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Self‐Care Behaviours and Associated Factors in Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aims

To describe self-care behaviours and explore factors associated with self-care behaviours in older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs).

Background

The prevalence of MCCs is increasing in a rising trend. MCCs complicate the self-care behaviours of older adults. There is limited evidence regarding the factors associated with self-care behaviours in older adults with MCCs.

Design

A cross-sectional design was adopted using the convenience sampling method.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a community health service centre. Measurements included the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory, a single item for loneliness, the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale, the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the 15-item Tilburg Frailty Indicator, and a self-developed questionnaire for sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used as appropriate. Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were adopted to examine the influencing factors.

Results

A total of 223 participants were enrolled in this study. Among the 223 participants, 49.3%, 32.7% and 28.7% achieved a cut-off score of ≥ 70 in self-care maintenance, monitoring and management, respectively. The linear regression models indicated that smoking status, frailty and self-care confidence were significantly associated with self-care maintenance; education level, per capita monthly household income and self-care confidence were significantly associated with self-care monitoring; and employment status and self-care confidence were significantly associated with self-care management. In addition, multivariate logistic regression showed that living in cities or towns was significantly associated with higher odds of adequate self-care management.

Conclusion

Three domains of self-care behaviours were influenced by distinct factors, and self-care confidence demonstrated consistent associations with all three domains of self-care behaviours. Self-efficacy-focused interventions may have the potential to promote self-care behaviours in older adults with MCCs.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Healthcare providers need to take into account the pivotal factors influencing self-care behaviours of this cohort to deliver structured and effective education and support. Clinicians should consider adopting confidence-building strategies in routine education for this cohort.

Reporting Method

We adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

How to Implement Advance Care Planning for People With Dementia: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

Background

Advance care planning for people with dementia is an important process to ensure that patient preferences are respected throughout disease progression. However, the complexity of advance care planning and the challenges in effective communication hinder its implementation. The lack of clear procedural guidance for health care teams and the limited research on practical issues such as building trust and resolving conflicts further complicate this process.

Objective

To explore the key components of and processes for advance care planning for people with dementia.

Methods

The authors conducted a comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, NICE, Open Grey, CNKI, and Wanfang. The inclusion criteria focused on studies reporting advance care planning practices and stakeholder perspectives related to dementia.

Results

The review included 45 studies and identified key components and processes for successfully implementing advance care planning in dementia care. These components include enhancing readiness, capturing patient wishes, and executing those wishes. The implementation processes cover assessing participation capacity, selecting surrogate decision-makers, and identifying healthcare providers who implement advance care planning. As the condition of people with dementia progresses, the role of healthcare providers who implement advance care planning becomes increasingly important in advance care planning practices.

Conclusions

The success of advance care planning depends on the interconnection of multiple components, and the findings offer practical insights for improving the advance care planning process to ensure that the care preferences of people with dementia are respected throughout the progression of the disease.

Reporting Method

PRISMA-ScR.

No Patient or Public Contribution

This is a review without patient and public contribution.

Exploring Work Experience, Job Satisfaction, Motivation and Intention to Stay Among Gig and Locum Nurses: A Mixed Methods Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To examine temporary registered nurses' job satisfaction, motivation, intent to stay and work experiences of gig or locum nursing roles.

Design

A two-phase mixed methods study.

Methods

Participants were temporary registered nurses who engaged in gig or locum roles. In Phase I, a cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out to examine temporary nurses' job satisfaction, motivation and intent-to-stay. In Phase II, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted to provide a more nuanced understanding of the factors that influenced temporary nurses' work experiences. The participants took part in a one-time, individual, semi-structured audio- and video-recorded interview via Zoom. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analyses.

Results

A total of 111 temporary nurses were included in this study. The temporary nurses scored higher for the subscale on intrinsic job satisfaction than on extrinsic job satisfaction, with the lowest item score for career advancement. They scored highest for extrinsic motivation, with the highest item score on compensation. They also reported low intention to stay in their current roles. A purposive sampling of 20 nurses participated in the interviews. Four themes emerged from the qualitative findings on their work experience: flexible schedule for work-life balance, attractive yet unstable compensation, job autonomy and impeding clinical and professional growth.

Conclusion

Temporary nurses are attracted to gig or locum nursing work due to compensation, work flexibility and job autonomy. Further research to examine the perspectives of patients, permanent staff and nursing managers is needed to provide more insights for healthcare policymakers and administrators.

