Tag: nevin manimala

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2023 Apr 13;18(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s13019-023-02258-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Several studies have compared early and late outcomes of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and off-pump CABG. However, there is still an ongoing debate on this matter, especially in patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease (3VD).

METHODS: We randomly assigned 274 consecutive patients with 3VD to two equal groups to undergo on-pump CABG or off-pump CABG. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including all-cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome, stroke or transient ischemic attack, and the need for repeat revascularization. The secondary outcomes were postoperative infection, ventilation time, ICU admission duration, hospital stay length, and renal failure after surgery.

RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 31.2 months (range 24.6-35.2 months). The mean age of patients was 61.4 ± 9.3 years (range: 38-86), and 207 (78.7%) were men. There were 15 (11.2%) and 9 (7.0%) MACCE occurrences in on-pump and off-pump groups, respectively (P value = 0.23). MACCE components including all-cause death, non-fatal MI, CVA, and revascularization did not significantly differ between on-pump and off-pump groups. We observed no difference in the occurrence of MACCE between off-pump and on-pump groups in multivariable regression analysis (HR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.24-1.32; P value = 0.192). There were no statistical differences in postoperative outcomes between the off-pump and on-pump CABG groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Off-pump CABG is an equal option to on-pump CABG for 3VD patients with similar rates of MACCE and postoperative complications incidence when surgery is performed in the same setting by an expert surgeon in both methods. (IRCT20190120042428N1).

PMID:37046338 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-023-02258-6

J Pharm Policy Pract. 2023 Apr 12;16(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s40545-023-00560-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Administration of potent vaccine in a manner of well-maintained cold chain system is one of the public health focus areas in developing regions of the world. Health professionals’ adherence towards good vaccine cold chain management practices is an important element to ensure potent vaccine reached to users. Studies on health professionals’ practice on vaccine cold chain maintenance and associated factors in Ethiopia have shown wide variations. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to produce the overall/pooled prevalence of health professionals’ good vaccine cold chain management practice and to identify its associated factors in Ethiopia.

METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on vaccine cold chain management practice and associated factors among health professionals in Ethiopia. Literature search was made on international data bases using medical subject heading and key words. Data were extracted using Microsoft excel and imported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Heterogeneity was checked using Cochrane Q test and I² statistics. Weighted inverse variance random effect model was used to estimate the pooled level of good vaccine cold chain management practice among health professionals. Publication bias was checked using funnel plot and using Egger’s test.

RESULTS: A total of ten studies were included in the review. The overall/pooled prevalence of good vaccine cold chain management practice in Ethiopia is 27.48% with 95% CI (25.70-29.26). Having good knowledge on vaccine cold chain management AOR 2.27 95% CI (1.72-2.99), and have received on-job training AOR 6.64 95% CI (4.60-9.57) are factors positively associated with vaccine cold chain management practice among health professionals in Ethiopia.

CONCLUSION: The overall/pooled prevalence of good vaccine cold chain management practice is much lower than the expected level. There is a need to plan on-job trainings for all vaccine handlers and other health professionals supposed to work on vaccination program.

PMID:37046331 | DOI:10.1186/s40545-023-00560-1

Contracept Reprod Med. 2023 Apr 12;8(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s40834-023-00223-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High levels of unmet need for contraception and unwanted pregnancies are high in developing countries despite efforts to reduce them. Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Discontinuation of LARC within the first year of initiation contributes to the high levels of unmet need. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the first-year discontinuation of LARC at Kawempe National Referral hospital.

METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2020 to June 2021. We consecutively recruited 354 participants who discontinued a LARC (intrauterine device {IUD} and sub-dermal implant) during the study period after informed written consent. Data on duration of use, reasons for discontinuation, and factors associated were collected using a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and review of client records. Early LARC discontinuation was defined as the termination of the contraception within the first 12 months of use. Data were entered using SPSS version 14/0 and analyzed in STATA version 15. Prevalence was expressed as a proportion while logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with early LARC discontinuation. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The proportion of first-year discontinuation of LARC was 29%. Women Age less than 25 years (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.1-24.8) and those who desired a family size of fewer than four children (OR = 3.19; 95%CI: 1.2-8.7 ) were more likely to discontinue the LARC within 12 months of initiation after multivariate analysis. Method-related reasons for removal were painful menstrual cramps for implants, recurrent infections for IUDs, and a non-side effect reason was the desire to get pregnant.

