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Albarqouni L, Greenwood H, Dowsett C, Glasziou PP. Lifestyle advice from general practitioners and changes in health-related behaviour in Australia: secondary analysis of 2020-21 National Health Survey data. Med J Aust 2024; 220:480-481. [PMID: 38693623 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Hannah Greenwood
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Caroline Dowsett
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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Glasziou PP, Doust JA. Gestational diabetes mellitus screening and diagnosis criteria before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective pre-post study. Med J Aust 2024; 220:387. [PMID: 38462985 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Jenny A Doust
- Australian Women and Girls' Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
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3
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Scott IA, Slavotinek J, Glasziou PP. First do no harm in responding to incidental imaging findings. Med J Aust 2024; 220:7-9. [PMID: 38009654 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Scott
- Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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Bell KJL, Glasziou PP, Doust JA. Gestational Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health. JAMA 2024; 331:167. [PMID: 38193964 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.23251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Katy J L Bell
- Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jenny A Doust
- Australian Women and Girls' Health Research (AWaGHR) Centre, School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia
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Venekamp RP, Sanders SL, Glasziou PP, Rovers MM. Antibiotics for acute otitis media in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 11:CD000219. [PMID: 37965923 PMCID: PMC10646935 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000219.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common diseases in childhood for which antibiotics are commonly prescribed; a systematic review reported a pooled prevalence of 85.6% in high-income countries. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in the Cochrane Library in 1997 and updated in 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2015. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antibiotics for children with AOM. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Current Contents, CINAHL, LILACS and two trial registers. The date of the search was 14 February 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials comparing 1) antimicrobial drugs with placebo, and 2) immediate antibiotic treatment with expectant observation (including delayed antibiotic prescribing) in children with AOM. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened trials for inclusion and extracted data using the standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. Our primary outcomes were: 1) pain at various time points (24 hours, two to three days, four to seven days, 10 to 14 days), and 2) adverse effects likely to be related to the use of antibiotics. Secondary outcomes were: 1) abnormal tympanometry findings, 2) tympanic membrane perforation, 3) contralateral otitis (in unilateral cases), 4) AOM recurrences, 5) serious complications related to AOM and 6) long-term effects (including the number of parent-reported AOM symptom episodes, antibiotic prescriptions and health care utilisation as assessed at least one year after randomisation). We used the GRADE approach to rate the overall certainty of evidence for each outcome of interest. MAIN RESULTS Antibiotics versus placebo We included 13 trials (3401 children and 3938 AOM episodes) from high-income countries, which we assessed at generally low risk of bias. Antibiotics do not reduce pain at 24 hours (risk ratio (RR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78 to 1.01; 5 trials, 1394 children; high-certainty evidence), or at four to seven days (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.14; 7 trials, 1264 children), but result in almost a third fewer children having pain at two to three days (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.88; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 20; 7 trials, 2320 children; high-certainty evidence), and likely result in two-thirds fewer having pain at 10 to 12 days (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.66; NNTB 7; 1 trial, 278 children; moderate-certainty evidence). Antibiotics increase the risk of adverse events such as vomiting, diarrhoea or rash (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.63; number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 14; 8 trials, 2107 children; high-certainty evidence). Antibiotics reduce the risk of children having abnormal tympanometry findings at two to four weeks (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.96; NNTB 11; 7 trials, 2138 children), slightly reduce the risk of experiencing tympanic membrane perforations (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.89; NNTB 33; 5 trials, 1075 children) and halve the risk of contralateral otitis episodes (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.95; NNTB 11; 4 trials, 906 children). However, antibiotics do not reduce the risk of abnormal tympanometry findings at six to eight weeks (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.13; 3 trials, 953 children) and at three months (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.34; 3 trials, 809 children) or late AOM recurrences (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.11; 6 trials, 2200 children). Severe complications were rare, and the evidence suggests that serious complications do not differ between children treated with either antibiotics or placebo. Immediate antibiotics versus expectant observation We included six trials (1556 children) from high-income countries. The evidence suggests that immediate antibiotics may result in a reduction of pain at two to three days (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.79; NNTB 8; 1 trial, 396 children; low-certainty evidence), but probably do not reduce the risk of pain at three to seven days (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.12; 4 trials, 959 children; moderate-certainty evidence), and may not reduce the risk of pain at 11 to 14 days (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10; 1 trial, 247 children; low-certainty evidence). Immediate antibiotics increase the risk of vomiting, diarrhoea or rash (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.51; NNTH 10; 3 trials, 946 children; high-certainty evidence). Immediate antibiotics probably do not reduce the proportion of children with abnormal tympanometry findings at four weeks and evidence suggests that immediate antibiotics may not reduce the risk of tympanic membrane perforation and AOM recurrences. No serious complications occurred in either group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This review reveals that antibiotics probably have no effect on pain at 24 hours, a slight effect on pain in the days following and only a modest effect on the number of children with tympanic perforations, contralateral otitis episodes and abnormal tympanometry findings at two to four weeks compared with placebo in children with AOM. In high-income countries, most cases of AOM spontaneously remit without complications. The benefits of antibiotics must be weighed against the possible harms: for every 14 children treated with antibiotics, one child experienced an adverse event (such as vomiting, diarrhoea or rash) that would not have occurred if antibiotics were withheld. For most children with mild disease in high-income countries, an expectant observational approach seems justified. Therefore, clinical management should emphasise advice about adequate analgesia and the limited role for antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roderick P Venekamp
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sharon L Sanders
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Maroeska M Rovers
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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6
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Bell KJL, Glasziou PP, Doust JA. A call to reconsider the new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus. CMAJ 2023; 195:E1307. [PMID: 37788840 PMCID: PMC10637336 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.148614-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katy J L Bell
- Clinical epidemiologist, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Director of the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jenny A Doust
- General practitioner, clinical professorial research fellow, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Glasziou PP, Zwar NA. Commentary on Kraiss et al.: Read the label - improving the applicability of systematic reviews by coding and analysis of intervention elements. Addiction 2023; 118:1851-1852. [PMID: 37612823 PMCID: PMC10952484 DOI: 10.1111/add.16328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul P. Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence‐Based HealthcareBond UniversityGold CoastQLDAustralia
| | - Nicholas A. Zwar
- Health Sciences and MedicineBond UniversityGold CoastQLDAustralia
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Veroniki AA, Soobiah C, Nincic V, Lai Y, Rios P, MacDonald H, Khan PA, Ghassemi M, Yazdi F, Brownson RC, Chambers DA, Dolovich LR, Edwards A, Glasziou PP, Graham ID, Hemmelgarn BR, Holmes BJ, Isaranuwatchai W, Legare F, McGowan J, Presseau J, Squires JE, Stelfox HT, Strifler L, Van der Weijden T, Fahim C, Tricco AC, Straus SE. Efficacy of sustained knowledge translation (KT) interventions in chronic disease management in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of complex interventions. BMC Med 2023; 21:269. [PMID: 37488589 PMCID: PMC10367354 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02966-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic disease management (CDM) through sustained knowledge translation (KT) interventions ensures long-term, high-quality care. We assessed implementation of KT interventions for supporting CDM and their efficacy when sustained in older adults. METHODS Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis engaging 17 knowledge users using integrated KT. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adults (> 65 years old) with chronic disease(s), their caregivers, health and/or policy-decision makers receiving a KT intervention to carry out a CDM intervention for at least 12 months (versus other KT interventions or usual care). INFORMATION SOURCES We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from each database's inception to March 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES Sustainability, fidelity, adherence of KT interventions for CDM practice, quality of life (QOL) and quality of care (QOC). Data extraction, risk of bias (ROB) assessment: We screened, abstracted and appraised articles (Effective Practice and Organisation of Care ROB tool) independently and in duplicate. DATA SYNTHESIS We performed both random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses and estimated mean differences (MDs) for continuous and odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data. RESULTS We included 158 RCTs (973,074 participants [961,745 patients, 5540 caregivers, 5789 providers]) and 39 companion reports comprising 329 KT interventions, involving patients (43.2%), healthcare providers (20.7%) or both (10.9%). We identified 16 studies described as assessing sustainability in 8.1% interventions, 67 studies as assessing adherence in 35.6% interventions and 20 studies as assessing fidelity in 8.7% of the interventions. Most meta-analyses suggested that KT interventions improved QOL, but imprecisely (36 item Short-Form mental [SF-36 mental]: MD 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] [- 1.25, 3.47], 14 RCTs, 5876 participants, I2 = 96%; European QOL-5 dimensions: MD 0.01, 95% CI [- 0.01, 0.02], 15 RCTs, 6628 participants, I2 = 25%; St George's Respiratory Questionnaire: MD - 2.12, 95% CI [- 3.72, - 0.51] 44 12 RCTs, 2893 participants, I2 = 44%). KT interventions improved QOC (OR 1.55, 95% CI [1.29, 1.85], 12 RCTS, 5271 participants, I2 = 21%). CONCLUSIONS KT intervention sustainability was infrequently defined and assessed. Sustained KT interventions have the potential to improve QOL and QOC in older adults with CDM. However, their overall efficacy remains uncertain and it varies by effect modifiers, including intervention type, chronic disease number, comorbidities, and participant age. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018084810.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areti Angeliki Veroniki
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Charlene Soobiah
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Vera Nincic
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Yonda Lai
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Patricia Rios
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Heather MacDonald
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Paul A. Khan
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Marco Ghassemi
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Fatemeh Yazdi
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Ross C. Brownson
- Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
- Department of Surgery and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - David A. Chambers
- National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD USA
| | - Lisa R. Dolovich
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Family Medicine David Braley Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Annemarie Edwards
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 1 University Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Paul P. Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226 Australia
| | - Ian D. Graham
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Brenda R. Hemmelgarn
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, C MacKenzie Health Sciences Centre, WalterEdmonton, AB 2J2.00 Canada
| | - Bev J. Holmes
- The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), 200 - 1285 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - France Legare
- Département de Médecine Familiale Et Médecine d’urgenceFaculté de Médecine, Université Laval Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry1050, Avenue de La Médecine, Local 2431, Québec, QC Canada
- Axe Santé Des Populations Et Pratiques Optimales en Santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec 1050, Chemin Sainte-Foy, Local K0-03, Québec, QC Canada
| | - Jessie McGowan
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Janet E. Squires
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON Canada
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - Henry T. Stelfox
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB Canada
| | - Lisa Strifler
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Trudy Van der Weijden
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Debeyeplein 1, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Fahim
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
| | - Andrea C. Tricco
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Epidemiology Division & Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Sharon E. Straus
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8 Canada
- Institute for Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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9
