Conectar
Establishing a nomogram to estimate the probability of oral mucosal membrane pressure injury of endotracheal tube-intubated hospitalized patients in intensive care unit.
Multicentre prospective cohort study.
Using Lasso regression and COX regression, variable selection was performed on demographic, clinical and laboratory data of 1037 ICU endotracheal tube-intubated hospitalized patients from West China Hospital, to construct a nomogram. External validation was conducted on 484 ICU endotracheal tube-intubated patients from People's Hospital of Zhongjiang County.
Among 38 potential predictors, five variables emerged as independent predictors, integrated into the nomogram: administration of antibiotics, nutritional therapy duration, agitation, hypotension and albumin levels.
We established a nomogram based on the hospital characteristics of ICU endotracheal tube-intubated patients, aiding in the prediction of the occurrence of oral mucosal membrane pressure injury.
The study followed TRIPOD guidelines.
The nomogram we developed can assist clinical worker in better identifying at-risk patients and risk factors. It enables the implementation of evidence-based nursing interventions in care to prevent the development of oral mucosal membrane pressure injury.
The study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) under registration number ChiCTR2200056615.
To explore older inpatients and their caregivers' care experience and how this relates to the gerontology care practice.
Research interest in the conceptualization of safe care for older inpatients was growing, and these studies were predominantly reported from a single or healthcare perspective. There is a shortage of literature on how patients and their caregivers conceptualise safe care.
Constructivist grounded theory.
Stage 1 included semi-structured interviews with inpatients. Stage 2 included semi-structured interviews with caregivers and six field notes. Purposive and theoretical sampling were used to recruit 61 participants across six healthcare institutions. Data analysis included initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding using constant comparative, field notes and memo writing.
The substantive theory to emerge from the data was A balance of unsafe care incidents and interactive cooperative care. This core concept was informed by four categories: unsafe care incidents, interactive cooperative care, person-centred care, contextual conditions, and one care outcome. The relationships between these categories constituted a balance in which patient-centred care was the core, unsafe care incidents were the barriers, interactive cooperative care was the facilitator, and the result of the balance was the care outcome. The balance constituted a safe care ecosystem under the interaction of contextual conditions.
Interactive cooperative care is vital in enabling care stakeholders to reduce unsafe care incidents, which facilitates them in achieving safe care and further constructing a healthy care ecosystem.
This theory identifies barriers and facilitators encountered by care stakeholders to cope with everyday problems and guides them in developing personalised care plans to ensure patient safety.
To investigate the prevalence of dysphagia in patients with COPD, identify the risk factors for dysphagia, develop a visual clinical prediction model and quantitatively predict the probability of developing dysphagia.
Patients with COPD are at high risk of dysphagia, which is strongly linked to the acute exacerbation of their condition. The use of effective tools to predict its risk may contribute to the early identification and treatment of dysphagia in patients with COPD.
A cross-sectional design.
From July 2021 to April 2023, we enrolled 405 patients with COPD for this study. The clinical prediction model was constructed according to the results of a univariate analysis and a logistic regression analysis, evaluated by discrimination, calibration and decision curve analysis and visualized by a nomogram. This study was reported using the TRIPOD checklist.
In total, 405 patients with COPD experienced dysphagia with a prevalence of 59.01%. A visual prediction model was constructed based on age, whether combined with cerebrovascular disease, chronic pulmonary heart disease, acute exacerbation of COPD, home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, dyspnoea level and xerostomia level. The model exhibited excellent discrimination at an AUC of .879. Calibration curve analysis indicated a good agreement between experimental and predicted values, and the decision curve analysis showed a high clinical utility.
The model we devised may be used in clinical settings to predict the occurrence of dysphagia in patients with COPD at an early stage.
The model can help nursing staff to calculate the risk probability of dysphagia in patients with COPD, formulate personalized preventive care measures for high-risk groups as soon as possible to achieve early prevention or delay of dysphagia and its related complications and improve the prognosis.
No patient or public contribution.
To investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the application of the Injury Severity Score (ISS) among emergency department nurses in China and the factors influencing these variables.
ISS is the first trauma scoring method to be developed and the most widely used in clinical practice. The correct application of the ISS by emergency department nurses plays an important role in assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of trauma patients, and it is crucial to understand nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices.
A cross-sectional multicentre study.
