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D F Stroup

Publications and source records attributed to D F Stroup.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Prevention of knee injuries in sports. A systematic review of the literature.

AIM: We reviewed evidence regarding risk factors associated with incidence of knee injuries both to assess the effectiveness of prevention strategies, and to offer evidence-based recommendations to physicians, coaches, trainers, athletes, and researchers. METHODS: We searched electronic data bases without language restriction for the years 1966 - September 1, 2001, identified citations from reference sections of research papers retrieved, contacted experts in the field, and searched the Cochrane Collaboration. Of the 328 citations identified, we emphasized the results from the 13 reports that compared alternative methods to prevent knee injury and assessed the methodologic quality of these reports using a standardized instrument. RESULTS: Five studies addressed the effectiveness of bracing in football players; these studies showed no consistent evidence of benefit. Two studies comparing alternative cleat designs and a controlled study testing the effects of adjustments in the ski boot/binding system were difficult to interpret because of inadequate reporting of methodology. Six prospective studies that addressed the impact of conditioning and training showed promise of proprioception and neuromuscular training for protection against knee injury. We identified serious flaws in study design, control of bias, and statistical methods; the median quality scores ranged from 11 to 56 (out of 100). CONCLUSION: Structured training programs that emphasize neuromuscular and proprioceptive training offer encouraging evidence for the prevention of knee injuries. However, flaws in study design and implementation have limited the effectiveness of work in this field. A rigorously implemented research program is needed to address this critically important sports medicine problem.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2001

Characteristics of meta-analyses related to acceptance for publication in a medical journal.

Editors of medical journals select manuscripts for publication based, in part, on the perceived quality of the manuscript submitted. The objective of this study was to describe associations between acceptance for publication and quality-related methodologic characteristics of meta-analyses. This was a prospective observational study. The setting was editorial offices of JAMA and offices of external reviewers. The manuscripts reviewed were 112 consecutive meta-analyses submitted to JAMA during 1996 and 1997 whose authors agreed to participate. The main outcome measures were ratings of 16 methodologic characteristics reflecting quality of the meta-analysis and acceptance for publication. A "high" rating for one methodologic characteristic, whether the report of the meta-analysis provided sufficient detail to enable replication, was related significantly to publication (RR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.13-6.89). This relationship persisted when other variables were controlled for in the model. Generally, rejected manuscripts had fewer factors rated "high," but differences were not significant. We found that inclusion of sufficient detail to allow a reader to replicate meta-analytic methods was the only characteristic related to acceptance for publication.

Manuscripts, Medical as Topic↗
PubMed2000

Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: a proposal for reporting. Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) group.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the pressure for timely, informed decisions in public health and clinical practice and the explosion of information in the scientific literature, research results must be synthesized. Meta-analyses are increasingly used to address this problem, and they often evaluate observational studies. A workshop was held in Atlanta, Ga, in April 1997, to examine the reporting of meta-analyses of observational studies and to make recommendations to aid authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven participants were selected by a steering committee, based on expertise in clinical practice, trials, statistics, epidemiology, social sciences, and biomedical editing. Deliberations of the workshop were open to other interested scientists. Funding for this activity was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EVIDENCE: We conducted a systematic review of the published literature on the conduct and reporting of meta-analyses in observational studies using MEDLINE, Educational Research Information Center (ERIC), PsycLIT, and the Current Index to Statistics. We also examined reference lists of the 32 studies retrieved and contacted experts in the field. Participants were assigned to small-group discussions on the subjects of bias, searching and abstracting, heterogeneity, study categorization, and statistical methods. CONSENSUS PROCESS: From the material presented at the workshop, the authors developed a checklist summarizing recommendations for reporting meta-analyses of observational studies. The checklist and supporting evidence were circulated to all conference attendees and additional experts. All suggestions for revisions were addressed. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed checklist contains specifications for reporting of meta-analyses of observational studies in epidemiology, including background, search strategy, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. Use of the checklist should improve the usefulness of meta-analyses for authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and decision makers. An evaluation plan is suggested and research areas are explored.

