Primary outcome reporting in clinical trials for older adults with depression

BACKGROUND

Findings from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are synthesised through meta-analyses, which inform evidence-based decision-making. When key details regarding trial outcomes are not fully reported, knowledge synthesis and uptake of findings into clinical practice are impeded.

AIMS

Our study assessed reporting of primary outcomes in RCTs for older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD

Trials published between 2011 and 2021, which assessed any intervention for adults aged ≥65 years with a MDD diagnosis, and that specified a single primary outcome were considered for inclusion in our study. Outcome reporting assessment was conducted independently and in duplicate with a 58-item checklist, used in developing the CONSORT-Outcomes statement, and information in each RCT was scored as 'fully reported', 'partially reported' or 'not reported', as applicable.

RESULTS

Thirty-one of 49 RCTs reported one primary outcome and were included in our study. Most trials (71%) did not fully report over half of the 58 checklist items. Items pertaining to outcome analyses and interpretation were fully reported by 65% or more of trials. Items reported less frequently included: outcome measurement instrument properties (varied from 3 to 30%) and justification of the criteria used to define clinically meaningful change (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is variability in how geriatric depression RCTs report primary outcomes, with omission of details regarding measurement, selection, justification and definition of clinically meaningful change. Outcome reporting deficiencies may hinder replicability and synthesis efforts that inform clinical guidelines and decision-making. The CONSORT-Outcomes guideline should be used when reporting geriatric depression RCTs.

Comparison of national and international sedentary behaviour and physical activity guidelines for older adults: A systematic review and quality appraisal with AGREE II

Most older adults 65 years and older accumulate over 8.5 hours/day of sedentary time, which is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndromes and falls. The impact of increased sedentary time in older adults has prompted development of sedentary behaviour guidelines. The purpose of our review was to compare national and international sedentary behaviour and physical activity guidelines for older adults and appraise the quality of guidelines using AGREE II. We conducted our search in Medline, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science, CINAHL, and relevant grey literature. We included the most recent guidelines for older adults written in English. We identified 18 national and international guidelines; ten of the 18 guidelines included sedentary behaviour recommendations while all 18 included physical activity recommendations for older adults. The ten sedentary behaviour guidelines were developed using cohort studies, knowledge users' opinions, systematic reviews, or other guidelines while the physical activity guidelines were developed using randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and overview of reviews. The definition of sedentary behaviour and the recommendations were inconsistent between the guidelines and were based on very low to low quality and certainty of evidence. All guidelines provided consistent recommendations for aerobic and resistance training; the recommendations were developed using moderate to high quality and certainty of evidence. Only eight physical activity guidelines provided recommendations for balance training and six on flexibility training; the balance training recommendations were consistent between guidelines and based on moderate quality evidence. Further work is needed to develop evidenced-based sedentary behaviour recommendations and flexibility training recommendations for older adults.

Prevalence of Pediatric Masked Hypertension and Risk of Subclinical Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Masked hypertension (MH) occurs when office blood pressure is normal, but hypertension is confirmed using out-of-office blood pressure measures. Hypertension is a risk factor for subclinical cardiovascular outcomes, including left ventricular hypertrophy, increased left ventricular mass index, carotid intima media thickness, and pulse wave velocity. However, the risk factors for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring defined MH and its association with subclinical cardiovascular outcomes are unclear. A systematic literature search on 9 databases included English publications from 1974 to 2023. Pediatric MH prevalence was stratified by disease comorbidities and compared with the general pediatric population. We also compared the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, and mean differences in left ventricular mass index, carotid intima media thickness, and pulse wave velocity between MH versus normotensive pediatric patients. Of 2199 screened studies, 136 studies (n=28 612; ages 4-25 years) were included. The prevalence of MH in the general pediatric population was 10.4% (95% CI, 8.00-12.80). Compared with the general pediatric population, the risk ratio (RR) of MH was significantly greater in children with coarctation of the aorta (RR, 1.91), solid-organ or stem-cell transplant (RR, 2.34), chronic kidney disease (RR, 2.44), and sickle cell disease (RR, 1.33). MH patients had increased risk of subclinical cardiovascular outcomes compared with normotensive patients, including higher left ventricular mass index (mean difference, 3.86 g/m2.7 [95% CI, 2.51-5.22]), left ventricular hypertrophy (odds ratio, 2.44 [95% CI, 1.50-3.96]), and higher pulse wave velocity (mean difference, 0.30 m/s [95% CI, 0.14-0.45]). The prevalence of MH is significantly elevated among children with various comorbidities. Children with MH have evidence of subclinical cardiovascular outcomes, which increases their risk of long-term cardiovascular disease.

Scaffolded, embedded required: information literacy education in undergraduate health sciences

Background

The Health Sciences Library and Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) program at McMaster University worked together to build a multi-year information literacy (IL) curriculum embedded within the program under a suite of courses called Praxis Pathways.

Description

Praxis Pathways consists of four Threads. Thread 4: information literacy is the focus of this case report. The authors will describe the multi-year embedded IL curriculum, which is scaffolded to build both IL skills, such as database searching, and introduce students to key conceptual conversations in IL, production, and dissemination.

Outcomes

BHSc program graduates in 2023 will be the first to have completed all four years of the Praxis Pathways courses, including the IL program developed and delivered by the library. The authors will describe how the impact of the program will be evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively going forward.

Conclusion

Embedded librarianship for multi-year, scaffolded IL education in undergraduate programs continues to be a rarity, despite acknowledgement that one-shot instruction has several limitations. The authors present this case report to share how they embedded a for-credit IL curriculum in an undergraduate program that looks beyond the one-shot, skill-based tutorial and focuses on developing adaptive, information literate lifelong learners.

Heterogeneity across outcomes reported in clinical trials for older adults with depression: a systematic survey

OBJECTIVES

The objective of our study was to identify outcomes reported in trials for older adults with depression, and describe outcome heterogeneity.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We searched four databases to identify trials assessing any intervention for major depressive disorder among older adults published between 2011 and 2021. We grouped reported outcomes thematically and mapped them onto core outcome areas (physiological/clinical, life impact, resource use, adverse events, and death), and used descriptive analysis to summarize outcome heterogeneity.

RESULTS

There were 434 total outcomes reported by 49 included trials, which were measured using 135 different outcome measurement instruments and grouped into 100 unique outcome terms. Most outcome terms mapped to the physiological/clinical core area (47%), followed by life impact (42%). Over half of all terms (53%) were reported by only a single study. The majority of trials (n=31/49) reported a single, discernable primary outcome. The most commonly reported outcome, "depressive symptom severity" was assessed by 36 studies using 19 different outcome measurement instruments.

