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Kerry R, Young KJ, Evans DW, Lee E, Georgopoulos V, Meakins A, McCarthy C, Cook C, Ridehalgh C, Vogel S, Banton A, Bergström C, Mazzieri AM, Mourad F, Hutting N. A modern way to teach and practice manual therapy. Chiropr Man Therap 2024; 32:17. [PMID: 38773515 PMCID: PMC11110311 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-024-00537-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to global disability and health burden. Manual therapy (MT) interventions are commonly recommended in clinical guidelines and used in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Traditional systems of manual therapy (TMT), including physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and soft tissue therapy have been built on principles such as clinician-centred assessment, patho-anatomical reasoning, and technique specificity. These historical principles are not supported by current evidence. However, data from clinical trials support the clinical and cost effectiveness of manual therapy as an intervention for musculoskeletal conditions, when used as part of a package of care. PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to propose a modern evidence-guided framework for the teaching and practice of MT which avoids reference to and reliance on the outdated principles of TMT. This framework is based on three fundamental humanistic dimensions common in all aspects of healthcare: safety, comfort, and efficiency. These practical elements are contextualised by positive communication, a collaborative context, and person-centred care. The framework facilitates best-practice, reasoning, and communication and is exemplified here with two case studies. METHODS A literature review stimulated by a new method of teaching manual therapy, reflecting contemporary evidence, being trialled at a United Kingdom education institute. A group of experienced, internationally-based academics, clinicians, and researchers from across the spectrum of manual therapy was convened. Perspectives were elicited through reviews of contemporary literature and discussions in an iterative process. Public presentations were made to multidisciplinary groups and feedback was incorporated. Consensus was achieved through repeated discussion of relevant elements. CONCLUSIONS Manual therapy interventions should include both passive and active, person-empowering interventions such as exercise, education, and lifestyle adaptations. These should be delivered in a contextualised healing environment with a well-developed person-practitioner therapeutic alliance. Teaching manual therapy should follow this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Kerry
- School of Health Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2HA, UK
| | - Kenneth J Young
- Allied Health Research Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
| | - David W Evans
- Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Edward Lee
- School of Health Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2HA, UK
- Nottingham CityCare Partnership, Bennerley Rd, Nottingham, NG6 8WR, UK
| | - Vasileios Georgopoulos
- School of Health Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2HA, UK
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2HA, UK
| | - Adam Meakins
- Department of Orthopaedics, West Herts Hospitals Trust, Watford, WD18 0HB, UK
| | - Chris McCarthy
- School of Physiotherapy, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M15 6GX, UK
| | - Chad Cook
- Department of Orthopaedics, Duke University, 200 Morris Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Colette Ridehalgh
- School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Darley Rd, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR, UK
- Clinical Neuroscience, Trafford Building, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK
| | - Steven Vogel
- University College of Osteopathy, 275 Borough High St, London, SE1 1JE, UK
| | - Amanda Banton
- University College of Osteopathy, 275 Borough High St, London, SE1 1JE, UK
| | - Cecilia Bergström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, S-90187, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Firas Mourad
- Department of health, LUNEX, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Health & Sport Sciences Research Institute A.s.b.l., 50, Avenue du Parc des Sports, Differdange, 4671, Luxembourg
| | - Nathan Hutting
- Department of Occupation and Health, School of Organization and Development, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Pérez-González S. Evidence of mechanisms in evidence-based policy. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2024; 103:95-104. [PMID: 38096675 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Evidence-based policy has achieved great relevance in policy-making and social research. Nonetheless, over the past few years, several problematic aspects of this approach have been identified. This paper discusses whether, and to what extent, evidence of mechanisms could contribute to addressing certain difficulties faced by evidence-based policy. I argue that it could play a crucial role in the assessment of the efficacy of interventions, the extrapolation of interventions to target populations, and the identification of side effects. For analysing the potential contribution of evidence of mechanisms, the previous debate on the pluralist approach to evidence-based medicine is taken as reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Pérez-González
- Department of Philosophy, University of Valencia, Av. Blasco Ibáñez 30, Valencia, 46010, Spain.
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3
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Confalonieri F, Ferraro V, Barone G, Di Maria A, Petrovski BÉ, Vallejo Garcia JL, Randazzo A, Vinciguerra P, Lumi X, Petrovski G. Outcomes in the Treatment of Subretinal Macular Hemorrhage Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:367. [PMID: 38256501 PMCID: PMC10816885 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Subretinal macular hemorrhage (SRMH) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a relatively rare condition in ophthalmology characterized by blood collection between the neurosensory retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Without prompt treatment, visual prognosis is poor. A plethora of treatment approaches have been tried over the past years ranging from intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monotherapy to direct subretinal surgery, with no conclusive superiority of one over the other. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the outcomes and treatment modalities of SRMH from inception to 14 June 2022, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The level of evidence was assessed for all included articles according to the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results: A total of 2745 articles were initially extracted, out of which 1654 articles were obtained after duplicates were removed and their abstracts screened. A total of 155 articles were included for full-text review. Finally, 81 articles remained that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Even though there are solid results supporting a variety of treatments for SRMH, the best treatment modality has still not been conclusively demonstrated and further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Confalonieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (B.É.P.); (X.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Vanessa Ferraro
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Barone
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Maria
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Beáta Éva Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (B.É.P.); (X.L.)
| | - Josè Luis Vallejo Garcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Randazzo
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vinciguerra
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.F.); (G.B.); (A.D.M.); (J.L.V.G.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Xhevat Lumi
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (B.É.P.); (X.L.)
