bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of fenofibrate on plasma apolipoprotein C-III levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials
Authors: Sahebkar Amirhossein , Simental-Mendía Luis E , Katsiki Niki , Reiner Željko , Banach Maciej , Pirro Matteo , Atkin Stephen L 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesThis meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials aimed to assess the effect of fenofibrate on apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III), a key regulator of triglyceride metabolism.Materials and methodsRandomised placebo-controlled trials investigating the impact of fenofibrate treatment on apo C-III levels were searched in PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases from inception to 18 August 2017. Quantitative data synthesis was determined by a random-effects model and generic inverse variance method. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method. A weighted random-effects meta-regression was performed to evaluate glycaemic parameter confounders.ResultsMeta-analysis of 10 clinical trials involving 477 subjects showed fenofibrate therapy decreased apo C-III levels (weighted mean difference (WMD) −4.78 mg/dL, 95% CI −6.95 to –2.61, p<0.001; I266.87%). Subgroup analysis showed that fenofibrate reduced plasma apo C-III concentrations in subgroups of trials with treatment durations of either <12 weeks (WMD −4.50 mg/dL, p=0.001) or ≥12 weeks (WMD: −4.73 mg/dL, p=0.009) and doses of fenofibrate <200 mg/day (WMD −6.33 mg/dL, p<0.001) and >200 mg/day (p=0.006), with no significant difference between the subgroups.ConclusionThis meta-analysis found that fenofibrate therapy significantly decreases apo C-III levels, an effect evident with both short-term treatment and doses less than 200 mg/day.
Timing of household food insecurity exposures and asthma in a cohort of US school-aged children
Authors: Mangini Lauren D , Hayward Mark D , Zhu Yeyi , Dong Yongquan , Forman Michele R 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveFood insecurity is positively associated with asthma, the most common chronic childhood disease, yet directionality is unclear. The objective was to determine the association between exposure to food insecurity in early childhood and the odds of asthma later in childhood.DesignData from four waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten (ECLS-K) cohort, a prospective, dual-frame, multistage probability cluster sampling study of school-aged US children were entered in multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for covariates. Exposures to food insecurity were based on parental responses to the validated USDA 18-item module at each wave.SettingPublic and private primary and secondary schools between 1998 and 2007.ParticipantsAt its inception (1999), the ECLS-K had 20 578 kindergarteners; by the spring of eighth grade (2007), the cohort dropped to 9725 due to attrition. Children missing an exposure, outcome or confounding variable were excluded, final n=6731.Primary outcome measureChild’s diagnosis of asthma by a healthcare professional as reported by the parent.ResultsHousehold food insecurity (vs food security) in the year before kindergarten and in second grade had a higher odds of asthma by 18% (95% CI 1.17 to 1.20) and 55% (95% CI 1.51 to 1.55). After removing asthmatics before third grade from the model, food insecurity in second grade was associated with higher odds of asthma at fifth or eighth grades (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.53 to 1.58), whereas food insecurity in the year before kindergarten had a lower odds at fifth or eighth grades.ConclusionsFood insecurity in the year before kindergarten and in second grade were associated with a higher odds of asthma in third grade. Food insecurity in second grade retained the signal for increased odds of asthma after third and through eighth grades. Additional research is needed to explore childhood windows of vulnerability to asthma.
Assessment of surgical outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in patients with low compliance to postoperative follow-up: a retrospective observational study in a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Zhang Qing , Wang Jing , Li Mohan , Ding Xiaohu , Tao Liming 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesPoor follow-up after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) is common in general clinical practice. We aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of patients with poor compliance to FS-LASIK follow-up but who returned to the clinic with additional prompting at a 1-year visit. We also compared their surgical outcomes with those of patients who returned unprompted.DesignRetrospective and observational study.SettingAn urban tertiary hospital in China.ParticipantsWe reviewed the medical records of myopic patients who underwent binocular FS-LASIK. These patients were all recommended, but not compulsively required, to return for termly postoperative examinations including measurement of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refraction and assessment of complications. According to records of follow-up visits, 1009 eligible patients were categorised as follows: (1) 124 who returned unprompted at the 1-year visit (group 1) and (2) 885 lost to follow-up at the 1-year visit. We randomly selected and called back 105 (group 2) out of the 885 patients for an extra postoperative examination.ResultsAt the 1-year visit, the visual outcomes of the two groups of patients were comparable. No differences in postoperative UDVA were found between the two groups (−0.02±0.06 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and −0.02±0.05 logMAR for groups 1 and 2, respectively, p=0.175). Patients in group 2 showed greater hyperopic dioptres than patients in group 1 (0.37±0.59 D vs −0.29±0.69, p<0.0001). No vision-threatening complications were observed in either group of patients.ConclusionsThe visual and refractive outcomes of patients who were lost to follow-up after FS-LASIK surgery were good and comparable to those who returned unprompted. The results indicated that rigorous postoperative follow-up may be unnecessary in general clinical practice, except for patients who are at a high risk for postoperative complications.