CONCLUSION: A high proportion of women discontinue LARC within 12 months following initiation. Young adults and those who desire small families are more likely to have first-year discontinuation of LARC. We recommend age-specific counseling for patients receiving the LARC and further studies looking at the depth analysis of reasons for the first-year discontinuation.

PMID:37046325 | DOI:10.1186/s40834-023-00223-1

Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2023 Apr 13;15(1):73. doi: 10.1186/s13098-023-01013-0.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia as well as the current status of glycaemic control and its influencing factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the community in South China, and to provide recommendations for the prevention and control of diabetes.

METHODS: Questionnaires, physical examinations and laboratory tests were conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who participated in the National Basic Public Health Service Programme in Guangzhou in 2020. The chi-square test, t-test and multi-factor unconditional logistic regression analysis were performed using R 4.1.2 software.

RESULT: Among 127,423 type 2 diabetic patients in Guangzhou, 57,695 achieved glycemic control standards, with a glycemic control rate of 45.28%.In this study, the proportion of T2DM patients with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia together was 27.79%, The percentage of T2DM patients with hypertension alone and hyperlipidaemia alone was 28.34% and 20.53% respectively, and the rate of no complications was 23.34%. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of glycaemic control between the different disease combination states (P < 0.05). The glycaemic control rate was 47.67% in diabetic patients without hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, 52.54% and 37.24% in those with combined hypertension alone and hyperlipidaemia alone respectively, compared to 41.80% in diabetic patients with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. After adjusting for all covariates, multivariate analysis showed that combined hypertension alone was associated with good glycaemic control (OR 0.817, 95% CI 0.791, 0.843, P < 0.001),when using comorbid T2DM as a control group, combined hyperlipidaemia alone, combined hypertension and hyperlipidaemia were associated with poor glycaemic control (OR 1.521, 95% CI 1.470,1.574, P < 0.001 and OR 1.250, 95% CI 1.211,1.291, P < 0.001), Subgroup analyses as well as multifactorial unconditional logistic regression analyses showed that patients with type 2 diabetes who were overweight and obese, smoked, drank alcohol, had a diagnosis of diabetes for ≥ 6 years, had fair or poor adherence and had a family history of diabetes had lower rates of glycaemic control.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the co-morbidity of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia was high and prevalent among diabetic patients in Guangzhou. Moreover, glycaemic control of T2DM patients with hyperlipidaemia was lower than other diabetic patients. Obesity and overweight, poor lifestyle and dietary habits are also major factors affecting the treatment and control of T2D patients in this region. Therefore, comprehensive measures should be actively taken to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients by also incorporating lipid management into the community and strictly controlling lipid levels.

PMID:37046317 | DOI:10.1186/s13098-023-01013-0

BMC Med. 2023 Apr 12;21(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-02817-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroids are often used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flares during pregnancy as maintenance of disease remission is crucial to optimize pregnancy outcomes. However, there is little data regarding the effect of in utero exposure to corticosteroids on the risk of adverse birth outcomes and early-life infections in the offspring.

METHODS: We used the Danish national registries to establish a nationwide cohort of all singleton live births in women with IBD from 1995 to 2015. Outcomes in children exposed in utero to corticosteroids were compared to those who were not exposed. In logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression models, we adjusted the outcomes (major congenital malformation, preterm birth, small for gestational age, low 5-min Apgar score, and infections) for confounders such as body mass index, smoking, comorbidity, and additional medical IBD treatment.

RESULTS: After in utero exposure to corticosteroids at any time between 30 days prior to conception through the first trimester (n = 707), the adjusted hazard ratio of major congenital malformation was 1.28 (95% CI: 0.82-2.00) compared to children born to women with IBD, but not exposed to corticosteroids in utero (n = 9371). After in utero exposure to corticosteroids at any time during pregnancy (n = 1336), the adjusted odds ratios for preterm birth, small for gestational age, and low 5-min Apgar score were 2.45 (95% CI: 1.91-3.13), 1.21 (95% CI: 0.76-1.90), and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.33-2.52), respectively. Finally, the adjusted hazard ratio of overall infections in the first year of life was 1.14 (95% CI: 0.94-1.39).

CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide cohort study suggests that children of women with IBD exposed to corticosteroids in utero had an almost 2.5-fold increased risk of preterm birth. Use of corticosteroids is closely related to disease activity and we cannot adjust for the independent role of disease activity. It is however reassuring that the other examined birth and early-life outcomes were not statistically significantly increased.

