logo
    Abstract:
    This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and 2) infections among immigrants and refugees worldwide. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases were searched for studies published from their inception to 6 January 2023. A meta-analysis using a generalized linear mixed model with a random effect was performed for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the decade of study, sample size, confirmatory methods, region of study, risk group, and region of origin. Of the 381 studies initially identified, 21 were included. The pooled prevalence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 was 1.28% (95% CI: 0.58, 2.81) and 0.11% (95% CI: 0.04, 0.33), respectively. HTLV-1 prevalence differed significantly by region of origin, with the highest prevalence among those from the Western Pacific Region (7.27%; 95% CI: 2.94, 16.83). The subgroup analysis also showed significant differences between the estimates of HTLV-1 considering the decade of study, sample size, and region of study. For HTLV-2, significant differences were shown in relation to sample size, confirmatory methods, and risk group. The higher HTLV-1 prevalence found deserves public health attention in immigrant and refugee-receiving non-endemic countries.
    Keywords:
    Subgroup analysis
    The aim of the study was to examine how well aggregate data meta-analyses (ADMAs) and individual patient data meta-analyses (IPDMAs) agree in their overall results and how frequently interactions are detected in IPDMAs and ADMAs.ADMA articles immediately published before the IPDMA and matching the research topic were identified. Agreement in the overall result was achieved if the estimate was in the same direction. The number of subgroup analyses, in particular that of significant interactions, was compared between the 2 types of meta-analyses.A total of 829 IPDMA articles were identified; 129 (15.6%) were found to have a matched ADMA article and 204 paired meta-analyses were identified. Agreement in the overall effect was observed in 187 (91.7%) of the 204 paired meta-analyses. Fifty-three (26.0%) ADMAs and 121 (59.3%) IPDMAs conducted subgroup analyses and presented 150 and 634 subgroup analyses, respectively. The IPDMAs conducted 7 times more subgroup analyses on interaction (544 in IPDMAs vs 68 in ADMAs) and identified 14 times more potential interactions (44 in IPDMAs vs 3 in ADMAs).ADMAs will almost always agree with their corresponding IPDMAs in the overall result if greater efforts are made to improve the methodology in conducting ADMAs. The IPDMA is required mostly if interactions are suspected.
    Subgroup analysis
    Aggregate data
    Citations (24)
    To explore the role and application of Meta-regression and subgroup analyses to recognize and control the heterogeneity in Meta-analysis, Meta-regression models were established by secondary data to screen the factors resulting heterogeneity,and subgroup analyses were used to compare the change of heterogeneity before and after.The heterogeneity was found in the Meta-analysis(Q=44.71,df=27,P=0.017).Sample size and region were selected(P=0.012 and P=0.091,respectively)by Meta-regression from many possible factors such as sample size,year,region and case/contml ratio.The Q values were lowered from 44.71 to 32.11 after subgroup analyses.Thus,Metaregression method was convenient and reliable to screen the affected factors of heterogeneity,and subgroup analyses based on the hypothesis that could significantly lower the heterogeneity.It was recommended to a combined use when an obvious heterogeneity existed but was in need to get an overall result in Metaanalysis.We could correctly judge and lower the heterogeneity to increase the robustness and rationality of results from Meta-analysis. Key words: Meta-analysis; Heterogeneity; Meta-regression; Subgroup analyses
    Meta-regression
    Subgroup analysis
    Study heterogeneity
    Citations (11)
    Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common persistent arrhythmia, and its complications include cerebral embolism, arterial embolism and heart failure. Some studies have found that elevated Homocysteine (HCY) levels is a new risk factor for AF. Currently, there is no meta-analysis to explore whether the HCY levels is related to AF. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the HCY levels and AF, in order to draw the attention of clinicians to the HCY levels. A meta-analysis was performed in the study to evaluated the association between the HCY levels and AF. In order to identify eligible original articles, The EMBASE, PubMed, and web of science were systematically searched until November 2020. All data were analyzed with Review Manager 5.3. The meta-analysis results were evaluated depending on standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Moreover, the subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also analyzed. The HCY levels was significantly associated with AF (WMD = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.03; P < .00001). In the analysis, there was a medium degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 73%). Subgroup analysis showed that female < 60, BMI≥25, BMI <25, age ≥60 and publication year ≥2010 were identified as possible sources of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis showed that the main results remained unchanged after omitting any single study or converting the random effects model (REM) to fixed effects model (FEM). The meta-analysis showed that there is a significant correlation between the HCY levels and AF, and the role of HCY in AF patients should not be ignored in clinical.