Impact

Healthcare organisation could consider incorporating flexible work schedule and job rotation to make permanent staffing models more attractive for them. The digital platform could be adopted to promote long-term engagement in specific work setting and foster career development, ensuring the safe practice of temporary nurses.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Evidence Mapping of Clinical Practice Guidelines Recommendations and Quality for Nutritional Management in Dementia

ABSTRACT

Aim

This study aimed to systematically review Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for nutritional management of dementia and use evidence mapping to highlight research trends and identify gaps to inform future research.

Design

A systematic review of guidelines using the PRISMA statement.

Methods

Systematically collect literature on dementia management CPGs from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and guideline databases. Extract basic information, recommendations, methodological quality and reporting quality of the CPGs. Four researchers independently evaluated eligible CPGs using the AGREE II instrument and the RIGHT checklist. All recommendations from the CPGs were summarised and analysed, and evidence mapping bubble charts were created in Excel.

Results

After excluding 5541 records, 10 CPGs were eventually proved eligible, 5 of which were of high quality and 5 of high quality. With 10 CPGs that combined 18 recommendations. The nutrition screening and assessment were summarised on the basis of the dementia recommendations for 4 major items, 7 items on nutritional interventions, 5 items on caring and 2 on education.

Conclusion

This review provides an evidence map and offers new perspectives on CPGs for nutritional management in dementia. However, there are improvements to the included CPGs, but most CPGs have a number of key recommendations that can help guide clinical practice.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The currently available guidelines on dementia nutritional management have room for methodological improvement.

Promoting Social Participation in Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Intervention Effectiveness and Behavior Change Mechanisms

ABSTRACT

Background

Cognitive decline, including subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia, significantly affects social participation, leading to social isolation and reduced quality of life. Enhancing social participation through interventions may mitigate these effects, yet evidence on intervention effectiveness and mechanisms remains inconsistent.

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of social participation interventions for individuals with cognitive decline and identify effective behavior change techniques (BCTs) supporting social participation.

Methods

Our search using the following databases—PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang—was conducted until October 2024. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials. Meta-analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata18, and the certainty of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

Results

Sixteen RCTs involving 2190 participants were included. Music therapy (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI [0.15, 1.10]) and reminiscence therapy (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI [0.02, 0.66]) demonstrated significant positive effects on social participation. Group-based interventions were particularly effective (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI [0.04, 0.43]). Commonly used BCTs included goal setting, behavioral practice/rehearsal, and social support. However, substantial heterogeneity and limited data on SCD and MCI restricted generalizability.

Linking Evidence to Action

Interventions promoting social participation may enhance engagement for individuals with cognitive decline, particularly through music therapy, reminiscence therapy, and group-based formats. The complexity and dynamic nature of social interaction require individuals to engage and integrate various cognitive functions and skills, which can present significant challenges for older adults with cognitive impairments in their daily social participation. Further research is needed to optimize intervention components and address gaps in targeting early cognitive decline stages.

Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude and Practice in Nutrition Management of Hospitalised Adults: A Mixed‐Methods Study

ABSTRACT

Aim(s)

To examine nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding nutrition management in hospitalised adults and explore their views on it.

Design

A mixed-method approach combining cross-sectional and descriptive qualitative methods.

Methods

379 enrolled/registered nurses working in acute or intensive units of a tertiary hospital were recruited between 24th August 2023 and 3rd December 2023. Participants completed a questionnaire on their sociodemographic profile, knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding nutrition management. Data analysis was conducted using R software, reporting levels of KAP and its associations with sociodemographic factors. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for non-normally distributed knowledge and practice scores (reported as median and interquartile range). Two-sample t-tests and ANOVA were used for normally distributed attitude scores (reported as mean and standard deviation). 21 of the participants from the quantitative study were either purposively sampled or snowballed from the quantitative study to undergo semi-structured interviews (physically or virtually face-to-face), which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.

Results

The mean scores on KAP were 61.6, 19.4 and 22.8, respectively. Knowledge varied significantly by educational level (p < 0.001), while attitudes also differed based on education (p = 0.001) and years of employment (p = 0.019). Practice scores showed differences based on subspeciality (p = 0.032), nursing rank (p < 0.001) and years of employment (p = 0.004). Findings identified barriers to effective nutrition management, including prioritisation issues, varying professional roles, limited autonomy and resource shortages. It also emphasises nurses' roles in nutrition management and strategies such as nurses' autonomy and family members involvement to improve nutrition management.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic factors significantly influence nurses' KAP in nutrition management, revealing knowledge deficits, low prioritisation and time constraints. Tailored education and training, increased autonomy, resource expansion and greater family involvement can enhance nurses' KAP in nutrition management.

