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Dao ATM, Do LG, Stormon N, Dhanapriyanka M, Ha DH. Causal analyses in longitudinal observational studies in oral health: A scoping review. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2024. [PMID: 39248439 DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Causal analysis including causal inference and causal mediation is pivotal to inform effective interventions. In modern epidemilogy, causal analysis involves four key steps: formulating causal questions, employing directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), conducting data management and selecting statistical strategies. Our objective was to conduct a scoping review to assess how longitudinal observational studies (LOSs) in dental field have integrated these four steps to contribute leverage evidence that inform oral public health interventions. METHODS LOSs focusing on determinants of dental caries published from 2012 to 2024 were systematically retrieved from five major databases. The Joanna Briggs Institute-scoping review guidance and the Covidence application were employed to identify eligible LOSs for being reviewed. RESULTS Out of the 85 eligible LOSs, none formulated causal hypothesis by applying 'what if' question or investigated mediation across three levels of the determinants of oral health. A minority (18 studies, ~21.2%) employed DAGs to visualise relationships among study variables, while only one third (33 studies, ~39%) clearly defined confounders. The majority (64 studies, ~75%) incorporated a time-varying feature of their data, yet only a few (11 studies) fully leveraged this advanced aspect. Among these studies that fully utilised time-varying data, more than half encountered challenges in employing robust statistics to address confounders arising from such data dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Dental LOSs have, to date, mostly focused on investigating associations over causality, often neglecting the four-step causal analysis and not fully utilising time-varying data. Researchers necessitate to shift their focus to causal inference and prioritise building capacity in causal analysis with a consistent four-step approach to advance the field. Studies exploring mechanisms linking determinants of dental caries across levels and leveraging time-varying data are strongly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- An T M Dao
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Loc G Do
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicole Stormon
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Community and Oral Health, Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Queensland, Australia
| | - Manori Dhanapriyanka
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Diep H Ha
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Rucinski K, Knight J, Willis K, Wang L, Rao A, Roach MA, Phaswana-Mafuya R, Bao L, Thiam S, Arimi P, Mishra S, Baral S. Challenges and Opportunities in Big Data Science to Address Health Inequities and Focus the HIV Response. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2024; 21:208-219. [PMID: 38916675 PMCID: PMC11283392 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00702-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Big Data Science can be used to pragmatically guide the allocation of resources within the context of national HIV programs and inform priorities for intervention. In this review, we discuss the importance of grounding Big Data Science in the principles of equity and social justice to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the global HIV response. RECENT FINDINGS Social, ethical, and legal considerations of Big Data Science have been identified in the context of HIV research. However, efforts to mitigate these challenges have been limited. Consequences include disciplinary silos within the field of HIV, a lack of meaningful engagement and ownership with and by communities, and potential misinterpretation or misappropriation of analyses that could further exacerbate health inequities. Big Data Science can support the HIV response by helping to identify gaps in previously undiscovered or understudied pathways to HIV acquisition and onward transmission, including the consequences for health outcomes and associated comorbidities. However, in the absence of a guiding framework for equity, alongside meaningful collaboration with communities through balanced partnerships, a reliance on big data could continue to reinforce inequities within and across marginalized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Rucinski
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Jesse Knight
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kalai Willis
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Linwei Wang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary Anne Roach
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya
- South African Medical Research Council/University of Johannesburg Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER) Extramural Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Le Bao
- Department of Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Safiatou Thiam
- Conseil National de Lutte Contre Le Sida, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Peter Arimi
