Publications by authors named "Wigdan H Farah"
Cycle threshold (C) values are correlated with the amount of viral nucleic acid in a sample and may be obtained from some qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction tests used for diagnosis of most patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, C values cannot be directly compared across assays, and they must be interpreted with caution as they are influenced by sample type, timing of sample collection, and assay design. Presently, the correlation between C values and clinical outcomes is not well understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study aimed to identify risk factors leading to unplanned readmissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) within 48 hours of discharge, highlighting it as a quality metric in critical care.
- - Out of 11 observational studies involving 128,974 children, it was found that complex chronic diseases and significant disabilities were the strongest predictors of early readmission, with other notable factors being unplanned admissions and seasonality.
- - The findings suggest that many identified risk factors are not changeable, raising concerns about the effectiveness of using early unplanned readmissions as a quality measure in pediatric critical care.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is the most empirically supported therapy for childhood anxiety disorders (CADs) but has not reliably outperformed other credible interventions. The current study used meta-analysis to examine the frequency with which the most common treatment components are included in outcome studies and the relation of these components to symptom improvement. Seventy-five studies were identified that included youth with an anxiety disorder treated with CBT or a comparison condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: It is unknown whether patients receiving dialysis have a higher morbidity and mortality risk after hip fracture repair conferred by their kidney failure or by the high comorbidity burden often present.
Methods: We examined associations of dialysis dependency with postoperative complications, death, and readmission in a matched cohort study of U.S.
Background: Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are used to treat stable bronchiectasis of non-cystic fibrosis (CF) aetiology.
Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the evidence of the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options in patients with stable non-CF bronchiectasis with a focus on reducing exacerbations.
Study Selection: Multiple databases were searched through September 2017.
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) undergo occupational tuberculosis screening at regular intervals. However, the risk of contracting tuberculosis at the workplace in a setting with a low background tuberculosis incidence is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the risk of tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion and the risk of occupational tuberculosis infection among HCWs in such a setting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Many studies have suggested that disparities exist in the use of medical screening tests. The purpose of this study was to assess racial disparities in screening mammography in the United States via a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus for comparative studies published between 1946 and 2015 comparing utilization of mammography among various racial groups.
Background: The comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments of depression remains unclear.
Methods: We conducted an overview of systematic reviews to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and adverse effects of non-pharmacological treatments of depression. We searched multiple electronic databases through February 2016 without language restrictions.
Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the evidence about predictors that may affect biochemical remission and recurrence after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), radiosurgery (RS), and radiotherapy (RT) in Cushing disease.
Methods: We searched multiple databases through December 2014 including original controlled and uncontrolled studies that enrolled patients with Cushing disease who received TSS (first-line), RS, or RT. We extracted data independently, in duplicates.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContext: 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.