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Approaches for the treatment of perforated peptic ulcers: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials - study protocol

Por: Wadewitz · E. · Friedrichs · J. · Grilli · M. · Vey · J. · Zimmermann · S. · Kleeff · J. · Ronellenfitsch · U. · Klose · J. · Rebelo · A.
Introduction

Perforated peptic ulcers are a life-threatening complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Several treatment approaches are available. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare surgical and alternative approaches for the treatment of perforated peptic ulcers regarding mortality and other patient-relevant outcomes.

Methods and analysis

A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov trial registry and ICTRP will be conducted with predefined search terms.

To address the question of the most effective treatment approach, an NMA will be performed for each of the outcomes mentioned above. A closed network of interventions is expected. The standardised mean difference with its 95% CI will be used as the effect measure for the continuous outcomes, and the ORs with 95% CI will be calculated for the binary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination

In accordance with the nature of the data used in this meta-analysis, which involves aggregate information from previously published studies ethical approval is deemed unnecessary. Results will be disseminated directly to decision-makers (eg, surgeons, gastroenterologists) through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023482932.

Tuberculosis infection and hypertension: prevalence estimates from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Por: Salindri · A. D. · Auld · S. C. · Gujral · U. P. · Urbina · E. M. · Andrews · J. R. · Huaman · M. A. · Magee · M. J.
Objectives

Tuberculosis infection (TBI) is marked by dynamic host–pathogen interactions with persistent low-grade inflammation and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction and stroke. However, few studies assess the relationship between TBI and hypertension, an intermediate of CVD. We sought to determine the association between TBI and hypertension using data representative of the adult US population.

Methods

We performed cross-sectional analyses using data from the 2011–2012 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Eligible participants included adults with valid QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test results who also had blood pressure measures and no history of TB disease. TBI was defined by a positive QFT-GIT. We defined hypertension by either elevated measured blood pressure levels (ie, systolic ≥130 mm Hg or diastolic ≥80 mm Hg) or known hypertension indications (ie, self-reported previous diagnosis or use of antihypertensive medications). Analyses were performed using robust quasi-Poisson regressions and accounted for the stratified probability sampling design of NHANES.

Results

The overall prevalence of TBI was 5.7% (95% CI 4.7% to 6.7%) and hypertension was present among 48.9% (95% CI 45.2% to 52.7%) of participants. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among those with TBI (58.5%, 95% CI 52.4% to 64.5%) than those without TBI (48.3%, 95% CI 44.5% to 52.1%) (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). However, after adjusting for confounders, the prevalence of hypertension was similar for those with and without TBI (adjusted PR 1.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1). The unadjusted prevalence of hypertension was higher among those with TBI versus no TBI, especially among individuals without CVD risk factors including those with normal body mass index (PR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0), euglycaemia (PR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5) or non-smokers (PR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4).

Conclusions

More than half of adults with TBI in the USA had hypertension. Importantly, we observed a relationship between TBI and hypertension among those without established CVD risk factors.

Summary

The prevalence of hypertension was high (59%) among adults with TBI in the USA. In addition, we found that the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among adults with positive QFT without established hypertension risk factors.

Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in Pakistan: a systematic review protocol

Por: Hasan · S. U. · Siddiqui · M. A. R.
Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. As a major global health concern, its prevalence has been steadily increasing. Pakistan, is no exception to this trend, facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases including DM. This research aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence of DM, and disparities between rural and urban populations as well as between men and women in Pakistan.

Methods and analysis

The systematic review will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and will aim to assess DM prevalence in Pakistan. A comprehensive search strategy will be applied to databases like PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, PakMediNet and CINAHL from inception up to 1st April 2024. We will include studies that focus on diabetes prevalence in the general population, employing WHO or American Diabetes Association criteria for diagnosis of DM. Cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and population-based surveys with a sample size ≥500, in English will be considered. Data extraction will be done as per a predefined proforma which will include study details such as demographics, prevalence data and methodology. A meta-analysis will be performed using a random effect model with an inverse variance weighted method. I2 statistics will be used to examine heterogeneity, and subgroup analyses will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

The findings from the systematic review will be shared by publishing them in a peer-reviewed journal and showcasing them at pertinent conferences. Our analysis will be based on aggregated data and will not involve individual patient information, thus eliminating the need for ethical clearance.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023453085.