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (B.É.P.); (X.L.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, 21000 Split, Croatia
- UKLONetwork, University St. Kliment Ohridski-Bitola, 7000 Bitola, North Macedonia
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Volovici V, Verploegh IS, Satoer D, Vrancken Peeters NJMC, Sadigh Y, Vergouwen MDI, Schouten JW, Bruggeman G, Pisica D, Yildirim G, Cozar A, Muller F, Zidaru AM, Gori K, Tzourmpaki N, Schnell E, Thioub M, Kicielinski K, van Doormaal PJ, Velinov N, Boutarbouch M, Lawton MT, Lanzino G, Amin-Hanjani S, Dammers R, Meling TR. Outcomes Associated With Intracranial Aneurysm Treatments Reported as Safe, Effective, or Durable: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2331798. [PMID: 37656458 PMCID: PMC10474558 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.31798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Testing new medical devices or procedures in terms of safety, effectiveness, and durability should follow the strictest methodological rigor before implementation. Objectives To review and analyze studies investigating devices and procedures used in intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment for methods and completeness of reporting and to compare the results of studies with positive, uncertain, and negative conclusions. Data Sources Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials were searched for studies on IA treatment published between January 1, 1995, and the October 1, 2022. Grey literature was retrieved from Google Scholar. Study Selection All studies making any kind of claims of safety, effectiveness, or durability in the field of IA treatment were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis Using a predefined data dictionary and analysis plan, variables ranging from patient and aneurysm characteristics to the results of treatment were extracted, as were details pertaining to study methods and completeness of reporting. Extraction was performed by 10 independent reviewers. A blinded academic neuro-linguist without involvement in IA research evaluated the conclusion of each study as either positive, uncertain, or negative. The study followed Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Main Outcomes and Measures The incidence of domain-specific outcomes between studies with positive, uncertain, or negative conclusions regarding safety, effectiveness, or durability were compared. The number of studies that provided a definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability and the incidence of incomplete reporting of domain-specific outcomes were evaluated. Results Overall, 12 954 studies were screened, and 1356 studies were included, comprising a total of 410 993 treated patients. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with poor outcome or in-hospital mortality between studies claiming a technique was safe, uncertain, or not safe. Similarly, there was no difference in the proportion of IAs completely occluded at last follow-up between studies claiming a technique was effective, uncertain, or noneffective. Less than 2% of studies provided any definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability, and only 1 of the 1356 studies provided a threshold under which the technique would be considered unsafe. Incomplete reporting was found in 546 reports (40%). Conclusions and Relevance In this systematic review and meta-analysis of IA treatment literature, studies claiming safety, effectiveness, or durability of IA treatment had methodological flaws and incomplete reporting of relevant outcomes supporting these claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Volovici
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Iris S. Verploegh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Djaina Satoer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Yasmin Sadigh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mervyn D. I. Vergouwen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joost W. Schouten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gavin Bruggeman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dana Pisica
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Centre for Medical Decision Science, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gizem Yildirim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ayca Cozar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Femke Muller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ana-Maria Zidaru
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kelsey Gori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nefeli Tzourmpaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Schnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mbaye Thioub
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHNU Fann, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Pieter-Jan van Doormaal
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nikolay Velinov
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Pirogov, Medical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mahjouba Boutarbouch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hopital des Specialites, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morrocco
| | - Michael T. Lawton
- Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Giuseppe Lanzino
- Department of Neurosurgery and Interventional Neuroradiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | | | - Ruben Dammers
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC Stroke Center, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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De Giorgi R, Rizzo Pesci N, Rosso G, Maina G, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. The pharmacological bases for repurposing statins in depression: a review of mechanistic studies. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:253. [PMID: 37438361 PMCID: PMC10338465 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02533-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Statins are commonly prescribed medications widely investigated for their potential actions on the brain and mental health. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggests that statins may play a role in the treatment of depressive disorders, but only the latter has been systematically assessed. Thus, the physiopathological mechanisms underlying statins' putative antidepressant or depressogenic effects have not been established. This review aims to gather available evidence from mechanistic studies to strengthen the pharmacological basis for repurposing statins in depression. We used a broad, well-validated search strategy over three major databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO) to retrieve any mechanistic study investigating statins' effects on depression. The systematic search yielded 8068 records, which were narrowed down to 77 relevant papers. The selected studies (some dealing with more than one bodily system) described several neuropsychopharmacological (44 studies), endocrine-metabolic (17 studies), cardiovascular (6 studies) and immunological (15 studies) mechanisms potentially contributing to the effects of statins on mood. Numerous articles highlighted the beneficial effect of statins on depression, particularly through positive actions on serotonergic neurotransmission, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulation and modulation of inflammation. The role of other mechanisms, especially the association between statins, lipid metabolism and worsening of depressive symptoms, appears more controversial. Overall, most mechanistic evidence supports an antidepressant activity for statins, likely mediated by a variety of intertwined processes involving several bodily systems. Further research in this area can benefit from measuring relevant biomarkers to inform the selection of patients most likely to respond to statins' antidepressant effects while also improving our understanding of the physiopathological basis of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Giorgi
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicola Rizzo Pesci
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- University of Turin, Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", Via Cherasco 15, Turin, 10126, Italy
| | - Philip J Cowen
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine J Harmer
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxfordshire, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom
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Confalonieri F, Ferraro V, Di Maria A, Gaeta A, Vallejo-Garcia JL, Vinciguerra P, Lumi X, Petrovski G. Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants in Vitreoretinal Surgery: A Systematic Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1362. [PMID: 37374144 DOI: 10.3390/life13061362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Antiplatelets and anticoagulants have substantially influenced contemporary vitreoretinal surgical practices. The availability of new oral blood thinners has recently spurred a renewed interest in the clinical approach to vitreoretinal surgical conditions since it may be difficult for the surgeon to collect sufficient evidence-based data to decide whether to discontinue or continue such medications. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review on the use of antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants in the perioperative setting in vitreoretinal surgery and their possible complications, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The level of evidence, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEM) 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence, according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system, were assessed for all included articles. Results: In total, 2310 articles were initially extracted, out of which 1839 articles were obtained after duplicates were removed and their abstracts were screened. A total of 27 articles were included in the full-text review. Finally, a remaining 22 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Even though there is just a small number of studies with solid results, the advantage of using antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants in vitreoretinal surgery seems to outweigh the disadvantages, which are mainly related to postoperative hemorrhagic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Confalonieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Vanessa Ferraro
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Maria
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gaeta
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMI), Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 6, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Josè Luis Vallejo-Garcia
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Vinciguerra
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele, 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Xhevat Lumi
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, 21000 Split, Croatia
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7
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Calonge N, Shekelle PG, Owens DK, Teutsch S, Downey A, Brown L, Noyes J. A framework for synthesizing intervention evidence from multiple sources into a single certainty of evidence rating: Methodological developments from a US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee. Res Synth Methods 2023; 14:36-51. [PMID: 35722864 PMCID: PMC10084284 DOI: 10.1002/jrsm.1582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite research investment and a growing body of diverse evidence there has been no comprehensive review and grading of evidence for public health emergency preparedness and response practices comparable to those in medicine and other public health fields. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened an ad hoc committee to develop and use methods for grading and synthesizing diverse types of evidence to create a single certainty of intervention-related evidence to support recommendations for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Research. A 13-step consensus building method was used. Experts were first canvassed in public meetings, and a comprehensive review of existing methods was undertaken. Although aspects of existing review methodologies and evidence grading systems were relevant, none adequately covered all requirements for this specific context. Starting with a desire to synthesize diverse sources of evidence not usually included in systematic reviews and using GRADE for assessing certainty and confidence in quantitative and qualitative evidence as the foundation, we developed a mixed-methods synthesis review and grading methodology that drew on (and in some cases adapted) those elements of existing frameworks and methods that were most applicable. Four topics were selected as test cases. The process was operationalized with a suite of method-specific reviews of diverse evidence types for each topic. Further consensus building was undertaken through stakeholder engagement and feedback The NASEM committee's GRADE adaption for mixed-methods reviews will further evolve over time and has yet to be endorsed by the GRADE working group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ned Calonge
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Paul G Shekelle
- General Internal Medicine Division, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Douglas K Owens
- Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine, Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Steven Teutsch
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles; and Senior Fellow, Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health, Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Autumn Downey
- National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Lisa Brown
- National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine, Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jane Noyes
- Department of Health and Social Care Services Research and Child Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, UK
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Long MW, Ward ZJ, Wright DR, Rodriguez P, Tefft NW, Austin SB. Cost-Effectiveness of 5 Public Health Approaches to Prevent Eating Disorders. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:935-943. [PMID: 36109308 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Eating disorders cause suffering and a high risk of death. Accelerating the translation of research into implementation will require intervention cost-effectiveness estimates. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of 5 public health approaches to preventing eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. METHODS Using data from 2001 to 2017, the authors developed a microsimulation model of a closed cohort starting at the age of 10 years and ending at 40 years. In 2021, an analysis was conducted of 5 primary and secondary prevention strategies for eating disorders: school-based screening, primary care‒based screening, school-based universal prevention, excise tax on over-the-counter diet pills, and restriction on youth purchase of over-the-counter diet pills. The authors estimated the reduction in years lived with eating disorders and the increase in quality-adjusted life-years. Intervention costs and net monetary benefit were estimated using a threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life year. RESULTS All the 5 interventions were estimated to be cost-saving compared with the current practice. Discounted per person cost savings (over the 30-year analytic time horizon) ranged from $63 (clinic screening) to $1,102 (school-based universal prevention). Excluding caregiver costs for binge eating disorder and otherwise specified feeding and eating disorders substantially reduced cost savings (e.g., from $1,102 to $149 for the school-based intervention). CONCLUSIONS A range of public health strategies to reduce the societal burden of eating disorders are likely cost saving. Universal prevention interventions that promote healthy nutrition, physical activity, and media use behaviors without introducing weight stigma may prevent additional negative health outcomes, such as excess weight gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Long
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia.
