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Digital Literacy and Associated Factors in Older Adults Living in Urban South Korea: A Qualitative Study

imageThis study aimed to explore digital literacy among community-dwelling older adults in urban South Korea. A semistructured interview guide was developed using the Digital Competence ( 2.0 framework, which emphasizes the competencies for full digital participation in five categories: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, content creation, safety, and problem-solving. The data were analyzed using combined inductive and deductive content analysis. Inductive analysis identified three main categories: perceived ability to use digital technology, responses to digital technology, and contextual factors. In the results of deductive analysis, participants reported varying abilities in using digital technologies for information and data literacy, communication or collaboration, and problem-solving. However, their abilities were limited in handling the safety or security of digital technology and lacked in creating digital content. Responses to digital technology contain subcategories of perception (positive or negative) and behavior (trying or avoidance). Regarding contextual factors, aging-related physical and cognitive changes were identified as barriers to digital literacy. The influence of families or peers was viewed as both a facilitator and a barrier. Our participants recognized the importance of using digital devices to keep up with the trend of digitalization, but their digital literacy was mostly limited to relatively simple levels.

Network visualization to interpret which healthcare services are central to people living with HIV

Abstract

Aim

To employ network analysis to identify the central healthcare service needs of people living with HIV (PLWH) for integrated care.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

A list of healthcare services was identified through literature reviews, expert workshops and validity evaluations by PLWH. A total of 243 PLWH participated at five hospitals and self-reported their need for healthcare services on a four-point Likert scale. Centrality of healthcare service needs was analysed using network analysis.

Results

The mean score for 20 healthcare service needs was 3.53 out of 4. The highest scoring need, “Precaution for interaction between antiretroviral therapy and other drugs,” received a rating of 3.73 but had a centrality of only 0.31. The most central node in the network of healthcare service needs, “Information and coping with opportunistic infections,” had a strength centrality of 1.63 and showed significant relationships with “non-HIV-related medical services (e.g., health check-ups)” and “Regular dental services.” The correlation stability coefficient, which quantifies the stability of centrality, was 0.44 with an acceptable value.

Conclusions

The most central need was information on opportunistic infections that had connections with many nodes in network analysis. By interpreting the relationships between needs, healthcare providers can design interventions with an integrative perspective.

Implications for Patient Care

Network visualization provides dynamic relationships between needs that are unknown from the score scale by presenting them graphically and qualitatively.

Impact

Using network analysis to interpret need assessment offers an integrated nursing perspective. Coping with opportunistic infection is central to connecting the chain of healthcare. This study highlights the multifaceted understanding of patients' needs that nurses gain when they conduct network analysis.

Reporting Method

We adhered to the STROBE checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Potential efficacy of caffeine ingestion on balance and mobility in patients with multiple sclerosis: Preliminary evidence from a single-arm pilot clinical trial

by Afsoon Dadvar, Melika Jameie, Mehdi Azizmohammad Looha, Mohammadamin Parsaei, Meysam Zeynali Bujani, Mobina Amanollahi, Mahsa Babaei, Alireza Khosravi, Hamed Amirifard

Objectives

Caffeine’s potential benefits on multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as on the ambulatory performance of non-MS populations, prompted us to evaluate its potential effects on balance, mobility, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) of persons with MS (PwMS).

Methods

This single-arm pilot clinical trial consisted of a 2-week placebo run-in and a 12-week caffeine treatment (200 mg/day) stage. The changes in outcome measures during the study period (weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12) were evaluated using the Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE). The outcome measures were the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) for self-reported ambulatory disability, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for static and dynamic balance, Timed Up and Go (TUG) for dynamic balance and functional mobility, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) for patient’s perspective on MS-related QoL (MS-QoL), and Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC) for subjective assessment of treatment efficacy. GEE was also used to evaluate age and sex effect on the outcome measures over time. (Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2017012332142N1).

