Conectar
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.
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.
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.
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.
To compare the power styles that nurses perceive and expect from nurse managers at two time points. The study aims to investigate any changes in nurses' perceptions and expectations regarding the power styles of nurse managers over a six-year period.
Repeated cross-sectional desing.
The study was conducted with 158 nurses at Time-1 and 103 nurses at Time-2. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form and the Perceived Leadership Power Questionnaire. For data analysis, frequency and percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, t-test, and Cronbach's Alpha were applied.
It was determined that the power style most perceived by nurses in their nurse managers was Referent Power at Time-1 and Expert Power at Time-2, while the expected power style was Expert Power at both Time-1 and Time-2.
It was observed that the perceived power styles of nurse managers changed over the course of the study. The power styles perceived by the nurses were consistent with the power styles they expected.
The perceived power styles of nurse managers may change over time. Identifying this change could facilitate the determination of effective leadership and communication styles.
The study examined changes in nurses' perceptions of nurse managers' power styles over time. Nurses perceived Referent Power in Time-1 and Expert Power in Time-2, while expecting Expert Power in both periods. This research contributes to enhancing leadership in nursing, understanding power dynamics in nurse-manager relationships, and improving nursing care quality.
STROBE statement selected as EQUATOR checklist.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
This study examines the mediating roles of distress, burden and social support, as well as the moderating effect of social support, in the relationship between the risk of prolonged grief and psychopathology in bereaved family caregivers of palliative care patients.
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 125 bereaved family caregivers. Validated assessment tools and the PROCESS macro in SPSS were used for mediation and moderation analyses.
Emotional burden mediated the relationship between prolonged grief risk and psychopathology, while distress and physical burden did not. Instrumental social support was a key mediator, highlighting the protective role of practical assistance, whereas emotional social support did not show significant mediation. Both types of social support moderated the relationship, buffering the negative impact on mental health.
Findings underscore the complex interactions between bereavement risk factors and psychopathology. Addressing emotional burden and enhancing social support may help reduce mental health risks in bereaved caregivers.
Healthcare professionals in palliative care should implement targeted interventions to reduce burden and strengthen support systems for bereaved caregivers. Nursing-led initiatives focused on emotional burden reduction may mitigate psychopathology risks.
Findings are relevant for healthcare professionals in palliative care and those designing interventions for bereaved caregivers. Emotional burden mediated the relationship between prolonged grief and psychopathology, while instrumental and emotional social support moderated its effects.
This study adhered to STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional research.
Beyond caregiver participation in data collection, patients and healthcare professionals contributed to study design, protocol development and dissemination.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of infrared (IR) devices versus the traditional palpation technique for first-attempt success of peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion in adults.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and CINAHL was conducted on 28 May 2024 and included articles in English or French published from 1st January 2000 onwards.
Eligible studies included RCTs comparing IR devices with the traditional palpation method for PIVC insertion in adults. The primary outcome was first-attempt success. Secondary outcomes included overall success, number of attempts, cannulation time and patient pain. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool, and a random-effects model was applied for meta-analysis.
Five RCTs were included, involving 690 patients and 704 catheters, including 289 PIVCs in patients with Difficult Intravascular Access (DIVA) criteria. First attempt insertion success was similar when using infrared devices (139/331, 42%) and traditional palpation (143/373, 38%) with Risk Ratio (RR) 1.08 (95% CI, 0.69 to 1.70). No significant statistical differences were noted in secondary outcomes: overall insertion success, number of attempts, time to cannulate and patient pain. Clinical and statistical heterogeneity were substantial (primary analysis I 2 = 83%).
Current evidence does not support the systematic use of infrared devices to improve PIVC insertion success, reduce the number of attempts or alleviate patient pain compared with traditional palpation in adults. Further high-quality studies with suitable sample sizes and varied populations are needed to better establish the potential place of infrared devices.
This study highlights the limited benefit of IR devices in routine clinical practice and underscores the need for further research into their use in specialised settings.
No Patient or Public Involvement. This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
To explore nurses' experiences with power structures in hospital care and to develop policy recommendations for transforming disempowering structures.
A three-phased critical ethnographic design.
Data were collected in a general teaching hospital in the Netherlands between December 2022 and June 2024 through (1) ethnographic diaries kept by nurses, (2) semi-structured interviews, (3) partial participant observations, (4) one focus group discussion with only nurses and (5) one multistakeholder focus group. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes.
