It is unclear whether an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is generally beneficial in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
We studied the association between ICD implantation prior to discharge and survival in patients with cardiac aetiology or initial shockable rhythm in OHCA.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Treatment associations were estimated using propensity scores. We used gradient boosting, Bayesian additive regression trees, neural networks, extreme gradient boosting and logistic regression to generate multiple propensity scores. We selected the model yielding maximum covariate balance to obtain weights, which were used in a Cox regression to calculate HRs for death or recurrent cardiac arrest.
All cases discharged alive during 2010 to 2020 with a cardiac aetiology or initial shockable rhythm were included. A total of 959 individuals were discharged with an ICD, and 2046 were discharged without one.
Among those experiencing events, 25% did so within 90 days in the ICD group, compared with 52% in the other group. All HRs favoured ICD implantation. The overall HR (95% CI) for ICD versus no ICD was 0.38 (0.26 to 0.56). The HR was 0.42 (0.28 to 0.63) in cases with initial shockable rhythm; 0.18 (0.06 to 0.58) in non-shockable rhythm; 0.32 (0.20 to 0.53) in cases with a history of coronary artery disease; 0.36 (0.22 to 0.61) in heart failure and 0.30 (0.13 to 0.69) in those with diabetes. Similar associations were noted in all subgroups.
Among survivors of OHCA, those discharged with an ICD had approximately 60% lower risk of death or recurrent cardiac arrest. A randomised trial is warranted to study this further.
To summarize existing studies that focused on improving hospitalized patient safety through patient and family engagement interventions to identify priorities and gaps.
A scoping review.
Eight databases and citations of important reviews were searched on 30 September 2022. Two researchers independently screened the records. Then, two researchers extracted the data and cross-checked. The results were synthesized narratively, and a comparison was performed for studies from China and those from other countries.
Ninety-eight studies were included. The results indicated that patient and family engagement interventions were applied to decrease the incidence of patient safety incidents, and to improve the healthcare providers' and patients' knowledge, attitude or practice of patient safety. Most studies only engaged patients and families at the direct care level, and the engagement strategies at the organization and health system levels were insufficient. For stakeholders, many studies failed to consider patients' perspectives in intervention design and report taking staff training as a supportive strategy. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, were the main implementers of current interventions. Certain differences were observed between studies from China and those from other countries in the above aspects.
International interest in engaging patient and family for patient safety is growing. Future studies should enhance the patient and family engagement as a partner in various patient safety at the direct care level, and further explore the engagement at the organization and health system levels.
Nurses, as the main formal caregivers for patients, should promote patient and family engagement in patient safety, especially at direct care level. Nurse should also incorporate the perspectives of patients in the design and implementation of interventions.
PRISMA-ScR Checklist.
This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the most effective strategies for managing malodorous and infected wounds in patients who have been diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer. The research was conducted in Liupanshui, China. The study specifically examined demographic profiles, wound characteristics and effectiveness of wound management approaches. The study incorporated the heterogeneous sample of 289 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted via structured questionnaires and medical record evaluations. Descriptive statistics and statistical analyses, such as regression analysis, were utilized to evaluate demographic attributes, wound profiles and effects of different approaches to wound management. The findings unveiled the heterogeneous demographic composition of patients, encompassing differences in socioeconomic standing, educational attainment and age. A wide range of wound characteristics were observed, as 65.7% of lesions during the acute phase with diameter between 2 and 5 centimetres, while 41.5% of lesions had this range. The most prevalent types of infections were those caused by fungi (48.4%), followed by bacterial infections lacking resistance (38.1%). A moderate degree of odour intensity was prevalent, affecting 45.0% of the cases. With maximal odour reduction of 80%, a mean healing time of 25 days and patient satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy demonstrated itself to be the most efficacious treatment method. Additional approaches, such as photodynamic therapy and topical antibiotic therapy, demonstrated significant effectiveness, as evidenced by odour reductions of 70% and 75%, respectively, and patient satisfaction ratings of 4.3 and 4.2. Thus, the study determined challenges associated with management of malodorous and infected lesions among patients with advanced cervical cancer. The results underscored the significance of individualized care approaches, drew attention to efficacious wound management techniques and identified critical determinants that impacted patient recuperation. The findings of this study hold potential for advancing palliative care for individuals diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer.