PMID:37046314 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-023-02817-7

J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2023 Apr 12;20(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s12984-023-01155-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease without known cure. However, early medical treatment can help control its progression and postpone intellectual decay. Since AD is preceded by a period of cognitive deterioration, the effective assessment of cognitive capabilities is crucial to develop reliable screening procedures. For this purpose, cognitive tests are extensively used to evaluate cognitive areas such as language, attention, or memory.

METHODS: In this work, we analyzed the potential of a visual dynamics evaluation, the rapid serial visual presentation task (RSVP), for the detection of cognitive impairment in AD. We compared this evaluation with two of the most extended brief cognitive tests applied in Spain: the Clock-drawing test (CDT) and the Phototest. For this purpose, we assessed a group of patients (mild AD and mild cognitive impairment) and controls, and we evaluated the ability of the three tests for the discrimination of the two groups.

RESULTS: The preliminary results obtained suggest the RSVP performance is statistically higher for the controls than for the patients (p-value = 0.013). Furthermore, we obtained promising classification results for this test (mean accuracy of 0.91 with 95% confidence interval 0.72, 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS: Since the RSVP is a computerized, auto-scored, and potentially self-administered brief test, it could contribute to speeding-up cognitive impairment screening and to reducing the associated costs. Furthermore, this evaluation could be combined with other tests to augment the efficiency of cognitive impairment screening protocols and to potentially monitor patients under medical treatment.

PMID:37046310 | DOI:10.1186/s12984-023-01155-2

Hered Cancer Clin Pract. 2023 Apr 12;21(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13053-023-00248-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although Singapore is one of the highest vaccinated countries in the world, vaccine hesitancy remains in a subpopulation, including individuals with cancer predisposition syndromes. At the Cancer Genetics Service National Cancer Centre Singapore, we see patients with germline genetic alterations, most being BRCA1/2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant (PV/LPV) carriers. While reported safe for cancer patients, there are limited studies addressing the safety profile and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with germline PV/LPV in cancer predisposition genes such as BRCA1/2. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination among germline PV/LPV carriers in BRCA1/2.

METHODS: We conducted a phone call survey of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and toxicity in a prospective cohort of 189 participants with germline BRCA1/2 PV/LPV between 1st Sept 2021 and 30th Sept 2021. We collected demographics data including gender, race, age, history of cancer, types of cancer, and number of cancers. Statistical difference in baseline demographics between responders with history of cancer and those without were assessed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact and independent t-test analysis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate effect of demographics on the occurrence of post-vaccination side effects.

RESULTS: Among 189 BRCA1/2 PV/LPV carriers responded, 97 carried PV/LPV in BRCA1 and 92 in BRCA2. Majority were vaccinated (89.5%) and had completed the two-dose vaccine schedule, with 7 (4.1%) received only one dose. The most common post-vaccination side effects was myalgia (56.5%) followed by fever (40.2%), headache (16.3%) and fatigue (11.2%). There were no major severe side events. Evaluation by logistic regression showed that the occurrence of side effects was not affected by PV/LPV gene (BRCA1 or BRCA2), gender, race, age or history of cancer.

CONCLUSION: The post-vaccination side effects profile among individuals with germline PV/LPV in BRCA1/2 is consistent with the Singaporean general population, hence recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination for these individuals should not differ from non-carriers and should be encouraged by their healthcare providers.

PMID:37046302 | DOI:10.1186/s13053-023-00248-2

BMC Med. 2023 Apr 12;21(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s12916-023-02843-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The immune response to infections could be largely driven by the individual’s genes, especially in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly communicable pathogen. In addition to infection, the reactivations of VZV can be a potential causal factor for multiple traits. Identification of VZV immune response-related health conditions can therefore help elucidate the aetiology of certain diseases.

METHODS: A phenome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) study of anti-VZV immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels with 1370 traits was conducted to explore the potential causal role of VZV-specific immune response on multiple traits using the UK Biobank cohort. For the robustness of the results, we performed MR analyses using five different methods. To investigate the impact of the MHC region on MR results, the analyses were conducted using instrumental variables (IVs) inside (IV_mhc) and outside (IV_no.mhc) the MHC region or all together (IV_full).