Nurses from the emergency departments of 25 grade II and grade III hospitals in Gansu Province, China participated in this study. Data was collected online using a self-administered questionnaire. Student's t-test or analysis of variance was performed to compare the differences between the groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified factors influencing nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding applying ISS. A STROBE checklist was used to report findings.
Among 459 nurses, a good level of attitude and passing levels of knowledge and practice regarding applying the ISS were revealed. Nurses in higher hospital grades, who had been exposed to ISS and received training had higher levels of knowledge and practices. Previous exposure to the ISS and training related to it were factors that influenced nurses' attitudes.
Chinese emergency department nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices of applying the ISS still need to be improved. Hospitals and nursing managers should provide training opportunities for nurses about ISS knowledge and practices, while grade II hospitals should pay more attention to training and continuing education in this area.
In hospitals, nursing managers may benefit from enhancing related education and training to promote the emergency department nurses' knowledge and practice of the ISS, by developing specific curricula and providing continuing education and training opportunities, while grade II hospitals should pay more attention to training and continuing education in this area.
This study focused on emergency department nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the application of the ISS. The research questions and design were derived from clinical nursing practice, literature review, and expert panel review, and patients or the public are temporarily not involved.
While there exists an ample body of research in international contexts focused on the characterization and quantification of infertility psychological distress, the level of scholarly scrutiny directed towards this phenomenon within the context of China remains scant.
To investigate the formation and developmental processes of psychological distress associated with infertility and infertility treatment among women within the Chinese cultural context and to construct a theoretical framework that elucidates this phenomenon.
Qualitative approach with grounded theory methodology.
This study was conducted within the reproductive medicine department of a tertiary-level hospital located in central China from May to August 2023. Twenty-seven women who experienced infertility and underwent assisted reproductive treatment (ART) were interviewed. The interview sessions spanned durations ranging from 20 min to 1 h and 35 min. Data analysis included open coding, axial coding and selective coding. The study is reported using the COREQ checklist.
The infertility psychological distress experienced by women undergoing ART is a socially constructed phenomenon influenced by a dynamic interplay of forces that construct and conciliate it. The formation and progression of infertility psychological distress are rooted in the process of self-construction. A Middle-Ranged Theory titled ‘self-reconstruction under the dome of infertility and infertility treatment’ (SUDIT theory) was developed to explain this phenomenon. Within this framework, infertility psychological distress manifests across three distinct phases under the gambling of the constructive force and conciliative force: (1) distress of disrupting the former self; (2) distress linked to the struggling present self; and (3) the renewed-self harmonized with distress.
It is imperative for healthcare professionals and policymakers to acknowledge the socially constructed nature of infertility psychological distress, and proactively implement measures aimed at ameliorating it.
No patient or public contribution.
To examine the current prevalence and cost of paediatric off-label drug prescriptions in Gansu, China, and the potential influencing factors.
The prevalence of off-label prescriptions in paediatrics was evaluated according to the National Medical Products Administration drug instructions in the China Pharmaceutical Reference (China Pharmaceutical Reference, MCDEX) database. The evidence of the prescription was determined by existing clinical practice guidelines and the Thomson Grade in the Micromedex 2021 compendium. We used logistic regression to investigate the characteristics that influence paediatric off-label drug use after single-factor regression analysis.
A multicentre cross-sectional study of outpatient paediatric prescriptions in 196 secondary and tertiary hospitals in Gansu Province, China, in March and September 2020.
We retrieved 104 029 paediatric prescriptions, of which 39 480 (38.0%) contained off-label use. The most common diseases treated by off-label drugs were respiratory system diseases (n=15 831, 40.1%). A quarter of off-label prescriptions had adequate evidence basis (n=10 130, 25.6%). Unapproved indications were the most common type of off-label drug use (n=25 891, 65.6%). A total of 1177 different drugs were prescribed off-label, with multienzyme tablets being the most common drug (n=1790, 3.5%). The total cost of the prescribed off-label drugs was ¥106 116/day. Off-label prescriptions were less frequent in tertiary than in secondary hospitals. Topical preparations were more commonly prescribed off-label than other types of drugs. Senior-level clinicians prescribed drugs off-label more often than intermediate and junior clinicians.
Off-label drug use is widespread in paediatric practice in China. Three-quarters of the prescriptions may potentially include inappropriate medication use, resulting in a daily economic burden of about ¥81 000 in 2020 in Gansu Province with 25 million inhabitants. The management of off-label drug use in paediatrics in China needs improvement.