Effects of task shifting from primary care physicians to nurses: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews

Por: Paier-Abuzahra · M. · Posch · N. · Spary-Kainz · U. · Radl-Karimi · C. · Semlitsch · T. · Jeitler · K. · Siebenhofer · A.
Introduction

Task-shifting from primary care physicians (PCPs) to nurses is one option to better and more efficiently meet the needs of the population in primary care and to overcome PCP shortages. This protocol outlines an overview of systematic reviews to assess the effects of delegation or substitution by nurses of PCPs’ activities regarding clinical, patient-relevant, professional and health services-related outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic literature search for secondary literature in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and Health Technology Assessments in German and English comprising randomised controlled trials and prospective controlled trials will be considered for inclusion. Search terms will include Medical Subject Headings combined with free text words. At least one-third of abstracts and full-text articles are reviewed by two independent reviewers. Methodological quality will be assessed using the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire. We will only consider reviews if they include controlled trials, if the profession that substituted or delegated tasks was a nurse, if the profession of the control was a PCP, if the assessed intervention was the same in the intervention and control group and if the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire score is ≥5. The corrected covered area will be calculated to describe the degree of overlap of studies in the reviews included in the study. We will report the overview according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

The overview of secondary literature does not require the approval of an Ethics Committee and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020183327.

Attrition from longitudinal ageing studies and performance across domains of cognitive functioning: an individual participant data meta-analysis

Por: Hernandez · R. · Jin · H. · Lee · P.-J. · Schneider · S. · Junghaenel · D. U. · Stone · A. A. · Meijer · E. · Gao · H. · Maupin · D. · Zelinski · E. M.
Objectives

This paper examined the magnitude of differences in performance across domains of cognitive functioning between participants who attrited from studies and those who did not, using data from longitudinal ageing studies where multiple cognitive tests were administered.

Design

Individual participant data meta-analysis.

Participants

Data are from 10 epidemiological longitudinal studies on ageing (total n=209 518) from several Western countries (UK, USA, Mexico, etc). Each study had multiple waves of data (range of 2–17 waves), with multiple cognitive tests administered at each wave (range of 4–17 tests). Only waves with cognitive tests and information on participant dropout at the immediate next wave for adults aged 50 years or older were used in the meta-analysis.

Measures

For each pair of consecutive study waves, we compared the difference in cognitive scores (Cohen’s d) between participants who dropped out at the next study wave and those who remained. Note that our operationalisation of dropout was inclusive of all causes (eg, mortality). The proportion of participant dropout at each wave was also computed.

Results

The average proportion of dropouts between consecutive study waves was 0.26 (0.18 to 0.34). People who attrited were found to have significantly lower levels of cognitive functioning in all domains (at the wave 2–3 years before attrition) compared with those who did not attrit, with small-to-medium effect sizes (overall d=0.37 (0.30 to 0.43)).

Conclusions

Older adults who attrited from longitudinal ageing studies had lower cognitive functioning (assessed at the timepoint before attrition) across all domains as compared with individuals who remained. Cognitive functioning differences may contribute to selection bias in longitudinal ageing studies, impeding accurate conclusions in developmental research. In addition, examining the functional capabilities of attriters may be valuable for determining whether attriters experience functional limitations requiring healthcare attention.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect levels of burnout, anxiety and depression among doctors and nurses in Bangladesh? A cross-sectional survey study

Por: Hutchings · H. A. · Rahman · M. · Carter · K. · Islam · S. · O'Neill · C. · Roberts · S. · John · A. · Fegan · G. · Dave · U. · Hawkes · N. · Ahmed · F. · Hasan · M. · Azad · A. K. · Rahman · M. M. · Kibria · M. G. · Rahman · M. M. · Mia · T. · Akhter · M. · Williams · J. G.
Introduction

