9 results
Search Results
2. Harmful compared to what? The problem of gaming and ambiguous causal questions.
- Author
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Magnusson, Kristoffer, Johansson, Fred, and Przybylski, Andrew K.
- Subjects
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COMPULSIVE behavior , *INTERNET addiction , *MENTAL health , *ATTRIBUTION (Social psychology) , *VIDEO games , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors - Abstract
Background and aims: There has been much concern regarding potential harmful effects of video game-play in the past 40 years, but limited progress in understanding its causal role. This paper discusses the basic requirements for identifying causal effects of video game-play and argues that most research to date has focused upon ambiguous causal questions. Methods: Video games and mental health are discussed from the perspective of causal inference with compound exposures; that is, exposures with multiple relevant variants that affect outcomes in different ways. Results: Not only does exposure to video games encompass multiple different factors, but also not playing video games is equally ambiguous. Estimating causal effects of a compound exposure introduces the additional challenge of exposure-version confounding. Conclusions: Without a comparison of well-defined interventions, research investigating the effects of video game-play will be difficult to translate into actionable health interventions. Interventions that target games should be compared with other interventions aimed at improving the same outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Harmful compared to what? The problem of gaming and ambiguous causal questions.
- Author
-
Magnusson, Kristoffer, Johansson, Fred, and Przybylski, Andrew K.
- Subjects
- *
COMPULSIVE behavior , *INTERNET addiction , *MENTAL health , *ATTRIBUTION (Social psychology) , *VIDEO games , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors - Abstract
Background and aims: There has been much concern regarding potential harmful effects of video game‐play in the past 40 years, but limited progress in understanding its causal role. This paper discusses the basic requirements for identifying causal effects of video game‐play and argues that most research to date has focused upon ambiguous causal questions. Methods: Video games and mental health are discussed from the perspective of causal inference with compound exposures; that is, exposures with multiple relevant variants that affect outcomes in different ways. Results: Not only does exposure to video games encompass multiple different factors, but also not playing video games is equally ambiguous. Estimating causal effects of a compound exposure introduces the additional challenge of exposure‐version confounding. Conclusions: Without a comparison of well‐defined interventions, research investigating the effects of video game‐play will be difficult to translate into actionable health interventions. Interventions that target games should be compared with other interventions aimed at improving the same outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Target trial emulation for comparative effectiveness research with observational data: Promise and challenges for studying medications for opioid use disorder.
- Author
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Christine, Paul J., Lodi, Sara, Hsu, Heather E., Bovell‐Ammon, Benjamin, Yan, Shapei, Bernson, Dana, Novo, Patricia, Lee, Joshua D., Rotrosen, John, Liebschutz, Jane, Walley, Alexander Y., and Larochelle, Marc R.
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MORTALITY prevention , *SUBSTANCE abuse , *CLINICAL trials , *SCIENTIFIC observation , *TREATMENT effectiveness , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *OPIOID analgesics , *MEDICAL research , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *INFERENTIAL statistics , *COMPARATIVE studies , *QUALITY assurance , *NALOXONE , *BUPRENORPHINE , *NALTREXONE , *EVALUATION - Abstract
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) increase retention in care and decrease mortality during active treatment; however, information about the comparative effectiveness of different forms of MOUD is sparse. Observational comparative effectiveness studies are subject to many types of bias; a robust framework to minimize bias would improve the quality of comparative effectiveness evidence. This paper discusses the use of target trial emulation as a framework to conduct comparative effectiveness studies of MOUD with administrative data. Using examples from our planned research project comparing buprenorphine‐naloxone and extended‐release naltrexone with respect to the rates of MOUD discontinuation, we provide a primer on the challenges and approaches to employing target trial emulation in the study of MOUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Modelling the amount of inputs needed for methamphetamine manufacture in Afghanistan.
- Author
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Pardo, Bryce, Nobajas Ganau, Alexandre, and Zeiler, Irmgard
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STATISTICAL models , *COMPUTER simulation , *METHAMPHETAMINE , *LABOR productivity , *RESEARCH funding , *COST analysis , *HEALTH policy , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *DATA analysis software , *GOVERNMENT regulation - Abstract
Background and aims: The use and manufacture of methamphetamine has increased in Afghanistan in recent years. Recent research and reports have pointed to the ephedra plant, which grows wildly, as a key source of ephedrine used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. This paper aimed to estimate the relative efficiencies and scale of inputs required to manufacture methamphetamine in Afghanistan. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations model of the amount of ephedra or cold medications needed to render a pure kilogram of methamphetamine in Afghanistan, accounting for uncertainty in ranges of key parameters informed from the literature and elsewhere. Final estimates were extrapolated to recent seizure totals. Results: For dried ephedra, the median estimate is 196.8 kg (25th–75th percentiles 119.3–346.6 kg) needed to produce 1 kg of methamphetamine compared with 27.9 kg (25th–75th percentiles 21.9–36.8 kg) for cold medications. Nearly 2.7 t of methamphetamine were seized in Afghanistan in 2021. Assuming a purity range of 50%–90%, some 266–478 t of dried ephedra or 38–68 t of cold medication would need to have been processed. Conclusion: Simulated estimates show that considerable amounts of either ephedra or cold medication are needed to produce 1 kg of methamphetamine in Afghanistan. This raises questions about the plausibility of ephedra as the dominant source of Afghanistan's methamphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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6. Designing observational studies for credible causal inference in addiction research—Directed acyclic graphs, modified disjunctive cause criterion and target trial emulation.