Epidemiology↗
PubMed2000

Continuous electronic heart rate monitoring for fetal assessment during labor.

BACKGROUND: Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) has been widely adopted. There is debate about its overall effectiveness as well as the relative merits of routine application versus use for high-risk pregnancies only. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of routine continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labour compared with intermittent auscultation. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, Medline (1966 to 1994), and reference list of relevant articles. We also contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing routine continuous electronic fetal monitoring with intermittent auscultation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by one reviewer, and their accuracy was confirmed independently by a second person. A single reviewer assessed study quality based on criteria developed by others for randomised controlled trials. Data reported from similar studies were used to calculate a combined risk estimate for each of eight outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: Nine studies involving 18,561 women and their 18,695 infants were included. The trials were of variable quality. A statistically significant decrease was associated with routine continuous EFM for neonatal seizures (relative risk (RR) = 0. 51, confidence interval (CI) = 0.32,0.82). The protective effect for neonatal seizures was only evident in studies with high-quality scores. No significant differences were observed in 1-minute Apgar scores below 4, 1-minute Apgar scores below 7, rate of admissions to neonatal intensive care units, and perinatal death. An increase associated with the use of EFM was observed in the rate of cesarean delivery (RR = 1.41, CI = 1.23,1.61) and operative vaginal delivery (RR = 1.20, CI = 1.11,1.30). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The only clinically significant benefit from the use of routine continuous EFM was in the reduction of neonatal seizures. In view of the increase in cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries, the long-term benefit of this reduction must be evaluated in the decision reached jointly by the pregnant woman and her clinician to use continuous EFM or intermittent auscultation during labor.

Cardiotocography↗
PubMed2000

Improving the quality of reports of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials: the QUOROM statement. QUOROM Group.

BACKGROUND: The Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) conference was convened to address standards for improving the quality of reporting of meta-analyses of clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: The QUOROM group consisted of 30 clinical epidemiologists, clinicians, statisticians, editors, and researchers. In conference, the group was asked to identify items they thought should be included in a checklist of standards. Whenever possible, checklist items were guided by research evidence suggesting that failure to adhere to the item proposed could lead to biased results. A modified Delphi technique was used in assessing candidate items. FINDINGS: The conference resulted in the QUOROM statement, a checklist, and a flow diagram. The checklist describes our preferred way to present the abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections of a report of a meta-analysis. It is organised into 21 headings and subheadings regarding searches, selection, validity assessment, data abstraction, study characteristics, and quantitative data synthesis, and in the results with 'trial flow', study characteristics, and quantitative data synthesis; research documentation was identified for eight of the 18 items. The flow diagram provides information about both the numbers of RCTs identified, included, and excluded and the reasons for exclusion of trials. INTERPRETATION: We hope this report will generate further thought about ways to improve the quality of reports of meta-analyses of RCTs and that interested readers, reviewers, researchers, and editors will use the QUOROM statement and generate ideas for its improvement.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1999

Improving the quality of reports of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials: the QUOROM statement. Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: The Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses (QUOROM) conference was convened to address standards for improving the quality of reporting of meta-analyses of clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: The QUOROM group consisted of 30 clinical epidemiologists, clinicians, statisticians, editors, and researchers. In conference, the group was asked to identify items they thought should be included in a checklist of standards. Whenever possible, checklist items were guided by research evidence suggesting that failure to adhere to the item proposed could lead to biased results. A modified Delphi technique was used in assessing candidate items. FINDINGS: The conference resulted in the QUOROM statement, a checklist, and a flow diagram. The checklist describes our preferred way to present the abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections of a report of a meta-analysis. It is organised into 21 headings and subheadings regarding searches, selection, validity assessment, data abstraction, study characteristics, and quantitative data synthesis, and in the results with "trial flow", study characteristics, and quantitative data synthesis; research documentation was identified for eight of the 18 items. The flow diagram provides information about both the numbers of RCTs identified, included, and excluded and the reasons for exclusion of trials. INTERPRETATION: We hope this report will generate further thought about ways to improve the quality of reports of meta-analyses of RCTs and that interested readers, reviewers, researchers, and editors will use the QUOROM statement and generate ideas for its improvement.

