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Ayer — Mayo 14th 2024Tus fuentes RSS

Patient and clinician preferences for diabetes management among older adults with co-morbid HIV: A qualitative exploration

by Allison P. Pack, Mary Clare Masters, Rachel O’Conor, Kenya Alcantara, Sophia Svoboda, Reneaki Smith, Fangyu Yeh, Guisselle Wismer, Amisha Wallia, Stacy C. Bailey

Background

Older adults with HIV are at increased risk of developing certain chronic health conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As the number and complexity of conditions increases, so do treatment and health care needs. We explored patient and clinician preferences for HIV+T2DM care and perceived solutions to improving care.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study comprised of individual in-depth interviews. Participants included English-speaking patients aged 50 and older living with HIV and T2DM and infectious disease (ID) and primary care (PC) clinicians from a large academic health center in Chicago. Thematic analysis drew from the Framework Method.

Results

A total of 19 patient and 10 clinician participants were interviewed. Many patients reported seeking HIV and T2DM care from the same clinician; they valued rapport and a ‘one-stop-shop’. Others reported having separate clinicians; they valued perceived expertise and specialty care. Nearly all clinicians reported comfort screening for T2DM and initiating first line oral therapy; ID clinicians reported placing referrals for newer, complex therapies. Patients would like educational support for T2DM management; clinicians would like to learn more about newer therapies and easier referral processes.

Conclusions

Patient-centered care includes managing T2DM from a variety of clinical settings for individuals with HIV, yet strategies are needed to better support clinicians. Future research should examine how best to implement these strategies.

Untargeted lipidomics analysis in women with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A comprehensive study

by Laia Bertran, Jordi Capellades, Sonia Abelló, Carmen Aguilar, Teresa Auguet, Cristóbal Richart

There is a phenotype of obese individuals termed metabolically healthy obese that present a reduced cardiometabolic risk. This phenotype offers a valuable model for investigating the mechanisms connecting obesity and metabolic alterations such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Previously, in an untargeted metabolomics analysis in a cohort of morbidly obese women, we observed a different lipid metabolite pattern between metabolically healthy morbid obese individuals and those with associated T2DM. To validate these findings, we have performed a complementary study of lipidomics. In this study, we assessed a liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer untargeted lipidomic analysis on serum samples from 209 women, 73 normal-weight women (control group) and 136 morbid obese women. From those, 65 metabolically healthy morbid obese and 71 with associated T2DM. In this work, we find elevated levels of ceramides, sphingomyelins, diacyl and triacylglycerols, fatty acids, and phosphoethanolamines in morbid obese vs normal weight. Conversely, decreased levels of acylcarnitines, bile acids, lyso-phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines (PC), phosphatidylinositols, and phosphoethanolamine PE (O-38:4) were noted. Furthermore, comparing morbid obese women with T2DM vs metabolically healthy MO, a distinct lipid profile emerged, featuring increased levels of metabolites: deoxycholic acid, diacylglycerol DG (36:2), triacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines, phosphoethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, and lyso-phosphatidylinositol LPI (16:0). To conclude, analysing both comparatives, we observed decreased levels of deoxycholic acid, PC (34:3), and PE (O-38:4) in morbid obese women vs normal-weight. Conversely, we found elevated levels of these lipids in morbid obese women with T2DM vs metabolically healthy MO. These profiles of metabolites could be explored for the research as potential markers of metabolic risk of T2DM in morbid obese women.

Nursing assessment of mental health issues in the general clinical environment: A descriptive study

Abstract

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of a mental health screening form for early identification and care escalation of mental health issues in general settings. A secondary aim was to explore general nurses' use of the form and their confidence to discuss mental health issues with patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional design comprising a review of clinical records to determine use of the form, instances of missed care and escalation to the mental health team. The survey focused on nurses' confidence in general settings to engage in discussions with patients about mental health. Data were collected from April to December 2022. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement guided this study.