CONCLUSION

There is substantial heterogeneity in the outcomes and outcome measurement instruments used in geriatric depression trials. A standard set of outcomes and accompanying measurement tools is necessary to facilitate comparison and synthesis of trial findings.

Risk of Target Organ Damage in Children With Primary Ambulatory Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Target organ damage (TOD) such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), abnormal pulse wave velocity, and elevated carotid intima-media thickness are common among adults with hypertension and are associated with overt cardiovascular events. The risk of TOD among children and adolescents with hypertension confirmed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is poorly understood. In this systematic review, we compare the risks of TOD among children and adolescents with ambulatory hypertension to normotensive individuals.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to include all relevant English-language publications from January 1974 to March 2021. Studies were included if patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and ≥1 TOD was reported. Ambulatory hypertension was defined by society guidelines. Primary outcome was the risk of TOD, including LVH, left ventricular mass index, pulse wave velocity, and carotid intima-media thickness among children with ambulatory hypertension compared with those with ambulatory normotension. Meta-regression calculated the effect of body mass index on TOD.

RESULTS

Of 12 252 studies, 38 (n=3609 individuals) were included for analysis. Children with ambulatory hypertension had an increased risk of LVH (odds ratio, 4.69 [95% CI, 2.69-8.19]), elevated left ventricular mass index (pooled difference, 5.13 g/m^2.7; [95% CI, 3.78-6.49]), elevated pulse wave velocity (pooled difference, 0.39 m/s [95% CI, 0.20-0.58]), and elevated carotid intima-media thickness (pooled difference, 0.04 mm [95% CI, 0.02-0.05]), compared with normotensive children. Meta-regression showed a significant positive effect of body mass index on left ventricular mass index and carotid intima-media thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with ambulatory hypertension have adverse TOD profiles, which may increase their risk for future cardiovascular disease. This review highlights the importance of optimizing blood pressure control and screening for TOD in children with ambulatory hypertension.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42020189359.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on type A aortic dissection care

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

COVID-19 created a challenging situation for cardiac surgery and associated acute care programs around the world. While non-urgent cases might be postponed, operating on life-threatening conditions, including type A aortic dissection (TAAD), must be sustained despite the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our urgent aortic program.

Methods

36 individuals presenting with TAAD in a single centre were analysed from the pre-pandemic period (2019, n=16) and the pandemic era (2020, n=20). Retrospective data review was conducted on patient characteristics, TAAD presenting symptoms, operative techniques, postoperative outcomes and length of stay. A comparison was made between both eras applying appropriate testing methods, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A 25% increase in TAAD referrals occurred during the pandemic era. Patients were featured by younger age of presentation in contrast to Western data (pre-pandemic group: 47.6 ± 18.7, and the pandemic group: 50.6 ± 16.2 years, p=0.6) but showed similar male predominance (4:1) in both groups. There was no statistical difference in baseline comorbidities between the groups. Length of hospital and intensive care unit stays were comparable between both groups. Low rates of postoperative complications were registered in both groups with no significant between-group difference.

Conclusion

Emergent surgical management remains essential in patients with TAAD regardless of the pandemic. Furthermore, temporary structural departmental re-configuration and optimal personal protective equipment utilisation warrant maintained satisfactory outcomes in such critical healthcare scenarios.

The association of preoperative dialysis with troponin trends and short term outcomes among advanced kidney disease patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Coronary artery disease continues to be the leading cause of death in patients with stage IV-V chronic kidney disease (CKD IV-V). However, the prognosis and early outcomes for advanced CKD patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CAB) worsen as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) deteriorates. Therefore, we compared postoperative clinical outcomes and troponin trends in patients having advanced CKD according to preoperative dialysis status in a single centre experience.

Methods

A total of 51 patients with CKD IV and V who underwent CAB between 2016-2021 were included in the study. Data on patient characteristics and postoperative outcomes were collected retrospectively, and independently for our Society of Thoracic Surgeons database. Characteristics were compared between patients having CKD IV vs. CKD V. The differences in postoperative cardiac troponin trends and outcomes were evaluated between patients who did vs. did not undergo preoperative dialysis. The statistical analysis was conducted applying appropriate parametric or non-parametric (for skewed variables) testing methods, and a p value &lt; 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

47% (24) of subjects had CKD IV, while the rest featured CKD V. Patients with CKD IV tended to be older (61.8 ± 9.2 vs. 56.3 ± 11.5 years, p = 0.07), more obese (BMI: 31.4 ± 6.8, 27.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2, p = 0.02) and had significantly higher preoperative GFR (23 ± 4.9 vs. 9 ± 3.3 mL/min, p &lt; 0.001) (Table.1). When comparing patients who underwent preoperative dialysis vs. those who did not, troponin levels were the highest at 18h postoperative in both groups, however, troponin levels were comparable between both groups at all time points (Table.2). Although, there was no difference in hospital length of stay and mortality between these groups, patients who did not undergo preoperative dialysis had longer intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS).

Conclusion

In this single centre experience preoperative dialysis was not associated with a significant difference in trends of postoperative cardiac enzymes. Although preoperative dialysis was associated with shorter ICU LOS, complex pre-procedural surgical risk assessment remains paramount in reducing complications and mortality in this high-risk population. Abstract Figure.  Abstract Figure.

Delirium and other neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 infection in people with preexisting psychiatric disorders: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric disorders increase risk of neuropsychiatric disease and poor outcomes, yet little is known about the neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19 in the psychiatric population. The primary objective is to synthesize neuropsychiatric outcomes of COVID-19 in people with preexisting psychiatric disorders.

METHODS

Data were collected during an ongoing review of the impact of pandemics on people with existing psychiatric disorders. All study designs and gray literature were included. Medline, PsychInfo, CINAHL, EMBASE, and MedRx were searched from inception to September 1 2020. Risk of bias was assessed using a published tool that can accommodate all study types. Two independent authors screened the studies and extracted data. Data were narratively synthesized, as there were insufficient data to meta-analyze. Evidence was appraised according to GRADE.

RESULTS

Four case reports were included, comprising 13 participants from three countries. Many large-sample, relevant papers were omitted for not reporting psychiatric history, despite reporting other comorbidities. Included participants (n = 13) were hospitalized with COVID-19 and appeared to meet criteria for delirium. Myoclonus, rigidity, and alogia were also reported. The most commonly reported preexisting psychiatric diagnoses were mood disorders, schizophrenia, and alcohol use disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

People with preexisting psychiatric disorders may experience delirium, rigidity, myoclonus, and alogia during COVID-19 infection; although higher quality and longitudinal data are needed to better understand these phenomena. Relevant COVID-19 literature does not always report psychiatric history, despite heightened neuropsychiatric vulnerability within this population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

 PROSPERO (CRD42020179611).

