Articles

Association between harm reduction strategies and healthcare utilization in patients on long-term prescribed opioid therapy presenting to acute healthcare settings: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Opioids are routinely used to treat a variety of chronic conditions associated with pain. However, they are a class of medications with a significant potential for adverse health effects, with and without misu...

Authors: Jean Deschamps, James Gilbertson, Sebastian Straube, Kathryn Dong, Frank P. MacMaster, Christina Korownyk, Lori Montgomery, Ryan Mahaffey, James Downar, Hance Clarke, John Muscedere, Katherine Rittenbach, Robin Featherstone, Meghan Sebastianski, Ben Vandermeer, Deborah Lynam…

Predicting repeated self-harm or suicide in adolescents and young adults using risk assessment scales/tools: a systematic review protocol

Self-harm and suicide have been identified as serious public health problems in children, adolescents, and young people across the world. Suicide is a major cause of mortality in this population and is commonl...

Authors: Isobel Marion Harris, Sophie Beese and David Moore

Addressing preconception behaviour change through mobile phone apps: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Many of the adverse outcomes experienced by mothers and babies are directly related to the health of the woman prior to pregnancy. This preconception period is a unique window of opportunity when women are oft...

Authors: Loretta M. Musgrave, Caroline S. E. Homer, Nathalie V. Kizirian and Adrienne Gordon

Protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis of clinical outcomes following accelerated versus conventional corneal collagen cross-linking for corneal ectasia

Collagen cross-linking (CXL) is an evolving procedure that enhances the biomechanical rigidity of the cornea and can slow or halt ectatic disease. CXL requires delivery of 5.4 J/cm² of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiati...

Authors: Siddharth Nath, Carl Shen, Alex Koziarz and Laura Banfield

Interventions to improve emergency department use for mental health reasons: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review

Healthcare resources are limited and unnecessary, and inappropriate emergency department use is now a highly visible healthcare priority. Individuals visiting the emergency department for mental health-related...

Authors: Amanda Digel Vandyk, Mark Kaluzienski, Catherine Goldie, Yehudis Stokes, Amanda Ross-White, Jeremy Kronick, Matthew Gilmour, Colleen MacPhee and Ian D. Graham

Discharge communication practices in pediatric emergency care: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

The majority of children receiving care in the emergency department (ED) are discharged home, making discharge communication a key component of quality emergency care. Parents must have the knowledge and skill...

Authors: Janet A. Curran, Allyson J. Gallant, Roger Zemek, Amanda S. Newton, Mona Jabbour, Jill Chorney, Andrea Murphy, Lisa Hartling, Kate MacWilliams, Amy Plint, Shannon MacPhee, Andrea Bishop and Samuel G. Campbell

Protocol for a systematic review of time to antibiotics (TTA) in patients with fever and neutropenia during chemotherapy for cancer (FN) and interventions aiming to reduce TTA

Fever and neutropenia (FN) is a common complication of chemotherapy for cancer. Prompt empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in FN is typically considered standard of care, but the definition of prompt is ...

Authors: Christa Koenig, Jess Morgan, Roland A. Ammann, Lillian Sung and Bob Phillips

Well siblings’ experiences of living with a child following a traumatic brain injury: a systematic review protocol

The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the available evidence identified through a systematic search on well siblings’ experiences of living with a child following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). B...

Authors: Katie Hill and Maria Brenner

The association between diabetes and age at the onset of menopause: a systematic review protocol

Age at the onset of menopause is the most important determinant of women’s future health outcomes. While the basic mechanisms contributing to the onset of menopause are still not fully understood, age at menop...

Authors: Mansoureh Yazdkhasti, Zahra Mehdizadeh Tourzani, Nasibeh Roozbeh, Vajiheh Hasanpour, Sara Esmaelzadeh Saeieh and Fatemeh Abdi

Interventions for reducing and/or controlling domestic violence among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Domestic violence (DV) during pregnancy is recognized as a global health problem associated with serious health consequences for both the mother and her baby. Several interventions aimed at addressing DV aroun...