Twenty-eight nurses of thirteen different departments and nine stakeholders participated. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) power in cooperation, (2) hierarchical relationships, (3) aggression and (4) insufficient decision-making power in hospital policies. The first theme was experienced as an empowering structural condition, while the last three were identified as disempowering structures.
Job satisfaction and quality of care among nurses are at risk and elicit feelings of burnout because of nurse–doctor hierarchies, aggression and insufficient decision-making power in hospital policies. Therefore, improving interprofessional cooperation and including nurses in decision-making is crucial to structurally empower nurses.
Hospital administrators need to create empowering conditions for nurses by furthering inclusion in policy making and setting department goals, implementing interprofessional education for effective collaboration, increasing nurse representation throughout hospital management layers and ensuring strong support systems. These interventions are important in addressing aggression, hierarchies, nurse turnover and burnout.
COREQ guidelines were used for reporting qualitative studies.
None.
To analyse the dimensions of the omission of nursing care in emergency departments, including its attributes, antecedents, and consequences, using Walker & Avant's concept analysis method.
Methods: Walker and Avant's eight-step method defined attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the omission of nursing care in emergency departments.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, Health Management Database, and Cochrane Library, covering publications from 2001 to 2024. The search was conducted in August 2024.
Key attributes were delayed, incomplete, or interrupted care, mostly due to insufficient staffing or unpredictable patient volumes. Antecedents included high workloads, inadequate skill mixes, and understaffing. Consequences were increased patient morbidity and mortality, nurse burnout, and job dissatisfaction. A research gap exists in paediatric-specific measurement tools.
Identifying dimensions of omitted nursing care in emergency departments informs interventions to improve patient safety and care quality. Developing paediatric-specific measurement tools is essential.
The findings emphasise the need for improved staffing and resource allocation policies, reducing risks to patients and enhancing nurse satisfaction.
This study addressed the gap in understanding omitted nursing care specifically in emergency departments. Findings highlight systemic issues impacting patient outcomes and nurse well-being. The results will guide organisational improvements and future research globally.
This study adhered to EQUATOR guidelines, following Walker and Avant's method for concept analysis.
This study did not include patient or public involvement.
This study underscores the critical impact of the omission of nursing care (ONC) in emergency departments (EDs) on patient safety, nurse well-being, and healthcare efficiency. ONC contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and adverse events, highlighting the urgent need for improved staffing models and resource allocation. Training programmes should equip emergency nurses with prioritisation strategies to mitigate care omissions. Policymakers must recognise ONC as a key quality indicator, ensuring adequate workforce support. Additionally, this study identifies a gap in measuring ONC in paediatric EDs, calling for the development of tailored assessment tools and further research on intervention strategies.
To determine the prevalence of burnout and back pain in homecare workers in Switzerland and assess their associations with psychosocial work environment factors.
National multicentre cross-sectional study.
Using paper-pencil questionnaires, data were collected from January 2021 to September 2021 from employees of 88 homecare agencies across Switzerland. Respondents who identified themselves as administrators, apprentices, or trainees, who were in leadership positions, or who were not involved in the provision of care or housekeeping were excluded from this analysis. Burnout was assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory Scale (possible score range 0–100) and back pain with a single item from the Federal Statistical Office's Swiss Health Survey. Multilevel regression analyses were used to assess burnout and back pain's associations with psychosocial work environment factors.
We included 2514 homecare workers. More than two-thirds (68.6%) reported back pain in the past 4 weeks. The overall mean burnout score was 36.0 (SD 18.3). Poorer work-life balance, higher perceived workload and verbal aggression from clients were positively associated with both outcomes. Better leadership and social support from colleagues were negatively associated with burnout. Higher role conflict levels correlated with higher burnout levels.
Our findings indicate that the psychosocial work environment should be considered when designing interventions to reduce the prevalence of burnout and back pain among homecare workers.
The high reported burnout and back pain prevalences among homecare workers highlight an urgent need to design and implement psychosocial work environment-improving interventions. In addition to contributing to homecare employees' long-term attraction and retention, protecting and promoting their health and well-being will likely not only benefit them, but also contribute to patient safety, quality of care and homecare sustainability.