Results

Thirty PwMS were included (age: 38.89 ± 9.85, female: 76.7%). Daily caffeine consumption significantly improved the objective measures of balance and functional mobility (BBS; P-value Conclusions

Caffeine may enhance balance, functional mobility, and QoL in PwMS. Being male was associated with a sharper increase in self-reported ambulatory disability over time. The effects of aging on balance get more pronounced over time.

Trial registration

This study was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registration number: IRCT2017012332142N1), a Primary Registry in the WHO Registry Network.

Elevated prevalence and treatment of sleep disorders from 2011 to 2020: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study in Korea

Por: Ahn · E. · Baek · Y. · Park · J.-E. · Lee · S. · Jin · H.-J.
Objectives

This study used National Health Insurance claims data from Korea to report the prevalence of sleep disorders and treatment status, including traditional Korean medicine, in the last 10 years.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study in Korea. All diagnosis and prescription data, including herbal medicine claims, from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2011 to 2020 were reviewed. Prevalence estimation, direct medical expenses and prescribed amounts for sleep disorders were recorded.

Results

The prevalence of sleep disorders increased from 3 867 975 (7.62%) in 2011 to 7 446 846 (14.41%) in 2020, nearly doubling over 10 years. Insomnia was observed in 91.44% (n=9 011 692) of the patients. The mean number of hospital visits per patient for sleep disorders was 11.5 (±26.62). Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed medications for sleep disorders, and gamma-isoyosan is the most frequently prescribed herbal medicine.

Conclusions

Sleep disorders are continuously increasing, as is the use of medical services—personal and social medical expenses are also increasing accordingly. Sleep disorders should be recognised as a significant health problem that needs to be actively addressed to improve quality of life.

Protocol of a 12-week eHealth programme designed to reduce concerns about falling in community-living older people: Own Your Balance randomised controlled trial

Por: Lim · M. L. · Perram · A. · Radford · K. · Close · J. · Draper · B. · Lord · S. R. · Anstey · K. J. · O'Dea · B. · Ambrens · M. · Hill · T.-Y. · Brown · A. · Miles · L. · Ngo · M. · Letton · M. · van Schooten · K. S. · Delbaere · K.
Introduction

Concerns about falling (CaF) are common in older people and have been associated with avoidance of activities of daily life. Exercise designed to prevent falls can reduce CaF, but the effects are usually short-lived. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can reduce CaF for longer but is not readily available in the community and unlikely to prevent falls. A multidomain intervention that combines CBT, motivational interviewing and exercise could be the long-term solution to treat CaF and reduce falls in older people with CaF. This paper describes the design of a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of two different 12 week self-managed eHealth programmes to reduce CaF compared with an active control.

Methods

A total of 246 participants (82 per group) aged 65 and over, with substantial concerns about falls or balance will be recruited from the community. They will be randomised into: (1) myCompass-Own Your Balance (OYB) (online CBT programme) intervention or (2) myCompass-OYB plus StandingTall intervention (an eHealth balance exercise programme), both including motivational interviewing and online health education or (3) an active control group (online health education alone). The primary outcome is change in CaF over 12 months from baseline of both intervention groups compared with control. The secondary outcomes at 2, 6 and 12 months include balance confidence, physical activity, habitual daily activity, enjoyment of physical activity, social activity, exercise self-efficacy, rate of falls, falls health literacy, mood, psychological well-being, quality of life, exercise self-efficacy, programme adherence, healthcare use, user experience and attitudes towards the programme. An intention-to-treat analysis will be applied. The healthcare funder’s perspective will be adopted for the economic evaluation if appropriate.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (2019/ETH12840). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals, local and international conferences, community events and media releases.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12621000440820.

Persons diagnosed with COVID-19 in England in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD): a cohort description

Por: Andersen · K. M. · McGrath · L. J. · Reimbaeva · M. · Mendes · D. · Nguyen · J. L. · Rai · K. K. · Tritton · T. · Tsang · C. · Malhotra · D. · Yang · J.
Objective

To create case definitions for confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses, COVID-19 vaccination status and three separate definitions of high risk of severe COVID-19, as well as to assess whether the implementation of these definitions in a cohort reflected the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 epidemiology in England.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Electronic healthcare records from primary care (Clinical Practice Research Datalink, CPRD) linked to secondary care data (Hospital Episode Statistics) data covering 24% of the population in England.

