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Mitigating chronic respiratory disease through the lens of multimorbidity: the MARES mixed-methods study protocol

Por: Mendes · R. G. · Leonardi · N. T. · Castello-Simoes · V. · Kawakami · D. M. d. O. · Souza · J. V. R. · Schafauser-Segundo · N. S. · Simoes · R. P. · Pinto · F. G. · Araujo · G. H. G. · da Silva · M. M. C. · Moriguchi · C. S. · Franco · F. J. B. Z. · Pires Di Lorenzo · V. A. · Jor
Introduction

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are among the leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. However, diagnosing CRDs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains challenging due to limited access to spirometry and trained professionals. Aggravating the burden, CRDs often coexist with other NCDs, increasing healthcare costs, reducing quality of life and elevating mortality. These challenges highlight the need for simple case-finding approaches for CRDs, such as the COPD in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries Assessment (COLA-6) questionnaire, to support prompt identification and appropriate care within NCD services in LMICs.

Objective

To evaluate the discriminative accuracy, feasibility and implementation of the COLA-6 questionnaire in identifying and managing CRDs in Brazilian Primary Healthcare (PHC) services for NCDs.

Methods and analysis

The Multimorbidity Approach for REspiratory Solutions (MARES) study consists of three work packages to be conducted in PHC services in São Carlos/SP and São Paulo/SP, Brazil.

MARES-1: A cross-sectional observational study enrolling 859 individuals with at least one NCD receiving care in PHC. The COLA-6 questionnaire will be administered by the research team and compared with quality-assured spirometry. The Chronic Airways Assessment Test (CAAT), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-7) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) will also be assessed. The diagnostic performance of COLA-6 for identifying CRDs—including COPD, asthma, preserved ratio impaired spirometry, restriction and overlaps—will be assessed using area under receiver operating characteristic curves and 95% CIs.

MARES-2: A cross-sectional observational study enrolling 20 healthcare professionals (physicians, physiotherapists, community health agents and nurses) from five PHC services. These professionals will apply the COLA-6 during routine NCD care to a total sample of 1000 patients. Qualitative interviews will be conducted to explore barriers and facilitators to the implementation of COLA-6, using deductive thematic analysis.

MARES-3: A longitudinal, prospective observational study in which patients from MARES-1 and MARES-2 will be reassessed at 6-month follow-up. A total sample of 473 participants with abnormal spirometry, a diagnosis of CRD or high risk for CRDs is expected. Participants will undergo spirometry, and a subset will be interviewed to explore their healthcare experiences through qualitative thematic analysis. Access to diagnostic and treatment services in Brazil will be assessed. Changes in spirometry values, FeNO, CAAT and ACQ-7 scores from baseline to 6 months in patients from MARES-1 will be analysed.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committees of Federal University of São Carlos and University of Santo Amaro (UNISA). Ethical approval was also granted by the University College London. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed medical journals and presentations at international conferences. Results will improve identification of CRDs, addressing a significant gap in current PHC settings.

Trial registration number

NCT07050823/NCT07093021/NCT07134855.

Adherence in Patients With Heart Failure—Relationships to Symptom Burden and Hospitalisation Frequency: A Cross Sectional Survey Study

ABSTRACT

Aims

To investigate adherence and non-adherence to treatment regimens among heart failure patients and to explore relationships with symptom burden and hospitalisation frequency.

Design

The research employed a cross-sectional survey study design.

Methods

The online survey “Living with heart failure”, was conducted among patients attending the Cardiac outpatient clinic at a Swedish University Hospital over the course of a calendar year. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics using the statistical processing program SPSS.

Results

The survey was made accessible to 1395 respondents; 479 individuals participated. The response rate was 34.3%. 73.6% were classified as non-adherent and 26.4% as adherent. Among the non-adherent, a statistically significantly higher symptom burden was observed. Lower hospitalisation frequency was associated with higher adherence and lower symptom burden. Frequent hospitalisations correlated with lower adherence and more severe symptoms.

Conclusion/Implications

This study underscores the prevalence of non-adherence in the heart failure population and emphasises the importance of addressing this issue.