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Jefferson T, Dooley L, Ferroni E, Al-Ansary LA, van Driel ML, Bawazeer GA, Jones MA, Hoffmann TC, Clark J, Beller EM, Glasziou PP, Conly JM. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 1:CD006207. [PMID: 36715243 PMCID: PMC9885521 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006207.pub6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral epidemics or pandemics of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a global threat. Examples are influenza (H1N1) caused by the H1N1pdm09 virus in 2009, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Antiviral drugs and vaccines may be insufficient to prevent their spread. This is an update of a Cochrane Review last published in 2020. We include results from studies from the current COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of acute respiratory viruses. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and two trials registers in October 2022, with backwards and forwards citation analysis on the new studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs investigating physical interventions (screening at entry ports, isolation, quarantine, physical distancing, personal protection, hand hygiene, face masks, glasses, and gargling) to prevent respiratory virus transmission. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. MAIN RESULTS We included 11 new RCTs and cluster-RCTs (610,872 participants) in this update, bringing the total number of RCTs to 78. Six of the new trials were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic; two from Mexico, and one each from Denmark, Bangladesh, England, and Norway. We identified four ongoing studies, of which one is completed, but unreported, evaluating masks concurrent with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many studies were conducted during non-epidemic influenza periods. Several were conducted during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, and others in epidemic influenza seasons up to 2016. Therefore, many studies were conducted in the context of lower respiratory viral circulation and transmission compared to COVID-19. The included studies were conducted in heterogeneous settings, ranging from suburban schools to hospital wards in high-income countries; crowded inner city settings in low-income countries; and an immigrant neighbourhood in a high-income country. Adherence with interventions was low in many studies. The risk of bias for the RCTs and cluster-RCTs was mostly high or unclear. Medical/surgical masks compared to no masks We included 12 trials (10 cluster-RCTs) comparing medical/surgical masks versus no masks to prevent the spread of viral respiratory illness (two trials with healthcare workers and 10 in the community). Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of influenza-like illness (ILI)/COVID-19 like illness compared to not wearing masks (risk ratio (RR) 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.09; 9 trials, 276,917 participants; moderate-certainty evidence. Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza/SARS-CoV-2 compared to not wearing masks (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.42; 6 trials, 13,919 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Harms were rarely measured and poorly reported (very low-certainty evidence). N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks We pooled trials comparing N95/P2 respirators with medical/surgical masks (four in healthcare settings and one in a household setting). We are very uncertain on the effects of N95/P2 respirators compared with medical/surgical masks on the outcome of clinical respiratory illness (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.10; 3 trials, 7779 participants; very low-certainty evidence). N95/P2 respirators compared with medical/surgical masks may be effective for ILI (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.03; 5 trials, 8407 participants; low-certainty evidence). Evidence is limited by imprecision and heterogeneity for these subjective outcomes. The use of a N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks probably makes little or no difference for the objective and more precise outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.34; 5 trials, 8407 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Restricting pooling to healthcare workers made no difference to the overall findings. Harms were poorly measured and reported, but discomfort wearing medical/surgical masks or N95/P2 respirators was mentioned in several studies (very low-certainty evidence). One previously reported ongoing RCT has now been published and observed that medical/surgical masks were non-inferior to N95 respirators in a large study of 1009 healthcare workers in four countries providing direct care to COVID-19 patients. Hand hygiene compared to control Nineteen trials compared hand hygiene interventions with controls with sufficient data to include in meta-analyses. Settings included schools, childcare centres and homes. Comparing hand hygiene interventions with controls (i.e. no intervention), there was a 14% relative reduction in the number of people with ARIs in the hand hygiene group (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.90; 9 trials, 52,105 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), suggesting a probable benefit. In absolute terms this benefit would result in a reduction from 380 events per 1000 people to 327 per 1000 people (95% CI 308 to 342). When considering the more strictly defined outcomes of ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza, the estimates of effect for ILI (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.09; 11 trials, 34,503 participants; low-certainty evidence), and laboratory-confirmed influenza (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.30; 8 trials, 8332 participants; low-certainty evidence), suggest the intervention made little or no difference. We pooled 19 trials (71, 210 participants) for the composite outcome of ARI or ILI or influenza, with each study only contributing once and the most comprehensive outcome reported. Pooled data showed that hand hygiene may be beneficial with an 11% relative reduction of respiratory illness (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94; low-certainty evidence), but with high heterogeneity. In absolute terms this benefit would result in a reduction from 200 events per 1000 people to 178 per 1000 people (95% CI 166 to 188). Few trials measured and reported harms (very low-certainty evidence). We found no RCTs on gowns and gloves, face shields, or screening at entry ports. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low adherence with the interventions during the studies hampers drawing firm conclusions. There were additional RCTs during the pandemic related to physical interventions but a relative paucity given the importance of the question of masking and its relative effectiveness and the concomitant measures of mask adherence which would be highly relevant to the measurement of effectiveness, especially in the elderly and in young children. There is uncertainty about the effects of face masks. The low to moderate certainty of evidence means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited, and that the true effect may be different from the observed estimate of the effect. The pooled results of RCTs did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks. There were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection. Hand hygiene is likely to modestly reduce the burden of respiratory illness, and although this effect was also present when ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza were analysed separately, it was not found to be a significant difference for the latter two outcomes. Harms associated with physical interventions were under-investigated. There is a need for large, well-designed RCTs addressing the effectiveness of many of these interventions in multiple settings and populations, as well as the impact of adherence on effectiveness, especially in those most at risk of ARIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Jefferson
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JA, UK
| | - Liz Dooley
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Eliana Ferroni
- Epidemiological System of the Veneto Region, Regional Center for Epidemiology, Veneto Region, Padova, Italy
| | - Lubna A Al-Ansary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mieke L van Driel
- General Practice Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ghada A Bawazeer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Tammy C Hoffmann
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Elaine M Beller
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - John M Conly
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room AGW5, SSB, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health and Synder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
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10
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Dinh TS, Meid AD, Rudolf H, Brueckle MS, González-González AI, Bencheva V, Gogolin M, Snell KIE, Elders PJM, Thuermann PA, Donner-Banzhoff N, Blom JW, van den Akker M, Gerlach FM, Harder S, Thiem U, Glasziou PP, Haefeli WE, Muth C. Anticholinergic burden measures, symptoms, and fall-associated risk in older adults with polypharmacy: Development and validation of a prognostic model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280907. [PMID: 36689445 PMCID: PMC9870119 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticholinergic burden has been associated with adverse outcomes such as falls. To date, no gold standard measure has been identified to assess anticholinergic burden, and no conclusion has been drawn on which of the different measure algorithms best predicts falls in older patients from general practice. This study compared the ability of five measures of anticholinergic burden to predict falls. To account for patients' individual susceptibility to medications, the added predictive value of typical anticholinergic symptoms was further quantified in this context. METHODS AND FINDINGS To predict falls, models were developed and validated based on logistic regression models created using data from two German cluster-randomized controlled trials. The outcome was defined as "≥ 1 fall" vs. "no fall" within a 6-month follow-up period. Data from the RIME study (n = 1,197) were used in model development, and from PRIMUM (n = 502) for external validation. The models were developed step-wise in order to quantify the predictive ability of anticholinergic burden measures, and anticholinergic symptoms. In the development set, 1,015 patients had complete data and 188 (18.5%) experienced ≥ 1 fall within the 6-month follow-up period. The overall predictive value of the five anticholinergic measures was limited, with neither the employed anticholinergic variable (binary / count / burden), nor dose-dependent or dose-independent measures differing significantly in their ability to predict falls. The highest c-statistic was obtained using the German Anticholinergic Burden Score (0.73), whereby the optimism-corrected c-statistic was 0.71 after interval validation using bootstrapping and 0.63 in the external validation. Previous falls and dizziness / vertigo had the strongest prognostic value in all models. CONCLUSIONS The ability of anticholinergic burden measures to predict falls does not appear to differ significantly, and the added value they contribute to risk classification in fall-prediction models is limited. Previous falls and dizziness / vertigo contributed most to model performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Truc Sophia Dinh
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas D. Meid
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henrik Rudolf
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Maria-Sophie Brueckle
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Veronika Bencheva
- HELIOS University Clinic Wuppertal, Philipp Klee-Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Witten / Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Matthias Gogolin
- HELIOS University Clinic Wuppertal, Philipp Klee-Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Witten / Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Kym I. E. Snell
- Centre for Prognosis Research, School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Petra J. M. Elders
- Amsterdam UMC, General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Petra A. Thuermann
- HELIOS University Clinic Wuppertal, Philipp Klee-Institute for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Witten / Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jeanet W. Blom
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan van den Akker
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Centre of General Practice, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ferdinand M. Gerlach
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sebastian Harder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrich Thiem
- Department of Geriatrics, Immanuel Albertinen Diakonie, Albertinen-Haus, Hamburg, Germany
- University Clinic Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul P. Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Walter E. Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Muth
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Medical Faculty East-Westphalia, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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11
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Brueckle MS, Thomas ET, Seide SE, Pilz M, Gonzalez-Gonzalez AI, Dinh TS, Gerlach FM, Harder S, Glasziou PP, Muth C. Amitriptyline's anticholinergic adverse drug reactions-A systematic multiple-indication review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284168. [PMID: 37018325 PMCID: PMC10075391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Half the US population uses drugs with anticholinergic properties. Their potential harms may outweigh their benefits. Amitriptyline is among the most frequently prescribed anticholinergic medicinal products, is used for multiple indications, and rated as strongly anticholinergic. Our objective was to explore and quantify (anticholinergic) adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients taking amitriptyline vs. placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults and healthy individuals. METHODS We searched electronic databases from their inception until 09/2022, and clinical trial registries from their inception until 09/2022. We also performed manual reference searches. Two independent reviewers selected RCTs with ≥100 participants of ≥18 years, that compared amitriptyline (taken orally) versus placebo for all indications. No language restrictions were applied. One reviewer extracted study data, ADRs, and assessed study quality, which two others verified. The primary outcome was frequency of anticholinergic ADRs as a binary outcome (absolute number of patients with/without anticholinergic ADRs) in amitriptyline vs. placebo groups. RESULTS Twenty-three RCTs (mean dosage 5mg to 300mg amitriptyline/day) and 4217 patients (mean age 40.3 years) were included. The most frequently reported anticholinergic ADRs were dry mouth, drowsiness, somnolence, sedation, fatigue, constitutional, and unspecific anticholinergic ADRs. Random-effects meta-analyses showed anticholinergic ADRs had a higher odd's ratio for amitriptyline versus placebo (OR = 7.41; [95% CI, 4.54 to 12.12]). Non-anticholinergic ADRs were as frequent for amitriptyline as placebo. Meta-regression analysis showed anticholinergic ADRs were not dose-dependent. DISCUSSION The large OR in our analysis shows that ADRs indicative of anticholinergic activities can be attributed to amitriptyline. The low average age of participants in our study may limit the generalizability of the frequency of anticholinergic ADRs in older patients. A lack of dose-dependency may reflect limited reporting of the daily dosage when the ADRs occurred. The exclusion of small studies (<100 participants) decreased heterogeneity between studies, but may also have reduced our ability to detect rare events. Future studies should focus on older people, as they are more susceptible to anticholinergic ADRs. REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42020111970.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth T Thomas
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Maximilian Pilz
- Institute of Medical Biometry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Truc Sophia Dinh
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Harder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Christiane Muth
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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12
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Wallis KA, Zwar NA, Glasziou PP. Social and occupational outcomes for young people who attend early intervention mental health services: a longitudinal study. Med J Aust 2022; 217:218. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice Bond University Gold Coast QLD Australia
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13
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de Cassan S, Thompson MJ, Perera R, Glasziou PP, Del Mar CB, Heneghan CJ, Hayward G. Corticosteroids as standalone or add on treatment for sore throat. Emergencias 2022; 34:308-309. [PMID: 35833771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J Thompson
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, EE.UU
| | - Rafael Perera
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, RU
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP), Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP), Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Carl J Heneghan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, RU
| | - Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, RU
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14
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Henry DA, Jones MA, Stehlik P, Glasziou PP. Effectiveness of
COVID
‐19 vaccines: findings from real‐world studies. Med J Aust 2022; 216:431. [PMID: 35352352 PMCID: PMC9115044 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Henry
- Institute for Evidence‐Based Healthcare Bond University Gold Coast QLD
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Gold Coast QLD
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence‐Based Healthcare Bond University Gold Coast QLD
- University of Queensland Brisbane QLD
| | - Paulina Stehlik
- Institute for Evidence‐Based Healthcare Bond University Gold Coast QLD
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Gold Coast QLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence‐Based Healthcare Bond University Gold Coast QLD
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15
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Doust JA, Glasziou PP, dʼEmden MC. A large trial of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in the United States highlights the need to revisit the Australian diagnostic criteria. Med J Aust 2022; 216:113-115. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A Doust
- Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research University of Queensland Brisbane QLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence‐Based Healthcare Bond University Gold Coast QLD
| | - Michael C dʼEmden
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Brisbane QLD
- University of Queensland Brisbane QLD
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16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Sore throat is a common reason for people to present for medical care and to be prescribed antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics in primary medicine is a concern, hence it is important to establish their efficacy in treating sore throat and preventing secondary complications. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of antibiotics for reducing symptoms of sore throat for child and adult patients. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL 2021, Issue 2, MEDLINE (January 1966 to April week 1, 2021), Embase (January 1990 to April 2021), and two trial registries (searched 6 April 2021). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of antibiotics versus control assessing typical sore throat symptoms or complications amongst children and adults seeking medical care for sore throat symptoms. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures as recommended by Cochrane. Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion and extracted data, resolving any differences in opinion by discussion. We contacted the trial authors from three studies for additional information. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for the efficacy of antibiotics on our primary outcomes (sore throat at day three and one week) and secondary outcomes (fever and headache symptoms and incidence of acute rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis, acute otitis media, acute sinusitis, and quinsy). MAIN RESULTS We included 29 trials with 15,337 cases of sore throat. The majority of included studies were conducted in the 1950s, during which time the rates of serious complications (especially acute rheumatic fever) were much higher than today. Although clinical antibiotic trials for sore throat and respiratory symptoms are still being conducted, it is unusual for them to include placebo or 'no treatment' control arms, which is a requirement for inclusion in the review. The age of participants ranged from younger than one year to older than 50 years, but most participants across all studies were adults. Although all studies recruited patients presenting with symptoms of sore throat, few of them distinguished between bacterial and viral aetiology. Bias may have been introduced through non-clarity in treatment allocation procedures and lack of blinding in some studies. Harms from antibiotics were poorly or inconsistently reported, and were thus not quantified for this review. 1. Symptoms Throat soreness and headache at day three were reduced by using antibiotics, although 82% of participants in the placebo or no treatment group were symptom-free by one week. The reduction in sore throat symptoms at day three (risk ratio (RR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60 to 0.80; 16 studies, 3730 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) was greater than at one week in absolute numbers (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.75; 14 studies, 3083 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) due to many cases in both treatment groups having resolved by this time. The number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) to prevent one sore throat at day three was less than six; at week one it was 18. Compared with placebo or no treatment, antibiotics did not significantly reduce fever at day three (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.07; 8 studies, 1443 participants; high-certainty evidence), but did reduce headache at day three (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.70; 4 studies, 1020 participants; high-certainty evidence). 2. Suppurative complications Whilst the prevalence of suppurative complications was low, antibiotics reduced the incidence of acute otitis media within 14 days (Peto odds ratio (OR) 0.21, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.40; 10 studies, 3646 participants; high-certainty evidence) and quinsy within two months (Peto OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.35; 8 studies, 2433 participants; high-certainty evidence) compared to those receiving placebo or no treatment, but not acute sinusitis within 14 days (Peto OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.10 to 2.05; 8 studies, 2387 participants; high-certainty evidence). 3. Non-suppurative complications There were too few cases of acute glomerulonephritis to determine whether there was a protective effect of antibiotics compared with placebo against this complication (Peto OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 to 1.32; 10 studies, 5147 participants; low-certainty evidence). Antibiotics reduced acute rheumatic fever within two months when compared to the control group (Peto OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.50; 18 studies, 12,249 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). It should be noted that the overall prevalence of acute rheumatic fever was very low, particularly in the later studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics probably reduce the number of people experiencing sore throat, and reduce the likelihood of headache, and some sore throat complications. As the effect on symptoms can be small, clinicians must judge on an individual basis whether it is clinically justifiable to use antibiotics to produce this effect, and whether the underlying cause of the sore throat is likely to be of bacterial origin. Furthermore, the balance between modest symptom reduction and the potential hazards of antimicrobial resistance must be recognised. Few trials have attempted to measure symptom severity. If antibiotics reduce the severity as well as the duration of symptoms, their benefit will have been underestimated in this meta-analysis. Additionally, more trials are needed in low-income countries, in socio-economically deprived sections of high-income countries, as well as in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Australia
| | | | - Atle Fretheim
- Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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18
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Withers C, Noble C, Brandenburg C, Glasziou PP, Stehlik P. Selection criteria for Australian and New Zealand medical specialist training programs: another under-recognised driver of research waste. Med J Aust 2021; 215:336-336.e1. [PMID: 34494269 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Withers
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast, QLD.,Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Paulina Stehlik
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast, QLD.,Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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19
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Glasziou PP, Tikkinen K. The RECOVERY trial platform: a milestone in the development and execution of treatment evaluation during an epidemic. J R Soc Med 2021; 114:443-446. [PMID: 34533083 DOI: 10.1177/01410768211041245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- P P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Kao Tikkinen
- Department of Urology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Surgery, South Karelian Central Hospital, Lappeenranta, Finland
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20
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Henry DA, Jones MA, Stehlik P, Glasziou PP. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: findings from real world studies. Med J Aust 2021; 215:149-151.e1. [PMID: 34296443 PMCID: PMC8447391 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Henry
- Institute for Evidence-Based HealthcareBond UniversityGold CoastQLD
- Gold Coast University Hospital and Health ServiceGold CoastQLD
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based HealthcareBond UniversityGold CoastQLD
- University of QueenslandBrisbaneQLD
| | - Paulina Stehlik
- Institute for Evidence-Based HealthcareBond UniversityGold CoastQLD
- Gold Coast University Hospital and Health ServiceGold CoastQLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based HealthcareBond UniversityGold CoastQLD
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21
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Hayen A, Glasziou PP, Doust JA. Coronary artery calcium scoring in cardiovascular risk assessment of people with family histories of early onset coronary artery disease. Med J Aust 2021; 214:440-440.e1. [PMID: 33887798 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Jenny A Doust
- Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
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22
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González-González AI, Dinh TS, Meid AD, Blom JW, van den Akker M, Elders PJM, Thiem U, Kuellenberg de Gaudry D, Snell KIE, Perera R, Swart KMA, Rudolf H, Bosch-Lenders D, Trampisch HJ, Meerpohl JJ, Flaig B, Kom G, Gerlach FM, Hafaeli WE, Glasziou PP, Muth C. Predicting negative health outcomes in older general practice patients with chronic illness: Rationale and development of the PROPERmed harmonized individual participant data database. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 194:111436. [PMID: 33460622 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy increases significantly with age and are associated with negative health consequences. However, most current interventions to optimize medication have failed to show significant effects on patient-relevant outcomes. This may be due to ineffectiveness of interventions themselves but may also reflect other factors: insufficient sample sizes, heterogeneity of population. To address this issue, the international PROPERmed collaboration was set up to obtain/synthesize individual participant data (IPD) from five cluster-randomized trials. The trials took place in Germany and The Netherlands and aimed to optimize medication in older general practice patients with chronic illness. PROPERmed is the first database of IPD to be drawn from multiple trials in this patient population and setting. It offers the opportunity to derive prognostic models with increased statistical power for prediction of patient-relevant outcomes resulting from the interplay of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. This may help patients from this heterogeneous group to be stratified according to risk and enable clinicians to identify patients that are likely to benefit most from resource/time-intensive interventions. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the rationale behind PROPERmed collaboration, characteristics of the included studies/participants, development of the harmonized IPD database and challenges faced during this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I González-González
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Truc S Dinh
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas D Meid
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jeanet W Blom
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjan van den Akker
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; School of CAPHRI, Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Academic Centre for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Petra J M Elders
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Thiem
- Chair of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University Clinic Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Kuellenberg de Gaudry
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine (for Cochrane Germany Foundation), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kym I E Snell
- Centre for Prognosis Research, School of Primary Care Research, Community and Social Care, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Perera
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
| | - Karin M A Swart
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henrik Rudolf
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Donna Bosch-Lenders
- School of CAPHRI, Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans-Joachim Trampisch
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Joerg J Meerpohl
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine (for Cochrane Germany Foundation), Medical Center - University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany; Cochrane Germany, Cochrane Germany Foundation, Breisacher Strasse 153, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Benno Flaig
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ghainsom Kom
- Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), 22765, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ferdinand M Gerlach
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Walter E Hafaeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Robina, QLD, 4226, Australia
| | - Christiane Muth
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Medical Faculty OWL, University of Bielefeld, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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23
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Dinh TS, González-González AI, Meid AD, Snell KIE, Rudolf H, Brueckle MS, Blom JW, Thiem U, Trampisch HJ, Elders PJM, Donner-Banzhoff N, Gerlach FM, Harder S, van den Akker M, Glasziou PP, Haefeli WE, Muth C. Are Anticholinergic Symptoms a Risk Factor for Falls in Older General Practice Patients With Polypharmacy? Study Protocol for the Development and Validation of a Prognostic Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:577747. [PMID: 33519441 PMCID: PMC7845421 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.577747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cumulative anticholinergic exposure, also known as anticholinergic burden, is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. However, studies show that anticholinergic effects tend to be underestimated by prescribers, and anticholinergics are the most frequently prescribed potentially inappropriate medication in older patients. The grading systems and drugs included in existing scales to quantify anticholinergic burden differ considerably and do not adequately account for patients’ susceptibility to medications. Furthermore, their ability to link anticholinergic burden with adverse outcomes such as falls is unclear. This study aims to develop a prognostic model that predicts falls in older general practice patients, to assess the performance of several anticholinergic burden scales, and to quantify the added predictive value of anticholinergic symptoms in this context. Methods: Data from two cluster-randomized controlled trials investigating medication optimization in older general practice patients in Germany will be used. One trial (RIME, n = 1,197) will be used for the model development and the other trial (PRIMUM, n = 502) will be used to externally validate the model. A priori, candidate predictors will be selected based on a literature search, predictor availability, and clinical reasoning. Candidate predictors will include socio-demographics (e.g. age, sex), morbidity (e.g. single conditions), medication (e.g. polypharmacy, anticholinergic burden as defined by scales), and well-being (e.g. quality of life, physical function). A prognostic model including sociodemographic and lifestyle-related factors, as well as variables on morbidity, medication, health status, and well-being, will be developed, whereby the prognostic value of extending the model to include additional patient-reported symptoms will be also assessed. Logistic regression will be used for the binary outcome, which will be defined as “no falls” vs. “≥1 fall” within six months of baseline, as reported in patient interviews. Discussion: As the ability of different anticholinergic burden scales to predict falls in older patients is unclear, this study may provide insights into their relative importance as well as into the overall contribution of anticholinergic symptoms and other patient characteristics. The results may support general practitioners in their clinical decision-making and in prescribing fewer medications with anticholinergic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Truc Sophia Dinh
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ana Isabel González-González
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreas D Meid
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kym I E Snell
- Centre for Prognosis Research, School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Henrik Rudolf
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Jeanet W Blom
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Thiem
- Chair of Geriatrics and Gerontology, University Clinic Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Geriatrics, Immanuel Albertinen Diakonie, Albertinen-Haus, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Trampisch
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Petra J M Elders
- Amsterdam UMC, General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ferdinand M Gerlach
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sebastian Harder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, QLD, Australia
| | - Walter E Haefeli
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Muth