Participants

2 271 072 persons aged 1 year and older diagnosed with COVID-19 in CPRD Aurum between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2022.

Main outcome measures

Age, sex and regional distribution of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 vaccine doses received prior to diagnosis were assessed separately for the cohorts of cases identified in primary care and those hospitalised for COVID-19 (primary diagnosis code of ICD-10 U07.1 ‘COVID-19’). Smoking status, body mass index and Charlson Comorbidity Index were compared for the two cohorts, as well as for three separate definitions of high risk of severe disease used in the UK (National Health Service Highest Risk, PANORAMIC trial eligibility, UK Health Security Agency Clinical Risk prioritisation for vaccination).

Results

Compared with national estimates, CPRD case estimates under-represented older adults in both the primary care (age 65–84: 6% in CPRD vs 9% nationally) and hospitalised (31% vs 40%) cohorts, and over-represented people living in regions with the highest median wealth areas of England (20% primary care and 20% hospital admitted cases in South East vs 15% nationally). The majority of non-hospitalised cases and all hospitalised cases had not completed primary series vaccination. In primary care, persons meeting high-risk definitions were older, more often smokers, overweight or obese, and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score.

Conclusions

CPRD primary care data are a robust real-world data source and can be used for some COVID-19 research questions, however, limitations of the data availability should be carefully considered. Included in this publication are supplemental files for a total of over 28 000 codes to define each of three definitions of high risk of severe disease.

Symptoms and management of long COVID: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim

This scoping review aims to describe published work on the symptoms and management of long COVID conditions.

Background

Symptoms and management of COVID-19 have focused on the acute stage. However, long-term consequences have also been observed.

Methods

A scoping review was performed based on the framework suggested by Arksey and O’Malley. We conducted a literature search to retrieve articles published from May 2020 to March 2021 in CINHAL, Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed and Web of science, including backward and forward citation tracking from the included articles. Among the 1880 articles retrieved, 34 articles met our criteria for review: 21 were related to symptom presentation and 13 to the management of long COVID.

Results

Long COVID symptoms were described in 21 articles. Following COVID-19 treatment, hospitalised patients most frequently reported dyspnoea, followed by anosmia/ageusia, fatigue and cough, while non-hospitalised patients commonly reported cough, followed by fever and myalgia/arthralgia. Thirteen studies described management for long COVID: Focused on a multidisciplinary approach in seven articles, pulmonary rehabilitation in three articles, fatigue management in two articles and psychological therapy in one study.

Conclusion

People experience varied COVID-19 symptoms after treatment. However, guidelines on evidence-based, multidisciplinary management for long COVID conditions are limited in the literature. The COVID-19 pandemic may extend due to virus mutations; therefore, it is crucial to develop and disseminate evidence-based, multidisciplinary management guidelines.

Relevance to clinical practice

A rehabilitation care plan and community healthcare plans are necessary for COVID-19 patients before discharge. Remote programmes could facilitate the monitoring and screening of people with long COVID.

Detection of CTLA-4 level and humeral immune response after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in certain Iraqi provinces participants

by Laith A. I. K. Al-Kaif, Hussain Al-Ameri, Wael Rasheed Obaead Alfatlawi, Ammar Eesa Mahdi, Younis A. K. Al-Khafaji, Mohammad Abd-Kadhum Al-Saadi, Alaa H. Al-Charrakh, Raheem T. Al-Mammori, Mohammed Ahmed Akkaif

Background

Evaluating immune responses following COVID-19 vaccination is paramount to understanding vaccine effectiveness and optimizing public health interventions. This study seeks to elucidate individuals’ immune status after administering a second dose of diverse COVID-19 vaccines. By analyzing immune responses through serological markers, we aim to contribute valuable insights into the uniformity of vaccine performance.