Results

Of 400 patient records, 397 were analysed; 293 (73.8%) of those had mental health screening by nurses. Age was a significant factor, with younger patients more likely to be screened although concerns were typically recognized in older patients. Of the 20 patients identified with mental health concerns, 9 (45%) were referred for further evaluation by the Clinical Liaison Team. While nurses were proactive in assessing physical risks, assessing risk factors that required deeper conversations with patients, including psychiatric history, was lacking. The survey highlighted fewer than half of the respondents (46%, n = 10) felt competent to engage in discussions about mental health; however, most (59%, n = 13) knew when to seek a mental health referral.

Conclusions

General nurses have a role in the early identification and referral of patients with mental health challenges. However, training is imperative to facilitate deeper patient interactions concerning mental health. Integrating mental health checks within general settings is crucial for early detection and intervention, aligning with global quality care standards.

Reporting Method

STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

We received feedback that shaped the research protocol from a consumer representative.

Is there enough care to go around?

Journal of Advanced Nursing, EarlyView.

Exploring the relationship between illness perception, self‐management and quality of life among HIV‐positive men who have sex with men

Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of self-management (SM) on the relationship between illness perception and quality of life (QOL) among Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

We explored the effect of illness perception and self-management on QOL using the multiple regression model. Moreover, we conducted a simple mediation analysis to examine the role of SM in the relationship between illness perception and QOL. In addition, a parallel mediation analysis was performed to investigate the differences in domains of SM on the relationship between illness perception and QOL.

Results

Among 300 Chinese HIV-positive MSM, the mean score of SM was 39.9 ± 6.97, with a range of 14.0–54.0. The higher score in SM indicated a higher level of HIV SM. SM was negatively related to illness perception (r = −0.47) while positively related to QOL (r = 0.56). SM partially mediated the relationship between illness perception and QOL, accounting for 25.3% of the total effect. Specifically, both daily self-management health practices and the chronic nature of the self-management domain played a parallel role in mediating the relationship between illness perception and QOL.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that SM was a significant factor influencing QOL among HIV-positive MSM. Focusing on daily self-management health practices and the chronic nature of self-management could be the potential key targets for enhancing HIV self-management strategies.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This study emphasized the role of SM in the well-being of HIV-positive MSM and underscored the importance of developing interventions that integrate SM strategies to improve QOL in this population.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Regulatory emotional self‐efficacy and self‐compassion mediate anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well‐being in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aims

This study aims to investigate the mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in the relationship among anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

The study recruited 510 women with polycystic ovary syndrome from a tertiary hospital affiliated with a university in Hunan Province, China. The study employed several tools to collect data, including the Generalized Anxiety Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Body Image States Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale and the Index of Well-being questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive analysis, spearman correlation analysis, ordinary least squares regression and bootstrapping.

Results

The study's findings indicate that regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion both act as mediators in the connection between anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Conclusion

The study emphasizes the significance of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in promoting well-being among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. It also implies that interventions targeted at enhancing these factors could potentially enhance the subjective well-being of women affected by PCOS.

Impact

Our study's primary contribution is to underscore the crucial mediating roles of regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion in the relationship among anxiety, depression, body image distress and subjective well-being. Our study indicates that clinical practitioners should prioritize improving the regulatory emotional self-efficacy and self-compassion of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, reducing their anxiety, depression and body image distress and improving their subjective well-being.

Reporting Method

This study was reported according to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution outside of participation in the actual study for purposes of data collection.

Duration and severity of COVID‐19 symptoms among primary healthcare workers: A cross‐sectional survey

Abstract

Aims

This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers, including the severity, duration of infection, post-infection symptoms and related influencing factors.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess the post-infection status of primary healthcare workers in Jiangsu Province. The questionnaire collected information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, post-infection clinical manifestations, work environment and recovery time of the respondents. Customized outcome events were selected as dependent variables and logistic regression models were employed to analyse the risk factors. Phi-coefficient was used to describe the relationship between post-infection symptoms.