COVID-19 has caused severe disruption to clinical services in Bangladesh but the extent of this, and the impact on healthcare professionals is unclear. We aimed to assess the perceived levels of anxiety, depression and burnout among doctors and nurses during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We undertook an online survey using RedCap, directed at doctors and nurses across four institutions in Bangladesh (The Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute & Hospital (SRNGIH), Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Mugda Medical College Hospital (MMCH) and M Abdur Rahim Medical College (MARMC) Hospital). We collected information on demographics, awareness of well-being services, COVID-19-related workload, as well as anxiety, depression and burnout using two validated questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

Results

Of the 3000 participants approached, we received responses from 2705 (90.2%). There was a statistically significant difference in anxiety, depression and burnout scores across institutions (p

Conclusion

We identified a high prevalence of perceived anxiety, depression and burnout among doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was worse in staff engaged in COVID-19-related activities. These findings could help healthcare organisations to plan for future similar events.

Efficacy of a digital lifestyle intervention on health-related QUAlity of life in non-small cell LUng CAncer survivors following inpatient rehabilitation: protocol of the QUALUCA Swiss multicentre randomised controlled trial

Por: Weber · M. · Raab · A. M. · Schmitt · K.-U. · Büsching · G. · Marcin · T. · Spielmanns · M. · Puhan · M. A. · Frei · A.
Introduction

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivors suffer from impaired physical and psychological functioning and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that persist after active treatment ends. Sustaining rehabilitation benefits, promoting a healthy lifestyle and facilitating self-management at home require a multifaceted aftercare programme. We aim to investigate the effect of a 12-week digital lifestyle intervention on HRQoL and lifestyle-related outcomes in NSCLC survivors after completion of inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods and analysis

QUAlity of life in LUng CAncer Survivors (QUALUCA) is a multicentre randomised controlled trial that follows a hybrid type 1 design. We randomly allocate participants in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group (digital lifestyle intervention) or the control group (standard care) using block randomisation stratified by tumour stage and study site. Four accredited Swiss inpatient rehabilitation centres recruit participants. Key inclusion criteria are a diagnosis of NSCLC, an estimated life expectancy of ≥6 months and access to a smartphone or tablet. The 12-week intervention comprises physical activity, nutrition and breathing/relaxation, delivered through a mobile application (app). The primary outcome is the change in HRQoL from baseline (1 week after rehabilitation) to follow-up (3 months after baseline), assessed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Secondary outcomes include body mass index, self-reported physical activity, exercise capacity, risk of low protein intake, appetite, psychological distress, cancer-related fatigue, enablement and self-rated health. Explanatory outcomes in the intervention group include app usability, acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention, experiences and satisfaction with the intervention, and app usage data. We aim to enrol 88 participants. For the main statistical analysis, we will use analysis of covariance, adjusted for baseline measures, stratification variables, age and sex.

Ethics and dissemination

The Ethics Committees of the Canton of Zurich (lead), the Canton of Bern and Northwest and Central Switzerland approved the study (2023-00245). We will disseminate study results to researchers, health professionals, study participants and relevant organisations, and through publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05819346.

Prevalence and determinants of antibiotics self-medication among indigenous people of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Por: Mannan · A. · Chakma · K. · Dewan · G. · Saha · A. · Chy · N. U. H. A. · Mehedi · H. M. H. · Hossain · A. · Wnaiza · J. · Ahsan · M. T. · Rana · M. M. · Alam · N.
Objectives

Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) contributes significantly to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), especially in low-income countries including Bangladesh. This study aimed to generate evidence on the self-reported prevalence of antibiotic self-medication and its determinants among indigenous people residing in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) districts.

Design

This study used a cross-sectional design with data collected through a survey using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Setting

This study was conducted from late January to early July 2021; among different indigenous group populations aged 18 years or more olders residing in the three districts of CHT.

Participants

A total of 1336 indigenous people residing in Bangladesh’s CHT districts were included.

Primary outcome and explanatory variables

The primary outcome measure was SMA while explanatory variables were socio-demographic characteristics, health status of participants, and knowledge of antibiotics usage and its side effects.