Methods

A total of 80 participants were enrolled in this study, with demographic and COVID-19 infection-related data collected for categorization. Serum samples were acquired within a specified timeframe, and SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG rapid tests were conducted. Moreover, CTLA-4 levels were measured through ELISA assays, allowing us to assess the immune responses comprehensively. The participants were divided into eight groups based on various factors, facilitating a multifaceted analysis.

Results

The outcomes of our investigation demonstrated consistent immune responses across the diverse types of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Iraq. Statistical analysis revealed no significant distinctions among the vaccine categories. In contrast, significant differences were observed in CTLA-4 among the control group (non-infected/non-vaccinated, infected/non-vaccinated) and infected/Pfizer, non-infected/Pfizer, and infected/Sinopharm, non-infected/sinopharm (P = 0.001, Conclusions

In conclusion, our study’s results underscore the lack of discriminatory variations between different COVID-19 vaccine types utilized in Iraq. The uniform immune responses observed signify the equitable efficacy and performance of these vaccines. Despite minor quantitative discrepancies, these variations do not hold statistical significance, reaffirming the notion that the various vaccines serve a similar purpose in conferring protection against COVID-19.

Healthcare resource utilisation and costs of hospitalisation and primary care among adults with COVID-19 in England: a population-based cohort study

Por: Yang · J. · Andersen · K. M. · Rai · K. K. · Tritton · T. · Mugwagwa · T. · Reimbaeva · M. · Tsang · C. · McGrath · L. J. · Payne · P. · Backhouse · B. E. · Mendes · D. · Butfield · R. · Naicker · K. · Araghi · M. · Wood · R. · Nguyen · J. L.
Objectives

To quantify direct costs and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) associated with acute COVID-19 in adults in England.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort study using Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum primary care electronic medical records linked to Hospital Episode Statistics secondary care administrative data.

Setting

Patients registered to primary care practices in England.

Population

1 706 368 adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or antigen test from August 2020 to January 2022 were included; 13 105 within the hospitalised cohort indexed between August 2020 and March 2021, and 1 693 263 within the primary care cohort indexed between August 2020 and January 2022. Patients with a COVID-19-related hospitalisation within 84 days of a positive test were included in the hospitalised cohort.

Main outcome measures

Primary and secondary care HCRU and associated costs ≤4 weeks following positive COVID-19 test, stratified by age group, risk of severe COVID-19 and immunocompromised status.

Results

Among the hospitalised cohort, average length of stay, including critical care stays, was longer in older adults. Median healthcare cost per hospitalisation was higher in those aged 75–84 (£8942) and ≥85 years (£8835) than in those aged

Conclusions

COVID-19-related hospitalisations in older adults, particularly critical care stays, were the primary drivers of high COVID-19 resource use in England. These findings may inform health policy decisions and resource allocation in the prevention and management of COVID-19.

Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist: an international consensus-based tool to develop, compare and evaluate self-management support programmes

Por: Moreels · T. · Cruyt · E. · De Baets · S. · Andries · L. · Arts-Tielemans · M. · Rodriguez-Bailon · M. · Bergström · A. · Boete · K. · Bormans · I. · Costa · U. · Declercq · H. · Dekelver · S. · Dekyvere · V. · Delooz · E. · Engels · C. · Helderweirt · S. · Jarrey · M. · Lenaerts · A.
Objectives

The Self-Management Analysis in Chronic Conditions (SMACC) checklist was developed as a guidance tool to support the development, comparison and evaluation of self-management support programmes for persons with a chronic condition. The checklist was based on a previously performed concept analysis of self-management. The aim of this study was to validate its content using an international Delphi study and to deliver a final version.

