Serum vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVESEvidence has suggested an association between serum vitamin D and metabolic syndrome (MetS), but prospective studies are very limited. The objective was to assess the dose-response association between serum vitamin D concentration and MetS risk using a systematic review and meta-analysis of updated observational studies.MATERIALS/METHODSUsing MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase, a systematic literature search was conducted through February 2020 and the references of relevant articles were reviewed. A random-effects model was used to estimate the summary odds ratio/relative risk and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated with I² statistic. In total, 23 observational studies (19 cross-sectional studies, and four cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis.RESULTSThe pooled estimates (95% CI) for MetS per 25-nmol/L increment in serum vitamin D concentration were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76–0.84; I² = 53.5) in cross-sectional studies, and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.72–0.98; I² = 85.8) in cohort studies. Similar results were observed, irrespectively of age of study population, study location, MetS criteria, and adjustment factors. There was no publication bias for the dose-response meta-analysis of serum vitamin D concentrations and MetS.CONCLUSIONSDose-response meta-analysis demonstrated that a 25-nmol/L increment in the serum vitamin D concentration was associated with 20% and 15% lower risks of MetS in cross-sectional studies and cohort studies, respectively.     

Blood and Urine Cadmium,Blood Pressure,and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Cadmium exposure has been inconsistently related to blood pressure.

Objectives

We updated and reevaluated the evidence regarding the relationships of blood cadmium (BCd) and urine cadmium (UCd) with blood pressure (BP) and hypertension (HTN) in nonoccupationally exposed populations.

Data sources and extraction

We searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles on BCd or UCd and BP or HTN in nonoccupationally exposed populations and extracted information from studies that provided sufficient data on population, smoking status, exposure, outcomes, and design.

Data synthesis

Twelve articles met inclusion criteria: eight provided data adequate for comparison, and five reported enough data for meta-analysis. Individual studies reported significant positive associations between BCd and systolic BP (SBP) among nonsmoking women [β = 3.14 mmHg per 1 μg/L untransformed BCd; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14–6.14] and among premenopausal women (β = 4.83 mmHg per 1 nmol/L log-transformed BCd; 95% CI, 0.17–9.49), and between BCd and diastolic BP (DBP) among women (β = 1.78 mmHg comparing BCd in the 90th and 10th percentiles; 95% CI, 0.64–2.92) and among premenopausal women (β = 3.84 mmHg per 1 nmol/L log-transformed BCd; 95% CI, 0.86–6.82). Three meta-analyses, each of three studies, showed positive associations between BCd and SBP (p = 0.006) and DBP (p < 0.001) among women, with minimal heterogeneity (I² = 3%), and a significant inverse association between UCd and HTN among men and women, with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 80%).

Conclusion

Our results suggest a positive association between BCd and BP among women; the results, however, are inconclusive because of the limited number of representative population-based studies of never-smokers. Associations between UCd and HTN suggest inverse relationships, but inconsistent outcome definitions limit interpretation. We believe a longitudinal study is merited.     

The Effect of Saffron Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: The favorable influences of saffron supplementation on metabolic diseases have previously been shown. We aimed to assess the effects of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults. Methods: A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of saffron supplementation on blood pressure in adults up to March 2021. The primary search yielded 182 publications, of which eight RCTs were eligible. Results: Our results showed that saffron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference (WMD): −0.65 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.18, p = 0.006) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −1.23 mmHg; 95% CI: −1.64 to −0.81, p < 0.001). Moreover, saffron supplementation reduced DBP in a non-linear fashion, based on duration (r = −2.45, p-nonlinearity = 0.008). Conclusions: Saffron supplementation may significantly improve both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults. It should be noted that the hypotensive effects of saffron supplementation were small and may not reach clinical importance.     

