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☐ ☆ ✇ PLOS ONE Medicine&Health

Mental-somatic multimorbidity in trajectories of cognitive function for middle-aged and older adults

by Siting Chen, Corey L. Nagel, Ruotong Liu, Anda Botoseneanu, Heather G. Allore, Jason T. Newsom, Stephen Thielke, Jeffrey Kaye, Ana R. Quiñones

Introduction

Multimorbidity may confer higher risk for cognitive decline than any single constituent disease. This study aims to identify distinct trajectories of cognitive impairment probability among middle-aged and older adults, and to assess the effect of changes in mental-somatic multimorbidity on these distinct trajectories.

Methods

Data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2016) were employed to estimate group-based trajectory models identifying distinct trajectories of cognitive impairment probability. Four time-varying mental-somatic multimorbidity combinations (somatic, stroke, depressive, stroke and depressive) were examined for their association with observed trajectories of cognitive impairment probability with age. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to quantify the association of sociodemographic and health-related factors with trajectory group membership.

Results

Respondents (N = 20,070) had a mean age of 61.0 years (SD = 8.7) at baseline. Three distinct cognitive trajectories were identified using group-based trajectory modelling: (1) Low risk with late-life increase (62.6%), (2) Low initial risk with rapid increase (25.7%), and (3) High risk (11.7%). For adults following along Low risk with late-life increase, the odds of cognitive impairment for stroke and depressive multimorbidity (OR:3.92, 95%CI:2.91,5.28) were nearly two times higher than either stroke multimorbidity (OR:2.06, 95%CI:1.75,2.43) or depressive multimorbidity (OR:2.03, 95%CI:1.71,2.41). The odds of cognitive impairment for stroke and depressive multimorbidity in Low initial risk with rapid increase or High risk (OR:4.31, 95%CI:3.50,5.31; OR:3.43, 95%CI:2.07,5.66, respectively) were moderately higher than stroke multimorbidity (OR:2.71, 95%CI:2.35, 3.13; OR: 3.23, 95%CI:2.16, 4.81, respectively). In the multinomial logistic regression model, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respondents had higher odds of being in Low initial risk with rapid increase and High risk relative to non-Hispanic White adults.

Conclusions

These findings show that depressive and stroke multimorbidity combinations have the greatest association with rapid cognitive declines and their prevention may postpone these declines, especially in socially disadvantaged and minoritized groups.

☐ ☆ ✇ CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing

Artificial Intelligence and the National Violent Death Reporting System: A Rapid Review

imageAs the awareness on violent deaths from guns, drugs, and suicides emerges as a public health crisis in the United States, attempts to prevent injury and mortality through nursing research are critical. The National Violent Death Reporting System provides public health surveillance of US violent deaths; however, understanding the National Violent Death Reporting System's research utility is limited. The purpose of our rapid review of the 2019-2023 literature was to understand to what extent artificial intelligence methods are being used with the National Violent Death Reporting System. We identified 16 National Violent Death Reporting System artificial intelligence studies, with more than half published after 2020. The text-rich content of National Violent Death Reporting System enabled researchers to center their artificial intelligence approaches mostly on natural language processing (50%) or natural language processing and machine learning (37%). Significant heterogeneity in approaches, techniques, and processes was noted across the studies, with critical methods information often lacking. The aims and focus of National Violent Death Reporting System studies were homogeneous and mostly examined suicide among nurses and older adults. Our findings suggested that artificial intelligence is a promising approach to the National Violent Death Reporting System data with significant untapped potential in its use. Artificial intelligence may prove to be a powerful tool enabling nursing scholars and practitioners to reduce the number of preventable, violent deaths.
☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Association between non-registration of chronic kidney disease and mortality and cardiovascular outcome: a time-to-event analysis of retrospective primary care data

Por: Van den Wyngaert · I. · Mamouris · P. · Ali · E. A. · Vaes · B. · Van Pottelbergh · G. — Mayo 14th 2024 at 01:39
Objective

Patients with impaired kidney function and increased albuminuria are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous research has revealed that a substantial proportion of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) do not get a registered diagnosis in the electronic health record of the general practitioner. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between non-registration of CKD and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcome.

Design and setting

A retrospective study in primary care.