Results

The analysis revealed that several factors, such as female, older age, obesity, previous medical history, exposure to high-risk environments and stress, were associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing more severe outcomes. On the other hand, vaccination and regular exercise were found to contribute to an earlier resolution of the infection. Among the post-infection symptoms, cough, malaise and muscle aches were the most frequently reported. Overall, there was a weak association among symptoms persisting beyond 14 days, with only cough and malaise, malaise and dizziness and headache showing a stronger correlation.

Conclusion

The study findings indicate that the overall severity of the first wave of infection, following the complete lifting of restrictions in China, was low. The impact on primary healthcare workers was limited, and the post-infection symptoms exhibited similarity to those observed in other countries. It is important to highlight that these conclusions are specifically relevant to the population infected with the Omicron variant.

Impacts

This study helps to grasp the impacts of the first wave of COVID-19 infections on healthcare workers in China after the national lockdown was lifted.

Patients

Primary healthcare workers in Jiangsu Province, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other personnel from primary healthcare units such as community health service centres and health centres.

Personal and work‐related factors associated with post‐traumatic growth in nurses: A mixed studies systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

Nurses, assuming a wide range of clinical and patient care responsibilities in a healthcare team, are highly susceptible to direct and indirect exposure to traumatic experiences. However, literature has shown that nurses with certain traits developed a new sense of personal strength in the face of adversity, known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). This review aimed to synthesize the best available evidence to evaluate personal and work-related factors associated with PTG among nurses.

Design

Mixed studies systematic review.

Methods

Studies examining factors influencing PTG on certified nurses from all healthcare facilities were included. Published and unpublished studies were identified by searching 12 databases from their inception until 4th February 2023. Two reviewers independently screened, appraised, piloted a data collection form, and extracted relevant data. Meta-summary, meta-synthesis, meta-analysis, as well as subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Integration of results followed result-based convergent design.

Results

A total of 98 studies with 29,706 nurses from 18 countries were included. These included 49 quantitative, 42 qualitative, and seven mixed-methods studies. Forty-six influencing factors were meta-analyzed, whereas nine facilitating factors were meta-summarized. A PTG conceptual map was created. Four constructs emerged from the integration synthesis: (a) personal system, (b) work-related system, (c) event-related factors, and (d) cognitive transformation.

Conclusion

The review findings highlighted areas healthcare organizations could do to facilitate PTG in nurses. Practical implications include developing intervention programs based on PTG facilitators. Further research should examine the trend of PTG and its dynamic response to different nursing factors.

Clinical Relevance

Research on trauma-focused therapies targeting nurses' mental health is lacking. Therefore, findings from this review could inform healthcare organizations on the PTG phenomenon and developing support measures for nurses through healthcare policies and clinical practice.

Particularity, Engagement, Actionable Inferences, Reflexivity, and Legitimation tool for rigor in mixed methods implementation research

Abstract

Background

Implementation science helps generate approaches to expedite the uptake of evidence in practice. Mixed methods are commonly used in implementation research because they allow researchers to integrate distinct qualitative and quantitative methods and data sets to unravel the implementation process and context and design contextual tools for optimizing the implementation. To date, there has been limited discussion on how to ensure rigor in mixed methods implementation research.

Purpose

To present Particularity, Engagement, Actionable Inferences, Reflexivity, and Legitimation (PEARL) as a practical tool for understanding various components of rigor in mixed methods implementation research.

Data Sources

This methodological discussion is based on a nurse-led mixed methods implementation study. The PEARL tool was developed based on an interpretive, critical reflection, and purposive reading of selected literature sources drawn from the researchers' knowledge, experiences of designing and conducting mixed methods implementation research, and published methodological papers about mixed methods, implementation science, and research rigor.

Conclusion

An exemplar exploratory sequential mixed methods study in nursing is provided to illustrate the application of the PEARL tool. The proposed tool can be a useful and innovative tool for researchers and students intending to use mixed methods in implementation research. The tool offers a straightforward approach to learning the key rigor components of mixed methods implementation research for application in designing and conducting implementation research using mixed methods.

Clinical Relevance

Rigorous implementation research is critical for effective uptake of innovations and evidence-based knowledge into practice and policymaking. The proposed tool can be used as the means to establish rigor in mixed methods implementation research in nursing and health sciences.