Parenting interventions and the prevention of unintentional injuries in childhood: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives   To evaluate the effectiveness of parenting interventions in preventing unintentional injury and increasing parental safety practices.
Data sources   A range of medical and social science electronic databases were searched. Abstracts from the first to seventh World conferences on injury prevention and control and the journal Injury Prevention were hand searched.
Review methods   Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) and controlled before and after studies, providing parenting interventions to parents of children aged 0–18 years and reporting injuries, safety equipment or safety practices were included. Studies were selected, data extracted and quality appraised independently by two reviewers. Pooled relative risks were estimated using random effect models.
Results   Fifteen studies (11 RCTs) were included, 11 of which were home visiting programmes and two of which were paediatric practice-based interventions. Thirteen studies recruited families at risk of adverse child health outcomes. Intervention arm families had a significantly lower risk of injury (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71–0.95), as measured by self-report of medically or non-medically attended injury. Several studies found fewer home hazards, a home environment more conducive to child safety, or a greater number of safety practices in intervention arm families.
Conclusions   Parenting interventions, most commonly provided within the home, using multi-faceted interventions appear to be effective in reducing unintentional child injury. Further research is required to explore the mechanisms by which parenting interventions reduce injury, the features of interventions that are necessary to reduce injury, and their generalizability to different population groups.     

Drinking water salinity and risk of hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We summarized epidemiological studies assessing sodium in drinking water and changes in blood pressure or hypertension published in English from 1960 to 2015 from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We extracted data on blood pressure level or prevalence of hypertension and calculated pooled estimates using an inverse variance weighted random-effects model. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) in 7 studies (12 data sets) comparing the low and high water sodium exposure groups for systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 0.08 (95% CI, ?0.17 to 0.34) and for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 0.23 (95% CI, 0.09–0.36). Of the 3 studies that assessed the association between high water sodium and odds of hypertension, 2 recent studies showed consistent findings of higher risk of hypertension. Our systematic review suggests an association between water sodium and human blood pressure (more consistently for DBP) but remain inconclusive because of the small number of studies (largely in young populations) and the cross-sectional design and methodological drawbacks. In the context of climate-change-related sea level rise and increasing saltwater intrusion into drinking water sources, further research is urgently warranted to investigate and guide intervention in this increasingly widespread problem.     

Income and child mortality in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

We aimed to quantify the relationship between national income and infant and under-five mortality in developing countries.

Design

We conducted a systematic literature search of studies that examined the relationship between income and child mortality (infant and/or under-five mortality) and meta-analysed their results.

Setting

Developing countries.

Main outcome measures

Child mortality (infant and /or under-five mortality).

Results

The systematic literature search identified 24 studies, which produced 38 estimates that examined the impact of income on the mortality rates. Using meta-analysis, we produced pooled estimates of the relationship between income and mortality. The pooled estimate of the relationship between income and infant mortality before adjusting for covariates is −0.95 (95% CI −1.34 to −0.57) and that for under-five mortality is −0.45 (95% CI −0.79 to −0.11). After adjusting for covariates, pooled estimate of the relationship between income and infant mortality is −0.33 (−0.39 to −0.26) while the estimate for under-five mortality is −0.28 (−0.37 to −0.19). If a country has an infant mortality of 50 per 1000 live births and the gross domestic product per capita purchasing power parity increases by 10%, the infant mortality will decrease to 45 per 1000 live births.

Conclusion

Income is an important determinant of child survival and this work provides a pooled estimate for the relationship.     

中国高血压防治指南(2018年修订版)