Impact

Non-adherence to treatment regimens remains a global challenge, historically underestimated and challenging to quantify. Non-adherence to medical treatment in the heart failure population is about 50%; non-adherence from a wider perspective implicates a gap of knowledge. The principal discoveries from this study underscore the extensive non-adherence and its exacerbating effects on symptom burden and hospitalisation. The primary significance of this research will manifest among caregivers in multidisciplinary teams providing support to the heart failure population.

Reporting Method

The Equator Guidelines Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) were adhered to.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Pedagogical Strategies for Teaching Conceptual Models and Nursing Theories in Undergraduate Students: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Background

Teaching nursing theories is essential to structure and guide clinical practice, yet their integration into initial training courses remains a challenge.

Aim

To map the educational practices used to teach nursing theories and conceptual models in initial nursing training programmes.

Design

A scoping review.

Methods

Is review was conducted following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA-ScR. A comprehensive search of five databases and in the grey literature was conducted to find studies from the inception of the databases to January 2024. A total of 32 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis.

Results

The findings reveal a wide variety of educational techniques, ranging from traditional lectures to innovative Methods such as simulation and virtual games. The analysis also shows that these educational practices cover a broad Spectrum of theories, from well-established theories that have stood the test of time, such as watson's, to more recent Theories like the fundamentals of care.

Conclusion

While integrating nursing theories into initial training programmes is crucial, further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of the pedagogical strategies used to teach them. The mapping of educational practices carried out in this review serves as a valuable resource for educators, providing a structured basis to diversify and enrich the teaching of nursing theories.

Implications for Practice

This scoping review explores for the first time the range of pedagogical practices used in the teaching of nursing theories on an international scale. It provides a valuable resource for educators, allowing them to enrich their pedagogical approach. It offers a structured overview of the various possible methods, thus facilitating the adaptation of teaching strategies to different contexts. This methodological diversity can also serve as a source of inspiration for developing new concepts for teaching disciplinary fundamentals. The renewed interest in teaching disciplinary fundamentals underscores the relevance of this review in the current context.

Impact

Through this mapping of pedagogical strategies, this scoping review contributes to improving the quality of teaching nursing disciplinary fundamentals internationally. The results provide a foundation for developing specific courses on nursing conceptual models and theories, offering educators various possibilities to enrich their teaching methods while adapting to local contexts and student needs.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution. This is a scoping review.

Trial Registration

https://osf.io/gj35n

Redirecting patients from the pediatric emergency department to community locations for care: A qualitative study of healthcare professional and leader perspectives

by Erica Qureshi, Quynh Doan, Jessica Moe, Steven P. Miller, Garth Meckler, Brett Burstein, Jehannine (J9) Austin

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) to community (ED2C) programs, which redirect patients from the pediatric ED to community healthcare professionals represent a promising strategy to reduce the impact of non-urgent visits on the pediatric ED. Given an ED2C program’s potential impact on various care professionals, we completed a qualitative study to explore key informants’ attitudes and perceptions of pediatric ED2C programs.

Methods

We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with key informants in British Columbia, Canada. Participants included: pediatric ED staff – triage nurses and physicians; community professionals – pediatricians and family physicians; and health system leaders responsible for pediatric and emergency care in British Columbia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, de-identified, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within an interpretive description framework. A visual model was developed to depict key themes in attitudes and perceptions towards pediatric ED2C programs.

Results

We interviewed 24 participants: 6 community professionals, 11 pediatric ED professionals, and 7 healthcare leaders. Participants viewed the ED2C program as a valuable solution to address pediatric system strain provided that systemic barriers are addressed, and both emergency and community settings are equipped with adequate training and resources. Participants emphasized the need for clear guidelines on eligibility and operations to build confidence and enhance program effectiveness.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest there is support for ED2C programs as a means to reduce the impact of non-urgent pediatric ED visits and strengthen community-based care. Successful implementation will require coordinated planning, resource investment, and clear operational frameworks.