A systematic review of GWAS identified SNPs associated with outcomes of medications for opioid use disorder

BACKGROUND

Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) display an interindividual variability in their response to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A genetic basis may explain the variability in this response. However, no consensus has been reached regarding which genetic variants significantly contribute to MOUD outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aims to summarize genome-wide significant findings on MOUD outcomes and critically appraise the quality of the studies involved.

METHODS

Databases searched from inception until August 21st, 2020 include: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL and Pre-CINAHL, GWAS Catalog and GWAS Central. The included studies had to be GWASs that assessed MOUD in an OUD population. All studies were screened in duplicate. The quality of the included studies was scored and assessed using the Q-Genie tool. Quantitative analysis, as planned in the protocol, was not feasible, so the studies were analyzed qualitatively.

RESULTS

Our search identified 7292 studies. Five studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included. However, only three studies reported results that met our significance threshold of p ≤ 1.0 × 10-7. In total, 43 genetic variants were identified. Variants corresponding to CNIH3 were reported to be associated with daily heroin injection in Europeans, OPRM1, TRIB2, and ZNF146 with methadone dose in African Americans, EYS with methadone dose in Europeans, and SPON1 and intergenic regions in chromosomes 9 and 3 with plasma concentrations of S-methadone, R-methadone, and R-EDDP, respectively, in Han Chinese.

LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this study include not being able to synthesize the data in a quantitative way and a conservative eligibility and data collection model.

CONCLUSION

The results from this systematic review will aid in highlighting significant genetic variants that can be replicated in future OUD pharmacogenetics research to ascertain their role in patient-specific MOUD outcomes. Systematic review registration number CRD42020169121.

Outcomes reported in randomised controlled trials of major depressive disorder in older adults: protocol for a methodological review

INTRODUCTION

Major depressive disorder (MDD or depression) is prevalent among adults aged 65 years and older. The effectiveness and safety of interventions used to treat depression is often assessed through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). However, heterogeneity in the selection, measurement and reporting of outcomes in RCTs renders comparisons between trial results, interpretability and generalisability of findings challenging. There is presently no core outcome set (COS) for use in RCTs that assess interventions for older adults with MDD. We will conduct a methodological review of the literature for outcomes reported in trials for adults 65 years and older with depression to assess the heterogeneity of outcome measures.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

RCTs evaluating pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or any other treatment intervention for older adults with MDD published in the last 10 years will be located using electronic database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials). Reviewers will conduct title and abstract screening, full-text screening and data extraction of trials eligible for inclusion independently and in duplicate. Outcomes will be synthesised and mapped to core outcome-domain frameworks. We will summarise characteristics associated with trials and outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We hope that findings from our methodological review will reduce variability in outcome selection, measurement and reporting and facilitate the development of a COS for older adults with MDD. Our review will also inform evidence synthesis efforts in identifying the best treatment practices for this clinical population. Ethics approval is not required, as this study is a literature review.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021244753.

Which Bone-Modifying Agent is Associated with Better Outcomes in Patients with Skeletal Metastases from Lung Cancer? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Metastatic bone disease occurs in 20% to 40% of patients with lung cancer, and these patients often present with pain or skeletal-related events (SREs) that are associated with decreased survival. Bone-modifying agents such as denosumab or bisphosphonates are routinely used; however, to our knowledge, there has been no quantitative synthesis of randomized controlled trial data to determine the most effective pharmacologic treatment of metastatic bone disease because of lung cancer.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We aimed to perform a network meta-analysis of randomized trials to identify the bone-modifying agent that is associated with the (1) highest overall survival, (2) longest time to SRE, (3) lowest SRE incidence, and (4) greatest likelihood of pain resolution.

METHODS

We conducted our study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and pre-registered the analysis on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019124364). We performed a librarian-assisted search of MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data. We included randomized controlled trials reporting outcomes specifically for patients with lung cancer treated with a bisphosphonate or denosumab. SREs included pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia of malignancy, or pain resulting in surgical intervention or radiation therapy. We excluded trials exclusively reporting surrogate outcomes such as changes in bone turnover markers. Screening, data extraction, risk of bias evaluation, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation evaluations were performed in duplicate. We included 131 randomized controlled trials that evaluated 11,105 patients with skeletal metastases from lung cancer. The network meta-analysis was performed using a frequentist model and the R statistical software. Results are reported as relative risks or mean differences, and the I2 value is reported for heterogeneity. The P-score, a measure of ranking certainty that accounts for standard error, is reported for each outcome. Heterogeneity in the network was considered moderate for overall survival and time to SRE, mild for the incidence of SRE, and low for pain resolution.

RESULTS

For overall survival, denosumab was ranked above zoledronic acid and estimated to confer a mean of 3.3 months (95% CI 0.3-6.3) of increased overall survival compared with untreated patients (P-score = 89%). For the time to SRE, denosumab was ranked first with a mean of 9.1 additional SRE-free months (95% CI 6.7-11.5) compared with untreated patients (P-score = 99%), while zoledronic acid conferred an additional 4.8 SRE-free months (95% CI 3.6-6.1). Reduction in the incidence of SREs was not different between patients treated with denosumab (relative risk 0.54; 95% CI 0.33-0.87) and those treated with zoledronic acid (relative risk 0.56; 95% CI 0.46-0.67). Patients treated with the combination of ibandronate and systemic therapy were more likely to experience successful pain resolution than untreated patients (relative risk 2.4; 95% CI 1.8-3.2).

CONCLUSION

In this comprehensive synthesis of all available randomized controlled trial evidence guiding the pharmacologic treatment of bone metastases from lung cancer, denosumab was ranked above zoledronic acid for overall survival and time to SRE and was not different for reducing the incidence of SRE. Both were superior to no treatment for each of these outcomes. Given this, we encourage physicians to consider the use of denosumab or zoledronic acid in treating this patient population. The combination of ibandronate and systemic therapy was the most effective at reducing pain because of metastases. No cost-effectiveness analysis has yet been performed for denosumab and zoledronic acid on patients with metastatic lung cancer, and this represents an avenue for future research.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I, therapeutic study.

Genetic basis of cannabis use: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

With the increase in cannabis use rates, cannabis use disorder is being reported as one of the most common drug use disorders globally. Cannabis use has several known physical, psychological, and social adverse events, such as altered judgement, poor educational outcomes, and respiratory symptoms. The propensity for taking cannabis and the development of a cannabis use disorder may be genetically influenced for some individuals. Heritability estimates suggest a genetic basis for cannabis use, and several genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified possible regions of association, albeit with inconsistent findings. This systematic review aims to summarize the findings from GWASs investigating cannabis use and cannabis use disorder.

