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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Stress, mental health, and resources of palliative care professionals

Palliat Support Care. 2025 Mar 28;23:e34. doi: 10.1017/S1478951524002050.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Palliative care (PC) professionals confront the suffering and mortality of their patients, adding to the conventional stressors related to work dynamics or personal life. However, the specific stressors inherent in end-of-life (EOL) care and their relation with the mental health of these professionals, remain inadequately explored. This study seeks to examine the respective roles of various stressors encountered by PC professionals and their associations with mental health. Additionally, it aims to elucidate the relationships between specific psychosocial factors (psychological resources or work environment perceptions) and mental health within the context of stress associated with PC.

METHOD: An online questionnaire was developed and distributed to PC professionals in France (e.g., doctors, nurses, care assistants, psychologists). The questionnaire contained measures of stress experienced in the last 6 months (personal, professional, or EOL); measures of mental health; and measures of psychosocial factors (perceptions of work environment and psychological resources).

RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-nine participants completed the entire questionnaire in November 2022. Among the various stress factors assessed, the accumulation of EOL care emerged as a robustly linked stressor to poorer mental health. In this specific context of EOL care stress, self-compassion and psychological flexibility are significantly related to well-being and mental health, even when other psychosocial factors related to the work environment are statistically controlled.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: This study is the first to highlight the main stressor affecting the well-being of PC professionals – the accumulation of EOL care – along with the key resources – psychological flexibility and self-compassion – that are associated with their well-being.

PMID:40148246 | DOI:10.1017/S1478951524002050

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Sex-Based Differences in Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rev Med Virol. 2025 May;35(3):e70022. doi: 10.1002/rmv.70022.

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has emerged as a global health crisis with significant consequences, not only for respiratory health but also for the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate potential sex-based disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 A systematic search was performed in PUBMED/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and EMBASE, up until January 2024 to identify studies measuring the sex-based differences in cardiovascular outcomes associated with COVID-19. The outcomes of interest included (myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, mortality, heart failure and hospitalization length). The meta-analysis was performed using the ‘Stata’ software, version 18. We identified 11 studies involving 31,044 males and 25,917 females in our review. A slightly lower risk of myocardial infarction in females (RR: 1.24; 95% CI [1.03, 1.49]; p = 0.02) contrasted with a substantially increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (RR: 1.43; 95% CI [1.19, 1.71]; p = 0.00) in males. Additionally, males displayed a slightly higher risk of major bleeding (RR: 1.22; 95% CI [1.06, 1.40]; p = 0.00). This trend continued with significantly higher rates of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) utilization (RR: 2.14; 95% CI [1.11, 4.13]; p = 0.02) in males. Moreover, stroke outcomes and overall mortality were demonstrably worse for males (RR: 1.46; p = 0.05 and RR: 1.21; p = 0.00, respectively). Males with COVID-19 face higher risks of myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and mortality. Heart failure and hospitalization length show no gender disparity. These findings highlight the crucial role of gender in COVID-19’s cardiovascular complications.

PMID:40148238 | DOI:10.1002/rmv.70022

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Identifying and Addressing Unmet Needs in Dementia: The Role of Care Access and Psychosocial Support

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2025 Apr;40(4):e70066. doi: 10.1002/gps.70066.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: People with dementia often have various unmet care needs across physical, psychological, environmental, and social domains. There’s a need to explore the association between domains of unmet needs and characteristics of people with dementia. The aim of this paper was to describe the domains of unmet and met needs among community-dwelling people living with dementia, focusing on the home environment, physical, psychological, and social areas, and to identify sociodemographic, clinical, and health-related parameters associated with unmet needs.

METHODS: We analyzed the InDePendent trial’s baseline data of N = 417 people with dementia. The Camberwell Assessment of Needs for the Elderly (CANE) was used to identify needs. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the distribution of needs and Logistic and Poisson regression models to detect sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with unmet needs in the four need domains.

RESULTS: People with dementia were on average 80.6 years old, mostly female (56%) and mildly to moderately cognitively impaired (85%). 98.6% of the participants had at least one need, of which just over a third (36.5%) were rated as met and just under two-thirds (63.5%) as unmet. Lacking a care grade (access to social care) and low education were found to be risk factors for the occurrence of unmet needs in almost all areas. Factors such as increased medication use (OR = 1.10 [95%CI 1.02 to 1.19]) and loneliness (OR = 2.51 [95%CI 1.44 to 4.36]) were associated with a higher likelihood of unmet environmental needs. Similarly, the absence of a caregiver (OR = 2.81 [95%CI 1.03 to 7.64]), lower social support (OR = 1.71 [95%CI 1.02 to 2.84]), and poor physical health (OR = 8.40 [95%CI 3.39 to 20.81]) correlated with unmet physical needs. Participants living alone demonstrated higher levels of unmet physical needs (β = 0.27 [95%CI 0.01 to 0.53]). Depression (OR = 2.13 [95%CI 1.10 to 4.08]), living alone (OR = 1.73 [95%CI 1.04 to 2.86]) and poor physical health (OR = 2.82 [95%CI 1.15 to 6.93]) significantly increased the risk of unmet psychological needs. Social needs are more likely to be unmet in females (OR = 1.88 [95%CI 1.05 to 3.37]). Sensitivity analyses showed the positive effects of regular General Practitioner (GP) visits on the fulfillment of social needs (β = -0.61 [95%CI -1.01 to -0.22]).