MiR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p as Biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the prevention of particulate matter-induced non-smoker lung cancer

by Moe Thi Thi Han, Tay Zar Myo Oo, Busayamas Chewaskulyong, Sakorn Pornprasert, Kanyamas Choocheep, Khanittha Punturee, Warunee Kumsaiyai, Yupanun Wuttiin, Sawitree Chiampanichayakul, Ratchada Cressey

Non-smoking-related lung cancer is increasingly associated with environmental factors such as particulate matter (PM) exposure. Using deep small RNA sequencing, we identified distinct miRNA expression patterns in lung cancer patients compared to non-cancer controls, stratified by smoking status. Notably, hsa-miR-125b-5p and hsa-miR-100-5p were significantly downregulated in non-smoking lung cancer patients. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed smoking amplifies pathways related to glycan biosynthesis, signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation, while non-smoking lung cancer is characterized by immune dysfunction and metabolic alterations, including oxidative phosphorylation and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Validation in a larger cohort using quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the suppression of miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p in non-smoking lung cancer patients. Additionally, miR-203a and miR-199a-3p were identified as potential biomarkers for lung cancer, independent of smoking status. Chronic PM exposure in primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells initially elevated miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p expression, but prolonged exposure suppressed these miRNAs while increasing their target genes, TXNRD1 and HOXA1, suggesting stress-induced dysregulation. Functional studies using miRNA mimics demonstrated that miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p suppress PM-induced cancer cell mobility and colony formation, with miR-125b-5p exhibiting broader effects. These findings underscore the critical roles of miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p in PM-associated lung cancer progression and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study highlights distinct mechanisms of lung carcinogenesis in smokers and non-smokers, providing a foundation for targeted interventions in PM-associated lung cancer.

Competencies Required for Hospital‐Based Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses to Provide PI Care in Home Care in Japan: A Mixed‐Methods Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To identify the competencies required for hospital-based WOC nurses to provide direct pressure injury (PI) care in home care settings in Japan.

Design

Mixed methods convergent design.

Methods

The qualitative strand used a descriptive design to explore competencies for overcoming barriers faced by hospital-based WOC nurses when providing PI care at home. The quantitative strand used a cross-sectional design to assess competencies in organising the hospital PI management system.

Results

Six competencies were identified: (1) Establish relationships with home healthcare professionals; (2) Promote hospital-based WOC nurse's expertise to home healthcare professionals; (3) Collaborate with the regional medical liaison office in WOC nurse's hospital; (4) Involve hospital administrators in home PI management; (5) Utilise social media/Information and Communication Technology for patient or home-visiting nurse communication; and (6) Utilise public or academic support projects to facilitate home-based activities. The median scoring rate for each medical staff domain on the revised Collaboration Competency Scale for WOC Nurses ranged from 80% to 91%.

Conclusion

The results of this study can serve as a practical resource to help WOC nurses expand their activities into home-care settings.

Implications for the Profession

Their ability to coordinate with staff and manage PI care within hospitals supports active engagement in home care, improving continuity and quality.

Impact

This study addressed the issue that many hospital-based WOC nurses cannot visit patients at home. The competencies identified may enable these nurses to expand their role into home care.

Reporting Method

This study followed EQUATOR guidelines, with the STROBE Statement applied to the quantitative part and the COREQ checklist to the qualitative part.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients or the public were not involved in the study's design, conduct, or reporting.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy With Instillation and Closed Incision Negative Pressure Therapy Use in South Africa: Expert Panel Recommendations

ABSTRACT

The healthcare landscape in South Africa is challenging with a complex patient population and a stressed healthcare system. Negative pressure therapy-based systems such as negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell (NPWTi-d) and closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) can help manage wounds or incisions. However, guidelines for South Africa-specific use are limited. An in-person meeting was held with 10 experts to develop South Africa-specific therapy use recommendations for NPWTi-d and ciNPT. Panel members recommended NPWTi-d use for wounds in need of cleansing. Normal saline and a 10-min dwell time were recommended with the caveat that the instillation solutions and dwell times can be changed based on the wound bed condition and the features of the instillation solution. A negative pressure cycle of 2–3 h and a negative pressure of −125 mmHg were also recommended for NPWTi-d. In patients, incisions, and surgical procedures at high risk of developing surgical site complications, ciNPT use was recommended. These general recommendations serve as a framework for NPWTi-d and/or ciNPT use in South Africa and should be updated as more region-specific evidence becomes available.

