Helping hospital patients quit: what the evidence supports and what guidelines recommend

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to critically appraise the extent and strength of systematic review evidence for, and guideline recommendations regarding hospital smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: Systematic reviews of smoking cessation interventions were identified via an electronic search of the Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses from Cochrane reviews were categorised as those that incorporated only studies of hospital based interventions, and those which incorporated interventions which were not hospital based. Smoking cessation guidelines for hospital health professionals were identified via a search of the World Wide Web. RESULTS: The review found that evidence from meta-analyses restricted to hospital studies was insufficient to evaluate a number of specific intervention strategies and at times conflicted with the findings of meta-analyses without such restrictions. The majority of guidelines recommended the provision of brief advice, counseling, nicotine replacement therapy despite the absence of clear supporting evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Further hospital-based research addressing specific cessation strategies is required. Furthermore, smoking cessation guidelines for hospital based health professionals should more specifically reflect evidence from this setting.     

Breastfeeding and introduction of solid foods in Swedish infants: the All Babies in Southeast Sweden study

The aim of this report is to describe breastfeeding duration and introduction of foods in Swedish infants born 1997-9, in relation to current recommendations. A secondary aim is to examine breastfeeding duration and introduction of certain allergenic foods in allergy-risk families (for whom allergy-preventive advice has been issued). Out of 21,700 invited infants, screening questionnaires were completed for 16,070 infants after delivery. Parents to 11,081 infants completed a follow-up questionnaire regarding breastfeeding and introduction of foods and 9849 handed in detailed food diaries at 1 year of age. The percentages of infants who were exclusively breast-fed at 3, 6 and >or=9 months of age were 78.4, 10.1 and 3.9, respectively. The corresponding percentages for partial breastfeeding were 87.8, 68.9 and 43.6. Gluten-containing foods were introduced to 66% of infants between 4 and 6 months, as recommended at the time of the study, and one-quarter had stopped breastfeeding when gluten was introduced. More than 90% of parents introduced the first sample of solid food during months 4-6, as recommended. Fish and eggs had been introduced during the first year in 43% and 29%, respectively, of infants with atopic heredity. Exclusive breastfeeding duration and time of introduction of solid foods, including gluten, seemed to have been in line with Swedish recommendations at the time, although gluten was often introduced late, and not during ongoing breastfeeding as recommended. The adherence to allergy-preventive advice was less than optimal in infants with atopic heredity.     

强化母乳对早产儿早期生长影响的Meta分析

目的：评价强化母乳喂养的早产儿的早期生长情况,与非强化母乳、早产儿配方奶喂养的早产儿进行生长速率的比较。方法按照Cochrane图书馆检索策略,检索Cochrane图书馆、MEDLINE、EMBASE、PubMed、维普中文科技期刊数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、万方资源数据库,查阅会议记录、专题论文集、综述和检出文献等相关资料。收集关于强化母乳喂养早产儿的随机对照试验研究,进行文献筛选和质量评价,采用Rev Man 5．1软件进行Meta分析,计量资料采用加权均数差（ WMD）及其95％CI表示。结果研究共纳入8篇文献。 Meta分析结果显示：强化母乳喂养早产儿早期体重增长速率、头围增长速率显著大于未强化母乳喂养早产儿,两组身长增长速率无显著性差异（体重：WMD＝2．41,95％CI：1．01～3．82,P＜0．001;身长：WMD＝0．04,95％CI：-0．10～0．17,P＝0．58;头围：WMD＝0．12,95％CI：0．11～0．13,P＜0．001）;比较早产儿配方奶喂养早产儿,两组早期体重增长速率、身长增长速率、头围增长速率无显著性差异（体重：WMD＝-1．28,95％CI：-3．62～1．06,P＝0．28;身长：WMD＝-0．05,95％CI：-0．27～0．18,P＝0．68;头围：WMD＝-0．01,95％CI：-0．06～0．04,P＝0．73）。结论强化母乳喂养能较好地促进早产儿早期生长,可作为首选的喂养方式。     

Development of a highly sensitive search strategy for the retrieval of reports of controlled trials using PubMed

