Featured Publications
Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for melasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Bailey AJM, Li HO, Tan MG, Cheng W, Dover JS. Microneedling as an adjuvant to topical therapies for melasma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology 2021, 86: 797-810. PMID: 33857549, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.03.116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment of melasmaTopical therapyMelasma severitySystematic reviewSerious adverse eventsTopical tranexamic acidEfficacy of microneedlingPlatelet-rich plasmaAdverse eventsTopical interventionsTopical medicationsTranexamic acidProspective studyEligible studiesRadiofrequency microneedlingPRISMA guidelinesTherapyMicroneedlingMelasmaStudy designVitamin CAdjuvantWeeksDepigmenting agentTreatmentOptimising weight-loss interventions in cancer patients—A systematic review and network meta-analysis
LeVasseur N, Cheng W, Mazzarello S, Clemons M, Vandermeer L, Jones L, Joy AA, Barbeau P, Wolfe D, Ahmadzai N, Hersi M, Stober C, Shorr R, Hilton J, Hutton B. Optimising weight-loss interventions in cancer patients—A systematic review and network meta-analysis. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0245794. PMID: 33539414, PMCID: PMC7861370, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexStandard careCancer patientsDietary interventionAnthropometric measuresLifestyle interventionWaist circumferenceWeight lossSystematic reviewCochrane Trial RegistryEffective lifestyle interventionsGreater BMI reductionMedian intervention durationOptimal lifestyle interventionCombination strategiesAdult cancer patientsWeight loss interventionEffects of exerciseEarly-stage cancerOutcomes of interestMore weight lossBMI reductionAdult patientsExercise interventionTrials RegistryPharmacologic and surgical therapies for patients with Meniere’s disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Ahmadzai N, Cheng W, Kilty S, Esmaeilisaraji L, Wolfe D, Bonaparte J, Schramm D, Fitzpatrick E, Lin V, Skidmore B, Hutton B. Pharmacologic and surgical therapies for patients with Meniere’s disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0237523. PMID: 32870918, PMCID: PMC7462264, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237523.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsComplete vertigo controlEndolymphatic sac decompressionRandomized clinical trialsEndolymphatic duct blockageIT steroidsVertigo controlMeniere's diseaseIT gentamicinSurgical interventionSystematic reviewKey patient outcomesHigh cumulative dosageBest treatment optionSensorineural hearing lossEDB groupESD groupAural fullnessIntratympanic gentamicinSteroid injectionVertigo attacksHead trialsHearing preservationSurgical therapyCochrane LibraryCumulative dosageComparing Interventions for Management of Hot Flashes in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.
Hutton B, Hersi M, Cheng W, Pratt M, Barbeau P, Mazzarello S, Ahmadzai N, Skidmore B, Morgan SC, Bordeleau L, Ginex PK, Sadeghirad B, Morgan RL, Cole KM, Clemons M. Comparing Interventions for Management of Hot Flashes in Patients With Breast and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses. Oncology Nursing Forum 2020, 47: e86-e106. PMID: 32555553, PMCID: PMC7891229, DOI: 10.1188/20.onf.e86-e106.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHot flash frequencyHot flashesProstate cancerHot flash scoreHistory of breastHot flash severityQuality of lifeFlash frequencyActive therapyPatients' qualitySystematic reviewAbstractTextMeta-AnalysisNarrative synthesisMore interventionsDATA EVALUATIONLiterature searchPatientsTherapyCancerBreastLittle dataInterventionMinimal dataTreatmentDiagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adult patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Fernando SM, Tran A, Cheng W, Klompas M, Kyeremanteng K, Mehta S, English SW, Muscedere J, Cook DJ, Torres A, Ranzani OT, Fox-Robichaud AE, Alhazzani W, Munshi L, Guyatt GH, Rochwerg B. Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill adult patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis. Intensive Care Medicine 2020, 46: 1170-1179. PMID: 32306086, PMCID: PMC7223448, DOI: 10.1007/s00134-020-06036-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVentilator-associated pneumoniaEndotracheal aspiratesChest radiographyDiagnosis of VAPBronchoscopic sampling methodsIll adult patientsPhysical examination findingsEnglish-language studiesUnnecessary antimicrobial useAdult patientsVAP diagnosisPurulent secretionsExamination findingsPhysical examinationClinical indicatorsAntibiotic treatmentHistopathological analysisStudy qualitySystematic reviewAntimicrobial usePooled sensitivityDiagnosisPneumoniaReference standardRadiographyAccuracy of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) scores for predicting serious complications in adult patients with febrile neutropenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Zheng B, Toarta C, Cheng W, Taljaard M, Reaume N, Perry JJ. Accuracy of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia (CISNE) scores for predicting serious complications in adult patients with febrile neutropenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews In Oncology/Hematology 2020, 149: 102922. PMID: 32244162, DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.102922.