The study reports the prevalence of burnout and back pain among homecare workers and their associations with psychosocial work environment factors. The results indicate that six psychosocial work environment factors—work-life balance, perceived workload, leadership quality, levels of social support from colleagues, role conflict levels, and verbal aggression from clients—all correlate with burnout and/or back pain in homecare workers. For policy makers, researchers, healthcare managers, and homecare agencies, this study's findings will inform the development of interventions to enhance homecare work environments, leading to improvements both in workers' health and in the quality of their care.
We have adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting checklist for cross-sectional studies.
Our stakeholder group included patient representatives, policy makers, researchers, clinicians and representatives of professional associations. Throughout the study, all provided support and input on topics including questionnaire development, result interpretation and the design of strategies to improve response rates.
To explore community nurses' experiences of changes to their roles in palliative and end-of-life care.
An e-survey was followed by focus groups.
Fifty-one community nurses with recent experience of delivering end-of-life care in the United Kingdom completed a survey about changes to their roles. A purposive sample of 35 respondents participated in focus groups exploring these changes in more depth; thematic analysis was used with constant comparison.
As well as two new roles—prescribing and verifying death—many participants talked about a broader expansion of their role, increasing their leadership in making complex end-of-life care decisions with patients and families. Most nurses expressed pride in their new knowledge and skills, and satisfaction with the care they were providing. Yet many also expressed distress that heavy workloads impaired their capacity both to provide good clinical care and to train junior colleagues. The importance of General Practitioner support with complex cases was often highlighted, but accessing such support was sometimes difficult.
While welcoming the opportunity to extend their palliative care roles, many participants indicated experiencing moral distress.
Excessive workloads and patchy medical support threaten the retention of the experienced nurses upon whom community palliative care depends.
Our findings suggest that new and extended palliative care roles are viewed positively by nurses. To be sustainable, these changes require better workload management and consistent medical back-up.
We adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines, using the SRQR checklist.
Our Public and Clinician Advisory Group helped shape questions and commented on findings.
This study explores the lived experiences of critical care nurses who are also mothers, focusing on their challenges with breastfeeding and pumping at work.
Using interpretive phenomenology, grounded in Martin Heidegger's work, semi-structured interviews were conducted with critical care nurses (N = 54) who were also breastfeeding mothers in the United States in 2024. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Patricia Benner's interpretation of the hermeneutic circle in nursing data analysis to identify the essence of lived experiences in breastfeeding as a critical care nurse mother.
Four main themes emerged during the analysis. They are as follows: (1) The Impact of Workplace Environment on Breastfeeding Nurse Mothers and Their Children, (2) The Role of Organisational Support and Resources in Retaining Breastfeeding Nurse Mothers in Critical Care, (3) Team Dynamics and Career Implications of Breastfeeding for Nurse Mothers in Critical Care and (4) Organisational and Systemic Approaches to Supporting Breastfeeding Nurse Mothers in Critical Care.
The findings highlight critical gaps in workplace policies and support systems for breastfeeding nurses. Addressing these inequities through the provision of adequate lactation facilities, flexible pumping schedules and a supportive workplace culture is essential to reducing stress and enabling nurse mothers to continue breastfeeding successfully. This study underscores the need for systemic reforms to support breastfeeding in the nursing profession.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
To verify the efficacy of virtual reality compared to tablet games for pain and anxiety management in children undergoing percutaneous bone pin and/or suture removal procedures.
Randomised clinical trial using two parallel groups: (1) virtual reality or (2) tablet game.
Three-center, randomised pragmatic clinical trial, using a parallel design with two groups (experimental group: immersive virtual reality; active comparator: tablet games). Children aged 6–17 requiring percutaneous pins and/or sutures were recruited between 2020 and 2022 from three outpatient orthopaedic clinics in paediatric hospitals. Pain was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale and anxiety with the Child Fear Scale before and immediately after the procedure.
A total of 188 participants were assigned to either the virtual reality group (96 participants) or the tablet group (92 participants). At the first assessment, there was no noticeable difference between the two groups in terms of pain or anxiety levels. However, further analysis revealed that participants aged 13 and older in the virtual reality group experienced significantly lower anxiety.
Virtual reality was not more efficacious than games on a tablet for pain and anxiety of children undergoing removal of bone pins or sutures. However, virtual reality demonstrated a benefit in reducing anxiety for teenagers, particularly those aged 13-older.
Virtual reality games provide an immersive, non-pharmacological alternative of for anxiety management of teenagers during pins and/or sutures removal.
This study showed that a virtual reality game may help reduce anxiety during pins and/or sutures removal procedures in patients aged 13 years and older.