Methods

The analyses were carried out in the INTEGO database, a general practice-based morbidity registration network in Flanders, Belgium. The study used INTEGO data from the year 2018 for all patients ≥18 years old, including 10 551 patients. To assess the risk of mortality and CVD, a time-to-event analysis was performed. Cox proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the association between non-registration and incidence of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events with mortality as a competing risk. Subgroup analyses were performed for estimated glomerular filtration rate stages (3A, 3B, 4 and 5). Multiple imputation was done following the methodology of Mamouris et al.

Results

Mortality was higher in patients with non-registered CKD compared with patients with registered CKD (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.41). Non-registration of CKD was not associated with an increased risk for the development of CVD (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.11).

Conclusion

An association between non-registration and all-cause mortality was identified, although no such association was apparent for CVD.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Understanding the impact of a residential housing program for people living with HIV/AIDS: results from a realist evaluation

Por: Ali · A. · Groot · G. · April · M. · MacPhee · M. · Witham · S. · Alimezelli · H. · Carr · T. — Mayo 14th 2024 at 01:39
Background

In Canada, the Public Health Agency surveillance of new HIV cases has demonstrated annual increasing rates since 2020. The rates of new HIV cases are highest in the province of Saskatchewan.

Objectives

The aim of the project was to conduct a resident-oriented realist evaluation of an innovative supportive housing programme, Sanctum, for people living with HIV/AIDS who also face social care issues, such as homelessness. This project took place in Saskatchewan, a province that is seeking innovative approaches to improve quality of life and HIV/AIDS management for its citizens. Our evaluation addressed how and why participants were successful (or not) within the Sanctum programme.

Design and setting

Sanctum is a housing programme located in an inner-city location within the province of Saskatchewan. A unique component of this evaluation was the inclusion of an individual with lived experience, a resident partner, as a member of the research team.

Participants

11 recent Sanctum graduates, seven men and four women, were recruited for client partner-led in-depth, semistructured interviews.

Interventions

Prior to the evaluation, we developed a realist programme theory with potential causal explanations, known as context-mechanism-outcomes (CMO) configurations. Interview data from the evaluation and ongoing discussions with Sanctum board members and our resident partner were used to test, refine and validate the final programme theory and CMO configurations.

Results

CMO configurations at the micro (individual), meso (interpersonal) and macro (community) levels complement the over-arching programme theory. Key findings were the importance of Sanctum’s harm reduction philosophy, accompanied by a non-judgmental and patient-oriented approach. Participants were supported to reduce risky behaviour, improve self-care management and develop healthier relationships within a ‘safe’ home-like setting. Underlying mechanisms that contributed to participants’ success in the programme included: intrinsic motivation, self-worth, belongingness, empowerment and self-efficacy. Evidence-informed recommendations are offered to support Sanctum-like programme development for individuals with holistic health needs related to HIV/AIDS diagnoses and lack of access to necessary social determinants of health.

Conclusions

Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and living circumstances, such as homelessness, were successfully addressed using harm reduction principles and judgement-free approaches within a family-like environment.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Interdisciplinary research approach based on a mixed-methods design to explore patient altruism at the end of life: a study protocol

Por: Bernard · M. · Gamondi · C. · Sterie · A.-C. · Larkin · P. J. · Jox · R. · Borasio · G. D. — Mayo 10th 2024 at 18:56
Introduction

In the end of life context, patients are often seen as somewhat passive recipients of care provided by health professionals and relatives, with little opportunity to be perceived as autonomous and active agents. Since studies show a very high prevalence of altruistic dispositions in palliative care patients, we strive to investigate the concept of patient altruism in a set of six interdisciplinary studies by considering three settings: (1) in the general palliative context—by studying to what extent patient altruism is associated with essential psychological outcomes of palliative care (subproject 1a), how altruism is understood by patients (subproject 1b) and how altruism expressed by patients is experienced by palliative care nurses (subproject 1c); (2) in two concrete decision-making contexts—advance care planning (subproject 2a) and assisted suicide (subproject 2b); and (3) through verbal and non-verbal patient communication in palliative care settings (subproject 3).