Anastomotic leakage (AL) is defined as the failure of complete healing or disruption of the anastomosis subsequent to rectal cancer surgery, resulting in the extravasation of intestinal contents into the intra-abdominal or pelvic cavity. It is a serious complication of rectal cancer surgery, accounting for a considerable increase in morbidity and mortality. The use of fluorescence imaging technology in surgery allows surgeons to better evaluate blood perfusion. However, the conclusions of some existing studies are not consistent, so a consensus on whether the near-infrared indocyanine green (NIR–ICG) imaging system can reduce the incidence of AL is needed.
This POSTER trial is designed as a multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled clinical study adhering to the "population, interventions, comparisons, outcomes (PICO)" principles. It is scheduled to take place from August 2019 to December 2024 across eight esteemed hospitals in China. The target population consists of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer through pathological confirmation, with tumours located≤10 cm from the anal verge, eligible for laparoscopic surgery. Enrolled patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will receive intravenous injections of ICG twice, with intraoperative assessment of anastomotic blood flow using the near-infrared NIR–ICG system during total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery. Conversely, the control group will undergo conventional TME surgery without the use of the NIR-ICG system. A 30-day follow-up period postoperation will be conducted to monitor and evaluate occurrences of AL. The primary endpoint of this study is the incidence of AL within 30 days postsurgery in both groups. The primary outcome investigators will be blinded to the application of ICG angiography. Based on prior literature, we hypothesise an AL rate of 10.3% in the control group and 3% in the experimental group for this study. With a planned ratio of 2:1 between the number of cases in the experimental and control groups, and an expected 20% lost-to-follow-up rate, the initial estimated sample size for this study is 712, comprising 474 in the experimental group and 238 in the control group.
This study has been approved by Ethics committee of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University (approval number: 2019-P2-055-02). The results will be disseminated in major international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.
To evaluate whether nephrotic syndrome (NS) and further corticosteroid (CS) use increase the risk of osteoporosis in Asian population during the period January 2000–December 2010.
Nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study.
All healthcare facilities in Taiwan.
A total of 28 772 individuals were enrolled.
26 614 individuals with newly diagnosed NS between 2000 and 2010 were identified and included in out study. 26 614 individuals with no NS diagnosis prior to the index date were age matched as controls. Diagnosis of osteoporosis prior to the diagnosis of NS or the same index date was identified, age, sex and NS-associated comorbidities were adjusted.
To identify risk differences in developing osteoporosis among patients with a medical history of NS.
After adjusting for covariates, osteoporosis risk was found to be 3.279 times greater in the NS cohort than in the non-NS cohort, when measured over 11 years after NS diagnosis. Stratification revealed that age older than 18 years, congestive heart failure, hyperlipidaemia, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis and NS-related disease including diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, lymphoma and hypothyroidism, increased the risk of osteoporosis in the NS cohort, compared with the non-NS cohort. Additionally, osteoporosis risk was significantly higher in NS patients with CS use (adjusted HR (aHR)=3.397). The risk of osteoporosis in NS patients was positively associated with risk of hip and vertebral fracture (aHR=2.130 and 2.268, respectively). A significant association exists between NS and subsequent risk for osteoporosis.
NS patients, particularly those treated with CS, should be evaluated for subsequent risk of osteoporosis.
To investigate the status of the midwifery workforce and childbirth services in China and to identify the association between midwife staffing and childbirth outcomes.
A descriptive, multicentre cross-sectional survey.
Maternity hospitals from the eastern, central and western regions of China.
Stratified sampling of maternity hospitals between 1 July and 31 December 2021.
The sample hospitals received a package of questionnaires, and the head midwives from the participating hospitals were invited to fill in the questionnaires.
A total of 180 hospitals were selected and investigated, staffed with 4159 midwives, 412 obstetric nurses and 1007 obstetricians at the labour and delivery units. The average efficiency index of annual midwifery services was 272 deliveries per midwife. In the sample hospitals, 44.9% of women had a caesarean delivery and 21.4% had an episiotomy. Improved midwife staffing was associated with reduced rates of instrumental vaginal delivery (adjusted β –0.032, 95% CI –0.115 to –0.012, p
The rates of childbirth interventions including the overall caesarean section in China and the episiotomy rate, especially in the central region, remain relatively high. Improved midwife staffing was associated with reduced rates of instrumental vaginal delivery and episiotomy, indicating that further investments in the midwifery workforce could produce better childbirth outcomes.