Authorship↗
PubMed1999

Spatial and temporal patterns in final amendments to provisional disease counts.

This article examines temporal and spatial patterns in the relationship between provisional and amended reports for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B received from each state by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the U.S. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System from 1980 to 1992. It demonstrates that, as the 1980s unfolded, the preliminary disease reports became less representative markers of final disease counts. Practitioners at the state and community levels need to be aware of the temporal and spatial instabilities in such provisional data if they are used to provide early warning of contemporary health aberrations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1998

Ethical issues in studying submissions to a medical journal.

A protocol to prospectively study characteristics of meta-analyses submitted to a weekly medical journal raised several ethical issues. In submitting a manuscript for publication, authors do not implicitly consent to have their work used for research. Authors must be free to refuse to consent, without it affecting their chances for publication. Systematically analyzing data on manuscript characteristics might influence the decision to publish. Having investigators who are not on the editorial staff or peer reviewers extract the manuscripts' characteristics breaks the confidentiality of the author-editor-reviewer relationship. In response to these issues, we added a statement to our journal's instructions for authors that submitted manuscripts may be systematically analyzed to improve the quality of the editorial or peer review process. Authors had to actively consent to participate, but editors and external reviewers were unaware of which authors were participating. The manuscript characteristics were not shared with authors, editors, or external reviewers. The investigators were blinded to each manuscript's author and institution. After we addressed ethical issues encountered in studying manuscripts submitted to a medical journal, 99 of 105 authors submitting a meta-analysis during the study's first 24 months agreed to participate.

Biomedical Research↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of effect estimates from a meta-analysis of summary data from published studies and from a meta-analysis using individual patient data for ovarian cancer studies.

To determine the relative merits of two quantitative methods used to estimate the summary effects of observational studies, the authors compared two methods of meta-analysis. Each quantified the relation between oral contraceptive use and the risk for ovarian cancer. One analysis consisted of a meta-analysis using summary data from 11 published studies from the literature (MAL) in which the study was the unit of analysis, and the second consisted of a meta-analysis using individual patient data (MAP) in which the patient was the unit of analysis. The authors found excellent quantitative agreement between the summary effect estimates from the MAL and the MAP. The MAP permits analysis 1) among outcomes, exposures, and confounders not investigated in the original studies, 2) when the original effect measures differ among studies and cannot be converted to a common measure (e.g., slopes vs. correlation coefficients), and 3) when there is a paucity of studies. The MAL permits analysis 1) when resources are limited, 2) when time is limited, and 3) when original study data are not available or are available only from a biased sample of studies. In public health epidemiology, data from original studies are often accessible only to limited numbers of research groups and for only a few types of studies that have high public health priority. Consequently, few opportunities for pooled analysis exist. However, from a policy view, MAL will provide answers to many questions and will help in identifying questions for future investigation.

Bias↗
PubMed1997

The importance of long-term records in public health surveillance: the US weekly sanitary reports, 1888-1912, revisited.

BACKGROUND: This paper outlines the ways in which a little-used archive of early public health records may throw light on longer-term trends in international epidemic behaviour and serve as a major source of epidemiological information for historians of urbanization and public health. The Weekly Abstract of Sanitary Reports was the official disease surveillance report of the US Public Health Service and its predecessors, and began to publish urban mortality statistics on a regular basis in 1888. Here, the authors describe the first 25 years of continuous reporting (1888-1912), when the Reports contained not only disease data for US cities, but also records sent back by US consuls based in some 250 cities in many parts of the world. METHODS: The content of the weekly editions of the Reports was systematically sampled and analysed using graphical techniques and the simple statistical method of running means. RESULTS: Relatively complete weekly series of mortality from all causes, and six infectious diseases (diphtheria, enteric or typhoid fever, measles, scarlet fever, tuberculosis and whooping cough) were identified for a total of 100 cities world-wide. CONCLUSION: Reporting coverage for these cities is sufficiently complete that multivariate analysis should be possible to obtain a comparative picture of mortality for many parts of the world. Despite limitations of the data, sources of the type described in this paper form an important comparative database for studying international patterns of mortality.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1997

A method for timely assessment of influenza-associated mortality in the United States.