| | - Zachary J Ward
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Davene R Wright
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patricia Rodriguez
- Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - S Bryn Austin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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9
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Perillat L, Mercuri M. Clinical recommendations: The role of mechanisms in the GRADE framework. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2022; 96:1-9. [PMID: 36126546 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework has become one of the most influential frameworks for assessing quality of research and developing clinical recommendations. The GRADE framework has been presented as an evolution in the Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) movement. Both GRADE and EBM emphasize effect estimates derived from population-level clinical trials and, as a consequence, devalue the role of mechanisms as the basis for clinical decisions. Although mechanisms do not hold the epistemic privilege of rigorous clinical trials in EBM reasoning, this paper will argue that mechanisms appear to be important in the use and application of GRADE, as described in the literature. The seemingly necessary role of mechanisms in the development of clinical recommendations has, so far, received little attention and is not explicitly featured in the literature describing GRADE. The analysis of the GRADE framework presented in this paper reveals an apparent tension between EBM's willingness to downplay mechanisms and what seems their inevitable use in GRADE. In this paper, we take the position that if mechanistic reasoning is inevitable in the use of GRADE, then the instructional literature on the framework would benefit from more explicit discussion of how to consider and integrate mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Perillat
- Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, 100 St George St. Toronto, ON, M5S 3G3, Canada.
| | - Mathew Mercuri
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St, 4th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M6, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 2X2, Canada
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10
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Toro MD, Milan S, Tognetto D, Rejdak R, Costagliola C, Zweifel SA, Posarelli C, Figus M, Rejdak M, Avitabile T, Carnevali A, Giglio R. Intraoperative Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in the Management of Cataract Surgery: State of the Art. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11133867. [PMID: 35807152 PMCID: PMC9267602 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11133867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The introduction of non-invasive diagnostic tools in ophthalmology has significantly reshaped current clinical practice in different settings. Recently, different anterior segment (AS) intraoperative optical coherence tomography (i-OCT) systems have been employed for different interventional procedures including cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: A review on the use of AS i-OCT in the management of cataract surgery, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). The level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEM) 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system were assessed for all included articles. Results: Out of 6302 articles initially extracted, 6302 abstracts were identified for screening and 32 of these met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for full-text review; 19 articles were excluded. Conclusions: The use of AS i-OCT in cataract surgery, even if only a few studies have a high level or grade of evidence, may represent a useful tool for novel surgeons approaching phacoemulsification but also for expert ones for teaching purposes and to plan and manage complicated cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Damiano Toro
- Eye Clinic, Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20079 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Serena Milan
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniele Tognetto
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (R.G.)
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20079 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Eye Clinic, Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | | | - Chiara Posarelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Michele Figus
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Magdalena Rejdak
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Teresio Avitabile
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Adriano Carnevali
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Rosa Giglio
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34134 Trieste, Italy; (D.T.); (R.G.)
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11
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Boutsioukis C, Arias-Moliz MT. Present status and future directions - irrigants and irrigation methods. Int Endod J 2022; 55 Suppl 3:588-612. [PMID: 35338652 PMCID: PMC9321999 DOI: 10.1111/iej.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Irrigation is considered the primary means of cleaning and disinfection of the root canal system. The purpose of this review was to set the framework for the obstacles that irrigation needs to overcome, to critically appraise currently used irrigants and irrigation methods, to highlight knowledge gaps and methodological limitations in the available studies and to provide directions for future developments. Organization of bacteria in biofilms located in anatomic intricacies of the root canal system and the difficulty to eliminate them is the main challenge for irrigants. Sodium hypochlorite remains the primary irrigant of choice, but it needs to be supplemented by a chelator. Delivery of the irrigants using a syringe and needle and activation by an ultrasonic file are the most popular irrigation methods. There is no evidence that any adjunct irrigation method, including ultrasonic activation, can improve the long‐term outcome of root canal treatment beyond what can be achieved by instrumentation and syringe irrigation. It is necessary to redefine the research priorities in this field and investigate in greater depth the penetration of the irrigants, their effect on the biofilm and the long‐term treatment outcome. New studies must also focus on clinically relevant comparisons, avoid methodological flaws and have sufficiently large sample sizes to reach reliable conclusions. Future multidisciplinary efforts combining the knowledge from basic sciences such as Chemistry, Microbiology and Fluid Dynamics may lead to more effective antimicrobials and improved activation methods to bring them closer to the residual biofilm in the root canal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Boutsioukis
- Department of Endodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M T Arias-Moliz
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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12
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Koterov AN, Ushenkova LN, Biryukov AP. Hill’s “Biological Plausibility” Criterion: Integration of Data from Various Disciplines for Epidemiology and Radiation Epidemiology. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359021110054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Tognetto D, Giglio R, Vinciguerra AL, Milan S, Rejdak R, Rejdak M, Zaluska-Ogryzek K, Zweifel S, Toro MD. Artificial intelligence applications and cataract management: A systematic review. Surv Ophthalmol 2021; 67:817-829. [PMID: 34606818 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications exhibit the potential to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care in different fields, including cataract management. A systematic review of the different applications of AI-based software on all aspects of a cataract patient's management, from diagnosis to follow-up, was carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All selected articles were analyzed to assess the level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Of the articles analyzed, 49 met the inclusion criteria. No data synthesis was possible for the heterogeneity of available data and the design of the available studies. The AI-driven diagnosis seemed to be comparable and, in selected cases, to even exceed the accuracy of experienced clinicians in classifying disease, supporting the operating room scheduling, and intraoperative and postoperative management of complications. Considering the heterogeneity of data analyzed, however, further randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy and safety of AI application in the management of cataract should be highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Tognetto
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rosa Giglio
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alex Lucia Vinciguerra
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Milan
- Eye Clinic, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Zurich, Zurich; Department of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
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14
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Wadden JJ. Defining the undefinable: the black box problem in healthcare artificial intelligence. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2021; 48:medethics-2021-107529. [PMID: 34290113 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2021-107529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The 'black box problem' is a long-standing talking point in debates about artificial intelligence (AI). This is a significant point of tension between ethicists, programmers, clinicians and anyone else working on developing AI for healthcare applications. However, the precise definition of these systems are often left undefined, vague, unclear or are assumed to be standardised within AI circles. This leads to situations where individuals working on AI talk over each other and has been invoked in numerous debates between opaque and explainable systems. This paper proposes a coherent and clear definition for the black box problem to assist in future discussions about AI in healthcare. This is accomplished by synthesising various definitions in the literature and examining several criteria that can be extrapolated from these definitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Joseph Wadden
- Department of Philosophy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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15
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Goodwin VA, Allan L, Bethel A, Cowley A, Cross JL, Day J, Drummond A, Hall AJ, Howard M, Morley N, Thompson Coon J, Lamb SE. Rehabilitation to enable recovery from COVID-19: a rapid systematic review. Physiotherapy 2021; 111:4-22. [PMID: 33637294 PMCID: PMC7902208 DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To establish the evidence for rehabilitation interventions tested in populations of patients admitted to ICU and critical care with severe respiratory illness, and consider whether the evidence is generalizable to patients with COVID-19. Methods The authors undertook a rapid systematic review. Medline (via OvidSP), CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL (via Wiley), Epistemonikos (via Epistemonikos.org), PEDro (via pedro.org.au) and OTseeker (via otseeker.com) searched to 7 May 2020. The authors included systematic reviews, RCTs and qualitative studies involving adults with respiratory illness requiring intensive care who received rehabilitation to enhance or restore resulting physical impairments or function. Data were extracted by one author and checked by a second. TIDier was used to guide intervention descriptions. Study quality was assessed using Critical Skills Appraisal Programme (CASP) tools. Results Six thousand nine hundred and three titles and abstracts were screened; 24 systematic reviews, 11 RCTs and eight qualitative studies were included. Progressive exercise programmes, early mobilisation and multicomponent interventions delivered in ICU can improve functional independence. Nutritional supplementation in addition to rehabilitation in post-ICU hospital settings may improve performance of activities of daily living. The evidence for rehabilitation after discharge from hospital following an ICU admission is inconclusive. Those receiving rehabilitation valued it, engendering hope and confidence. Conclusions Exercise, early mobilisation and multicomponent programmes may improve recovery following ICU admission for severe respiratory illness that could be generalizable to those with COVID-19. Rehabilitation interventions can bring hope and confidence to individuals but there is a need for an individualised approach and the use of behaviour change strategies. Further research is needed in post-ICU settings and with those who have COVID-19.