Patient-related and organisational characteristics associated with late cancellations and non-attendance in diabetes outpatient care: a cross-sectional study

Por: Singstad · T. · Holmen · H. · Smastuen · M. C. · Nermoen · I. · Ribu · L. · Torbjornsen · A.
Objective

We aimed to explore the patient-related and organisational characteristics associated with late cancellations and non-attendance in diabetes outpatient care and present our findings organised as a risk matrix based on these characteristics.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Our study was conducted at an endocrinology outpatient clinic based on data extracted between January and December 2019 from electronic medical records.

Participants

Adult patients with type 1 diabetes with late cancellations or non-attendance. We compared our sample with national data for comparison and to assess representativeness.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Main outcome was late cancellations or non-attendance, while secondary outcomes included type of cancellations and reason for cancellation.

Results

In total, 541 patients had late cancellations or non-attendance across 5040 diabetes consultations. These patients had a mean age of 43 years, 57.9% were men and half (n=301, 55%) were employed. The mean diabetes duration was 18 years, and the mean HbA1c level was elevated at 72 mmol/L. The outpatient clinic had a higher number of consultations, but the patient characteristics were comparable to the national average. Half of the patients (n=258, 52.3%) had late cancellations ahead of their consultations. Most cancellations occurred during the winter, mainly due to illness being the most frequent reason. Unemployed men with poorly regulated diabetes were more likely not to attend compared with employed females.

Conclusions

Characteristics such as being male, unemployed and having elevated HbA1c levels were significantly associated with non-attendance. Our findings contribute to understanding the reasons for at-risk patients missing consultations.

Neurofunctional phenotyping to investigate the role of the orexin system at the intersection of opioid use disorder and insomnia: a protocol for a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial of lemborexant in patients with insomnia receiving buprenorphi

Por: Marcus · M. M. · Alattar · M. · Chen · S. · Sabo · R. · Pignatello · T. · Ruddley · J. · Green · A. R. · Swan · K. · Keyser-Marcus · L. · Moeller · F. G. · Martin · C. E.
Introduction

Insomnia is a common complaint among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) maintained on buprenorphine (BUP). However, people with OUD have historically been excluded from insomnia clinical trials, leaving clinicians without evidence-based treatment options for this patient population. Lemborexant, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved dual orexin receptor antagonist for the treatment of insomnia, was recently shown to be safe and tolerable among a sample of patients with insomnia who were maintained on BUP. We hypothesise that pharmacologically antagonising the orexin system with lemborexant may improve insomnia symptoms in individuals with OUD and also enhance BUP treatment benefits by improving performance in neurofunctional domains identified in the National Institute on Drug Abuse Phenotyping Assessment Battery.

Methods and analysis

Participants with insomnia and OUD who have been stabilised on BUP for at least 4 weeks will be randomly assigned to receive either lemborexant (n=50) or placebo (n=50) for 8 weeks. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, during the 8-week intervention, postintervention and at a 2-week follow-up. Primary outcomes are insomnia severity and impulsivity. Secondary measures include objective sleep metrics (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset) and performance in the neurofunctional domains of negative emotionality and metacognition.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Virginia Commonwealth University Institutional Review Board in April 2025 (protocol number HM20031777). Data collection began in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by May 2029. The trial is conducted under FDA IND no. 154797 (FGM). The dissemination plan for the trial includes presentations at local and national conferences, submission of primary and secondary outcome manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and circulation of findings to popular media outlets, as available. Results will also be shared with interested participants and clinical collaborators upon completion of the trial.

Trial registration number

NCT06981195.

Tensive Adaption: A Grounded Theory on the Process of Nurses' Dealing With Workplace Violence

ABSTRACT

Aim

To explore the process of how nurses experience and deal with workplace violence based on nurses' perceptions and experiences in Iran.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory approach. Participants included 17 nurses working in 4 hospitals in 2 urban areas in Iran with at least 1 year of clinical experience in emergency departments and intensive care units. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews conducted between August 2024 and March 2025. The constant comparative analysis approach was used for data analysis. This research method was carried out in five stages: open coding to identify concepts; development of concepts in terms of their characteristics and dimensions; contextual analysis; integration of the process to data analysis; and final category integration.