Results

Among the study participants, more males (60.54%) than females (51.57%) reported using antibiotics. The SMA rate was high among individuals with education levels below secondary (over 50%) and those in the low-income group (55.19%). The most common diseases reported were cough, cold and fever, with azithromycin being the most frequently used antibiotic. Levels of education, family income, having a chronic illness and place of residence were found to be the significant predictors of having good knowledge of antibiotic use as found in the ordered logit model. Findings from a logistic regression model revealed that men had 1.6 times higher odds (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.57; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.19) of SMA than women. Participants with ≥US$893 per month family income had lowest odds (AOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.64) of SMA than those who earned

Conclusion

Male gender, family income, place of residence and knowledge of antibiotics were the significant predictors of antibiotic self-medication. Hence, it is important to streamline awareness-raising campaigns at the community level to mitigate the practice of SMA in indigenous people and ultimately address the devastating effects of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Bangladesh.

Factors associated with changes in walking performance in individuals 3 months after stroke or TIA: secondary analyses from a randomised controlled trial of SMS-delivered training instructions in Sweden

Por: Vahlberg · B. M. · Eriksson · S. · Holmbäck · U. · Lundström · E.
Objectives

This study aimed to identify factors related to changes in walking performance in individuals 3 months after a stroke or TIA.

Design

Cross-sectional study with post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled study.

Setting

University Hospital, Sweden.

Participants

79 individuals, 64 (10) years, 37% women, who were acutely hospitalised because of stroke or TIA between November 2016 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 or above and the major eligibility criterion was the ability to perform the 6 min walking test.

Intervention

The intervention group received standard care plus daily mobile phone text messages (short message service) with instructions to perform regular outdoor walking and functional leg exercises in combination with step counting and training diaries. The control group received standard care.

Outcome measures

Multivariate analysis was performed and age, sex, group allocation, comorbidity, baseline 6 min walk test, body mass index (BMI), cognition and chair-stand tests were entered as possible determinants for changes in the 6 min walk test.

Results

Multiple regression analyses showed that age (standardised beta –0.33, 95% CI –3.8 to –1.05, p

Conclusions

Post hoc regression analyses indicated that younger age, male sex, lower BMI and shorter 6 min walk test at baseline and possible no comorbidity contributed to improvement in walking performance at 3 months in patients with a recent stroke or TIA. These factors may be important when planning secondary prevention actions.

Trial registration number

NCT02902367.

Double burden of malnutrition and associated factors among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: a multilevel multinomial logistic regression analysis

Por: Seifu · B. L. · Mare · K. U. · Legesse · B. T. · Tebeje · T. M.
Background

Globally, malnutrition among women of reproductive age is on the rise and significantly contributing to non-communicable disease, deaths and disability. Even though the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a common problem among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there are limited studies examining the factors contributing to underweight, overweight, and obesity at the SSA level.

Objective

To determine the factors associated with the DBM, and their relative magnitude, among women of reproductive age in SSA.

Design

Cross-sectional study design.

Setting

33 SSA countries.

Participants

240 414 women of reproductive age.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

A multilevel multinomial logistic regression model was applied to identify factors associated with malnutrition. The adjusted relative risk ratio with 95% CI was used to declare the statistical significance of the association.

Results

The pooled prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among women in SSA were 8.87%, 16.47% and 6.10%, respectively. Women who are from rural residence and smoke cigarettes were more likely to be underweight. Conversely, women between the age of 24–34 and 35–49, who have higher education, belong to a middle and rich household, are ever married, have high parity, use contraceptives, have media exposure and smoke cigarettes were more likely to be overweight and/or obese.

Conclusion

The findings of our study suggest that certain factors such as residence, education status, wealth, marital status, occupation, cigarette smoking, and contraceptive use have a significant assocation with malnutrition among women. Therefore, it is important for public health programs aimed at preventing the double burden of malnutrition to focus on these factors through comprehensive public awareness and cost-effective operational health interventions.

Is reduced heart rate variability associated with functional somatic disorders? A cross-sectional population-based study; DanFunD

Por: Jorgensen · T. · Dantoft · T. M. · Petersen · M. W. · Gormsen · L. · Winter-Jensen · M. · Fink · P. · Linneberg · A. · Benros · M. E. · Eplov · L. F. · Bjerregaard · A. A. · Schovsbo · S. U. · Brinth · L. S.
Objectives

It has been hypothesised that functional somatic disorders (FSD) could be initiated by sympathetic predominance in the autonomic nervous system as measured by low heart rate variability (HRV). Earlier studies on the association between HRV and FSD are small case–control studies hampered by selection bias and do not consider the great overlap between the various FSDs. The aim of the present study is to assess any associations between HRV and various FSDs and whether chronic stress confounds such an association.