Foundation Models, Generative AI, and Large Language Models: Essentials for Nursing

imageWe are in a booming era of artificial intelligence, particularly with the increased availability of technologies that can help generate content, such as ChatGPT. Healthcare institutions are discussing or have started utilizing these innovative technologies within their workflow. Major electronic health record vendors have begun to leverage large language models to process and analyze vast amounts of clinical natural language text, performing a wide range of tasks in healthcare settings to help alleviate clinicians' burden. Although such technologies can be helpful in applications such as patient education, drafting responses to patient questions and emails, medical record summarization, and medical research facilitation, there are concerns about the tools' readiness for use within the healthcare domain and acceptance by the current workforce. The goal of this article is to provide nurses with an understanding of the currently available foundation models and artificial intelligence tools, enabling them to evaluate the need for such tools and assess how they can impact current clinical practice. This will help nurses efficiently assess, implement, and evaluate these tools to ensure these technologies are ethically and effectively integrated into healthcare systems, while also rigorously monitoring their performance and impact on patient care.

The effect of work readiness on work well‐being for newly graduated nurses: The mediating role of emotional labor and psychological capital

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the relationship between work readiness and work well-being for newly graduated nurses and the mediating role of emotional labor and psychological capital in this relationship.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in mainland China. A total of 478 newly graduated nurses completed the Work Readiness Scale, Emotional Labour Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Work Well-being Scale. Descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation analysis, and a structural equation model were used to analyze the available data.

Results

Newly graduated nurses' work readiness was significantly positively correlated with work well-being (r = 0.21, p < 0.01), deep acting (r = 0.11, p < 0.05), and psychological capital (r = 0.18, p < 0.01). Emotional labor and psychological capital partially mediated the relationship between work readiness and work well-being. Additionally, emotional labor and psychological capital had a chain-mediating effect on the association.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Work readiness not only affects newly graduated nurses' work well-being directly but also indirectly through emotional labor and psychological capital. These results provide theoretical support and guidance for the study and improvement of newly graduated nurses' work well-being and emphasize the importance of intervention measures to improve work readiness and psychological capital and the adoption of deep-acting emotional-labor strategies.

Tobacco policies and changes in the tendency of smoking cessation in cigarette users in Chile: a longitudinal cross-sectional study

Objective

To assess the impact of tobacco control regulations and policy implementation on smoking cessation tendencies in cigarette users born between 1982 and 1991 in Chile.

Design

Longitudinal cross-sectional study.

Setting

National level.

Participants

Data from the National Survey of Drug Consumption (Service of Prevention and Rehabilitation for Drug and Alcohol Consumption). A pseudo-cohort of smokers born between 1982 and 1991 (N=17 905) was tracked from 2002 to 2016.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures

Primary outcome was the tendency to cease smoking conceptualised as the report of using cigarettes 1 month or more ago relative to using cigarettes in the last 30 days. The main exposure variable was the Tobacco Policy Index—tracking tobacco policy changes over time. Logistic regression, controlling for various factors, was applied.

Results

Models suggested a 14% increase in the smoking cessation tendency of individuals using cigarettes 1 month or more ago relative to those using cigarettes in the last 30 days (OR 1.14, CI 95% CI 1.10 to 1.19) for each point increment in the Tobacco Policy index.

Conclusions

Our study contributes to documenting a positive impact of the implementation of interventions considered in the MPOWER strategy in the progression of smoking cessation tendencies in smokers born between 1982 and 1991 in Chile.

What recovery domains are important following a total knee replacement? A qualitative, interview-based study

Por: Khatri · C. · Dhaif · F. · Ellard · D. · Rodrigues · J. N. · Underwood · M. · Mitchell · P. · Metcalfe · A.
Objectives

To explore people’s views of recovery from total knee replacement (TKR) and which recovery domains they felt were important.

Design

Semi-structured interviews exploring the views of individuals about to undergo or who have undergone TKR. A constant-comparative approach with thematic analysis was used to identify themes. The process of sampling, collecting data and analysis were continuous and iterative throughout the study, with interviews ceasing once thematic saturation was achieved.