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Medical Faculty OWL, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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Jefferson T, Del Mar CB, Dooley L, Ferroni E, Al-Ansary LA, Bawazeer GA, van Driel ML, Jones MA, Thorning S, Beller EM, Clark J, Hoffmann TC, Glasziou PP, Conly JM. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 11:CD006207. [PMID: 33215698 DOI: 10.1101/2020.03.30.20047217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral epidemics or pandemics of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a global threat. Examples are influenza (H1N1) caused by the H1N1pdm09 virus in 2009, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Antiviral drugs and vaccines may be insufficient to prevent their spread. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The evidence summarised in this review does not include results from studies from the current COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of acute respiratory viruses. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL on 1 April 2020. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO ICTRP on 16 March 2020. We conducted a backwards and forwards citation analysis on the newly included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs of trials investigating physical interventions (screening at entry ports, isolation, quarantine, physical distancing, personal protection, hand hygiene, face masks, and gargling) to prevent respiratory virus transmission. In previous versions of this review we also included observational studies. However, for this update, there were sufficient RCTs to address our study aims. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. Three pairs of review authors independently extracted data using a standard template applied in previous versions of this review, but which was revised to reflect our focus on RCTs and cluster-RCTs for this update. We did not contact trialists for missing data due to the urgency in completing the review. We extracted data on adverse events (harms) associated with the interventions. MAIN RESULTS We included 44 new RCTs and cluster-RCTs in this update, bringing the total number of randomised trials to 67. There were no included studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six ongoing studies were identified, of which three evaluating masks are being conducted concurrent with the COVID pandemic, and one is completed. Many studies were conducted during non-epidemic influenza periods, but several studies were conducted during the global H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009, and others in epidemic influenza seasons up to 2016. Thus, studies were conducted in the context of lower respiratory viral circulation and transmission compared to COVID-19. The included studies were conducted in heterogeneous settings, ranging from suburban schools to hospital wards in high-income countries; crowded inner city settings in low-income countries; and an immigrant neighbourhood in a high-income country. Compliance with interventions was low in many studies. The risk of bias for the RCTs and cluster-RCTs was mostly high or unclear. Medical/surgical masks compared to no masks We included nine trials (of which eight were cluster-RCTs) comparing medical/surgical masks versus no masks to prevent the spread of viral respiratory illness (two trials with healthcare workers and seven in the community). There is low certainty evidence from nine trials (3507 participants) that wearing a mask may make little or no difference to the outcome of influenza-like illness (ILI) compared to not wearing a mask (risk ratio (RR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.18. There is moderate certainty evidence that wearing a mask probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to not wearing a mask (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.26; 6 trials; 3005 participants). Harms were rarely measured and poorly reported. Two studies during COVID-19 plan to recruit a total of 72,000 people. One evaluates medical/surgical masks (N = 6000) (published Annals of Internal Medicine, 18 Nov 2020), and one evaluates cloth masks (N = 66,000). N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks We pooled trials comparing N95/P2 respirators with medical/surgical masks (four in healthcare settings and one in a household setting). There is uncertainty over the effects of N95/P2 respirators when compared with medical/surgical masks on the outcomes of clinical respiratory illness (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.10; very low-certainty evidence; 3 trials; 7779 participants) and ILI (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.03; low-certainty evidence; 5 trials; 8407 participants). The evidence is limited by imprecision and heterogeneity for these subjective outcomes. The use of a N95/P2 respirator compared to a medical/surgical mask probably makes little or no difference for the objective and more precise outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.34; moderate-certainty evidence; 5 trials; 8407 participants). Restricting the pooling to healthcare workers made no difference to the overall findings. Harms were poorly measured and reported, but discomfort wearing medical/surgical masks or N95/P2 respirators was mentioned in several studies. One ongoing study recruiting 576 people compares N95/P2 respirators with medical surgical masks for healthcare workers during COVID-19. Hand hygiene compared to control Settings included schools, childcare centres, homes, and offices. In a comparison of hand hygiene interventions with control (no intervention), there was a 16% relative reduction in the number of people with ARIs in the hand hygiene group (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.86; 7 trials; 44,129 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), suggesting a probable benefit. When considering the more strictly defined outcomes of ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza, the estimates of effect for ILI (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.13; 10 trials; 32,641 participants; low-certainty evidence) and laboratory-confirmed influenza (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.30; 8 trials; 8332 participants; low-certainty evidence) suggest the intervention made little or no difference. We pooled all 16 trials (61,372 participants) for the composite outcome of ARI or ILI or influenza, with each study only contributing once and the most comprehensive outcome reported. The pooled data showed that hand hygiene may offer a benefit with an 11% relative reduction of respiratory illness (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95; low-certainty evidence), but with high heterogeneity. Few trials measured and reported harms. There are two ongoing studies of handwashing interventions in 395 children outside of COVID-19. We identified one RCT on quarantine/physical distancing. Company employees in Japan were asked to stay at home if household members had ILI symptoms. Overall fewer people in the intervention group contracted influenza compared with workers in the control group (2.75% versus 3.18%; hazard ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.97). However, those who stayed at home with their infected family members were 2.17 times more likely to be infected. We found no RCTs on eye protection, gowns and gloves, or screening at entry ports. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low compliance with the interventions during the studies hamper drawing firm conclusions and generalising the findings to the current COVID-19 pandemic. There is uncertainty about the effects of face masks. The low-moderate certainty of the evidence means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited, and that the true effect may be different from the observed estimate of the effect. The pooled results of randomised trials did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks during seasonal influenza. There were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection. Hand hygiene is likely to modestly reduce the burden of respiratory illness. Harms associated with physical interventions were under-investigated. There is a need for large, well-designed RCTs addressing the effectiveness of many of these interventions in multiple settings and populations, especially in those most at risk of ARIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Jefferson
- Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Liz Dooley
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Eliana Ferroni
- Epidemiological System of the Veneto Region, Regional Center for Epidemiology, Veneto Region, Padova, Italy
| | - Lubna A Al-Ansary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghada A Bawazeer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mieke L van Driel
- Primary Care Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Sarah Thorning
- GCUH Library, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Australia
| | - Elaine M Beller
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Tammy C Hoffmann
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - John M Conly
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room AGW5, SSB, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health and Synder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
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25
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Jefferson T, Del Mar CB, Dooley L, Ferroni E, Al-Ansary LA, Bawazeer GA, van Driel ML, Jones MA, Thorning S, Beller EM, Clark J, Hoffmann TC, Glasziou PP, Conly JM. Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 11:CD006207. [PMID: 33215698 PMCID: PMC8094623 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd006207.pub5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral epidemics or pandemics of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a global threat. Examples are influenza (H1N1) caused by the H1N1pdm09 virus in 2009, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2019. Antiviral drugs and vaccines may be insufficient to prevent their spread. This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The evidence summarised in this review does not include results from studies from the current COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of acute respiratory viruses. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL on 1 April 2020. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO ICTRP on 16 March 2020. We conducted a backwards and forwards citation analysis on the newly included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs of trials investigating physical interventions (screening at entry ports, isolation, quarantine, physical distancing, personal protection, hand hygiene, face masks, and gargling) to prevent respiratory virus transmission. In previous versions of this review we also included observational studies. However, for this update, there were sufficient RCTs to address our study aims. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. Three pairs of review authors independently extracted data using a standard template applied in previous versions of this review, but which was revised to reflect our focus on RCTs and cluster-RCTs for this update. We did not contact trialists for missing data due to the urgency in completing the review. We extracted data on adverse events (harms) associated with the interventions. MAIN RESULTS We included 44 new RCTs and cluster-RCTs in this update, bringing the total number of randomised trials to 67. There were no included studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six ongoing studies were identified, of which three evaluating masks are being conducted concurrent with the COVID pandemic, and one is completed. Many studies were conducted during non-epidemic influenza periods, but several studies were conducted during the global H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009, and others in epidemic influenza seasons up to 2016. Thus, studies were conducted in the context of lower respiratory viral circulation and transmission compared to COVID-19. The included studies were conducted in heterogeneous settings, ranging from suburban schools to hospital wards in high-income countries; crowded inner city settings in low-income countries; and an immigrant neighbourhood in a high-income country. Compliance with interventions was low in many studies. The risk of bias for the RCTs and cluster-RCTs was mostly high or unclear. Medical/surgical masks compared to no masks We included nine trials (of which eight were cluster-RCTs) comparing medical/surgical masks versus no masks to prevent the spread of viral respiratory illness (two trials with healthcare workers and seven in the community). There is low certainty evidence from nine trials (3507 participants) that wearing a mask may make little or no difference to the outcome of influenza-like illness (ILI) compared to not wearing a mask (risk ratio (RR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.18. There is moderate certainty evidence that wearing a mask probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza compared to not wearing a mask (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.26; 6 trials; 3005 participants). Harms were rarely measured and poorly reported. Two studies during COVID-19 plan to recruit a total of 72,000 people. One evaluates medical/surgical masks (N = 6000) (published Annals of Internal Medicine, 18 Nov 2020), and one evaluates cloth masks (N = 66,000). N95/P2 respirators compared to medical/surgical masks We pooled trials comparing N95/P2 respirators with medical/surgical masks (four in healthcare settings and one in a household setting). There is uncertainty over the effects of N95/P2 respirators when compared with medical/surgical masks on the outcomes of clinical respiratory illness (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.10; very low-certainty evidence; 3 trials; 7779 participants) and ILI (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.03; low-certainty evidence; 5 trials; 8407 participants). The evidence is limited by imprecision and heterogeneity for these subjective outcomes. The use of a N95/P2 respirator compared to a medical/surgical mask probably makes little or no difference for the objective and more precise outcome of laboratory-confirmed influenza infection (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.34; moderate-certainty evidence; 5 trials; 8407 participants). Restricting the pooling to healthcare workers made no difference to the overall findings. Harms were poorly measured and reported, but discomfort wearing medical/surgical masks or N95/P2 respirators was mentioned in several studies. One ongoing study recruiting 576 people compares N95/P2 respirators with medical surgical masks for healthcare workers during COVID-19. Hand hygiene compared to control Settings included schools, childcare centres, homes, and offices. In a comparison of hand hygiene interventions with control (no intervention), there was a 16% relative reduction in the number of people with ARIs in the hand hygiene group (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.86; 7 trials; 44,129 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), suggesting a probable benefit. When considering the more strictly defined outcomes of ILI and laboratory-confirmed influenza, the estimates of effect for ILI (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.13; 10 trials; 32,641 participants; low-certainty evidence) and laboratory-confirmed influenza (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.30; 8 trials; 8332 participants; low-certainty evidence) suggest the intervention made little or no difference. We pooled all 16 trials (61,372 participants) for the composite outcome of ARI or ILI or influenza, with each study only contributing once and the most comprehensive outcome reported. The pooled data showed that hand hygiene may offer a benefit with an 11% relative reduction of respiratory illness (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.95; low-certainty evidence), but with high heterogeneity. Few trials measured and reported harms. There are two ongoing studies of handwashing interventions in 395 children outside of COVID-19. We identified one RCT on quarantine/physical distancing. Company employees in Japan were asked to stay at home if household members had ILI symptoms. Overall fewer people in the intervention group contracted influenza compared with workers in the control group (2.75% versus 3.18%; hazard ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.97). However, those who stayed at home with their infected family members were 2.17 times more likely to be infected. We found no RCTs on eye protection, gowns and gloves, or screening at entry ports. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The high risk of bias in the trials, variation in outcome measurement, and relatively low compliance with the interventions during the studies hamper drawing firm conclusions and generalising the findings to the current COVID-19 pandemic. There is uncertainty about the effects of face masks. The low-moderate certainty of the evidence means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited, and that the true effect may be different from the observed estimate of the effect. The pooled results of randomised trials did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks during seasonal influenza. There were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection. Hand hygiene is likely to modestly reduce the burden of respiratory illness. Harms associated with physical interventions were under-investigated. There is a need for large, well-designed RCTs addressing the effectiveness of many of these interventions in multiple settings and populations, especially in those most at risk of ARIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Jefferson
- Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Liz Dooley
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Eliana Ferroni
- Epidemiological System of the Veneto Region, Regional Center for Epidemiology, Veneto Region, Padova, Italy
| | - Lubna A Al-Ansary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghada A Bawazeer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mieke L van Driel
- Primary Care Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Sarah Thorning
- GCUH Library, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Australia
| | - Elaine M Beller
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Tammy C Hoffmann
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - John M Conly
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Room AGW5, SSB, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Canada
- O'Brien Institute for Public Health and Synder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
- Calgary Zone, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Australia
| | - Sharon Sanders
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Australia
| | - Tammy Hoffmann
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Sore throat is a common condition associated with a high rate of antibiotic prescriptions, despite limited evidence for the effectiveness of antibiotics. Corticosteroids may improve symptoms of sore throat by reducing inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This review is an update to our review published in 2012. OBJECTIVES To assess the clinical benefit and safety of corticosteroids in reducing the symptoms of sore throat in adults and children. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL (Issue 4, 2019), MEDLINE (1966 to 14 May 2019), Embase (1974 to 14 May 2019), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE, 2002 to 2015), and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (inception to 2015). We also searched the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared steroids to either placebo or standard care in adults and children (aged over three years) with sore throat. We excluded studies of hospitalised participants, those with infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever), sore throat following tonsillectomy or intubation, or peritonsillar abscess. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS We included one new RCT in this update, for a total of nine trials involving 1319 participants (369 children and 950 adults). In eight trials, participants in both corticosteroid and placebo groups received antibiotics; one trial offered delayed prescription of antibiotics based on clinical assessment. Only two trials reported funding sources (government and a university foundation). In addition to any effect of antibiotics and analgesia, corticosteroids increased the likelihood of complete resolution of pain at 24 hours by 2.40 times (risk ratio (RR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 4.47; P = 0.006; I² = 67%; high-certainty evidence) and at 48 hours by 1.5 times (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.76; P < 0.001; I² = 0%; high-certainty evidence). Five people need to be treated to prevent one person continuing to experience pain at 24 hours. Corticosteroids also reduced the mean time to onset of pain relief and the mean time to complete resolution of pain by 6 and 11.6 hours, respectively, although significant heterogeneity was present (moderate-certainty evidence). At 24 hours, pain (assessed by visual analogue scales) was reduced by an additional 10.6% by corticosteroids (moderate-certainty evidence). No differences were reported in recurrence/relapse rates, days missed from work or school, or adverse events for participants taking corticosteroids compared to placebo. However, the reporting of adverse events was poor, and only two trials included children or reported days missed from work or school. The included studies were assessed as moderate quality evidence, but the small number of included studies has the potential to increase the uncertainty, particularly in terms of applying these results to children. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Oral or intramuscular corticosteroids, in addition to antibiotics, moderately increased the likelihood of both resolution and improvement of pain in participants with sore throat. Given the limited benefit, further research into the harms and benefits of short courses of steroids is needed to permit informed decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J Thompson
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Rafael Perera
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP), Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP), Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Carl J Heneghan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence‐Based HealthcareBond University Gold Coast QLD
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29
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Brueckle MS, Thomas ET, Seide SE, Pilz M, Gonzalez-Gonzalez AI, Nguyen TS, Harder S, Glasziou PP, Gerlach FM, Muth C. Adverse drug reactions associated with amitriptyline - protocol for a systematic multiple-indication review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2020; 9:59. [PMID: 32183872 PMCID: PMC7079360 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01296-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unwanted anticholinergic effects are both underestimated and frequently overlooked. Failure to identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can lead to prescribing cascades and the unnecessary use of over-the-counter products. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore and quantify the frequency and severity of ADRs associated with amitriptyline vs. placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with any indication, as well as healthy individuals. METHODS A systematic search in six electronic databases, forward/backward searches, manual searches, and searches for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval studies, will be performed. Placebo-controlled RCTs evaluating amitriptyline in any dosage, regardless of indication and without restrictions on the time and language of publication, will be included, as will healthy individuals. Studies of topical amitriptyline, combination therapies, or including < 100 participants, will be excluded. Two investigators will screen the studies independently, assess methodological quality, and extract data on design, population, intervention, and outcomes ((non-)anticholinergic ADRs, e.g., symptoms, test results, and adverse drug events (ADEs) such as falls). The primary outcome will be the frequency of anticholinergic ADRs as a binary outcome (absolute number of patients with/without anticholinergic ADRs) in amitriptyline vs. placebo groups. Anticholinergic ADRs will be defined by an experienced clinical pharmacologist, based on literature and data from Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. Secondary outcomes will be frequency and severity of (non-)anticholinergic ADRs and ADEs. The information will be synthesized in meta-analyses and narratives. We intend to assess heterogeneity using meta-regression (for indication, outcome, and time points) and I2 statistics. Binary outcomes will be expressed as odds ratios, and continuous outcomes as standardized mean differences. Effect measures will be provided using 95% confidence intervals. We plan sensitivity analyses to assess methodological quality, outcome reporting etc., and subgroup analyses on age, dosage, and duration of treatment. DISCUSSION We will quantify the frequency of anticholinergic and other ADRs/ADEs in adults taking amitriptyline for any indication by comparing rates for amitriptyline vs. placebo, hence, preventing bias from disease symptoms and nocebo effects. As no standardized instrument exists to measure it, our overall estimate of anticholinergic ADRs may have limitations. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION Submitted to PROSPERO; assignment is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Sophie Brueckle
- Institute of General Practice, |Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Elizabeth T. Thomas
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Svenja E. Seide
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Pilz
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ana Isabel Gonzalez-Gonzalez
- Institute of General Practice, |Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Truc Sophia Nguyen
- Institute of General Practice, |Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sebastian Harder
- Goethe University, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Paul P. Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Ferdinand M. Gerlach
- Institute of General Practice, |Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christiane Muth
- Institute of General Practice, |Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny A Doust
- Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Research, The University of Queensland School of Public Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katy J L Bell
- Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Glasziou PP, Jones MA, Pathirana T, Barratt AL, Bell KJ. Estimating the magnitude of cancer overdiagnosis in Australia. Med J Aust 2019; 212:163-168. [PMID: 31858624 PMCID: PMC7065073 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To estimate the proportion of cancer diagnoses in Australia that might reasonably be attributed to overdiagnosis by comparing current and past lifetime risks of cancer. Design, setting, and participants Routinely collected Australian Institute of Health and Welfare national data were analysed to estimate recent (2012) and historical (1982) lifetime risks (adjusted for competing risk of death and changes in risk factors) of diagnoses with five cancers: prostate, breast, renal, thyroid cancers, and melanoma. Main outcome measure Difference in lifetime risks of cancer diagnosis between 1982 and 2012, interpreted as probable overdiagnosis. Results For women, absolute lifetime risk increased by 3.4 percentage points for breast cancer (invasive cancers, 1.7 percentage points), 0.6 percentage point for renal cancer, 1.0 percentage point for thyroid cancer, and 5.1 percentage points for melanoma (invasive melanoma, 0.7 percentage point). An estimated 22% of breast cancers (invasive cancers, 13%), 58% of renal cancers, 73% of thyroid cancers, and 54% of melanomas (invasive melanoma, 15%) were overdiagnosed, or 18% of all cancer diagnoses (8% of invasive cancer diagnoses). For men, absolute lifetime risk increased by 8.2 percentage points for prostate cancer, 0.8 percentage point for renal cancer, 0.4 percentage point for thyroid cancer, and 8.0 percentage points for melanoma (invasive melanoma, 1.5 percentage points). An estimated 42% of prostate cancers, 42% of renal cancers, 73% of thyroid cancers, and 58% of melanomas (invasive melanomas, 22%) were overdiagnosed, or 24% of all cancer diagnoses (16% of invasive cancer diagnoses). Alternative assumptions slightly modified the estimates for overdiagnosis of breast cancer and melanoma. Conclusions About 11 000 cancers in women and 18 000 in men may be overdiagnosed each year. Rates of overdiagnosis need to be reduced and health services should monitor emerging areas of overdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | | | - Katy Jl Bell
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
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Bach AC, Lo KS, Pathirana T, Glasziou PP, Barratt AL, Jones MA, Bell KJ. Is the risk of cancer in Australia overstated? The importance of competing mortality for estimating lifetime risk. Med J Aust 2019; 212:17-22. [PMID: 31691294 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To calculate lifetime risks of cancer diagnosis and cancer-specific death, adjusted for competing mortality, and to compare these estimates with the corresponding risks published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). DESIGN, SETTING Analysis of publicly available annual AIHW data on age-specific cancer incidence and mortality - for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma of the skin, and lung cancer - and all-cause mortality in Australia, 1982-2013. OUTCOME MEASURES Lifetime risks of cancer diagnosis and mortality (to age 85), adjusted for competing mortality. RESULTS During 1982-2013, AIHW estimates were consistently higher than our competing mortality-adjusted estimates of lifetime risks of diagnosis and death for all five cancers. Differences between AIHW and adjusted estimates declined with time for breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer (for men only), but remained steady for lung cancer (women only) and melanoma of the skin. In 2013, the respective estimated lifetime risks of diagnosis (AIHW and adjusted) were 12.7% and 12.1% for breast cancer, 18.7% and 16.2% for prostate cancer, 9.0% and 7.0% (men) and 6.4% and 5.5% (women) for colorectal cancer, 7.5% and 6.0% (men) and 4.4% and 4.0% (women) for melanoma of the skin, and 7.6% and 5.8% (men) and 4.5% and 3.9% (women) for lung cancer. CONCLUSION The method employed in Australia to calculate the lifetime risks of cancer diagnosis and mortality overestimates these risks, especially for men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthea C Bach
- West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Ipswich, QLD.,Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Kelvin Se Lo
- Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD.,Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW
| | - Thanya Pathirana
- Griffith University, Sunshine Coast, QLD.,Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | - Mark A Jones
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD.,University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
| | - Katy Jl Bell
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
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Simes J, Robledo KP, White HD, Espinoza D, Stewart RA, Sullivan DR, Zeller T, Hague W, Nestel PJ, Glasziou PP, Keech AC, Elliott J, Blankenberg S, Tonkin AM. D-Dimer Predicts Long-Term Cause-Specific Mortality, Cardiovascular Events, and Cancer in Patients With Stable Coronary Heart Disease: LIPID Study. Circulation 2019; 138:712-723. [PMID: 29367425 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.117.029901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND D-dimer, a degradation product of cross-linked fibrin, is a marker for hypercoagulability and thrombotic events. Moderately elevated levels of D-dimer are associated with the risk of venous and arterial events in patients with vascular disease. We assessed the role of D-dimer levels in predicting long-term vascular outcomes, cause-specific mortality, and new cancers in the LIPID trial (Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease) in the context of other risk factors. METHODS LIPID randomized patients to placebo or pravastatin 40 mg/d 5 to 38 months after myocardial infarction or unstable angina. D-dimer levels were measured at baseline and at 1 year. Median follow-up was 6.0 years during the trial and 16 years in total. RESULTS Baseline D-dimer levels for 7863 patients were grouped by quartile (≤112, 112-173, 173-273, >273 ng/mL). Higher levels were associated with older age, female sex, history of hypertension, poor renal function, and elevated levels of B-natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and sensitive troponin I (each P<0.001). During the first 6 years, after adjustment for up to 30 additional risk factors, higher D-dimer was associated with a significantly increased risk of a major coronary event (quartile 4 versus 1: hazard ratio [HR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-1.74), major cardiovascular disease (CVD) event (HR, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.71) and venous thromboembolism (HR, 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.31-7.03; each P<0.001). During the 16 years overall, higher D-dimer was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.59), CVD mortality (HR, 1.61), cancer mortality (HR, 1.54), and non-CVD noncancer mortality (HR, 1.57; each P<0.001), remaining significant for deaths resulting from each cause occurring beyond 10 years of follow-up (each P≤0.01). Higher D-dimer also independently predicted an increase in cancer incidence (HR, 1.16; P=0.02).The D-dimer level increased the net reclassification index for all-cause mortality by 4.0 and venous thromboembolism by 13.6. CONCLUSIONS D-dimer levels predict long-term risk of arterial and venous events, CVD mortality, and non-CVD noncancer mortality independent of other risk factors. D-dimer is also a significant predictor of cancer incidence and mortality. These results support an association of D-dimer with fatal events across multiple diseases and demonstrate that this link extends beyond 10 years' follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Simes
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia (J.S., K.P.R., D.E., W.H., A.C.K.)