  目的   探讨江苏省南京市成年高血压患者夜间睡眠时间与血压控制之间的关系,为高血压的预防与控制提供参考依据。  方法   于2017年 1 月 — 2018 年 6 月采用多阶段分层整群随机抽样方法在江苏省南京市抽取 61 098 名成年居民进行慢性病及其危险因素监测,最终纳入其中15 686例高血压患者采用多因素非条件logistic回归模型分析其夜间睡眠时间与血压控制的关系。  结果   南京市15 686例成年高血压患者中,血压控制者7 082例,血压控制率为45.1%;夜间睡眠时间 < 6、6～、7～、8～和 ≥ 9 h/d成年高血压患者的血压控制率分别为43.8%、45.6%、47.2%、43.7%和40.2%,不同夜间睡眠时间高血压患者血压控制率差异有统计学意义（χ² = 23.354,P < 0.001）。在控制了性别、年龄、居住地、文化程度、是否现在吸烟、是否有害饮酒、是否身体活动不足、是否使用降压药、是否糖尿病、是否血脂异常和体质指数等混杂因素后,多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,南京市夜间睡眠时间 < 6 h/d和 ≥ 9 h/d成年高血压患者血压控制可能性分别为夜间睡眠时间7 h/d～成年高血压患者的0.88倍（OR = 0.88,95%CI = 0.77～0.99）和0.75倍（OR = 0.75,95%CI = 0.65～0.87）。分层分析结果显示,在控制了年龄、居住地、文化程度、是否现在吸烟、是否有害饮酒、是否身体活动不足、是否使用降压药、是否糖尿病、是否血脂异常和体质指数等混杂因素后,男性夜间睡眠时间 < 6 h/d、8 h/d～和 ≥ 9 h/d成年高血压患者血压控制可能性分别为夜间睡眠时间7 h/d～成年高血压患者的0.74倍（OR = 0.74,95%CI = 0.62～0.89）、0.86倍（OR = 0.86,95%CI = 0.76～0.95）和0.75倍（OR = 0.75,95%CI= 0.62～0.92）,女性夜间睡眠时间 ≥ 9 h/d成年高血压患者血压控制可能性为夜间睡眠时间7 h/d～成年高血压患者的0.73倍（OR = 0.73,95%CI = 0.59～0.91）;在控制了性别、居住地、文化程度、是否现在吸烟、是否有害饮酒、是否身体活动不足、是否使用降压药、是否糖尿病、是否血脂异常和体质指数等混杂因素后, ≥ 60岁夜间睡眠时间 < 6 h/d和 ≥ 9 h/d成年高血压患者血压控制可能性分别为夜间睡眠时间7 h/d～成年高血压患者的0.80倍（OR = 0.80,95%CI = 0.68～0.94）和0.68倍（OR = 0.68,95%CI = 0.56～0.83）。  结论   夜间睡眠时间过短或过长均会降低南京市成年高血压患者的血压控制率,尤其在男性和 ≥ 60岁高血压患者中更为明显。     

Occupational exposure to noise and hypertension in pilots

The role of occupational exposure to noise as a hypertension risk factor has not been established sufficiently. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether chronic exposure to different levels of noise in two groups of pilots, operating with two types of aircraft, could be a risk for hypertension, what relevance the parameters (intensity, duration and type) of exposure can have and, lastly, whether there are any links between hearing impairment and hypertension. After excluding pilots with confounding factors, a study was made of 77 male pilots of turboprop planes (group A) and 224 male pilots of jet aircraft (group B), matched by age and working life. Blood pressure (supine and standing positions) and heart rate were measured. Electrocardiogram, stress tests on a cycle ergometer, sound-level measurement and audiometric tests were also done. Pilots of group A were exposed to Leq of 93 dBA while pilots of group B were exposed to the Leq of 79 dBA. Significant results in group A compared to group B were found between heart rate, blood pressure, drop in blood pressure, parameters (intensity, duration and type) of exposure to noise and between hearing damage and hypertension. The findings suggest that chronic exposure to noise is a risk factor for blood hypertension in pilots exposed to high noise levels, and that the drop in blood pressure may be a sign of more sensitive effect of noise on blood pressure, according to other studies in literature.     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic delay in pulmonary embolism

BackgroundDiagnostic delay in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is typical, yet the proportion of patients with PE that experienced delay and for how many days is less well described, nor are determinants for such delay.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and extent of delay in diagnosing PE.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed to identify articles reporting delays in diagnosing PE. The primary outcome was mean delay (in days) or a percentage of patients with diagnostic delay (defined as PE diagnosis more than seven days after symptom onset). The secondary outcome was determinants of delay. Random-effect meta-analyses were applied to calculate a pooled estimate for mean delay and to explore heterogeneity in subgroups.ResultsThe literature search yielded 10,933 studies, of which 24 were included in the final analysis. The pooled estimate of the mean diagnostic delay based on 12 studies was 6.3 days (95% prediction interval 2.5 to 15.8). The percentage of patients having more than seven days of delay varied between 18% and 38%. All studies assessing the determinants of coughing (n = 3), chronic lung disease (n = 6) and heart failure (n = 8) found a positive association with diagnostic delay. Similarly, all studies assessing recent surgery (n = 7) and hypotension (n = 6), as well as most studies assessing chest pain (n = 8), found a negative association with diagnostic delay of PE.ConclusionPatients may have symptoms for almost one week before PE is diagnosed and in about a quarter of patients, the diagnostic delay is even longer.     

