Tai Chi on psychological well-being: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Physical activity and exercise appear to improve psychological health. However, the quantitative effects of Tai Chi on psychological well-being have rarely been examined. We systematically reviewed the effects of Tai Chi on stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance in eastern and western populations.

Smoking as a risk factor for prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of 24 prospective cohort studies.

Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between smoking and adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

Methods: We pooled data from 24 cohort studies enrolling 21 579 prostate cancer case participants for a general variance-based meta-analysis. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated separately for mortality and incidence studies.

Colorectal cancer risk and dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D, and dairy products: a meta-analysis of 26,335 cases from 60 observational studies.

In vivo and in vitro studies suggest that dairy products, calcium, and dietary vitamin D inhibits the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate this relationship in observational studies. Data from 60 epidemiological studies enrolling 26,335 CRC cases were pooled using a general variance-based meta-analytic method.

Pregnancy outcome of migrant women and integration policy: a systematic review of the international literature.

Immigrant mothers in developed countries often experience worse pregnancy outcomes than native women. Several epidemiological studies have described the pregnancy outcome of immigrant women in European receiving countries, with conflicting results. The present systematic review makes a quantitative synthesis of available evidence on the association between pregnancy outcomes and integration policies.

Dairy products, dietary calcium and vitamin D intake as risk factors for prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of 26,769 cases from 45 observational studies.

In this study, we examined the available evidence and sources of heterogeneity for studies of dairy products, calcium, and vitamin D intake and the risk of prostate cancer. We pooled data from 45 observational studies using a general variance-based, meta-analytic method employing CIs. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated for specific dairy products such as milk and dairy micronutrients.

Impact of dairy products and dietary calcium on bone-mineral content in children: results of a meta-analysis.

Objective: Although calcium is essential for maintaining bone health in children, the optimum dietary intake of calcium in this age group, particularly in the form of dairy foods, is not well defined. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the impact of dietary calcium/dairy supplementation on bone mineral content in this age group.

Methods: Data were pooled from randomized controlled intervention trials and observational studies using previously described methods.

Use of cosmetic talc on contraceptive diaphragms and risk of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis of nine observational studies.

Prior work suggests an association between perineal use of cosmetic talc and increased ovarian cancer risk. A meta-analysis was performed to examine this hypothesis by evaluating ovarian cancer risk associated with direct exposure of the female genital tract to talc via dusting of contraceptive diaphragms. Data were pooled from epidemiological studies using a general variance-based meta-analytic method that employs confidence intervals.

n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not alpha-linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review.

Studies on the relation between dietary n-3 fatty acids (FAs) and cardiovascular disease vary in quality, and the results are inconsistent. A systematic review of the literature on the effects of n-3 FAs (consumed as fish or fish oils rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid or as alpha-linolenic acid) on cardiovascular disease outcomes and adverse events was conducted. Studies from MEDLINE and other sources that were of > or =1 y in duration and that reported estimates of fish or n-3 FA intakes and cardiovascular disease outcomes were included.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: a systematic review.

Greater fish oil consumption has been associated with reduced CVD risk, although the mechanisms are unclear. Plant-source oil omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) have also been studied regarding their cardiovascular effect. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of consumption of fish oil and ALA on commonly measured serum CVD risk factors, performing meta-analyses when appropriate.

Does the evidence support the use of spinal and epidural anesthesia for surgery?

When spinal and epidural anesthesia were introduced into clinical practice, their primary use was as an alternative to general anesthesia. Later, largely as a result of the realization that opioids could be safely and effectively used to produce selective spinal analgesia, spinal and epidural (neuraxial) analgesia began to be used specifically for the treatment of perioperative pain. We present a systematic review of the literature on neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia, new meta-analyses that illustrate the powerful effect of improvements in perioperative safety in general on the ability of neuraxial techniques to make a difference, and a consideration of why a literature analysis does not provide clear answers.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary restenosis, intima-media thickness, and exercise tolerance: a systematic review.

Greater omega-3 fatty acid consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Though the mechanisms of their effect are unclear, they may involve lesion formation and heart function. We conducted a systematic review of the clinical literature on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on measures of vascular structure and function.

Effects of fish oil supplementation on kidney transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on various kidney transplant-related outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed of published randomized, controlled trials (RCT). There were 16 kidney transplant RCT with a total of 812 patients.

Personal use of hair dyes and the risk of bladder cancer: results of a meta-analysis.

Objective: This study examined the methodology of observational studies that explored an association between personal use of hair dye products and the risk of bladder cancer.

Methods: Data were pooled from epidemiological studies using a general variance-based meta-analytic method that employed confidence intervals. The outcome of interest was a summary relative risk (RRs) reflecting the risk of bladder cancer development associated with use of hair dye products vs.

The influence of intravesical therapy on progression of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a metaanalytic comparison of chemotherapy versus bacilli Calmette-Guerin immunotherapy.

Objective: Currently, the true impact of intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy (bacilli Calmette-Guerin [BCG]) on the rate of progression of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to muscle invasive disease is unclear. A metaanalysis was performed to statistically compare the efficacy of these treatments in preventing tumor progression in this disease setting.

Methods: A prospective protocol outlining the metaanalysis noted here was developed followed by a thorough search of the existing published literature using strict eligibility criteria.

Effects of statins on vascular structure and function: a systematic review.

Purpose: Statins reduce cardiovascular events by more than can be explained by their effects on lipids. We conducted a systematic review of how statins affect vascular structure and function, differences among statins, and correlations between the effects of statins on vascular outcomes and either lipid levels or cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods: We primarily searched MEDLINE (1980 to March 2004) to identify all studies with at least 10 subjects that reported the effects of currently available statins on coronary artery stenosis, carotid intima-media thickness, and endothelial function (excluding studies of drug combinations and subjects with organ transplants).

Evidence report on the occurrence, assessment, and treatment of fatigue in cancer patients.

To determine the occurrence of cancer-related fatigue, the methods used to assess it, and the efficacy of the available treatments, we performed literature searches that identified English-language publications on these topics. Twenty-seven studies were identified in which the quantitative estimation of the occurrence of cancer-related fatigue was an end point. Fifty-six were judged to be relevant to the assessment of fatigue, and 10 randomized controlled clinical trials of treatments of cancer-related fatigue were retrieved.

Clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa and established standards of care: a systematic review of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria trials.

Context: The minimum standard of care required for participants in clinical trials conducted in resource-poor settings is a matter of controversy; international documents offer contradictory guidance.

Objective: To determine whether recently published trials conducted in sub-Saharan Africa met standards of care consistent with best current clinical standards for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, tuberculosis treatment, and malaria prevention.

Data Sources: Trials published during or after January 1998 that were indexed at the time of the MEDLINE and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Search (November 20, 2003).

Combined pharmacotherapy and psychological treatment for depression: a systematic review.

Background: Adherence to antidepressant medication use is a problem in clinical practice. Some authors have posited that combined psychological treatment facilitates adherence to pharmacotherapy.

Objectives: To study the relationship between adherence to use of and efficacy of antidepressant drugs plus psychological treatment vs drug treatment alone in depressive disorders.