Nursing Cost Analysis for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

Objective

To determine nursing costs for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), assess the correlation with diagnosis-related group (DRG) payments and identify cost determinants.

Design

Prospective, descriptive and quantitative study.

Methods

From January to December 2022, we selected ICU patients with AECOPD and used time-driven activity-based costing method to calculate the overall nursing costs. We examined the cost recovery rate, correlations between nursing costs and DRG Relative Weight, and factors influencing nursing costs using nonparametric tests, Spearman's rank correlation and quantile regression.

Results

The median nursing charge was US$1001.88, the median nursing cost was US$678.51, and the average cost recovery rate was 68.39%. Nursing costs correlated with the DRG Relative Weight but not with payments. Length of stay, oxygen therapy mode and noninvasive ventilator use days impacted costs.

Conclusions

Nursing costs exceeded charges, with a moderate cost recovery rate. DRG payments do not fully reflect nursing cost variations.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Our findings indicate the need to enhance the reimbursement system for nursing costs and to manage ICU nursing expenses by addressing the determinants of these costs.

Reporting Method

The authors adhered to the EQUATOR network guidelines STROBE to report observational cross-sectional studies.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychological Distress in Patients With Early‐Stage Lung Cancer During Preoperative Period: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Por: Lijun Lu · Bo Zhang · Wei Li · Jina Li · Lezhi Li

ABSTRACT

Aim

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of significant psychological distress and identify risk factors associated with it among early-stage lung cancer patients in the preoperative period.

Background

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with low survival rates and significant psychological distress. While much research has focused on distress in advanced-stage patients, less is known about the prevalence and risk factors of psychological distress in early-stage lung cancer patients before surgery.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

The study included 427 early-stage lung cancer patients preparing for surgery. Researchers used a study-specific questionnaire to gather general information and employed the Distress Management Screening Measurement, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 to assess personal situations and psychological distress levels. Statistical analyses investigated distress across various patient characteristics and examined correlations with anxiety and depression. Binary logistic regression identified significant predictors of psychological distress.

Results

The study found that 41.9% of early-stage lung cancer patients experienced significant psychological distress preoperatively, with an average score of 3.31 ± 2.18. Psychological distress was significantly positively correlated with depression (r = 0.474, p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.591, p < 0.001). Significant risk factors for psychological distress included pulmonary nodules (OR = 2.884, 95% CI: 1.496–5.559), smoking history (OR = 2.092, 95% CI: 1.016–4.306) and chronic diseases (OR = 2.013, 95% CI: 1.073–3.776).

Conclusion

Early-stage lung cancer patients often experience a high incidence of clinically significant psychological distress during the preoperative period, strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Adverse factors contributing to psychological distress include multiple indeterminate pulmonary nodules, smoking history and concurrent chronic diseases. Routine screening for psychological distress in these patients is recommended, along with personalised interventions and self-management strategies to help alleviate their distress during the perioperative period.

Effectiveness of Integrated Care for Older Pepole (ICOPE) in Improving Intrinsic Capacity in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT

Objective

Conduct a systematic review of existing studies on intrinsic capacity (IC) and a meta-analysis of studies to assess the overall effectiveness of ICOPE in improving IC in older adults.

Methods

Ten databases were systematically searched from inception to November 8, 2023, and the search was last updated on January 2, 2024. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The main outcomes were IC (cognition, psychological, sensory, vitality and locomotion).

Results

The results showed ICOPE had a significant effect in improving cognitive function (SMD = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.56, p < 0.001, 12 RCTs, 7926 participants) and depressive symptoms (SMD = −0.70; 95% CI, −0.96 to −0.43, p < 0.001, 26 RCTs, 11,034 participants), but there was no statistically significant difference in improving locomotion (SMD = 0.16; 95% CI, −0.03 to 0.34, p = 0.098, 3 RCTs, 1580 participants). Meta-regression analysis shows that intervention duration should be paid attention to when the source of heterogeneity is discussed on the cognition.