CONCLUSION: Access to comprehensive care, for example, through a care grade, education and regular visits to the GP, is just as important for meeting needs in various areas as psychosocial measures aimed at reducing loneliness, living alone, and social exclusion. Both areas must be given equal consideration to improve the living and care situation of people with dementia sustainably.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered as a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04741932). The study protocol is published elsewhere.

PMID:40148225 | DOI:10.1002/gps.70066

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Nanofat for Injection Laryngoplasty: A Preliminary Study of a New Substrate

J Voice. 2025 Mar 26:S0892-1997(25)00051-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.02.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: “Nanofat” refers to fat further emulsified into 1-µm sizes. It is commonly used in facial plastic surgery. Nanofat increases the release of adipose-derived stem cells. This study tested whether injection laryngoplasty using nanofat resulted in bulking and vibratory effects comparable to using microfat in treating patients with fold atrophy.

METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind, prospective study of 18 patients with vocal atrophy who underwent transoral lipoinjection using microlaryngoscopy. The control group received bilateral microfat injection. The experimental group randomly received microfat in one vocal fold and nanofat in the contralateral vocal fold. The average volume of fat injected was 0.6 mL on each side. The postsurgery evaluation at 3 months included ratings of stroboscopy and acoustic recordings by blinded expert raters. Vibratory behavior, voice ratings, preVoice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and postVHI-10 score, and Cepstral/Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID) were compared.

RESULTS: Significant improvement in the VHI at three-month follow-up was noted in all patients (n = 18 total, 12 experimental, six control). In the subgroup analysis, only the nanofat group significantly improved VHI. Improvements in the CSID were observed in both techniques; however, neither group showed statistical significance. Improved glottic closure was comparable in both groups. Expert raters observed an improvement in the voice quality of nanofat individuals but no change in microfat individuals.

CONCLUSION: Lipoinjection laryngoplasty with nanofat may be an alternative to microfat in patients with vocal atrophy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

PMID:40148203 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.02.007

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Rare gynaecological cancers in Malta – An analysis of incidence between 2010 and 2021

Eur J Surg Oncol. 2025 Mar 13:109971. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2025.109971. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Whilst about 18 % of all cancers in females are gynaecological cancers, more than 50 % of these can be classified as rare tumours (defined as an annual incidence of <6 per 100,000). Such cancers represent an important challenge for small countries like Malta where the small caseload may limit the expertise of clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of such cancers.

METHODOLOGY: The study uses data from the Maltese population-based cancer registry to examine trends in incidence rate of the rare gynaecological cancers for the 12-year period between 2010 and 2021. It employs the RARECAREnet list to identify the rare gynaecological cancers by major rare gynaecological cancer categories and histological types and analyses the number of cases and incidence rates in Malta to monitor trends and provide an insight of the burden of such cancers.

RESULTS: A total of 709 new cases of rare gynaecological cancers were discovered during the 12-year period. Globally, these rare gynae cancers, constituted 42.6 % of all the gynae cancers that occurred during this period. Most of these rare cancers were ovarian (399 cases, 56.3 %), followed by rare cancers of the vulva and vagina (122 cases, 17.21 %), rare cancers of the corpus uteri (93 cases, 13.12 %) and rare cancers of the cervix uteri (73 cases, 10.3 %). Other rare gynaecological cancers (10 cases, 1.41 %) and cancers of the placenta (2 cases, 0.04 %) were much rarer. The outcomes in terms of 5-year survival was worse for the rare cancers compared with the commoner types of gynae cancers with an overall 5-year survival of 45.10 % and 45.48 % for rare gynae cancers for the 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 cohorts respectively and an overall 5-year survival of 69.94 % and 73.44 % for the common gynae cancers for the 2010-2014 and 2015-2019 cohorts respectively.