Methods and analysis

Subproject 1a: a cross-sectional study using validated and standardised questionnaires. Subprojects 1b and 1c: a constructivist grounded theory method aiming at developing a novel theory from semistructured interviews in both patients and nurses. Subproject 2a: a thematic analysis based on (1) audio-recordings of advance care planning encounters and (2) follow-up semidirective interviews with patients and their relatives. Subproject 2b: a qualitative study based on thematic analysis of interviews with patients actively pursuing assisted suicide and one of their relatives.Subproject 3: a conversation analysis based on audio and video-recorded interactions in two settings: (1) palliative inpatient unit and (2) advance care planning discussions.

Ethics and dissemination

The study project was approved by the Ethics Committees of the Canton of Vaud, Bern and Ticino (no: 2023-00088). In addition to participation in national and international conferences, each project will be the subject of two scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. Additional publications will be realised according to result triangulation between projects. A symposium opened to professionals, patients and the public will be organised in Switzerland at the end of the project.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

SurLym trial: study protocol for a multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial on the added value of reconstructive lymphatic surgery to decongestive lymphatic therapy for the treatment of lymphoedema

Por: Devoogdt · N. · De Vrieze · T. · Heroes · A.-K. · Bechter-Hugl · B. · Fieuws · S. · Godderis · L. · Segers · K. · Maleux · G. · Deltombe · T. · Frippiat · J. · Servaes · M. · Berners · A. · Fosseprez · P. · Krug · B. · Kayser · F. · Falticeanu · A. · Randon · C. · Monten · C. · Van Landuyt — Mayo 10th 2024 at 18:56
Introduction

Lymphoedema is a chronic condition caused by lymphatic insufficiency. It leads to swelling of the limb/midline region and an increased risk of infection. Lymphoedema is often associated with mental and physical problems limiting quality of life. The first choice of treatment is a conservative treatment, consisting of exercises, skin care, lymph drainage and compression. Reconstructive lymphatic surgery is also often performed, that is, lymphovenous anastomoses, lymph node transfer or a combination. However, robust evidence on the effectiveness of reconstructive lymphatic surgery is missing. Therefore, the objective of this trial is to investigate the added value of reconstructive lymphatic surgery to the conservative treatment in patients with lymphoedema.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre randomised controlled and pragmatic trial was started in March 2022 in three Belgian university hospitals. 90 patients with arm lymphoedema and 90 patients with leg lymphoedema will be included. All patients are randomised between conservative treatment alone (control group) or conservative treatment with reconstructive lymphatic surgery (intervention group). Assessments are performed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. The primary outcome is lymphoedema-specific quality of life at 18 months. Key secondary outcomes are limb volume and duration of wearing the compression garment at 18 months. The approach of reconstructive lymphatic surgery is based on presurgical investigations including clinical examination, lymphofluoroscopy, lymphoscintigraphy, lymph MRI or CT angiography (if needed). All patients receive conservative treatment during 36 months, which is applied by the patient’s own physical therapist and by the patient self. From months 7 to 12, the hours a day of wearing the compression garment are gradually decreased.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the ethical committees of University Hospitals Leuven, Ghent University Hospital and CHU UCL Namur. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT05064176

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based directly observed treatment (DOT) versus health facility-based DOT of tuberculosis in Africa: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Baye · T. · Kassaw · A. T. · Gebrie · D. · Girmaw · F. · Ashagrie · G. — Mayo 9th 2024 at 19:25
Background

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, especially prevalent in the WHO African region. The WHO’s End TB Strategy emphasises effective treatment approaches such as directly observed therapy (DOT), yet the optimal implementation of DOT, whether through health facility-based (HF DOT) or community-based (CB DOT) approaches, remains uncertain.

Objective

To conduct a systematic comparison of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Community-Based Directly Observed Treatment (CB DOT) versus Health Facility-Based Directly Observed Treatment (HF DOT) for tuberculosis (TB) treatment in African settings.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. We will search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library for articles published up to 30 March 2023, without date restrictions. Eligible studies must be full economic evaluations conducted in African countries, comparing CB DOT to HF DOT regarding treatment outcomes and costs. Exclusion criteria include non-English, non-peer-reviewed or studies lacking caregiver involvement in CB DOT, health facility-based DOT comparison, direct comparability between CB DOT and HF DOT, significant selection bias or non-economic evaluations. Data extraction will be performed independently by reviewers, and meta-analyses will use STATA software. To pool the data, a random-effect model will be applied, and quality assessment of the studies will be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required as the study will use previously published articles available publicly. Findings will be presented at international and national conferences and published in open-access, peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023443260.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Perfusion outcomes with near-infrared indocyanine green imaging system in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for mid-rectal or low-rectal cancer (POSTER): a study protocol

Por: Sun · L. · Gao · J. · Wu · G. · Meng · C. · Yang · Z. · Wei · P. · Yao · H. · Zhang · Z. — Mayo 9th 2024 at 19:25
Introduction

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.

