Tag: pubmed

BMC Res Notes. 2026 Feb 28. doi: 10.1186/s13104-026-07754-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to provide comprehensive documentation of the Occupational Job Strain Index (JSI), developed using data from the Norwegian nationwide Survey of Living Conditions conducted in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2019. The JSI, based on Karasek’s Demand-Control Model, offers detailed information on working conditions, addressing a gap in national register data. The surveys, including information on the psychosocial working environment, contributed to the development of the JSI through self-reported information and psychosocial exposure items by Statistics Norway (SSB).

DATA DESCRIPTION: This paper includes the scripts documenting the construction of the Psychosocial Job Exposure Matrix and the Occupational Job Strain Index (Data File 1), along with a script containing the key for converting 4-digit STYRK-08 codes into 4-digit STYRK-98 codes and the procedure for merging the index with register data (Data File 2). Data File 3 contains the complete Psychosocial Job Exposure Matrix and Occupational Job Strain Index. Data File 4 includes a full codebook.

PMID:41761288 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-026-07754-1

BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12913-026-14233-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In China, national health reforms are interpreted, piloted and implemented slightly differently by each local health authority. This is the first study of China’s 2023 pharmacy reform allowing 360 million urban employee basic medical insurance (UEBMI) members the right to purchase prescription medicine using their insurance at retail pharmacies. For Wuhan, we assess the impact of the 2023 medicine purchasing reform on medicine buying behavior; evaluate the benefits of the changes to UEBMI members; and provide new insights into China’s retail pharmacies’ business model.

METHODS: From March 2022 to December 2023, we gained unique access to daily UEBMI members’ medicine purchases, covering 34,956 claims at two representative Wuhan pharmacies. The impact of the new retail pharmacy purchasing policy on medicines purchasing behavior were quantitatively evaluated using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series analysis (ITSA).

RESULTS: No significant pre-reform trend in medicine purchases was observed, confirming a stable baseline prior to the 2023 reform. However, medicine purchases from retail pharmacies showed a significant upward trend. There was no evidence of medicine over-use or fraud. The benefit to members was measured by the absence of any significant upward per capita total expenditure trend and a significant decrease in the proportion of medicine expenditures from members personal medical savings accounts. Retired UEBMI members benefited more than currently employed UEBMI members from allowing UEBMI funds for prescription purchases from retail pharmacies.

CONCLUSIONS: The 2023 reforms allowed UEBMI members to purchase medicine from retail pharmacies, providing medicine accessibility and affordability for members, especially retired members; did not trigger an increase in members’ medicine consumption; attenuated the over-use of hospital pharmacies. Future study should empirically test whether pharmacies’ business model transformed away from a singular focus on price competition towards a combination of price competition and health services.

PMID:41761281 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-026-14233-7

Nutr J. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12937-025-01236-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41761272 | DOI:10.1186/s12937-025-01236-z

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12933-026-03113-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are widely used therapies for cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). With the emergence of the SURPASS-CVOT trial, tirzepatide (a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist) has entered the therapeutic landscape; however, its comparative effect on cardiovascular outcomes compared to placebo and individual GLP-1RAs remains undefined.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis (NMA) of RCTs enrolling adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or high cardiovascular (CV) risk. Eligible RCTs evaluated tirzepatide or GLP-1RAs and reported major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), CV mortality, all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or non-fatal stroke. A class-level NMA was conducted to estimate the incremental benefit of tirzepatide and GLP-1RAs over placebo, and an agent-level NMA was conducted to explore differences between tirzepatide and individual GLP-1RA agents. Subgroup analyses, including established cardiovascular disease populations, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Eleven trials met inclusion criteria (10 GLP-1RA trials and 1 tirzepatide trial [SURPASS-CVOT]). In the class-level analysis, tirzepatide significantly reduced MACE (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.91), CV mortality (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.90), all-cause mortality (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.65-0.83), non-fatal MI (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97), and non-fatal stroke (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.97) compared to placebo. Formal statistical comparisons between tirzepatide and the GLP-1RA class could not be performed within the constraints of the NMA; however, point estimates across outcomes numerically favored tirzepatide compared with placebo. In the agent-level analysis, tirzepatide reduced MACE compared to placebo (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) and lixisenatide (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses did not substantially change point estimates.

CONCLUSION: Among adults with T2D and established ASCVD or high CV risk, class-level analysis demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular events compared to placebo; at the agent-level, tirzepatide demonstrated comparable efficacy to individual GLP-1RAs. These findings suggest that tirzepatide provides cardiovascular benefit at least comparable to established GLP-1RAs, supporting its emerging role in cardiovascular risk reduction in T2D.

PMID:41761267 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-026-03113-3

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12969-026-01194-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatologic disease of childhood and includes a heterogeneous group of subtypes with varying clinical presentations, laboratory profiles, and outcomes. Data from the Middle East, including Palestine, remain limited. This study aimed to compare clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes between oligoarticular and non-oligoarticular JIA and to identify factors associated with disease subtype and six-month remission or relapse.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at pediatric rheumatology centers in Hebron, Palestine, including children diagnosed with JIA between January 2019 and August 2025. ILAR criteria were used for subtype classification. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were extracted from medical records. The primary outcome was remission or relapse at six months based on Wallace criteria. Statistical analyses included group comparisons and multivariable logistic regression to identify variables associated with subtype and relapse.