Authors: Diksha Sapkota, Kathleen Baird, Amornrat Saito and Debra Anderson

Patient prioritization tools and their effectiveness in non-emergency healthcare services: a systematic review protocol

Waiting lists should be managed as fairly as possible to ensure that patients with greater or more urgent needs receive services first. Patient prioritization refers to the process of ranking referrals in a ce...

Authors: Julien Déry, Angel Ruiz, François Routhier, Marie-Pierre Gagnon, André Côté, Daoud Ait-Kadi, Valérie Bélanger, Simon Deslauriers and Marie-Eve Lamontagne

Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of young people-specific, integrated out-of-hospital services: a protocol for a systematic review

The need for specific services for young people is being widely recognized to address their unique and complex health needs. Growing evidence in integrated health services shows promise in improving the effici...

Authors: Anuja Pandey, Aswathikutty Gireesh and Russell Viner

Trends in maternal and neonatal mortality in South Africa: a systematic review

Measuring and monitoring progress towards Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5 required valid and reliable estimates of maternal and child mortality. In South Africa, there are conflicting reports on the...

Authors: Damian J. Damian, Bernard Njau, Ester Lisasi, Sia E. Msuya and Andrew Boulle

Cost-effectiveness of cannabinoids for pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy: protocol for a systematic review of economic evaluations

Drug-resistant epilepsy negatively impacts the quality of life and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and high costs to the healthcare system. Cannabis-based treatments may be effective in re...

Authors: Jesse Elliott, Bláthnaid McCoy, Tammy Clifford, Beth K. Potter, Becky Skidmore, George A. Wells and Doug Coyle

Comparing options for women seeking permanent contraception in high-resource countries: a protocol for a systematic review

For women seeking permanent contraception, there are a variety of options available including surgical techniques such as tubal ligation or bilateral salpingectomy, in-clinic procedures such as hysteroscopic t...

Authors: Rebecca Gormley, Brian Vickers and Wendy V. Norman

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and mortality risk in patients with liver cirrhosis: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Liver cirrhosis represents a substantial global burden in terms of morbidity and mortality. Observational studies have reported an increased risk of death with low circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration...

Authors: Désirée Völker, Frank Grünhage, Stefan Wagenpfeil, Frank Lammert and Caroline S. Stokes

Prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt and completed suicide in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Suicide is an emergency psychiatric problem that needs an urgent intervention. Ethiopia, as a nation, has been experiencing high burden of suicide. Cultural taboo, stigma, and criticism associated with suicida...

Authors: Berhanu Boru Bifftu, Berihun Assefa Dachew, Bewket Tadesse Tiruneh and Yonas Deressa Guracho

Network meta-analysis of randomised trials of pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, exercise and collaborative care interventions for depressive symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease: hybrid systematic review of systematic reviews protocol

Depression is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with poorer outcomes and higher costs. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) targeting depression, of various modalit...

Authors: Frank Doyle, Kenneth Freedland, Robert Carney, Peter de Jonge, Chris Dickens, Susanne Pedersen, Jan Sorensen and Martin Dempster

Editorial: Systematic review automation thematic series

Authors: Joseph Lau

Traditional knowledge-based lifestyle interventions in the prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Indigenous children in Canada: a systematic review protocol

Approximately 50% of all youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Canada occurs in Indigenous children. In adults, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in First Nations commun...

Authors: Rebecca Crawford, E. Danielle Sims, Kuan-Wen Wang, Michael Youssef, Ajantha Nadarajah, Angelica Rivas, Laura Banfield, Lehana Thabane and M. Constantine Samaan

Effects of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive adults on new HIV infections among young women: a systematic review protocol

The HIV/AIDS pandemic has struck regions, countries, and populations in different ways. With the introduction of antiretroviral drugs, people living with HIV (PLHIV) have a much better prognosis, even though t...