CONCLUSION: The study shows that globally rare gynaecological cancers in a small state like Malta are in fact not so rare – with a total of 709 rare gynaecological cancers in 12 years for Malta. These cases are however few when considering that they are divided into over 30 different histopathological groups. Numbers are also small when it comes to accumulating statistical power for analysis. The caseload for the individual sub-categories is small and will often be shared amongst the different individual gynaecologists and/or their clinical team. Thus, it might be difficult for these specialists to gather enough technical expertise that is crucial for early diagnosis and the treatment of these rare cancers. This study provides a rationale for international collaboration where there is scope for joint research and sharing of expertise. Establishment of common databases for the various types of rare gynaecological tumours will provide statistical power, enabling analysis of outcomes for these rare cancers and establishment of guidelines.

PMID:40148197 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejso.2025.109971

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Does severity of dentofacial deformity impact oral health-related quality of life in class III cleft lip and palate patients?

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2025 Mar 3:S0266-4356(25)00045-2. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2025.02.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to correlate the severity of dentofacial deformity and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in 42 class III patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). The main outcome measures were clinical evaluations of overjet and overbite. OHRQoL was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire (OHIP-14). Angular (facial angle, SNA, SNB, ANB) and linear (N-PerpA, N-PerpPog and Wits appraisal) measurements were made using digital lateral teleradiography. No statistical difference was found between clinical variables and OHIP-14 scores (total score and domains, p > 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between the SNA angle and the handicap domain (rs = 0.428; p = 0.005), between the ANB angle and the handicap domain (rs = 0.319; p = 0.040) and psychological disability (rs = 0.331; p = 0.032); between N-PerpA and the social disability domain (rs = 0.345, p = 0.025); and between Wits appraisal and total OHIP-14 score (rs = 0.331; p = 0.032) and psychological disability (rs = 0.348; p = 0.024). Some angular and linear measurements of class III patients with CLP correlated with the total OHIP-14 score and the handicap, psychological disability, and social disability domains.

PMID:40148164 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2025.02.008

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Efficacy of mHealth in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pain Manag Nurs. 2025 Mar 26:S1524-9042(25)00128-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2025.03.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of mobile health-based interventions for alleviating symptoms of chronic neck pain in patients.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in databases, including the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding support provided to patients with chronic neck pain using mobile health interventions from database inception to March 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and evaluated the quality using the Cochrane Handbook 5.1 risk of bias assessment tool. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.2, and the quality of evidence was assessed according to the GRADE criteria.

RESULTS: Ten RCTs comprising 825 participants were included. A meta-analysis indicated that mobile health interventions were more effective than other physical therapies for reducing pain (short-term: SMD = -0.76, [95% CI -1.50, -0.02], p = .04; mid-term: SMD = -0.48, [95% CI -0.78, -0.18], p < .01), although there was no significant difference for improving neck disability status (short-term: MD = -6.74, [95% CI -13.65, 0.17], p = .06; mid-term: SMD = -2.26 [95% CI -6.71, 2.20], p = .32). Compared to minimal intervention, mobile health interventions were more effective in reducing pain (short-term: SMD = -1.16, [95% CI -1.70, -0.63], p < .001) and improving neck disability status (short-term: MD = -7.88, [95% CI -12.27, -3.13], p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Mobile health-based interventions positively affected the predictive outcomes for patients with chronic neck pain, reduced pain levels, and improved neck disability. Further research is needed to demonstrate their benefits for reducing fear of pain and improving quality of life.

PMID:40148143 | DOI:10.1016/j.pmn.2025.03.001

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Signs and symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency secondary to atherosclerosis: a systematic review

J Osteopath Med. 2025 Mar 28. doi: 10.1515/jom-2024-0203. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Clinicians face a difficult challenge in identifying vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) resulting from atherosclerosis. VBI is a term utilized to describe a reduction in blood flow to the vertebral and basilar arteries that supply the posterior cerebral system. For musculoskeletal clinicians, diagnostic differentiation of VBI is essential, because its presence directly impacts the clinical use of manual treatment interventions. Clinical guidelines provide a set of cardinal symptoms (inclusive of Coman’s 5D’s) in which VBI may manifest, the accuracy of which is under contestation because literature provides evidence suggesting a wider set of symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to gather all relevant literature reporting features of VBI pertaining to atherosclerosis, with the aim to help provide evidence that may guide clinical practice in the use of manual therapy interventions and to raise awareness of the manifestations that VBI may present.

METHODS: Six databases were searched from inception to September 2024 (Allied and Alternative Medicine Database [AMED], AgeLine, SPORTDiscus, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online [MEDLINE], Cochrane, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL Plus). Articles were screened in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, The included articles required a diagnosis of VBI through clinical examination with radiological evidence of atherosclerotic lesions, without evidence of existing or previous neurological infarcts, concomitant arterial pathology, or any other form of pathological mechanism. Primary data were extracted utilizing a template, and the methodological quality was assessed utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Findings were summarized utilizing a narrative synthesis and a table of descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-three papers were identified, and 15 were included (93 cases, 50M/43F, age 64 years old ± 9 standard deviation [SD] yrs). Vertigo was the most common reported symptom, within a total of 37 different symptoms reported either in isolation or combination. Symptoms inclusive to Coman’s 5D’s accounted for 22 % of reported features.