Previous studies suggested that electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has the potential to guide positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration via quantifying the alveolar collapse and overdistension. The aim of this trial is to compare the effect of EIT-guided PEEP and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) network low PEEP/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) table strategy on mortality and other clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS.
This is a parallel, two-arm, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial, conducted in China. All patients with ARDS under mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care unit will be screened for eligibility. The enrolled patients are stratified by the aetiology (pulmonary/extrapulmonary) and partial pressure of arterial oxygen/FiO2 (≥150 mm Hg or 2 table proposed by the ARDS Network. The primary outcome is 28-day survival.
Qualitative data will be analysed using the 2 test or Fisher’s exact test, quantitative data will be analysed using independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test will be used to evaluate the 28-day survival rate between two groups. All outcomes will be analysed based on the intention-to-treat principle.
The trial is approved by the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Data will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
In this study, we explored the use of thermal imaging technology combined with computer vision techniques for assessing surgical incision healing. We processed 1189 thermal images, annotated by experts to define incision boundaries and healing statuses. Using these images, we developed a machine learning model based on YOLOV8, which automates the recognition of incision areas, lesion segmentation and healing classification. The dataset was divided into training, testing and validation sets in a 7:2:1 ratio. Our results show high accuracy rates in incision location recognition, lesion segmentation and healing classification, indicating the model's effectiveness as a precise and automated diagnostic tool for surgical incision healing assessment. Conclusively, our thermal image-based machine learning model demonstrates excellent performance in wound assessment, paving the way for its clinical application in intelligent and standardized wound management.
by Xiaofeng Lv, Fangqi Liang, Shanshan Liu, Xinmin Deng, Rui Lai, Jihang Du, Jian Luo
BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disabling joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Diet may play a role in the etiology and progression of KOA, but evidence for a causal relationship is limited. We aimed to investigate the causal impact of dietary intake on KOA risk using Mendelian randomization (MR).
MethodsWe used summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) including dietary intake (n = 335, 394–462, 342), and KOA (n = 403, 124). We selected 6–77 genetic variants as instrumental variables for 18 dietary factors, including processed meat, poultry, beef, oily fish, non-oily fish, pork, lamb, frequency of alcohol intake, alcoholic beverages, tea, coffee, dried fruit, cereals, cheese, bread, cooked vegetables, salad/raw vegetables, and fresh fruit. We performed univariate and multivariate MR analyses to estimate the causal effect of each dietary factor on KOA risk. We also performed some sensitivity analyses to assess the validity of the MR hypothesis.
ResultsWe found that higher coffee intake was associated with increased KOA risk, whereas higher intake of dried fruits, grains, cheese, and oily fish was associated with reduced KOA risk. After multivariate adjustment, we found that coffee and oily fish intake may affect KOA through obesity, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, and prolonged standing. Sensitivity analyses did not reveal any evidence of pleiotropy.
ConclusionsOur study provides new causal evidence that dietary intake may influence KOA risk. Specifically, we suggest that increased intake of dried fruits, grains, cheese, and oily fish and decreased coffee intake may be beneficial in preventing and mitigating KOA. further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to confirm our findings in different populations.
A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to identify the factors related to cancer death anxiety based on available evidence.
This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Seven databases were searched to identify studies on the relationships of cancer death anxiety with demographic characteristics, disease factors and psychosocial factors from inception to May 2023. The Agency for Medical Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. After two researchers independently completed the literature search, data extraction and quality evaluation, meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan5.3 and Stata 17.0 software.
In total, 52 studies were included in this review. The results revealed that there were positive correlations of death anxiety with female sex, the symptom burden, anxiety levels, depression levels, fear of recurrence, attachment avoidance, psychological distress, resignation and confrontation coping. Death anxiety was negatively correlated with age, education level, ability to perform daily activities, self-esteem, spiritual well-being, sense of meaning in life, resilience, quality of life, social support and religious beliefs.