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation & Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Beekman R, Kim N, Nguyen C, McGinniss G, Deng Y, Kitlen E, Garcia G, Wira C, Khosla A, Johnson J, Miller PE, Perman SM, Sheth KN, Greer DM, Gilmore EJ. Temperature Control Parameters Are Important: Earlier Preinduction Is Associated With Improved Outcomes Following Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. Ann Emerg Med 2024:S0196-0644(24)00340-8. [PMID: 39033449 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Temperature control trials in cardiac arrest patients have not reliably conferred neuroprotective benefit but have been limited by inconsistent treatment parameters. To evaluate the presence of a time dependent treatment effect, we assessed the association between preinduction time and clinical outcomes. METHODS In this retrospective, single academic center study between 2014 and 2022, consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with temperature control were identified. Preinduction was defined as the time from hospital arrival to initiation of a closed-loop temperature feedback device [door to temperature control initiation time], and early door to temperature control device time was defined a priori as <3 hours. We assessed the association between good neurologic outcome (cerebral performance category 1 to 2) and door to temperature control device time using logistic regression. The proportion of patients who survived to hospital discharge was evaluated as a secondary outcome. A sensitivity analysis using inverse probability treatment weighting, created using a propensity score, was performed to minimize measurable confounding. RESULTS Three hundred and forty-seven OHCA patients were included; the early door to temperature control device cohort included 75 (21.6%) patients with a median (interquartile range) door to temperature control device time of 2.50 (2.03 to 2.75) hours, whereas the late door to temperature control device cohort included 272 (78.4%) patients with a median (interquartile range) door to temperature control device time of 5.18 (4.19 to 6.41) hours. In the multivariable logistic regression model, early door to temperature control device time was associated with improved good neurologic outcome and survival before [adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) 2.36 (1.16 to 4.81) and 3.02 (1.54 to 6.02)] and after [adjusted OR (95% confidence interval) 1.95 (1.19 to 3.79) and 2.14 (1.33 to 3.36)] inverse probability of treatment weighting, respectively. CONCLUSION In our study of OHCA patients, a shorter preinduction time for temperature control was associated with improved good neurologic outcome and survival. This finding may indicate that early initiation in the emergency department will confer benefit. Our findings are hypothesis generating and need to be validated in future prospective trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Beekman
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
| | - Noah Kim
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | | | - George McGinniss
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT
| | - Eva Kitlen
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; UCSF School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Gabriella Garcia
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Charles Wira
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Akhil Khosla
- Department of Pulmonary Critical Care, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | | | - P Elliott Miller
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Sarah M Perman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kevin N Sheth
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - David M Greer
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Emily J Gilmore
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Igelström E, Kopasker D, Craig P, Lewsey J, Katikireddi SV. Estimating the causal effects of income on health: how researchers' definitions of "income" matter. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1572. [PMID: 38862961 PMCID: PMC11165736 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19049-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a well-established cross-sectional association between income and health, but estimates of the causal effects of income vary substantially. Different definitions of income may lead to substantially different empirical results, yet research is often framed as investigating "the effect of income" as if it were a single, easily definable construct. METHODS/RESULTS The aim of this paper is to introduce a taxonomy for definitional and conceptual issues in studying individual- or household-level income for health research. We focus on (1) the definition of the income measure (earned and unearned; net, gross, and disposable; real and nominal; individual and household; relative and absolute income) and (2) the definition of the causal contrast (amount, functional form assumptions/transformations, direction, duration of change, and timing of exposure and follow-up). We illustrate the application of the taxonomy to four examples from the published literature. CONCLUSIONS Quantified estimates of causal effects of income on health and wellbeing have crucial relevance for policymakers to anticipate the consequences of policies targeting the social determinants of health. However, much prior evidence has been limited by lack of clarity in distinguishing between different causal questions. The present framework can help researchers explicitly and precisely articulate income-related exposures and causal questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Igelström