Findings

The main concern of participants in dealing with workplace violence was a ‘multidimensional security threat’. ‘Perpetrator response to nursing care’ (at the individual level) and ‘organisational inefficiency’ (at the organisational level) provided the context for this threat. A general theme entitled ‘tensive adaptation’ was the core category in this research and included four main categories: ‘tolerant reactions’, ‘seeking help’, ‘passive reactions’ and ‘hostile reactions’. ‘Organisational damage’, ‘nurse damage’ and ‘patient damage’ were the outcomes.

Conclusion

The theoretical model of ‘tensive adaptation’ provides a new perspective on ‘what’ and ‘how’ nurses experience and manage workplace violence. Effective strategies for managing violence such as effective communication, empathy, providing appropriate care, anger management, self-care, effective teamwork and requesting support can be considered by nursing administrators and incorporated into training programmes for nurses and nursing students. The adverse consequences of nurses' exposure to workplace violence should receive greater attention, as the entire healthcare system is affected by this exposure.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Workplace violence leads to physical and psychological problems, reduced job satisfaction, diminished performance, negative effects on personal and family life and decreased quality of patient care. The main concern of participants in dealing with workplace violence was ‘multidimensional security threat’. This concept includes three characteristics: ‘psychological health threats’, ‘physical health threats’ and ‘professional position threat’. ‘Perpetrator response to nursing care’ (individual level) and ‘organisational inefficiency’ (organisational level) served as contextual conditions that expose nurses to workplace violence. In ‘tensive adaptation’, nurses attempt to respond to workplace violence through strategies such as ‘tolerant reactions’, ‘seeking help’, ‘passive reactions’ and ‘hostile reactions’. ‘Organisational damage’, ‘nurse damage’ and ‘patient damage’ are the consequences of nurses' exposure to workplace violence.

Reporting Method

The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was used to report this study.

Patient or Public Contribution

This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.

The impact of wildfires on the diet of <i>Podarcis lusitanicus</i> revealed by DNA metabarcoding

by Catarina Simões, Diana S. Vasconcelos, Raquel Xavier, Xavier Santos, Catarina Rato, D. James Harris

Fire has long been recognized as an important ecological and evolutionary force in plant communities, but its influence on vertebrate community ecology, particularly regarding predator-prey interactions, remains understudied. This study reveals the impact of wildfires on the diet of Podarcis lusitanicus, a lizard species inhabiting a fire-prone region in the Iberian Peninsula. In order to explore diet variability associated with different local burn histories, we evaluated P. lusitanicus diet across three types of sites in Northern Portugal: those had not burned since 2016, those burned in 2016, and those more recently burned in 2022. Podarcis lusitanicus is a generalist arthropod predator with dietary flexibility. Given the turnover of arthropod species after fire, it is expected to find variations in diet caused by different fire histories, especially between unburned and recently burned sites. From DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples, our study revealed that while prey richness remained unaffected by wildfire regime, significant shifts occurred in diet composition between more recently burned and unburned areas. Specifically, we found that differences in diet composition between these two fire regimes were due to the presence of Tapinoma ants and jumping spiders (Salticus scenicus). These prey were present in the diets of lizards occupying unburned areas, while these were absent in areas burned in 2022. Interestingly, diets in unburned areas and areas burned in 2016 showed no significant differences, highlighting the lizards’ ecological flexibility and the habitat’s resilience over time. The ant species T. topitotum was found in dominance in both burned areas, suggesting that this species may be fire tolerant. In addition, families such as Cicadellidae and Noctuidae were found to be more associated with more recently burned areas. The use of DNA metabarcoding in this study was essential to provide a more detailed and accurate view of predator-prey interactions in ecosystems susceptible to fire, and therefore a better understanding of changes in prey consumption in this fire-adapted ecosystem.