Our results can inform the design of interventions to address death anxiety and improve the overall quality of life of cancer patients. Healthcare professionals should promptly identify and focus on death anxiety in high-risk populations of cancer patients.
Cancer patients commonly experience death anxiety, and this anxiety has a nonnegligible impact on patients' mental health and overall quality of life. This study can inform the development of interventions by clinical healthcare professionals.
This was a meta-analysis based on data from previous studies.
Evaluating complications and mortality risks in burn patients is crucial for effective treatment planning and improving survival rates. This study investigated the relationship between the serum vitamin D level and the clinical outcomes of adult burns patients. This was a prospective cohort of adult patients hospitalized due to thermal burns at a burn centre in the north of Iran. Based on the level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D measured upon admission, patients were divided into two groups of patients with sufficient 25 hydroxyvitamin D level and insufficient 25 hydroxyvitamin D level. Descriptive statistics were used for baseline demographics. Univariate analysis was conducted using Mann–Whitney U, Chi-square, independent samples, and Fisher's exact tests. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for the effects of confounding variables. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 28.0 software. A total of 220 patients were included in the study. The average total body surface area burned was 30.52 ± 9.34. Patients with insufficient vitamin D levels had longer hospital stays (12.53 vs. 11.45) and longer stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) (3.32 vs. 2.40) than those with appropriate vitamin D levels. Participants with insufficient vitamin D levels exhibited a numerically higher incidence of infections than those with adequate levels (p < 0.05). The multivariate regression found that vitamin D deficiency levels were associated with increased infection rates and prolonged hospital stay. This study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a significant risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes in burn patients. Further research is needed to confirm these associations and to explore potential interventions to optimize vitamin D status in this patient population.
To develop a Delirium Care Critical-Thinking Scale for nurses caring for patients in the intensive care unit and examine the scale's psychometric properties.
There is a tool to evaluate nurses' critical thinking skills to determine nursing competency when delirium care is required.
This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study.
The Delphi method was applied for collection and analysis of data during conceptualization and item generation of the tool (Phase I). Item analysis, assessment of validity and reliability of the scale (Phase II) involved 318 nurses recruited by convenience sampling from nine adult intensive care units in medicine and surgery at one medical centre. Confirmatory factor analysis assessed construct validity. Internal consistency and 2-week test–retest stability measured reliability. A Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory Scale examined concurrent validity.
After three rounds, the Delphi method resulted in 31 scale items. Item analysis demonstrated construct reliability ranged from 9.23 to 16.18. Confirmatory factor analysis eliminated one item and extracted five factors: applying knowledge, confirming the problem and accuracy of information, reasoning logically, choosing appropriate strategies and remaining open-minded. Average variance extracted values of all factors indicated good convergent validity. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was .96 with good test-retest reliability. The correlation coefficient for concurrent validity was .301.
The new Delirium Care Critical-Thinking Scale for intensive care nurses was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid tool for evaluating their ability to assess patients with delirium.
This new scale could be used to assess outcomes of education interventions and the effectiveness of nursing care quality involving patients with delirium in intensive and critical care units.
The COSMIN checklist was used as the reporting guideline for this study.
None.
by Sabina Marasini, Sudim Sharma, Anjali Joshi, Surakshya Kunwar, Roshan Kumar Mahato, Archana Shrestha, Biraj Karmacharya
BackgroundInappropriate use of antimicrobials is a global public health issue, particularly in developing countries, including Nepal, where over-the-counter sales and self-medication of antimicrobials are common.
ObjectivesTo explore knowledge, perceptions, and practices of antimicrobials and their resistance among medicine dispensers and community members in Nepal.
MethodsThe study was conducted in three rural and five urban municipalities of the Kavrepalanchok district from May 2021 to August 2021. Data were collected using two qualitative approaches: In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis that combined deductive and inductive approaches to identify codes under pre-specified themes.
