Evidence synthesis is the process of systematically gathering, analyzing, and integrating available research evidence. The quality of evidence synthesis depends on the quality of the original studies included. Validity assessment, also known as risk of bias assessment, is an essential method for assessing the quality of these original studies. Currently, there are numerous validity assessment tools available, but some of them lack a rigorous development process and evaluation. The application of inappropriate validity assessment tools to assessing the quality of the original studies during the evidence synthesis process may compromise the accuracy of study conclusions and mislead the clinical practice. To address this dilemma, the LATITUDES Network, a one-stop resource website for validity assessment tools, was established in September 2023, led by academics at the University of Bristol, U.K. This Network is dedicated to collecting, sorting and promoting validity assessment tools to improve the accuracy of original study validity assessments and increase the robustness and reliability of the results of evidence synthesis. This study introduces the background of the establishment of the LATITUDES Network, the included validity assessment tools, and the training resources for the use of validity assessment tools, in order to provide a reference for domestic scholars to learn more about the LATITUDES Network, to better use the appropriate validity assessment tools to conduct study quality assessments, and to provide references for the development of validity assessment tools.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of different nucleosides (acids) in preventing hepatitis B virus reactivation after chemotherapy in cancer patients. MethodsThe Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of different nucleosides (acids) to prevent HBV reactivation after chemotherapy in cancer patients from inception to June 7th, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed by using Stata 16.0 software. ResultsA total of 43 RCTs involving 3 269 patients were included. There were 7 interventions, namely entecavir (ETV), lamivudine (LAM), adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), telbivudine (LdT), tenofovir dipivoxil (TDF), lamivudine combined with entecavir (LAM+ETV), and lamivudine combined with adefovir dipivoxil (LAM+ADV). The results of network meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of reducing the reactivation rate of ETV, LAM, ADV, LdT, TDF, LAM+ETV, LAM+ADV were superior than the control group. The ETV, LAM and ADV were not as effective as LAM+ETV. The leading drug combinations were LAM+ETV (94.8%), LdT (81.5%) and LA+ADV (58.0%). ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that LAM+ETV, LdT, and LA+ADV are more effective in preventing hepatitis B virus reactivation after chemotherapy in cancer patients. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions.
Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a statistical technique that integrates data from multiple clinical studies and compares the efficacy and safety of multiple interventions, which can provide pro and con ranking results for all intervention options in the evidence network and provide direct evidence support for clinical decision-making. At present, NMA is usually based on the aggregation of the same type of data set, and there are still methodological and software difficulties in achieving cross-study design and cross-data format data set merging. The crossnma package of R programming language is based on Bayesian framework and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, extending the three-level hierarchical model to the standard NMA data model to achieve differential merging of varied data types. The crossnma package fully considers the impact of risk bias caused by the combination of different types of data on the results by introducing model variables. In addition, the package provides functions such as result output and easy graphing, which makes it possible to combine NMA across study designs and evidence across data formats. In this study, the model based on crossnma package method and software operation will be demonstrated and explained through the examples of four individual participant datasets and two aggregate datasets.
ObjectiveTo analyze the efficacy and safety of various treatment strategies for patients with refractory/recurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r-DLBCL) by network meta-analysis. MethodsThe PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials related to the objectives of the study from inception to November 16th, 2022. After two investigators independently screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies, a network meta-analysis was performed using R 4.2.2 software. ResultsA total of 8 RCTs and 11 non-randomized controlled trials were included, involving 2 559 cases. The treatment regimen included chemotherapy, immunochemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with ADC, immunochemotherapy combined with ADC, ASCT based regimen, CAR-T based regimen, ASCT combined with CAR-T, immunomodulators, small molecule inhibitors, and rituximab combined with small molecule inhibitors. The ranking probability results showed that the top three complete remission (CR) rates among all schemes were ASCT combined with CAR-T, chemotherapy combined with ADC, and immune modulators; The top three overall response rates (ORR) were chemotherapy combined with ADC, ASCT combined with CAR-T, and ASCT. The CAR-T regimen had a higher rate of severe neutropenia; The severe thrombocytopenia rate of ASCT regimen was relatively high; There was no significant difference in the incidence of SAEs among the other options. ConclusionASCT combined with CAR-T and chemotherapy combined with ADC have the best therapeutic effects on r/r-DLBCL. However, the specific protocol to be adopted requires clinical doctors to combine actual conditions, comprehensively consider the efficacy and side effects, and develop personalized treatment strategies for r/r-DLBCL patients.