Registration: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/prc2y
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16
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In Vivo Efficacy of Contact Lens Drug-Delivery Systems in Glaucoma Management. A Systematic Review. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11020724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adherence is crucial in medical glaucoma therapy, although half of the patients skip eyedrops. In recent years alternative drug-delivery systems have been developed. One of the most promising seems the contact lens (CL). This systematic review aims to present the in vivo efficacy of different CL drug-delivery systems. A total of 126 studies were identified following a literature search adhering to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 19 studies about CL drug-delivery systems were included. To date, the following drug-delivery systems have been investigated in vivo: drug-soaked CL, CL with physical barriers (vitamin E), molecularly imprinted CL, CL with implants, and nanoparticle-loaded CL. Nanoparticle-loaded CL and CL with implants seem the most promising drug-delivery systems, although initial burst drug release and patient acceptance may limit their widespread use in current practice. Clinical trials are warranted to understand the role of CL as a drug-delivery system in improving glaucomatous patient care.
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17
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Cannabinoids in Glaucoma Patients: The Never-Ending Story. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123978. [PMID: 33302608 PMCID: PMC7763320 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the principal causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Yet, intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main modifiable risk factor for disease progression. In the never-ending challenge to develop new and effective drugs, several molecules have been tested as anti-glaucoma agents thanks to their pressure-lowering capabilities. Among these molecules, the cannabinoids have been investigated as possible anti-glaucoma drugs since the early 1970s. Cannabinoids are a large class of chemical compounds that exploit their effects by interaction with cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2. These receptors are widely expressed in the human retina where they may influence important functions such as photo-transduction, amacrine cell network maintenance, and IOP regulation. Therefore, in past years several studies have been conducted in order to assess the IOP lowering effects of cannabinoids. PRISMA guidelines have been used to perform a literature search on Pubmed and Scopus aiming to investigate the mechanism of IOP lowering effects and the potential benefits of orally administered, inhaled, topical, and intravenous cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma patients.
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18
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Bullous Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Rare and Atypical Form of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy. A Systematic Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13090221. [PMID: 32872388 PMCID: PMC7559580 DOI: 10.3390/ph13090221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Bullous central serous chorioretinopathy (bCSCR) is a rare variant of the central serous chorioretinopathy, complicated by an exudative retinal detachment with shifting fluid. This systematic review aims to present the epidemiology, the pathogenesis, the clinical presentation, the imaging, the differential diagnosis, and the latest treatments of this disease. A total of 60 studies were identified following a literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 34 studies about bCSCR were included. bCSCR usually affects middle-aged men, and the principal risk factor is corticosteroid medications. Pathogenesis is related to an increased choroidal vessel and choriocapillaris permeability, with subsequent subretinal fluid accumulation, rich in fibrin, which may provoke the exudative retinal detachment. Clinical presentation and imaging are fundamental to distinguish bCSCR from other pathologies, avoiding unappropriated treatment. Corticosteroid withdraws (if assumed) and laser photocoagulation of leakage sites seen at angiography may speed up retinal reattachment. Verteporfin photodynamic therapy, transpupillary thermal therapy, oral eplerenone and scleral thinning surgery are other therapeutic options. An early diagnosis might prevent disease progression due to harmful medications as well as unnecessary surgery.
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19
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Posarelli C, Sartini F, Casini G, Passani A, Toro MD, Vella G, Figus M. What Is the Impact of Intraoperative Microscope-Integrated OCT in Ophthalmic Surgery? Relevant Applications and Outcomes. A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061682. [PMID: 32498222 PMCID: PMC7356858 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently been introduced in the operating theatre. The aim of this review is to present the actual role of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MI-OCT) in ophthalmology. Method: A total of 314 studies were identified, following a literature search adhering to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 81 studies discussing MI-OCT applications in ophthalmology were included. Results: At present, three microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography systems are commercially available. MI-OCT can help anterior and posterior segment surgeons in the decision-making process, providing direct visualization of anatomic planes before and after surgical manoeuvres, assisting in complex cases, and detecting or confirming intraoperative complications. Applications range from corneal transplant to macular surgery, including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, paediatric examination, proliferative diabetic retinopathy surgery, and retinal detachment surgery. Conclusion: The use of MI-OCT in ophthalmic surgery is becoming increasingly prevalent and has been applied in almost all procedures. However, there are still limitations to be overcome and the technology involved remains difficult to access and use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Posarelli
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
| | - Francesco Sartini
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-997-675
| | - Giamberto Casini
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
| | - Andrea Passani
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
| | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20079 Lublin, Poland;
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, 01815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Giovanna Vella
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
| | - Michele Figus
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of the Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.P.); (G.C.); (A.P.); (G.V.); (M.F.)