Setting

Tertiary care centre.

Participants

A purposive sample was used to account for variables including pre, early or late postoperative status.

Results

12 participants were interviewed, 4 who were preoperative, 4 early postoperative and 4 late postoperative. Themes of pain, function, fear of complications, awareness of the artificial knee joint and return to work were identified. Subthemes of balancing acute and chronic pain were identified.

Conclusions

The results of this interview-based study identify pain and function, in particular mobility, that were universally important to those undergoing TKR. Surgeons should consider exploring these domains when taking informed consent to enhance shared decision-making. Researchers should consider these recovery domains when designing interventional studies.

Cognitive stimulation for people with dementia in nursing homes: a protocol for a feasibility study examining a new 24/7 approach (CogStim24)

Por: Folkerts · A.-K. · Seven · U. S. · Guicheteau · J. · N Dichter · M. · Hellmich · M. · Köpke · S. · Kalbe · E.
Introduction

Based on the available evidence, cognitive stimulation is recommended as an intervention for people with dementia (PwD). Currently, cognitive stimulation is regularly offered as a group programme in care facilities. However, some residents, such as those who are bedridden, cannot participate. Furthermore, group programmes were not feasible during the pandemic. A concept that accompanies everyday life and enables cognitive stimulation in everyday communication (ie, ‘24/7’) has been missing. Therefore, this feasibility study aims to (1) assess the feasibility of a new continuous 24/7 cognitive stimulation programme (CogStim24) based on a process evaluation and (2) examine the possible effects of CogStim24 on the primary outcome of global cognition in PwD and further PwD-related and staff-related outcomes.

Methods and analysis

The complex CogStim24 programme is developed to be conducted as an everyday intervention during routine care including cognitively stimulating techniques, such as reminiscence therapy, multisensory stimulation and physical activity. In this unblinded single-arm study with pre-assessments and post-assessments, four nursing homes with a total of N=20 nursing and care staff will participate in an 11-week CogStim24 training programme. The intervention will be conducted to N=60 PwD. Neuropsychological assessments will be conducted pre-staff and post-staff training, as well as after a 6-week implementation phase. A process evaluation will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Although cognitive stimulation is known to be effective for enhancing global cognition and quality of life in PwD, it is currently undersupplied to PwD. Therefore, CogStim24 has the potential to reach many more PwD. This study has the potential to serve as a basis for a large multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial. An interdisciplinarity team and mixed-methods approach will help generate information on the practicality and mechanisms of impact of CogStim24. This is important for the further development of the intervention and for facilitating its implementation. The study results will be disseminated via presentations at scientific conferences and meetings for healthcare professionals and PwD and their relatives. Several manuscripts presenting results of the different study parts will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

DRKS00024381.

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
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

Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol

Por: Marshall · H. · Ward · J. · Wang · B. · Andraweera · P. · McMillan · M. · Flood · L. · Bell · C. · Sisnowski · J. · Krause · V. · Webby · R. · Childs · E. · Gunathilake · M. · Egoroff · N. · Leong · L. · Lawrence · A. · Baird · R. · Freeman · K. · Menouhos · D. · Whiley · D. M. · Karnon · J.
Introduction

The effectiveness of antibiotics for treating gonococcal infections is compromised due to escalating antibiotic resistance; and the development of an effective gonococcal vaccine has been challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that the licensed meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB is effective against gonococcal infections due to cross-reacting antibodies and 95% genetic homology between the two bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that cause the diseases. This project aims to undertake epidemiological and genomic surveillance to evaluate the long-term protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA), and to determine the potential benefit of a booster vaccine doses to provide longer-term protection against gonococcal infections.