Association of non-standard working time arrangements with safety incidents: a systematic review

Por: Moen · L. V. · S Lie · J.-A. · Sterud · T. · Christensen · J. O. · Haugen · F. · Skogstad · M. · Nordby · K.-C. · Matre · D.
Objective

To systematically review the evidence on the association between non-standard working time arrangements (such as night work or shift work) and the occurrence of safety incidents.

Design

Systematic review conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and using a structured narrative approach and the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis framework to evaluate and summarise findings.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science and ProQuest Health and Safety Science Abstracts were searched through February 2024.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included peer-reviewed English-language studies of paid workers (18–70 years) that examined the association between non-standard working time arrangements and safety incidents (accidents, near-accidents, safety incidents or injuries), excluding cross-sectional designs and studies on unpaid workers, athletes or military personnel.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias using standardised forms, extracting study characteristics (author, year, country, sector and population), working time arrangements and exposure assessment, outcomes and their assessment, and reported risk estimates. We conducted a narrative synthesis, classifying studies into three exposure contrasts (shift worker versus non-shift worker, time-of-day and shift intensity), and summarised risk estimates using forest plots without calculating pooled effects.

Results

A total of 13 569 records were screened, and 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that shift workers generally had an elevated safety incident risk compared with non-shift workers (risk estimates ranged from 1.11 to 5.33). Most of the included studies found an increased risk of safety incidents during or after night shifts. Accumulated exposure to evening or night shifts increased the risk of safety incidents during the following 7 days. However, bias and heterogeneity across studies in design, populations and outcome measures resulted in an overall low to very low certainty of the evidence.

Conclusions

Non-standard working time arrangements, including night and evening shifts, appear to increase the risk of occupational safety incidents. Despite the low certainty of evidence, the findings highlight a potential area for preventive measures in work scheduling. Future longitudinal studies using individual data on daily working hours are needed.

Relationship Between Weight Loss and Problems With Oral Intake in Institutionalised Older Adults: A Japanese Multi‐Institutional 1‐Year Follow‐Up Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To examine the relationship between weight loss and problems with oral intake in institutionalised older adults.

Design

A 1-year longitudinal observational study.

Methods

Data were obtained from a prospective study conducted in three nursing homes and two long-term care facilities in Japan. Participants' problems with oral intake were assessed using items published in 2021 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Baseline and follow-up factors were compared between individuals who experienced a weight loss of 5% or more and those who did not. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for each oral intake assessment item to examine its independent association with weight loss of 5% or more, accounting for transitions in each item between baseline and the 1-year follow-up.

Results

In total, 172 institutionalised older adults were included in the analysis. Among them, 57 (33.1%) participants experienced a weight decrease of 5% or more. The emergence of somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals at the 1-year follow-up in participants without these signs at baseline was independently associated with a weight loss of 5% or more, after adjustment for baseline characteristics.

Conclusion

Recognising signs of somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals may be useful for the early detection and prevention of weight loss in institutionalised older adults.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Early detection of individuals at risk is essential to prevent significant weight loss and its associated adverse outcomes. Recognising somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals may enable earlier detection and intervention to prevent weight loss and improve the quality of care for older adults.

Reporting Method

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

INnovative Steroid Treatment to reduce Asthma development in children after first-time Rhinovirus-induced wheezing (INSTAR): protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial

Por: Elvebakk · T. · Dollner · H. · Partty · A. · Jartti · H. · Vuorinen · T. · Oymar · K. · Nerheim · S. · Moe · N. · Nordbo · S. A. · Follestad · T. · Koski · J. · Vollsaeter · M. · Hofstad · A. · Klingenberg · C. · Leknessund · C. B. · Skjerven · H. O. · Risnes · K. · Söderhäll · C. · Si
Introduction

Asthma is a leading cause of morbidity and healthcare use among children. Risk factors of childhood asthma include atopic predisposition and severe wheezing episodes caused by rhinovirus infection in early life. In children with first-time rhinovirus-induced wheezing, we aim to study the response of a short corticosteroid treatment to prevent recurrent wheezing and asthma.