| | - Kristy P Robledo
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia (J.S., K.P.R., D.E., W.H., A.C.K.)
| | - Harvey D White
- Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand (H.D.W., R.A.S.)
| | - David Espinoza
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia (J.S., K.P.R., D.E., W.H., A.C.K.)
| | - Ralph A Stewart
- Green Lane Cardiovascular Service, Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand (H.D.W., R.A.S.)
| | | | - Tanja Zeller
- University Heart Centre Hamburg, Germany (T.Z., S.B.)
| | - Wendy Hague
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia (J.S., K.P.R., D.E., W.H., A.C.K.)
| | - Paul J Nestel
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia (P.J.N.)
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (P.P.G.)
| | - Anthony C Keech
- National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia (J.S., K.P.R., D.E., W.H., A.C.K.)
| | - John Elliott
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand (J.E.)
| | | | - Andrew M Tonkin
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (A.M.T.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Dobler
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Moynihan R, Barratt AL, Glasziou PP. Australia is responding to the complex challenge of overdiagnosis. Med J Aust 2019; 210:525-525.e1. [PMID: 31119741 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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36
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Albarqouni L, Doust JA, Magliano D, Barr ELM, Shaw JE, Glasziou PP. External validation and comparison of four cardiovascular risk prediction models with data from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study. Med J Aust 2019; 210:161-167. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.12061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Loai Albarqouni
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based PracticeBond University Gold Coast QLD
| | - Jennifer A Doust
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based PracticeBond University Gold Coast QLD
| | | | - Elizabeth LM Barr
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne VIC
- Menzies School of Health Research Darwin NT
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based PracticeBond University Gold Coast QLD
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Hansen MP, Scott AM, McCullough A, Thorning S, Aronson JK, Beller EM, Glasziou PP, Hoffmann TC, Clark J, Del Mar CB. Adverse events in people taking macrolide antibiotics versus placebo for any indication. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 1:CD011825. [PMID: 30656650 PMCID: PMC6353052 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011825.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrolide antibiotics (macrolides) are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics worldwide and are used for a wide range of infections. However, macrolides also expose people to the risk of adverse events. The current understanding of adverse events is mostly derived from observational studies, which are subject to bias because it is hard to distinguish events caused by antibiotics from events caused by the diseases being treated. Because adverse events are treatment-specific, rather than disease-specific, it is possible to increase the number of adverse events available for analysis by combining randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of the same treatment across different diseases. OBJECTIVES To quantify the incidences of reported adverse events in people taking macrolide antibiotics compared to placebo for any indication. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group Specialised Register (2018, Issue 4); MEDLINE (Ovid, from 1946 to 8 May 2018); Embase (from 2010 to 8 May 2018); CINAHL (from 1981 to 8 May 2018); LILACS (from 1982 to 8 May 2018); and Web of Science (from 1955 to 8 May 2018). We searched clinical trial registries for current and completed trials (9 May 2018) and checked the reference lists of included studies and of previous Cochrane Reviews on macrolides. SELECTION CRITERIA We included RCTs that compared a macrolide antibiotic to placebo for any indication. We included trials using any of the four most commonly used macrolide antibiotics: azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, or roxithromycin. Macrolides could be administered by any route. Concomitant medications were permitted provided they were equally available to both treatment and comparison groups. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted and collected data. We assessed the risk of bias of all included studies and the quality of evidence for each outcome of interest. We analysed specific adverse events, deaths, and subsequent carriage of macrolide-resistant bacteria separately. The study participant was the unit of analysis for each adverse event. Any specific adverse events that occurred in 5% or more of any group were reported. We undertook a meta-analysis when three or more included studies reported a specific adverse event. MAIN RESULTS We included 183 studies with a total of 252,886 participants (range 40 to 190,238). The indications for macrolide antibiotics varied greatly, with most studies using macrolides for the treatment or prevention of either acute respiratory tract infections, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal conditions, or urogynaecological problems. Most trials were conducted in secondary care settings. Azithromycin and erythromycin were more commonly studied than clarithromycin and roxithromycin.Most studies (89%) reported some adverse events or at least stated that no adverse events were observed.Gastrointestinal adverse events were the most commonly reported type of adverse event. Compared to placebo, macrolides caused more diarrhoea (odds ratio (OR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34 to 2.16; low-quality evidence); more abdominal pain (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.26; low-quality evidence); and more nausea (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.90; moderate-quality evidence). Vomiting (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.56; moderate-quality evidence) and gastrointestinal disorders not otherwise specified (NOS) (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.00; moderate-quality evidence) were also reported more often in participants taking macrolides compared to placebo.The number of additional people (absolute difference in risk) who experienced adverse events from macrolides was: gastrointestinal disorders NOS 85/1000; diarrhoea 72/1000; abdominal pain 62/1000; nausea 47/1000; and vomiting 23/1000.The number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) ranged from 12 (95% CI 8 to 23) for gastrointestinal disorders NOS to 17 (9 to 47) for abdominal pain; 19 (12 to 33) for diarrhoea; 19 (13 to 30) for nausea; and 45 (22 to 295) for vomiting.There was no clear consistent difference in gastrointestinal adverse events between different types of macrolides or route of administration.Taste disturbances were reported more often by participants taking macrolide antibiotics, although there were wide confidence intervals and moderate heterogeneity (OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.64 to 14.93; I² = 46%; low-quality evidence).Compared with participants taking placebo, those taking macrolides experienced hearing loss more often, however only four studies reported this outcome (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.70; I² = 0%; low-quality evidence).We did not find any evidence that macrolides caused more cardiac disorders (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.40; very low-quality evidence); hepatobiliary disorders (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.27 to 4.09; very low-quality evidence); or changes in liver enzymes (OR 1.56, 95% CI 0.73 to 3.37; very low-quality evidence) compared to placebo.We did not find any evidence that appetite loss, dizziness, headache, respiratory symptoms, blood infections, skin and soft tissue infections, itching, or rashes were reported more often by participants treated with macrolides compared to placebo.Macrolides caused less cough (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.80; moderate-quality evidence) and fewer respiratory tract infections (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.80; moderate-quality evidence) compared to placebo, probably because these are not adverse events, but rather characteristics of the indications for the antibiotics. Less fever (OR 0.73, 95% 0.54 to 1.00; moderate-quality evidence) was also reported by participants taking macrolides compared to placebo, although these findings were non-significant.There was no increase in mortality in participants taking macrolides compared with placebo (OR 0.96, 95% 0.87 to 1.06; I² = 11%; low-quality evidence).Only 24 studies (13%) provided useful data on macrolide-resistant bacteria. Macrolide-resistant bacteria were more commonly identified among participants immediately after exposure to the antibiotic. However, differences in resistance thereafter were inconsistent.Pharmaceutical companies supplied the trial medication or funding, or both, for 91 trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The macrolides as a group clearly increased rates of gastrointestinal adverse events. Most trials made at least some statement about adverse events, such as "none were observed". However, few trials clearly listed adverse events as outcomes, reported on the methods used for eliciting adverse events, or even detailed the numbers of people who experienced adverse events in both the intervention and placebo group. This was especially true for the adverse event of bacterial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna M Scott
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Amanda McCullough
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Sarah Thorning
- Gold Coast Hospital and Health ServiceGCUH LibraryLevel 1, Block E, GCUHSouthportQueenslandAustralia4215
| | - Jeffrey K Aronson
- Oxford UniversityNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordOxonUKOX26GG
| | - Elaine M Beller
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Tammy C Hoffmann
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Justin Clark
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Chris B Del Mar
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)14 University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
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Larun L, Odgaard-Jensen J, Brurberg KG, Chalder T, Dybwad M, Moss-Morris RE, Sharpe M, Wallman K, Wearden A, White PD, Glasziou PP. Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (individual patient data). Hippokratia 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011040.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lillebeth Larun
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Division for Health Services; Postboks 4404 Nydalen Oslo Norway N-0403
| | | | - Kjetil G Brurberg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Division for Health Services; Postboks 4404 Nydalen Oslo Norway N-0403
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London; Department of Psychological Medicine; Weston Education Centre Cutcombe Road London UK SE5 9RH
| | | | - Rona E Moss-Morris
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London; Section of Health Psychology; London UK
| | - Michael Sharpe
- University of Oxford; Department of Psychiatry; Warneford Hospital Oxford UK OX3 7JX
| | - Karen Wallman
- The University of Western Australia; School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health; 35 Stirling Highway Crawley Australia WA 6009
| | - Alison Wearden
- University of Manchester; School of Health Sciences; Coupland 1 Building Manchester UK M13 9PL
| | - Peter D White
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London; Centre for Psychiatry; St Bartholomew's Hospital London UK EC1A 7BE
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
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Moynihan R, Barratt AL, Buchbinder R, Carter SM, Dakin T, Donovan J, Elshaug AG, Glasziou PP, Maher CG, McCaffery KJ, Scott IA. Australia is responding to the complex challenge of overdiagnosis. Med J Aust 2018; 209:332-334. [DOI: 10.5694/mja17.01138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ray Moynihan
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | | | | | | | - Jan Donovan
- Consumers Health Forum of Australia, Canberra, ACT
| | - Adam G Elshaug
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | | | - Ian A Scott
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
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Lamberink HJ, Otte WM, Sinke MR, Lakens D, Glasziou PP, Tijdink JK, Vinkers CH. Statistical power of clinical trials increased while effect size remained stable: an empirical analysis of 136,212 clinical trials between 1975 and 2014. J Clin Epidemiol 2018; 102:123-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Tricco AC, Moore JE, Beben N, Brownson RC, Chambers DA, Dolovich LR, Edwards A, Fairclough L, Glasziou PP, Graham ID, Hemmelgarn BR, Holmes B, Isaranuwatchai W, Lachance CC, Legare F, McGowan J, Majumdar SR, Presseau J, Squires JE, Stelfox HT, Strifler L, Thompson K, Van der Weijden T, Veroniki AA, Straus SE. Sustaining knowledge translation interventions for chronic disease management in older adults: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2018; 7:140. [PMID: 30219107 PMCID: PMC6138921 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-018-0808-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Failure to sustain knowledge translation (KT) interventions impacts patients and health systems, diminishing confidence in future implementation. Sustaining KT interventions used to implement chronic disease management (CDM) interventions is of critical importance given the proportion of older adults with chronic diseases and their need for ongoing care. Our objectives are to (1) complete a systematic review and network meta-analysis of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of sustainability of KT interventions that target CDM for end-users including older patients, clinicians, public health officials, health services managers and policy-makers on health care outcomes beyond 1 year after implementation or the termination of initial project funding and (2) use the results of this review to complete an economic analysis of the interventions identified to be effective. METHODS For objective 1, comprehensive searches of relevant electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), websites of health care provider organisations and funding agencies will be conducted. We will include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the impact of a KT intervention targeting CDM in adults aged 65 years and older. To examine cost, economic studies (e.g. cost, cost-effectiveness analyses) will be included. Our primary outcome will be the sustainability of the delivery of the KT intervention beyond 1 year after implementation or termination of study funding. Secondary outcomes will include behaviour changes at the level of the patient (e.g. symptom management) and clinician (e.g. physician test ordering) and health system (e.g. cost, hospital admissions). Article screening, data abstraction and risk of bias assessment will be completed independently by two reviewers. Using established methods, if the assumption of transitivity is valid and the evidence forms a connected network, Bayesian random-effects pairwise and network meta-analysis will be conducted. For objective 2, we will build a decision analytic model comparing effective interventions to estimate an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. DISCUSSION Our results will inform knowledge users (e.g. patients, clinicians, policy-makers) regarding the sustainability of KT interventions for CDM. Dissemination plan of our results will be tailored to end-users and include passive (e.g. publications, website posting) and interactive (e.g. knowledge exchange events with stakeholders) strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018084810.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea C. Tricco