This study sought to evaluate the perceptions of pressure injury (PI) management staff regarding skin failure (SF). Additionally, an analysis of influencing factors based on the collected data was conducted to establish a foundation for targeted SF training. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was undertaken in October–November 2023, utilising a convenience sampling method involving selected management staff of PI from 16 provinces in China. A total of 501 nursing participants were included, exhibiting an overall perception level that was moderately low. Although the majority were aware of the possibility of SF (n = 417, 83.23%), only 60% reported an understanding of the fundamentals of SF, with the lowest level of comprehension observed in differentiating between SF and PI (n = 212, 42.31%). Overall attitudes were generally positive. Regarding behaviour, active learning was more prevalent (n = 340, 67.86%), but training is less (n = 287, 57.29%). Family education (n = 401, 80.04%) and nursing record monitoring (n = 426, 85.03%) demonstrated better behaviour. Further analysis revealed that training (t = 13.937, p < 0.001) and professional title (F = 4.681, p = 0.010) had a significant effect on participants' perceptions. These findings underscore that there remains a substantial lack of perception about SF amongst participants. Overall, participants exhibited a positive attitude towards SF, highlighting the need for future improvements in SF training.
This study aims to analyse the trends in the incidence, prevalence and medical costs of pressure injuries (PIs) among genders in Taiwan.
The treatment of PIs is complex and costly, often leading to complications and increased mortality. This issue significantly impacts healthcare quality and incurs substantial medical and social costs, warranting attention.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database to obtain and calculate the incidence, prevalence, and medical costs of PIs in the country between 2001 and 2015 as well as to analyse high-risk groups and the medical care utilisation of patients following the STROBE reporting guidelines.
Between 2001 and 2015, 15,327 incident case of PIs were diagnosed. During the study period, the prevalence rate of PIs per 100,000 population rose from 26.3 to 189.6, with approximately 11.5%–16.3% of patients undergoing surgical debridement. The PIs prevalence rate increased by 7.2-fold, and hospitalisation costs accounted for 91.7%–96.0% of the total medical costs. Patients with older age, comorbidities, poorer financial status and lower education levels were found to be likely to develop PIs. These predisposing factors differed between males and females. The prevalence of PIs was higher in patients ≥75 years old than in patients from other age groups. Moreover, PI-related medical expenses have been increasing annually.
In Taiwan, the rising incidence of PIs is driving up medical costs. Effective care and prevention of PIs necessitate a comprehensive plan from the entire healthcare system.
This research fills a gap in the available data on the incidence, prevalence, and medical costs of PIs in Taiwan and Asia.
The findings can be used to help develop clinical guidelines for preventive education and treatment of PIs.
by Nicodemus Songose Awarayi, Frimpong Twum, James Ben Hayfron-Acquah, Kwabena Owusu-Agyemang
This study aims to develop an optimally performing convolutional neural network to classify Alzheimer’s disease into mild cognitive impairment, normal controls, or Alzheimer’s disease classes using a magnetic resonance imaging dataset. To achieve this, we focused the study on addressing the challenge of image noise, which impacts the performance of deep learning models. The study introduced a scheme for enhancing images to improve the quality of the datasets. Specifically, an image enhancement algorithm based on histogram equalization and bilateral filtering techniques was deployed to reduce noise and enhance the quality of the images. Subsequently, a convolutional neural network model comprising four convolutional layers and two hidden layers was devised for classifying Alzheimer’s disease into three (3) distinct categories, namely mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and normal controls. The model was trained and evaluated using a 10-fold cross-validation sampling approach with a learning rate of 0.001 and 200 training epochs at each instance. The proposed model yielded notable results, such as an accuracy of 93.45% and an area under the curve value of 0.99 when trained on the three classes. The model further showed superior results on binary classification compared with existing methods. The model recorded 94.39%, 94.92%, and 95.62% accuracies for Alzheimer’s disease versus normal controls, Alzheimer’s disease versus mild cognitive impairment, and mild cognitive impairment versus normal controls classes, respectively.This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the incidence, characteristics and management of wounds and injuries among professional ice hockey athletes, with the specific focus on the emerging population of Chinese female players. An extensive literature search was conducted across several databases to gather data on injury patterns and wounds, causes, severity and prevention strategies in ice hockey. Special attention was given to studies involving female athletes and unique challenges faced by players in developing regions like China. The review also examined the impact of training modalities, protective equipment and medical interventions on injury rates. The findings reveal a significant seasonal fluctuation in wound incidence, with marked reduction following the preseason period. This trend underscores the effectiveness of adjusted training programmes and essential role of medical teams in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Analysis did not show significant difference in wound rates between technical and physical training sessions, suggesting that injuries are pervasive risk across all training activities. Skating, collisions and inadequate warm-ups were identified as the leading causes of wounds, highlighting areas for targeted preventive measures. The distribution of wounds across various body regions pointed to knee, lower back and wrist as the most vulnerable sites, necessitating focused protection and training adjustments. Ice hockey, particularly among female athletes in China, presents complex injury landscape characterized by the wide range of wounds. The study emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to injury prevention that includes training modifications, enhanced protective gear and strategic medical oversight. By addressing the specific causes and patterns of injuries identified, stakeholders can better protect athletes from the inherent risks of the sport, promote safer play and extend career longevity.