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20
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Uterine transplantation and IVF for congenital or acquired uterine factor infertility: A systematic review of safety and efficacy outcomes in the first 52 recipients. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232323. [PMID: 32348371 PMCID: PMC7190173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine transplantation (UTx) associated with IVF restores fertility in women affected by absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI). Pregnancies achieved both in women undergoing any solid organ transplantation and following IVF are associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. This systematic review evaluated this risk in UTx-IVF treated women focusing on the safety and efficacy features of the treatment. Twenty-two studies and three press releases reporting on 52 UTx-IVF treatments were identified. Regarding the safety of treatment, 38/52 (73,1%) of surgical procedures led to the restoration of uterine function in recipients, 12/52 (23,1%) of recipients experienced post-operative complications requiring hysterectomy, and 2/52 (3,8%) of procedures failed before uterine recipients’ surgery due to intra-operative complications. Regarding the efficacy of treatment, results focused on transplanted patients showing full recovery of organ functioning: 16/38 (42,1%) of patients achieved a pregnancy, including two women who gave births twice. UTx-IVF pregnancies led to 16 deliveries and all new-borns were healthy. Six out of 16 (37,5%) UTx pregnancies faced major complications during gestation. Preterm births occurred in 10/16 (62,5%) UTx deliveries. Our data indicates that the risk of gestational and delivery complications deserves important consideration in AUFI women receiving UTx-IVF treatments. However, these observations are preliminary and need to be revised after larger series of data are published.
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21
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Donner-Banzhoff N. [Narratives help disseminate medical technologies: the case of coronary interventions]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2020; 63:521-526. [PMID: 32266490 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-020-03130-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Medical technologies are often disseminated and used although evidence demonstrating their effectiveness and safety is missing. Percutaneous intervention (PCI) in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is an example. This raises the question of how these technologies get disseminated and on which basis they are accepted by clinicians, patients, and the wider public.Studies investigating the communication between clinicians and patients show that simple narratives play a decisive role here. In this paper I discuss how narratives contribute to the dissemination of medical technologies. Communication within the profession, which includes medical education, also relies on narratives to a large degree. They have the following characteristics in common: 1) extreme simplification, 2) reduction to biological processes, 3) deterministic logic, and 4) strong moral message. These narratives are always biased; narratives dealing with interventions paint an overoptimistic picture of their effectiveness and safety. Although they represent "modern" technologies, their logic and purpose are akin to archaic myths.Presumably education and persuasion cannot eschew narratives completely. But health professionals, patients and the public should be aware of the inevitable bias that comes with narratives and their potential for manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Donner-Banzhoff
- Abteilung für Allgemeinmedizin, Präventive und Rehabilitative Medizin, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 4, 35043, Marburg, Deutschland.
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22
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Auker‐Howlett D, Wilde M. Reinforced reasoning in medicine. J Eval Clin Pract 2020; 26:458-464. [PMID: 31435979 PMCID: PMC7154706 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Some philosophers have argued that evidence of underlying mechanisms does not provide evidence for the effectiveness of a medical intervention. One such argument appeals to the unreliability of mechanistic reasoning. However, mechanistic reasoning is not the only way that evidence of mechanisms might provide evidence of effectiveness. A more reliable type of reasoning may be distinguished by appealing to recent work on evidential pluralism in the epistemology of medicine. A case study from virology provides an example of this so-called reinforced reasoning in medicine. It is argued that in this case study, the available evidence of underlying mechanisms did in fact play a role in providing evidence in favour of a medical intervention. This paper therefore adds a novel and recent case study to the literature in support of evidential pluralism in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Auker‐Howlett
- Department of Philosophy, School of European Culture and LanguagesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - Michael Wilde
- Department of Philosophy, School of European Culture and LanguagesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
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Volovici V. Translating Evidence Into Guideline Recommendations. JAMA Surg 2020; 155:267. [DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2019.4963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V. Volovici
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Center for Medical Decision Making, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Defining Aspects of Mechanisms: Evidence-Based Mechanism (Evidence for a Mechanism), Mechanism-Based Evidence (Evidence from a Mechanism), and Mechanistic Reasoning. BOSTON STUDIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29179-2_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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van Trijffel E, A B Oostendorp R, Elvers JWH. Routinely collected data as real-world evidence for physiotherapy practice. Physiother Theory Pract 2019; 35:805-809. [PMID: 31218943 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2019.1615678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based practice is the current undisputed predominant paradigm within medicine and allied health care, particularly in physiotherapy. Despite its potential benefits, over the years various points of criticism have been formulated one of which is the overreliance on randomized clinical trials as the highest level of evidence for treatment effectiveness. In the current era, where the availability of large amounts of clinical data gathered during the course of care delivery is rapidly increasing as well as our ability to access, process, link, and analyze these data in fairly efficient ways, alternative sources to supplement rather than replace evidence from RCTs look promising. In this Editorial, we discuss the opportunities and limitations of these routinely collected data in physiotherapy research and provide several examples from the literature. We conclude that the use of routinely collected data in physiotherapy research has the potential to increasingly contribute to real-world evidence, particularly in musculoskeletal primary care physiotherapy, provided that researchers are aware of methodological limitations and adhere to reporting standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiel van Trijffel
- a Department of Master Education and Research , SOMT University of Physiotherapy , Amersfoort , Netherlands.,b Department of Manual Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.,c Experimental Anatomy Research Department, Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium
| | - Rob A B Oostendorp
- b Department of Manual Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.,d Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare , Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre , Nijmegen , Netherlands.,e Pain in Motion International Research Group , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.,f Practice for Physiotherapy and Manual Therapy , Heeswijk-Dinther , Netherlands
| | - J W Hans Elvers
- g Department of Public Health and Research , Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre , Nijmegen , Netherlands
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La Caze A. Better evaluating mechanisms in medicine. Book Review: Evaluating Evidence of Mechanisms in Medicine. J Eval Clin Pract 2019; 25:1228-1231. [PMID: 31290215 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of mechanisms plays an important role in medical decision-making, but this role is less well articulated than that of clinical trial evidence. A new book, Evaluating Evidence of Mechanisms in Medicine: Principles and Procedures, provides a framework and resources for explicitly evaluating evidence of mechanisms when assessing claims of efficacy and external validity. This review outlines the overall approach of the book, the contribution it makes to evidence evaluation in medicine and makes some suggestions for further work that will aid implementation of the framework into clinical decision-making.