METHODS

This systematic review incorporates articles that have performed a GWAS investigating cannabis use or cannabis use disorder. MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, GWAS Catalog, GWAS Central, and NIH Database of Genotype and Phenotype were searched using a comprehensive search strategy. All studies were screened in duplicate, and the quality of evidence was assessed using the quality of genetic association studies (Q-Genie) tool. All studies underwent qualitative synthesis; however, quantitative analysis was not feasible.

RESULTS

Our search identified 5984 articles. Six studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in this review. All six studies reported results that met our significance threshold of p ≤ 1.0 × 10-7. In total 96 genetic variants were identified. While meta-analysis was not possible, this review identified the following genes, ANKFN1, INTS7, PI4K2B, CSMD1, CST7, ACSS1, and SCN9A, to be associated with cannabis use. These regions were previously reported in different mental health conditions, however not in relation to cannabis use.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review summarized GWAS findings within the field of cannabis research. While a meta-analysis was not possible, the summary of findings serves to inform future candidate gene studies and replication efforts. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO CRD42020176016.

Engaging medical students and residents in nephrology education: an updated scoping review

BACKGROUND

There is global recognition that interest in nephrology among pediatric and adult trainees is waning, while the burden of kidney disease continues to wax. There is a growing need to engage trainees in nephrology education. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on nephrology education for medical students and residents published in the last six years, collate the findings, and extract major themes in order to better define the gaps in this field.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted on four major academic search engines including MEDLINE (OvidSP), ERIC, EMBASE and Web of Science until October 22, 2020, retrieving a total of 2,694 studies. Forty studies published after September 2014 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies were analyzed based on study focus, type of study design, and outcomes.

RESULTS

The studies fell into three main areas of focus: (a) factors that influence interest in nephrology careers (b) current gaps in nephrology knowledge and (c) innovative educational strategies. Barriers to engaging learners in nephrology include a lack of exposure, lack of mentorship, and perceived complexity of nephrology. Baseline awareness is deficient in the management of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. Applying active learning strategies may reduce the perceived barriers to understanding nephrology.

CONCLUSION

The importance of engaging the future nephrology workforce is well-recognized. Nephrologist educators should focus their efforts in studying curriculum interventions and their impact not only on learner satisfaction, but also future behavior, career choices, and patient outcomes.

Evolution and change in paradigm of hemodialysis in children: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

There are similarities in hemodialysis (HD) between adults and children and also unique pediatric aspects. In this systematic review, we evaluated the existing HD literature, including vascular access, indications, parameters, and outcomes as a reflection on real-life HD practices.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for literature on HD in children (1-20 years). Two reviewers independently assessed the literature and data on indications; vascular access, outcomes, and specific parameters for HD were extracted.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies (8751 patients) were included in this review. Studies were stratified into age groups 1-5, 6-12, and 13-20 years based on median/mean age reported in the study, as well as era of publication (1990-2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-2019). Across all age groups, both arteriovenous fistulas and central venous catheters were utilized for vascular access. Congenital abnormalities and glomerulopathy were the most common HD indications. HD parameters including HD session duration, dialysate and blood flow rates, urea reduction ratio, and ultrafiltration were characterized for each age group, as well as common complications including catheter dysfunction and intradialytic hypotension. Median mortality rates were 23.3% (3.3), 7.6% (14.5), and 2.0% (3.0) in ages 1-5, 6-12, and 13-20 years, respectively. Median transplantation rates were 41.6% (38.3), 52.0% (32.0), and 21% (25.6) in ages 1-5, 6-12, and 13-20, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive systematic review summarizes available literature on HD in children and young adults, including best vascular access, indications, technical aspects, and outcomes, and reflects on HD practices over the last three decades.

Association between vaping and health outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Vaping behaviour has increased in popularity and is particularly important to examine how it effects health outcomes in vulnerable populations, including those with opioid use disorder (OUD). With polysubstance use including cigarette and cannabis use being highly prevalent in the OUD population and cannabis/nicotine increasingly being consumed by vaping, vaping may have an important contribution to health outcomes in these individuals. The primary objective of this review is to systematically assess the literature related to patients with OUD and the effects vaping has shown on their physical and mental health.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

A systematic search of databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry, the National Institutes for Health Clinical Trials Registry and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to 31 December 2020 will be conducted. Identified citations will be screened by two reviewers to determine eligibility at the title and abstract level, and then at the full text and data extraction phases. Any disagreements in inclusion will be resolved through unblinded discussion by these reviewers, with any remaining disagreements being resolved by a third reviewer. Data collection from eligible studies will be conducted according to the data extraction form tested prior to abstraction. Included studies will be examined for quality and bias and will be meta-analysed where applicable. This protocol is reported in keeping with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The results for this review will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, posters and presentations at scientific conferences. Additionally, we are collaborating with the Canadian Addiction Treatment Centre clinics to help disseminate the findings for this review. As this is a systematic review, no ethics approval is needed.

REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020178441.

Impact of COVID-19 and other pandemics and epidemics on people with pre-existing mental disorders: a systematic review protocol and suggestions for clinical care

INTRODUCTION

The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high rates of infection and death, as well as widespread social disruption and a reduction in access to healthcare services and support. There is growing concern over how the pandemic, as well as measures put in place to curb the pandemic, will impact people with mental disorders. We aim to study the effect of pandemics and epidemics on mental health outcomes for people with premorbid mental disorders.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

With our predefined search strategy, we will search five databases for studies reporting on mental health outcomes in people with pre-existing mental disorders during pandemic and epidemic settings. Search dates are planned as follows: 5 May 2020 and 23 July 2020. The following databases will be searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, MedRxiv and EMBASE. Data will be screened and extracted in duplicate by two independent reviewers. Studies involving non-clinical populations or patients diagnosed with a mental disorder during a pandemic/epidemic will be excluded. We will include data collected from all pandemics and epidemics throughout history, including the present COVID-19 pandemic. If possible, study findings will be combined in meta-analyses, and subgroup analyses will be performed. We hope that this review will shed light on the impact of pandemics and epidemics on those with pre-existing mental disorders. Knowledge generated may inform future intervention studies as well as healthcare policies. Given the potential implications of the current pandemic measures (ie, disruption of healthcare services) on mental health, we will also compile a list of existing mental health resources.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is required for this protocol and proposed systematic review as we will only use data from previously published papers that have themselves received ethics clearance and used proper informed consent procedures.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020179611.