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Daniel Kopasker
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter Craig
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jim Lewsey
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Cox LA. An AI assistant to help review and improve causal reasoning in epidemiological documents. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2024; 7:100130. [PMID: 38188038 PMCID: PMC10767365 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Drawing sound causal inferences from observational data is often challenging for both authors and reviewers. This paper discusses the design and application of an Artificial Intelligence Causal Research Assistant (AIA) that seeks to help authors improve causal inferences and conclusions drawn from epidemiological data in health risk assessments. The AIA-assisted review process provides structured reviews and recommendations for improving the causal reasoning, analyses and interpretations made in scientific papers based on epidemiological data. Causal analysis methodologies range from earlier Bradford-Hill considerations to current causal directed acyclic graph (DAG) and related models. AIA seeks to make these methods more accessible and useful to researchers. AIA uses an external script (a "Causal AI Booster" (CAB) program based on classical AI concepts of slot-filling in frames organized into task hierarchies to complete goals) to guide Large Language Models (LLMs), such as OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google's LaMDA (Bard), to systematically review manuscripts and create both (a) recommendations for what to do to improve analyses and reporting; and (b) explanations and support for the recommendations. Review tables and summaries are completed systematically by the LLM in order. For example, recommendations for how to state and caveat causal conclusions in the Abstract and Discussion sections reflect previous analyses of the Study Design and Data Analysis sections. This work illustrates how current AI can contribute to reviewing and providing constructive feedback on research documents. We believe that such AI-assisted review shows promise for enhancing the quality of causal reasoning and exposition in epidemiological studies. It suggests the potential for effective human-AI collaboration in scientific authoring and review processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Anthony Cox
- Cox Associates, Entanglement, and University of Colorado, United States of America
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Joubran P, Roux FA, Serino M, Deschamps JY. Gut and Urinary Microbiota in Cats with Kidney Stones. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1098. [PMID: 38930480 PMCID: PMC11205531 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Upper urinary tract urolithiasis is an emerging disease in cats, with 98% of kidney stones composed of calcium oxalate. In humans, disturbances in the intestinal and urinary microbiota are suspected to contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. We hypothesized that similar mechanisms may be at play in cats. This study examines the intestinal and urinary microbiota of nine cats with kidney stones compared to nine healthy cats before, during, and after treatment with the antibiotic cefovecin, a cephalosporin. Initially, cats with kidney stones displayed a less diverse intestinal microbiota. Antibiotic treatment reduced microbiota diversity in both groups. The absence of specific intestinal bacteria could lead to a loss of the functions these bacteria perform, such as oxalate degradation, which may contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. This study confirms the presence of a distinct urobiome in cats with kidney stones, characterized by greater richness and diversity compared to healthy cats. These findings highlight the potential of microbiota modulation as a strategy to prevent renal lithiasis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Joubran
- Nutrition, PathoPhysiology and Pharmacology (NP3) Unit, Oniris VetAgro Bio, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, La Chantrerie, CEDEX 03, 44 307 Nantes, France; (P.J.); (F.A.R.)
| | - Françoise A. Roux
- Nutrition, PathoPhysiology and Pharmacology (NP3) Unit, Oniris VetAgro Bio, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, La Chantrerie, CEDEX 03, 44 307 Nantes, France; (P.J.); (F.A.R.)
- Emergency and Critical Care Unit, Oniris VetAgro Bio, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, La Chantrerie, CEDEX 03, 44 307 Nantes, France
| | - Matteo Serino
- IRSD, Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1220, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CS 60039, 31 024 Toulouse, France
| | - Jack-Yves Deschamps
- Nutrition, PathoPhysiology and Pharmacology (NP3) Unit, Oniris VetAgro Bio, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, La Chantrerie, CEDEX 03, 44 307 Nantes, France; (P.J.); (F.A.R.)