    Subgroup analysis
    Hyperhomocysteinemia
    Citations (6)
    Abstract Current reports on the changes in peripheral blood regulatory T cell (Tregs) to CD4 + T cell ratio in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients are varied in their conclusions. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to identify the actual change in the proportion of peripheral Tregs in SSc. Three databases, namely EMBASE, ISI web of knowledge, and Pubmed were systematically searched for relevant literature. Approximately 250 SSc patients and controls from several studies were included in this analysis. Comprehensive Meta Analysis Version 2.0 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis showed high degree of heterogeneity ( I 2 = 96.98), and a random-effect model was used in the subsequent analysis. The ratio of circulating Tregs to CD4 + T cell in SSc was lower than in controls, but not statistically significantly so (−0.61 ± 0.94, P = 0.52). Subgroup analysis did not identify any potential source of heterogeneity. This meta-analysis indicated that Tregs might play a less prominent immunosuppressive role in the immune system in SSc patients, but needs further confirmation.
    Subgroup analysis
    Web of science
    Citations (3)
    Many studies suggest that the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene is assicated with cancer susceptibility, but the results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the overall association between the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene and cancer risk.Literature search was performed in Pubmed, Embase and other databases for studies evaluating the association between the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene and cancer risk. Data were extracted and statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software.A total of eight publications involving 8,379 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. Combined analysis revealed a significant association between this polymorphism and cancer susceptibility with an OR of 1.19 (95% CI: 1.09-1.31, P=0.000 for Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that the cancer risk associated with the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene was significantly elevated among Asians (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.10-1.34, P=0.000 for Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Gln + Arg/Arg), but not among Caucasians. Subgroup analysis by cancer type suggested that the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene is not a risk factor for colon cancer or rectal cancer.This meta-analysis suggests that the Gln261Arg polymorphism in 12-lipoxygenase gene contributes to cancer susceptibility, specifically in Asian populations. More studies are needed to validate our findings.
    Subgroup analysis
    Gene polymorphism
    Citations (4)
    To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive diseases of the major salivary glands.
    Citations (1)
    The refugee situation is one of the burning issues in today's world, where refugees make up more than 1 per cent of the whole population.1 Moreover, a great majority – of over 80 per cent – of refugees are women and their dependent children. The world's refugee situation is thus strongly manifested in and lived through the gendered experiences of women refugees. Yet, even in the face of the telling figures there however exists a striking disparity between the reality of the refugee situation and the business-as-usual of the refugee regime – refugee women's experiences are deemed to fundamental otherness. According to UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ‘(H)istorically, the refugee definition has been interpreted through a framework of male experiences’. […]
    Increasing backlogs are preventing individual refugee status determination systems from functioning, even in some of the most well developed asylum systems. This means that asylum seekers must spend the first, most vulnerable, years in their countries of refuge without having been individually adjudicated to meet the international refugee definition. Decline in individual refugee status determination hastens an overall decline in refugee rights. It is essential to find means of maintaining viable individual refugee status determination systems, even as large refugee movements seem to make this impractical.
    Citations (2)
    This short paper calls for greater awareness of disabled refugees and asylum seekers living in Britain. Currently, policy makers, many refugee communities and the disability movement fail to consider disabled refugees and asylum seekers, perhaps because they constitute a minority about whom data are rarely available. Focussing on the particular combination of circumstances affecting disabled refugees and asylum seekers, this paper presents recent changes in support arrangements for refugees and asylum seekers. The paper also calls for greater involvement in refugee issues by the disability movement.
    Disabled people
    Citations (23)