OBJECTIVE: To develop, through revision of the Cochrane Collaboration search strategy for OVID-MEDLINE, a highly sensitive search strategy to retrieve reports of controlled trials using PubMed. METHODS: The original highly sensitive Cochrane strategy was revised to take into account additional Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and other terminology as well as the current unique features of PubMed. We compared the retrieval of the revised strategy with that of the original Cochrane strategy before and after translation of the strategies into PubMed format. Finally, we used a gold standard database of reports of controlled trials identified by electronic and hand search of selected journals to test the revised strategy in PubMed format. RESULTS: The revised strategy included a search statement modified for increased precision, and added 'Cross-over Studies' as a MeSH term and the term 'latin square' as a text word. Compared to the original Cochrane strategy, the revised strategy identified 53 additional reports of controlled trials accessing MEDLINE through OVID. When the revised strategy and original Cochrane strategy were translated into PubMed format, the revised strategy retrieved 90 reports of controlled trials not identified by the original strategy. Finally, the revised strategy in PubMed format retrieved all of the reports of controlled trials in the gold standard database. Ninety-eight per cent of the gold standard reports of controlled trials were retrieved by Phase 1 of the optimal PubMed search strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to identify all relevant trials for systematic review could result in bias. We developed a highly sensitive search strategy for the retrieval of reports of controlled trials for use with PubMed that retrieves more relevant citations (greater sensitivity) and fewer non-relevant citations (greater precision) than the original Cochrane search strategy.     

The Impact of Lifestyle,Diet and Physical Activity on Epigenetic Changes in the Offspring—A Systematic Review

Aims: This systematic review examines the association between maternal lifestyle, diet and physical activity, and epigenetic changes in the offspring. Methods: A literature search was conducted using multiple science databases: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library, on 10 March 2021. RCT and Cohort studies in English or Scandinavian languages were included. Exposure variables included diet, lifestyle, meal patterns or physical activity. Studies using dietary supplements as exposure variables were excluded. Outcome variables included were DNA methylation, microRNA or histone changes in placenta, cord blood or offspring. Two independent authors screened, read and extracted data from the included papers. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) and The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) Cohort Study Checklist were used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. A qualitative approach was employed due to heterogeneity of exposures and results of the studies. Results: 16 studies and 3617 participants were included in the final analysis. The exposure variables included physical activity, carbohydrate, low glycemic index diet, added sugar, fat, Mediterranean diet and pro-inflammatory diet. The outcome variables identified were differences in DNA methylation and microRNA. Most studies described epigenetic changes in either placenta or cord blood. Genes reported to be methylated were GR, HSD2, IGF-2, PLAG1, MEG-3, H19 and RXRA. However, not all studies found epigenetic changes strong enough to pass multiple testing, and the study quality varied. Conclusion: Despite the variable quality of the included studies, the results in this review suggest that there may be an association between the mother’s lifestyle, diet and level of physical activity during pregnancy and epigenetic changes in the offspring.     

A Systematic Review of Research Guidelines in Decision-Analytic Modeling

BackgroundDecision-analytic modeling (DAM) has been increasingly used to aid decision making in health care. The growing use of modeling in economic evaluations has led to increased scrutiny of the methods used.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to identify and critically assess good practice guidelines, with particular emphasis on contemporary developments.MethodsA systematic review of English language articles was undertaken to identify articles presenting guidance for good practice in DAM in the evaluation of health care. The inclusion criteria were articles providing guidance or criteria against which to assess good practice in DAM and studies providing criteria or elements for good practice in some areas of DAM. The review covered the period January 1990 to March 2014 and included the following electronic bibliographic databases: Cochrane Library, Cochrane Methodology Register and Health Technology Assessment, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, MEDLINE, and PubMed (Embase). Additional studies were identified by searching references.ResultsThirty-three articles were included in this review. A practical five-dimension framework was developed that describe the key elements of good research practice that should be considered and reported to increase the credibility of results obtained from DAM in the evaluation of health care.ConclusionsThis study is the first to critically review all available guidelines and statements of good practice in DAM since 2006. The development of good practice guidelines is an ongoing process, and important efforts have been made to identify what is good practice and to keep these guidelines up to date.     