Design

A cross-sectional general population-based study.

Setting

The Danish Study of Functional Somatic Disorders conducted 2013–2015 in 10 municipalities in the western part of Greater Copenhagen, Denmark.

Participants

A total of 6891 men and women aged 18–72 years were included in the analyses after exclusion of 602 persons with missing HRV data. Various delimitations of FSD (chronic fatigue, chronic widespread pain, irritable bowel and bodily distress syndrome) were identified by validated questionnaires and diagnostic interviews. HRV parameters in time and frequency domains were calculated from successive beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) data using the ‘E-motion’ HR monitor device during 7 min of supine rest. Chronic stress was assessed by Cohen’s self-perceived stress scale.

Outcome measures

Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate possible associations between the various delimitations of FSD and HRV adjusting for chronic stress.

Results

Persons with FSD had a slightly higher mean HR and lower HRV as measured by time domain parameters, whereas associations with frequency domain parameters were not consistent. Adjusting for chronic stress attenuated associations slightly.

Conclusion

The study supports a sympathetic predominance in persons with FSD, which could not be entirely explained by chronic stress. However, it is not possible to conclude whether the association is a causal factor to or a consequence of FSD.

Protocol of a scoping review of outcome domains in dermatology

Por: Nadir · U. · Ahmed · A. · Yi · M. D. · Hisham · F. I. · Dave · L. · Kottner · J. · Ezzedine · K. · Garg · A. · Ingram · J. R. · Jemec · G. B. E. · Spuls · P. I. · Kirkham · J. J. · Cahn · B. · Alam · M.
Introduction

Core outcome sets (COSs) are agreed outcomes (domains (subdomains) and instruments) that should be measured as a minimum in clinical trials or practice in certain diseases or clinical fields. Worldwide, the number of COSs is increasing and there might be conceptual overlaps of domains (subdomains) and instruments within disciplines. The aim of this scoping review is to map and to classify all outcomes identified with COS projects relating to skin diseases.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a scoping review of outcomes of skin disease-related COS initiatives to identify all concepts and their definitions. We will search PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. The search dates will be 1 January 2010 (the point at which Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) was established) to 1 January 2024. We will also review the COMET database and C3 website to identify parts of COSs (domains and/or instruments) that are being developed and published. This review will be supplemented by querying relevant stakeholders from COS organisations, dermatology organisations and patient organisations for additional COSs that were developed. The resulting long lists of outcomes will then be mapped into conceptually similar concepts.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was supported by departmental research funds from the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University. An ethics committee review was waived since this protocol was done by staff researchers with no involvement of patient care. Conflicts of interests, if any, will be addressed by replacing participants with relevant conflicts or reassigning them. The results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals, social media posts and promotion by COS organisations.

Excess winter mortality in Finland, 1971-2019: a register-based study on long-term trends and effect modification by sociodemographic characteristics and pre-existing health conditions

Por: Suulamo · U. · Remes · H. · Tarkiainen · L. · Murphy · M. · Martikainen · P.
Objectives

Excess winter mortality is a well-established phenomenon across the developed world. However, whether individual-level factors increase vulnerability to the effects of winter remains inadequately examined. Our aim was to assess long-term trends in excess winter mortality in Finland and estimate the modifying effect of sociodemographic and health characteristics on the risk of winter death.

Design

Nationwide register study.

Setting

Finland.

Participants

Population aged 60 years and over, resident in Finland, 1971–2019.

Outcome measures

Age-adjusted winter and non-winter death rates, and winter-to-non-winter rate ratios and relative risks (multiplicative interaction effects between winter and modifying characteristics).

Results

We found a decreasing trend in the relative winter excess mortality over five decades and a drop in the series around 2000. During 2000–2019, winter mortality rates for men and women were 11% and 14% higher than expected based on non-winter rates. The relative risk of winter death increased with age but did not vary by income. Compared with those living with at least one other person, individuals in institutions had a higher relative risk (1.07, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.08). Most pre-existing health conditions did not predict winter death, but persons with dementia emerged at greater relative risk (1.06, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.07).