RESULTS: Forty-nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (IV_full) were associated with anti-VZV IgG levels, of which five (IV_mhc) were located in the MHC region and 44 (IV_no.mhc) were not. Statistical evidence (false discovery rate < 0.05 in at least three of the five MR methods) for a causal effect of anti-VZV IgG levels was found on 22 traits using IV_mhc, while no evidence was found when using IV_no.mhc or IV_full. The reactivations of VZV increased the risk of Dupuytren disease, mononeuropathies of the upper limb, sarcoidosis, coeliac disease, teeth problems and earlier onset of allergic rhinitis, which evidence was concordant with the literature. Suggestive causal evidence (P < 0.05 in at least three of five MR methods) using IV_full, IV_mhc and IV_no.mhc was detected in 92, 194 and 56 traits, respectively. MR results from IV_full correlated with those from IV_mhc or IV_no.mhc. However, the results between IV_mhc and IV_no.mhc were noticeably different, as evidenced by causal associations in opposite directions between anti-VZV IgG and ten traits.

CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, anti-VZV IgG was causally associated with multiple traits. IVs in the MHC region might have a substantial impact on MR, and therefore, could be potentially considered in future MR studies.

PMID:37046283 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-023-02843-5

BMC Nurs. 2023 Apr 12;22(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s12912-023-01282-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clinical decision-making is considered an essential behaviour in clinical practice. However, no research has been done to examine the associations among midwives’ clinical decision-making, work environment and psychological empowerment. Thus, this study aimed to determine the influence of work environment on midwives’ clinical decision-making and confirm the mediating role of psychological empowerment.

METHOD: This study was designed as a multicentre cross-sectional study, and included 602 registered midwives from 25 public hospitals in China. A sociodemographic questionnaire, Work Environment Scale, Psychological Empowerment Scale and Clinical decision-making Scale were applied. A structural equation model was conducted to estimate the hypothesis model of the clinical decision-making among midwives and explore the potential mediating mechanism of midwives’ clinical decision-making. This model was employed maximum likelihood estimation method and bootstrapping to examine the statistical significance.

RESULTS: The mean score of clinical decision-making among midwives was 143.03 ± 14.22, at an intermediate level. The data of this hypothesis model fitted well, and the results showed that work environment positively affected psychological empowerment, which in turn positively affected clinical decision-making; psychological empowerment partly mediated the relationship between work environment and clinical decision-making among midwives.

CONCLUSIONS: Midwives’ clinical decision-making could be promoted directly or indirectly by providing a healthy work environment and improving psychological empowerment. It is essential for hospital managers to pay attention to the assessment of the midwives’ work environment and actively improve it, such as establishing a supportive, fair and just workplace, and maintaining effective communication with midwives. Furthermore, managers can also promote midwives’ clinical decision-making behaviour by enhancing their psychological empowerment via enhancing job autonomy.

PMID:37046282 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-023-01282-0

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Apr 12;23(1):360. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09317-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF) cause significant economic and public health impact in Sub-Saharan Africa. Community knowledge, awareness and practices regarding such outbreaks play a pivotal role in their management and prevention. This study was carried out to assess community knowledge, attitude and practices regarding VHF in five geo-ecological zones in Tanzania.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Buhigwe, Kalambo, Kyela, Kinondoni, Kilindi, Mvomero, Kondoa and Ukerewe districts representing five geo-ecological zones in Tanzania. Study participants were selected by multistage cluster sampling design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and information related to knowledge, attitude and practices regarding VHFs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 2,965 individuals were involved in the study. Their mean age was 35 (SD ± 18.9) years. Females accounted for 58.2% while males 41.8%. Most of the respondents (70.6%; n = 2093) had never heard of VHF, and those who heard, over three quarters (79%) mentioned the radio as their primary source of information. Slightly over a quarter (29.4%) of the respondents were knowledgeable, 25% had a positive attitude, and 17.9% had unfavourable practice habits. The level of knowledge varied between occupation and education levels (P < 0.005). Most participants were likely to interact with a VHF survivor or take care of a person suffering from VHF (75%) or visit areas with known VHF (73%). There were increased odds of having poor practice among participants aged 36-45 years (AOR: 3.566, 95% CI: 1.593-7.821) and those living in Western, North-Eastern and Lake Victoria zones (AOR: 2.529, 95% CI: 1.071-6.657; AOR: 2.639, 95% CI: 1.130-7.580 AOR: 2.248, 95% CI: 1.073-3.844, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Overall, the knowledge on VHF among communities is low, while a large proportion of individuals in the community are involved in activities that expose them to the disease pathogens in Tanzania. These findings highlight the need for strengthening health educational and promotion efforts on VHF targeting specific populations.

PMID:37046281 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-09317-7