- Emergency and Critical Care Unit, Oniris VetAgro Bio, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, La Chantrerie, CEDEX 03, 44 307 Nantes, France
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Pelgrims I, Devleesschauwer B, Vandevijvere S, De Clercq EM, Van der Heyden J, Vansteelandt S. The potential impact fraction of population weight reduction scenarios on non-communicable diseases in Belgium: application of the g-computation approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38616261 PMCID: PMC11016220 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02212-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overweight is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe, affecting almost 60% of all adults. Tackling obesity is therefore a key long-term health challenge and is vital to reduce premature mortality from NCDs. Methodological challenges remain however, to provide actionable evidence on the potential health benefits of population weight reduction interventions. This study aims to use a g-computation approach to assess the impact of hypothetical weight reduction scenarios on NCDs in Belgium in a multi-exposure context. METHODS Belgian health interview survey data (2008/2013/2018, n = 27 536) were linked to environmental data at the residential address. A g-computation approach was used to evaluate the potential impact fraction (PIF) of population weight reduction scenarios on four NCDs: diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and musculoskeletal (MSK) disease. Four scenarios were considered: 1) a distribution shift where, for each individual with overweight, a counterfactual weight was drawn from the distribution of individuals with a "normal" BMI 2) a one-unit reduction of the BMI of individuals with overweight, 3) a modification of the BMI of individuals with overweight based on a weight loss of 10%, 4) a reduction of the waist circumference (WC) to half of the height among all people with a WC:height ratio greater than 0.5. Regression models were adjusted for socio-demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. RESULTS The first scenario resulted in preventing a proportion of cases ranging from 32.3% for diabetes to 6% for MSK diseases. The second scenario prevented a proportion of cases ranging from 4.5% for diabetes to 0.8% for MSK diseases. The third scenario prevented a proportion of cases, ranging from 13.6% for diabetes to 2.4% for MSK diseases and the fourth scenario prevented a proportion of cases ranging from 36.4% for diabetes to 7.1% for MSK diseases. CONCLUSION Implementing weight reduction scenarios among individuals with excess weight could lead to a substantial and statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases in Belgium. The g-computation approach to assess PIF of interventions represents a straightforward approach for drawing causal inferences from observational data while providing useful information for policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Pelgrims
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Hoogbouw, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Vandevijvere
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eva M De Clercq
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Van der Heyden
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Rue Juliette Wytsman 14, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stijn Vansteelandt
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium
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Pignon B, Matta J, Wiernik E, Toussaint A, Loewe B, Robineau O, Carrat F, Severi G, Touvier M, Gouraud C, Ouazana Vedrines C, Pitron V, Ranque B, Hoertel N, Kab S, Goldberg M, Zins M, Lemogne C. Psychological burden associated with incident persistent symptoms and their evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective population-based study. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2024; 27:e300907. [PMID: 38490690 PMCID: PMC11021747 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying factors that predict the course of persistent symptoms that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health issue. Modifiable factors could be targeted in therapeutic interventions. OBJECTIVE This prospective study based on the population-based CONSTANCES cohort examined whether the psychological burden associated with incident persistent symptoms (ie, that first occurred from March 2020) would predict having ≥1 persistent symptom 6-10 months later. METHODS A total of 8424 participants (mean age=54.6 years (SD=12.6), 57.2% women) having ≥1 incident persistent symptom at baseline (ie, between December 2020 and February 2021) were included. The psychological burden associated with these persistent symptoms was assessed with the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12). The outcome was having ≥1 persistent symptom at follow-up. Adjusted binary logistic regression models examined the association between the SSD-12 score and the outcome. FINDINGS At follow-up, 1124 participants (13.3%) still had ≥1 persistent symptom. The SSD-12 score at baseline was associated with persistent symptoms at follow-up in both participants with (OR (95% CI) for one IQR increase: 1.42 (1.09 to 1.84)) and without SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to baseline (1.39 (1.25 to 1.55)). Female gender, older age, poorer self-rated health and infection prior to baseline were also associated with persistent symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The psychological burden associated with persistent symptoms at baseline predicted the presence of ≥1 persistent symptom at follow-up regardless of infection prior to baseline. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Intervention studies should test whether reducing the psychological burden associated with persistent symptoms could improve the course of these symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Pignon
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Joane Matta
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Wiernik
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Loewe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Olivier Robineau