Protocol for a participatory study for developing qualitative instruments measuring the quality of long-term care relationships
Authors: Scheffelaar Aukelien , Hendriks Michelle , Bos Nanne , Luijkx Katrien , van Dulmen Sandra 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionIn long-term care (LTC), it is unclear which qualitative instruments are most effective and useful for monitoring the quality of the care relationship from the client’s perspective. In this paper, we describe the research design for a study aimed at finding and optimising the most suitable and useful qualitative instruments for monitoring the care relationship in LTC.Methods and analysisThe study will be performed in three organisations providing care to the following client groups: physically or mentally frail elderly, people with mental health problems and people with intellectual disabilities. Using a participatory research method, we will determine which determinants influence the quality of a care relationship and we will evaluate up to six instruments in cooperation with client-researchers. We will also determine whether the instruments (or parts thereof) can be applied across different LTC settings.Ethics and disseminationThis study protocol describes a participatory research design for evaluating the quality of the care relationship in LTC. The Medical Ethics Committee of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre decided that formal approval was not needed under the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. This research project will result in a toolbox and implementation plan, which can be used by clients and care professionals to measure and improve the care relationship from the client’s perspective. The results will also be published in international peer-reviewed journals.
Acupuncture for migraine: a protocol for a meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Gao Zishan , Giovanardi Carlo Maria , Li Hongxiao , Hao Chen , Li Qian , Zhang Xu , Mansmann Ulrich 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionAlthough the effectiveness of acupuncture for episodic migraine has been confirmed by multiple clinical trials and Cochrane systematic reviews, the mechanisms underlying the specific effect of acupuncture for migraine remain controversial. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for both episodic migraine and chronic migraine by meta-analysis and explore the possible factors influencing the specific effect of acupuncture for migraine by meta-regression.Methods and analysisWe will search for randomised control trials of acupuncture for migraine in the following eight databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED (via OVID) and four Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and Wanfang Database) from inception to 31 December 2017. We will also search OpenSIGLE (opensigle.inist.fr) for conference abstracts. No language restriction will be applied. The selection of studies, data extraction and coding and assessment of risk of bias of the included studies will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Standard meta-analysis and, if appropriate, meta-regression will be performed using the R packages Meta and Metafor.Ethics and disseminationThe results of this meta-analysis and meta-regression will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference. The data used in this meta-analysis will not contain individual patient data; therefore, ethical approval is not required.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018087270.
To what extent do education and physical work load factors explain occupational differences in disability retirement due to knee OA? A nationwide register-based study in Finland
Authors: Kontio Tea , Viikari-Juntura Eira , Solovieva Svetlana 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesTo examine the association of education and physical work load factors on the occupational differences in disability retirement due to knee osteoarthritis (OA).DesignLongitudinal study.SettingLinkage of several nationwide registers and a job exposure matrix in Finland.ParticipantsA total of 1 135 654 Finns aged 30–60 years in gainful employment were followed from 2005 to 2013 for full disability retirement due to knee OA.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWe calculated age-adjusted incidence rates and examined the association of occupation, education and physical work load factors with disability retirement using competing risk regression model. Disability retirement due to other causes than knee OA, old-age retirement and death were treated as competing risk.ResultsA total of 6117 persons had disability retirement due to knee OA. Women had a higher age-adjusted incidence rate than men (72 vs 60 per 100 000 person-years, respectively). In men, a very high risk of disability retirement was found among construction workers, electricians and plumbers (HR 16.6, 95% CI 12.5 to 22.2), service workers (HR 12.7, 95% CI 9.2 to 17.4) and in women among building caretakers, cleaners, assistant nurses and kitchen workers (HR 15.5, 95% CI 11.7 to 20.6), as compared with professionals. The observed occupational differences were largely explained by educational level and noticeably mediated by physical work load factors in both genders.ConclusionOur observational study suggests that the risk of disability retirement among manual workers is strongly attributed to the physically heavy work.
