Management and Outcomes of Low-Grade Gliomas in Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol

Abstract

Background: Over the last decade, many advancements have been made in the management of low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Overall survival outcomes are correlated with factors such as postoperative residual volumes and specific tumor biomolecular profiles such as IDH mutation status. It is unclear whether these advancements have benefited LGG patients in Africa. This scoping review protocol outlines how the authors will evaluate the epidemiology, presentations, management and outcomes of LGGs in Africa.Methods: MEDLINE, Embase and African Journals Online will be searched from database inception to date in order to identify the relevant studies. Patients of all ages with histologically and/or radiologically confirmed LGGs that were managed in an African country will be included. Surgical and chemoradiation management of LGG tumours will be considered. Original research, reviews, commentaries, editorials and case reports will be included.Results: Primary outcomes of the review will include LGG management, morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes include epidemiology and recurrence of LGGs.Discussion: This scoping review will be the first to evaluate the current landscape of LGG management and outcomes in Africa, highlighting pertinent themes that may be used to guide further research as well as health system strengthening efforts by policymakers and stakeholders.

Management and outcomes of intracranial fungal infections in children and adults in Africa: a scoping review protocol

“…The screening process of this proposed scoping review will comprise two phases. In the first phase, a calibration exercise will be carried out before title and abstract screening in order to ensure an adequate understanding of the inclusion criteria by study screeners 19–21. Titles and abstracts will be reviewed by two independent reviewers following broad inclusion criteria, that is, studies looking at the management and outcomes of IcFIs in Africa.…”

“…In the first phase, a calibration exercise will be carried out before title and abstract screening in order to ensure an adequate understanding of the inclusion criteria by study screeners. [19][20][21] Titles and abstracts will be reviewed by two independent reviewers following broad inclusion criteria, that is, studies looking at the management and outcomes of IcFIs in Africa. Papers identified by either or both reviewers will be included in the next phase, which is the full-text screening.…”

Current state of management and outcomes of facial nerve palsy in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol

“…First, a calibration exercise will be carried out before title and abstract screening in order to ensure an adequate understanding of the inclusion criteria by the study screeners. [25][26][27] All the articles resulting from the search will be exported in Rayyan, 28 to facilitate deduplication and independent, blinded screening. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts of the identified articles based on the predefined eligibility inclusion criteria, that is, studies looking at the management and outcomes of facial nerve palsies in LMICs.…”

Risk factors, prognostic potency, and longitudinal variation of anxiety and depression in postoperative glioma patients

“…Even with these treatments, the prognosis of glioma patients is still unfavorable (6,7). According to previous studies, the median survival time for patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) (World Health Organization (WHO) I-II grade) is 5.6-13.3 years, while for patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) (WHO III-IV grade), it is only 12.2-15.4 months (7)(8)(9)(10). Poor survival of glioma patients may lead to a heavy mental burden (11,12).…”