Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: The objective was to assess the effect of menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) on all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus) from inception until August 2013. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of more than 6 months of duration comparing MHT with no treatment.

Oral vs Transdermal Estrogen Therapy and Vascular Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Menopausal hormone therapy is widely used to alleviate climacteric symptoms but may increase the risk of venous and arterial vascular events.

Objective: The objective was to synthesize the evidence about the risk of vascular events in postmenopausal women who use oral estrogen therapy (ET) and transdermal ET.

Methods: We searched bibliographical databases through August 2013 for longitudinal comparative studies that enrolled postmenopausal women using either oral or transdermal ET and reported the outcomes of interest: venous thromboembolism (VTE), pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke.

RADIOTHERAPY VERSUS RADIOSURGERY IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH ACROMEGALY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

Objective: When patients with acromegaly have residual disease following surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy is considered. Both stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and conventional fractionated radiotherapy (RT) are utilized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing evidence and compare outcomes for SRS and RT in patients with acromegaly.

Nut consumption and risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: The identification of foods that can decrease the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes may be helpful in reducing the burden of these diseases. Although nut consumption has been suggested to have a disease-preventive role, current evidence remains inconsistent.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify the association between nut consumption and risk of cancer or type 2 diabetes.

Pharmacologic Therapy of Diabetes and Overall Cancer Risk and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of 265 Studies.

Different anti-diabetic medications (ADMs) may modify cancer risk and mortality in patients with diabetes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the magnitude of association and quality of supporting evidence for each ADM. A total of 265 studies (44 cohort studies, 39 case-control studies, and 182 randomized controlled trials (RCT)) were identified, involving approximately 7.

Accuracy of thyroid nodule sonography for the detection of thyroid cancer in children: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Thyroid ultrasound (US) is a widely used tool for evaluating thyroid nodules. Various US features have been suggested as predictors of thyroid cancer in children.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of different thyroid US features in detecting thyroid cancer in children.

Psychological therapies in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a poorly understood disease with few effective treatments. Psychosocial factors are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of IBS.

Radiotherapy vs. Radiosurgery in Treating Patients with Acromegaly: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: When patients with acromegaly have residual disease following surgery, adjuvant radiation therapy is considered. Both stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and conventional fractionated radiotherapy (RT) are utilized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing evidence to compare outcomes with SRS and RT in patients with acromegaly.

A systematic review of treatment of intermittent claudication in the lower extremities.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is common and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized trials and systematic reviews of patients with intermittent claudication to evaluate surgery, endovascular therapy, and exercise therapy. Outcomes of interest were death, amputation, walking distance, quality of life, measures of blood flow, and cost.

A systematic review for the screening for peripheral arterial disease in asymptomatic patients.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. PAD can be detected through a noninvasive measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of several electronic bibliographic databases for studies that evaluated ABI as a screening test for PAD in asymptomatic individuals.

The incremental benefit of functional imaging in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: a systematic review.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the major imaging modalities used for the localization of catecholamine-producing tumors (pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma). Functional imaging (FI) offers an alternative approach to localize, evaluate, and stage these tumors. Our objective was to describe the additive benefit of FI studies for patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPG) who have undergone MRI or CT scan evaluation.

Clinical review: Drugs commonly associated with weight change: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Various drugs affect body weight as a side effect.

Objective: We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence about commonly prescribed drugs and their association with weight change.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, DARE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to identify published systematic reviews as a source for trials.

Surgical interventions and medical treatments in treatment-naïve patients with acromegaly: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Acromegaly is usually treated with surgery as a first-line treatment, although medical therapy has also been used as an alternative primary treatment.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing evidence comparing these two approaches in treatment-naïve patients with acromegaly.

Data Sources: This study performed a comprehensive search in multiple databases, including Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus from early inception through April 2014.

Clinical review: The benefits and harms of systemic testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: The use of T has been suggested to improve women's health during the postmenopausal period.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials to summarize the best available evidence regarding the benefits and harms of systemic T in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function.