Conclusions

Although winter mortality seems to affect frail people more strongly—those of advanced age, living in institutions and with dementia—there is an increased risk even beyond the more vulnerable groups. Protection of high-risk groups should be complemented with population-level preventive measures.

Measuring patients experience of nursing quality in acute hospitals: review of existing scales and development and psychometric validation of a new scale

Por: Blume · K. S. · Kirchner-Heklau · U. · Winter · V. · Meyer · G. · Fleischer · S.
Objective

To provide an overview of existing instruments measuring patient-perceived quality of nursing care and to develop and psychometrically evaluate a new multidimensional scale applicable to the German acute care sector.

Design

We conducted a scale development and validation study involving the following phases: (1) performing a structured literature search to identify existing scales, (2) generating an initial pool of items using the results of the literature search and expert interviews, (3) coding/categorising the item pool, (4) organising a peer researcher workshop to select relevant items, (5) drafting the survey questionnaire and conducting cognitive pretesting, (6) pilot testing the survey questionnaire, (7) administering the survey to a large sample of hospital patients and (8) conducting a psychometric evaluation comprising exploratory factor analysis using the survey results, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and validity assessment of the resulting draft scale.

Survey participants

17 859 recently hospitalised patients discharged from non-intensive care in non-paediatric and non-psychiatric hospital units in Germany between May and October 2019.

Results

We identified 32 instruments comprising 635 items on nursing care quality. Alongside 135 indicators derived from expert interviews, these formed our initial item pool, which we coded into 15 categories. From this pool, 36 items were selected in the peer researcher workshop for pretesting and psychometric evaluation. Based on the results of our exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we propose a second-order scale to measure Patients’ Experience of Nursing Quality in Acute Hospitals (PENQuAH), including the two higher-order dimensions ‘patients’ perception of direct nursing care activities’ and ‘patients’ perception of guidance provided by nurses’. The results of various tests suggest the scale has sufficient goodness of fit, reliability and validity.

Conclusions

The PENQuAH scale is promising in terms of its psychometric properties, the plausibility and meaningfulness of its dimensions, and its ease of use.

Caregivers with limited language proficiency and their satisfaction with paediatric emergency care related to the use of professional interpreters: a mixed methods study

Por: Gmünder · M. · Gessler · N. · Buser · S. · Feuz · U. · Fayyaz · J. · Jachmann · A. · Keitel · K. · Brandenberger · J.
Objectives

Communication is a main challenge in migrant health and essential for patient safety. The aim of this study was to describe the satisfaction of caregivers with limited language proficiency (LLP) with care related to the use of interpreters and to explore underlying and interacting factors influencing satisfaction and self-advocacy.

Design

A mixed-methods study.

Setting

Paediatric emergency department (PED) at a tertiary care hospital in Bern, Switzerland.

Participants and methods

Caregivers visiting the PED were systematically screened for their language proficiency. Semistructured interviews were conducted with all LLP-caregivers agreeing to participate and their administrative data were extracted.

Results

The study included 181 caregivers, 14 of whom received professional language interpretation. Caregivers who were assisted by professional interpretation services were more satisfied than those without (5.5 (SD)±1.4 vs 4.8 (SD)±1.6). Satisfaction was influenced by five main factors (relationship with health workers, patient management, alignment of health concepts, personal expectations, health outcome of the patient) which were modulated by communication. Of all LLP-caregivers without professional interpretation, 44.9% were satisfied with communication due to low expectations regarding the quality of communication, unawareness of the availability of professional interpretation and overestimation of own language skills, resulting in low self-advocacy.

Conclusion

The use of professional interpreters had a positive impact on the overall satisfaction of LLP-caregivers with emergency care. LLP-caregivers were not well—positioned to advocate for language interpretation. Healthcare providers must be aware of their responsibility to guarantee good-quality communication to ensure equitable quality of care and patient safety.

Caregiving in the COVID‐19 pandemic: Family adaptations following an intensive care unit hospitalisation

Abstract

Aim and Objective

To identify how family caregivers adapt to the caregiving role following a relative's COVID-19-related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalisation.

