Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Systematic Review”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,333 records · Page 74Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Depression after stroke and lesion location: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence on the hypothesis that the risk of depression after stroke is influenced by the location of the brain lesion. We undertook a systematic review to examine the hypotheses that depression is more commonly associated with left-hemisphere strokes than with right-hemisphere strokes and with lesions of the left anterior brain than with other regions. METHODS: We did a computer-aided search of MEDLINE, BIDS ISI, and PsychLit databases supplemented by hand searches of key journals. We included all reports on the association of depression after stroke with the location of the brain lesion. Studies were systematically and independently examined by two investigators. Fixed-effects and random-effects meta-analyses were done. FINDINGS: 143 reports were identified by the search strategy. 48 were eligible for inclusion. Not all reports included original data. Only two reports of original data supported the hypotheses and seven clearly did not. The pooled (random-effects) relative risk of depression after a left-hemisphere stroke, compared with a right-hemisphere stroke, was 0.95 (95% CI 0.83-1.10). For depression after a left anterior lesion compared with all other brain areas the pooled (random-effects) relative risk was 1-17 (0.87-1.62). Restriction of the analyses to reports from high-quality studies or major depressive disorder did not substantially affect the findings. Nor were they affected by stratification of the time between stroke and the assessment of depression. Multiple publications from the same samples of patients were apparent. INTERPRETATION: This systematic review offered no support for the hypothesis that the risk of depression after stroke is affected by the location of the brain lesion.

Aphasia↗
PubMed2002

[Megestrol acetate: a systematic review usefulness about the weight gain in neoplastic patients with cachexia].

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy of megestrol acetate in the treatment of cachexia in cancer patients has not been clearly demonstrated. A systematic review and meta-analysis have been performed to ascertain its effectiveness on weight gain in patients with cancer-associated cachexia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials comparing megestrol acetate with placebo in cancer patients was performed. The outcome measure used was weight gain expressed as the difference in weight at the outset compared with that at the end of treatment. Trials analyzed were those that allowed for this calculation, or those whose authors provided information for the above calculation. RESULTS: Patients treated with placebo had an average weight loss of 1.090 kg (CI 95%, 1.620 to 0.561), whereas patients treated with megestrol acetate gained an average 0.423 kg (CI 95%, 0.078-0.769). A weight gain of 0.448 kg (CI 95%, 0.021-0.874) was observed with acetate megestrol doses # 240 mg. No statistically significant effect was observed when using higher doses: 0.358 kg (CI 95%, 0.135-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: Megestrol acetate doses equal to or lower than 240 mg/day lead to slight weight gain in patients with cancer-associated cachexia. The majority of studies have a low methodological quality. Further, well-designed studies comparing megestrol acetate with placebo are warranted.

Cachexia↗
PubMed2005

The effectiveness of extra corporeal shock wave therapy for plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable controversy regarding the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the management of plantar heel pain. Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials to investigate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and to produce a precise estimate of the likely benefits of this therapy. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified from the Cochrane Controlled trials register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL from 1966 until September 2004. We included randomised trials which evaluated extracorporeal shock wave therapy used to treat plantar heel pain. Trials comparing extra corporeal shock wave therapy with placebo or different doses of extra corporeal shock wave therapy were considered for inclusion in the review. We independently applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria to each identified randomised controlled trial, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of each trial. RESULTS: Six RCTs (n = 897) permitted a pooled estimate of effectiveness based on pain scores collected using 10 cm visual analogue scales for morning pain. The estimated weighted mean difference was 0.42 (95% confidence interval 0.02 to 0.83) representing less than 0.5 cm on a visual analogue scale. There was no evidence of heterogeneity and a fixed effects model was used. CONCLUSION: A meta-analysis of data from six randomised-controlled trials that included a total of 897 patients was statistically significant in favour of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of plantar heel pain but the effect size was very small. A sensitivity analysis including only high quality trials did not detect a statistically significant effect.

