Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern and cause of mortality and morbidity. Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a debilitating complication of AUD, mitigated by abstinence from alcohol use. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a potential treatment for AUD.

The impact of adverse childhood experiences on postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder in women: A prospective cohort study in China.

Background: Women are more prone to experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), placing them at higher risk of postpartum mental health disorders. However, research on ACEs, particularly their association with postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in non-Western contexts, is limited.

Objective: To utilize a cumulative risk approach and latent class analysis (LCA) to operationalize ACEs among postpartum women in China and examine their association with postpartum PTSD.

Prevalence of dengue and leptospirosis coinfection and associated mortality rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dengue and leptospirosis are prominent vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions, sharing overlapping geographic distribution and clinical presentations, which complicates diagnosis and management. Co-infection of these pathogens places additional strain on healthcare resources in endemic areas. This study aims to systematically estimate the prevalence and mortality rates of dengue and leptospirosis co-infections and assess their clinical implications.

Performance-Based Outcome Measures After Hip or Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Content Analysis Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Rational: One of the important considerations to select the appropriate outcome measures is determining if the tool is relevant to patients. Despite the availability of various performance-based tests to objectively assess function, it is unknown which performance-based tests best capture important aspects of function after hip or knee arthroplasty.

Aims And Objectives: Our systematic review aimed to identify the existing performance-based tests used in hip or knee arthroplasty and link the activity component of each test to the modified International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for osteoarthritis (OA).

Postoperative Rehabilitation Interventions in Patients at Risk of Poorer Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of postoperative rehabilitation for patients at risk of poorer outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.

Methods: Six databases were searched, and only randomised controlled trials were included. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and appraised the quality of the studies.

A Protocol for AI-Powered Tools to Enhance Mobility and Function in Older Adults: An Evidence and Gap Map.

: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment, and patient monitoring, benefiting older adults by offering personalized care plans. AI-powered tools help manage chronic conditions and maintain independence, making them a valuable asset in addressing aging challenges. : The objectives are as follows: 1.

Utility of Noninvasive Testing Before Invasive Coronary Angiography in the Assessment for Revascularization.

Objective: To examine the role of noninvasive testing (NIT) before invasive coronary angiography (ICA) by evaluating the association between a positive myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) result and the decision to perform coronary revascularization.

Patients And Methods: We screened all patients who received ICA between August 1, 2015, and July 31, 2019, and identified those who received MPI or CTA within the preceding 12 months. We considered MPI to be a positive result if it found moderate or severe ischemia in a specific coronary territory and CTA to be a positive result if it identified a stenosis greater than 50% in any major coronary artery.

Long-term Mental Health Morbidity in Adult Survivors of COVID-19 Critical Illness - A Population-based Cohort Study.

Background: Survivorship after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) critical illness may be associated with important long-term sequelae, but little is known regarding mental health outcomes.

Research Question: What is the association between COVID-19 critical illness and new post-discharge mental health diagnoses.

Study Design: AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada (January 1, 2020-March 31, 2022).

Conducting Pairwise and Network Meta-analyses in Updated and Living Systematic Reviews: a Scoping Review Protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review will be to describe existing guidance documents or studies reporting on the conduct of meta-analyses in updated systematic reviews (USRs) or living systematic reviews (LSRs).

Introduction: The rapid increase in the medical literature poses a substantial challenge in keeping systematic reviews up to date. In LSRs, a review is updated with a pre-specified frequency or when some other signalling criterion is triggered.

The Association between Pregnancy Complications and Long-Term Maternal Cardiometabolic Health in the MIREC Cohort Study.

Context: During pregnancy, women who experience certain pregnancy complications show elevations in biomarkers of inflammation and insulin resistance; however, few studies have examined these cardiometabolic biomarkers in the decade following pregnancy.

Objective: To examine the association between pregnancy complications and cardiometabolic biomarkers 9 years postpartum including: blood pressure, blood lipids, body fat percentage, insulin resistance (glucose, insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, leptin, adiponectin) and inflammation (hs-C-reactive protein).

Methods: Using data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) cohort study (2008-2021) we determined 3 groups of pregnancy complications: 1) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (n=35); any pregnancy complication in the index pregnancy, defined as preterm birth, HDP, impaired glucose tolerance or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (n=55); or self-reported recurrence of one of these pregnancy complications (n=19).

Relative efficacy of prehabilitation interventions and their components: systematic review with network and component network meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To estimate the relative efficacy of individual and combinations of prehabilitation components (exercise, nutrition, cognitive, and psychosocial) on critical outcomes of postoperative complications, length of stay, health related quality of life, and physical recovery for adults who have received surgery.