Clinical indicators for reporting the effectiveness of patient quality and safety-related interventions: a protocol of a systematic review and Delphi consensus process as part of the international Standardised Endpoints for Perioperative Medicine initiative (StEP)
Authors: Bampoe Sohail , Cook Tim , Fleisher Lee , Grocott Michael P W , Neuman Mark , Story David , Myles Paul , Haller Guy 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionClinical indicators are used to measure and quantify the safety and quality of patient care. They are also often used as endpoints in clinical trials. Definitions of clinical indicators in common use are extremely heterogeneous, limiting their applicability. As part of the international Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine initiative, this study will identify clinical indicators by systematically reviewing the anaesthesia and perioperative medicine literature, and will provide consensus, clinically useful definitions for those indicators using a Delphi process.Methods and analysisAn electronic database search will be conducted of Medline (PubMed/OVID), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library in order to meet this review’s objectives that are: (1) To identify clinical indicators and their definitions used in randomised controlled trials that assess patient-related quality and safety interventions in perioperative medicine; (2) To select a shortlist of recommended indicators and definitions that are the most suitable for evaluation of quality and safety interventions following an expert-based consensus-gaining process (Delphi method) and (3) To provide a classification scale for each indicator related to its clarity of definition, validity (strength), reliability, feasibility (ease of use) and frequency of use. This systematic review protocol is reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidance.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this systematic review and Delphi process. The results of this study will be disseminated to the anaesthesia and perioperative medicine clinical and academic community through national and international presentations and through publication in a peer reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016042102.
Development and validation of a clinical rule for recognition of early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: ten Brinck Robin M , van Dijk Bastiaan T , van Steenbergen Hanna W , le Cessie Saskia , Numans Mattijs E , Hider Samantha L , Mallen Christian , van der Helm-van Mil Annette 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesNational and international guidelines recommend prompt referral of patients presenting with inflammatory arthritis (IA), but general practitioners (GPs) feel uncertain in their proficiency to detect synovitis through joint examination, the method of choice to identify IA. Our objective was to develop and validate a rule composed of clinical characteristics to assist GPs and other physicians in identifying IA when in doubt.DesignSplit-sample derivation and validation study.SettingThe Leiden Early ArthritisRecognitionClinic (EARC), a screening clinic for patients in whom GPs suspected but were unsure of the presence of IA.Participants1288 consecutive patients visiting the EARC.Primary and secondary outcome measuresAssociations of clinical characteristics with presence of IA were determined using logistic regression in 644 patients, while validating the results in the other 644 patients (split-sample validation). To facilitate application in clinical practice, a simplified rule (with scores ranging from 0 to 7.5) was derived and validated.ResultsIA was identified by a rheumatologist in 41% of patients. In univariable analysis, male gender, age ≥60 years, symptom duration <6 weeks, morning stiffness >60 min, a low number of painful joints (1–3 joints), presence of patient-reported joint swelling and difficulty with making a fist were associated with IA in the derivation data set. Using multivariable analysis, a simplified rule consisting of these seven items was derived and validated, yielding an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.78) in the derivation data set. Validation yielded an AUC of 0.71 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.75). Finally, the model was repeated to study predicted probabilities with a lower prevalence of inflammatory arthritis to simulate performance in primary care settings.ConclusionsOur rule, composed of clinical parameters, had reasonable discriminative ability for IA and could assist physicians in decision-making in patients with suspected IA, increasing appropriateness of healthcare utilisation.