Heel↗
PubMed2002

A systematic review of graft materials and biological agents for periodontal intraosseous defects.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the adjunctive effect of grafting biomaterials/biological agents with open flap debridement (OFD) in the treatment of deep intraosseous defects. BACKGROUND: No systematic review of treatment outcomes in patients who received graft biomaterials or biological agents have been published. METHODS: A rigorous systematic review of randomized controlled trials of at least 6-month duration was conducted comparing grafting biomaterials/biological agents (alone or in combination) + OFD (test group) to OFD alone or in combination with a placebo (control group). RESULTS: The difference in CAL change between test and control groups varied from -1.45 mm to 1.40 mm with respect to different biomaterials/biological agents. Meta-analysis showed that CAL change significantly improved after treatment for coralline calcium carbonate (weighted mean difference 0.90 mm; 95% CI: 0.53-1.27), bioactive glass (weighted mean difference 1.04 mm; 95% CI: 0.31-1.76), hydroxyapatite (weighted mean difference 1.40 mm, 95% CI 0.64-2.16), and enamel matrix proteins (weighted mean difference 1.33 mm, 95% CI 0.78-1.88). However, heterogeneity in results between studies was highly statistically significant for most of biomaterials/biologicals and could not be fully explained. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the use of specific biomaterials/biologicals was more effective than OFD in improving attachment levels in intraosseous defects. Difference in CAL gain varied greatly with respect to different biomaterial/biological agent. Due to a significant heterogeneity in results between studies in most treatment groups, general conclusions about the expected clinical benefit of graft biomaterials/biologicals need to be interpreted with caution. Further research should focus on understanding this variability.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2004

Evidence for exercise therapy in the treatment of chronic disease based on at least three randomized controlled trials--summary of published systematic reviews.

Final evidence for the overall benefits of exercise therapy in the treatment/rehabilitation of specific chronic disease comes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This paper summarizes current evidence that is based on a systematic review including data from at least three RCTs with contrast for exercise only. The quality of specific RCTs as well as the quality of systematic reviews varies, the newest ones usually being of higher quality than the older ones. The most consistent finding of the studies is that aerobic capacity and muscular strength of patients can be improved without causing detrimental effects on disease progression. Severe complications during these carefully tailored programs were rare. The treatment periods and follow-up times of the majority of the RCTs are of a too short duration to document group differences in disease progression. However, exercise reduces disease-related symptoms in many diseases, such as osteoarthritis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Also, RCTs studying patients with coronary heart disease as well as patients with heart failure show that all-cause mortality is lower in exercisers than in controls.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2005

Intake of selenium in the prevention of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that selenium intake may prevent the risk of developing prostate cancer. Results from some of these studies have given conflicting results. Because of these discrepant results we sought to explore the association between selenium intake and prostate cancer by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library between 1966 and May 2005 for articles that examined the association between intake of selenium and the risk of prostate cancer. We abstracted the data from relevant studies. A random effects model was used to estimate pooled relative risks for both cohort and case-control studies. Heterogeneity was assessed graphically using a Funnel Plot. RESULTS: Sixteen studies (eleven cohort studies and five case-control studies) were included in the final analysis. The pooled relative risk of prostate cancer for any intake of selenium was 0.72 (0.61-0.84) for cohort studies and 0.74 (0.61-1.39) for case-control studies. The pooled relative risk of moderate intake was 0.74 (0.61-0.90) for cohort studies and 0.74 (0.39-1.39) for case-control studies. A dose-response trend was observed when we stratified the studies by disease severity. CONCLUSION: The results of our systematic review suggest that selenium intake may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. The results confirm the need for large randomized controlled trials, which are ongoing, to answer this question.

