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]).

Risk of Hearing Loss in Patients Treated with Exendin-4 Derivatives: A Network Meta-Analysis of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors.

: Emerging evidence suggests an association between glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors with altered risk of damage in the inner ear system. However, limited research exists on the relationship between these medications and subsequent irreversible hearing loss. We conducted this network meta-analysis (NMA) to evaluate the comparative risk of hearing loss associated with such medications.

The efficacy and safety of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody versus acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with an in-depth analysis across genotypes and disease stages: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To date, studies have not compared the efficacy and safety of monoclonal antibodies (mABs) with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs).

Methods: Five electronic databases were systemic searched from inception to 10 November 2024 for double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of patients diagnosed with MCI or mild AD treated with mABs or AChEIs for at least 6 months. The primary outcome was change in cognitive function, measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale 14-item (ADAS-Cog) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB).

The pharmacodynamics-based prophylactic benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors on neurodegenerative diseases: evidence from a network meta-analysis.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent a new generation of antihyperglycemic agents that operate through mechanisms distinct from conventional diabetes treatments. Beyond their metabolic effects, these medications have demonstrated neuroprotective properties in preclinical studies. While clinical trials have explored their therapeutic potential in established neurodegenerative conditions, their role in disease prevention remains unclear.

The Efficacy and Acceptability of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Interventions for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Management: A Network Meta-Analysis Based on 24 Stimulation Methods.

Introduction: Despite the high lifetime prevalence and elevated disability rates, treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have limited efficacy. Considering the abnormal connectivity in the cortical-striatal-thalamic-cortical loop circuits in OCD, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have addressed the efficacy of different non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities for the management of OCD. However, these RCTs yielded inconclusive results.

Tripeptides Featuring Dehydrophenylalanine and Homophenylalanine: Homo- Versus Hetero-Chirality and Sequence Effects on Self-Assembly and Gelation.

Over the years, our research group developed dehydrodipeptides -capped with aromatic moieties as protease-resistant efficacious hydrogelators, affording self-assembled hydrogels at low (critical) concentrations. Dehydrotripeptides, with different dipeptide sequences and (,) stereochemistry, open a wider chemical space for the development of self-assembled soft nanomaterials. In this work, a small library of -succinylated dehydrotripeptides containing a -terminal dehydrophenylalanine (∆Phe) residue and a scrambled dipeptide sequence with phenylalanine (Phe) and homophenylalanine (Hph) (-Phe-,-Hph and ,-Hph--Phe) was synthesized and characterized as a potential hydrogelator.

Haloperidol in treating delirium, reducing mortality, and preventing delirium occurrence: Bayesian and frequentist meta-analyses.

Background: Although haloperidol is commonly used to treat or prevent delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, the evidence remains inconclusive. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of haloperidol for delirium treatment and prevention in ICU patients.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, the cochrane central register of controlled trials, EMBASE, ClinicalTrial.

Exercise as a transdiagnostic intervention for improving mental health: An umbrella review.

Exercise is beneficial for mental health in general, but no review has systematically assessed its potential transdiagnostic nature, i.e. whether it is beneficial across specific disorders.

The non-invasive brain or nerve stimulation treatment did not increase seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy: A network meta-analysis.

The noninvasive brain and nerve stimulation (NIBNS) treatments had been widely applied in numerous psychiatric diseases. They exerted preferable efficacy and had been considered as an alternative or add-on treatment to the traditional pharmacotherapy. However, the risk of complication of seizure had seized the clinicians so that they feared about this potential complication.

Mental health during the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War: A scoping review and unmet needs.

Introduction: The Russo-Ukrainian War (RUW) poses a significant mental health burden, warranting a scoping review of the evidence to shed light on the unmet needs.

Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases were inquired from inception until September 1st, 2023, to address the following a-priori-formulated questions: i) "Which psychiatric population has been assessed? How did the conflict affect the functioning of people with established mental health conditions (e.g.

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.

Comparative oral monotherapy of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ayahuasca, and escitalopram for depressive symptoms: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and acceptability of oral monotherapy using psychedelics and escitalopram in patients with depressive symptoms, considering the potential for overestimated effectiveness due to unsuccessful blinding.

Design: Systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrial.

Nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals in the treatment of schizophrenia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis "Nutra NMA SCZ".

Sub-optimal response in schizophrenia is frequent, warranting augmentation strategies over treatment-as-usual (TAU). We assessed nutraceuticals/phytoceutical augmentation strategies via network meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder were identified via the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.

Protocol for the development of a reporting guideline for umbrella reviews on epidemiological associations using cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies: the Preferred Reporting Items for Umbrella Reviews of Cross-sectional, Case-control and Cohort studies (PRIUR-CCC).

Introduction: Observational studies are fraught with several biases including reverse causation and residual confounding. Overview of reviews of observational studies (ie, umbrella reviews) synthesise systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses of cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, and may also aid in the grading of the credibility of reported associations. The number of published umbrella reviews has been increasing.

Response trajectory to left dorsolateral prefrontal rTMS in major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis: Trajectory of rTMS.

The depression response trajectory after a course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) remains understudied. We searched for blinded randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that examined conventional rTMS over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC) for major depressive episodes(MDE). The effect size was calculated as the difference in depression improvement, between active and sham rTMS.

Efficacy and acceptability of noninvasive brain stimulation for treating posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Despite its high lifetime prevalence rate and the elevated disability caused by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatments exhibit modest efficacy. In consideration of the abnormal connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and amygdala in PTSD, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the efficacy of different noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities for PTSD management have been undertaken. However, previous RCTs have reported inconsistent results.

Efficacy and safety of established and off-label ADHD drug therapies for cognitive impairment or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in bipolar disorder: A systematic review by the ISBD Targeting Cognition Task Force.

Background: Abnormalities in dopamine and norepinephrine signaling are implicated in cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder (BD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This systematic review by the ISBD Targeting Cognition Task Force therefore aimed to investigate the possible benefits on cognition and/or ADHD symptoms and safety of established and off-label ADHD therapies in BD.

Methods: We included studies of ADHD medications in BD patients, which involved cognitive and/or safety measures.

Residual effects of medications for sleep disorders on driving performance: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: NMA driving and hypnotics.

Sleep medications often carry residual effects potentially affecting driving safety, warranting network meta-analysis (NMA). PubMed/EMBASE/TRID/Clinicaltrials.gov/WHO-ICTRP/WebOfScience were inquired for randomized controlled trials of hypnotic driving studies in persons with insomnia and healthy subjects up to 05/28/2023, considering the vehicle's standard deviation of lateral position - SDLP (Standardized Mean Difference/SMD) and driving impairment rates on the first morning (co-primary outcomes) and endpoint.