Methods

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.

Ethics and dissemination

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.

Trial registration number

NCT04012645.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Evaluation of adherence to pharmacological treatments by undocumented migrants with chronic diseases: a 10-year retrospective cohort study

Por: Fiorini · G. · Pellegrini · G. · Franchi · M. · Rigamonti · A. E. · Marazzi · N. · Sartorio · A. · Corrao · G. · Cella · S. G. — Mayo 9th 2024 at 19:25
Objectives

To investigate the time course of medication adherence and some of the factors involved in this process in undocumented migrants with chronic diseases.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A big non-governmental organisation in Milano, Italy, giving medical assistance to undocumented migrants.

Participants

1918 patients, 998 females and 920 males, with at least one chronic condition (diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), mental health disorders) seen over a period of 10 years (2011–2020). Their mean age was 49.2±13 years.

Results

Adherence to medications decreased over 1 year in all patients. This was more evident during the first 2 months of treatment. Patients on only one medication were less adherent than those on more than one medication; at 6 months the percentage of patients with high adherence was 33% vs 57% (p

Conclusions

Interventions to increase medication adherence of undocumented migrants with chronic diseases are necessary, particularly in the first 2 months after beginning treatment. These should be aimed at people-centred care and include more outpatient consultations. Educational interventions should especially be taken into consideration for patients on monotherapy.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Association between indoor air pollution and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Por: Zhang · X. · Ding · L. · Yang · F. · Qiao · G. · Gao · X. · Xiong · Z. · Zhu · X. — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Objectives

Incomplete combustion of solid fuel and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) are the primary causes of indoor air pollution (IAP), potentially leading to detrimental effects on individual mental health. However, current evidence regarding the association between IAP and depression remains inconclusive. This study aims to systematically investigate the evidence regarding the association between IAP and the risk of depression.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Data sources

Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE for available studies published up to 13 January 2024.

Eligibility criteria

We included all cohort studies published in English that aimed to explore the relationship between IAP from solid fuel use and SHS exposure and the risk of depression.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. The association between IAP and depression was calculated using pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value, and the effect estimates were pooled using fixed-effects or random-effects models depending on the results of homogeneity analysis.

Results

We included 12 articles with data from 61 217 participants. The overall findings demonstrated a significant association between IAP exposure and depression (RR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.31), although with substantial heterogeneity (I2=75%). Subgroup analyses based on pollutant type revealed that IAP from solid fuel use was associated with a higher risk of depression (RR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.26; I2=62%; 5 studies, 36 768 participants) than that from SHS exposure (RR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.41; I2=80%; 7 studies, 24 449 participants). In terms of fuel use, the use of solid fuel for cooking (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.31; I2=58%; 4 studies, 34 044 participants) and heating (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.27; I2=65%; 3 studies, 24 874 participants) was associated with increased depression risk.

Conclusions

The findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated an association between exposure to IAP and depression.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022383285.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Relationship between self-psychological adjustment and post-traumatic growth in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study

Por: Liu · N. · Zhang · L. · Liu · Y. · Ding · X. · Li · Q. · Lixia · G. · Zhang · X. — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Objectives

This study aimed to determine the potential profiles of self-psychological adjustment in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy, including sense of coherence (SOC) and positive cognitive emotion regulation (PCER). The relationship between these profiles with post-traumatic growth (PTG) and the relevant factors of self-psychological adjustment in different profiles was analysed.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy in China.

Participants

A total of 330 patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy were recruited out of which 321 completed the questionnaires effectively.

Methods

Latent profile analysis was used to identify self-psychological adjustment classes based on the two subscales of the Sense of Coherence Scale and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression were performed to examine the subgroup association with characteristics and PTG.