Canada↗
PubMed2006

Psychological interventions to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether psychological interventions have any effect on glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological therapies to assess their effectiveness in improving glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes. DATA SOURCES: Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane central register of controlled trials searched to September 2004. REVIEW METHODS: All included studies were randomised controlled trials in children (including adolescents) or adults with type 1 diabetes that evaluated the effect of a psychological therapy (counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, family systems therapy, and psychodynamic therapy) on control of diabetes. Data were extracted on sample size, age, duration of diabetes, type of psychological therapy, its mode of delivery, and type of intervention in control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycaemic control measured by percentage of glycated haemoglobin and psychological distress. Pooled standardised effect sizes were calculated. RESULTS: 29 trials were eligible for the systematic review and 21 trials for the meta-analysis. In the 10 studies of children and adolescents included in the meta-analysis, the mean percentage of glycated haemoglobin was significantly reduced in those who had received a psychological intervention compared with those in the control group (pooled standardised mean difference -0.35 (95% confidence interval -0.66 to -0.04), equivalent to a 0.48% (0.05% to 0.91%) absolute reduction in glycated haemoglobin. In the 11 studies in adults the pooled standardised mean difference was -0.17 (-0.45 to 0.10), equivalent to 0.22% (-0.13% to 0.56%) absolute reduction in glycated haemoglobin. Psychological distress was significantly lower in the intervention groups in children and adolescents (pooled standardised effect size -0.46, -0.83 to -0.10) but not in adults (-0.25, -0.51 to 0.01). CONCLUSION: Psychological treatments can slightly improve glycaemic control in children and adolescents with diabetes but have no effect in adults.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A systematic review of the diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism from 1995 to 2003.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the current preoperative diagnostic modalities, surgical treatments, and glandular pathologies associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review. RESULTS: Of the 20,225 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism reported, solitary adenomas (SA), multiple gland hyperplasia disease (MGHD), double adenomas (DA), and parathyroid carcinomas (CAR) occurred in 88.90%, 5.74%, 4.14%, and 0.74% of cases respectively. Tc 99m -sestamibi and ultrasound were 88.44% and 78.55% sensitive, respectively, for SA, 44.46% and 34.86% for MGHD, and 29.95% and 16.20% for DA, respectively. Postoperative normocalcemia was achieved in 96.66%, 95.25%, and 97.69% of patients offered minimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy (MIRP), unilateral, and bilateral neck exploration (BNE). Intraoperative PTH assays (IOPTH) were helpful in approximately 60% of bilateral neck exploration conversion (BNEC) surgeries. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of multiple gland disease (MGD and DA) was lower than often suggested by conventional wisdom. Furthermore, preoperative imaging was less accurate than it is often perceived for accurately imaging MGD. MIRP and UNE were more successful in achieving normocalcemia than is typically quoted. IOPTH was a helpful but not "fool-proof" adjunct in parathyroid exploration surgery. SIGNIFICANCE: These results support a greater role for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism using less invasive approaches. EMB rating: B-3.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Transverse testicular ectopia with fused vas deferens: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) with fused vas deferens is an extremely rare anomaly, often diagnosed intraoperatively. Current TTE classifications do not address internal ductal variations, limiting surgical guidance. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review cases of TTE with fused vas deferens, summarize presentation, operative strategies, outcomes and identify patterns that highlight the need for classification refinement. METHODS: A PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO; CRD420251247785) was performed across PubMed, ScienceDirect and citation of included articles through December 2025. Case reports and series confirming fused vas deferens were included. Data extracted comprised demographics, presentation, imaging, surgical approach, and outcomes. Quality assessment used JBI checklists. RESULTS: 12 studies (16 patients) were included. Most presented with unilateral inguinal hernia (62%) and contralateral undescended testis (68%); 81% were diagnosed intraoperatively. Anatomical patterns included common/proximal fused vas (87%), Y-shaped fusion (6%), and long-loop vas (6%). Trans-septal orchidopexy was the preferred approach, with preservation of vas integrity. Postoperative outcomes were favorable; long-term follow-up was limited. CONCLUSION: TTE with fused vas deferens represents a distinct variant requiring careful intraoperative recognition. We propose a Type IV TTE category for internal ductal fusion to guide surgical planning and classification refinement. Further accumulation of case-based evidence may help clarify its anatomical patterns and operative implications.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Are there clinical benefits with early erythropoietic intervention for chemotherapy-induced anemia? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been an increasing debate regarding the benefits of initiating erythropoietic treatment in patients with cancer when anemia is still relatively mild. To address this, a systematic review of studies was conducted that answered the following question: Is there a clinical benefit associated with early erythropoietic intervention (hemoglobin > or = 10 g/dL) for chemotherapy-induced anemia? METHODS: A systematic review of published literature and meeting abstracts was undertaken to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted from studies meeting prespecified eligibility criteria. For outcome measures not associated with significant heterogeneity, summary measures of relative risk associated with early erythropoietic intervention were estimated using the method of Mantel and Haenszel. RESULTS: Eleven studies were eligible and were included in the review. Erythropoietic treatment effectively decreased transfusion incidence and the proportion of patients with hemoglobin < 10 g/dL compared with no treatment, with relative risk reductions of 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43, 0.59; 7 studies, P < 0.0001) and 0.40 (95% CI, 0.19, 0.83; 4 studies, P = 0.147), respectively. The findings from both prospective studies and planned subset analyses in which early and late intervention were compared also indicated a reduction in the relative risk of both transfusions and hemoglobin < 10 g/dL after early intervention (0.55 [95% CI, 0.42, 0.73; 5 studies, P < 0.0001] and 0.44 [95% CI, 0.33, 0.57; 2 studies, P < 0.0001], respectively). CONCLUSION: Collectively, these findings suggest that optimal clinical benefit from erythropoietic treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia may be achieved through early intervention.

Anemia↗
PubMed2003

Unintended events following immunization with MMR: a systematic review.