Influenza-associated mortality has traditionally been estimated as the excess mortality above a baseline of deaths during influenza epidemic periods. Excess mortality estimates are not timely, because national vital statistics data become available after a period of 2-3 years. To develop a method for timely reporting, we used the 121 Cities Surveillance System (121 Cities), maintained at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as an alternative data source. We fit a cyclical regression model to time series of weekly 121 Cities pneumonia and influenza deaths for 1972-1996 to estimate the excess pneumonia and influenza mortality and to compare these figures with national vital statistics estimates for 20 influenza seasons during 1972-1992. Seasonal excess mortality based on 121 Cities correlated well with the national data: for 18 (90%) of 20 seasons, our influenza epidemic severity index category approximated the result based on national vital statistics. We generated preliminary severity categories for the four recent seasons during 1992-1996. We conclude that the 121 Cities Surveillance System can be used for the timely assessment of the severity of future influenza epidemics and pandemics. Timely pneumonia and influenza mortality reporting systems established in sentinel countries worldwide would help alert public health officials and allow prompt prevention and intervention strategies during future influenza epidemics and pandemics.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1997

The impact of influenza epidemics on mortality: introducing a severity index.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of recent influenza epidemics on mortality in the United States and to develop an index for comparing the severity of individual epidemics. METHODS: A cyclical regression model was applied to weekly national vital statistics from 1972 through 1992 to estimate excesses in pneumonia and influenza mortality and all-cause mortality for each influenza season. Each season was categorized on the basis of increments of 2000 pneumonia and influenza excess deaths, and each of these severity categories was correlated with a range of all-cause excess mortality. RESULTS: Each of the 20 influenza seasons studied was associated with an average of 5600 pneumonia and influenza excess deaths (range, 0-11,800) and 21,300 all-cause excess deaths (range, 0-47,200). Most influenza A(H3N2) seasons fell into severity categories 4 to 6 (23,000-45,000 all-cause excess deaths), whereas most A(H1N1) and B seasons were ranked in categories 1 to 3 (0-23,000 such deaths). CONCLUSIONS: From 1972 through 1992, influenza epidemics accounted for a total of 426,000 deaths in the United States, many times more than those associated with recent pandemics. The influenza epidemic severity index was useful for categorizing severity and provided improved seasonal estimates of the total number of influenza-related deaths.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1997

National public health surveillance in China: implications for public health in China and the United States.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Throughout the world, political developments have brought new demands to communities to prevent and intervene in the incidence of infectious and noninfectious conditions. Historically, these developments have required new and more effective public health surveillance activities. This report describes public health surveillance practice in the People's Republic of China, making comparisons with selected aspects of surveillance in the United States with respect to collection, analysis, dissemination, and use of data. MAIN RESULTS: In both the People's Republic of China and the United States, political change has affected health, and multiple surveillance system are used in public health practice. Surveillance of acute infectious diseases based on the reporting of legally notifiable diseases and the use of vital records for surveillance have the longest established history in both countries. In both countries, data from the surveillance systems have been used to affect public health policy. CONCLUSIONS: In comparing surveillance practices in these countries, we find similarities in conditions reported and in the dissemination of the data. At the same time, legal, social, cultural, and economic differences between the nations have affected the practice of surveillance in analysis and evaluation. We make explicit recommendations for improvement and evaluation of systems in both countries, including sentinel surveillance system and data quality measures in China and computer networking and data analysis in the United States.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