Authors: Trust Chibawara, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Marcel Kitenge and Peter Nyasulu

Effects of training and support programs for leaders of illness-based support groups: commentary and updated evidence

Peer-led support groups play an important role in supporting people with chronic diseases. They may be particularly important for people with rare diseases who typically do not have access to professional supp...

Authors: Kimberly A. Turner, Danielle B. Rice, Andrea Carboni-Jiménez, Jill Boruff and Brett D. Thombs

Social marketing including financial incentive programs at worksite cafeterias for preventing obesity: a systematic review

As with food-taxation strategies, such interventions as discounted healthy menus, point-of-purchase advertisements, and sugar-free beverages for employees at worksites could help prevent obesity. This study as...

Authors: Kimi Sawada, Koji Wada, Sadequa Shahrook, Erika Ota, Yukari Takemi and Rintaro Mori

Interventions on children’s and adolescents’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour: protocol for a systematic review from a sex/gender perspective

Low levels of physical activity (PA) and high levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) have been observed in young people. Both behaviours are detrimental for health with patterns tending to continue into adulthood....

Authors: Yolanda Demetriou, Catherina Vondung, Jens Bucksch, Annegret Schlund, Carolin Schulze, Guido Knapp, Stephanie E. Coen, Lorri Puil, Susan P. Phillips and Anne K. Reimers

Challenges and support for quality of life of youths living with HIV/AIDS in schools and larger community in East Africa: a systematic review

Youths living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) experience innumerable challenges within schools and the larger community. Nonetheless, these environments are potential sources of support for such youths. This review prov...

Authors: Emmanuel Kimera, Sofie Vindevogel, Jessica De Maeyer, Didier Reynaert, Anne-Mie Engelen, Fred Nuwaha, John Rubaihayo and Johan Bilsen

WOMEN's Knowledge of Obstetric Danger signs in Ethiopia (WOMEN's KODE):a systematic review and meta-analysis

According to the 2015 World Health Organization report, globally, an estimated 10.7 million mothers died from 1990 to 2015 due to obstetric complications. This report showed that almost all global maternal dea...

Authors: Ayele Geleto, Catherine Chojenta, Abdulbasit Musa and Deborah Loxton

Evaluation of the effect of insulin sensitivity-enhancing lifestyle- and dietary-related adjuncts on antidepressant treatment response: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is known to be associated with insulin resistance (IR). Insulin resistance worsens the symptoms of depression and reduces the effectiveness of antide...

Authors: Olaitan J. Jeremiah, Gráinne Cousins, Finbarr P. Leacy, Brian P. Kirby and Benedict K. Ryan

Screening for periodontal diseases by non-dental health professionals: a protocol for a systematic review and overview of reviews

Periodontal diseases are responsible for a vast burden of disease globally and are associated with other severe illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. Tests for early diagnosis of periodontal d...

Authors: Birgit Teufer, Isolde Sommer, Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit, Viktoria Titscher, Corinna Bruckmann, Irma Klerings and Gerald Gartlehner

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among hepatitis C virus-infected patients: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

The ever-increasing global hepatitis C infection is fueling the burden of diabetes mellitus, which exaggerates various complications and may be a cause of death for millions. Several studies have reported that...

Authors: Sintayehu Ambachew, Setegn Eshetie, Demeke Geremew, Aklilu Endalamaw and Mulugeta Melku

Gender-based violence among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gender-based violence is a public health issue. The prevalence of gender-based violence is high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aims to produce an overall summary estimate on the prevalence of gen...

Authors: Addisu Shunu Beyene, Catherine Chojenta, Hirbo Shore Roba, Alemu Sufa Melka and Deborah Loxton

The effect of post mastectomy radiation therapy on breast reconstruction with and without acellular dermal matrix: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

The widespread implementation of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has broadened the reconstructive repertoire for alloplastic breast reconstruction. ADM’s role in the context of postoperative radiation therapy re...