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
- Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Julia E. Moore
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Nicole Beben
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 1 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2P1 Canada
| | - Ross C. Brownson
- Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
- Department of Surgery and Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - David A. Chambers
- National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Room 3E414, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Lisa R. Dolovich
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Room 607, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2 Canada
- Department of Family Medicine David Braley Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 5th floor, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1H6 Canada
| | - Annemarie Edwards
- Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, 1 University Avenue, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2P1 Canada
| | - Lee Fairclough
- Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1N5 Canada
| | - Paul P. Glasziou
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland 4226 Australia
| | - Ian D. Graham
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, K1G 5Z3 Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 711, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6 Canada
| | - Brenda R. Hemmelgarn
- Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6 Canada
| | - Bev Holmes
- The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), 200 - 1285 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3X8 Canada
| | - Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Chantelle C. Lachance
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - France Legare
- Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry1050, avenue de la Médecine, local 2431, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6 Canada
- Axe Santé des Populations et Pratiques Optimales en Santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, 1050, chemin Sainte-Foy, local K0-03, Québec, Québec G1S 4L8 Canada
| | - Jessie McGowan
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, K1G 5Z3 Canada
| | - Sumit R. Majumdar
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 13-103 Clinical Sciences Building, 11350-83 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G3 Canada
| | - Justin Presseau
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, K1G 5Z3 Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Box 711, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6 Canada
| | - Janet E. Squires
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, K1G 5Z3 Canada
- School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - Henry T. Stelfox
- Departments of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Lisa Strifler
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Kristine Thompson
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Trudy Van der Weijden
- Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Areti Angeliki Veroniki
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Sharon E. Straus
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Knowledge Translation Program, 209 Victoria Street, East Building, Room 716, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8 Canada
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 Kings College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1 Canada
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Campbell TG, Hoffmann TC, Glasziou PP. Buteyko breathing for asthma. Hippokratia 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd009158.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas G Campbell
- The University of Queensland; School of Medicine; Brisbane Australia 4006
| | - Tammy C Hoffmann
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
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Jacklyn G, McGeechan K, Houssami N, Bell K, Glasziou PP, Barratt A. Overdiagnosis due to screening mammography for women aged 40 years and over. Hippokratia 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Jacklyn
- The University of Sydney; Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Edward Ford Building (A27) Sydney NSW Australia 2006
| | - Kevin McGeechan
- The University of Sydney; Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Edward Ford Building (A27) Sydney NSW Australia 2006
| | - Nehmat Houssami
- The University of Sydney; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Katy Bell
- The University of Sydney; Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Edward Ford Building (A27) Sydney NSW Australia 2006
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
| | - Alexandra Barratt
- The University of Sydney; Wiser Healthcare, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health; Edward Ford Building (A27) Sydney NSW Australia 2006
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Del Mar CB, Scott AM, Glasziou PP, Hoffmann T, van Driel ML, Beller E, Phillips SM, Dartnell J. Reducing antibiotic prescribing in Australian general practice: time for a national strategy. Med J Aust 2017; 207:401-406. [PMID: 29092694 DOI: 10.5694/mja17.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In Australia, the antibiotic resistance crisis may be partly alleviated by reducing antibiotic use in general practice, which has relatively high prescribing rates - antibiotics are mostly prescribed for acute respiratory infections, for which they provide only minor benefits. Current surveillance is inadequate for monitoring community antibiotic resistance rates, prescribing rates by indication, and serious complications of acute respiratory infections (which antibiotic use earlier in the infection may have averted), making target setting difficult. Categories of interventions that may support general practitioners to reduce prescribing antibiotics are: regulatory (eg, changing the default to "no repeats" in electronic prescribing, changing the packaging of antibiotics to facilitate tailored amounts of antibiotics for the right indication and restricting access to prescribing selected antibiotics to conserve them), externally administered (eg, academic detailing and audit and feedback on total antibiotic use for individual GPs), interventions that GPs can individually implement (eg, delayed prescribing, shared decision making, public declarations in the practice about conserving antibiotics, and self-administered audit), supporting GPs' access to near-patient diagnostic testing, and public awareness campaigns. Many unanswered clinical research questions remain, including research into optimal implementation methods. Reducing antibiotic use in Australian general practice will require a range of approaches (with various intervention categories), a sustained effort over many years and a commitment of appropriate resources and support.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Mae Scott
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Tammy Hoffmann
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | | | - Elaine Beller
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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Cohen JF, Korevaar DA, Gatsonis CA, Glasziou PP, Hooft L, Moher D, Reitsma JB, de Vet HC, Bossuyt PM. STARD for Abstracts: essential items for reporting diagnostic accuracy studies in journal or conference abstracts. BMJ 2017; 358:j3751. [PMID: 28819063 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.j3751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie F Cohen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- INSERM UMR 1153 and Department of Pediatrics, Necker-Enfants malades Hospital, AP-HP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Daniël A Korevaar
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Constantine A Gatsonis
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lotty Hooft
- Dutch Cochrane Centre, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David Moher
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Johannes B Reitsma
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Henrica Cw de Vet
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patrick M Bossuyt
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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McCullough AR, Pollack AJ, Plejdrup Hansen M, Glasziou PP, Looke DF, Britt HC, Del Mar CB. Antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in general practice: comparison of prescribing rates with guideline recommendations. Med J Aust 2017; 207:65-69. [PMID: 28701117 DOI: 10.5694/mja16.01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the current rate of antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in Australian general practice with the recommendations in the most widely consulted therapeutic guidelines in Australia (Therapeutic Guidelines). DESIGN AND SETTING Comparison of general practice activity data for April 2010 - March 2015 (derived from Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health [BEACH] study) with estimated rates of prescribing recommended by Therapeutic Guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Antibiotic prescribing rates and estimated guideline-recommended rates per 100 encounters and per full-time equivalent (FTE) GP per year for eight ARIs; number of prescriptions nationally per year. RESULTS An estimated mean 5.97 million (95% CI, 5.69-6.24 million) ARI cases per year were managed in Australian general practice with at least one antibiotic, equivalent to an estimated 230 cases per FTE GP/year (95% CI, 219-240 cases/FTE/year). Antibiotics are not recommended by the guidelines for acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis (current prescribing rate, 85%) or influenza (11%); they are always recommended for community-acquired pneumonia (current prescribing rate, 72%) and pertussis (71%); and they are recommended for 0.5-8% of cases of acute rhinosinusitis (current prescribing rate, 41%), 20-31% of cases of acute otitis media (89%), and 19-40% cases of acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis (94%). Had GPs adhered to the guidelines, they would have prescribed antibiotics for 0.65-1.36 million ARIs per year nationally, or at 11-23% of the current prescribing rate. Antibiotics were prescribed more frequently than recommended for acute rhinosinusitis, acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, acute otitis media, and acute pharyngitis/tonsillitis. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics are prescribed for ARIs at rates 4-9 times as high as those recommended by Therapeutic Guidelines. Our data provide the basis for setting absolute targets for reducing antibiotic prescribing in Australian general practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R McCullough
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
| | - Allan J Pollack
- Family Medicine Research Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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Ranakusuma RW, Pitoyo Y, Safitri ED, Widyahening IS, Beller EM, Glasziou PP, Bashiruddin J. Therapeutic ultrasound for chronic rhinosinusitis. Hippokratia 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011046.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Respati W Ranakusuma
- Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia; Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-Based Medicine Unit; 2nd Floor Building H Jl. Diponegoro 71 Jakarta Indonesia 10430
| | - Yupitri Pitoyo
- Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia; Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-Based Medicine Unit; 2nd Floor Building H Jl. Diponegoro 71 Jakarta Indonesia 10430
| | - Eka D Safitri
- Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia; Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-Based Medicine Unit; 2nd Floor Building H Jl. Diponegoro 71 Jakarta Indonesia 10430
| | - Indah S Widyahening
- Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-Based Medicine; Jakarta Indonesia
| | - Elaine M Beller
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond University; Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice (CREBP); University Drive Gold Coast Queensland Australia 4229
| | - Jenny Bashiruddin
- Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Evidence-Based Medicine; Jakarta Indonesia