Design

A two-round Delphi study was conducted between October 2022 and January 2023. Using the researchers’ networks, professionals with research or clinical expertise in self-management support and chronic conditions were recruited via online purposive snowball sampling. Participants were asked to score each item of the checklist (16 items total) on 3 content validity indicators: (1) clarity and comprehensibility, (2) relevance and importance and (3) degree of alignment with the overall goal of the checklist to promote adequate and comprehensive self-management support programmes. A consensus threshold of 75% agreement was used. The participants were also asked general questions about the checklist as a whole and were asked to provide feedback considering its refinement.

Results

Fifty-four professionals with an average 14.5 years of experience participated in round 1, 48 with an average 12.5 years of experience participated in round 2. The majority of professionals were from Western Europe. For the majority of items consensus was reached after round 1. In round 2, 3 of the 4 remaining items reached consensus, 1 last item was retained based on highly recurring feedback.

Conclusions

The SMACC checklist was considered a valid and comprehensive tool to aid the development, evaluation and comparison of self-management support programmes. It was acknowledged as a useful instrument to supplement existing frameworks and was seen as feasible to implement in both research and clinical settings. Further validation in the field, with input from patients and peer experts, will be valuable.

Characteristics and effectiveness of mentoring programmes for specialized and advanced practice nurses: A systematic review

Abstract

Aims

(1) To identify, evaluate and summarize evidence about the objectives and characteristics of mentoring programmes for specialized nurses (SNs) or nurse navigators (NNs) and advanced practice nurses (APNs) and (2) to identify the effectiveness of these programmes.

Design

A systematic review based on PRISMA guidelines.

Data Sources

From November 2022 until 7 December 2022, four databases were searched: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

Study selection was performed independently by two researchers. Disagreements were discussed until consensus was reached. Data extraction was undertaken for included studies. Data synthesis was conducted using narrative analysis. Quality appraisal was performed using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results

Twelve articles were included, all of which focused on mentoring programmes for APNs. Different forms of mentorship (e.g. (in)formal mentorship, work shadowing, workshops) were reported. Studies reported positive outcomes on job retention (n = 5), job satisfaction (n = 6), skills improvement (n = 7), satisfaction with the programme (n = 7) and confidence improvement (n = 4) among participants of mentoring programmes.

Conclusion

There is a lack of uniformity and consistency in various elements of mentoring programmes. Further research is needed to develop mentoring programmes for both APNs and SNs/NNs in a systematic and theoretically underpinned manner. It is necessary to establish a thorough evaluation methodology, preferably using a mixed methods design that includes both a qualitative process evaluation and a comprehensive outcome evaluation using validated questionnaires, taking into account the NN/APN, the interprofessional team and organizational level.

Impact

The synthesis of evidence may be useful to organizations developing and implementing mentoring programmes for both SN/NN and APN. The development of a mentoring programme for nursing experts should be considered a complex intervention that requires theoretical frameworks and contextual considerations.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Not applicable, as no patients or public were involved.

Potential drug-drug interaction and its determinants among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in oncology centres of Northwest Ethiopia: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

Por: Wondm · S. A. · Tamene · F. B. · Gubae · K. · Dagnew · S. B. · Worku · A. A. · Belachew · E. A.
Objective

The study was conducted to assess potential drug–drug interactions (PDDIs) and its determinants among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Design and setting

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was used. This study was conducted from 1 June 2021 to 15 December 2021, in Northwest Ethiopia oncology centres.

Participants

All eligible patients with cancer received a combination of chemotherapy.

Outcomes

The prevalence and severity of PDDIs were evaluated using three drug interaction databases. Characteristics of participants were presented, arranged and summarised using descriptive statistics. The predictors and outcome variables were examined using logistic regression. The cut-off point was a p value of 0.05.

Results

Of 422 patients included in the study, 304 patients were exposed to at least one PDDI with a prevalence of 72.1% (95 % CI: 68% to 76%) using three drug interaction databases. There were varied reports of the severity of PDDI among databases, but the test agreement using the kappa index was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.52 to 0.62, p=0.0001) which is interpreted as a moderate agreement among three databases. Patients aged ≥50 years old had the risk to be exposed to PDDI by odds of 3.1 times (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.1, 95% CI (1.8 to 5.3); p=0.001) as compared with patients

Conclusion

The main finding of this study is the high prevalence of PDDI, signifying the need for strict patient monitoring for PDDIs among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. We suggest the use of at least three drug databases for quality screening. Patients with an age ≥50 years old, polypharmacy and comorbidity were significantly associated with PDDIs. The establishment of oncology clinical pharmacists and computerised reminder mechanisms for PDDIs through drug utilisation review is suggested.