Surgery is a high risk factor for the occurrence of pressure injury (PI). On the basis of theoretical research, pressure and duration of pressure are key factors affecting PI. Pressure is affected by the individual pressure redistribution capacity. So our study aims to explore how the surgery time and pressure intensity affect the occurrence of PI and what are the risk factors. A prospective study. A total of 250 patients who underwent elective surgery in a grade-A general hospital from November 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into a group of 77 patients with IAPI (intraoperatively acquired pressure injury) and a group of 173 patients with no IAPI. Visual pressure inductive feedback system and body composition analysis technology were used to record the local pressure value and change of patients before and after anaesthesia. Relevant data of the patients were collected to explore the influencing factors. The maximum pressure and average pressure at the pressure site of the same patient changed before and after anaesthesia, and the pressure after anaesthesia was significantly higher than that before anaesthesia. There was no statistical difference in the average pressure after anaesthesia (p > 0.05), but the maximum pressure in the IAPI group was higher than that in the non-occurrence group (p < 0.05). The average pressure multiplied by the operation time in IAPI group is significantly higher than that in the non-IAPI group (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise regression) showed that fat-free weight, age, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and gender were taken as independent variables into the regression model, affecting the maximum pressure. In addition, operation time ≥4 h may be a high risk factor for IAPI. In future studies, more objective research tools can be applied to improve the accuracy of predicting the risk of IAPI. In addition to gender and BMI, follow-up studies may consider including measures such as waist circumference and fat-free body weight in IAPI risk assessment to guide the clinical nursing work more scientifically.
To examine family planning through the community’s perception, belief system and cultural impact; in addition to identifying the determining factors for family planning uptake.
A descriptive exploratory study.
Three communities were selected from three local government areas, each in the three senatorial districts in Ekiti State.
The study was conducted among young unmarried women in the reproductive age group who were sexually active as well as married men and women in the reproductive age group who are currently living with their partners and were sexually active.
Eight focus group discussions were conducted in the community in 2019 with 28 male and 50 female participants. The audio recordings were transcribed, triangulated with notes and analysed using QSR NVivo V.8 software. Community perception, beliefs and perceptions of the utility of family planning, as well as cultural, religious and other factors determining family planning uptake were analysed.
The majority of the participants had the perception that family planning helps married couple only. There were diverse beliefs about family planning and mixed reactions with respect to the impact of culture and religion on family planning uptake. Furthermore, a number of factors were identified in determining family planning uptake—intrapersonal, interpersonal and health system factors.
The study concluded that there are varied reactions to family planning uptake due to varied perception, cultural and religious beliefs and determining factors. It was recommended that more targeted male partner engagement in campaign would boost family planning uptake.
Little study has reported the association of maternal weight gain in early pregnancy with fetal congenital heart disease (CHD). We aimed to explore the potential relationship based on a China birth cohort while adjusting by multiple factors.
Cohort study.
China birth cohort study conducted from 2017 to 2021.
The study finally included 114 672 singleton pregnancies in the 6–14 weeks of gestation, without missing data or outliers, loss to follow-up or abnormal conditions other than CHD. The proportion of CHD was 0.65% (749 cases).
Association between maternal pre-pregnancy weight gain and CHD in the offspring were analysed by multivariate logistic regression, with the unadjusted, minimally adjusted and maximally adjusted methods, respectively.