We adhered to the CONSORT checklist for reporting results.
A patient partner reviewed the study design, methods and final manuscript.
NCT03680625
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between nursing workload at the time of intensive care unit discharge and the likelihood of intensive care unit readmission.
This single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at a Belgian academic hospital and included all intensive care unit admissions from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.
The Nursing Activities Score was documented by the nurse responsible for each patient during every shift. Adult patients (≥ 18 years) with intensive care unit stay exceeding 24 h during the study period were eligible for inclusion. Those discharged to another hospital, a nursing home, or their own home were excluded due to the inability to ensure follow-up.
Among the 1293 eligible admissions recorded during the study period, 133 patients (10.3%) experienced readmission. Readmitted patients exhibited a higher prevalence of medical reasons for intensive care unit admission, significantly increased mortality rates, and longer hospital length of stay compared to non-readmitted patients. The average daily Nursing Activities Score did not differ significantly between the two groups. The Nursing Activities Score at intensive care unit discharge was notably higher in readmitted patients, and those with a score above the median at discharge demonstrated an increased risk of readmission within 30 days. In multivariable analysis, a high Nursing Activities Score at intensive care unit discharge was an independent predictor of readmission.
An elevated nursing workload, as indicated by the Nursing Activities Score recorded at intensive care unit discharge, was significantly associated with a higher risk of readmission.
The study examines the relationship between nursing workload at the time of ICU discharge and the likelihood of unplanned readmission. The results highlight the critical role of nursing workload assessment at ICU discharge in capturing the complexity of care requirements patients face at discharge. The results emphasise the importance of revising discharge planning processes, identifying nursing workload as a critical factor in unplanned readmissions.
STROBE guidelines were used for this study.
Not applicable.
To explore how regulatory frameworks, material constraints, and systemic conditions influence nursing practice, focusing on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK) Code, emotional labour, gendered expectations, and healthcare technology.
This qualitative study employed a Posthuman Institutional Ethnography (PIE) approach to understand the material and social dynamics that shape nursing practice.
A renal ward in a large acute National Health Service (NHS) hospital in the UK.
The sample consisted of 10 practising nurses, aged from their mid-20s to 50s, with varying lengths of service from 3 to over 30 years, offering diverse perspectives on nursing practice.
Data were collected from October 2018 to April 2019 through documentary analysis, participatory ethnography, multimedia diaries, and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis, guided by posthuman and new materialist frameworks, examined how human and non-human actors interact in the production of nurse work.
The Code's emphasis on individual accountability often clashes with systemic barriers such as staffing shortages, outdated healthcare technology, and limited resources, leading to distress and burnout among nurses. Gendered expectations further exacerbate the burden on nurses, contributing to feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion, and emotional strain. Inefficient electronic health records (EHRs) were identified as significant barriers to effective nursing practice.
Addressing systemic barriers is crucial to creating a supportive environment for nurses. Shifting from a model of individual accountability to one of systemic responsibility is vital for enhancing nurse well-being and improving patient care quality. Policy changes must acknowledge systemic factors such as staffing, technology, and resource availability to create a sustainable and effective healthcare system that supports nursing practice.
The study design includes participatory methods where participants create the framing and context of the data included. However, this study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.
The Cancer Behaviour Inventory–Brief Version was designed to assess cancer-coping self-efficacy in clinical and research settings where minimising patient burden is essential. However, there is no evidence of its longitudinal validity. Although widely used in cancer research, the lack of evidence for longitudinal invariance significantly undermines its validity in studies spanning multiple time points. Establishing longitudinal invariance enables valid comparisons over time, enhancing our confidence in applying it in longitudinal research.
To examine the factor structure of the measurement and test its longitudinal invariance across four time points in cancer patients experiencing moderate-to-high symptoms during curative cancer treatment.
A longitudinal psychometric evaluation.
This is a secondary data analysis of a randomised controlled trial in patients with moderate-to-high symptoms undergoing cancer treatment (N = 534). We conducted longitudinal invariance tests for the measurement using four time points. Other psychometric tests included confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analyses and correlations.
Our confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor, 12-item structure for the Cancer Behaviour Inventory–Brief Version. Items 1 and 6 were found to be moderately correlated. The resulting 12-item measure demonstrated good internal consistency, with convergent and divergent validity supported by correlations with selected instruments. Finally, longitudinal invariance was tested, which revealed strict measurement invariance across four time points (CFI = 0.930, RMSEA = 0.045, SRMA = 0.056).