Authors: Amy M. Chung, Michael J. Stein, Ammara Ghumman and Jing Zhang

Still moving toward automation of the systematic review process: a summary of discussions at the third meeting of the International Collaboration for Automation of Systematic Reviews (ICASR)

The third meeting of the International Collaboration for Automation of Systematic Reviews (ICASR) was held 17–18 October 2017 in London, England. ICASR is an interdisciplinary group whose goal is to maximize t...

Authors: Annette M. O’Connor, Guy Tsafnat, Stephen B. Gilbert, Kristina A. Thayer, Ian Shemilt, James Thomas, Paul Glasziou and Mary S. Wolfe

Factors associated with length of stay in care homes: a systematic review of international literature

A number of studies have explored factors associated with resident length of stay in care homes; however the findings of these studies have not been synthesized. The aim of this paper is to provide a systemati...

Authors: Danni Collingridge Moore, Thomas J. Keegan, Lesley Dunleavy and Katherine Froggatt

Association of incident dialysis modality with mortality: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies

At least 2.6 million adults and children receive dialysis treatment for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. The large majority of these receive hemodialysis (HD), while the remaining receive peritoneal ...

Authors: Mark R. Marshall, Chun-Yuan Hsiao, Philip K. Li, Masaaki Nakayama, S. Rabindranath, Rachael C. Walker, Xueqing Yu and Suetonia C. Palmer

Evaluation of interventions to improve electronic health record documentation within the inpatient setting: a protocol for a systematic review

Electronic health records (EHRs) are increasing in popularity across national and international healthcare systems. Despite their augmented availability and use, the quality of electronic health records is pro...

Authors: Lucia Otero Varela, Natalie Wiebe, Daniel J. Niven, Paul E. Ronksley, Nicolas Iragorri, Helen Lee Robertson and Hude Quan

Feedback from physical activity monitors to enhance amount of physical activity in adults—a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

The use of physical activity monitors (PAMs) in the adult population is increasing rapidly and previous systematic reviews are outdated. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to estimate...

Authors: Rasmus Tolstrup Larsen, Vibeke Wagner, Camilla Keller, Carsten Bogh Juhl, Henning Langberg and Jan Christensen

Does testosterone mediate the relationship between vitamin D and prostate cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Evidence from studies on prostate cancer progression have identified vitamin D to be a potentially important nutrient. However, the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research have re...

Authors: Luke A. Robles, Karen Dawe, Richard M. Martin, Julian P. T. Higgins and Sarah J. Lewis

Exercise, or exercise and diet for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Typically, management of PCOS focuses on lifestyle changes (exercise and diet), aiming to alleviate symptoms, and lower the associated risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to a...

Authors: Chris Kite, Ian M. Lahart, Islam Afzal, David R. Broom, Harpal Randeva, Ioannis Kyrou and James E. Brown

Inappropriateness of health care in Canada: a systematic review protocol

There is increasing recognition in Canada and globally that a substantial proportion of health care delivered is inappropriate as evidenced by (1) harmful and/or ineffective practices being overused, (2) effec...

Authors: Janet E. Squires, Ian D. Graham, Doris Grinspun, John Lavis, France Légaré, Robert Bell, Stephen Bornstein, Susan E. Brien, Mark Dobrow, Megan Greenough, Carole A. Estabrooks, Michael Hillmer, Tanya Horsley, Alan Katz, Christina Krause, Wendy Levinson…

Prevalence and comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Spain: study protocol for extending a systematic review with updated meta-analysis of observational studies

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of symptoms of developmentally inappropriate and impaired inattention and/or hyperactivity/im...