Methods: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EBSCO CINAHL, and Scopus was conducted through January 2014.

Clinical review: The benefits and harms of systemic dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) therapy has been proposed to replenish the depletion of endogenous DHEA and its sulfate form, which occurs with advancing age and is thought to be associated with loss of libido and menopausal symptoms.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence supporting the use of systemic DHEA in postmenopausal women with normal adrenal function.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through January 2014.

Creating a Patient-Centered Health Care Delivery System: A Systematic Review of Health Care Quality From the Patient Perspective.

Patient experience is one of key domains of value-based purchasing that can serve as a measure of quality and be used to improve the delivery of health services. The aims of this study are to explore patient perceptions of quality of health care and to understand how perceptions may differ by settings and condition. A systematic review of multiple databases was conducted for studies targeting patient perceptions of quality of care.

Testing for germline mutations in sporadic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma: a systematic review.

Background: The presence of germline mutations in sporadic pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (SPPs) may change the clinical management of both index patients and their family members. However, the frequency of germline mutations in SPPs is unknown.

Objective: To describe the frequency of germline mutations in SPPs and to determine the value of testing index patients and their family members for these mutations.

Comparative systematic review and meta-analysis of compression modalities for the promotion of venous ulcer healing and reducing ulcer recurrence.

Objective: This was a systematic review of the literature to determine which compression method is superior in promoting ulcer healing and reducing recurrence in patients with lower extremity venous ulcer disease.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases for randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies from 1990 to December 2013.

Results: We identified 36 studies and two Cochrane systematic reviews.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical interventions versus conservative therapy for venous ulcers.

Objective: This goal of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine if surgical intervention (open or endovascular) is superior to compression alone with respect to ulcer healing, ulcer recurrence, and time to ulcer healing in patients with lower extremity venous ulcer disease.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies from 1990 to December 2013. The interventions of interest were any open or endovascular surgical interventions on the venous system in the lower extremity compared with compression alone.

Fibrosis progression in nonalcoholic fatty liver vs nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of paired-biopsy studies.

Background & Aims: Little is known about differences in rates of fibrosis progression between patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) vs nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies that assessed paired liver biopsy specimens to estimate the rates of fibrosis progression in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) including NAFL and NASH.

Methods: Through a systematic search of multiple databases and author contact, up to June 2013, we identified studies of adults with NAFLD that collected paired liver biopsy specimens at least 1 year apart.

A systematic review of shared decision making interventions in chronic conditions: a review protocol.

Background: Chronic conditions are a major source of morbidity, mortality and cost worldwide. Shared decision making is one way to improve care for patients with chronic conditions. Although it has been widely studied, the effect of shared decision making in the context of chronic conditions is unknown.

Off-hour presentation and outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies have suggested that patients with acute ischemic stroke who present to the hospital during off-hours (weekends and nights) may or may not have worse clinical outcomes compared to patients who present during regular hours.

Methods: We searched Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus through August 2013, and included any study that evaluated the association between time of patient presentation to a healthcare facility and mortality or modified Rankin Scale in acute ischemic stroke. Quality of studies was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Assessing the evidence: live attenuated influenza vaccine in children younger than 2 years. A systematic review.

Background: Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is effective in children but contraindicated in children <2 years of age.

Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo and CINAHL through February 2013 for existing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (for safety). We included studies enrolling healthy children <2 years of age who received LAIV, compared with placebo or inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV).

Health assessment of commercial drivers: a meta-narrative systematic review.

Background: Motor vehicle accidents associated with commercial driving are an important cause of occupational death and impact public safety.

Objectives: We summarise the evidence regarding the type, prevalence and impact of medical conditions discovered during health assessment of commercial drivers.

Evidence Review: We conducted a systematic review of multiple electronic databases and made a manual search for relevant studies that enrolled commercial drivers in any country and reported the outcomes of health assessment carried out in the context of commercial driving through November 2012.