Results

Three latent profiles of self-psychological adjustment were identified: low level (54.5%), high SOC-low PCER (15.6%) and high PCER (29.9%). The results of univariate analysis showed a significant difference in PTG scores among different self-psychological adjustment subgroups (F=11.55, p

Conclusion

This study revealed that most patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy belonged to the low-level group. Three profiles are associated with PTG. There were differences in characteristics between patients treated with chemotherapy for lung cancer in the high-PCER and low-PCER groups. Thus, these profiles provide useful information for developing targeted individualised interventions based on demographic characteristics that would assist PTG in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Use of artificial intelligence in obstetric and gynaecological diagnostics: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Chaurasia · A. · Curry · G. · Zhao · Y. · Dawoodbhoy · F. · Green · J. · Vaninetti · M. · Shah · N. · Greer · O. — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Introduction

Emerging developments in applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare offer the opportunity to improve diagnostic capabilities in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), ensuring early detection of pathology, optimal management and improving survival. Consensus on a robust AI healthcare framework is crucial for standardising protocols that promote data privacy and transparency, minimise bias, and ensure patient safety. Here, we describe the study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate current applications of AI in O&G diagnostics with consideration of reporting standards used and their ethical implications. This protocol is written following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 checklist.

Methods and analysis

The study objective is to explore the current application of AI in O&G diagnostics and assess the reporting standards used in these studies. Electronic bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane will be searched. Study selection, data extraction and subsequent narrative synthesis and meta-analyses will be carried out following the PRISMA-P guidelines. Included papers will be English-language full-text articles from May 2015 to March 2024, which provide original data, as AI has been redefined in recent literature. Papers must use AI as the predictive method, focusing on improving O&G diagnostic outcomes.

We will evaluate the reporting standards including the risk of bias, lack of transparency and consider the ethical implications and potential harm to patients. Outcome measures will involve assessing the included studies against gold-standard criteria for robustness of model development (Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis, model predictive performance, model risk of bias and applicability (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool and study reporting (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials-AI) guidance.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review. Findings will be shared through peer-reviewed publications.There will be no patient or public involvement in this study.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022357024.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Patient, caregiver and other knowledge user engagement in consensus-building healthcare initiatives: a scoping review protocol

Por: Munce · S. E. P. · Wong · E. · Luong · D. · Rao · J. · Cunningham · J. · Bailey · K. · John · T. · Barber · C. · Batthish · M. · Chambers · K. · Cleverley · K. · Crabtree · M. · Diaz · S. · Dimitropoulos · G. · Gorter · J. W. · Grahovac · D. · Grimes · R. · Guttman · B. · Hebert · M. L. · He — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Introduction

Patient engagement and integrated knowledge translation (iKT) processes improve health outcomes and care experiences through meaningful partnerships in consensus-building initiatives and research. Consensus-building is essential for engaging a diverse group of experienced knowledge users in co-developing and supporting a solution where none readily exists or is less optimal. Patients and caregivers provide invaluable insights for building consensus in decision-making around healthcare, policy and research. However, despite emerging evidence, patient engagement remains sparse within consensus-building initiatives. Specifically, our research has identified a lack of opportunity for youth living with chronic health conditions and their caregivers to participate in developing consensus on indicators/benchmarks for transition into adult care. To bridge this gap and inform our consensus-building approach with youth/caregivers, this scoping review will synthesise the extent of the literature on patient and other knowledge user engagement in consensus-building healthcare initiatives.

Methods and analysis

Following the scoping review methodology from Joanna Briggs Institute, published literature will be searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases from inception to July 2023. Grey literature will be hand-searched. Two independent reviewers will determine the eligibility of articles in a two-stage process, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Included studies must be consensus-building studies within the healthcare context that involve patient engagement strategies. Data from eligible studies will be extracted and charted on a standardised form. Abstracted data will be analysed quantitatively and descriptively, according to specific consensus methodologies, and patient engagement models and/or strategies.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review protocol. The review process and findings will be shared with and informed by relevant knowledge users. Dissemination of findings will also include peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The results will offer new insights for supporting patient engagement in consensus-building healthcare initiatives.