Authors: Ferrán Catalá-López, Manuel Ridao, Amparo Núñez-Beltrán, Ricard Gènova-Maleras, Adolfo Alonso-Arroyo, Rafael Aleixandre-Benavent, Miguel A. Catalá and Rafael Tabarés-Seisdedos

Loneliness and social isolation causal association with health-related lifestyle risk in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

The health impacts of loneliness and social isolation among older adults are widely acknowledged. Despite this, there is no consensus on the possible causal nature of this relationship, which could undermine e...

Authors: Martin Malcolm, Helen Frost and Julie Cowie

Prevalence and determinants of mental distress among university students in Ethiopia: a systematic review protocol

Mental distress is an important public health problem and becoming a common health problem among university students. This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide the pooled prevalence of mental distr...

Authors: Berihun Assefa Dachew, Berhanu Boru Bifftu, Bewket Tadesse Tiruneh, Degefaye Zelalem Anlay, Meseret Adugna Wassie and Kim Betts

Maintaining relevance in HIV systematic reviews: an evaluation of Cochrane reviews

Research turnover in the HIV field is rapid, and as a result, maintaining high-quality, up-to-date, and relevant systematic reviews is a challenge. One approach is to frequently update published reviews.

Authors: Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Shahista Jaffer, Rhodine Smith, Samuel Johnson, Paul Hine, Alberto Mateo, Anne-Marie Stephani and Paul Garner

Prolonged versus brief balloon inflation during arterial angioplasty for de novo atherosclerotic disease: protocol for a systematic review

Angioplasty is a fundamental treatment for atherosclerotic disease in the cardiac, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular beds. However, the optimal duration of balloon inflation has not been identified. Our...

Authors: Mark Rockley, Prasad Jetty, George Wells, Kathleen Rockley and Dean Fergusson

Comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation with other approaches to treat aortic valve stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) is an alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis ineligible for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or at increased perioperat...

Authors: Gernot Wagner, Sabine Steiner, Gerald Gartlehner, Henrike Arfsten, Brigitte Wildner, Harald Mayr and Deddo Moertl

Evidence of past dental visits and incidence of head and neck cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Regular/frequent dental visits, at least annually, can aid in reducing the public health burden of head and neck cancers (HNCs) by facilitating earlier detection of the disease. The aim of this study was to co...

Authors: Bhawna Gupta, Narinder Kumar and Newell W. Johnson

Scoping review of the morphology and anthropometry of Tessier craniofacial clefts numbers 3 and 4

In 2016, WHO reported a death rate of 303,000 newborns before 4 weeks of age due to congenital anomalies. Those that survive congenital anomalies may have long-term disabilities which may have significant impa...

Authors: Abiola Omodan, Pamela Pillay, Lelika Lazarus, Anil Madaree and Kapil Satyapal

What should be the preferred exercise modality for overweight and obese individuals? Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Obesity is a global epidemic with profound consequences for individuals and societies. Physical exercise is important to weight reduction and weight loss maintenance. However, results on what the most effectiv...

Authors: Lene Aasdahl, Vegard Moe Iversen, Eva Skovlund, Dagfinn Aune and Marius Steiro Fimland

Comparative effectiveness of the different components of care provided in heart failure clinics—protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Heart failure (HF) is a complex chronic condition, leading to frequent hospitalization, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality. Current guidelines recommend that multidisciplinary care be provided ...

Authors: Morgan Slater, Joanna Bielecki, Ana Carolina Alba, Lusine Abrahamyan, George Tomlinson, Susanna Mak, Jane MacIver, Shelley Zieroth, Douglas Lee, William Wong, Murray Krahn, Heather Ross and Valeria E. Rac

Measured and perceived effects of audit and feedback on nursing performance: a mixed methods systematic review protocol

The use of audit and feedback (A&F) interventions in health care has been demonstrated to generally be effective on medical teams. However, literature suggests that the response of nurses to this type of inter...

Authors: Émilie Dufour, Arnaud Duhoux and Jolianne Bolduc