We found that the factor structure of the Cancer Behaviour Inventory–Brief Version remained stable over four time points in a sample of patients having moderate to high symptoms under cancer treatment. This supports its accountability for examining the changes in cancer-coping self-efficacy among cancer patients over time in longitudinal studies.
This study confirms that Cancer Behaviour Inventory–Brief Version has adequate internal consistency and demonstrated evidence of construct validity. Our conclusion of strict longitudinal invariance supports its credibility for continuous assessment of cancer-coping self-efficacy to evaluate patient outcomes and intervention processes over time in clinical and research settings.
No patient or public contribution.
by Suksan Kanoksin, Suphakarn Techapongsatorn
BackgroundSurgical smoke generated during energy-based operations is a known hazard containing particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and biological debris, with insufficient adoption of commercial smoke evacuators due to cost and complexity.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a cost-effective, modular and passive smoke evacuator and evaluate its efficacy in reducing PM and VOC levels during simulated laparoscopic procedures.
MethodsA prototype smoke evacuator incorporating a distilled water bubbling trap, activated carbon filter, and ULPA filter was tested in a sealed chamber simulating laparoscopic surgery using porcine liver tissue. The system was connected to a laparoscopic port through a three-way valve, allowing manual, on-demand smoke evacuation without continuous suction. Air quality metrics, including PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10, VOC, and CO₂, were measured continuously. Results were compared to baseline and performance benchmarks from commercial smoke evacuation systems. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests.
ResultsThe prototype evacuator reduced PM2.5 levels by >99.5% and VOC concentrations by >95% compared to no-evacuation control trials (p 2.5 and VOC levels were restored to near-baseline values.
ConclusionThe developed modular passive smoke evacuator offers a promising and cost-effective solution to improve air quality and enhance occupational safety in operating rooms. The model represents an idealized simulation of laparoscopic smoke evacuation; further clinical validation in live surgical environments is warranted.
by Panawit Hanpinitsak, Tatpong Katanyukul, Norrawit Tonmitr, Chanon Suntra, Sora-at Tanusilp, Arthit Phuphaphud
Monitoring cattle behavior plays an important role in improving farm productivity, maintaining animal welfare, and supporting efficient management practices. This study presents a multi-view behavior recognition system that uses synchronized top-view and front-view CCTV footage, combined with deep learning techniques. The system includes four main components: cow identification, behavior classification, identity-behavior association using Intersection-over-Union (IoU), and a decision-level ensemble to combine information from both views. YOLOv8 models are applied separately to each camera angle to detect individual cows and classify six key behaviors: drinking, eating, standing, lying, riding, and chin resting, with the latter two being relevant for estrus detection. The system matches cow identities to their behaviors within each view and then integrates the results to produce a final activity label for each cow.Despite the benefits of early diagnosis, most cancers in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to late presentation of symptoms, inadequate referral systems and poor diagnostic capacity. Health communication interventions have been used extensively in high-income countries to increase people’s awareness of cancer symptoms and encourage timely help-seeking. However, in SSA, there is still limited evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions and existing evaluations are mainly focused on communicable diseases rather than cancer.
A randomised, multisite, controlled community trial will evaluate a culturally tailored health infographic toolkit delivered in rural and urban settings in the Western Cape Province in South Africa and Harare and surrounding provinces in Zimbabwe. Participants will be randomised to receive one of three African aWAreness of CANcer and Early Diagnosis (AWACAN-ED) cancer awareness tools, coproduced with local communities, comprising health communication infographics with descriptions of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer symptoms plus messages to encourage consultation with primary care providers if symptoms occur, all presented in English and four local languages. We will recruit 144 participants in each of the three intervention groups (N=432). The primary outcome will be recall of symptoms and the secondary outcomes will be (1) intention to seek help, (2) emotional impact and (3) acceptability of the toolkit. Outcomes will be measured preintervention and at two points postintervention: after 15 min and 1 month.
Ethical approval was obtained in both participating countries, South Africa (148/2025) and Zimbabwe (363/2021). All participants will be required to provide written informed consent prior to participation. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and the AWACAN-ED programme website.
PACTR202505475803308.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant challenge in hospital settings, and accurately differentiating between intrinsic and prerenal AKI is crucial for effective management. The fractional excretion of urea (FEUN) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for this purpose, offering an alternative to traditional markers such as fractional excretion of sodium. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FEUN for differentiating intrinsic from prerenal AKI in hospitalised patients.