GWAS-identified genetic variants associated with medication-assisted treatment outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

The burden of opioid use disorder (OUD) has been increasing in North America. Administration of medication-assisted treatments (MATs) for OUD on an individual-dose basis has been shown to affect patient responses to treatment, proving to be, on occasion, dangerous. A genetic basis has been identified for some MAT responses in a candidate gene context, but consensus has not been reached for any genome-wide significant associations. This systematic review aims to identify and assess any genetic variants associated with MAT patient outcomes at genome-wide significance.

METHODS

The databases searched by the authors will be: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL and Pre-CINAHL, GWAS Catalog, GWAS Central, and NIH Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes. A title and abstract screening, full-text screening, data extraction, and quality assessment will be completed in duplicate for each study via Covidence. Treatment outcomes of interest include continued opioid use or abstinence during treatment or at follow-up, time to relapse, treatment retention rates, opioid overdose, other substance use, comorbid psychiatric disorders, risk taking behaviors, MAT plasma concentrations, and mortality rates. Analysis methods applied, if appropriate, will include random effects meta-analysis with pooled odds ratios for all outcomes. Subgroup analyses will also be implemented, when possible.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review can hopefully inform the direction of future research, aiding in the development of a safer and more patient-centered treatment. It will be able to highlight genome-wide significant variants that are replicable and associated with MAT patient outcomes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

This systematic review protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (registration ID CRD42020169121).

Antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of urinary tract infections in the first year of life in children with vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed in the workup of antenatal hydronephrosis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Children with antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) diagnosed with postnatal asymptomatic vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are thought to be at higher risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). As such, continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) is empirically recommended until age of toilet training; however, there are limited data to support this. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the existing data and compare UTI rates in infants with asymptomatic VUR on CAP during the first year of life, to those not on CAP. Secondary objectives were to determine associated risk factors with UTI development.

METHODS

A systematic search of all relevant studies and abstracts was conducted using 4 electronic databases by utilizing appropriate key words by an expert hospital librarian. Eligible studies included children with prenatal hydronephrosis, asymptomatic VUR with or without CAP, and reported on development of UTI in the first year.

RESULTS

Of 6903 citations screened, 18 were selected, giving a total population of 829 (69.4% male, median age 57 days) who met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were retrospective and of low-quality evidence. Overall, 15.4% of patients developed at least one breakthrough UTI and females had a higher risk of UTI (odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.7). Comparison with children not taking CAP was not readily reported, and meta-analysis could not be completed.

CONCLUSIONS

Randomized controlled trials and standardized reporting of clinical variables are required to understand the protective effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in this cohort.

Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Opioid Use Disorder Who Were First Introduced to Opioids by Prescription: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Prescription opioid misuse has led to a new cohort of opioid use disorder (OUD) patients who were introduced to opioids through a legitimate prescription. This change has caused a shift in the demographic profile of OUD patients from predominantly young men to middle age and older people. The management of OUD includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which produces varying rates of treatment response. In this study, we will examine whether the source of first opioid use has an effect on treatment outcomes in OUD. Using a systematic review of the literature, we will investigate the association between source of first opioid introduction and treatment outcomes defined as continuing illicit opioid use and poly-substance use while in MAT.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to December 31st, 2019 inclusive using a comprehensive search strategy. Five pairs of reviewers conducted screening and data extraction independently in duplicate. The review is conducted and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. A random-effects model was used for meta analyses assuming heterogeneity among the included studies.

RESULTS

The initial search results in 27,345 articles that were screened, and five observational studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. Our results found that those who were introduced to opioids through a legitimate prescription were significantly less likely to have illicit opioid use (0.70, 95% CI 0.50, 0.99) while on MAT. They were also less likely to use cannabis (0.54, 95% CI 0.32, 0.89), alcohol (0.75, 95% CI 0.59, 0.95), cocaine (0.50, 95% CI 0.29, 0.85), and injection drug use (0.25, 95% CI 0.14, 0.43) than those introduced to opioids through recreational means.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the first exposure to opioids, whether through a prescription or recreationally, influences prognosis and treatment outcomes of opioid use disorder. Although the increased pattern of prescribing opioids may have led to increased OUD in a new cohort of patients, these patients are less likely to continue to use illicit drugs and have a different prognostic and clinical profile that requires a tailored approach to treatment.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017058143.

Genetic determinants of cannabis use: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

With the legalization of cannabis in Canada, there is an increase trend in use. Cannabis has been known to have several health implications, one of which is the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). CUD is more common in males than females, as well as in certain ethnic groups such as Native Americans. Additionally, both environmental and genetic risk factors have been found for cannabis use. The objective of this systematic review will be to summarize the genetic variants associated with cannabis use which have reached borderline genome-wide significance.

METHODS

This systematic review will incorporate articles that have performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) investigating cannabis use. MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, GWAS Catalog, GWAS Central, and NIH Database of Genotype and Phenotype will be searched using a comprehensive search strategy. The quality of genetic association studies (Q-Genie) tool will be utilized to assess the quality of the included studies. All screening and data extraction will occur independently by two authors. If feasible, a random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted on pooled odds ratios of single nucleotide polymorphisms reaching borderline genome-wide significance.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will synthesize available GWAS on cannabis use. Results from this review will inform and direct further investigation of genetic variants associated with cannabis use.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020176016.

A comparison of electronically-delivered and face to face cognitive behavioural therapies in depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely used treatment for depression. However, limited resource availability poses several barriers to patients seeking access to care, including lengthy wait times and geographical limitations. This has prompted health care services to introduce electronically delivered CBT (eCBT) to facilitate access. Although previous reviews have compared the effects of eCBT to face-to-face CBT, there is an overall lack of adequately powered and up-to-date evidence in the literature to provide a reliable comparison between the two modes of administration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of eCBT compared to face-to-face CBT through a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

To be eligible for this review, studies needed to be randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical effectiveness of any form of eCBT compared to face-to-face CBT. These encompassed studies evaluating a wide range of outcomes including severity of symptoms, adverse outcomes, clinically relevant outcomes, global functionality, participant satisfaction, quality of life, and affordability. There were no restrictions on participant age or sex.We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psych Info, Cochrane CENTRAL and CINAHL databases from inception to February 20th, 2020 using a comprehensive search strategy. All stages of literature screening and data extraction were completed independently in duplicate. Data extraction and risk of bias analyses, including GRADE ratings, were conducted on studies meeting inclusion criteria. Qualitative measures are reported in a narrative summary. We pooled quantitative data in meta-analyses to provide an estimated summary effect. This review adheres to PRISMA reporting guidelines.