Method and analysis

This is a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase IV, international multicentre trial involving eight sites in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Two hundred and eighty 3–23 months old steroid-naïve children are randomised 1:1 to receive oral dexamethasone (0.3 mg/kg/day) versus placebo in 3 days for their first wheezing episode and rhinovirus infection. Rhinovirus is diagnosed with multiplex PCR. The two co-primary outcomes are time to next physician-confirmed wheezing episode, and time to asthma, within 24 months from inclusion. Asthma is defined as fulfilment of the 2007 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program—criteria for initiating asthma controller medication in children aged 0–4 years. Primary interaction analyses are age, gender, atopic predisposition, risk genotypes and viral co-detection. The optimal cut-off on the rhinovirus genome load used to define a true rhinovirus infection will be assessed by exploring interactions between rhinovirus genomic loads and study drug on the co-primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes are number of wheezing episodes, duration and severity of each wheezing episode, bronchial hyperreactivity, quality of life and safety (height/weight development) at 24 months from inclusion.

Ethics and dissemination

Rhinovirus positive children with acute wheezing fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria are enrolled after informed consent from both caregivers. This trial has received ethical approval from all sites. Results will be submitted to Competent Authorities and disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conferences within paediatrics and other relevant fields. If proven effective, findings may be implemented directly into paediatric clinical guidelines.

Trial registration number

NCT03889743.

Cutaneous non-volar melanoma dermoscopy and histopathology correlation: a systematic review protocol

Por: Bouceiro Mendes · R. · Henrique · M. · Augusto-Simoes · P. · Argenziano · G.
Introduction

Dermoscopy has a proved validity in the diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma, which is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer. Although some studies have demonstrated a relationship between specific dermoscopic and pathologic melanoma features, there is no solid evidence allowing reliable conclusions. This study will evaluate the evidence regarding this association.

Methods and analysis

Observational studies eligible for our systematic review will enrol adults with histological cutaneous non-volar melanoma diagnosis and with dermoscopy image analysis. We will search the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. We will not impose any language or date restrictions. Outcomes of interest include the association of at least one of the melanoma dermoscopy features (irregular pigmentation, blue-white veil, atypical network, multicomponent pattern, atypical dots and/or globules, regression, peripheral tan structureless area, negative network, shiny white structures, atypical vessels and streaks/pseudopods), with melanoma Breslow index or other histopathology characteristics (melanoma subtype, mitotic index and presence of ulceration). Two reviewers will independently screen and search results, extract data from eligible studies and assess risk of bias. The evidence derived by this study will elucidate the possible link between melanoma dermoscopy and histopathology. If we could predict melanoma thickness based on dermoscopy, we would be able to anticipate melanoma treatment with impact on survival.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required because this is a literature-based study. It will be published in scientific Pubmed indexed open access journals to ensure its accessibility.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024564919.

Asthma self-knowledge patient-reported outcome measures for the paediatric population with asthma: a systematic review protocol

Por: Goncalves · A. S. · Simoes · P. A. · Gama · J. M. R. · Jacome · C. · Maricoto · T.
Introduction

Asthma is a major personal and public health problem worldwide, with a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and health systems. The prevalence of asthma in children is 9.1% and in adolescents is 11%. Greater literacy among children is related to better asthma control. There are many validated Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) related to asthma, but there are only a few, and no gold standard, to measure children and adolescents’ knowledge of asthma. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the most suitable asthma self-knowledge PROMs for the paediatric population with asthma.

Methods and analysis

The inclusion criteria will be children and adolescents diagnosed with asthma (population), validated PROMs about asthma self-knowledge (intervention), between each PROM (comparison) and measurement properties (outcome) (validity, reliability, interpretability and responsiveness). The search process will be conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and SCOPUS. The risk of bias evaluation will be done independently by two authors with the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments risk of bias checklist, and the quality of evidence will be evaluated based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not applicable for this study since the data that will be collected are secondary data and are already in the public domain. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024577500.

People's Experiences of Their Involvement in Nursing Care: A Qualitative Systematic Review With Meta‐Aggregation Synthesis

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Global organizations have pronounced about the importance of involving people in health care, however, this process is challenging. Given the availability of evidence that addresses people's experiences of involvement in nursing care, it is important to produce recommendations at this point by synthesizing the evidence. So, this review aims to synthesize the available qualitative evidence about people's experiences of their involvement in nursing care in a hospital setting.