Protocol registration

https://osf.io/beqjr

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Wildfire, deforestation and health in tropical rainforest areas: a scoping review protocol

Por: Casais · G. · Guimaraes · N. S. · Cortes · T. R. · Pescarini · J. · Reboucas de Magalhaes · P. · Wells · V. · de Sousa Filho · J. F. · Delgado Neves · D. J. · Shimonovich · M. · Olsen · J. R. · de Carvalho Neto · E. M. · Cooper · P. · Katikireddi · S. V. · Emanuel · L. · Andrade · R — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Introduction

Wildfires and deforestation potentially have direct effects on multiple health outcomes as well as indirect consequences for climate change. Tropical rainforest areas are characterised by high rainfall, humidity and temperature, and they are predominantly found in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aims to synthesise the methods, data and health outcomes reported in scientific papers on wildfires and deforestation in these locations.

Methods and analysis

We will carry out a scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) manual for scoping reviews and the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, and Levac et al. The search for articles was performed on 18 August 2023, in 16 electronic databases using Medical Subject Headings terms and adaptations for each database from database inception. The search for local studies will be complemented by the manual search in the list of references of the studies selected to compose this review. We screened studies written in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. We included quantitative studies assessing any human disease outcome, hospitalisation and vital statistics in regions of tropical rainforest. We exclude qualitative studies and quantitative studies whose outcomes do not cover those of interest. The text screening was done by two independent reviewers. Subsequently, we will tabulate the data by the origin of the data source used, the methods and the main findings on health impacts of the extracted data. The results will provide descriptive statistics, along with visual representations in diagrams and tables, complemented by narrative summaries as detailed in the JBI guidelines.

Ethics and dissemination

The study does not require an ethical review as it is meta-research and uses published, deidentified secondary data sources. The submission of results for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at scientific and policymakers’ conferences is expected.

Study registration

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/pnqc7/).

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Strategies for optimising early detection and obstetric first response management of postpartum haemorrhage at caesarean birth: a modified Delphi-based international expert consensus

Por: Pingray · V. · Williams · C. R. · Al-beity · F. M. A. · Abalos · E. · Arulkumaran · S. · Blumenfeld · A. · Carvalho · B. · Deneux-Tharaux · C. · Downe · S. · Dumont · A. · Escobar · M. F. · Evans · C. · Fawcus · S. · Galadanci · H. S. · Hoang · D.-T. T. · Hofmeyr · G. J. · Homer · C. · L — Mayo 8th 2024 at 17:36
Objective

There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study aimed to develop an international expert’s consensus on evidence-based approaches for early detection and obstetric first response management of PPH intraoperatively and postoperatively in caesarean birth.

Design

Systematic review and three-stage modified Delphi expert consensus.

Setting

International.

Population

Panel of 22 global experts in PPH with diverse backgrounds, and gender, professional and geographic balance.

Outcome measures

Agreement or disagreement on strategies for early detection and first response management of PPH at caesarean birth.

Results

Experts agreed that the same PPH definition should apply to both vaginal and caesarean birth. For the intraoperative phase, the experts agreed that early detection should be accomplished via quantitative blood loss measurement, complemented by monitoring the woman’s haemodynamic status; and that first response should be triggered once the woman loses at least 500 mL of blood with continued bleeding or when she exhibits clinical signs of haemodynamic instability, whichever occurs first. For the first response, experts agreed on immediate administration of uterotonics and tranexamic acid, examination to determine aetiology and rapid initiation of cause-specific responses. In the postoperative phase, the experts agreed that caesarean birth-related PPH should be detected primarily via frequently monitoring the woman’s haemodynamic status and clinical signs and symptoms of internal bleeding, supplemented by cumulative blood loss assessment performed quantitatively or by visual estimation. Postoperative first response was determined to require an individualised approach.

Conclusion

These agreed on proposed approaches could help improve the detection of PPH in the intraoperative and postoperative phases of caesarean birth and the first response management of intraoperative PPH. Determining how best to implement these strategies is a critical next step.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Sex and gender-based analysis and diversity metric reporting in acute care trials published in high-impact journals: a systematic review

Por: Granton · D. · Rodrigues · M. · Raparelli · V. · Honarmand · K. · Agarwal · A. · Friedrich · J. O. · Perna · B. · Spaggiari · R. · Fortunato · V. · Risdonne · G. · Kho · M. · VanderKaay · S. · Chaudhuri · D. · Gomez-Builes · C. · D'Aragon · F. · Wiseman · D. · Lau · V. I. · Lin · C. · Reid — Mayo 8th 2024 at 00:30
Objective

To characterise sex and gender-based analysis (SGBA) and diversity metric reporting, representation of female/women participants in acute care trials and temporal changes in reporting before and after publication of the 2016 Sex and Gender Equity in Research guideline.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE for trials published in five leading medical journals in 2014, 2018 and 2020.