Conclusion

The results suggest that ICOPE may be a potentially effective approach to help improve the IC in older adults, showing significant potential for improving cognitive function and reducing depressive symptoms in particular.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

ICOPE is expected to provide effective strategies to enhance issues such as IC and may be an innovative way to improve the overall health of older adults. This result provides strong support for geriatric nursing practice and encourages the adoption of ICOPE as a viable nursing approach to promote healthy ageing.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation combined with immunotherapy for treating liver metastases: A prospective non-randomized trial

by Xiyue Yang, Yao Liao, Lingli Fan, Binwei Lin, Jie Li, Danfeng Wu, Dongbiao Liao, Li Yuan, Jihui Liu, Feng Gao, Gang Feng, Xiaobo Du

Purpose

Given the unique features of the liver, it is necessary to combine immunotherapy with other therapies to improve its efficacy in patients of advanced cancer with liver metastases (LM). High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation is now widely used in clinical practice and can enhanced immune benefits. The study is intended to prospectively evaluate the safety and clinical feasibility of HIFU ablation in combination with systemic immunotherapy for patients with liver metastases.

Methods

The study enrolled 14 patients with LM who received ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1 agents manufactured in China) at Mianyang Central Hospital. Patients were followed up for adverse events (AEs) during the trial, using the CommonTerminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0(CTCAE v5.0) as the standard. Tumour response after treatment was assessed using computerized tomography.

Results

The 14 patients (age range, 35–84 years) underwent HIFU ablation at 19 metastatic sites and systemic immunotherapy. The mean lesion volume was 179.9 cm3 (maximum: 733.1 cm3). Median follow-up for this trial was 9 months (range: 3–21) months. The study is clinically feasible and acceptable to patients.

Conclusion

This prospective study confirmed that HIFU combined with immunotherapy is clinically feasible and safe for treating liver metastases.

Applying machine learning to construct an association model for lung cancer and environmental hormone high‐risk factors and nursing assessment reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction

To utilize machine learning techniques to develop an association model linking lung cancer and environmental hormones to enhance the understanding of potential lung cancer risk factors and refine current nursing assessments for lung cancer.

Design

This study is exploratory in nature. In Stage 1, data were sourced from a biological database, and machine learning methods, including logistic regression and neural-like networks, were employed to construct an association model. Results indicate significant associations between lung cancer and blood cadmium, urine cadmium, urine cadmium/creatinine, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. In Stage 2, 128 lung adenocarcinoma patients were recruited through convenience sampling, and the model was validated using a questionnaire assessing daily living habits and exposure to environmental hormones.

Results

Analysis reveals correlations between the living habits of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and exposure to blood cadmium, urine cadmium, urine cadmium/creatinine, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, diethyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Conclusions

According to the World Health Organization's global statistics, lung cancer claims approximately 1.8 million lives annually, with more than 50% of patients having no history of smoking or non-traditional risk factors. Environmental hormones have garnered significant attention in recent years in pathogen exploration. However, current nursing assessments for lung cancer risk have not incorporated environmental hormone-related factors. This study proposes reconstructing existing lung cancer nursing assessments with a comprehensive evaluation of lung cancer risks.

Clinical Relevance

The findings underscore the importance of future studies advocating for public screening of environmental hormone toxins to increase the sample size and validate the model externally. The developed association model lays the groundwork for advancing cancer risk nursing assessments.

Effectiveness of integrated care for older adults‐based interventions on depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aim

To pool existing studies to assess the overall effectiveness of integrated care for older adults (ICOPE)-based interventions in improving depressive symptoms in older adults.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources

Ten databases were systematically searched from inception to 15 July 2023 and the search was last updated on 2 September 2023.

Methods

Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using random effects models. RoB 2 and GRADEpro GDT were used to assess the methodological quality and confidence in the cumulative evidence. Funnel plots, egger's test and begg's test were used to analyse publication bias. Sensitivity, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

Results

The results of 18 studies showed ICOPE-based interventions had a significant effect on improving depressive symptoms (SMD = −.84; 95% CI, −1.20 to −.3647; p < .001; 18 RCTs, 5010 participants; very low-quality evidence). Subgroup analysis showed the intervention group was characterized by mean age (70–80 years old), intervention duration between 6 to 12 months, gender (female <50%), non-frail older adults, depressed older adults and mixed integration appeared to be more effective. Sensitivity analysis found the results to be robust.