FINDINGS

In total, we included 17 studies in our analyses. Our results demonstrated that eCBT was more effective than face-to-face CBT at reducing depression symptom severity (Standardized mean difference [SMD]: -1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.72, -0.74; GRADE: moderate quality of evidence). There were no significant differences between the two interventions on participant satisfaction (SMD 0.13 95%; CI -0.32, 0.59; GRADE: low quality of evidence). One RCT reported eCBT to be less costly than face-to-face CBT (GRADE: low quality of evidence). Results did not differ when stratified by subgroups such as participant age and study location.

INTERPRETATION

Although we found eCBT to have moderate evidence of effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression, high heterogeneity among studies precludes definitive conclusions for all outcomes. With the current reliance and accessibility of technology to increasing number of people worldwide, serious consideration in utilizing technology should be given to maximize accessibility for depression treatments. Our results found eCBT is at least as effective as face to face CBT, thus eCBT should be offered if preferred by patients and therapists.

FUNDING

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Pharmacological prevention of fractures in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective

To perform a network meta-analysis (NMA) on the efficacy of antiosteoporotic interventions in the prevention of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in adult patients taking glucocorticoids (GCs).

Methods

We performed NMAs based on a prospectively developed protocol. A librarian-assisted database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Chinese databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing antiosteoporotic interventions in adult patients taking GCs. Outcomes were vertebral and non-vertebral fracture incidences.

Results

We included 56 RCTs containing 6479 eligible patients in our analysis. We found that alendronate and teriparatide were associated with decreased odds of both vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Denosumab and risedronate were associated with decreased odds of vertebral fractures, while etidronate, ibandronate and alfacalcidol were associated with decreased odds of non-vertebral fractures. We observed low network heterogeneity as indicated by the I2 statistic, and we did not detect evidence of publication bias. All outcomes were based on a moderate quality of evidence according to GRADE.

Conclusion

Bisphosphonates, teriparatide and denosumab are associated with decreased odds of fracture in patients undergoing GC therapy. Vitamin D metabolites and analogues (e.g. alfacalcidol) may have greater anti-fracture efficacy compared with plain vitamin D.

Systematic Review Registration

The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO)—CRD42019127073

Antidiabetic and antiosteoporotic pharmacotherapies for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes-induced bone disease: protocol for two network meta-analyses

INTRODUCTION

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at risk for a variety of severe debilitating effects. One of the most serious complications experienced by patients with T2DM are skeletal diseases caused by changes in the bone microenvironment. As a result, patients with T2DM are at risk for higher prevalence of fragility fractures. There are a variety of treatments available for counteracting this effect. Some antidiabetic medications, such as metformin, have been shown to have a positive effect on bone health without the addition of additional drugs into patients' treatment plans. Chinese randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies have also proposed antiosteoporotic pharmacotherapies as a viable alternative treatment strategy. Previous network meta-analyses (NMAs) and meta-analyses regarding this topic did not include all available RCT trials, or only performed pairwise comparisons. We present a protocol for a two-part NMA that incorporates all available RCT data to provide the most comprehensive ranking of antidiabetics (part I) and antiosteoporotic (part II) pharmacotherapies in terms of their ability to decrease fracture incidences, increase bone mineral density (BMD) and improve indications of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in adult patients with T2DM.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Chinese literature sources (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP Information, Wanfang Data, Wanfang Med Online) for RCTs, which fit our criteria. We will include adult patients with T2DM who have taken antidiabetics (part I) or antiosteoporotic (part II) therapies with relevant outcome measures in our study. We will perform title/abstract and full-text screening as well as data extraction in duplicate. Risk of bias will be evaluated in duplicate for each study, and the quality of evidence will be examined using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis in accordance to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. We will use R and gemtc to perform the NMA. We will report changes in BMD and BTMs in either weighted or standardised mean difference, and we will report fracture incidences as ORs. We will use the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve scores to provide numerical estimates of the rankings of interventions.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study will not require ethics approval. The findings of the two-part NMA will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. We aim to produce the most comprehensive quantitative analysis regarding the management of T2DM bone disease. Our analysis should be able to provide physicians and patients with up-to-date recommendations for antidiabetic medications and antiosteoporotic pharmacotherapies for maintaining bone health in patients with T2DM.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019139320.

Anticonvulsants for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia: protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are present in a majority of patients with dementia contributing to increased morbidity, health care costs, and caregiver burden. While there are no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for these symptoms, off-label use of medications such as antipsychotics have been shown to have significant adverse effects including increased mortality. The goal of this review is to examine the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants in the treatment of BPSD.

METHODS

We will systematically search for randomized trials of anticonvulsants compared to placebo or other treatments such as antidepressants and antipsychotics from the following sources: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID SP) in Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations (latest version), EMBASE, clinicalTrials.gov , and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry. The studies will be limited to those published in English but the study location can be worldwide. We will include studies pertaining to individuals with dementia and symptoms of BPSD. The primary outcomes will be behavioral change as measured by validated scales and secondary outcomes will include caregiver burden, quality of life, placement in long term care facility, serious adverse effects, and treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects. Two sets of reviewers will independently screen select and extract data. We will narratively describe the major findings and conclusions from individual studies. Patients who are prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for other indications, including seizures, will be excluded. Outcomes of interest will include a change in a validated scale that measures BPSD, serious adverse events, and caregiver quality of life outcomes. If the data are found to be appropriate for a meta-analysis, we will use a random effects model to compute summary estimates of treatment effects.

DISCUSSION

This is a protocol for a systematic review addressing the anticonvulsant group of medications as a whole, and as such, our results will inform current clinical practice in the use of anticonvulsants for BPSD. It will also help clinicians and policy makers compare the efficacy of anticonvulsants compared to antidepressants and antipsychotics as well as identify areas which will need further study.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017079826.

Quality of reporting and fragility index for randomized controlled trials in the vesicoureteral reflux literature: where do we stand?

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the "gold standard" methodology for examining the effects of clinical interventions, yet only 1% of urology literature employs this design. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement contains a standardized checklist of 37 items to be included when reporting RCTs to ensure transparency and completeness of information [2]. Despite the robust design of RCTs, the number of events can greatly change the significance of the results, which can be represented by the fragility index (FI).

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess the quality of reporting of RCTs in the pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) literature using the 2010 CONSORT statement and, for studies with significant positive findings, to determine the FI as a measure of robustness of the results.