Background

Family caregiving is often associated with poor health amongst caregivers which may limit their capacity to effectively support patients. Though severe COVID-19 infection has necessitated increasing numbers of persons who require caregiver support, little is known about these caregivers, the persons they are caring for, or the strategies used to effectively adjust to the caregiving role.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study design was adopted, and findings are reported using COREQ.

Methods

A secondary analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews conducted with recently discharged ICU patients who had COVID-19 (n = 16) and their family caregivers (n = 16) was completed using thematic analysis. MAXQDA 2020 and Miro were used to organise data and complete coding. Analysis involved a structured process of open and closed coding to identify and confirm themes that elucidated adaptation to family caregiving.

Results

Six themes highlight how family caregivers adapt to the caregiving role following an ICU COVID-19-related hospitalisation including (1) engaging the support of family and friends, (2) increased responsibilities to accommodate caregiving, (3) managing emotions, (4) managing infection control, (5) addressing patient independence and (6) engaging support services. These themes were found to be congruent with the Roy adaptation model.

Conclusions

Family caregiving is a stressful transition following a patient's acute hospitalisation. Effective adaptation requires flexibility and sufficient support, beginning with the care team who can adequately prepare the family for the anticipated challenges of recovery.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Clinical teams may improve post-hospitalisation care outcomes of patients by preparing families to effectively adjust to the caregiver role—particularly in identifying sufficient support resources.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participation of patients/caregivers in this study was limited to the data provided through participant interviews.

Where are the inequalities in colorectal cancer care in a country with universal healthcare? A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Por: Pickwell-Smith · B. A. · Spencer · K. · Sadeghi · M. H. · Greenley · S. · Lind · M. · Macleod · U.
Objective

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer living in more deprived areas experience worse survival than those in more affluent areas. Those living in more deprived areas face barriers to accessing timely, quality healthcare. These barriers may contribute to socioeconomic inequalities in survival. We evaluated the literature for any association between socioeconomic group, hospital delay and treatments received among patients with colorectal cancer in the UK, a country with universal healthcare.

Design

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, SCIE, AMED and PsycINFO were searched from inception to January 2023. Grey literature, including HMIC, BASE and Google Advanced Search, and forward and backward citation searches were conducted. Two reviewers independently reviewed titles, abstracts and full-text articles. Observational UK-based studies were included if they reported socioeconomic measures and an association with either hospital delay or treatments received. The QUIPS tool assessed bias risk, and a narrative synthesis was conducted. The review is reported to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020.

Results

41 of the 7209 identified references were included. 12 studies evaluated 7 different hospital intervals. There was a significant association between area-level deprivation and a longer time from first presentation in primary care to diagnosis. 32 studies evaluated treatments received. There were socioeconomic inequalities in surgery and chemotherapy but not radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Patients with colorectal cancer face inequalities across the cancer care continuum. Further research is needed to understand why and what evidence-based actions can reduce these inequalities in treatment. Qualitative research of patients and clinicians conducted across various settings would provide a rich understanding of the complex factors that drive these inequalities. Further research should also consider using a causal approach to future studies to considerably strengthen the interpretation. Clinicians can try and mitigate some potential causes of colorectal cancer inequalities, including signposting to financial advice and patient transport schemes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022347652.

Distribution of intranasal naloxone to potential opioid overdose bystanders in Sweden: effects on overdose mortality in a full region-wide study

Por: Hakansson · A. · Alanko Blome · M. · Isendahl · P. · Landgren · M. · Malmqvist · U. · Troberg · K.
Objectives

Distribution of take-home naloxone is suggested to reduce opioid-related fatalities, but few studies have examined the effects on overdose deaths in the general population of an entire community. This study aimed to assess the effects on overdose deaths of a large-scale take-home naloxone programme starting in June 2018, using an observational design with a historic control period.

Design

From the national causes of death register, deaths diagnosed as X42 or Y12 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, ICD-10) were registered as overdoses. Numbers of overdoses were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants in the general population, and controlled for data including only individuals with a prior substance use disorder in national patient registers, to focus on effects within the primary target population of the programme. The full intervention period (2019–2021) was compared with a historic control period (2013–2017).

Setting

Skåne county, Sweden.

Participants

General population.