We conducted a systematic review and bivariate random effects meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies. The study followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 1 November 2023.
We included observational studies that focused on patient with AKI and reported FEUN data sufficient to reconstruct a complete 2x2 contingency table (true positives, true negatives, false positives and false negatives) for evaluating its diagnostic accuracy.
Two reviewers extracted data, assessed risk of bias with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 and graded certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) were calculated; heterogeneity was measured with I². A prespecified subgroup restricted to patients receiving diuretics served as a sensitivity analysis.
12 studies involving 1240 patients were included, with an overall occurrence rate of intrinsic AKI of 38.8%. FEUN had a pooled sensitivity of 0.74 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.84) and specificity of 0.78 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.87), with positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 0.76 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.83) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.81), respectively. The SROC curve showed a pooled diagnostic accuracy of 0.83. Heterogeneity was substantial (I²>90%) for sensitivity and specificity. In a diuretic-only subgroup (six studies) specificity rose to0.87 and heterogeneity declined (I²=56%). Overall certainty of evidence was low owing to inconsistency.
FEUN is a biomarker with moderate diagnostic accuracy for differentiating between intrinsic and prerenal AKI in hospitalised patients. Its application could enhance AKI management; however, the high heterogeneity observed in our study highlights the need for further research to evaluate its utility across diverse patient populations and clinical settings.
CRD42024496083.
Diabetes is highly prevalent in older women worldwide. This study explores the associations of psychosocial factors with both health service utilisation and self-management in older women aged 68 to 73 years with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or pre-diabetes.
This cross-sectional study used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), which is a national population-based cohort study that has collected information on factors related to women’s health and well-being over 20 years.
Women aged 68–73, born between 1946 and 1951, participated in ALSWH and self-reported their diagnosis of T2D or pre-diabetes.
Resilience, dispositional optimism and perceived control were the measures of psychosocial factors. The associations between these factors and diabetes self-management behaviours, healthcare visits and preventive service use were examined by numerous regression models.
There were 939 women aged 68–73 years with T2D or pre-diabetes. Women with T2D who exhibited higher dispositional optimism had significantly higher odds of participating in moderate/vigorous physical activity (OR: 1.06), visiting a dentist (OR: 1.07) and a lower rate of general practitioner (GP) visits (rate ratio (RR): 0.99). Women with T2D with greater resilience were likely to have a lower rate of consulting with mental health professionals (RR: 0.63) and higher odds of blood sugar level checks (OR: 1.68). The rate of GP visits within a year decreased by 16% for women with pre-diabetes who had a higher resilience score (RR: 0.84), and women with pre-diabetes with greater resilience had a 13% lower rate of visits to a nurse (RR: 0.87).
Psychosocial aspects of diabetes care may be important for supporting the physical and mental well-being of older women with T2D or pre-diabetes. Healthcare providers may consider whether integrating assessments of resilience and optimism into routine diabetes management might help identify older women who could benefit from targeted psychosocial support.
A comprehensive skincare regimen involves cleansing, moisturising, and using skin barrier protectants. Cyanoacrylate-based protectants safeguard vulnerable skin from damage caused by moisture, friction, and shear. This research involved two ex vivo and two clinical studies comparing the wear duration and wash-off resistance of a 100% cyanoacrylate and a solvent-cyanoacrylate mixture. Effectiveness was assessed using an ex vivo porcine skin model simulating urinary incontinence, evaluated with Lucifer yellow dye penetration and Corneometry, and a clinical model using Corneometry. Two single-blind clinical studies measured skin surface electrical capacitance in healthy volunteers. Study 1 (n = 42) evaluated the wear duration over 8 days, while Study 2 (n = 52) examined wash-off resistance after nine washes with various cleansers. Ex vivo results showed that both products were effective under repeated moisture and abrasion conditions, with the 100% cyanoacrylate outperforming the solvent-cyanoacrylate mixture. In clinical studies, both products maintained barrier protection throughout Study 1 (p < 0.007) and none of the cleansers significantly degraded either product in Study 2. In conclusion, the 100% cyanoacrylate provided superior protection compared to the solvent-cyanoacrylate mixture. Both products demonstrated comparable wear duration and wash-off resistance in clinical studies, but the 100% cyanoacrylate was more effective in ex vivo testing under harsh conditions.
FreshRSS 