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut Pierre-Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
- EA2694, Univ Lille, Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing, Tourcoing, Paris
| | - Fabrice Carrat
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut Pierre-Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France
- Département de santé publique, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Gianluca Severi
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INSERM, CESP U1018, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Department of Statistics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mathilde Touvier
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS) - Université Paris Cité (CRESS), Bobigny, France
| | - Clement Gouraud
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm; INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Paris, France
| | | | - Victor Pitron
- Université Paris Cité, VIFASOM (Vigilance Fatigue Sommeil et Santé Publique), Paris, France
- Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance-Pathologie professionnelle, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Ranque
- Université Paris Cité, Service de Médecine interne, AP-HP, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Hoertel
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neuroscience de Paris, Paris, France
- Service de Psychiatrie et Addictologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Corentin-Celton, DMU Psychiatrie et Addictologie, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Sofiane Kab
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Marie Zins
- Population-based Cohorts Unit, Paris Saclay University, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Lemogne
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm; INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Paris, France
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9
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Abdallah A, Francoz D, Berman J, Dufour S, Buczinski S. Veal calves management in Québec, Canada: Part I. Association between passive immunity transfer at arrival and health disorders. Prev Vet Med 2024; 224:106118. [PMID: 38271922 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality remain important concerns for veal production which traditionally involves very young calves being transported directly from dairy farms to calf-raising facilities or sold through auction markets from dairy farms. There are few studies that examine the relationship between transfer of passive immunity and health outcomes in veal production in Québec. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality in milk and grain-fed veal facilities in Québec. Between October 2017 and December 2018, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 59 batches of milk- and grain-fed veal calves from Montérégie and Centre du Québec regions in Québec, Canada. A total of 30 calves per batch were randomly sampled for the transfer of passive immunity (TPI) status using the Brix refractometer (serum threshold ≥ 8.4%). Throughout the production cycle, arrival, treatment, mortality, and slaughter records of each batch of calves were extracted and used to quantify individual- and group-level risk factors. Morbidity and mortality were modelled through generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) using a logit link, as function of categorical variables (individual inadequate TPI, arrival season, purchasing sites, and arrival weights) and a continuous variable (proportion of inadequate TPI in the batch). Given that the health and performance data are usually collected retrospectively under commercial settings, incomplete data was recognized as a potential issue. Thus, multiple imputation models were used. From 59 batches where 1729 calves were sampled for measuring TPI, 1084 calves had a serum Brix% < 8.4% giving a prevalence of 62.7% of inadequate TPI. The prevalence of morbidity and mortality in those 59 batches were not associated with the batch-level inadequate TPI prevalence. On the other hand, individual calves with inadequate TPI had higher odds of morbidity (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.2-2.05, P = 0.001) compared to those calves with adequate TPI. Odds of mortality, on the other hand, were not significantly affected by inadequate TPI (OR:1.27; 95% CI: 0.74-2.18, P = 0.3). Calves arriving to the facility during the winter season had lower odds of mortality than those arriving in fall (OR:0.16; 95% CI: 0.03-0.78, P = 0.02). In conclusion, this study suggests that inadequate TPI, as assessed upon arrival in veal farms, remains an important concern for negative health outcomes in veal calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelmonem Abdallah
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada; Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; Regroupement Op+lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
| | - David Francoz
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada; Regroupement Op+lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Julie Berman
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada; Regroupement Op+lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Dufour
- Regroupement Op+lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada; Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Buczinski
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada; Regroupement Op+lait, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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10