Increased number of systematic reviews in the Netherlands in the period 1991-2000

OBJECTIVE: To survey systematic reviews (SRs) as publication type in the Netherlands, with emphasis on differences between Cochrane reviews and SRs in printed journals. DESIGN: Bibliometric study. METHOD: A systematic search was carried out in Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for published systematic reviews of Dutch origin in the period 1991-2000. For each SR, the year of publication, the number of original articles included, the subject matter and the impact factor of the journal were identified. RESULTS: A total of 289 SRs were retrieved, of which 12% were Cochrane reviews. The number of SRs increased exponentially during this decade. The majority (56%) of the SRs concerned a therapeutic intervention. SRs were published in journals with a moderate to good impact factor (median impact factor 2.59). On average, compared to SRs published in the Cochrane Library, the SRs published in the general medical literature included significantly more original articles (28.8 versus 13.7; p < 0.05). This may be caused by the fact that the clinical questions for Cochrane reviews are more focused as compared with non-Cochrane SRs or by the fact that Cochrane review groups may have more stringent quality requirements for inclusion of an article in a review. CONCLUSIONS: The SR as a publication type showed a rapid growth in one decade and was published in important medical journals. Cochrane reviews represented a substantial proportion of the overall number of SRs in the Netherlands.     

Effects of Anthocyanins in Composite Meals on Cardiometabolic Outcomes—A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Feeding Trials

Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin intake is associated with reduced risks of cardiometabolic disorders, highlighting the importance of incorporating the phytochemical in our diets. Numerous food-based intervention studies have examined, in controlled meal settings, the role of anthocyanin on cardiometabolic health; but their effects have not been systematically summarized. This study aims to systematically review and summarize the effects of anthocyanin consumption with composite meals on cardiometabolic health from randomized controlled feeding trials. A systematic literature search for relevant human nutritional intervention studies was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Scopus databases. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Eighteen articles involving 371 participants were included in this review. Consistent improvements from anthocyanin intake were found in glycemic, gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) responses. Anthocyanin intake did not significantly affect other markers of energy metabolism, vascular functions, oxidative stress and antioxidant status, as well as inflammatory responses. Inconsistencies in successful outcomes between epidemiological studies and included interventions were largely attributed to matrix effects, which may impede the bioaccessibility of anthocyanins and consequently, limiting its health benefits when co-delivered with some foods.     

The Role of Partial Enteral Nutrition for Induction of Remission in Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recommended as a first-line therapy to induce remission of Crohn’s disease (CD) and is considered as effective as corticosteroid treatment. However, the dietary restriction causes lack of adherence and poor tolerance to the therapy. Partial enteral nutrition (PEN), which allows for the ingestion of some food, could be a better tolerated alternative, but it is unknown whether it is as effective at inducing CD remission as EEN. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the available evidence on PEN as a remission induction therapy in CD. A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE (via PUBMED) and Cochrane Library databases following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical trials in pediatric and adult patients were included. The risk of bias was assessed following the Cochrane Collaboration methodology. The selected studies showed variable but high response rates to PEN and EEN. Limitations regarding the wide heterogeneity between the studies included in this review should be considered. Although more studies are needed, according to our results, PEN combined with a highly restrictive diet seems to be as effective as EEN in inducing remission of CD.     

Systematic review concerning the age of introduction of complementary foods to the healthy full-term infant

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate existing data from published studies investigating outcomes (growth, nutritional status and morbidity) in relation to the age of introduction of complementary foods to the healthy full-term infant. To assess the methodological quality of current scientific evidence on which infant feeding recommendations are based. SEARCH STRATEGY: A database was created following a search of electronic databases MEDLINE and BIDS, a handsearch of relevant journals and consultation with international experts in infant feeding practices. The search was conducted during a 6-month period and encompassed the years 1982-1998. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomised/non-randomised controlled trials and cohort studies investigating the relationship to the health of full-term infants of the introduction of complementary foods to childhood health. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Assessment of studies for inclusion and their compliance with methodological criteria was undertaken independently by two reviewers and discrepancies were resolved by discussion. RESULTS: From over 400 published papers identified, 33 met specific inclusion criteria. Significant differences in baseline characteristics of subjects in included studies meant that data were not amenable to meta-analysis. The consensus of the authors was that, of the 33 included publications, 13 contained data supporting the current WHO recommendations which attempt to accommodate all infants, including those whose nutritional requirements are not met by exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months. An equal number contained data that would support a recommendation for delaying the introduction of complementary foods until 6 months of age within the study population. The remaining seven were unable to provide evidence to support a change from the current WHO infant feeding recommendations which state that 'infants should be fed exclusively on breast milk from birth to 4-6 months of age'. None of the studies met all the methodological criteria. CONCLUSIONS: This review has shown that there is a lack of clear evidence to either support or refute a change to the current recommendations for the age of introduction of complementary foods to the breast milk or formula fed infant. Whilst exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of life can support growth and development in some infants, sub-groups have been identified within certain populations who may require complementary feeding prior to this age.     