Efficacy of topical atorvastatin‐loaded emulgel and nano‐emulgel 1% on post‐laparotomy pain and wound healing: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Abstract

This study aimed to develop atorvastatin-loaded emulgel and nano-emulgel dosage forms and investigate their efficiency on surgical wound healing and reducing post-operative pain. This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in a surgical ward of a tertiary care hospital affiliated with university of medical sciences. The eligible patients were adults aged 18 years or older who were undergoing laparotomy. The participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three following groups of atorvastatin-loaded emulgel 1% (n = 20), atorvastatin-loaded nano-emulgel 1% (n = 20), and placebo emulgel (n = 20) twice a day for 14 days. The primary outcome was the Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scores to determine the rate of wound healing. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and quality of life were the secondary outcomes of this study. A total of 241 patients assessed for eligibility; of them, 60 patients completed the study and considered for final evaluation. A significant decrease in REEDA score was observed on Days 7 (63%) and 14 (93%) of treatment with atorvastatin nano-emulgel (p-value < 0.001). A significant decrease of 57% and 89% in REEDA score was reported at Days 7 and 14, respectively, in atorvastatin the emulgel group (p-value < 0.001). Reduction in pain VAS in the atorvastatin nano-emulgel was also recorded at Days 7 and 14 of the intervention. The results of the present study suggested that both topical atorvastatin-loaded emulgel and nano-emulgel 1% were effective in acceleration of wound healing and alleviation of pain of laparotomy surgical wounds, without causing intolerable side effects.

Prevention of psychosocial distress consequences in somatic hospital inpatients via a stepped and collaborative care model: protocol of SomPsyNet, a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial

Por: Meinlschmidt · G. · Frick · A. · Baenteli · I. · Karpf · C. · Studer · A. · Bachmann · M. · Dörner · A. · Tschudin · S. · Trost · S. · Wyss · K. · Fink · G. · Schwenkglenks · M. · Caviezel · S. · Rocco · T. · Schaefert · R. · The SomPsyNet consortium · Aebi · Bachmann · Caviezel · Baen
Introduction

Approximately 30% of somatic hospital inpatients experience psychosocial distress, contributing to increased (re-)hospitalisation rates, treatment resistance, morbidity, and direct and indirect costs. However, such distress often remains unrecognised and unaddressed. We established ‘SomPsyNet’, a ‘stepped and collaborative care model’ (SCCM) for somatic hospital inpatients, aiming at alleviating this issue through early identification of distress and provision of appropriate care, providing problem-focused pathways and strengthening collaborative care. We report the protocol of the ‘SomPsyNet’ study, aiming to evaluate implementation and impact of the SCCM on distressed patients’ health-related quality of life. Secondary objectives include assessing efficacy of the screening procedures, influence of SCCM on other health outcomes and associated costs.

Methods and analysis

Our stepped wedge cluster randomised trial conducted at three tertiary hospitals comprises three conditions: treatment as usual (TAU) without screening for distress (phase 0), TAU with screening but without consequences (phase I, main comparator) and TAU with screening and psychosomatic-psychiatric consultations for those distressed (phase II). The time-of-transition between phases I and II was randomised. Sample size target is N=2200–2500 participants, with 6 month follow-up for distressed (anticipated n=640–700) and a subsample of non-distressed (anticipated n=200) patients. Primary outcome is mental health-related quality of life (SF-36 ‘Mental Health Component Summary score’); secondary outcomes include psychosocial distress, anxiety, depressive and somatic symptoms, symptom burden and distress, resilience, social support and qualitative of life, assessed by internationally accepted instruments, with good psychometric properties. Further, health claims data will be used to assess SCCM’s impact on direct and indirect costs.