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Rosen GM, Lilienfeld SO, Glasgow RE. Psychiatry's stance towards scientifically implausible therapies: are we losing ground? Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:802-803. [PMID: 31326369 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30276-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott O Lilienfeld
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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28
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Probiotics: All in or Time Out …? Am J Gastroenterol 2019; 114:1690-1691. [PMID: 31365348 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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29
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Walker MJ, Bourke J, Hutchison K. Evidence for personalised medicine: mechanisms, correlation, and new kinds of black box. THEORETICAL MEDICINE AND BIOETHICS 2019; 40:103-121. [PMID: 30771062 DOI: 10.1007/s11017-019-09482-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Personalised medicine (PM) has been discussed as a medical paradigm shift that will improve health while reducing inefficiency and waste. At the same time, it raises new practical, regulatory, and ethical challenges. In this paper, we examine PM strategies epistemologically in order to develop capacities to address these challenges, focusing on a recently proposed strategy for developing patient-specific models from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) so as to make individualised treatment predictions. We compare this strategy to two main PM strategies-stratified medicine and computational models. Drawing on epistemological work in the philosophy of medicine, we explain why these two methods, while powerful, are neither truly personalised nor, epistemologically speaking, novel strategies. Both are forms of correlational black box. We then argue that the iPSC models would count as a new kind of black box. They would not rely entirely on mechanistic knowledge, and they would utilise correlational evidence in a different way from other strategies-a way that would enable personalised predictions. In arguing that the iPSC models would present a novel method of gaining evidence for clinical practice, we provide an epistemic analysis that can help to inform the practical, regulatory, and ethical challenges of developing an iPSC system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jean Walker
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Justin Bourke
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Katrina Hutchison
- Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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Toro MD, Reibaldi M, Longo A, Avitabile T, Lionetti ME, Tripodi S, Posarelli C, Palomba S. Changes in visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment: a systematic review. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:621-633. [PMID: 30795976 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As all the structures of the human eye are characterized by sex hormone receptors, this study tested the hypothesis that assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment influences visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment. A systematic literature search of all original articles published up to August 2018 was performed using the PubMed database, including all original studies available in the literature. Review articles, studies in which participants underwent mixed interventions (i.e. other than ART treatment), studies reporting data on ocular malformations in ART offspring, and studies written in languages other than English were excluded. All selected articles were analysed to assess the level of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 guidelines, and the quality of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Although sparse data suggest that ART treatment can influence visual function and ocular morphology in women who have undergone ART treatment and children born as a result of ART treatment, the available evidence is inconclusive given its low level and quality. More high-quality research is needed to assess the potential interaction between ART treatment and the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario D Toro
- Department of General Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Maria E Lionetti
- Department of Paediatrics, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Posarelli
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Palomba
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
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Marchionni C, Reijula S. What is mechanistic evidence, and why do we need it for evidence-based policy? STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2019; 73:54-63. [PMID: 30914124 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It has recently been argued that successful evidence-based policy should rely on two kinds of evidence: statistical and mechanistic. The former is held to be evidence that a policy brings about the desired outcome, and the latter concerns how it does so. Although agreeing with the spirit of this proposal, we argue that the underlying conception of mechanistic evidence as evidence that is different in kind from correlational, difference-making or statistical evidence, does not correctly capture the role that information about mechanisms should play in evidence-based policy. We offer an alternative account of mechanistic evidence as information concerning the causal pathway connecting the policy intervention to its outcome. Not only can this be analyzed as evidence of difference-making, it is also to be found at any level and is obtainable by a broad range of methods, both experimental and observational. Using behavioral policy as an illustration, we draw the implications of this revised understanding of mechanistic evidence for debates concerning policy extrapolation, evidence hierarchies, and evidence integration.
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Jensen MP, Brownstone RM. Mechanisms of spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of pain: Still in the dark after 50 years. Eur J Pain 2018; 23:652-659. [PMID: 30407696 PMCID: PMC6491991 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective Despite the value of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in treating some patients with focal neuropathic pain, technological advances in stimulator design and treatment protocols have not correlated with significant improvements in clinical outcomes. This may be because incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying SCS precludes improvement in clinical efficacy. In this brief review, we (a) review phenomenological effects of SCS, (b) review the literature on proposed spinal sites of action of SCS and (c) propose a novel hypothesis of mechanism of action. Results Dorsal columns, dorsal roots and dorsal horns have each been proposed as spinal sites of action of SCS. We suggest that evidence in favour of the dorsal columns or dorsal roots as the primary mediators of SCS is weak and propose that the dorsal horn is the crucial site of action. Furthermore, we hypothesize that, based on their location, and neurochemical and morphological properties, dorsal horn islet cells may mediate the effects of SCS. Conclusions The precise spinal mechanisms of action of SCS are still unknown. Dorsal horn islet cells have properties that position them to play a key role in analgesic effects of electrical stimulation. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for positive SCS effects are needed for successful translation into clinical dividends. Significance We review possible spinal mechanisms of action of spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain, proposing that direct modulation of dorsal horn neurons is crucial. We suggest that mechanistic insights are needed for translation into more favourable clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie P Jensen
- Sobell Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Robert M Brownstone
- Sobell Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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33
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Mercuri M, Baigrie BS. What confidence should we have in GRADE? J Eval Clin Pract 2018; 24:1240-1246. [PMID: 30003639 DOI: 10.1111/jep.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES Confidence (or belief) that a therapy is effective is essential to practicing clinical medicine. GRADE, a popular framework for developing clinical recommendations, provides a means for assigning how much confidence one should have in a therapy's effect estimate. One's level of confidence (or "degree of belief") can also be modelled using Bayes theorem. In this paper, we look through both a GRADE and Bayesian lens to examine how one determines confidence in the effect estimate. METHODS Philosophical examination. RESULTS The GRADE framework uses a criteria-based method to assign a quality of evidence level. The criteria pertain mostly to considerations of methodological rigour, derived from a modified evidence-based medicine evidence hierarchy. The four levels of quality relate to the level of confidence one should have in the effect estimate. The Bayesian framework is not bound by a predetermined set of criteria. Bayes theorem shows how a rational agent adjusts confidence (ie, degree of belief) in the effect estimate on the basis of the available evidence. Such adjustments relate to the principles of incremental confirmation and evidence proportionism. Use of the Bayesian framework reveals some potential pitfalls in GRADE's criteria-based thinking on confidence that are out of step with our intuitions on evidence. CONCLUSIONS A rational thinker uses all available evidence to formulate beliefs. The GRADE criteria seem to suggest that we discard some of that information when other, more favoured information (eg, derived from clinical trials) is available. The GRADE framework should strive to ensure that the whole evidence base is considered when determining confidence in the effect estimate. The incremental value of such evidence on determining confidence in the effect estimate should be assigned in a manner that is theoretically or empirically justified, such that confidence is proportional to the evidence, both for and against it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Mercuri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,African Centre for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
| | - Brian S Baigrie
- Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Gil AB, Piva SR, Irrgang JJ. Considerations for Assessment and Applicability of Studies of Intervention. Clin Sports Med 2018; 37:427-440. [PMID: 29903384 DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based practice changed how health care professionals are taught medical practice. Despite all best intentions, many health care professionals have limited knowledge to assess the validity and usefulness of the medical literature. The goal of this article is to review the following basic considerations while appraising studies of intervention: (1) the hierarchy of evidence and the strengths and weaknesses of clinical studies, (2) the relevant elements of study design that impact validity of study results, and (3) the spectrum of efficacy and effectiveness of clinical studies and how these influence the applicability of study results to individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B Gil
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Bridgeside Point 1, 100 Technology Drive, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130, USA.