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Tingsgård S, Bastrup Israelsen S, Østergaard C, Benfield T. Emulating a Target Trial of Shorter Compared to Longer Course of Antibiotic Therapy for Gram-Negative Bacteremia. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:292-300. [PMID: 37949816 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the availability of antimicrobial therapies, gram-negative bacteremia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality on a global level. Recent randomized controlled trials support shorter antibiotic treatment duration for individuals with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia. The target trial framework using the cloning approach utilizes real-world data but eliminates the issue of immortal time bias seen in observational studies by emulating the analysis of randomized trials with full adherence. METHOD A hypothetical target trial allocating individuals with gram-negative bacteremia to either short antibiotic treatment duration (5-7 days) or longer antibiotic treatment duration (8-14 days) was specified and emulated using the cloning, censoring, and weighting approach. The primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcome was a composite endpoint of clinical and microbiological relapse. The emulated trial included individuals from four hospitals in Copenhagen from 2018 through 2021. RESULTS In sum, 1040 individuals were included. The median age of the cohort was 76 years, the majority were male (54%), had community-acquired gram-negative bacteremia (86%), urinary tract infection as the source of the infection (78%), and Escherichia coli as the pathogen of the infection (73%). The adjusted 90-day risk difference in all-cause mortality was 1.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -.7, 3.3), and the risk ratio was 1.12 (95% CI: .89, 1.37). The adjusted 90-day risk difference in relapse was 0.7% (95% CI: -2.3, 3.8), and the risk ratio was 1.07 (95% CI: .71, 1.45). CONCLUSIONS We found comparative outcomes for shorter treatment duration compared to longer treatment duration in patients with gram-negative bacteremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Tingsgård
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center of Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Simone Bastrup Israelsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center of Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Christian Østergaard
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Thomas Benfield
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center of Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
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11
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Côté P, Negrini S, Donzelli S, Kiekens C, Arienti C, Ceravolo MG, Gross DP, Battel I, Ferriero G, Lazzarini SG, Dan B, Shearer HM, Wong JJ. Introduction to target trial emulation in rehabilitation: a systematic approach to emulate a randomized controlled trial using observational data. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2024; 60:145-153. [PMID: 38420907 PMCID: PMC10938938 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.24.08435-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Rehabilitation providers and policymakers need valid evidence to make informed decisions about the healthcare needs of the population. Whenever possible, these decisions should be informed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, there are circumstances when evidence needs to be generated rapidly, or when RCTs are not ethical or feasible. These situations apply to studying the effects of complex interventions, including rehabilitation as defined by Cochrane Rehabilitation. Therefore, we explore using the target trial emulation framework by Hernán and colleagues to obtain valid estimates of the causal effects of rehabilitation when RCTs cannot be conducted. Target trial emulation is a framework guiding the design and analysis of non-randomized comparative effectiveness studies using observational data, by emulating a hypothetical RCT. In the context of rehabilitation, we outline steps for applying the target trial emulation framework using real world data, highlighting methodological considerations, limitations, potential mitigating strategies, and causal inference and counterfactual theory as foundational principles to estimating causal effects. Overall, we aim to strengthen methodological approaches used to estimate causal effects of rehabilitation when RCTs cannot be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Côté
- Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
| | - Stefano Negrini
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dentals Sciences, University "La Statale", Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Donzelli
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Maria G Ceravolo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Douglas P Gross
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Irene Battel
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dentals Sciences, University "La Statale", Milan, Italy -
| | - Giorgio Ferriero
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- Physical Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Scientific Institute of Tradate IRCCS, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Tradate, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Bernard Dan
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Inkendaal Rehabilitation Hospital, Vlezenbeek, Belgium
| | - Heather M Shearer
- Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica J Wong
- Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
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12
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Zheng M, Soumya, Begum M, Bernardo CDO, Stocks N, Jahan H, Gonzalez-Chica D. Do patients with prediabetes managed with metformin achieve better glycaemic control? A national study using primary care medical records. Diabet Med 2023; 40:e15170. [PMID: 37381113 DOI: 10.1111/dme.15170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To estimate the effectiveness of metformin on glycaemic parameters among participants with incident prediabetes attending Australian general practices. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used electronic health records of regular participants (3+ visits in two consecutive years) attending 383 Australian general practices (MedicineInsight). Participants with 'incident' prediabetes (newly recorded diagnosis between 2012 and 2017) and their glycaemic parameters (haemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] or fasting blood glucose [FBG]) at 6-, 12-, and 18-24 months post diagnosis (unexposed) or post-management with metformin (treatment) were identified from the database. We estimated the average treatment effect (ATE) of metformin management on glycaemic parameters using both linear regression and augmented inverse probability weighting. RESULTS Of the 4770 investigated participants with 'incident' prediabetes, 10.2% were managed with metformin. Participants on metformin had higher HbA1c levels at the baseline than those unexposed (mean 45 mmol/mol [6.2%] and 41 mmol/mol [5.9%], respectively), but no differences were observed at 6-12 months (mmol/mol ATE 0.0, 95% CI -0.4; 0.7) or 12-18 months (ATE -0.3, 95% CI -1.2; 0.3). However, participants on metformin had lower mean HbA1c mmol/mol at 18-24 months (ATE -1.1, 95% CI -2.0; 0.1) than those unexposed. Consistent results were observed for FBG (ATE at 6-12 months -0.14 [95% CI -0.25; -0.04], 12-18 months 0.02 [95% CI -0.08; 0.13] and 18-24 months -0.07 [95% CI -0.25; 0.12]). CONCLUSION The higher HbA1c and FBG baseline levels among participants with 'incident' prediabetes managed with metformin improved after 6-12 months of starting pharmacological management, and the effect persisted for up to 24 months. Management with metformin could prevent further deterioration of glycaemic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Zheng
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Soumya
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mumtaz Begum
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Carla De Oliveira Bernardo
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nigel Stocks
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Habiba Jahan
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David Gonzalez-Chica
- Discipline of General Practice, Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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13
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Izudi J, Castelnuovo B, King R, Cattamanchi A. Impact of intensive adherence counseling on viral load suppression and mortality among people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A regression discontinuity design. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002240. [PMID: 37549128 PMCID: PMC10406184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLHIV) with viral load (VL) ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We evaluated the effect of IAC on VL suppression and all-cause mortality among PLHIV on first-line ART with VL ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of ART in Kampala, Uganda using regression discontinuity design, a quasi-experimental method for effect estimation when interventions depend on a cut-off. PLHIV just above VL ≥1,000 copies/ml cut-off who received ≥3 IAC sessions formed the intervention group while those just below the cut-off who received routine psychosocial support constituted the control group. Primary outcome was repeat VL suppression defined as VL <1,000 copies/ml approximately 9-12 months following initial VL assessment. Secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. We used logistic regression for causal-effect analysis, reported as odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). We performed sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of findings to varying bandwidths at the cut-off. We found 3,735 PLHIV were started on ART between Nov 2020 and Nov 2021 of whom 3,199 were included in the analysis (3,085 control, 114 intervention). Within an optimal bandwidth, there were 236 participants (222 control, 14 intervention) with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Repeat VL suppression was lower in the intervention than in the control group (85.7% versus 98.6%, p = 0.021) while all-cause mortality was similar (0% versus 0.5%, p = 1.000). In multivariable analysis, the odds of repeat VL suppression were 91% lower in the intervention than control group (OR = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.66). Findings are robust to varying bandwidths around the cut-off. We concluded IAC is ineffective in suppressing VL among PLHIV on first-line ART in Kampala, Uganda. Findings suggest a need to investigate the IAC implementation fidelity for successful translation in practice and the reasons for VL persistence beyond the suppression threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Izudi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI), University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Barbara Castelnuovo
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Adithya Cattamanchi
- Center for Tuberculosis, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
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Bigirumurame T, Hiu SKW, Teare MD, Wason JMS, Bryant A, Breckons M. Current practices in studies applying the target trial emulation framework: a protocol for a systematic review. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070963. [PMID: 37369393 PMCID: PMC10410979 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Observational studies represent an alternative to estimate real-world causal effects in the absence of available randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Target trial emulation is a framework for the application of RCT design principles to emulate a hypothetical open-label RCT (the hypothetical target trial) using existing observational data as the primary data source as opposed to the prospective recruitment and measurement of randomised units. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the practices of studies applying the target trial emulation framework to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will systematically search in Medline (via Ovid), Embase (via Ovid, entries from medRxiv are included), PsycINFO (via Ovid), SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, the ISRCTN registry and ClinicalTrials.gov for all study reports and protocols which used the trial emulation framework (without time restriction). We will extract information concerning study design, data source, analysis, results, interpretation and dissemination. Two reviewers will perform study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Disagreements between reviewers will be resolved by a third reviewer. A narrative approach will be used to synthesise and report qualitative and quantitative data. Reporting of the review will be informed by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidance (PRISMA). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval is not required as it is a protocol for a systematic review. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shaun Kuan Wei Hiu