Ethics and dissemination

SomPsyNet adheres to the Helsinki Declaration and is approved by the ‘Ethikkommission Nordwest- und Zentralschweiz’ (2019–01724). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and communicated to participants, healthcare professionals and the public.

Trial registration number

Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal; ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04269005, updated 19.09.2023).

Altered serum TNF-α and MCP-4 levels are associated with the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder: A case-control study results

by Jannatul Nayem, Rapty Sarker, A. S. M. Roknuzzaman, M. M. A. Shalahuddin Qusar, Sheikh Zahir Raihan, Md. Rabiul Islam, Zobaer Al Mahmud

Background

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental health condition with complex etiology, and recent research has focused on pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as potential contributors to its pathogenesis. However, studies investigating the roles of TNF-α and MCP-4 in MDD within the Bangladeshi population are scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between serum TNF-α and MCP-4 levels and the severity of MDD, exploring their potential as risk indicators for MDD development.

Methods

This case-control study enrolled 58 MDD patients from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, alongside 30 age, sex, and BMI-matched healthy controls. MDD diagnosis followed DSM-5 criteria and disease severity using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D). We measured serum TNF-α and MCP-4 levels using ELISA assays according to the supplied protocols.

Results

The study revealed significantly elevated serum TNF-α levels in MDD patients (47±6.6 pg/ml, mean±SEM) compared to controls (28.06±1.07 pg/ml). These increased TNF-α levels positively correlated with Ham-D scores (Pearson’s r = 0.300, p = 0.038), suggesting a potential association between peripheral TNF-α levels and MDD pathology. Additionally, MDD patients exhibited significantly higher serum MCP-4 levels (70.49±6.45 pg/ml) than controls (40.21±4.08 pg/ml). However, serum MCP-4 levels showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.270, P = 0.048) with Ham-D scores in MDD patients, indicating a more complex role for MCP-4 in MDD pathogenesis.

Conclusion

This study highlights that Bangladeshi MDD patients exhibit heightened inflammatory and immune responses compared to controls, supporting the cytokine hypothesis in MDD pathogenesis. Serum TNF-α, but not MCP-4, shows promise as a potential biomarker for assessing the risk of MDD development, which could aid in early detection. Future investigations involving larger populations and longitudinal studies are essential to confirm the utility of these cytokines as biomarkers for MDD.

What are the key factors influencing newly graduated nurses' preference for choosing their workplace? A best–worst scaling approach

Abstract

Introduction

The literature cites many factors that influence a nurse's decision when choosing their workplace. However, it is unclear which attributes matter the most to newly graduated nurses. The study aimed to identify the relative importance of workplace preference attributes among newly graduated nurses.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

We conducted an online survey and data were collected in June 2022. A total of 1111 newly graduated nurses in South Korea participated. The study employed best–worst scaling to quantify the relative importance of nine workplace preferences and also included questions about participants' willingness to pay for each workplace preferences. The relationships between the relative importance of the workplace attribute and the willingness to pay were determined using a quadrant analysis.

Results

The order according to the relative importance of workplace preferences is as follows: salary, working conditions, organizational climate, welfare program, hospital location, hospital level, hospital reputation, professional development, and the chance of promotion. The most important factor, salary, was 16.67 times more important than the least important factor, the chance of promotion, in terms of choosing workplace. In addition, working conditions and organizational climate were recognized as high economic value indicators.

Conclusion

Newly graduated nurses nominated better salaries, working conditions, and organizational climate as having a more important role in choosing their workplace.

Clinical Relevance

The findings of this study have important implications for institutions and administrators in recruiting and retaining newly graduated nurses.

10 recomendaciones para mejorar el sueño nocturno de los pacientes

La falta de sueño y descanso durante la hospitalización es un problema cada vez más frecuente entre los pacientes, que incluso puede agravar su situación clínica. El descanso nocturno puede verse influenciado por distintos factores a nivel ambiental, social, psicológico y fisiológico [Fragmento de texto].