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Sanders SL, Rathbone J, Bell KJL, Glasziou PP, Doust JA. Systematic review of the effects of care provided with and without diagnostic clinical prediction rules. Diagn Progn Res 2017; 1:13. [PMID: 31093542 PMCID: PMC6460683 DOI: 10.1186/s41512-017-0013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are worthwhile if they improve patient outcomes or provide benefits such as reduced resource use, without harming patients. We conducted a systematic review to assess the effects of diagnostic CPRs on patient and process of care outcomes. METHODS We searched electronic databases and a trial registry and performed citation and reference checks, for randomised trials comparing a diagnostic strategy with and without a CPR. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias and similar studies meta-analysed. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies evaluating diagnostic CPRs for 14 conditions were included. A clinical management decision was the primary outcome in the majority of studies. Most studies were judged to be at high or uncertain risk of bias on ≥3 of 6 domains. Details of study interventions and implementation were infrequently reported.For suspected Group A Streptococcus throat infection, diagnostic CPRs reduced symptoms (1 study) and antibiotic prescriptions (5 studies, RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99). For suspected cardiac chest pain, diagnostic strategies incorporating a CPR improved early discharge rates (1 study), decreased objective cardiac testing (1 study) and decreased hospitalisations (1 study). For ankle injuries, Ottawa Ankle Rules reduced radiography when used with clinical examination (1 study) but had no effect on length of stay as a triage test (1 study). For suspected acute appendicitis, CPRs had no effect on rates of perforated appendix (1 study) or the number of non-therapeutic operations (5 studies, RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.08). For suspected pneumonia, CPRs reduced antibiotic prescribing without unfavourable outcomes (3 studies). For children with possible serious bacterial infection, diagnostic CPRs did not improve process of care outcomes (3 studies). CONCLUSION There are few randomised trials of diagnostic CPRs, and patient outcomes are infrequently reported. Diagnostic CPRs had a positive effect on process outcomes in some clinical conditions; however, many studies were at unclear or high risk of bias and the results may be context specific. Future studies should seek to detail how the CPR might alter the diagnostic pathway, report effects on both patient and process outcomes, and improve reporting of the study interventions and implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION The protocol for this review was not registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic review protocols. The review was conceived and protocol prepared prior to the launch of PROSPERO in February 2011.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Sanders
- 1Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
| | - John Rathbone
- 1Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
| | - Katy J L Bell
- 1Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
- 2Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- 1Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
| | - Jenny A Doust
- 1Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland Australia
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McLellan J, Heneghan CJ, Perera R, Clements AM, Glasziou PP, Kearley KE, Pidduck N, Roberts NW, Tyndel S, Wright FL, Bankhead C. B-type natriuretic peptide-guided treatment for heart failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 12:CD008966. [PMID: 28102899 PMCID: PMC5449577 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008966.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure is a condition in which the heart does not pump enough blood to meet all the needs of the body. Symptoms of heart failure include breathlessness, fatigue and fluid retention. Outcomes for patients with heart failure are highly variable; however on average, these patients have a poor prognosis. Prognosis can be improved with early diagnosis and appropriate use of medical treatment, use of devices and transplantation. Patients with heart failure are high users of healthcare resources, not only due to drug and device treatments, but due to high costs of hospitalisation care. B-type natriuretic peptide levels are already used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure, but could offer to clinicians a possible tool to guide drug treatment. This could optimise drug management in heart failure patients whilst allaying concerns over potential side effects due to drug intolerance. OBJECTIVES To assess whether treatment guided by serial BNP or NT-proBNP (collectively referred to as NP) monitoring improves outcomes compared with treatment guided by clinical assessment alone. SEARCH METHODS Searches were conducted up to 15 March 2016 in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database in the Cochrane Library. Searches were also conducted in the Science Citation Index Expanded, the Conference Proceedings Citation Index on Web of Science (Thomson Reuters), World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry and ClinicalTrials.gov. We applied no date or language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of NP-guided treatment of heart failure versus treatment guided by clinical assessment alone with no restriction on follow-up. Adults treated for heart failure, in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings, and trials reporting a clinical outcome were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for dichotomous data, and pooled mean differences (MD) (with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) were calculated for continuous data. We contacted trial authors to obtain missing data. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, we assessed the quality of the evidence and GRADE profiler (GRADEPRO) was used to import data from Review Manager to create a 'Summary of findings' table. MAIN RESULTS We included 18 randomised controlled trials with 3660 participants (range of mean age: 57 to 80 years) comparing NP-guided treatment with clinical assessment alone. The evidence for all-cause mortality using NP-guided treatment showed uncertainty (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.01; patients = 3169; studies = 15; low quality of the evidence), and for heart failure mortality (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.30; patients = 853; studies = 6; low quality of evidence).The evidence suggested heart failure admission was reduced by NP-guided treatment (38% versus 26%, RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.80; patients = 1928; studies = 10; low quality of evidence), but the evidence showed uncertainty for all-cause admission (57% versus 53%, RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.03; patients = 1142; studies = 6; low quality of evidence).Six studies reported on adverse events, however the results could not be pooled (patients = 1144; low quality of evidence). Only four studies provided cost of treatment results, three of these studies reported a lower cost for NP-guided treatment, whilst one reported a higher cost (results were not pooled; patients = 931, low quality of evidence). The evidence showed uncertainty for quality of life data (MD -0.03, 95% CI -1.18 to 1.13; patients = 1812; studies = 8; very low quality of evidence).We completed a 'Risk of bias' assessment for all studies. The impact of risk of bias from lack of blinding of outcome assessment and high attrition levels was examined by restricting analyses to only low 'Risk of bias' studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In patients with heart failure low-quality evidence showed a reduction in heart failure admission with NP-guided treatment while low-quality evidence showed uncertainty in the effect of NP-guided treatment for all-cause mortality, heart failure mortality, and all-cause admission. Uncertainty in the effect was further shown by very low-quality evidence for patient's quality of life. The evidence for adverse events and cost of treatment was low quality and we were unable to pool results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie McLellan
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Carl J Heneghan
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Rafael Perera
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Alison M Clements
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Karen E Kearley
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Nicola Pidduck
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - Nia W Roberts
- University of OxfordBodleian Health Care LibrariesKnowledge Centre, ORC Research Building, Old Road CampusOxfordOxfordshireUKOX3 7DQ
| | - Sally Tyndel
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
| | - F Lucy Wright
- University of OxfordCancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population HealthRichard doll BldgOld Road Campus, Roosevelt DriverOxfordUKOX3 7LF
| | - Clare Bankhead
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesOxfordUK
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O'Sullivan JW, Harvey RT, Glasziou PP, McCullough A. Written information for patients (or parents of child patients) to reduce the use of antibiotics for acute upper respiratory tract infections in primary care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 11:CD011360. [PMID: 27886368 PMCID: PMC6464519 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011360.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are frequently managed in primary care settings. Although many are viral, and there is an increasing problem with antibiotic resistance, antibiotics continue to be prescribed for URTIs. Written patient information may be a simple way to reduce antibiotic use for acute URTIs. OBJECTIVES To assess if written information for patients (or parents of child patients) reduces the use of antibiotics for acute URTIs in primary care. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Web of Science, clinical trials.gov, and the World Health Organization (WHO) trials registry up to July 2016 without language or publication restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving patients (or parents of child patients) with acute URTIs, that compared written patient information delivered immediately before or during prescribing, with no information. RCTs needed to have measured our primary outcome (antibiotic use) to be included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors screened studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality. We could not meta-analyse included studies due to significant methodological and statistical heterogeneity; we summarised the data narratively. MAIN RESULTS Two RCTs met our inclusion criteria, involving a total of 827 participants. Both studies only recruited children with acute URTIs (adults were not involved in either study): 558 children from 61 general practices in England and Wales; and 269 primary care doctors who provided data on 33,792 patient-doctor consultations in Kentucky, USA. The UK study had a high risk of bias due to lack of blinding and the US cluster-randomised study had a high risk of bias because the methods to allocate participants to treatment groups was not clear, and there was evidence of baseline imbalance.In both studies, clinicians provided written information to parents of child patients during primary care consultations: one trained general practitioners (GPs) to discuss an eight-page booklet with parents; the other conducted a factorial trial with two comparison groups (written information compared to usual care and written information plus prescribing feedback to clinicians compared to prescribing feedback alone). Doctors in the written information arms received 25 copies of two-page government-sponsored pamphlets to distribute to parents.Compared to usual care, we found moderate quality evidence (one study) that written information significantly reduced the number of antibiotics used by patients (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.80; absolute risk reduction (ARR) 20% (22% versus 42%)) and had no significant effect on reconsultation rates (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.32), or parent satisfaction with consultation (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03). Low quality evidence (two studies) demonstrated that written information also reduced antibiotics prescribed by clinicians (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.78; ARR 21% (20% versus 41%); and RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.86; 9% ARR (45% versus 54%)). Neither study measured resolution of symptoms, patient knowledge about antibiotics for acute URTIs, or complications for this comparison.Compared to prescribing feedback, we found low quality evidence that written information plus prescribing feedback significantly increased the number of antibiotics prescribed by clinicians (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.17; absolute risk increase 6% (50% versus 44%)). Neither study measured reconsultation rate, resolution of symptoms, patient knowledge about antibiotics for acute URTIs, patient satisfaction with consultation or complications for this comparison. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Compared to usual care, moderate quality evidence from one study showed that trained GPs providing written information to parents of children with acute URTIs in primary care can reduce the number of antibiotics used by patients without any negative impact on reconsultation rates or parental satisfaction with consultation. Low quality evidence from two studies shows that, compared to usual care, GPs prescribe fewer antibiotics for acute URTIs but prescribe more antibiotics when written information is provided alongside prescribing feedback (compared to prescribing feedback alone). There was no evidence addressing resolution of patients' symptoms, patient knowledge about antibiotics for acute URTIs, or frequency of complications.To fill evidence gaps, future studies should consider testing written information on antibiotic use for adults with acute URTIs in high- and low-income settings provided without clinician training and presented in different formats (such as electronic). Future study designs should endeavour to ensure blinded outcome assessors. Study aims should include measurement of the effect of written information on the number of antibiotics used by patients and prescribed by clinicians, patient satisfaction, reconsultation, patients' knowledge about antibiotics, resolution of symptoms, and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack W O'Sullivan
- University of OxfordNuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesNew Radcliffe House, Radcliffe Observatory QuarterOxfordUK
| | - Robert T Harvey
- Queensland HealthPrincess Alexandra Hospital199 Ipswich road WollongabbaBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia4102
| | - Paul P Glasziou
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
| | - Amanda McCullough
- Bond UniversityCentre for Research in Evidence‐Based Practice (CREBP)University DriveGold CoastQueenslandAustralia4229
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