Public debate over the safety of the trivalent measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the drop in vaccination rates in several countries persists despite its almost universal use and accepted effectiveness. We carried out a systematic review to assess the evidence of unintended effects (beneficial or harmful) associated with MMR and the applicability of systematic reviewing methods to the field of safety evaluation. Eligible studies were comparative prospective or retrospective on healthy individuals up to 15 years of age, carried out or published by 2003. We identified 120 articles satisfying our inclusion criteria and included 22. MMR is associated with a lower incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, a higher incidence of irritability, similar incidence of other adverse effects compared to placebo and is likely to be associated with benign thrombocytopenic purpura (TP), parotitis, joint and limb complaints and aseptic meningitis (mumps Urabe strain-containing MMR). Exposure to MMR is unlikely to be associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, autism or aseptic meningitis (mumps Jeryl-Lynn strain-containing MMR). The design and reporting of safety outcomes in MMR vaccine studies, both pre- and post-marketing, are largely inadequate. The evidence of adverse events following immunization with MMR cannot be separated from its role in preventing the target diseases.

Bias↗
PubMed1996

A systematic review of the risks of stroke and death due to endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid endarterectomy reduces the risk of carotid territory ischemic stroke ipsilateral to a recently symptomatic severe carotid stenosis. However, the benefit is limited by the risks of stroke and death associated with the operation. Although reported surgical risks vary enormously, there has been no systematic review of the published literature. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of mortality and the risk of stroke and/or death due to endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis in studies published since 1980. RESULTS: Fifty-one studies fulfilled our criteria. Overall mortality was 1.62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 1.9), and the risk of stroke and/or death was 5.64% (95% CI, 4.4 to 6.9). However, there was significant heterogeneity of risk of stroke and/or death (P < .001). The risk varied systematically with the methods and the authorship of the study. The risk of stroke and/or death was highest in studies in which patients were assessed by a neurologist after surgery (7.7%; 95% CI, 5.0 to 10.2) and lowest in studies with a single author affiliated with a department of surgery (2.3%; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.7). After correcting for study methodology, there was no temporal trend in the risk of stroke and/or death between 1980 and 1995. CONCLUSIONS: The reported risks of endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis show significantly greater variability than would be expected by chance. However, much of this variability can be accounted for by differences in methodology and authorship. The 5.6% overall risk of stroke and/or death is consistent with present guidelines.

CD-ROM↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for recurrence of maltreatment: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Children who have been maltreated are at increased risk of further maltreatment. Competent identification of those at highest risk of further maltreatment is an important part of safe and effective practice, but is a complex and demanding task. AIM: To systematically review the research base predicting those children at highest risk of recurrent maltreatment. METHODS: Systematic review of cohort studies investigating factors associated with substantiated maltreatment recurrence in children. RESULTS: Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were heterogeneous. A variety of forms of maltreatment were considered. Four factors were most consistently identified as predicting future maltreatment: number of previous episodes of maltreatment; neglect (as opposed to other forms of maltreatment); parental conflict; and parental mental health problems. Children maltreated previously were approximately six times more likely to experience recurrent maltreatment than children who had not previously been maltreated. The risk of recurrence was highest in the period soon after the index episode of maltreatment (within 30 days), and diminished thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: There are factors clearly associated with an increased risk of recurrent maltreatment, and these should be considered in professional assessments of children who have been maltreated. A comprehensive approach to risk assessment, including but not solely based on these factors, is likely to lead to interventions which offer greater protection to children.

Child↗
PubMed2002

Social deprivation and the prevention of unintentional injury in childhood: a systematic review.

There is a known association between social deprivation and risk of death from unintentional injury in childhood. In the UK context, these inequalities do not appear to be decreasing. This paper reports on the findings of a systematic review of the world literature between 1975 and 2000 on the prevention of childhood injuries, with particular reference to social deprivation. Literature was identified via electronic databases, key journals and informants. All papers were read independently by at least two reviewers and information was extracted using a standardized form. Results indicate that of 155 studies identified in the systematic review, 32 addressed the issue of social deprivation. The way social deprivation was defined in different studies varied considerably. The literature was not evenly spread across different injury types and did not reflect the burden of injury. There is a paucity of evidence relating to the prevention of child pedestrian injury. Very few studies examined the impact of interventions in different social groups. Without such evidence, it remains difficult for those involved in health promotion to know how to design and target interventions to address inequalities in child injury rates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Long-acting beta2-agonists in asthma: an overview of Cochrane systematic reviews.