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultinational AssociationSupportive careSerious complicationsClinical indicesPooled sensitivitySystematic reviewFebrile neutropenia patientsCISNE scoreMASCC scoreFebrile neutropeniaAcute settingAdult patientsCochrane DatabaseNeutropenia patientsPatientsComplicationsScoresCancerCareAssociationSpecificityNeutropeniaMASCCEMBASEReviewPre-arrest and intra-arrest prognostic factors associated with survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis
Fernando SM, Tran A, Cheng W, Rochwerg B, Taljaard M, Vaillancourt C, Rowan KM, Harrison DA, Nolan JP, Kyeremanteng K, McIsaac DI, Guyatt GH, Perry JJ. Pre-arrest and intra-arrest prognostic factors associated with survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest: systematic review and meta-analysis. The BMJ 2019, 367: l6373. PMID: 31801749, PMCID: PMC6891802, DOI: 10.1136/bmj.l6373.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHospital cardiac arrestCardiac arrestPrognostic factorsSystematic reviewReduced oddsPrimary analysisInitial shockable rhythmIntra-arrest factorsPre-arrest factorsHigh-certainty evidenceChronic kidney diseaseDuration of resuscitationRisk of biasEnglish-language studiesWeb of ScienceActive malignancyCertainty evidenceCohort studyGRADE approachOdds of survivalCochrane DatabaseMale sexKidney diseaseShockable rhythmRelevant confoundersAre all stem cells equal? Systematic review, evidence map, and meta-analyses of preclinical stem cell-based therapies for bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Augustine S, Cheng W, Avey MT, Chan ML, Lingappa SMC, Hutton B, Thébaud B. Are all stem cells equal? Systematic review, evidence map, and meta-analyses of preclinical stem cell-based therapies for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019, 9: 158-168. PMID: 31746123, PMCID: PMC6988768, DOI: 10.1002/sctm.19-0193.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMesenchymal stromal cellsCell-based therapiesBronchopulmonary dysplasiaStem cell-based therapiesSystematic reviewDifferent cell-based therapiesExperimental neonatal lung injuryAvailable preclinical dataNeonatal lung injuryPreterm birth complicationsClinical translationPreclinical experimental designLung injuryUnclear riskBirth complicationsPreclinical dataEffective therapyPreclinical studiesRodent modelsSuccessful clinical translationHead comparisonTherapyStromal cellsSelect outcomesCell productsPrognostic Accuracy of the HEART Score for Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients Presenting With Chest Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Fernando SM, Tran A, Cheng W, Rochwerg B, Taljaard M, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Kyeremanteng K, Perry JJ. Prognostic Accuracy of the HEART Score for Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients Presenting With Chest Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis. Academic Emergency Medicine 2018, 26: 140-151. PMID: 30375097, DOI: 10.1111/acem.13649.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor adverse cardiac eventsPrediction of MACEAdverse cardiac eventsHEART scorePrediction of mortalityChest painMyocardial infarctionPrognostic accuracyCardiac eventsTIMI scoreLow-risk thresholdSystematic reviewPrediction of MIMyocardial Infarction (TIMI) scoreAdult ED patientsChest pain patientsShort-term incidenceClinical decision instrumentWeb of ScienceAdult patientsPain patientsED patientsRisk stratificationCochrane DatabasePatient population
2023
Test Characteristics of Emergency Medicine-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Wilson S, Thavanathan R, Cheng W, Stuart J, Kim D, Glen P, Duigenan S, Shorr R, Woo M, Perry J. Test Characteristics of Emergency Medicine-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Annals Of Emergency Medicine 2023, 83: 235-246. PMID: 37855790, DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.09.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEmergency physician-performed pointAcute cholecystitisCare ultrasoundSystematic reviewFinal diagnosisDiagnostic accuracyEarly surgical managementAcute abdominal painMeta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelinesPreferred Reporting ItemsFull-text reviewTitles/abstractsReference standardPositive likelihood ratioHierarchical summary receiverNegative likelihood ratioAbdominal painLikelihood ratioClinical suspicionHospital admissionDefinitive managementSurgical managementEmergency departmentBias assessmentEligible studies
2022