| | - Sara R Piva
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Bridgeside Point 1, 100 Technology Drive, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130, USA
| | - James J Irrgang
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Bridgeside Point 1, 100 Technology Drive, Suite 210, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3130, USA
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35
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Bayly J, Wakefield D, Hepgul N, Wilcock A, Higginson IJ, Maddocks M. Changing health behaviour with rehabilitation in thoracic cancer: A systematic review and synthesis. Psychooncology 2018; 27:1675-1694. [DOI: 10.1002/pon.4684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Bayly
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation; King's College London; London UK
| | - Dominique Wakefield
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation; King's College London; London UK
| | - Nilay Hepgul
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation; King's College London; London UK
| | - Andrew Wilcock
- University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust; Nottingham UK
| | - Irene J. Higginson
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation; King's College London; London UK
| | - Matthew Maddocks
- Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation; King's College London; London UK
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Replacement of a diseased lumbar intervertebral disc with an artificial device, a procedure known as lumbar total disc replacement (LTDR), has been practiced since the 1980s. METHODS Comprehensive review of published literature germane to LTDR, but comment is restricted to high-quality evidence reporting implantation of lumbar artificial discs that have been commercially available for at least 15 years at the time of writing and which continue to be commercially available. RESULTS LTDR is shown to be a noninferior (and sometimes superior) alternative to lumbar fusion in patients with discogenic low back pain and/or radicular pain attributable to lumbar disc degenerative disease (LDDD). Further, LTDR is a motion-preserving procedure, and evidence is emerging that it may also result in risk reduction for subsequent development and/or progression of adjacent segment disease. CONCLUSIONS In spite of the substantial logistical challenges to the safe introduction of LTDR to a health care facility, the procedure continues to gain acceptance, albeit slowly. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Patients with LDDD who are considering an offer of spinal surgery can only provide valid and informed consent if they have been made aware of all reasonable surgical and nonsurgical options that may benefit them. Accordingly, and in those cases in which LTDR may have a role to play, patients under consideration for other forms of spinal surgery should be informed that this valid procedure exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Beatty
- Institute of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Republic of Ireland
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37
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Evans DW, Lucas N, Kerry R. The form of causation in health, disease and intervention: biopsychosocial dispositionalism, conserved quantity transfers and dualist mechanistic chains. MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2017; 20:353-363. [PMID: 28124195 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-017-9753-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Causation is important when considering: how an organism maintains health; why disease arises in a healthy person; and, how one may intervene to change the course of a disease. This paper explores the form of causative relationships in health, disease and intervention, with particular regard to the pathological and biopsychosocial models. Consistent with the philosophical view of dispositionalism, we believe that objects are the fundamental relata of causation. By accepting the broad scope of the biopsychosocial model, we argue that psychological and social constructs be considered objects. We think that this 'biopsychosocial dispositionalism' offers the flexibility required to describe causation throughout health, disease and intervention pathways. When constructing mechanistic chains to describe causative pathways, we argue that an object will causally connect with others through actions; transfers of energy from one object to another, initiated by the manifestation of one or more dispositional property. Finally, our analysis of causative interactions utilises the concept that a common form of interaction exists between disease and intervention pathways. This common form will always be an object, but the mode of interaction will vary with each disease. We describe how intervention may act through objects being shared between converging mechanistic chains, or through the removal and/or insertion of objects in such chains. We believe that this analysis provides novel insight to the forms of causative transactions that can occur. In addition, we hope that the findings of this analysis represent the first step towards developing a framework for appraising the composition of mechanistic theories.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Evans
- Research Centre, British School of Osteopathy, London, SE1 1JE, UK.
| | - Nicholas Lucas
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Roger Kerry
- Division of Physiotherapy Education and Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Mustafa FA. Notes on the use of randomised controlled trials to evaluate complex interventions: Community treatment orders as an illustrative case. J Eval Clin Pract 2017; 23:185-192. [PMID: 28090729 DOI: 10.1111/jep.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past seven decades, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have revolutionised clinical research and achieved a gold standard status. However, extending their use to evaluate complex interventions is problematic. In this paper we will demonstrate that complex intervention RCTs violate the necessary premises that govern the RCTs logic and underpin their rigour. The lack of blinding, heterogeneity of participants, as well as poor treatment standardisation and difficulty of controlling for confounders, which characterise complex intervention RCTs, can potentially be profoundly detrimental to their integrity. Proponents of this approach argue that matching "real world" circumstances, while maintaining the randomised design, enhances external validity. We counter this argument by pointing out that an inverted U relation exists between internal and external validity, and thus relaxing the experimental conditions beyond a certain threshold can potentially paradoxically render the RCT externally invalid, i.e. its results cannot be used anywhere. We shall illustrate the inappropriate use of RCTs to evaluate community treatment orders and propose an alternative epistemic model that is based on mechanistic reasoning and Cartwright's capacity concept.
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The Relationship of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure with Corneal Biomechanical Parameters in Healthy Subjects. MEDICAL HYPOTHESIS, DISCOVERY & INNOVATION OPHTHALMOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 6:89-97. [PMID: 29392148 PMCID: PMC5787028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the possible relationship of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects. The study included 88 eyes of 88 healthy subjects aged 20-40 years. After a thorough medical history, a digital sphygmomanometer was used to measure the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, several hematological and biochemical parameters were determined to assess general health. Prior the ophthalmic examination, the body height and weight were measured; then, the BMI was calculated. Finally, after comprehensive ophthalmic examination, all cases were evaluated with Pentacam (Oculus) in order to rule out corneal ectasia; then, the corneal biomechanical parameters of all individuals were measured using the Scheimpflug-based Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). If the measurements of the hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal range, the results of the Corvis ST, BMI, and BP were included in the analysis carried out with SPSS software. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) BMI, SBP, DBP, intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), deformation amplitude, radius, and peak distance was 27.24 ± 4.80 kg/m2, 116.47 ± 11.21 mmHg, 80.51 ± 5.68 mmHg, 15.10 ± 1.70 mmHg, 533.10 ± 30.97 micrometer, 1.03 ± 0.11 mm, 7.51 ± 0.86 mm, and 5.03 ± 0.30 mm, respectively. Results showed no significant difference in IOP, CCT, peak distance, radius, and deformation amplitude between different BMI subcategories defined by World Health Organization (all P > 0.05). The results of the Corvis ST showed that corneal biomechanical parameters had no significant correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP in three subgroups of BMI and all participants (all P > 0.05) but the results showed a positive correlation between CCT and IOP (P < 0.001, r = 0.504) in all participants. CCT and IOP had no correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP (P > 0.05). This study showed that BMI and BP had no correlation with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects using the Corvis ST.