STUDY DESIGN

A comprehensive search was conducted through MEDLINE® and Embase® to identify RCTs in VUR literature from 2000 to 2016. Two reviewers independently selected articles, which were evaluated using the CONSORT checklist. An overall quality of reporting score (OQS) (%) was calculated by dividing the number of checklist items present in each study by the maximum possible score (34) and expressed as a percentage. Studies were classified as low (<40%), moderate (40-70%) and high quality (>70%) based on the modified assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews (AMSTAR) checklist. Of the 2052 initial matches, 98% were excluded due to methodology or content, a further 28 studies were found not to meet inclusion criteria after full text review. The FI was calculated for the 7 studies that met inclusion criteria with significantly different results by manually adding events to the study groups until p>0.05.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria. The mean OQS was 46+17% with 9 (41%) identified as low quality (score <40%), 11 (50%) as moderate (40-70%) and 2 (9%) as high quality (>70%). There was no significant difference in OQS between RCTs with a sample size > 100 (n=15) versus <100 patients (n=7) (45+17% vs. 47+17%, p=0.7). However, we noted a difference when we compared RCTs with biostatistician support (n=4) vs. those without (n=18) (59+20% vs. 43+15%, p<0.05). Seven studies reported significant positive results making calculation of FI possible. The mean FI was 5.8+5.1 indicating that most studies were fragile. There was no correlation between the OQS and FI.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The mean OQS of VUR RCTs was suboptimal (46%), with most studies having low FI scores indicating the instability of the findings. The only variable that significantly impacted the OQS was biostatistician support. Implementation of the CONSORT checklist with a minimum of 50% inclusion as a prerequisite for submission of manuscripts may improve the quality and transparency of reporting. Calculation of the FI could provide readers with an objective measure of robustness for the published trials, allowing for appropriate interpretation of the results.

Adverse Outcomes Associated with Prescription Opioids for Acute Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute low back pain (ALBP) is a common clinical complaint that can last anywhere from 24 hours to 12 weeks. In recent years, there has been an opioid epidemic which is linked to the increased availability of prescription opioids. Though guidelines recommend that in the treatment of ALBP, opioids should be used when other treatments fail, we have seen an increase in opioid prescriptions for ALBP. With this crisis, it is important to examine if there are any adverse outcomes associated with prescribing opioids for ALBP.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to review the published literature to examine the adverse outcomes associated with opioid use for ALBP.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis in accordance with our published protocol and PRISMA guidelines.

SETTING

The review was conducted at McMaster University.

METHODS

Various electronic databases for articles published from inception to September 30, 2017, inclusive. Both randomized clinical trials and observational studies on the impact of opioid use in ALBP in the adult population were included. Eight pairs of independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality. The identified articles were assessed for risk of bias using sensitivity analysis. Trials with comparative outcomes were reported in a meta-analysis using a fixed effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 13,889 studies were initially screened for the review and a total of 4 studies were included in the full review, of which 2 studies were meta-analyzed. Our results showed that prescribing opioids for ALBP was significantly associated with long-term continued opioid use (1.57, 95% CI, 1.06-2.33). There was no significant association found between unemployment duration and prescribing opioids for ALBP (3.54, 95% CI, -7.57 to 14.66).

LIMITATIONS

Due to the limited number of studies that considered unemployment, only an unpooled analysis was conducted. Among the included studies there was both statistical and clinical heterogeneity due to differences in methodology, study design, risk of selection or performance bias. Most of the studies had an unclear or high risk of bias and poorly defined side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the lack of literature examining long-term adverse outcomes associated with prescribing opioids for ALBP, no definitive conclusions can be made. However, with the literature available, there does seem to be risk associated with prescribing opioids for ALBP so there is a great need to conduct further investigations examining these adverse outcomes for ALBP patients.

KEY WORDS

Acute low back pain, opioids, prescriptions, low back pain, long-term use, opioid use disorder.

Statin therapy in the treatment of active cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Preclinical evidence suggests statins may have anti-tumor properties. Large observational studies are also consistent with improved survival and cancer-specific outcomes among cancer patients on statins. We sought to evaluate the randomized controlled trials of statins in addition to usual anti-cancer therapy.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Papers First and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed from inception through to July 4, 2017 to identify randomized clinical trials that investigated statin therapy in cancer patients. Our primary outcome was overall survival and our secondary outcome was progression-free survival. We calculated summary hazard ratio’s (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on random-effects models using aggregate data. PROSPERO (CRD42017065503).

Results

Ten studies with 1,881 individuals were included with 1,572 deaths and a median follow-up of 23 months. All trials included patients with advanced (stage 3 or higher) disease. There was minimal between-study statistical heterogeneity (I² = 1.8%, for OS; I² = 0%, for PFS). The pooled HR for overall survival in patients randomized to statins plus standard anti-cancer therapy versus standard therapy alone was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.85 to 1.04). In the 9 studies that reported progression-free survival (1,798 participants), the pooled HR for statin plus standard therapy versus standard therapy alone was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.87 to 1.07).

Conclusions

In patients with advanced cancer and a prognosis <2 years, the addition of statins to standard anti-cancer therapy does not appear to improve overall survival or progression-free survival. Future research should assess if cancer patients with better prognosis benefit from longer-term statin therapy.

Identifying patient-important outcomes in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder patients: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Illicit opioid use has become a national crisis in Canada, with over 65 000 people seeking treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Ontario and British Columbia alone. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a common treatment for OUD. There is substantial variability in treatment outcomes used to evaluate effectiveness of MAT, making it difficult to establish clinically and scientifically relevant treatment effect. Furthermore, patients are often excluded from the process of determining these outcomes. The primary objective of this review is to examine outcomes currently used to measure MAT effectiveness and to identify patient-relevant outcomes to enhance effectiveness of treatment options. This review refers to patient-important outcomes as those outcomes patients consider important to or markers of treatment success.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Clinical Trials Registry, National Institutes for Health Clinical Trials Registry and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases will be searched. We will search databases from inception to the date the search is ran. Studies of interest include those evaluating the effectiveness of MAT for patients with OUD, with or without consultation with patients regarding what they consider to be important as an indicator of treatment success. Results will be analysed using thematic analysis and qualitative analysis where possible. This will result in comprehensive synthesis of all outcomes and measures found related to OUD treatment effectiveness.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We are collaborating with Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres which provide MAT to patients with OUD who will participate in disseminating study results. Dissemination strategies will involve sharing study results through workshops, presentations, peer-reviewed publications, study reports, community presentations and resources in primary care settings.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018095553.

Is It Time to Re-Evaluate the Ethics Governance of Social Media Research?