Humoral and Cellular Response of Transplant Recipients to a Third Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Bailey A, Maganti H, Cheng W, Shorr R, Buchan C, Allan D. Humoral and Cellular Response of Transplant Recipients to a Third Dose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Transplantation 2022, 107: 204-215. PMID: 36398334, PMCID: PMC9746229, DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004386.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccineSARS-CoV-2 vaccinesTransplant recipientsThird doseSystematic reviewMeta-analysisNational Institutes of Health Quality Assessment ToolCochrane risk of bias toolAssociated with reduced oddsRisk of bias toolDose of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccineMeta-Analysis reporting guidelinesQuality assessment toolHumoral responseSARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinesPreferred Reporting ItemsDerSimonian-Laird random-effects modelRandomized controlled trialsAdult transplant recipientsRandom-effects modelLack of controlled studiesClinically relevant thresholdsResponse to vaccinationCochrane riskReporting ItemsAccuracy of presenting symptoms, physical examination, and imaging for diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Fernando SM, Tran A, Cheng W, Rochwerg B, Strauss SA, Mutter E, McIsaac DI, Kyeremanteng K, Kubelik D, Jetty P, Nagpal SK, Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Roberts DJ, Perry JJ. Accuracy of presenting symptoms, physical examination, and imaging for diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Academic Emergency Medicine 2022, 29: 486-496. PMID: 35220634, DOI: 10.1111/acem.14475.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbdominal aortic aneurysmAortic aneurysmRuptured abdominal aortic aneurysmPooled sensitivityCases of rAAADiagnosis of AAAPhysical examination signsEarly surgical interventionLife-threatening conditionClassic clinical symptomsReference standardExamination signsAbdominal painAbdominal massVascular centersBack painClinical symptomsSurgical interventionPhysical examinationIntraoperative diagnosisUrgent transferCare ultrasoundRAAACTA diagnosisSystematic review
2021
VTE Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Adults A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Fernando SM, Tran A, Cheng W, Sadeghirad B, Arabi YM, Cook DJ, Møller MH, Mehta S, Fowler RA, Burns KEA, Wells PS, Carrier M, Crowther MA, Scales DC, English SW, Kyeremanteng K, Kanji S, Kho ME, Rochwerg B. VTE Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Adults A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. CHEST Journal 2021, 161: 418-428. PMID: 34419428, DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.08.050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIncidence of DVTRandomized clinical trialsMechanical compressive deviceRisk of DVTIll adultsCombination therapyRCTs of patientsSystematic reviewAdults A Systematic ReviewCombination pharmacologic therapyCompressive devicePrimary pharmacologic agentsRisk of VTELow-certainty evidencePrevention of VTEA Systematic ReviewNetwork Meta-AnalysisFull-text reviewThromboprophylaxis agentsVenous thromboprophylaxisVTE prophylaxisRecommendations AssessmentPharmacologic therapyPulmonary embolismIll patientsWhat Is the Best Evidence to Guide Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Meulenkamp B, Woolnough T, Cheng W, Shorr R, Stacey D, Richards M, Gupta A, Fergusson D, Graham ID. What Is the Best Evidence to Guide Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures? A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Clinical Orthopaedics And Related Research® 2021, 479: 2119-2131. PMID: 34180874, PMCID: PMC8445578, DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000001861.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAcute Achilles tendon ruptureAchilles tendon ruptureTendon ruptureRisk of reruptureOpen surgeryLower riskFunctional rehabilitationSystematic reviewRandom-effects Bayesian networkPatient-reported outcome scoresPatient-reported outcome measuresPrimary immobilizationSmall sample sizeGrades of RecommendationOpen surgical repairRisk of complicationsMultiple treatment optionsNetwork Meta-AnalysisRandomized Controlled TrialsMeta-analysis extension statementSpecific patient populationsStudy treatment armsConsiderable clinical heterogeneityPreferred Reporting ItemsRisk of performanceThromboembolic events following cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Wong BM, Perry JJ, Cheng W, Zheng B, Guo K, Taljaard M, Skanes AC, Stiell IG. Thromboembolic events following cardioversion of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Canadian Journal Of Emergency Medicine 2021, 23: 500-511. PMID: 33715143, DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00103-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOral anticoagulation useAcute atrial fibrillationAnticoagulation useThromboembolic eventsAtrial fibrillationThromboembolic riskFlutter patientsInsufficient evidencePrimary analysisSecondary analysisDerSimonian-Laird random-effects modelSafety of cardioversionPrognostic Studies toolRisk of biasRandom-effects modelBackgroundRecent studiesInclusion criteriaMAIN OUTCOMELower riskFibrillationSystematic reviewEvent ratesCardioversionMore studiesPatientsClinical and pharmacokinetic/dynamic outcomes of prolonged infusions of beta-lactam antimicrobials: An overview of systematic reviews