RESULTS: A total of 171 children were included. Persistent oligoarticular JIA was the most common subtype (38.0%), followed by polyarticular RF-negative (PRF-) (22.8%) and enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) (14.6%). Systemic JIA patients tended to have a younger age at onset and demonstrated a higher inflammatory burden. Knee arthritis was the most frequent joint involvement (63.7%), and extra-articular manifestations, particularly oral ulcers, rash, and uveitis, differed across subtypes. NSAIDs were used in 62.0% of patients, methotrexate in 79.5%, and biologics in 22.2%. After six months, 53.8% achieved remission while 46.2% relapsed, with systemic JIA and PRF- showing the highest relapse rates. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age, knee involvement, lower ESR, and six-month remission were independently associated with the oligoarticular subtype. Predictors of relapse included PRF- subtype, systemic JIA, and family history of rheumatologic disease.

CONCLUSION: This study provides the first detailed characterization of JIA in Palestinian children, highlighting clinically meaningful differences between subtypes and identifying factors associated with remission and relapse. Systemic and PRF- JIA were linked to higher inflammatory activity and poorer short-term outcomes. These findings may support improved risk stratification and therapeutic planning and demonstrate the importance of long-term prospective studies in the region.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:41761264 | DOI:10.1186/s12969-026-01194-8

Reprod Health. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12978-026-02301-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41761240 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-026-02301-4

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26744-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41761170 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26744-3

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 28. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26811-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digestive diseases represent an important public health concern in Indonesia, with national surveys reporting notable symptom burden and frequent hospital presentations for conditions such as gastritis, dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, evidence on their social and geographic disparities remains limited. Understanding how socioeconomic status and place of residence are associated with digestive health can guide equitable policy interventions.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined socioeconomic and rural-urban disparities in digestive diseases among Indonesian adults, using nationally representative data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5).

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 29,817 adults aged 15 years and above using IFLS-5. Digestive disease was defined based on self-reported doctor-diagnosed disease diagnosed gastrointestinal conditions using IFLS-5 item ‘stomach or other digestive disease”. Socioeconomic status was primarily assessed using an asset-based household wealth index derived by principal component analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for digestive disease factors, controlling for sociodemographic, health related factors, behaviours, lifestyle, and environmental factors, including depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: The overall weighted prevalence of doctor-diagnosed digestive disease was 13.11%. The prevalence was higher in urban residents (14.8%) than rural areas (11.4%), and among non-poor (14.2%) than poor adults (12.1%). These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001). After adjustment, rural adults had lower odds of digestive disease (aOR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98), while wealth index was not significantly associated (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.94-1.12). Higher education attainment was strongly associated with increased odds of digestive diseases (aOR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.62-1.94) compared with lower education. Female sex, former smoking, comorbid conditions, depressive symptoms, and poor self-rated health were also positively associated.

CONCLUSIONS: In Indonesia, notable differences in digestive diseases were observed across educational and residence groups. Although crude prevalence was higher among urban and non-poor, adjusted analysis revealed persistent disparities mainly driven by education and place of residence rather than household wealth. Reducing the burden of digestive diseases requires policy initiatives to enhance access to healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation, especially in rural and lower-education communities.

PMID:41761161 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26811-9

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 28. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26555-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, yet agricultural workers especially women remain at high risk due to prolonged sun exposure and limited access to preventive health education. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a social media based educational program on agricultural women’s knowledge of skin cancer risk, self skin examination (SSE), and sun protection behaviors.

METHODS: The single-group pretest-posttest design was employed among 85 agricultural women in the Fethiye district of Muğla, Turkey, between May and July 2024. Participants completed pretest and posttest assessments using a Personal Data Form, the Knowledge and Practices about Skin Cancer and SSE Form, and the Sun Protection Behavior Scale (SPBS). The intervention consisted of five weeks social media-based educational program incorporating culturally adapted visual and interactive content on skin cancer prevention, SSE, and sun safe behaviors. The analysis was performed employing IBM SPSS, with the utilisation of descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and McNemar tests.

RESULTS: Following the social media-basededucation program, participants showed significant improvements in knowledge and protective behaviors related to skin cancer. The mean knowledge score for skin cancer risk factors increased from 5.08 ± 1.08 to 7.67 ± 0.76 (p < .001), and knowledge of symptoms rose from 8.75 ± 1.70 to 11.81 ± 1.38 (p < .001). The Sun Protection Behavior Scale score also improved from 24.98 ± 4.39 to 25.72 ± 2.40 (p < .001), with significant gains in sun avoidance, sunscreen use, and hat wearing behavior. Knowledge and performance of self skin examination (SSE) improved remarkably; after the intervention, all participants correctly identified SSE principles, including the ABCDE rule, and 88.2% reported performing SSE (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: The social media-based educational program substantially improved agricultural women’s knowledge of skin cancer risk factors, self skin examination, and sun protection behaviors. These findings suggest that culturally adapted digital interventions can serve as practical, scalable strategies to promote skin cancer awareness and early detection among rural populations with limited access to traditional health education.

PMID:41761144 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26555-6

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 27. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26817-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41761135 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26817-3