乙肝病毒携带母亲喂养方式对阻断免疫后婴儿母婴传播影响Meta分析

目的探讨对婴儿采取免疫措施后,乙肝病毒(HBV)携带母亲采用不同的喂养方式对母婴HBV传播的影响。方法检索PubMed、Medline、Embase、Cochrane图书馆、中国期刊全文数据库、维普中文科技期刊数据库和万方数据库等,对免疫干预后比较母乳喂养和人工喂养婴儿HBV感染率的前瞻性研究进行Meta分析。结果 10篇随机对照试验满足纳入条件进入Meta分析,其中母乳喂养组婴儿873例,人工喂养组751例。在对婴儿进行免疫干预后,母乳喂养组与人工喂养组的6～12月龄婴儿乙肝表面抗原或HBV DNA阳性率差异无统计学意义(7个研究:OR=0.86,95%CI=0.51～1.45,P=0.56;I2=0,P=0.99);母乳喂养组与人工喂养组6～12月龄婴儿的乙肝表面抗体阳性率差异无统计学意义(8个研究:OR=0.98,95%CI=0.69～1.40,P=0.93;I2=0,P=0.99)。结论 HBV携带者母亲采用不同的喂养方式对免疫干预措施阻断母婴HBV传播没有影响,HBV携带产妇母乳喂养并不增加HBV母婴传播的风险。     

Best practice recommendations for surgical care in weight loss surgery

OBJECTIVE: To establish evidence-based guidelines for best practices for surgical care in weight loss surgery (WLS). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We carried out a systematic search of English-language literature on WLS in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Key words were used to narrow the field for a selective review of abstracts. Data extraction was performed, and evidence categories were assigned according to a grading system based on established evidence-based models. RESULTS: We assessed types of WLS, recommended guidelines for appropriateness, developed strategies for medical error reduction, established criteria for credentialing of systems and practitioners, and specified research needed for the future. DISCUSSION: Surgeon training, credentialing, and type of surgery performed were identified as key factors in patient safety. Other important issues in the delivery of best practice care included appropriate patient selection; use of a multidisciplinary treatment team; facility staffing, equipment, and administrative support; and early recognition and proper management of complications.     

Incorporating data from dissertations in systematic reviews

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether unpublished dissertations are an important source of trials for systematic reviews. METHODS: In a review of infant massage, we identified 17 dissertations. We recorded whether each dissertation was included in the review and, if so, whether it contributed data to any analyses. RESULTS: Thirteen dissertations were excluded, 11 because of poor reporting of methodology. Three dissertations were also published as journal papers. The data from the remaining dissertation were not included in any analysis. Reviewing data on the Cochrane Library, only one of 878 reviews included data from a dissertation that might have changed a review's conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Searching for and retrieving unpublished dissertations involves considerable time and effort and appears to influence the conclusions of a review only rarely.     

Relationship between Breastfeeding and Malocclusion: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the available literature about the influence of breastfeeding in primary and mixed dentition on different types of malocclusions. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines were used to perform the present review. The following electronic databases were searched: Pubmed, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (EBMR), Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science and Ovid. Results: A primary research found a total of 279 articles. Two more papers were also considered from the gray literature. Two hundred sixty-three articles were excluded as they were deemed irrelevant on the basis of: duplicates, title, abstract, methods and/or irrelevant contents. Eighteen papers were selected and included in the qualitative analysis. Conclusions: breastfeeding is a positive factor that seems to reduce the incidence of posterior crossbite, skeletal class II and distoclusion in primary and mixed dentition. A sort of positive relationship between months of breastfeeding and risk reduction seems to exist. More longitudinal research is needed to avoid bias in the results, with data collected prospectively on the months of exclusive breastfeeding, by means of specific questionnaires and successive clinical evaluation of the occlusal condition at the primary dentition, mixed dentition and permanent dentition stages.     