复方制剂缬沙坦—氨氯地平治疗原发性高血压meta分析

目的系统评价复方制剂缬沙坦–氨氯地平治疗原发性高血压的疗效和不良反应,为该复方制剂的合理使用提供参考依据。方法以高血压、复方制剂、缬沙坦、氨氯地平等为检索词,检索Web of Science、Embase、Pub Med、Cochrane图书馆、维普、万方、中国知网等数据库,文献发表时间为1997年~2017年,获得复方制剂缬沙坦–氨氯地平治疗原发性高血压的文献资料,提取数据信息,以软件Rev Man 5.3进行meta分析。结果共纳入符合条件的研究25篇,合计患者数为23 761例;复方制剂缬沙坦–氨氯地平与其他抗高血压药物比较,治疗高血压的效果优于其他药物(90.62%vs 75.58%,合并OR=2.98,95%CI=2.02~4.40,P<0.001),不良反应发生率高于其他药物(17.58%vs 16.50%,合并OR=0.66,95%CI=0.50~0.87,P=0.003)。结论复方制剂缬沙坦–氨氯地平的降压效果较好,但临床应用时需加强对不良反应的用药教育,这为合理用药和药物政策制定提供了循证依据。     

Hepatitis A in workers exposed to sewage: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES—To assess whether the scientific literature supports the hypothesis that workers exposed to sewage are at higher risk of hepatitis A (HA).
METHODS—All original papers reporting epidemiological studies published in English, French, or German which reported on the risk of HA infection in workers exposed to sewage were eligible. They were identified by several methods and each original paper was assessed independently with a checklist by two people. Studies were classified according to the strength of their design. Non-eligible studies were also examined to assess the impact of publication bias. If the risk estimates diverged widely, causes for heterogeneity were assessed. A distinction was made between seroprevalence studies based on subclinical HA (defined only by the presence of anti-HA antibodies) and clinical HA.
RESULTS—17 eligible studies were identified. No indication of an increased risk of clinical HA could be found. For seroprevalence the studies with the strongest design suggested a slightly increased risk of subclinical HA with an odds ratio (OR) <2.5. Heterogeneity was considerable and precluded a meta-analysis. Considering non-eligible studies would still decrease the OR.
CONCLUSIONS—The systematic review does not confirm an increased risk of clinical HA in workers exposed to sewage. An increased risk of subclinical HA cannot be excluded but the association between seropositivity and exposure to sewage was not strong and became still weaker if publication bias was taken into account.


     

Occupational risk factors for shoulder pain: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES—To systematically evaluate the available evidence on occupational risk factors of shoulder pain.
METHODS—Relevant reports were identified by a systematic search of Medline, Embase, Psychlit, Cinahl, and Current Contents. The quality of the methods of all selected publications was assessed by two independent reviewers using a standardised checklist. Details were extracted on the study population, exposures (physical load and psychosocial work environment), and results for the association between exposure variables and shoulder pain.
RESULTS—29 Studies were included in the review; three case-control studies and 26 cross sectional designs. The median method score was 60% of the maximum attainable score. Potential risk factors related to physical load and included heavy work load, awkward postures, repetitive movements, vibration, and duration of employment. Consistent findings were found for repetitive movements, vibration, and duration of employment (odds ratio (OR) 1.4-46 in studies with method scores  60%). Nearly all studies that assessed psychosocial risk factors reported at least one positive association with shoulder pain, but the results were not consistent across studies for either high psychological demands, poor control at work, poor social support, or job dissatisfaction. Studies with a method score 60% reported ORs between 1.3 and 4.0. Substantial heterogeneity across studies for methods used for exposure assessment and data analysis impeded statistical pooling of results.
CONCLUSIONS—It seems likely that shoulder pain is the result of many factors, including physical load and the psychosocial work environment. The available evidence was not consistent across studies, however, and the associations were generally not strong. Future longitudinal research should evaluate the relative importance of each individual risk factor and the role of potential confounding variables—such as exposure during leisure time—to set priorities for the prevention of shoulder pain in occupational settings.