Study selection

Trials that enrolled acutely ill adults, compared two or more interventions and reported at least one clinical outcome.

Data abstraction and synthesis

4 reviewers screened citations and 22 reviewers abstracted data, in duplicate. We compared reporting differences between intensive care unit (ICU) and cardiology trials.

Results

We included 88 trials (75 (85.2%) ICU and 13 (14.8%) cardiology) (n=111 428; 38 140 (34.2%) females/women). Of 23 (26.1%) trials that reported an SGBA, most used a forest plot (22 (95.7%)), were prespecified (21 (91.3%)) and reported a sex-by-intervention interaction with a significance test (19 (82.6%)). Discordant sex and gender terminology were found between headings and subheadings within baseline characteristics tables (17/32 (53.1%)) and between baseline characteristics tables and SGBA (4/23 (17.4%)). Only 25 acute care trials (28.4%) reported race or ethnicity. Participants were predominantly white (78.8%) and male/men (65.8%). No trial reported gendered-social factors. SGBA reporting and female/women representation did not improve temporally. Compared with ICU trials, cardiology trials reported significantly more SGBA (15/75 (20%) vs 8/13 (61.5%) p=0.005).

Conclusions

Acute care trials in leading medical journals infrequently included SGBA, female/women and non-white trial participants, reported race or ethnicity and never reported gender-related factors. Substantial opportunity exists to improve SGBA and diversity metric reporting and recruitment of female/women participants in acute care trials.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022282565.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Effort-reward imbalance and sleep quality in railway locomotive stewards: a cross-sectional study

Por: Li · H. · Xue · Y. · Li · T. · Xu · G. · Liu · X. — Mayo 7th 2024 at 18:05
Objective

To assess the correlation between the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and sleep quality among railway locomotive stewards.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Lanzhou Bureau Group, China Railway, between July and August 2022.

Participants

Railway locomotive stewards.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale (PSQI), categorising scores of >14 as poor, 8–14 as fair and

Results

A total of 5738 valid questionnaires (mean age of 30.85±6.91 years and 5730 males) were included. The response rate was 92.27%. The PSQI score was 11.52±3.95; 2304 (40.15%) respondents had good sleep quality, 1590 (27.71%) had fair sleep quality and 1844 (32.14%) had poor sleep quality. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with poor sleep quality, Jiayuguan Locomotive Depot workers (OR 0.775, 95% CI 0.587 to 0.971, p=0.028), electric locomotive drivers (OR 0.499, 95% CI 0.316 to 0.786, p=0.003), passenger train locomotive drivers (OR 0.209, 95% CI 1.313 to 3.337, p=0.002), working

Conclusion

The results revealed an acceptable ERI and poor sleep quality among railway stewards. ERI was correlated with sleep quality. Health education, lifestyle changes and improved work schedules may help boost sleep quality and well-being among railway locomotive stewards.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Risk and time preferences in individuals with lifestyle-related and non-lifestyle-related cardiovascular diseases: a pilot study

Por: Kairies-Schwarz · N. · Mussio · I. · Bulla-Holthaus · N. · Wankmüller · E. · Wolff · G. · Gontscharuk · V. · Heinen · Y. · Perings · S. · Brockmeyer · M. · Kelm · M. · Icks · A. — Mayo 7th 2024 at 18:05
Objectives

To (1) pilot a study of behavioural characterisation based on risk and time preferences in clinically well-characterised individuals, (2) assess the distribution of preferences in this population and (3) explore differences in preferences between individuals with ‘lifestyle-related’ (LS) and ‘non-lifestyle-related’ (NLS) cardiovascular diseases.

Design

Cross-sectional study with an economic online experiment to collect risk and time preferences, a detailed clinical characterisation and a sociodemographic and lifestyle survey. A definition of LS and NLS groups was developed.

Setting

Specialist outpatient clinics of the clinic for cardiology and pneumology of the University Hospital Düsseldorf and patients from a cardiology practice in Düsseldorf.

Participants

A total of 74 individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

Outcomes

Risk and time preferences.

