Background: Post COVID-19 syndrome, also known as "Long COVID," is a complex and multifaceted condition that affects individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to comprehensively assess the global prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder in individuals coping with Post COVID-19 syndrome.Methods: A rigorous search of electronic databases was conducted to identify original studies until 24 January 2023. The inclusion criteria comprised studies employing previously validated assessment tools for depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, reporting prevalence rates, and encompassing patients of all age groups and geographical regions for subgroup analysis Random effects model was utilized for the meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis was done.Results: The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients coping with Post COVID-19 syndrome was estimated to be 23% (95% CI: 20%—26%; I2 = 99.9%) based on data from 143 studies with 7,782,124 participants and 132 studies with 9,320,687 participants, respectively. The pooled prevalence of sleep disorder among these patients, derived from 27 studies with 15,362 participants, was estimated to be 45% (95% CI: 37%—53%; I2 = 98.7%). Subgroup analyses based on geographical regions and assessment scales revealed significant variations in prevalence rates. Meta-regression analysis showed significant correlations between the prevalence and total sample size of studies, the age of participants, and the percentage of male participants. Publication bias was assessed using Doi plot visualization and the Peters test, revealing a potential source of publication bias for depression (p = 0.0085) and sleep disorder (p = 0.02). However, no evidence of publication bias was found for anxiety (p = 0.11).Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate a considerable burden of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, among individuals recovering from COVID-19. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive mental health support and tailored interventions for patients experiencing persistent symptoms after COVID-19 recovery.

Background: Obesity is a global health concern, and understanding its prevalence among medical students is crucial for shaping targeted interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to comprehensively assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight among medical students. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, in order to identify relevant studies that evaluated obesity and overweight among medical students. Inclusion criteria encompassed published and peer-reviewed studies reporting the prevalence of obesity among medical students. Results: A total of 1245 studies were screened based on their titles and abstracts, and 99 studies comprised a total sample size of 47,455 medical students across diverse geographical regions were included in this study. The overall pooled prevalence of overweight among medical students was estimated at 18% (95% CI: 17%—20%), with obesity at 9% (95% CI: 7%—11%). The combined prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) was calculated to be 24% (95% CI: 22%—27%). Meta-regression results indicated a significant correlation between study year and overweight/obesity prevalence (p < 0.05), with a trend towards increasing prevalence over time. Male medical students exhibited a higher pooled prevalence, increasing with the percentage of male participants. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide a comprehensive overview of the prevalence of obesity among medical students globally. In summary, obesity and overweight present a substantial worldwide health concern, especially among susceptible groups such as medical students, whose prevalence is on the rise. It is crucial to grasp the extent and contributing factors of obesity among medical students to formulate precise interventions aimed at fostering healthier habits and alleviating the adverse impacts of obesity on both physical and mental health.

Introduction: Recent studies have emphasized the relationship between mental health and the human intestine microbiota. In this study, we evaluate the effect of consuming Biotics, on levels of depression, anxiety, and cognitive function.Methods: This meta‐analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) standards. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. All full‐text articles and major reviews were manually searched for additional studies.Results: The initial analysis was based on the concept that consuming Biotics causes changes in anxiety, measured using various instruments. This analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced anxiety in our study participants (SMD = 0.2894, Z = 2.46, P = 0.0139, I^2 = 92.4%). The meta‐analysis included 4295 samples (2194 in the experimental group and 2101 in the control group). In terms of depression, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly reduced depression in our study participants (SMD = 0.2942, Z = 2.13, P = 0.0335, I^2 = 91.7%). The meta‐analysis included 3179 samples (1603 in the experimental group and 1576 in the control group). Regarding cognitive function, the analysis showed that consuming Biotics significantly improved cognitive function in our study participants (SMD = 0.4819, Z = 3.00, P = 0.0027, I^2 = 77.9%). The meta‐analysis included 915 samples (470 in the experimental group and 445 in the control group).Conclusions: Our results indicate that most recent studies support the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and cognitive issues despite some discrepancies in the findings. People with mild symptoms may experience greater benefits from taking probiotics.Trial Registration: PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42024589507.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a vital protein involved in neuronal development, survival, and plasticity. Alcohol consumption has been implicated in various neurocognitive deficits and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the impact of alcohol on BDNF blood levels remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol consumption on BDNF blood levels. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed, and methodological quality was assessed using appropriate tools. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall effect size of alcohol consumption on BDNF levels. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Alcohol use and BDNF blood levels were significantly correlated, according to the meta-analysis (p = 0.008). Overall, it was discovered that drinking alcohol significantly decreased BDNF levels (SMD: − 0.39; 95% CI: − 0.68 to − 0.10; I2: 93%). There was a non-significant trend suggesting that alcohol withdrawal might increase BDNF levels, with an SMD of 0.26 (95% CI: − 0.09 to 0.62; I2: 86%; p = 0.14). Subgroup analysis based on the source of BDNF demonstrated significant differences between the subgroups (p = 0.0008). No significant publication bias was observed. This study showed that alcohol consumption is associated with a significant decrease in BDNF blood levels. The findings suggest a negative impact of alcohol on BDNF levels regardless of alcohol dosage. Further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Saffron, a natural remedy with potential antidepressant and anxiolytic properties, has gained attention as a potential therapeutic option. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of saffron versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depression and anxiety. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane database, were searched from inception to April 31, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing saffron intervention with SSRIs in adults with depression or anxiety were included. Random-effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RRs) with their 95% CIs calculated continuous and binary outcomes, respectively. Meta-analysis of 8 studies assessing depression outcomes revealed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing depressive symptoms (SMD = 0.10l 95% CI: –0.09 to 0.29). Four studies reporting anxiety outcomes showed a nonsignificant difference between saffron and SSRIs in reducing anxiety symptoms (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: –0.22 to 0.29). With regard to safety, participants receiving saffron had fewer adverse events than the SSRI group (risk difference: –0.06; 95% CI: –0.09, –0.04; I²: 0%). Saffron could be a potential SSRI alternative to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms with fewer adverse events. Further research with larger sample sizes and in diverse populations is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential moderators of treatment response. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023443236.