Keywords: systematic review; shoulder pain; risk factors     

Increasing informed uptake and non-uptake of screening: evidence from a systematic review

Objective  To report data relating to the informed uptake of screening tests.
Search strategy  Electronic databases, bibliographies and experts were used to identify relevant published and unpublished studies up until August 2000.
Inclusion criteria  RCTs, quasi-RCTs and controlled trials of interventions aimed at increasing the informed uptake of screening. All participants were eligible as defined by the entry criteria of individual programmes. Studies had to report actual uptake and meet three out of four criteria used to define informed uptake.
Data extraction and synthesis  Relevant studies were identified, data extracted and their validity assessed by two reviewers independently. Outcome data included screening uptake, knowledge, informed decision-making and attitudes to screening. A random-effects model was used to calculate individual relative risks and 95% confidence intervals.
Main results  Six controlled trials (five RCTs and one quasi-RCT), focusing on antenatal and prostate specific antigen screening, were included. All reported risks/benefits of screening and assessed knowledge. Two also assessed decision-making. Two reported risks/benefits to all randomized groups and evaluated different ways of presenting information. Neither found that interventions such as videos, information leaflets with decision trees, or touch screen computers conveyed any additional benefits over well-prepared leaflets.
Conclusions  There is some evidence to suggest that changing the format of informed choice interventions in screening does not alter knowledge, satisfaction or decisions about screening. It is not clear whether informed choice in screening affects uptake. More well-designed RCTs are required and further research should also be directed towards the development of a valid instrument for measuring all components of informed choice in screening.     

A systematic review of multivitamin and multimineral supplementation for infection

BACKGROUND: Infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Micronutrients have important functions in the body's immune system. This systematic review examined the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on whether multivitamin and multimineral supplementation is effective in reducing infection. METHODS: Electronic databases searched: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, MEDLINE, BIOSIS, CAB abstracts. Hand searching of nutrition journals and reference lists was carried out. RCTs and quasi-randomized trials of supplementation of adults with at least two vitamins or minerals or a combination were selected. Study results were combined in meta-analysis plots where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in the review. Small numbers were available for each meta-analysis. Results are presented here without the Chandra group studies. No significant difference was found in the number of episodes of infection in older people (>or = 65 years) between those supplemented and those not supplemented; (WMD) 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.04, 0.16], P = 0.25. In other adults groups, there were significantly less episodes of infection in those supplemented; (WMD) -1.20 (95% CI -2.08, -0.32), P = 0.008. There was no significant difference between those older people supplemented and those not supplemented in the number with at least one infection; relative risk (RR) 0.98 (95% CI 0.86, 1.11), P = 0.77. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the numbers in other adult groups who had at least one episode of infection between those supplemented and those taking placebo; (RR) 0.81 (95% CI 0.65, 1.00), P = 0.06. Subgroup analyses suggested that supplemented people aged 65 years or over may benefit more if they are undernourished and supplemented for over 6 months, WMD -0.67 infections (95% CI -1.24, -0.10), P = 0.02. CONCLUSION: Further large trials are needed, particularly in undernourished older people. Trials of supplementation periods of over 6 months are recommended.     

Parenting programmes: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research

BACKGROUND: Parenting programmes are at the heart of intervention strategies for parents of children with emotional and behaviour problems. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have indicated that such programmes can improve many aspects of family life. However, there is currently a dearth of information concerning what it is that makes parenting programmes meaningful and helpful to parents. The aim of this paper was to examine parents' experience and perceptions of parenting programmes using the meta-ethnographic method, in order to sensitize policymakers and practitioners to the key factors that parents perceive to be of value. METHODS: Systematic searches of a number of electronic databases were undertaken using key search terms. Critical appraisal of included studies was conducted using standardized criteria, and the reports were synthesized using meta-ethnographic methods. RESULTS: Six reports were purposefully selected and critically appraised independently by two reviewers. Two were excluded. Based on the remaining four papers, five key concepts were identified as important when planning and delivering parenting programmes. A lines-of-argument synthesis was developed which suggests that the acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding, together with feelings of acceptance and support from other parents in the parenting group, enabled parents to regain control and feel more able to cope. This led to a reduction in feelings of guilt and social isolation, increased empathy with their children and confidence in dealing with their behaviour. CONCLUSION: This evaluation provides an indication of the components that parents perceive to be necessary in the provision of parenting programmes, independent of the particular type of programme being provided. It may therefore aid policymakers in decisions about which programmes to provide.