Results

The implementation of the study process, including participant recruitment and data collection, ran smoothly. The medical checklist, the survey and the time preference instrument were well received. However, the conceptual understanding of the risk preference instrument resulted in inconsistent choices for many participants (47%). The remaining individuals were more risk averse (27%) than risk seeking (16%) and risk neutral (10%). Individuals in our sample were also more impatient (49%) than patient (42%). The participant classification showed that 65% belonged to the LS group, 19% to the NLS group and 16% could not be assigned (unclear allocation to lifestyle (ULS) group). Excluding the ULS group, we show that individuals in the LS group were more risk seeking, and unexpectedly, more patient than those in the NLS group.

Conclusions

The process of the pilot study and its results can be used as a basis for the design of the main study. The differences in risk and time preferences between the LS and NLS groups provide us with a novel hypothesis for unhealthy behaviours: individuals never give up a bad habit, they simply postpone the latter, which can be tested alongside other additional research questions.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Development of family resource indicators for people with schizophrenic disorder in community by modified Delphi method in Beijing, China

Por: Wang · M. · Jin · G. · Li · T. · Pan · Z. · Lu · X. · Wang · X. — Mayo 7th 2024 at 18:05
Introduction

Most people with schizophrenia in China are supported by their family members in community. The patient’s family is confronted with severe care burden and pressure, which directly affects the caregiver’s own health and social life, and indirectly affects the patient’s rehabilitation. Adequate family resources can reduce the burden and pressure on families. But there is an absence of systematic family resource indicators for people with schizophrenic disorder in China.

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a set of family resource indicators for people with schizophrenic disorder in China.

Design

Preliminary family resource indicators were generated and refined by literature review and an expert consultation meeting. Two rounds of email-based Delphi survey were carried out to identify family resource indicators.

Setting

Two rounds of email-based Delphi survey were performed from July to September 2021 in Beijing, China.

Participants

There were 15 mental health doctors from community health service centres and four psychiatrists from tertiary hospitals, and two primary care researchers from universities in the first and second rounds Delphi survey.

Results

All the 21 experts participated in both rounds of Delphi survey. A total of 46 indicators achieved consensus for inclusion in the final set of indicators after two rounds of Delphi survey. The final set of indicators was grouped into 10 domains: financial support (three indicators), psychological and spiritual support (eight indicators), medical treatment (three indicators), information and education (three indicators), structural support (two indicators), external family resources included social resources (five indicators), cultural resources (two indicators), economic resources (seven indicators), environmental resources (four indicators) and medical resources (nine indicators).

Conclusions

A set of 46 family resource indicators for people with schizophrenic disorder in community was identified by an iterative Delphi process in Beijing, China. However, the indicators still need to be validated by testing in further studies.

☐ ☆ ✇ BMJ Open

Person-centred care (PCC) research in Ghana: a scoping review protocol

Por: Amoh · G. K. A. · Addo · A. K. · Odiase · O. · Tahir · P. · Getahun · M. · Aborigo · R. A. · Essuman · A. · Yawson · A. E. · Essuman · V. A. · Afulani · P. A. — Mayo 7th 2024 at 18:05
Introduction

Person-centred care (PCC) is provision of care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values, and ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions. While there is a large body of evidence on the benefits of PCC in high-income countries, little research exists on PCC in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa at large. Most studies on PCC have focused on maternity care as part of the global movement of respectful maternity care. The few studies on patient experiences and health system responsiveness beyond maternal health also highlight gaps in patient experience and satisfaction as well as discrimination in health facilities, which leads to the most vulnerable having the poorest experiences. The protocol for this scoping review aims to systematically map the extent of literature focused on PCC in Ghana by identifying patient expectations and preferences, barriers and facilitators, and interventions.

Methods and analysis

The protocol will be guided by the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and recommendations by Levac et al. A comprehensive search strategy will be used to search for published articles in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the African Journals Online from their inception to August 2022. Grey literature and reference lists of included studies will also be searched. Two independent reviewers will perform the literature search, eligibility assessments and study selection. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram for the scoping reviews will be used to outline the study selection process. Extracted data from the included articles will be synthesised and reported under key concepts derived from the outcomes of the scoping review.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review does not require ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated through publications and conference presentations.

Scoping review registration

OSF Registration DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/ZMDH9.

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