Objective To systematically review the effect of different nutrient interventions on the physical function of elderly people with frailty through network meta-analysis. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase and Web of Science were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials of different nutrient interventions on physical function of the elderly with frailty, from database inception to June 30, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Network meta-analysis was then performed using ADDIS 1.16.8, GeMTC 14.3, and Stata 15.0 software. Results A total of 13 studies involving 1 144 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) among different nutrient interventions. Significant differences were not found in vitamin D+ whey protein (VDWP) vs. placebo and Leu vs. placebo in handgrip strength, or VDWP vs. placebo in SPPB. The probability ranking diagram showed that the most effective of handgrip strength, time up to go test, gait speed, and SPPB were milk protein concentrate (MPC80), L-carnitime (L-Car), leucine (Leu), and MPC80, respectively. Conclusion The current evidence suggests that nutritional intervention did not significantly improve physical function in the frail elderly. MPC80, Leu, L-Car, and VDVEWP may play a role in improving the physical function of frail elderly people. Nutritional support programs that increase the above nutrients, combined with exercise training may become a better way to improve the physical function of frail elderly.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of different non-pharmacological interventions on cognitive function in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment by the network meta-analysis. MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the objectives from inception to November 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. The network meta-analysis was then performed by using Stata 16.0 and Open BUGS 3.2.3 software. ResultsA total of 43 RCTs involving 2 986 patients were included, which involved 8 non-drug intervention methods. The best probability ranking results of the network meta-analysis showed that on the simple mental state scale (MMSE) scores: rTMS > acupressure > acupuncture therapy > exercise therapy > cognitive training > multicomponent intervention > VR > conventional care > health education, and on the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) scores: VR > exercise therapy > rTMS > acupuncture therapy > acupressure > cognitive training > health education > conventional care. Conclusion Current evidence shows that rTMS, acupressure, VR, exercise therapy and acupuncture may be effective interventions to improve cognitive function in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
SAS Software is a powerful and internationally-recognized programming statistical software, which can implement all kinds of meta-analysis, including network meta-analysis. Bayesian statistics is an important statistical method, which uses MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) arithmetic to conduct various statistical inference. With this idea, we implement network meta-analysis thorough PROC MCMC process and introduce this process in this article based on an example.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of different screening tools for sarcopenia in the community for the elderly with sarcopenia, and to provide evidence-based support for the accurate screening of elderly patients with sarcopenia. MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, VIP, CBM, and WanFang Data databases were searched by computer, and the relevant research on the diagnosis of sarcopenia in the elderly by publicly published risk screening tools was found. The retrieval time was from inception to June 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies, and then data analysis was performed by using Stata 15.1 and Meta Disc 1.4 software. ResultsA total of 24 studies were included, including 10 961 patients, involving 8 risk screening tools for sarcopenia in the elderly: leg circumference, MSRA-5, MSRA-7, upper arm circumference, ring test, Ishii score, SARC-CalF and SARC-F. Meta-analysis showed that the combined sensitivities of eight screening tools were 0.84 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.15), 0.82 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.38), 0.80 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.36) and 0.72 (95%CI 0.33 to 1.55), 0.67 (95%CI 0.37 to 1.21), 0.63 (95%CI 0.33 to 1.19), 0.49 (95%CI 0.38 to 0.63), 0.24 (95%CI 0.18 to 0.30), and the combined specificities were 0.39 (95%CI 0.18 to 0.82)、0.52 (95%CI 0.29 to 0.93)、0.54 (95%CI 0.29 to 1.03)、0.62 (95%CI 0.49 to 0.79)、0.63 (95%CI 0.50 to 0.78).The results of reticular meta-analysis showed that the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of the eight screening tools ranked from high to low according to the cumulative sensitivity: calf circumference (67.4%) > MSRA-5 (65.3%) > MSRA-7 (64.1%) > upper arm circumference (54.5%) > ring test (46.5%) > Ishii score. The values of specificity SUCRA from highest to lowest were as follows: SARC-F (72.2%) > SARC-CALF (71.3%) > Ishii score (60.2%) > ring test (57.1%) > upper arm circumference (40.1%) > lower leg circumference (36.2%) > MSRA-5. ConclusionThe simple screening tool for common sarcopenia has high sensitivity and high specificity, so medical staff can give priority to the combination of the two screening tools, namely SARC-CalF. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of different exercises on inflammatory cytokines in individuals with overweight or obesity. Methods The CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of exercise on inflammatory cytokines in individuals with overweight or obesity from January, 2000 to April, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. The network meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 16.0 software. Results A total of 63 RCTs were included, 49 of which reported the changes in IL-6, 47 of which reported the changes in TNF-α, and 16 of which reported the changes in IL-10. The results of the network meta-analysis found that compared with those in the control group, aerobic exercise (AE) (SMD=−0.9, 95%CI −1.4 to −0.5, P<0.01) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (SMD=−1.3, 95%CI −2.3 to −0.3, P=0.011) significantly reduced IL-6. AE (SMD=−1.3, 95%CI −1.7 to −0.9, P<0.01), combined exercise (COM) (SMD=−0.7, 95%CI −1.3 to −0.1, P=0.02), and HIIT (SMD=−1.8, 95%CI −2.6 to −0.9, P<0.01) significantly reduced TNF-α; AE (SMD=0.8, 95%CI 0.1 to 1.5, P=0.03) significantly increased IL-10. The cumulative probability ranking results showed that HIIT was the most effective in reducing IL-6 and TNF-α and increasing IL-10, followed by AE and COM, and resistance training (RT) was the least effective. Conclusion Different exercise types have different effects on improving inflammation in individuals with overweight or obesity. HIIT can be suggested as the best exercise program to improve chronic inflammation in individuals with overweight or obesity. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the dose-effect relationship between resistance exercise intervention and lower extremity muscle strength and function enhancement in the aging. MethodsEBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of resistance exercise on muscle strength and function of the lower extremities in older adults from inception to July 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. A network meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software. ResultsA total of 32 RCTs with a total sample size of 1 594 individuals were included. The results of network meta-analysis showed that the elements of resistance exercise prescription: intensity 50%-70% 1RM, period 8-12 weeks, frequency 3-4 times/week, duration 30-45 min, and intervals 1.1-2 min were superior to other doses. ConclusionThe optimal dose of resistance exercise for improving lower extremity muscle strength and function in older adults is moderate exercise intensity (50%-70% 1RM) for 8-12 weeks, 3-4 times per week, 30-45 min per exercise, and 1.1-2 min interval between sets.