Conclusion

ICOPE-based interventions may be a potentially effective alternative approach to reduce depressive symptoms in the older adults.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Healthcare professionals are expected to use ICOPE as one of the interventions for depressive symptoms in older adults, and this ICOPE could provide more comprehensive care services for older adults to reduce depressive symptoms.

Impact

ICOPE-based interventions may be a potentially effective alternative approach to reduce depressive symptoms in the older adults. ICOPE-based interventions had a significant effect on reducing depressive symptoms in the older adults. The intervention group characterized by mean age of older adults, intervention duration, gender ratio, health condition and integration types may influence the effect size.

Reporting Method

According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Family resilience and vulnerability of patients at diagnosis of lung cancer: A qualitative study

Abstract

Aim

To explore and analyse the adaptation process of patients and their families at the point of lung cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Totally 23 operable lung cancer patients were included in this study. Colaizzi's method of phenomenology was employed for data analysis.

Results

This study found two different aspects of family adaptation at the diagnosis of lung cancer. For family resilience, three themes emerged: (1) Positive family belief systems (giving meaning to a cancer diagnosis and maintaining a positive/optimistic attitude), (2) Flexible family organizational patterns (maintaining the stability of family structure and function, adjusting the relationship between patients and family members and receiving external support and help) and (3) Good communication and problem-solving strategies (open communication on an equal basis, positive and open expression of emotions and collaborative problem-solving). For family vulnerability, three themes were as follows: (1) Negative family belief systems (negative attitudes and concealment and self-isolation due to stigma), (2) Rigid family organizational patterns (adaptation lost, conflicts between family support and patients' willingness and pressure upon social support) and (3) Unhealthy communication and problem-solving (poor communication, emotional asymmetry of family members and tendency to solve problems alone).

Conclusion

The study highlights the existence of the family resilience and family vulnerability at the point of lung cancer diagnosis and provides patient's perspective for understanding family resilience in specific cultural contexts.

Patient Contribution

The data were collected through face-to-face interviews.

Trail registration number: ChiCTR2300074801.

Effect of quality nursing care on wound pain and anxiety in burn patients: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

To systematically evaluate the effects of quality nursing care on wound pain and anxiety in burn patients. Computerised searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of quality nursing care to burn patients were carried out from database inception to October 2023. Literature was screened and evaluated by two researchers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted from the final included literature. Stata 17.0 software was employed for data analysis. Overall, 15 RCTs and 1115 burn patients were included, including 563 and 552 in the quality care and routine care groups. It was found that, compared with routine care, burn patients who implemented quality care had significantly less wound pain (SMD: −1.79, 95% CI: −2.22 to −1.36, p < 0.001), anxiety (SMD: −2.71. 95% CI: −3.49 to −1.92, p < 0.001) and depression (SMD: −1.74, 95% CI: −2.35 to −1.14, p < 0.001) levels were significantly reduced post-trauma.

Risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot ulcers: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are chronic, difficult-to-heal wounds with a very high incidence of amputation. For patients with DFUs, prevention of amputation is crucial. However, the risk factors associated with DFU amputation and the extent to which different risk factors increase the risk of amputation are still uncertain. This study intends to provide a clinical basis for early intervention in DFU by retrospectively analysing the risk factors for DFU amputation. A retrospective analysis of 200 patients with DFUs admitted between October 2019 and October 2023 was conducted. Sixty-eight of the 200 underwent amputations. The overall amputation rate was 34%. Multiple logistic regression model showed that neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (OR = 1.943; 95% CI:1.826–2.139), white blood cell (OR = 1.143; 95% CI:1.034–1.267), C-reactive protein (OR = 1.307; 95% CI:1.113–2.194) and Wagner grading (OR = 2.783; 95% CI: 1.751–4.302) were independent risk factors for amputation, while haemoglobin (OR = 0.742; 95% CI:0.638–0.965) and high density lipoprotein were independent protective factors for amputation (OR = 0.168; 95% CI:0.037–0.716), and further Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve curves showed that they showed high accuracy and were good predictors of amputation of DFUs.