ResultsA total of 16 In-depth interviews with medicine dispensers and 3 focus group discussions with community members were conducted. Knowledge regarding antimicrobial resistance varied among dispensers. Those with a prior educational background in pharmacy often had good knowledge about the causes and consequences of antimicrobial resistance. Meanwhile, consumers were less aware of antimicrobial resistance. Community members perceived antimicrobials as effective medicines but not long-term solution for treating diseases. They reported that dispensing without a prescription was common and that both consumers and dispensers were responsible for the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. On the contrary, several dispensers said that self-medication was common among the consumers, especially among more educated groups. The medicine dispensers and consumers expressed concerns about the weak enforcement of policies regarding pharmacy drug use and dispensing practices.
ConclusionPromoting and strengthening the appropriate use of antimicrobials among medicine dispensers and community members is crucial. Bold policies and collective implementation of regulations could help combat antimicrobial resistance.
The assumption is that a number of controlled trials have been conducted to assess the impact of uterus retaining or hysterectomy on wound and haemorrhage, but there is no indication as to which method would be more beneficial for wound healing. This research is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the availability of wound healing in case studies of both operative methods. From inception to October 2023, four databases were reviewed. The odds ratio (OR) and the mean difference (MD) for both groups were computed with a random effect model, as well as the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. A total of five studies were carried out in the overall design and enrolled 16 972 patients. No statistical significance was found in the rate of postoperative wound infection among the two treatments (OR,1.46; 95% CI,0.66,3.22 p = 0.35); The rates of bleeding after surgery did not differ significantly from one procedure to another (OR,1.41; 95% CI,0.91,2.17 p = 0.12); two studies demonstrated no statistical significance for the rate of incisional hernia after surgery (OR,2.58; 95% CI,0.37,18.05 p = 0.34). Our findings indicate that there is a similar risk between uterine preservation and hysterectomies for the incidence of wound infection, haemorrhage and protrusion of incision.
Dressing change is the most important part of postoperative wound care. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a more effective, simple and less painful method of dressing change for anal fistulas could be found without the need for debridement and packing. Data related to postoperative recovery were recorded at postoperative days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 180.
In this experiment, 76 subjects diagnosed with high anal fistula were randomly divided into a simplified dressing change (SDC) group and a traditional debridement dressing change(TDDC) group according to a ratio of 1:1.
The SDC group had significantly fewer pain scores, bleeding rates, dressing change times, inpatient days and lower average inpatient costs than the TDDC group. There were no significant differences in wound healing time, area and depth and Wexner score between the two groups.
Studies have shown that the use of simplified dressing changes does not affect cure or recurrence rates, but significantly reduces dressing change times and pain during changes, reducing patient inpatient length of stay and costs.
Pathological scarring resulting from traumas and wounds, such as hypertrophic scars and keloids, pose significant aesthetic, functional and psychological challenges. This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of these conditions, aiming to illuminate underlying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. We employed a co-expression and module analysis tool to identify significant gene clusters associated with distinct pathophysiological processes and mechanisms, notably lipid metabolism, sebum production, cellular energy metabolism and skin barrier function. This examination yielded critical insights into several skin conditions including folliculitis, skin fibrosis, fibrosarcoma and congenital ichthyosis. Particular attention was paid to Module Cluster (MCluster) 3, encompassing genes like BLK, TRPV1 and GABRD, all displaying high expression and potential implications in immune modulation. Preliminary immunohistochemistry validation supported these findings, showing elevated expression of these genes in non-fibrotic samples rich in immune activity. The complex interplay of different cell types in scar formation, such as fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, keratinocytes and mast cells, was also explored, revealing promising therapeutic strategies. This study underscores the promise of targeted gene therapy for pathological scars, paving the way for more personalised therapeutic approaches. The results necessitate further research to fully ascertain the roles of these identified genes and pathways in skin disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutics. Nonetheless, our work forms a strong foundation for a new era of personalised medicine for patients suffering from pathological scarring.
