Quantifying the impact of immortal time bias: empirical evidence from meta-analyses.

ObjectivesImmortal time bias (ITB) occurs when a period during which, by design, participants cannot experience the outcome (like death) is incorrectly included in the treatment group's follow-up, artificially making the treatment look better than it truly is. We aimed to identify a systematic sample of cases of ITB in the literature of studies using survival analysis and assess the impact of ITB on the results.DesignMeta-epidemiological study (PROSPERO[CRD42022356073]).

A Case of False-Negative Results in the One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification Assay for Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Breast Cancer with Low Cytokeratin 19 Expression.

Introduction: One-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for the analysis of sentinel lymph nodes is now widely used as a reliable tool for the intraoperative diagnosis of breast cancer metastasis based on the quantification of CK19 mRNA. However, discrepancies have been noted between the molecular diagnosis and histological evaluation, potentially due to differences in tissue sampling or technical limitations. Furthermore, false-negative results may occur when target mRNA expression is reduced.

Physical multimorbidity and dynapenic abdominal obesity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries.

Background: As far as we are aware, to date, there are no studies on the association between dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) and physical multimorbidity (i.e., ≥2 chronic conditions).

Association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and mild cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults.

Objectives: Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) may potentially increase risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but data is scarce, and community-based studies are lacking. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between DAO and MCI in a large nationally representative community-based sample from six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa).

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health.

Association Between Unclean Cooking Fuel Use and Hearing Problems Among Adults Aged ≥ 65 Years, a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Literature suggests that outdoor air pollutant exposure is associated with hearing problems, but examination of this link has not extended to any potential association between hearing ability and the use of unclean cooking fuels. The current paper investigates whether such a link exists, utilizing a large sample of older adults from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where such fuels are commonly used.

Methods: Data from the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed.

Temporal Trends in Inadequate Vegetable and Fruit Consumption Among Adolescents Aged 12-15 Years From 31 Countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Background And Aims: A low intake of fruit and vegetable consumption has been found to be associated with a plethora of negative health outcomes in adolescents. However, there is a scarcity of literature on long-term trends in fruit and vegetable intake in the adolescent population. Therefore, we examined this trend in a nationally representative sample of adolescents (12-15 years) attending school in 31 countries, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas, where investigation of such trends has been scarce.

The association between physical multimorbidity and fall-related injury among adults aged ≥ 50 years from low- and middle-income countries.

Studies from high-income countries have shown that multimorbidity is associated with increased fall risk among older adults. However, studies specifically on this topic from low- and middle-income counties (LMICs) are lacking. Thus, we aimed to assess this association among adults aged ≥ 50 years from six LMICs.

Fruit and vegetable consumption and injurious falls among adults aged ≥ 50 years from low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption may increase risk for falls. However, to date, only one study has examined this association in a sample restricted to females, while the mediators of this association are largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and injurious falls, and to identify potential mediators in a sample including both males and females.

Unclean cooking fuel use and sleep problems among adults aged 65 years and older from six countries.

We investigated the association between unclean cooking fuel use and sleep problems in a nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥65 years from six low- and middle-income countries (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa). Cross-sectional, community-based data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. Unclean cooking fuel referred to kerosene/paraffin, coal/charcoal, wood, agriculture/crop, animal dung, and shrubs/grass.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

National trends in thyroid disease and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, 1998-2021: A nationwide representative study in South Korea.

Objective: Although thyroid disease is a common condition, there is limited research examining the prevalence of thyroid disease over a long period of time, including both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sociodemographic aspects that might be associated with thyroid disease and how its prevalence has varied during the pandemic.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence of thyroid disease among Korean adults by using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1998 to 2021.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction for Incident Hypertension Based on Regular Health Checkup Data: Derivation and Validation in 2 Independent Nationwide Cohorts in South Korea and Japan.

Background: Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death, with hypertension as a key contributor. In 2019, cardiovascular diseases led to 17.9 million deaths, predicted to reach 23 million by 2030.

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Neurodegenerative Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes by Derivation and Validation in 2 Independent Korean Cohorts: Model Development and Validation Study.

Background: Several machine learning (ML) prediction models for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have recently been developed. However, the predictive power of these models is limited by the lack of multiple risk factors.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the validity and use of an ML model for predicting the 3-year incidence of ND in patients with T2DM.

National Trends in the Prevalence of Unmet Health Care and Dental Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Study in South Korea, 2009-2022.

Background: Although previous studies have investigated trends in unmet health care and dental care needs, most have focused on specific groups, such as patients with chronic conditions and older adults, and have been limited by smaller data sets.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the trends and relative risk factors for unmet health care and dental care needs, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these needs.

Methods: We assessed unmet health care and dental care needs from 2009 to 2022 using data from the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS).

Risk factors, prevention and treatment of weight gain associated with the use of antidepressants and antipsychotics: a state-of-the-art clinical review.

Introduction: People with severe mental illness have poor cardiometabolic health. Commonly used antidepressants and antipsychotics frequently lead to weight gain, which may further contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Areas Covered: We searched MEDLINE up to April 2023 for umbrella reviews, (network-)meta-analyses, trials and cohort studies on risk factors, prevention and treatment strategies of weight gain associated with antidepressants/antipsychotics.

Risk Factors for Depression in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a widespread chronic condition. Depression frequently occurs among patients with KOA. The objective of this meta-analysis was to identify risk factors associated with comorbid depression in patients with KOA.

Association between sedentary behavior and wish to die among adults aged ≥50 years: Findings from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

We investigated the association between sedentary behavior (SB) and wish to die (WTD; i.e., feeling that one would be better off dead or wishing for one's own death), and the extent to which this can be explained by sleep problems, depression, anxiety, loneliness, perceived stress, and social network in a nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥50 years from Ireland.