Design: Systematic review with network and component network meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were initially searched 1 March 2022, and updated on 25 October 2023.

Associations between water exposure and the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a matched case-control study.

Objective: Previous studies have hinted at an association between water exposure and the development of ALS. However, proximity measures to these water sources have been limited to questionnaires or large buffers due to a lack of fine geospatial measures. They also do not distinguish the various classes of hydrographic features.

Emergence of locally acquired Japanese encephalitis virus in Australia, January 2021-June 2022: a national case series.

Background And Methods: In March 2022, an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection was identified in temperate south-eastern Australia, with detections in humans and animals. The unexpected emergence of JEV prompted a national public health response and a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance was declared. JEV has previously only been identified in tropical north-eastern Australia in localised outbreaks.

Identifying Fraudulent Responses in a Study Exploring Delivery Options for Pregnancies Impacted by Gestational Diabetes: Lessons Learned From a Web-Based Survey.

Current literature is unclear on the safety and optimal timing of delivery for pregnant individuals with gestational diabetes mellitus, which inspired our study team to conduct a web-based survey study exploring patient and provider opinions on delivery options. However, an incident of fraudulent activity with survey responses prompted a shift in the focus of the research project. Unfortunately, despite the significant rise of web-based surveys used in medical research, there remains very limited evidence on the implications of and optimal methods to handle fraudulent web-based survey responses.

Update to the PRISMA guidelines for network meta-analyses and scoping reviews and development of guidelines for rapid reviews: a scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to develop a list of items for potential inclusion in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines for network meta-analysis (NMA), scoping reviews (ScRs), and rapid reviews (RRs).

Introduction: The PRISMA extensions for NMA and ScRs were published in 2015 and 2018. However, since then, their methodologies and innovations, including automation, have evolved.

Clinical significance of a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in patients with vascular disease.

Background: The Cardiovascular Outcomes for People Using Anticoagulation Strategies (COMPASS) trial enrolled patients with vascular disease, but excluded patients requiring oral anticoagulation.

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) during follow-up.

Methods: New AF was identified from hospitalization, study drug discontinuation and adverse event reports.

Strategies to Improve Health Care Provider Prescription of and Patient Adherence to Guideline-Recommended Cardiovascular Medications for Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease: Protocol for Two Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: In patients with atherosclerotic occlusive diseases, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) report that antiplatelets, statins, and antihypertensives reduce the risk of major adverse cardiac events, need for revascularization procedures, mortality, and health care resource use. However, evidence suggests that these patients are not prescribed these medications adequately or do not adhere to them once prescribed.

Objective: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyze RCTs examining the effectiveness of implementation or adherence-supporting strategies for improving health care provider prescription of, or patient adherence to, guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications in patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease.

Post-Stroke Recovery in Relation to Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons and Perineuronal Nets.

Background: There is a critical time window of post-stroke neuroplasticity when spontaneous behavioral recovery occurs. Potential factors responsible for this heightened plasticity are the reduction of parvalbumin-immunoreactive (PV+) interneuron inhibitory signaling and the disappearance of extracellular matrix synaptic stabilizers called perineuronal net(s; PNN/PNNs).

Objective: This study investigated whether behavioral recovery during this critical period following stroke is associated with changes in densities of PV+ interneurons and PNNs.

Implementing a smoke-free generation policy for Canada: estimates of the long-term impacts.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the potential impacts of the introduction of a smoke-free generation (SFG) policy in Canada with a perpetual ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after 2009 instigated on 1 January 2025.

Methods: An existing Canadian model relating to smoking cessation was adapted and augmented to assess the impact of an SFG policy on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life expectancy, health care costs, smoking-related taxes, and Canadian tobacco industry gross domestic product (GDP). The cumulative impact of the policy for the entire Canadian population was assessed for time horizons up to 90 years with an annual discount rate of 1.

Patterns and trends in burden of asthma and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2021 among south Asian countries: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Objective: Asthma poses a significant health burden in South Asia, with increasing incidence and mortality despite a global decline in age-standardized prevalence rates. This study aims to analyze asthma trends from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across South Asia. The study also assesses the impact of risk factors like high body mass index (BMI), smoking, and occupational exposures on asthma outcomes.

Burden of rheumatic diseases among people with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a prevalent metabolic condition affecting over 500 million people globally and associated with serious comorbidities, including various rheumatologic conditions. Some studies have reported a significant association between rheumatological conditions and DM2. However, the global burden of rheumatological conditions among people with DM2 remains unknown.