Influencia del nivel de triaje asignado sobre el ingreso de pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Urgencias según motivo de consulta

Objetivo principal: Analizar la influencia del nivel de triaje asignado mediante Sistema de Triaje Manchester sobre la probabilidad de ingreso en pacientes que acuden a urgencias con los motivos de consulta Disnea, Dolor Abdominal y Problemas en Extremidades. Metodología: Estudio analítico retrospectivo de los pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Urgencias. Resultados principales: El nivel de triaje asignado se relaciona con una mayor probabilidad de ingreso en el caso de niveles de triaje naranja Dolor Abdominal y rojo en Disnea (p<0,05). En pacientes con Problemas en Extramidades el nivel de triaje asignado no influye en la probabilidad de ingreso manejando como covariables la edad y el sexo. La edad es un predictor significativo de ingreso en pacientes con los tres motivos de ingreso (p<0,001). Conclusión principal: El nivel de triaje asignado se asocia de manera diferencial con la probabilidad de ingreso según el motivo de consulta del paciente.

Expediente Electrónico vs Expediente Físico para mejorar la calidad del proceso de atención en pacientes hospitalizados

Objetivo principal: Comparar la eficacia del uso del Expediente Clínico Electrónico (ECE) Vs Expediente Clínico Físico (ECF) en la mejora la calidad en atención de pacientes hospitalizados. Metodología: Se consideraron estudios relacionados con uso del ECE, utilizando los descriptores DeCS y MeSH, operadores booleanos AND, NOT y OR. Criterios inclusión: artículos de revisión con cinco años de publicación; criterios exclusión: pacientes ambulatorios o de consulta externa. Resultados principales: La evidencia establece ventajas del uso ECE como la facilidad de uso, accesibilidad, lectura, calidad en la documentación, control de información sobre los cuidados de los pacientes, cumplimiento normativo y toma de decisiones, lo cual reduce el riesgo de errores médicos; sin embargo, algunas desventajas es el empleo de hardware, software, redes; requiere soporte técnico las 24 horas al día. Conclusión principal: el empleo del ECE establece eficacia en la atención al paciente hospitalizado mediante la minimización de tiempos en registros y el aumento en la seguridad de la información.

Elementos claves en el proceso de deshabituación tabáquica desde la perspectiva de las personas ex-fumadoras

El tabaquismo es una enfermedad crónica de carácter adictivo que constituye uno de los problemas sanitarios que mayor morbimortalidad causa en España. Tradicionalmente, en su abordaje se han combinado intervenciones farmacológicas y conductuales. En los últimos años, las tecnologías de la información y comunicación han irrumpido con fuerza en el mundo sanitario y actualmente están reconocidas como un medio adicional para promover cambios de comportamiento difíciles, como, por ejemplo, dejar de fumar. Rediseñar los programas de deshabituación tabáquica teniendo en cuenta este aspecto de la tecnología podría mejorar las tasas de deshabituación. En este marco de ideas, se realizó un estudio cualitativo mediante un grupo focal con personas exfumadoras que habían asistido a un programa que combinó intervenciones conductuales, farmacológicas y tecnologías de la información (mensajería inmediata y aplicación para dejar de fumar) con el propósito de conocer sus percepciones, opiniones y expectativas al respecto. Del análisis cualitativo de datos se obtuvieron 4 categorías temáticas: Procesos cognitivos previos al cese; Elementos clave en el proceso de deshabituación; Elementos limitantes; Experiencia transformadora. Los resultados sugieren que los grupos de mensajería instan-tánea pueden ser una manera prometedora de aumentar las tasas de deshabituación actuales ya que se ha informado de una mayor adherencia al régimen terapéutico. El bajo costo de este tipo de intervenciones y su amplio alcance son dos oportunidades de mejora que ofrecen las tecnolo-gías de la información y comunicación dentro de este ámbito.

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