Tag: pubmed

BMC Med Educ. 2026 Jan 14. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-08509-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Health disparities in West Texas disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities, contributing to limited healthcare access and adverse health outcomes. The 2nd Annual West Texas Health Disparities Symposium brought together over 100 healthcare professionals, researchers, and students to explore socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural factors driving these disparities. This study assesses the symposium’s impact on attendees’ knowledge and perceptions through pre- and post-symposium surveys.

METHODS: Electronic surveys were distributed before and after the 2024 symposium. Questions assessed familiarity with topics, including regional health disparities, policy impacts on healthcare practices, and intervention strategies. The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

RESULTS: Among the 139 registrants, 56 completed the presurvey, and 36 completed the post-survey. The survey respondents were predominantly female (66.0%), White (61.0%), Asian (20.0%), and aged 18-24 years (34.0%). Most were healthcare professionals (48.5%) or students (42.4%). While 73.0% had previously attended a symposium, only 36.0% had prior experience with health disparity events. Primary motivations for attendance included education on health disparities (86.0%), new research (63.0%), and networking (57.0%). Post-symposium results revealed significant increases in familiarity with policy impacts on healthcare (p = 0.01), understanding policy change avenues (p ≤ 0.01), recognition of regional health disparities (p = 0.017), and ability to present relevant data (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, participants reported improved ability to propose interventions (p ≤ 0.001). Nearly all respondents (94.0%) felt that the symposium met their expectations, and 90.0% would recommend it to others.

CONCLUSIONS: The symposium significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of regional health disparities while equipping them with practical strategies to address these challenges. The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscores the importance of targeted educational incentives in fostering understanding, shaping perceptions, and informing public health discussions, thereby reinforcing efforts to reduce healthcare disparities in West Texas.

PMID:41530733 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-08509-5

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26201-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infectious disease surveillance is an essential component of public health for preventing and mitigating outbreaks. Systematically applying statistical methods for anomaly detection to surveillance data can expedite outbreak response through early warning. A commonly used approach is the usage of spatiotemporal scan statistics as implemented in SaTScan, a software that analyzes spatiotemporal data to identify clusters of events over space and time that deviate from expected values. Some health departments identify outbreaks and prioritize resources using SaTScan for early cluster detection for diseases such as salmonellosis, legionellosis, and COVID-19. However, as a standalone software, SaTScan v10.2.1 does not provide functionality to easily disseminate visual cluster results over time in a way that is tailored to epidemiologists’ needs for real-time disease surveillance.

RESULTS: We developed an open source dashboard that provides a customizable framework for displaying results and facilitating the use of SaTScan for public health surveillance. The California Clustering for Operational Real-time Visualization of Infectious Diseases (CalCORVID) dashboard is built using RShiny, is specifically designed for SaTScan outputs, and can be easily adapted to display any jurisdiction’s results. This dashboard features a map and corresponding results table, the option to view historical results, integration of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to contextualize clusters, and interactive elements to enhance usability for epidemiologists.

CONCLUSIONS: We present CalCORVID as a complementary tool to native outputs of SaTScan v10.2.1, allowing users to visualize, customize, and distribute their results for specific public health use cases. Epidemiologists currently using SaTScan can adapt the provided code repository and dashboard template to display their own jurisdictions’ results, facilitating dissemination of cluster results for real-time, ongoing disease surveillance.

PMID:41530727 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26201-1

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2026 Jan 14. doi: 10.1186/s12884-025-08628-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a natural process of abortion that endangers public health, and early identification of its risk factors plays a significant role in prevention. This study employed Mendelian randomization to explore the influencing factors of SA, with the aim of informing early monitoring and intervention strategies.

METHODS: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal effects between 42 modifiable risk factors and intermediate phenotypes and spontaneous abortion. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with widely recognized confounders were removed based on current research and ensured sufficient F-statistics with the remaining SNPs. The primary statistical model was inverse-variance-weighted (IVW), and we performed sensitivity analyses for pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Outliers were detected and removed using MR-PRESSO. We found no statistical evidence of directional pleiotropy (based on MR-Egger intercepts and MR-PRESSO global tests), and traits showing heterogeneity were analyzed using the IVW random-effects model. Finally, to assess the robustness of the primary MR analysis findings, we employed an additional Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) dataset to validate the observed statistically significant results.

RESULTS: The results from the IVW model were reported primarily. Our analysis revealed that HLA-DR expression on monocytes (including the proportion of HLA-DR + + monocytes in leukocytes and HLA-DR on CD14 + monocytes) and the habit of cycling were positively corelated with an increased risk of SA (both with [OR] > 1 and p-adjust < 0.05). Conversely, the absolute count of CD14 + CD16- monocytes, age at first sexual intercourse, never smoking, and education level were negatively associated with SA (all with [OR] < 1 and p-adjust < 0.05). Following a validation analysis, our research has ultimately revealed statistically significant associations between SA and the following factors: age at first sexual intercourse and never smoking. Given dense LD across the extended MHC, these associations are best interpreted as locus-level (MHC) signals rather than HLA-DR-specific effects. We therefore avoid mechanistic attribution to HLA-DR per se.

CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary two-sample MR findings suggest immune signals (e.g., monocyte-related phenotypes) and highlight lifestyle correlates as potential priorities. Genetic instruments within the extended MHC region were associated with spontaneous abortion; however, given dense linkage disequilibrium across the locus, these signals are best interpreted as MHC-region associations rather than HLA-DR-specific effects. These results also require triangulation with complementary approaches-including polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses and prospective epidemiologic studies-before any causal interpretation or prevention guidance can be established.

PMID:41530719 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-025-08628-3

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 14. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-26155-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The rapid digitalisation of workplaces presents both challenges and opportunities for older workers. This scoping review examines how digital technologies impact social support for older workers, focusing on emotional, informational, and instrumental support within professional environments. While social support is critical for well-being and productivity in ageing workforces, the effects of digitalisation on social support dynamics remain insufficiently understood.

METHODS: Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search strategy was conducted across databases like ERIH, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed from anytime to 2023 to identify peer-reviewed studies involving digital technologies used by older workers, generally considered as workers aged 50 years or older. Covidence software facilitated the screening of over 5000 scientific papers, study selection, and data extraction, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) assessed quality. Findings were synthesized through descriptive statistics and narrative analysis.

RESULTS: Forty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Digital technologies were found to enhance various forms of social support: remote work tools, messaging apps, and telemedicine platforms facilitated emotional connection and informational exchange. However, digitalisation also introduced barriers, some older workers reported isolation, reduced informal contact, and technostress, underscoring disparities in digital literacy and adaptation.

DISCUSSION: Digitalisation exerts a dual impact on social support for older workers: it can strengthen professional connectedness yet also heighten vulnerability to stress and exclusion. Targeted digital literacy initiatives and sustained managerial engagement are crucial to ensure that technology enhances, rather than undermines, well-being and productivity among ageing employees.

PMID:41530715 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-26155-w

BMC Gastroenterol. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12876-026-04603-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects platelet counts (PLT), which are involved in blood coagulation. However, the predictive or diagnostic utility of platelet characteristics in assessing IBD disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease. We conducted thisremains unknown. This meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively evaluate changes in platelet parameters during the active phase of IBD using a large sample size.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies. Platelet parameter data were collected, pooled, examined, and assessed from studies that met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated for risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the difference in PF4 levels between normal and DSS-induced UC mice.

RESULTS: A total of 18 articles were included in this study, with 2,160 patients, including 1,107 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 1,053 with ulcerative colitis (UC). There were 410 active and 697 inactive patients with CD, while 443 active and 610 inactive patients with UC. Of the 18 studies, 1 was retrospective, 2 were cross-sectional, and 15 were prospective cohort studies. Data on platelet count (PLT), the primary outcome measure of this study, were given in 15 studies, whereas mean platelet volume (MPV), fibrinogen (FIB), and PF4 were secondary outcomes. The pooling of effect size for CD patients in active and inactive phases was as follows: (PLT, MD = 55.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] (35.87, 67.16), Z = 6.45, P < 0.0001), (MPV, MD = – 0.42, 95% CI (-0.84, 0.01), Z = – 1.92, P = 0.05), (PF4, MD = 12.27, 95% CI (3.78, 20.76), Z = 2.83, P = 0.0046), (FIB, MD = 104.09, 95% CI (38.43, 169.75), Z = 3.11, P = 0.002). The pooled effect sizes of patients with UC in active and inactive phases were as follows: (PLT, MD = 58.48, 95% CI (38.71, 78.26), Z = 5.80, P < 0.0001), (MPV, MD = – 0.70, 95% CI (-0.93, – 0.47), Z = – 5.99, P < 0.0001), (PF4, MD = 3.03, 95% CI (-4.03, 10.10), Z = 0.84, P = 0.40), (FIB, MD = 109.73, 95% CI (45.64, 173.81), Z = 3.36, P = 0.001). PF4 levels were markedly elevated in DSS-induced UC mice. The heterogeneity sources analysis revealed that “Study type” was a statistically significant source of heterogeneity. Egger’s test identified publication bias (t = 0.74, P = 0.47), indicating no significant asymmetry in the funnel plot.

CONCLUSIONS: Platelet parameters varied at different stages of IBD disease activity. Active patients had significantly higher PLT, PF4, and FIB levels and significantly lower MPV levels than inactive patients. Continuous monitoring of platelet parameters is an effective strategy to learn about the activity of IBD disease and an efficient means of reducing negative outcomes.

