publication of language. Key journals were handsearched. An attempt was made to identify ongoing and unpublished trials. All randomised or controlled clinical trials （KCTs/CCTs） comparing the effect of prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth with no-treatment （retention） were included. Assessment of relevance ,validity and data extraction were conducted in duplicate by three independent reviewers. Where uncertainty existed, authors were contacted for additional information about randomisation and withdrawals. The quality assessments of the trials were carried out. Results Only three trials were identified to fulfill the selection criteria. Two complete RCTs assessed the influence of prophylactic removal on late incisor crowding in adolescents. One ongoing RCT was identified, but the researchers were unable to provide any data and intended to publish in the near future. Although both complete trials met the inclusion criteria, different outcome measures were prevented us from pooling data. Conclusions No evidence has been found to support or refute routine prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth in adults. There is some reliableevidence that suggests that the prophylactic removal of asymptomatic impacted wisdom teeth in adolescents neither reduces nor prevents late incisor crowding.
Objectives To systematically review the efficacy of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) covered stent grafts vs. bare stent grafts in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension. Methods PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrial.gov were searched online to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies of PTFE-covered stent grafts vs. bare stent grafts for portal hypertension from inception to Jan 11th, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results A total of 4 RCTs and 11 cohort studies involving 2 422 patients (1 070 PTFE-covered stent grafts patients and 1 352 bare stent grafts patients) were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the bare stent grafts group, the PTFE-covered stent grafts group had higher patency rate of intrahepatic shunt (HR=0.38, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.47, P<0.000 01) and survival rate (HR=0.59, 95%CI 0.44 to 0.79,P=0.000 5), lower postoperative complications rate (including gastrointestinal bleeding and refractory ascites) (HR=0.44, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.58, P<0.000 01) and encephalopathy rate (HR=0.76, 95%CI 0.57 to 0.99,P=0.05). Conclusions Current evidence shows that compared with the bare stent grafts, the PTFE-covered stent grafts could effectively improve patency rate of intrahepatic shunt and survival rate with less postoperative complications rate and encephalopathy rate. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the association between inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and the risk of lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect cohort studies on the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients using ICS from inception to August 15, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.4 software. ResultsA total of 8 cohort studies involving 1 184 238 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that ICS use decreased risk of lung cancer in COPD patients (HR=0.68, 95%CI 0.62 to 0.75, P<0.01). The dose of ICS was an influencing factor for the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients and a large dose of ICS could significantly reduce the risk. ConclusionCurrent evidence shows that the use of ICS can reduce the risk of lung cancer in patients with COPD, especially in high-dose patients. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo re-evaluate the systematic review and meta-analysis (SR/MAs) of the efficacy of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement. MethodsThe CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were electronically searched to collect SR/MAs of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement from inception to April 28, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and then assessed the quality of reports, methodological quality, risk of bias, and the strength of evidence quality by using PRISMA, AMSTAR-Ⅱ, ROBIS, and GRADE tool. ResultsA total of 20 SR/MAs were included. The results of the included studies showed that robot-assisted pedicle screw placement was more accurate and had a lower number of complications compared with freehand pedicle screw placement. The quality of reports, methodology, and evidence for pedicle screw placement efficiency in all SR/MAs were low or extremely low, with a high risk of bias. The main reasons included high heterogeneity of included studies, unclear research methods and selection criteria, and missing key reporting processes. ConclusionRobot-assisted pedicle screw placement may have better clinical efficiency than traditional freehand pedicle screw placement. But the quality of relational SR/MAs is low.