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Palomba S, Homburg R, Santagni S, La Sala GB, Orvieto R. Risk of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes after high technology infertility treatment: a comprehensive systematic review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2016; 14:76. [PMID: 27814762 PMCID: PMC5097409 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-016-0211-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the literature, there is growing evidence that subfertile patients who conceived after infertility treatments have an increased risk of pregnancy and perinatal complications and this is particularly true for patients who conceived through use of high technology infertility treatments. Moreover, high technology infertility treatments include many concomitant clinical and biological risk factors. This review aims to summarize in a systematic fashion the current evidence regarding the relative effect of the different procedures for high technology infertility treatments on the risk of adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcome. A literature search up to August 2016 was performed in IBSS, SocINDEX, Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar and an evidence-based hierarchy was used to determine which articles to include and analyze. Data on prepregnancy maternal factors, low technology interventions, specific procedures for male factor, ovarian tissue/ovary and uterus transplantation, and chromosomal abnormalities and malformations of the offspring were excluded. The available evidences were analyzed assessing the level and the quality of evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system, respectively. Current review highlights that every single procedure of high technology infertility treatments can play a crucial role in increasing the risk of pregnancy and perinatal complications. Due to the suboptimal level and quality of the current evidence, further well-designed studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Palomba
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova (ASMN)-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roy Homburg
- Homerton Fertility Unit, Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, London, UK
| | - Susanna Santagni
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova (ASMN)-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista La Sala
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova (ASMN)-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- University of Modena, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Raoul Orvieto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center (Tel Hashomer), Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Mupepele AC, Walsh JC, Sutherland WJ, Dormann CF. An evidence assessment tool for ecosystem services and conservation studies. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:1295-1301. [PMID: 27755765 DOI: 10.1890/15-0595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Reliability of scientific findings is important, especially if they directly impact decision making, such as in environmental management. In the 1990s, assessments of reliability in the medical field resulted in the development of evidence-based practice. Ten years later, evidence-based practice was translated into conservation, but so far no guidelines exist on how to assess the evidence of individual studies. Assessing the evidence of individual studies is essential to appropriately identify and synthesize the confidence in research findings. We develop a tool to assess the strength of evidence of ecosystem services and conservation studies. This tool consists of (1) a hierarchy of evidence, based on the experimental design of studies and (2) a critical-appraisal checklist that identifies the quality of research implementation. The application is illustrated with 13 examples and we suggest further steps to move towards more evidence-based environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Christine Mupepele
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jessica C Walsh
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - William J Sutherland
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, United Kingdom
| | - Carsten F Dormann
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacherstr. 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
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Evans DW, Lucas N, Kerry R. Time, space and form: Necessary for causation in health, disease and intervention? MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2016; 19:207-213. [PMID: 26351062 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-015-9662-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sir Austin Bradford Hill's 'aspects of causation' represent some of the most influential thoughts on the subject of proximate causation in health and disease. Hill compiled a list of features that, when present and known, indicate an increasing likelihood that exposure to a factor causes-or contributes to the causation of-a disease. The items of Hill's list were not labelled 'criteria', as this would have inferred every item being necessary for causation. Hence, criteria that are necessary for causation in health, disease and intervention processes, whether known, knowable, or not, remain undetermined and deserve exploration. To move beyond this position, this paper aims to explore factors that are necessary in the constitution of causative relationships between health, disease processes, and intervention. To this end, disease is viewed as a causative pathway through the often overlapping stages of aetiology, pathology and patho-physiology. Intervention is viewed as a second, independent causative pathway, capable of causing changes in health for benefit or harm. For the natural course of a disease pathway to change, we argue that intervention must not only occupy the same time and space, but must also share a common form; the point at which the two pathways converge and interact. This improved conceptualisation may be used to facilitate the interpretation of clinical observations and inform future research, particularly enabling predictions of the mechanistic relationship between health, disease and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Evans
- Research Centre, The British School of Osteopathy, London, SE1 1JE, UK.
| | - Nicholas Lucas
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Roger Kerry
- Division of Physiotherapy Education and Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Ali Mustafa F. The case for abandoning the OCTET, and not community treatment orders. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2016; 56:157-158. [PMID: 25899462 DOI: 10.1177/0025802415580388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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Jerkert J. Negative mechanistic reasoning in medical intervention assessment. THEORETICAL MEDICINE AND BIOETHICS 2015; 36:425-437. [PMID: 26597869 DOI: 10.1007/s11017-015-9348-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, mechanistic reasoning has been assigned a negligible role in standard EBM (evidence-based medicine) literature, although some recent authors have argued for an upgrade. Even so, the mechanistic reasoning that has received attention has almost exclusively been positive--both in an epistemic sense of claiming that there is a mechanistic chain and in a health-related sense of there being claimed benefits for the patient. Negative mechanistic reasoning has been neglected, both in the epistemic and in the health-related sense. I distinguish three main types of negative mechanistic reasoning and subsume them under a new definition of mechanistic reasoning in the context of assessing medical interventions. This definition is wider than a previous suggestion in the literature. Each negative type corresponds to a range of evidential strengths, and it is argued that there are differences with respect to typical evidential strengths. The variety of negative mechanistic reasoning should be acknowledged in EBM, and it presents a serious challenge to proponents of so-called medical hierarchies of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Jerkert
- Division of Philosophy, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 32, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- F A Mustafa
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton, UK.
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46
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Chung VCH, Wu XY, Ziea ETC, Ng BFL, Wong SYS, Wu JCY. Assessing internal validity of clinical evidence on effectiveness of CHinese and integrative medicine: Proposed framework for a CHinese and Integrative Medicine Evidence RAting System (CHIMERAS). Eur J Integr Med 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Chew DP, Briffa TG, Alhammad NJ, Horsfall M, Zhou J, Lou PW, Coates P, Scott I, Brieger D, Quinn SJ, French J. High sensitivity-troponin elevation secondary to non-coronary diagnoses and death and recurrent myocardial infarction: An examination against criteria of causality. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-ACUTE CARDIOVASCULAR CARE 2014; 4:419-28. [DOI: 10.1177/2048872614564083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek P Chew
- School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia
| | - Tom G Briffa
- School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nasser J Alhammad
- Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Australia
| | - Matt Horsfall
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Australia
| | - Julia Zhou
- School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia
| | - Pey W Lou
- Flinders Medical Centre, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Australia
| | | | - Ian Scott
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - David Brieger
- Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen J Quinn
- School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia
| | - John French
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Ignatowski TA, Spengler RN, Tobinick E. Authors' reply to Whitlock: Perispinal etanercept for post-stroke neurological and cognitive dysfunction: scientific rationale and current evidence. CNS Drugs 2014; 28:1207-13. [PMID: 25373629 PMCID: PMC4246125 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-014-0212-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tracey A. Ignatowski
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences and Program for Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | | | - Edward Tobinick
- Institute of Neurological Recovery, 2300 Glades Road Suite 305E, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
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Abstract
Proponents of evidence-based medicine (EBM) have argued convincingly for applying this scientific method to medicine. However, the current methodological framework of the EBM movement has recently been called into question, especially in epidemiology and the philosophy of science. The debate has focused on whether the methodology of randomized controlled trials provides the best evidence available. This paper attempts to shift the focus of the debate by arguing that clinical reasoning involves a patchwork of evidential approaches and that the emphasis on evidence hierarchies of methodology fails to lend credence to the common practice of corroboration in medicine. I argue that the strength of evidence lies in the evidence itself, and not the methodology used to obtain that evidence. Ultimately, when it comes to evaluating the effectiveness of medical interventions, it is the evidence obtained from the methodology rather than the methodology that should establish the strength of the evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mebius
- Department of Philosophy and History of Technology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden
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From animal cage to aircraft cabin: an overview of evidence translation in jet lag research. Eur J Appl Physiol 2014; 114:2459-68. [PMID: 25342081 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-014-3026-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recent laboratory experiments on rodents have increased our understanding of circadian rhythm mechanisms. Typically, circadian biologists attempt to translate their laboratory-based findings to treatment of jet lag symptoms in humans. We aimed to scrutinise the strength of the various links in the translational pathway from animal model to human traveller. First, we argue that the translation of findings from pre-clinical studies to effective jet lag treatments and knowledge regarding longer-term population health is not robust, e.g. the association between circadian disruption and cancer found in animal models does not translate well to cabin crew and pilots, who have a lower risk of most cancers. Jet lag symptoms are heterogeneous, making the true prevalence and the effects of any intervention difficult to quantify precisely. The mechanistic chain between in vitro and in vivo treatment effects has weak links, especially between circadian rhythm disruption in animals and the improvement of jet lag symptoms in humans. While the number of animal studies has increased exponentially between 1990 and 2014, only 1-2 randomised controlled trials on jet lag treatments are published every year. There is one relevant Cochrane review, in which only 2-4 studies on melatonin, without baseline measures, were meta-analysed. Study effect sizes reduced substantially between 1987, when the first paper on melatonin was published, and 2000. We suggest that knowledge derived from a greater number of human randomised controlled trials would provide a firmer platform for circadian biologists to cite jet lag treatment as an important application of their findings.
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