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - M Dawn Teare
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - James M S Wason
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew Bryant
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Matthew Breckons
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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15
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Moor M, Banerjee O, Abad ZSH, Krumholz HM, Leskovec J, Topol EJ, Rajpurkar P. Foundation models for generalist medical artificial intelligence. Nature 2023; 616:259-265. [PMID: 37045921 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05881-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 248.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The exceptionally rapid development of highly flexible, reusable artificial intelligence (AI) models is likely to usher in newfound capabilities in medicine. We propose a new paradigm for medical AI, which we refer to as generalist medical AI (GMAI). GMAI models will be capable of carrying out a diverse set of tasks using very little or no task-specific labelled data. Built through self-supervision on large, diverse datasets, GMAI will flexibly interpret different combinations of medical modalities, including data from imaging, electronic health records, laboratory results, genomics, graphs or medical text. Models will in turn produce expressive outputs such as free-text explanations, spoken recommendations or image annotations that demonstrate advanced medical reasoning abilities. Here we identify a set of high-impact potential applications for GMAI and lay out specific technical capabilities and training datasets necessary to enable them. We expect that GMAI-enabled applications will challenge current strategies for regulating and validating AI devices for medicine and will shift practices associated with the collection of large medical datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Moor
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Oishi Banerjee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zahra Shakeri Hossein Abad
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harlan M Krumholz
- Yale University School of Medicine, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jure Leskovec
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric J Topol
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Pranav Rajpurkar
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Nyadanu SD, Tessema GA, Mullins B, Kumi-Boateng B, Ofosu AA, Pereira G. Prenatal exposure to long-term heat stress and stillbirth in Ghana: A within-space time-series analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115385. [PMID: 36736550 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few studies examined the association between prenatal long-term ambient temperature exposure and stillbirth and fewer still from developing countries. Rather than ambient temperature, we used a human thermophysiological index, Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to investigate the role of long-term heat stress exposure on stillbirth in Ghana. METHODS District-level monthly UTCI was linked with 90,532 stillbirths of 5,961,328 births across all 260 local districts between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2020. A within-space time-series design was applied with distributed lag nonlinear models and conditional quasi-Poisson regression. RESULTS The mean (28.5 ± 2.1 °C) and median UTCI (28.8 °C) indicated moderate heat stress. The Relative Risks (RRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for exposure to lower-moderate heat (1st to 25th percentiles of UTCI) and strong heat (99th percentile) stresses showed lower risks, relative to the median UTCI. The higher-moderate heat stress exposures (75th and 90th percentiles) showed greater risks which increased with the duration of heat stress exposures and were stronger in the 90th percentile. The risk ranged from 2% (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.99, 1.05) to 18% (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.02, 1.36) for the 90th percentile, relative to the median UTCI. Assuming causality, 19 (95% CI 3, 37) and 27 (95% CI 3, 54) excess stillbirths per 10,000 births were attributable to long-term exposure to the 90th percentile relative to median UTCI for the past six and nine months, respectively. Districts with low population density, low gross domestic product, and low air pollution which collectively defined rural districts were at higher risk as compared to those in the high level (urban districts). DISCUSSION Maternal exposure to long-term heat stress was associated with a greater risk of stillbirth. Climate change-resilient interventional measures to reduce maternal exposure to heat stress, particularly in rural areas may help lower the risk of stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; Education, Culture, and Health Opportunities (ECHO) Ghana, ECHO Research Group International, Aflao, Ghana.
| | - Gizachew A Tessema
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia; enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| | - Ben Mullins
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
| | - Bernard Kumi-Boateng
- Department of Geomatic Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, P. O. Box 237, Tarkwa, Ghana
| | | | - Gavin Pereira
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia, 6102, Australia; Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0473, Oslo, Norway; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment. Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, WA, Australia
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