Design

Systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted in nine databases/resources. The selection process, methodological quality assessment, and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. The data were synthesized using the meta-aggregation approach, and the results were graded according to ConQual.

Results

A total of 75 findings and 141 illustrations were extracted from the 15 included studies. These findings were aggregated into 12 categories and generated into three synthesized findings: (1) People who are hospitalized conceptualize and attribute importance to involvement in nursing care as an active process of participation and monitoring of care, decision-making, opinion, and partnership; (2) The establishment of a relationship between hospitalized people and nurses, trust, communication, and information are essential for participation in care; (3) People's participation in care is affected by the person's own constraints and preference for assuming a passive role, by barriers associated with a lack of information, the organization of care, the relationship established between nurses, and paternalistic attitudes.

Conclusion

People who were admitted to hospital conceptualized and attached importance to this phenomenon, perceived the conditions necessary to promote it, and the barriers they experienced.

Clinical Relevance

This systematic review provides recommendations for nurses' clinical practice (with grade B). It recommends that nurses should establish a partnership relationship with hospitalized people, through trust, communication and information; give people the opportunity to monitor care, participate in decision-making and give their opinion; assess the person's preferences for involvement and other factors; and that the barriers to this process identified here should be assessed and addressed in each context. As such, this review provides very valuable information for nurses' clinical practice and should also be incorporated into health policy.

Protocol Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024506501.

Living with schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes and the implication for diabetes self‐care: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

To achieve an in-depth understanding of the challenges associated with diabetes management when having both schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes, while also identifying the needs for improved diabetes self-care.

Design

The study employed a qualitative explorative design utilizing a phenomenological-hermeneutic inspired approach, involving field observations and individual semistructured interviews.

Methods

Data were collected during 2020–2021 through 17 field observations of outpatient consultations and 13 individual semistructured interviews. Data, including field notes and verbatim transcribed interviews, underwent analysis following Ricoeur's interpretive philosophy, encompassing three levels: naïve reading, structural analysis and critical interpretation and discussion. This study adheres to the COREQ guidelines for qualitative research.

Results

Three key themes emerged: ‘Diabetes when life is noisy’, ‘Sacrifices and compromises in life’ and ‘The double silence’. Everyday life is significantly affected when having both schizophrenia and T2D. The mental health state dominates in relation to diabetes self-care and individuals experience challenges balancing between the two conditions. However, there exists a general acknowledgement for diabetes and its long-term complications as a serious medical condition demanding careful attention and treatment.

Conclusion

Self-managing two such complex conditions can be overwhelming and make it difficult for the individual to differentiate symptoms and prioritize diabetes care. Moreover, the existing fragmentation within healthcare systems poses communication challenges, resulting in disjointed patient pathways.

Implications for patient care

The study emphasizes the need for a holistic re that addresses the physical, emotional and social challenges. There is also a need for increased awareness and education among informal caregivers and healthcare professionals to foster better understanding and support.

Exploring the Documentation of Delirium in Patients After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Patient Record Study

imageDelirium is a common disorder for patients after cardiac surgery. Its manifestation and care can be examined through EHRs. The aim of this retrospective, comparative, and descriptive patient record study was to describe the documentation of delirium symptoms in the EHRs of patients who have undergone cardiac surgery and to explore how the documentation evolved between two periods (2005-2009 and 2015-2020). Randomly selected care episodes were annotated with a template, including delirium symptoms, treatment methods, and adverse events. The patients were then manually classified into two groups: nondelirious (n = 257) and possibly delirious (n = 172). The data were analyzed quantitatively and descriptively. According to the data, the documentation of symptoms such as disorientation, memory problems, motoric behavior, and disorganized thinking improved between periods. Yet, the key symptoms of delirium, inattention, and awareness were seldom documented. The professionals did not systematically document the possibility of delirium. Particularly, the way nurses recorded structural information did not facilitate an overall understanding of a patient's condition with respect to delirium. Information about delirium or proposed care was seldom documented in the discharge summaries. Advanced machine learning techniques can augment instruments that facilitate early detection, care planning, and transferring information to follow-up care.
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