Thabet P, Joshi A, MacDonald E, Hutton B, Cheng W, Stevens A, Kanji S. Clinical and pharmacokinetic/dynamic outcomes of prolonged infusions of beta-lactam antimicrobials: An overview of systematic reviews. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0244966. PMID: 33481817, PMCID: PMC7822342, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244966.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBeta-lactam antimicrobialsClinical cureSystematic reviewProlonged infusionBeta-lactam infusionDefinitive systematic reviewLess sick patientsLength of stayCurrent systematic reviewOverview of reviewsEmergence of resistanceBeta-lactam antibioticsSubsequent systematic reviewsAdverse eventsMicrobiological cureHospitalized patientsIll patientsClinical outcomesIntermittent infusionTreatment failureDATA EXTRACTIONCochrane LibraryMethodologic qualityPROSPERO registryBias assessment
2020
Pharmacological prevention of fractures in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Deng J, Silver Z, Huang E, Zheng E, Kavanagh K, Wen A, Cheng W, Dobransky J, Sanger S, Grammatopoulos G. Pharmacological prevention of fractures in patients undergoing glucocorticoid therapies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Rheumatology 2020, 60: 649-657. PMID: 32572480, DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa228.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-vertebral fracturesDecreased oddsAdult patientsSystematic reviewNon-vertebral fracture incidenceAnti-fracture efficacyCochrane Central RegisterSystematic review registrationVitamin D metabolitesAllied Health LiteratureInternational Prospective RegisterWeb of ScienceGlucocorticoid therapyEligible patientsCentral RegisterControlled TrialsPharmacological preventionVertebral fracturesFracture incidenceReview registrationGC therapyVitamin D.D metabolitesProspective RegisterI2 statisticReporting guidelines of health research studies are frequently used inappropriately
Caulley L, Catalá-López F, Whelan J, Khoury M, Ferraro J, Cheng W, Husereau D, Altman DG, Moher D. Reporting guidelines of health research studies are frequently used inappropriately. Journal Of Clinical Epidemiology 2020, 122: 87-94. PMID: 32184126, DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.03.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth research studiesAppropriate useReporting guidelinesAnimal research studiesCross-sectional analysisClinical trialsMethodological qualitySystematic reviewStudy designInappropriate useHealth researchIndependent reviewResearch studiesRandom sampleGuidelinesEconomic evaluationScience Core CollectionResearch reportingReviewStudyTrials
2019
Pharmacologic and surgical therapies for patients with Meniere’s disease: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ahmadzai N, Cheng W, Wolfe D, Bonaparte J, Schramm D, Fitzpatrick E, Lin V, Skidmore B, Esmaeilisaraji L, Kilty S, Hutton B. Pharmacologic and surgical therapies for patients with Meniere’s disease: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews 2019, 8: 341. PMID: 31888735, PMCID: PMC6937806, DOI: 10.1186/s13643-019-1195-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSensorineural hearing lossMeniere's diseaseQuality of lifeSystematic reviewHearing-related disabilitySeverity of vertigoAttacks of vertigoIntractable Meniere's diseaseKey clinical trialsIntensity of tinnitusPre-specified eligibility criteriaCause of disabilityClinical treatment strategiesPlanned systematic reviewElectronic search strategyOptimal clinical treatment strategiesMedical information specialistBackgroundHearing lossVertigo attacksCochrane riskSurgical therapyBias toolSurgical interventionCochrane LibraryFuture trialsA systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating geriatric consultation on older trauma patients.
Eagles D, Godwin B, Cheng W, Moors J, Figueira S, Khoury L, Fournier K, Lampron J. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating geriatric consultation on older trauma patients. Journal Of Trauma And Acute Care Surgery 2019, 88: 446-453. PMID: 31876691, DOI: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002571.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOlder trauma patientsGeriatric consultationHospital lengthOlder patientsTrauma centerSystematic reviewDelirium incidenceDischarge destinationTrauma patientsTrauma careStandard trauma carePatients 65 yearsNewcastle-Ottawa ScaleMeta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelinesPreferred Reporting ItemsFull-text reviewHospital mortalityFirst systematic reviewCohort studyGeriatric assessmentGeriatric traumaIndependent reviewersInsufficient evidenceUnique citationsPatients