Objectives To assess the effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, LILACS, databases of ongoing trials, reference lists of reviews on the topic of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and we contacted experts and manufacturers for additional trials. Date of most recent search: December 2003 (Current Contents) and April 2003 (other databases). Randomised controlled trials of at least 12 weeks duration comparing alpha-glucosidase inhibitor monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes with any other intervention and that included at least one of the following outcomes: mortality, morbidity, quality of life, glycemic control, lipids, insulin levels, body weight, adverse events. Two reviewers read all abstracts, assessed quality and extracted data independently. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus or by the judgement of a third reviewer. A statistician checked all extracted data entrance in the database. We attempted to contact all authors for data clarification. Results We included 41 trials (8130 participants), 30 investigated acarbose, seven miglitol, one trial voglibose and three trials compared different alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Study duration was 24 weeks in most cases and only two studies lasted amply longer than one year. We found only few data on mortality, morbidity and quality of life. Acarbose had a clear effect on glycemic control compared to placebo: glycated haemoglobin –0.77% (95% confidence interval –0.90 to –0.64), fasting blood glucose –1.1 mmol/L (95% confidence interval –1.4 to –0.9), post-load blood glucose –2.32 mmol/L (95% confidence interval –2.73 to –1.92). The effect on glycated haemoglobin by acarbose was not dose-dependent. We found a decreasing effect on post-load insulin and no clinically relevant effects on lipids or body weight. Adverse effects were mostly of gastro-intestinal origin and dose dependent. Compared to sulphonylurea, acarbose decreased fasting and post-load insulin levels by –24.8 pmol/L (95% confidence interval –43.3 to –6.3) and –133.2 pmol/L (95% confidence interval –184.5 to –81.8) respectively and acarbose caused more adverse effects. Conclusions It remains unclear whether alpha-glucosidase inhibitors influence mortality or morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conversely, they have a significant effect on glycemic control and insulin levels, but no statistically significant effect on lipids and body weight. These effects are less sure when alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are used for a longer duration. Acarbose dosages higher than 50 mg TID offer no additional effect on glycated haemoglobin but more adverse effects instead. Compared to sulphonylurea, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors lower fasting and post-load insulin levels and have an inferior profile regarding glycemic control and adverse effects.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobial use on preventing infections after arthroscopy.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect clinical studies on the efficacy of prophylactic antimicrobial use on preventing infections after arthroscopy from January 1990 to September 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 15.0 software.ResultsA total of 8 retrospective cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled trial involving 60 136 subjects were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that: there was no difference in the post-operational infection rate among patients with and without antimicrobial prophylaxis for arthroscopies (OR=0.51, 95%CI 0.25 to 1.04, P=0.06). For knee arthroscopies, the post-operational infection rate had no difference between patients with and without antimicrobial prophylaxis (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.23, P=0.48). However, for shoulder arthroscopies, the post-operational infection rate in the antimicrobial prophylaxis group was significantly lower than that in the group without the antimicrobial prophylaxis(OR=0.18, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.37, P<0.000 01).ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that there is no association between preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis and a decreased infection rate for knee arthroscopies. Antimicrobial prophylaxis appears to lead to fewer infections after shoulder arthroscopies. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.
Objective To make an individualized treatment plan for a newly diagnosed Barrett esophagus patient by means of evidence-based medicine. Methods After the clinical problems were put forward, both the systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were collected from The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009) and PubMed (1995 to 2010) and SCIE (1995 to 2010). The treatment protocol was made by combining the evidence and the preference of patient. Results A total of 21 RCTs and 6 systematic reviews (meta-analyses) were identified. A rational treatment plan was made upon a serious evaluation and patient’s preferences: improving the lifestyle and adopting the APC therapy combined with acid-suppressive drugs (Omeprazole, 40 mg, bid) for six weeks. Three months later, the endoscope reexamination showed the patient was much better. After another twelve-month follow-up, the plan proved to be optimal. Conclusion In accordance with the evidence-based methods, the rational treatment plan made for a diagnosed Barrett esophagus male can effectively relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the efficacy of yoga treatment for low back pain.MethodsWeb of Science, BBSCO Academic Source Complete, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, WanFang Data and CNKI databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga intervention for low back pain from inception to November 4th, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies; then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 14 RCTs involving 1 684 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: compared with conventional treatment, the RMDQ scores of yoga treatment for low back pain was statistically significant lower (MD=–1.86, 95%CI –2.39 to –1.33, P<0.000 01). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the exercise frequency, low back pain degree, low back pain cause, intervention period and sample size had not altered efficacy of yoga.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that yoga can achieve superior results in low back pain. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.