Study Designs in the Health Sciences

What is a narrative review (aka "literature review")?

"Narrative reviews allow researchers to describe what is known on a topic while conducting a subjective examination and critique of an entire body of literature. Authors can describe the topic's current status while providing insights on advancing the field, new theories, or current evidence viewed from different or unusual perspectives...Narrative reviews do not offer an evidence-based synthesis for focused questions, nor do they offer definitive guideline statements." [1]

Why use this type of study?

•  to explore topics that are under-researched [1]
• to discover new insights or ways of thinking regarding well-developed, robustly researched fields [1]
• for topics that require a meaningful synthesis of research evidence that may be complex or broad and that require detailed, nuanced description and interpretation [1]

References

1. Sukhera J. Narrative Reviews: Flexible, Rigorous, and Practical. J Grad Med Educ. 2022 Aug;14(4):414-417. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00480.1.

Nutrient and Hormonal Effects on Long Bone Growth in Healthy and Obese Children: A Literature Review.

Hasan S, Naseer S, Zamzam M, Mohilldean H, Van Wagoner C, Hasan A, Saleh ES, Uhley V, Kamel-ElSayed S.

Children (Basel). 2024 Jul 3;11(7):817. doi: 10.3390/children11070817. 

Longitudinal bone growth is mediated through several mechanisms including macro- and micronutrients, and endocrine and paracrine hormones. These mechanisms can be affected by childhood obesity as excess adiposity may affect signaling pathways, place undue stress on the body, and affect normal physiology. This review describes the physiology of the epiphyseal growth plate, its regulation under healthy weight and obesity parameters, and bone pathology following obesity. A literature review was performed utilizing PubMed, PMC, NIH, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews pertinent to hormonal and nutritional effects on bone development, child obesity, and pathologic bone development related to weight. The review indicates a complex network of nutrients, hormones, and multi-system interactions mediates long bone growth. As growth of long bones occurs during childhood and the pubertal growth spurt, pediatric bones require adequate levels of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and a base caloric supply for energy. Recommendations should focus on a nutrient-dense dietary approach rather than restrictive caloric diets to maintain optimal health. In conclusion, childhood obesity has profound multifaceted effects on the developing musculoskeletal system, ultimately causing poor nutritional status during development. Weight loss, under medical supervision, with proper nutritional guidelines, can help counteract the ill effects of childhood obesity.