The present study aims to assess the risk factors for foot ulcers in patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and to provide evidence-based guidance for prevention and treatment. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Wanfang Data from the database inception until May 2023 to identify relevant studies investigating the risk factors for foot ulcers in dialysis patients with ESRD. Two independent researchers conducted the literature screening and data extraction. The meta-analysis was performed using STATA 17.0 software. Ultimately, six articles comprising 1620 patients were included for analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that male (OR, 1.464; 95% CI: 1.082–1.980, p = 0.013), hypertension (OR, 1.781; 95% CI: 1.293–2.4550, p < 0.001), peripheral artery disease (PAD) (OR, 5.014; 95% CI: 2.514–9.998, p < 0.001), type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (OR, 2.993; 95% CI: 1.477–6.065, p = 0.002) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (OR, 2.498; 95% CI:1.466–4.256, p = 0.001) were risk factors for foot ulcers in dialysis patients with ESRD. Conversely, the female sex (OR, 0.683; 95% CI: 0.505–0.924, p = 0.013) was a protective factor against foot ulcers. Our analysis revealed that male sex, hypertension, PAD, T1DM and T2DM were risk factors for foot ulcers in patients undergoing dialysis for ESRD. Conversely, the female sex was a protective factor against foot ulcers. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen health education that targets patients with these risk factors and regularly screen high-risk individuals. Early detection and treatment can help delay disease progression.
More and more meta-analyses have been conducted to compare the effects of intramedullary fixation (IF) and plate fixation (PF) on the outcome of midshaft clavicle fractures. It can affect the doctors' treatment decisions. A number of studies have been conducted in order to assist surgeons in selecting optimal operative procedures and to recommend operative treatment of clavicle fractures in accordance with the best available research. Our analysis of the IF and PF of clavicle fractures was done through a search for PubMed, Emabase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Two different researchers analysed the research literature for quality of analysis and data extraction. The analysis of the data was done with RevMan 5.3. The 95% CI and OR models have been computed by means of either fixed-dose or randomize. In addition, RCT in 114 references have been reviewed and added for further analysis. It is concluded that the application of plate and intramedullary fixation in the middle clavicle operation has remarkable influence on the outcome of post-operation. There was a lower risk of postoperative wound infection in IF (OR, 5.92; 95% CI, 2.46, 14.27 p < 0.0001), smaller surgical incisions (MD, 6.57; 95% CI, 4.90, 8.25 p < 0.0001), and shorter operative time (MD, 17.09; 95% CI 10.42, 23.77 p < 0.0001), less blood loss (MD, 63.62; 95% CI, 55.84, 71.39 p < 0.0001) and shorter hospital stay (MD, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.84, 1.25 p < 0.0001). However, there is no statistical significance in the incidence of wound dehiscence. Thus, the effect of IF on the incidence of injury is better than that of the inner plate in the middle of the clavicle.
by Vi Nguyen, Arman Walia, Joshua J. Horns, Niraj Paudel, Aditya Bagrodia, Darshan P. Patel, Tung-Chin Hsieh, James M. Hotaling
PurposeAmerican Urological Association guidelines recommend testicular prosthesis discussion prior to orchiectomy. Utilization may be low. We compared outcomes and care utilization between concurrent implant (CI) and staged implant (SI) insertion after radical orchiectomy.
Materials & methodsThe MarketScan Commercial claims database (2008–2017) was queried for men ages >18 years who underwent radical orchiectomy for testicular mass, stratified as orchiectomy with no implant, CI, or SI. 90-day outcomes included rate of reoperation, readmission, emergency department (ED) presentation, and outpatient visits. Regression models provided rate ratio comparison.
Results8803 patients (8564 no implant, 190 CI, 49 SI; 2.7% implant rate) were identified with no difference in age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, insurance plan, additional cancer treatment, or metastasis. Median perioperative cost at orchiectomy (+/- implant) for no implant, CI, and SI were $5682 (3648–8554), $7823 (5403–10973), and $5380 (4130–10521), respectively (p Conclusions
CI placement has less total perioperative cost, lower explant rate, and similar postoperative utilization to SI.