This article reports on a U.K. workshop on social media research ethics held in May 2018. There were 10 expert speakers and an audience of researchers, research ethics committee members, and research institution representatives. Participants reviewed the current state of social media ethics, discussing well-rehearsed questions such as what needs consent in social media research, and how the public/private divide differs between virtual and real-life environments. The lack of answers to such questions was noted, along with the difficulties posed for ethical governance structures in general and the work of research ethics committees in particular. Discussions of these issues enabled the creation of two recommendations. The first is for research ethics committees and journal editors to add the category of ‘data subject research’ to the existing categories of ‘text research’ and ‘human subject research’. This would reflect the fact that social media research does not fall into either of the existing categories and so needs a category of its own. The second is that ethical issues should be considered at all stages of social media research, up to and including aftercare. This acknowledges that social media research throws up a large number of ethical issues throughout the process which, under current arrangements for ethical research governance, risks remaining unaddressed.

Non-stented versus stented urethroplasty for distal hypospadias repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Studies have shown that non-stented distal hypospadias repair eliminates stent-related bladder spasm and stent removal discomfort without increasing complications; however, results are inconsistent. We performed a systematic review to assess the complication rates of non-stented compared to the stented distal hypospadias repair.

METHODS

The literature search included randomized control trials (RCTs) and cohort studies published prior to October 2016 in all languages (PROSPERO CRD42016047563). All included studies were assessed according to Cochrane Collaborative recommendations and included for meta-analysis. Surgical outcomes from each treatment group were classified according to early complications and later final outcomes. Outcomes were expressed as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Interstudy heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square and I². Effect estimates were pooled using the inverse variant method with random effect model. Subgroup analysis was performed according to surgical technique (Mathieu versus tubularized incised plate) and study design.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (14 cohorts, 6 RCTs) with 2466 hypospadias repairs (1290 non-stented, 1176 stented) were included for the meta-analysis. Serious risk of bias was noted among the cohort studies with publication bias likely present, while the included RCTs were of moderate methodological quality. The overall pooled effect estimates comparing non-stented versus stented distal hypospadias repair showed no between-group difference for outcomes of early and late complications (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.46-1.50; RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92, 1.48; respectively) CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence of low to moderate quality suggests that there is likely no outcome difference between non-stented and stented distal hypospadias repair.

Treatment outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder initiated by prescription: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

In North America, opioid use has become a public health crisis with policy makers declaring it a state of emergency. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is a harm-reduction method used in treating opioid use disorder. While OST has shown to be successful in improving treatment outcomes, there is still a great degree of variability among patients. This cohort of patients has shifted from young males using heroin to a greater number of older people and women using prescription opioids. The primary objective of this review is to examine the literature on the association between the first exposure to opioids through prescription versus illicit use and OST treatment outcomes.

METHOD

An electronic search will be conducted on the EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Two independent reviewers will conduct the initial title and abstract screenings using predetermined criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Reviewers will then conduct full-text data extraction using a pilot-tested data extraction form in duplicate. A third author will resolve disagreements if consensus cannot be reached. Quality and risk of bias assessment will be conducted along with a sensitivity analysis for all included studies. Qualitative summary of the evidence will be provided, and when possible, a meta-analysis will be conducted, along with heterogeneity calculation. The reporting of this protocol follows the PRISMA-P.

DISCUSSION

We expect that this review will help determine whether patients that were initially exposed to opioids through a prescription differ in OST treatment outcomes in comparison to people who used opioids through illicit means. We hope that this review will provide evidence related to prescription opioids exposure and future treatment outcomes, which will aid clinicians in their decisions to prescribe opioids or not for specific populations at risk.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017058143.

Preoperative hormonal stimulation effect on hypospadias repair complications: Meta-analysis of observational versus randomized controlled studies

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative hormonal stimulation (PHS) is commonly administered to improve hypospadias outcomes. However, current literature provides no clear evidence to support its use, and controversies exist regarding its effect on postoperative complications. Herein we systematically evaluate the effect of PHS on postoperative complications rates following hypospadias repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Comprehensive literature search performed on April 2016 including OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP), and ProQuest. Study quality assessment followed the Cochrane collaboration recommendation using risk of bias assessment, ROBINS-I and NOQAS. Effect estimates were extracted as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and pooled using Mantel-Haenzel method. Evidence quality was assessed using GRADE approach. Protocol Registration: PROSPERO CRD42016037881.

RESULTS

Twenty-one publications from 16 trials examining the effect of androgenic PHS on postoperative outcome were included. Subgroup analysis based on study design (including nine cohort studies with moderate to high risk of bias for patient selection) showed no significant difference on postoperative outcomes (RR 1.31, 95% CI 0.95-1.81) (table). Pooled effect estimates with moderate quality of evidence from three randomized controlled trials suggest that significant lesser postoperative complications occur among patients exposed to PHS (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.20-0.65). Uniformly, the reported adverse effects related to PHS were mild and transient, with good overall tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Effect estimates generated from the better quality of evidence showed that PHS may decrease postoperative complications following hypospadias repair. Future studies should aim at identifying indicated subgroup of patients that will benefit from it and standardizing the dose and mode of delivery for best clinical result.

Autologous plasma and platelet sequestration at the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass: a pilot investigation in five patients undergoing extended vascular surgery in deep hypothermia

Platelet dysfunction and loss of procoagulants and platelets leads to impaired hemostasis after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Preoperative platelet sequestration delays surgery, and the large volume shifts, necessary to harvest therapeutically effective components, may be associated with hemodynamic instability. We performed platelet and plasma sequestration after the initiation of CPB during the cooling period in patients undergoing surgery in deep hypothermic cardiac arrest. Five patients who underwent major vascular surgery in deep hypothermia were enrolled in this pilot study. Platelet and plasma sequestration was performed during cooling with the CATS cell saver using the plasma sequestration set. Before processing, 2 x 1,000 ml of blood were concentrated by means of hemofiltration to reduce dilution effects of CPB. The autologous platelet concentrates were rotated at 24 degrees C, and the plasma was stored at room temperature. The harvested plasma and platelets were re-transfused during modified ultrafiltration after CPB. Platelet count, 20 mmol/L ADP stimulated platelet aggregation, and fibrinogen levels were measured preoperatively in the harvested material and in patient blood before and after transfusion. A heparinase thromboelastogram (TEG) was performed preoperatively before and after re-transfusion. There was a significant increase in the ADP stimulated platelet aggregation, platelet count, fibrinogen level, and maximum amplitude of the TEG after re-transfusion of the harvested material. No patient needed transfusion of fresh frozen plasma or random donor platelet concentrates. No patient needed re-exploration due to hemorrhage. The data presented provide evidence that autologous plasma and platelet sequestration during CPB initiation is effective. The harvested material reveals a high platelet count and fibrinogen level and preserves functional integrity.