- Author
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Chan, Gary C. K., Sun, Tianze, Stjepanović, Daniel, Vu, Giang, Hall, Wayne D., Connor, Jason P., and Leung, Janni
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SUBSTANCE abuse , *MATHEMATICAL variables , *CAUSAL models , *SCIENTIFIC observation , *EXPERIMENTAL design , *RESEARCH bias , *CAUSALITY (Physics) , *MEDICAL research , *INFERENTIAL statistics , *RESEARCH , *ATTRIBUTION (Social psychology) - Abstract
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for causal inference. With a sufficient sample size, randomization removes confounding up to the time of randomization and allows the treatment effect to be isolated. However, RCTs may have limited generalizability and transportability and are often not feasible in addiction research due to ethical or logistical constraints. The importance of observational studies from real‐world settings has been increasingly recognized in research on health. This paper provides an overview of modern approaches to designing observational studies that enable causal inference. It illustrates three key techniques, Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), modified Disjunctive Cause Criterion and Target Trial Emulation, and discusses the strengths and limitations of their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Restricting alcohol marketing to reduce alcohol consumption: A systematic review of the empirical evidence for one of the 'best buys'.
- Author
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Manthey, Jakob, Jacobsen, Britta, Klinger, Sinja, Schulte, Bernd, and Rehm, Jürgen
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MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems , *ALCOHOLIC beverages , *GOVERNMENT policy , *RESEARCH funding , *MARKETING , *SALES personnel , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *MEDLINE , *RESEARCH bias , *RESEARCH methodology , *ALCOHOL drinking , *GOVERNMENT regulation , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems - Abstract
Background and Aims: Even though a ban of alcohol marketing has been declared a 'best buy' of alcohol control policy, comprehensive systematic reviews on its effectiveness to reduce consumption are lacking. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the evidence for effects of total and partial bans of alcohol marketing on alcohol consumption. Methods: This descriptive systematic review sought to include all empirical studies that explored how changes in the regulation of alcohol marketing impact on alcohol consumption. The search was conducted between October and December 2022 considering various scientific databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase) as well as Google and Google Scholar. The titles and abstracts of a total of 2572 records were screened. Of the 26 studies included in the full text screening, 11 studies were finally included in this review. Changes in consumption in relation to marketing bans were determined based on significance testing in primary studies. Four risk of bias domains (confounding, selection bias, information bias and reporting bias) were assessed. Results: Seven studies examined changes in marketing restrictions in one location (New Zealand, Thailand, Canadian provinces, Spain, Norway). In the remaining studies, between 17 and 45 locations were studied (mostly high‐income countries from Europe and North America). Of the 11 studies identified, six studies reported null findings. Studies reporting lower alcohol consumption following marketing restrictions were of moderate, serious and critical risk of bias. Two studies with low and moderate risk of bias found increasing alcohol consumption post marketing bans. Overall, there was insufficient evidence to conclude that alcohol marketing bans reduce alcohol consumption. Conclusions: The available empirical evidence does not support the claim of alcohol marketing bans constituting a best buy for reducing alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Commentary on Pardo et al.: Whatever the past situation, drug precursor chemicals may in future represent an important source for synthetic drug production in Afghanistan and surrounding countries.
- Author
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Soderholm, Alexander, Mansfield, David, Groshkova, Teodora, Sedefov, Roumen, and Griffiths, Paul
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PRODRUGS , *METHAMPHETAMINE , *PHARMACEUTICAL industry , *SYNTHETIC drugs , *DRUGS - Abstract
The article comments on the paper by B. Pardo and colleagues about the production of methamphetamine in Afghanistan. Topics discussed include the role of ephedra in the expansion of methamphetamine production in the country, the uncertainty of the Taliban's ban on drug production, and the possible increase in the manufacture of methamphetamine or other synthetic substances using synthetic precursors.
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. New perspectives on how to formulate alcohol drinking guidelines.
- Author
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Shield, Kevin, Paradis, Catherine, Butt, Peter, Naimi, Tim, Sherk, Adam, Asbridge, Mark, Myran, Daniel, Stockwell, Tim, Wells, Samantha, Poole, Nancy, Heatley, Jennifer, Hobin, Erin, Thompson, Kara, Young, Matthew, Buell, Danielle, Johnson, Harold R., McCarthy, Ryan, Mushquash, Chris, Presseau, Justin, and Shield, Kevin D.
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PREVENTION of alcoholism , *LIFE expectancy , *AGE distribution , *MEDICAL protocols , *HARM reduction , *RISK assessment , *ALCOHOL drinking , *PEOPLE with disabilities - Abstract
Background: Low‐Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines (LRDGs) aim to reduce the harms caused by alcohol. However, considerable discrepancies exist in the 'low‐risk' thresholds employed by different countries. Argument/analysis: Drawing upon Canada's LRDGs update process, the current paper offers the following propositions for debate regarding the establishment of 'low‐risk' thresholds in national guidelines: (1) as an indicator of health loss, years of life lost (YLL) has several advantages that could make it more suitable for setting guidelines than deaths, premature deaths or disability adjusted years of life (DALYs) lost. (2) Presenting age‐specific guidelines may not be the most appropriate way of providing LRDGs. (3) Given past overemphasis on the so‐called protective effects of alcohol on health, presenting cause‐specific guidelines may not be appropriate compared with a 'whole health' effect derived from a weighted composite risk function comprising conditions that are causally related to alcohol consumption. (4) To help people reduce their alcohol use, presenting different risk zones associated with alcohol consumption instead of a single low risk threshold may be advantageous. Conclusions: National LRDGs should be based on years of life lost and should be neither age‐specific nor cause‐specific. We recommend using risk zones rather than a single drinking threshold to help people assess their own risk and encourage the adoption of behaviours with positive health impacts across the alcohol use spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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