PARENTS 2 Study: a qualitative study of the views of healthcare professionals and stakeholders on parental engagement in the perinatal mortality review—from ‘bottom of the pile’ to joint learning
Authors: Bakhbakhi Danya , Burden Christy , Storey Claire , Heazell Alexander Edward , Lynch Mary , Timlin Laura , Gold Katherine , Siassakos Dimitrios 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveEngaging bereaved parents in the review process that examines their care before and after a perinatal death might help parents deal with their grief more effectively and drive improvements in patient safety. The objective of this study is to explore whether healthcare professionals would accept or support parent engagement in the perinatal mortality review process.DesignQualitative focus group interviews. Transcripts were analysed with an inductive thematic approach.SettingTwo geographically distinct tertiary maternity hospitals in the UK.ParticipantsFive focus groups were conducted with clinical staff including midwives, obstetricians, neonatologists, nursing staff and chaplaincy services.ResultsTwenty-seven healthcare professionals unanimously agreed that parents’ involvement in the perinatal mortality review process is useful and necessary. Six key themes emerged including: parental engagement; need for formal follow-up; critical structure of perinatal mortality review meeting; coordination and streamlining of care; advocacy for parents including role of the bereavement care lead; and requirement for training and support for staff to enable parental engagement.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals strongly advocated engaging bereaved parents in the perinatal mortality review: empowering parents to ask questions, providing feedback on care, helping generate lessons and providing them with the opportunity to discuss a summary of the review conclusions with their primary healthcare professional contact. The participants agreed it is time to move on from ‘a group of doctors reviewing notes’ to active learning and improvement together with parents, to enable better care and prevention of perinatal death.
Comparison of the periodontal condition in Korean and Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Furuta Michiko , Takeuchi Kenji , Shimazaki Yoshihiro , Takeshita Toru , Shibata Yukie , Hata Jun , Yoshida Daigo , Park Deok-Young , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Yamashita Yoshihisa 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesReports from national surveys in South Korea and Japan have indicated that the prevalence of periodontal disease is lower in Korea than in Japan. However, these national surveys have not evaluated factors related to periodontal health condition, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This study compared periodontal conditions between Korean and Japanese adults, in the context of general health status.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNational survey in South Korea (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, ‘KNHANES’) and a population-based study in Japan (Hisayama study); both were conducted in 2012.ParticipantsThis study included 3574 Korean and 2205 Japanese adults aged 40–79 years.Outcome measuresPeriodontal condition was assessed by using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Examiners in Japan underwent clinical calibration training for periodontal examination with a gold-standard examiner from KNHANES, prior to the Hisayama study.ResultsThe age-adjusted prevalences of periodontal disease, defined as CPI score ≥3, were 31.4% and 42.1% in South Korea and Japan, respectively (p<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalences of diabetes (p=0.018) and metabolic syndrome (p=0.001) were higher in Korea than in Japan. The numbers of present and filled teeth and percentages of participants who visited a dental clinic in the last 12 months were higher in Japan than in Korea (all p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the Japanese participants were more likely to have periodontal disease than were the Korean participants, after adjusting for age, sex, occupation, oral health status, oral health behaviour, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsA higher prevalence of periodontal disease was found in Japanese participants than in Korean participants. Further studies are needed to more clearly elucidate factors underlying the difference in periodontal conditions between the two populations, including those related to the dental healthcare system and dietary intake.
Dismantling, personalising and optimising internet cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression: a study protocol for individual participant data component network meta-analysis
Authors: Furukawa Toshi A , Karyotaki Eirini , Suganuma Aya , Pompoli Alessandro , Ostinelli Edoardo G , Cipriani Andrea , Cuijpers Pim , Efthimiou Orestis 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionPsychotherapy is a complex intervention, consisting of various components and being implemented flexibly in consideration of individual patient’s characteristics. It is then of utmost importance to know which of the various components or combinations thereof are more efficacious, what their specific effect sizes are and which types of patients may benefit more from different components or their combinations.Methods and analysisInternet-delivered cognitive–behavioural therapy (iCBT) offers a unique opportunity to systematically review and quantitatively disentangle the efficacy of various components because, unlike face-to-face cognitive–behavioural therapy, it allows identification of constituent components that are actually delivered to patients. We will systematically identify all randomised controlled trials that compared any form of iCBT against another form or a control intervention in the acute phase treatment of adult depression. We will apply component network meta-analysis (cNMA) to dismantle efficacy of individual components. We will use individual participant data in the cNMA to identify participant-level prognostic factors and effect modifiers for different components.Ethics and disseminationThe investigators of the primary trials will have obtained ethical approval for the data used in the present study and for sharing the data, if this was necessary, according to local requirements and was not covered from the initial ethic assessment. Results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018104683.