According to major asthma management guidelines, long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) should be used only when asthma remains symptomatic in patients already receiving regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). A large Cochrane systematic review provides evidence that LABAs are safe and beneficial in control of asthma; sub-group analyses indicating that this is true when ICSs are used and in their absence. Two other Cochrane systematic reviews have found that LABAs are more effective than regular short-acting beta2-agonists, and are as effective as theophylline with fewer side-effects. These reviews support guidelines in the use of LABA as additional therapy when asthma is inadequately controlled by ICS at moderate dose. However, guidelines may be too conservative, and more studies in stable mild asthma comparing their use and safety with placebo and ICS are required.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2005

Agreement between reported use of interventions for liver diseases and research evidence in Cochrane systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluates the agreement between reported use of interventions for patients with liver diseases and research evidence in Cochrane systematic reviews. METHODS: In July 2002, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group had completed 28 systematic reviews on 36 interventions that were available in Denmark. Based on the reviews, three interventions (n-acetylcysteine for paracetamol overdose, terlipressin for bleeding oesophageal varices, and antibiotics for patients with cirrhosis and gastrointestinal bleeding) with significant beneficial effects on clinical outcomes were classified as 'evidence-based', whereas 19 were classified as 'possibly evidence-based', and 14 as 'not evidence-based'. Questionnaires on reported use and perceived intervention effects were mailed to 108 physicians practising in Danish hospitals. Sixty-six returned their questionnaire. RESULTS: The proportion of physicians who reported that they never used the three evidence-based interventions varied considerably (2, 62, and 57%, respectively). The perceived intervention effect, duration of clinical experience, employment as head of department, and university hospital employment were significant predictors of more frequent use of evidence-based interventions. Physicians also reported that they used the interventions that were not evidence-based more often if they were employed at a university hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable disagreements between reported use and research evidence were identified. Additional research on methods to introduce evidence-based medicine in practice seems warranted.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗
PubMed2004

Does the architecture of hospital facilities influence nosocomial infection rates? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence regarding the effects of interventions to improve hospital design and construction on the occurrence of nosocomial infections. METHODS: Systematic review of experimental and non-experimental, architectural intervention studies in intensive care units (ICUs), surgical departments, isolation units, and hospitals in general. The studies dated from 1975, and were in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Regardless of format, the studies were identified through seven medical databases, reference lists, and expert consultation. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight scientific articles were identified; however, none of these described a meta-analysis, systematic review, or randomized, controlled trial. Most of the articles were categorized at the lowest level of evidence (expert judgment or consensus statements). Only 17 described completed concurrent or historical cohort studies matching the inclusion criteria (ICUs, 9; surgical departments, 4; isolation units, 2; hospitals in general, 2). The interventions generally included a move to other premises or renovation. However, in many studies, the staff-to-patient ratio was also improved. Some studies showed lower infection rates after intervention, but this finding cannot be generalized because of confounding and frequently small study populations. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of stringent evidence linking hospital design and construction with the prevention of nosocomial infection is partly attributable to the multifactorial nature of these infections, and some improvement will be seen if basic conditions such as the availability of sufficient space, isolation capacity, and facilities for handwashing are met. However, to our knowledge, other factors, especially the improper hand hygiene of medical staff, have greater impact.

Architecture↗
PubMed2006

A systematic review of the prevalence and covariates of anxiety in caregivers of people with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Caregiving for people with dementia has consistently been linked with psychological problems, usually in terms of caregiver burden, general psychological distress and depressive symptomatology, while morbidity due to anxiety has been relatively neglected in this group. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching electronic databases, reference lists, relevant systematic reviews and contacting experts in the field. We used Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (CEBM) criteria for inclusion and rating the validity of all studies that reported (1) the prevalence, predictors and covariates of anxiety disorders or anxiety caseness, and (2) covariates and predictors of the level of anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies met our inclusion criteria. Clinically, significant anxiety affects about a quarter of caregivers for people with dementia and was more common than in matched controls. Such caregivers have higher anxiety levels than controls, and that confrontative and escape avoidance coping, caregiver burden and poorer caregiver physical health are factors associated with higher anxiety levels from cross-sectional studies. CONCLUSIONS: Coping style may be more associated with anxiety than depression while other covariates (burden and poor physical health) are similar to those for caregiver depression. We found no conclusive evidence about factors associated with anxiety disorders or predicting anxiety from longitudinal studies. Neither care recipient cognition nor ADL impairment; nor caregiver age nor duration of caring are associated with caregiver anxiety levels. Good quality cohort studies are needed to determine whether these factors also predict anxiety disorders.

Aged↗