Infant feeding practices in Ottawa-Carleton: the introduction of solid foods

Infant feeding guidelines regarding the introduction of solid foods are generally not well known in Canada. The guidelines recommend that solid foods be introduced between four to six months of age, depending on the developmental readiness of the infant. In order to understand the underlying factors and patterns which contribute to the introduction of solid foods in infants, data were analyzed from three cross-sectional surveys of parents of six-month-old infants from the Ottawa-Carleton region (n = 373, 1988; n = 330, 1992; n = 338, 1996) conducted by the Ottawa-Carleton Health Department. Multivariable analysis showed that mothers who: did not breastfeed, were younger, had lower education, smoked or had partners that smoked, and lacked support after birth, were more likely to introduce solid foods before four months of age. These data support the need for nutrition education programs to increase adherence to the new Nutrition for Healthy Term Infants guidelines.     

Conservative treatment of work-related upper limb disorders: a review

AIM: The literature review was carried out to identify and summarize the evidence-base for conservative clinical management of upper limb disorders (ULDs) including specific disorders and non-specific ULDs. METHOD: Keywords were identified through a scoping study and guidance from the project sponsor. A number of databases were searched including Web of Knowledge, Pub Med, Medline, Ergonomics Online, the Cochrane Library and BMJ Clinical Evidence for the years 1993-2004. Abstracts were obtained for papers identified in the search and full papers were obtained for literature, which included diagnostic methods, conservative treatments, new data or results or systematic reviews. RESULTS: The review identified that there is evidence for the efficacy of conservative treatments for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, rotator cuff tendonitis and bicipital tendonitis and tension neck syndrome. There was no evidence found to support or refute conservative treatment of tenosynovitis, tendonitis, de Quervain's disease or diffuse non-specific ULDs. CONCLUSION: The evidence reviewed was not always of good quality and data gaps including methodological design issues need to be addressed by future research.     

Health economic evaluations: how to find them

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the best way of identifying all relevant published health economic evaluation studies, which have increased in number rapidly in the past few decades. Nevertheless, health technology assessment projects are often faced with a scarcity of relevant studies. METHODS: Six bibliographic databases were searched using various individually adapted strategies. The particular example involves the cost-effectiveness of diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were formulated. RESULTS: After irrelevant studies and duplicates had been excluded, sixty-eight abstracts were reviewed. We chose forty-one of them as relevant for full-text review, which identified fourteen papers as having met the inclusion criteria. Most of the relevant studies were identified by searching the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) and PubMed databases. CONCLUSIONS: A search in NHS EED, by means of the Cochrane Library or the Center for Reviews and Dissimination, along with a supplementary search in PubMed, is generally an appropriate, cost-effective strategy. However, because "cost-effectiveness" is not consistently indexed with Medical Subject Heading terms in PubMed, all economic search terms need to be used to fully identify the relevant references.     

Factors affecting the introduction of complementary foods in the preterm infant

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify current infant feeding practices among carers of preterm infants. DESIGN: Structured interviews on milk and complementary feeding practices were conducted with mothers of preterm infants at intervals until infants were 12 months corrected age. SETTING: Recruitment took place in three local Surrey hospitals over a 2 y period. SUBJECTS: Two-hundred and fifty-three preterm infants (139 male, 114 female) including 33 sets of twins and three sets of triplets were recruited. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of the preterm infant group received first solid foods (the commencement of 'weaning') before the current Department of Health (DoH) guideline. The mean+/-s.e.m. weaning age from birth was 17.1+/-0.23 weeks. Ninety-five percent of the infants were weaned before the DoH guideline when the data was examined from term (mean 11.5+/-s.e.m. 0.21 weeks). Twenty-one percent were weaned before the DoH guideline for preterm infants which is that 'the infant weighs at least 5 kg' (mean 5.61+/-s.e.m. 0.01 kg). Human milk-fed infants were significantly lighter at weaning than combined milk-fed infants (5.32+/-0.12 vs 5.72+/-0.01 kg; P<0.05) even though they were weaned at a similar age. Infant formula-fed infants (mean weaning age from term 10.2+/-0.47 weeks) were weaned significantly earlier than both human milk-fed (11.9+/-0.49 weeks; P<0.05) and combined milk-fed (11.9+/-0.25 weeks; P<0.005) infants. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of complementary foods varied widely between carers of preterm infants and compliance with DoH guidelines was poor. Further studies on preterm infants are necessary to see if weaning practices affect long-term growth and morbidity and to provide a basis for the development of appropriate recommendations. SPONSORSHIP: This work was funded by the MAFF Food Intolerance Programme.