Methods and analyses

This observational study will provide long-term evaluation results of the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections at 4–7 years post 4CMenB programme implementation. Routine notifiable disease notifications will be the basis for assessing the impact of the vaccine on gonococcal infections. Pathology laboratories will provide data on the number and percentage of N. gonorrhoeae positive tests relative to all tests administered and will coordinate molecular sequencing for isolates. Genome sequencing results will be provided by SA Pathology and Territory Pathology/New South Wales Health Pathology, and linked with notification data by SA Health and NT Health. There are limitations in observational studies including the potential for confounding. Confounders will be analysed separately for each outcome/comparison.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol and all study documents have been reviewed and approved by the SA Department for Health and Well-being Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2022/HRE00308), and the evaluation will commence in the NT on receipt of approval from the NT Health and Menzies School of Health Research Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings and public forums.

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
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/).

Study protocol for assessment of the efficacy of calcium dobesilate versus placebo on SARS-CoV-2 viral load in outpatients with COVID-19 (CADOVID study): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, monocentric phase II trial

Por: Salamun · J. · Da Silva · T. · Ustero · P. · Gosmain · Y. · Guessous · I. · Calmy · A. · Spechbach · H.
Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 mainly infects respiratory endothelial cells, which is facilitated through its spike protein binding to heparan sulphate. Calcium dobesilate (CaD) is a well-established, widely available vasoactive and angioprotective drug interacting with heparan sulphate, with the potential to interfere with the uptake of SARS-CoV-2 by epithelial cells. The CADOVID trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CaD in reducing the SARS-CoV-2 viral load in non-hospitalised adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19, confirmed by a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR, including its efficacy to reduce the impact of persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Methods and analysis

This is a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, monocentric phase II trial. Enrolment began in July 2022. A total of 74 adult patients will be randomly allocated to the CaD arm or the placebo group with a 1:1 ratio, respectively. Participants in the intervention arm will receive two capsules of CaD 500 mg two times per day and the placebo arm will receive two matching capsules of mannitol 312.5 mg two times per day, with a treatment period of 7 days for both arms, followed by a 77-day observational period without treatment administration. Participants will be asked to complete secured online questionnaires using their personal smartphone or other electronic device. These include a COVID-19 questionnaire (assessing symptoms, temperature measurement, reporting of concomitant medication and adverse events), a COVID-19 persistent symptoms’ questionnaire and the Short Form 12-Item (SF-12) survey. SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing will be performed on nasopharyngeal swabs collected on days 1, 4, 8 and 21. The primary endpoint is the reduction from baseline of SARS-CoV-2 viral load determined by RT-PCR at day 4.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial has received approval by the Geneva Regional Research Ethics Committee (2022-00613) and Swissmedic (701339). Dissemination of results will be through presentations at scientific conferences and publication in scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05305508; Clinicaltrials.gov; Swiss National Clinical Portal Registry (SNCTP 000004938).

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
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.

Diversity, equity and inclusion considerations in mental health apps for young people: protocol for a scoping review

Por: Figueroa · C. A. · Perez-Flores · N. J. · Guan · K. W. · Stiles-Shields · C.
Introduction

After COVID-19, a global mental health crisis affects young people, with one in five youth experiencing mental health problems worldwide. Delivering mental health interventions via mobile devices is a promising strategy to address the treatment gap. Mental health apps are effective for adolescent and young adult samples, but face challenges such as low real-world reach and under-representation of minoritised youth. To increase digital health uptake, including among minoritised youth, there is a need for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) considerations in the development and evaluation of mental health apps. How well DEI is integrated into youth mental health apps has not been comprehensively assessed. This scoping review aims to examine to what extent DEI considerations are integrated into the design and evaluation of youth mental health apps and report on youth, caregiver and other stakeholder involvement.

Methods and analysis

We will identify studies published in English from 2009 to 29 September 2023 on apps for mental health in youth. We will use PubMed, Global Health, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL PLUS and the Cochrane Database and will report according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Scoping Review Extension guidelines. Papers eligible for inclusion must be peer-reviewed publications in English involving smartphone applications used by adolescents or young adults aged 10–25, with a focus on depression, anxiety or suicidal ideation. Two independent reviewers will review and extract articles using a template developed by the authors. We will analyse the data using narrative synthesis and descriptive statistics. This study will identify gaps in the literature and provide a roadmap for equitable and inclusive mental health apps for youth.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through academic, industry, community networks and scientific publications.

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