The first-trimester weight gain showed similar discrimination of fetal CHD to that period of maternal body mass index (BMI) change (DeLong tests: p=0.091). Compared with weight gain in the lowest quartile (the weight gain less than 0.0 kg), the highest quartile (over 2.0 kg) was associated with a higher risk of fetal CHD in unadjusted (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.72), minimally adjusted (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.62) and maximally adjusted (aOR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.63) models. The association remains robust in pregnant women with morning sickness, normal pre-pregnancy BMI, moderate physical activity, college/university level, natural conception or with folic acid (FA) and/or multivitamin supplementation.
Although the association of maternal pre-pregnancy weight gain on fetal CHD is weak, the excessive weight gain may be a potential predictor of CHD in the offspring, especially in those with morning sickness and other conditions that are routine in the cohort, such as normal pre-pregnancy BMI, moderate physical activity, college/university level, natural conception or with FA and/or multivitamin supplementation.
Due to the high risks of postoperative complications brought on by gastric cancer, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a commonly used therapy, has exerted its vital role in postoperative recovery care. In this sense, this meta-analysis was conducted to explore the related documents about TCM's impact on gastric cancer postoperative recovery. During the research, we explored a total of 1549 results from databases PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (WoS). Thirty-two clinical randomized trials (RCTs) were then selected and analysed for this meta-analysis by using the software RevMan 5.4 (under PRISMA 2020 regulations), with a population of 3178 patients. Data prove that TCM therapy reduced the risks for postoperative complications exposure by an estimated average of 19% (95% CI). Among the complications, TCM therapy suppressed the risks of wound infection and incisional infections by 53% and 48% respectively. Meanwhile, the patient's wound healing duration exhibited a significant reduction compared to those without TCM treatment, with a difference at around 0.74 days (95% CI). TCM also exerted its potential to strengthen the patient's immune and health conditions, leading to a significantly promoted gastrointestinal function in the patients with a shorter duration to release first exhaustion and defecation compared to those with no TCM therapy. In addition, similar promoted phenomena also exist in those patients with TCM therapy in terms of their immunity and nutritional conditions. These facts all indicate a positive impact of TCM therapy in clinical applications.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of electromagnetic therapy (EMT) on the treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) by synthesising and appraising available meta-analyses (MAs) and systematic reviews (SRs). A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases up to 10 January 2024, focusing on SRs/MAs that investigated the use of EMT for VLUs. Selection criteria followed the PICO framework, and dual-author extraction was used for accuracy. Quality assessment tools included AMSTAR2, ROBIS, PRISMA, and GRADE. The search yielded five eligible studies. The reviews collectively presented moderate methodological quality and a low risk of bias in several domains. Reporting quality was high, albeit with inconsistencies in fulfilling certain PRISMA checklist items. The evidence quality, primarily downgraded due to small sample sizes, was rated as moderate. Whilst some studies suggest potential benefits of EMT in the treatment of VLUs, the overall evidence is inconclusive due to methodological limitations and limited sample sizes. This review underscores the need for future research with more rigorous methodologies and larger cohorts to provide clearer insights into the efficacy of EMT for VLUs.
Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) is the leading cause of mortality in China. A healthy diet plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of CMD. Although the Chinese heart-healthy diet is the first diet with cardiovascular benefits, a healthy dietary pattern that fits Chinese food culture that can effectively reduce the risk of CMD has not been found.
The study is a single-centre, open-label, randomised controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effect of the Reducing Cardiometabolic Diseases Risk (RCMDR) dietary pattern in reducing the risk of CMDs in people with dyslipidaemia and providing a reference basis for constructing a dietary pattern suitable for the prevention of CMDs in the Chinese population. Participants are men and women aged 35–45 years with dyslipidaemia in Tianjin. The target sample size is 100. After the run-in period, the participants will be randomised to the RCMDR dietary pattern intervention group or the general health education control group with a 1:1 ratio. The intervention phases will last 12 weeks, with a dietary intervention of 5 working days per week for participants in the intervention group. The primary outcome variable is the cardiometabolic risk score. The secondary outcome variables are blood lipid, blood pressure, blood glucose, body composition indices, insulin resistance and 10-year risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The study complies with the Measures for Ethical Review of Life Sciences and Medical Research Involving Human Beings and the Declaration of Helsinki. Signed informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (approval number: KY2023020). The results from the study will be disseminated through publications in a peer-reviewed journal.
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300072472).
FreshRSS 