The impact of long‐term antihypertensive treatment on wound healing after major non‐cardiac surgery in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

Hypertension is a prevalent condition that poses significant challenges in the perioperative management of patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, particularly concerning wound healing and scar formation. This meta-analysis assesses the impact of long-term antihypertensive treatment on postoperative wound healing, examining data from seven studies involving patients who received such treatments compared to untreated controls. Our findings reveal that long-term antihypertensive therapy is associated with significantly improved wound healing outcomes, as indicated by lower REEDA scores (I 2 = 96%, SMD = −25.71, 95% CI: [−33.71, −17.70], p < 0.01) 1 week post-surgery and reduced scar formation, demonstrated by lower Manchester Scar Scale scores (I 2 = 93%, SMD = −37.29, 95% CI: [−44.93, −29.64], p < 0.01) 2 months post-surgery. These results underscore the potential benefits of antihypertensive treatment in enhancing surgical recovery and offer insights into optimising perioperative care for hypertensive patients.

Early warning scores for sepsis identification and prediction of in‐hospital mortality in adults with sepsis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aim

The early warning scores (EWS), quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria have been proposed as sepsis screening tools. This review aims to summarise and compare the performance of EWS with the qSOFA and SIRS criteria for predicting sepsis diagnosis and in-hospital mortality in patients with sepsis.

Design

A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Review Methods

Seven databases were searched from January 1, 2016 until March 10, 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic odd ratios were pooled by using the bivariate random effects model. Overall performance was summarised by using the hierarchical summary receiver–operating characteristics curve. This paper adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies (PRISMA-DTA) guidelines.

Results

Ten studies involving 52,474 subjects were included in the review. For predicting sepsis diagnosis, the pooled sensitivity of EWS (65%, 95% CI: 55, 75) was similar to SIRS ≥2 (70%, 95% CI: 49, 85) and higher than qSOFA ≥2 (37%, 95% CI: 20, 59). The pooled specificity of EWS (77%, 95% CI: 64, 86) was higher than SIRS ≥2 (62%, 95% CI: 41, 80) but lower than qSOFA ≥2 (94%, 95% CI: 86, 98). Results were similar for the secondary outcome of in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Although no one scoring system had both high sensitivity and specificity, the EWS had at least equivalent values in most measures of diagnostic accuracy compared with SIRS or qSOFA.

Implications for the profession

Healthcare systems in which EWS is already in place should consider whether there is any clinical benefit in adopting qSOFA or SIRS.

No patient or public contribution

This systematic review did not directly involve patient or public contribution to the manuscript.

Effects of loose combined cutting seton surgery on wound healing and pain in patients with high anal fistula: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of loose combined cutting seton surgery on wound healing and pain in patients with high anal fistula, aiming to provide evidence-based medical evidence for surgical method selection for these patients. A comprehensive computerized search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted to collect all relevant studies published up to November 2023, evaluating the effects of loose combined cutting seton surgery in treating patients with high anal fistulas. Two researchers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the identified studies. RevMan 5.4 software was employed for data analysis. Overall, 16 articles were included, comprising 1124 patients, with 567 undergoing loose combined cutting seton surgery and 557 undergoing simple cutting seton surgery. The analysis revealed patients undergoing loose combined cutting seton surgery had a higher rate of postoperative wound healing (97.44% vs. 81.69%, odds ratio [OR]: 7.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.29–13.10, p < 0.00001), shorter wound healing time (standardized mean differences [SMD]: −1.48, 95% CI: −1.89 to −1.08, p < 0.00001), lower postoperative wound pain scores (SMD: −2.51, 95% CI: −3.51 to −1.51, p < 0.00001), and a lower rate of postoperative complications (3.43% vs. 20.83%, OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.05–0.31, p < 0.00001). The current evidence suggests that compared to simple cutting seton surgery, loose combined cutting seton surgery in treating high anal fistulas can promote postoperative wound healing, shorten wound healing time, alleviate pain, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, making it a worthy clinical practice for widespread application.

Effects of enhanced recovery after surgery nursing program on the surgical site wound infection and postoperative complications in patients of gastric cancer: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the impact of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept on surgical site wound infections and postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients. A comprehensive computerized search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from database inception to November 2023, exploring the application of the ERAS concept in the perioperative period of gastric cancer surgery. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and conducted quality assessments based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. A total of 24 RCTs involving 2050 gastric cancer patients were included. The analysis revealed a significantly lower incidence of wound infections (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.14–0.40, p < 0.001) and postoperative complications (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.15–0.27, p < 0.001) in the ERAS group compared to the standard care group. This study demonstrates that the application of the ERAS concept during the perioperative period in gastric cancer surgery can effectively reduce the occurrence of wound infections and complications, thereby facilitating postoperative recovery.

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