Purpose Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and susceptibility to COVID-19, its severity, mortality and role of vitamin D in its treatment. Methods We searched CINHAL, Cochrane library, EMBASE, PubMED, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 30.05.2021 for observational studies on association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and susceptibility to COVID-19, severe disease and death among adults, and, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamin D treatment against standard care or placebo, in improving severity or mortality among adults with COVID-19. Risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies and AUB-KQ1 Cochrane tool for RCTs. Study-level data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 and R (v4∙1∙0). Heterogeneity was determined by I  2 and sources were explored through pre-specified sensitivity analyses, subgroup analyses and meta-regressions. Results Of 1877 search results, 76 studies satisfying eligibility criteria were included. Seventy-two observational studies were included in the meta-analysis (n=1976099). Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency increased the odds of developing COVID-19 (OR 1∙46, 95% CI 1∙28–1∙65, p<0∙0001, I  2=92%), severe disease (OR 1∙90, 95% CI 1∙52–2∙38, p<0.0001, I  2=81%) and death (OR 2∙07, 95% CI 1∙28–3∙35, p=0.003, I  2=73%). 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration were lower in individuals with COVID-19 compared to controls (mean difference [MD] -3∙85 ng/mL, 95% CI -5∙44,-2∙26, p=<0.0001), in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to controls with non-severe COVID19 (MD -4∙84 ng/mL, 95% CI -7∙32,-2∙35, p=0∙0001) and in non-survivors compared to survivors (MD -4∙80 ng/mL, 95%-CI -7∙89,-1∙71, p=0∙002). The association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and death was insignificant when studies with high risk of bias or studies reporting unadjusted effect estimates were excluded. Risk of bias and heterogeneity were high across all analyses. Discrepancies in timing of vitamin D testing, definitions of severe COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency partly explained the heterogeneity. Four RCTs were widely heterogeneous precluding meta-analysis. Conclusion Multiple observational studies involving nearly two million adults suggest vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency increases susceptibility to COVID-19 and severe COVID-19, although with a high risk of bias and heterogeneity. Association with mortality was less robust. Heterogeneity in RCTs precluded their meta-analysis.

Background Aerophagia is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder among children. The disease leads to symptoms related to air in the intestine leading to burping, abdominal distension, and excessive flatus. We aimed to perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess the epidemiology of aerophagia in children. Methods We conducted a thorough electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science) search for all epidemiological surveys conducted in children on aerophagia. All selected studies were assessed for their scientific quality and the extracted data were pooled to create a pooled prevalence of aerophagia. Results The initial search identified 76 titles. After screening and in depth reviewing, 19 studies representing data from 21 countries with 40129 children and adolescents were included in the meta-analysis. All studies have used standard Rome definitions to diagnose aerophagia. The pooled prevalence of aerophagia was 3.66% (95% Confidence interval 2.44–5.12). There was significant heterogeneity between studies [I2 98.06% with 95% Confidence interval 97.70–98.37). There was no gender difference in prevalence of aerophagia in children. The pooled prevalence of aerophagia was highest in Asia (5.13%) compared to other geographical regions. Conclusion In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found aerophagia has a significant prevalence across the world.

Background Several cross‐sectional studies have reported an association between childhood constipation and exposure to stressful events. We planned to systematically review the literature on constipation and its associated stressful events. Methods PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched (until February 2021) using standard search terms related to “constipation” and “stress” from 0 to 18 years that describe the association between psychological stressors and constipation. Studies were screened using pre‐designed eligibility criteria. Studies that fulfilled the criteria were reviewed in a full‐text format. The quality assessment of selected articles was conducted using standard methods. Key Results Of 2296 titles and abstracts screened, 38 were included in the full‐text review. Out of that, 15 articles were included in this systematic review. There were 2954 children with constipation, and the age range was from 6 months to 16 years. Exposure to home‐related stressors (divorce or separation of parents, severe illness in family, and parental job loss) school‐related stressors (including being bullied at school, change in school, separation from the best friend at school, and failure in an examination), exposure to child maltreatments and exposure to war/civil unrest were associated with childhood constipation. Conclusions and Inferences Exposure to day‐to‐day home‐ and school‐related stressors, to child maltreatment, and to civil unrest is associated with constipation in children and adolescents. These factors need to be explored during clinical evaluation of children with constipation.

Objective: This study assessed the information needs of breast cancer (BC) patients who presented themselves to the outpatient clinics or wards of the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, Sri Lanka. Methods: Information needs were measured using the validated questionnaire in the vernacular (Sri Lankan Information Needs Assessment Questionnaire – BC). Results: All affected women indicated a strong need for information related to the disease, treatment, and psychosocial service while the need for information on procedures for diagnosis and physical care was not strong. Younger women (age ≤37) ( P < 0.0001) and women with higher education ( P < 0.0001) had significantly higher information needs. Conclusions: The results indicated that information needs to be addressed in educational packages require that younger women and those with higher education have specific needs.

Background: Although not infrequent, publications on high-pressure chronic urinary retention (HPCR) are limited. Lack of awareness of this condition can lead to delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment. This systematic review aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of HPCR. Methods: Keywords were searched in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane-CENTRAL, APAMED Central and Google Scholar. Relevant articles were added from the list of references of eligible articles. Studies describing any two of the characteristic features related to HPCR were included. Qualitative analysis was performed using the available data. Results: Eight prospective studies with 271 patients ( Mage=66.4 years, range 14–89 years; 263 males) were identified. The commonest presentation was tense painless palpable bladder (99.6%). Late-onset nocturnal enuresis was reported in 68.4%, and resistant hypertension was reported in 41.6%. Elevated levels of serum creatinine were identified in 43–81%. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (64.1%) was the commonest aetiology followed by prostatic malignancy (22.6%). A satisfactory response was seen following the definitive treatment of the underlying aetiology. Initial bladder decompression reversed adverse cardiovascular changes and improved renal function but resulted in post-obstructive diuresis. Heterogeneity of the reported data in available studies was a major limitation. Conclusions: Late-onset nocturnal enuresis, a tense painless and non-tender palpable bladder and treatment-resistant hypertension are important clinical findings which would raise the suspicion of HPCR in the clinical setting. Urinary tract ultrasonography showing upper-tract dilatation and raised serum creatinine support the diagnosis. Definitive treatment targeting the underlying aetiology following careful decompression of the bladder showed satisfactory outcomes. Level of evidence: Level 2a(-).