CONCLUSIONS: Vertigo is the most common symptom (27.7 %) of VBI induced by atherosclerosis. However, there is not sufficient data to make concrete conclusions, although results do instill doubt over the sole use of Coman’s 5D’s in clinical practice. Prospective observational studies with standardized data extraction for VBI symptoms and their pattern of behavior are warranted.

PMID:40148099 | DOI:10.1515/jom-2024-0203

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Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation for Sanders typeⅡand Ⅲ calcaneal fractures

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2025 Mar 25;38(3):306-10. doi: 10.12200/j.issn.1003-0034.20240227.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of bone setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirschner needle internal fixation in treating SandersⅡ-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture.

METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with types Sanders Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture (foot) treated with bone-setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirscher needle internal fixation from July 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years old with an average of (50.83±10.48) years old; 15 patients with Sanders typeⅡ and 37 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ. The changes of Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width and calcaneus height before operation and 24 months after operation were compared, and Maryland foot function score was performed to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of (41.50±9.86)months. The fracture healed normally and the healing time was (11.00±0.95) weeks. Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal bone width and calcaneal bone height were increased from (16.37±8.36)°, (96.27±9.62)°, (46.82±4.67) mm, (38.41±3.58) mm before operation to (31.48±8.24)°, (111.62±8.69)°, (42.06±4.83) mm, (44.21±3.82) mm at 24 months after operation, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.01). Postoperative Maryland score at 24 months was (93.04±8.83), 40 patients got excellent result, 7 good and 5 fair.

CONCLUSION: Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation could significantly improve Bühler angle, Gissane angle, width, and height of Sanders typeⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and the curative effect is satisfactory.

PMID:40148094 | DOI:10.12200/j.issn.1003-0034.20240227

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Clinical application of nerve block in early analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2025 Mar 25;38(3):287-92. doi: 10.12200/j.issn.1003-0034.20230354.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effective and safety of subarachnoid block (SA), adductor canal block (ACB), and femoral nerve block (FNB) for early analgesia in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODS: From September 2022 to October 2023, 90 patients with ACL rupture who received unilateral knee arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were selected and divided into ACB group, FNB group and SA group according to different anesthesia methods, with 30 patients in each group. There were 12 males and 18 females in ACB group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (33.3±13.8) years old;14 patients with gradeⅠand 16 patients with gradeⅡaccording to American Society of Aneshesiologists (ASA);13 patients on the left side and 17 patients on the right side. There were 15 males and 15 females in FNB group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (33.5±12.9) years old;15 patients with gradeⅠand 15 patients with gradeⅡ;16 patients on the left side and 14 patients on the right side. There were 16 males and 14 females in SA group, aged from 18 to 60 years old with an average of (31.0±12.6) years old;18 patients with grade I and 12 patients with gradeⅡ;17 patients on the left side and 13 patients on the right side. In ACB and FNB groups, the nerve block of ACB and FNB were performed under ultrasound guidance before SA anesthesia with 15 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and quadriceps muscle strength at rest and passive movement were recorded and compared among 3 groups at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation, as well as the dosage of tramadol injection analgesics, incidence of nausea and vomiting, nerve block time and other complications within 48 h after operation were compared.

RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 11 to 20 (15.8±2.4) months. VAS at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation of SA group was significantly higher than that of ACB and FNB groups, with statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in VAS of rest and passive movement at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 and 48 h after operation between ACB group and FNB group(P>0.05). At 4, 8, 12 and 16 h after operation, the quadriceps muscle strength in SA and ACB groups was higher than that in FNB group, with statistical significance (P<0.05);but there was no statistical significance in quadriceps muscle strength among three groups at 24 and 48 h after operation(P>0.05). One patient occurred nausea and vomiting in ACB group, 2 patients in FNB group and 5 patients in SA group, and no significant difference among three groups (χ2=0.352, P=0.171). The dosage of tramadol in SA group was (300.00±136.50) mg, which was higher than that in FNB group (168.33±73.70) mg and ACB(163.33±70.70) mg, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in nerve block time between ACB group and FNB group (t=1.964, P=0.054). There was no puncture site bleeding, local anesthesia drug poisoning and hematoma formation among three groups.

CONCLUSION: Both FNB and ACB could provide good early analgesia after ACL reconstruction, but ACB group has little effect on quadriceps muscle strength. Patients could have early postoperative functional training without pain, which is more beneficial to the recovery of knee joint function, and could reduce the use of analgesic drugs, without serious complications, which is safe and reliable method.

PMID:40148091 | DOI:10.12200/j.issn.1003-0034.20230354