Interventions

Large-scale take-home naloxone distribution to individuals at risk of overdose.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Decrease in overdose deaths per 100 000 inhabitants, in total and within the population with substance use disorder diagnosis.

Results

Annual average number of overdose deaths decreased significantly from 3.9 to 2.8 per 100 000 inhabitants from the control period to the intervention period (a significant decrease in men, from 6.7 to 4.3, but not in women, from 1.2 to 1.3). Significant changes remained when examining only prior substance use disorder patients, and decreases in overdose deaths could not be attributed to a change in treatment needs for opioid use disorders in healthcare and social services.

Conclusions

The present study, involving 3 years of take-home naloxone distribution, demonstrated a decreased overdose mortality in the population, however, only in men. The findings call for further implementation of naloxone programmes, and for further studies of potential effects and barriers in women.

Trial registration number

NCT03570099.

Five-year cross-sectional study to determine the burden of Candida spp. infections of the urinary tract system among patients attending tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania

Por: Konje · E. T. · Kizenga · O. · Charco · N. J. · Kibwana · U. O. · Shango · N. · Tarimo · F. · Mushi · M. F.
Objective

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) stand as a prominent global health concern. This study entails a 5-year retrospective analysis, using a cross-sectional study design to examine microbiology laboratory data of individuals clinically diagnosed with UTIs at Bugando Medical Centre to gain insights into the prevalence and factors linked to candiduria.

Methodology

Data extracted were meticulously cleaned and coded in an MS Excel sheet, subsequently transferred to STATA V.15 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with candiduria. A probability value below 0.05 at a 95% CI was considered statistically significant.

Results

Urine samples for culture and sensitivity comprised 33.4% (20755) of the total biological samples (62335). The median age of the patients stood at 19 years. A slight majority were female, accounting for 52.8% (10051), and two-thirds sought treatment at outpatient departments (67.5%, 12843). Among patients with significant pathogenic growth, the prevalence of candiduria was 4.6% (221 out of 4772). Notably, inpatients exhibited a higher incidence of candiduria compared with outpatients, with rates of 9.4% (1882) versus 1.6% (2890), p value of 0.000. Non-albicans Candida spp. (NAC) remained the most prevalent pathogen. Factors significantly associated with candiduria included being female (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3) and hospital admission (OR=6.6, 95% CI 4.7 to 9.2). In conclusion, candiduria affect 5 out of every 100 UTI-diagnosed patients, predominantly among females and those admitted to the hospital. Clinicians at tertiary hospitals should consider urinary candidiasis as a potential diagnosis for patients at risk who present with UTI-like symptoms.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among healthcare workers in Katsina state: a cross-sectional study in Northwest Nigeria

Por: Abubakar · A. T. · Suleiman · K. · Ahmad · S. I. · Yahaya · S. S. · Bello · U. I. · Suleiman · B. A. · Haladu · S. A. · Al-Mustapha · A. I. · Abubakar · M. I.
Objectives

Healthcare workers were prioritised to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. Administration of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria was challenging because of a lack of trust in vaccine safety and vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers, who are expected to provide reliable information about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases in the communities. Hence, their acceptance and attitudes towards COVID-19 preventive practices could influence the acceptance of the vaccine by the local population. This cross-sectional study assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Katsina State. We predicted the variables that increased the vaccine acceptance using logistic regression analysis.

Setting

This hospital-based study was conducted at primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Nigeria.

Participants

A total of 793 healthcare workers were included in this study. Of these, 65.4% (n=519) were male.

Outcome measures

To assess acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine measures, and factors increasing acceptance among healthcare workers.

Results

Of the healthcare workers, 80% (638) were tested for the SARS-CoV-2, of whom 10.8% (n=65) tested positive. Approximately 97% (n=765) of them believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was safe, and 90% (n=714) received the first dose of the vaccine. Healthcare workers between 30 and 39 years were more likely to accept the vaccine (aOR: 7.06; 95% CI 2.36 to 21.07; p

Conclusions

Our findings showed that the age and prior COVID-19 testing were the main factors influencing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. There was high acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Katsina State, Nigeria. Future studies should focus on the completion of doses and serological testing for immunity.

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