PMID:41530700 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-026-04603-0

BMC Med Educ. 2026 Jan 14. doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-08575-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Service user involvement (SUI) in healthcare education is reported to foster more patient-centred practitioners. However, there is limited guidance as to how authentic SUI can be embedded within educational practice. This study aimed to describe current practices and explore how SUI may be better embedded in the delivery of healthcare education.

METHODS: A convergent mixed-methods study was undertaken in a higher-level healthcare education department in Ireland. Data were collected via an online survey completed by educators (n = 27) and semi-structured interviews with service users (n = 6). Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Thematic analysis of interview transcriptions was undertaken.

RESULTS: Most educators indicated that SUI was limited to ‘one-off’ interactions or case-based learning and that there was ‘probably’ (75%) or ‘definitely’ (9%) not enough SUI. Both staff and service users reinforced the value of SUI in healthcare education, yet the potential of the role of the service users was not fully realised. Service users described the benefits of their involvement in humanising patients beyond the context of their condition/illness. Several challenges were highlighted, including limited resources, lack of empowerment and insufficient knowledge of the scope of SUI.

CONCLUSIONS: The need to educate all stakeholders about the potential for SUI beyond one-off contributions was highlighted. Additionally, engaged leadership is needed to facilitate the contextual integration of processes and procedures to embed the role of service users in higher education. Further investment is needed to advance SUI, which may require additional encouragement from funders, policy makers and regulators.

PMID:41530697 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-026-08575-3

BMC Emerg Med. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01462-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traumatic pneumothorax is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring timely diagnosis and management, particularly in the prehospital setting where diagnostic tools are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical signs used by emergency physicians in the field to identify traumatic pneumothorax requiring early thoracic decompression.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study in a French level I trauma center from January 2015 to August 2022. All patients with CT-confirmed pneumothorax managed by prehospital emergency physicians were included. The primary endpoint was the diagnostic performance of prehospital clinical assessment to identify pneumothorax requiring early decompression (prehospital or within four hours of admission). Statistical analysis was focused on predictive performance of three clinical signs (asymmetric lung auscultation, thoracic expansion asymmetry, and subcutaneous emphysema) in identifying cases requiring early decompression, using univariable analyses and the construction of a composite predictive score by logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among 280 included patients, 115 (41%) required early thoracic decompression. Clinical suspicion of pneumothorax was present in 63% (95% CI: 54‒71) of these cases. Asymmetric lung auscultation showed the highest sensitivity (74%; 95% CI: 62‒86), while subcutaneous emphysema demonstrated the highest specificity (79%; 95% CI: 68‒89). The overall clinical suspicion rate across the cohort was 46% (95% CI: 41‒52). A composite predictive score using the three clinical signs demonstrated better diagnostic performance (AUC 0.63 (95% CI 0.57‒0.69); score = 1 OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.1‒3.6], score = 2 OR 3.0 [95% CI 1.6‒5.7]; score = 3 OR 11.0 [95% CI 1.3‒96.8]).

CONCLUSION: Prehospital clinical assessment alone had limited diagnostic performance for detecting blunt traumatic pneumothorax requiring early decompression. A simple clinical composite score offers higher specificity but remains insufficiently sensitive to be used as a standalone diagnostic tool; it may support field decision-making as a risk-stratification aid, but prehospital clinical signs alone are not sufficient to rule out a pneumothorax requiring early decompression.

PMID:41530696 | DOI:10.1186/s12873-025-01462-y

BMC Geriatr. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06929-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cognitive Assessment Games (CAGs) represent an emerging area of research. To date, most evidence regarding the efficacy of these games comes from studies conducted in Western, high-income countries. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India, remains limited. Given the ongoing epidemiological and demographic transition in India, and the projected growth in the population aged 60 years and above, it is vital to assess the efficacy of such games in the Indian context. A previous study evaluated such games in healthy young adults; however, it is necessary to examine their use in populations for whom cognitive assessments are most relevant. The proposed study aims to evaluate the validity of the game-derived scores against standard neuropsychological assessments in Indian older adults (aged 60 years and above) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Additionally, the study will collect feedback on the usability and acceptability of these games from the older participants.

METHODS: In this prospective, single-centre, 10-months cross-sectional study, we will recruit 70 patients aged over 60 years, diagnosed with MCI according to the Petersen criteria. Each participant will complete three games: a Virtual Reality-based Hand-Eye Coordination Game, and two tablet-based games-one assessing memory and other evaluating shopping ability. Traditional neuropsychological assessments will include the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III), Trail Making Test A and B, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Verbal Learning Test, Line-Bisection Test, and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living-Elderly (IADL-E). Information Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ CODE) will be administered to the informant or the caretaker of the patient. Game-related feedback will be collected using standard Cybersickness, System Usability, and Virtual Reality Presence questionnaires. Personal interviews will be conducted to gain contextual insights into each participant’s experience and feedback. All procedures will be completed in a single session, lasting approximately two hours for each participant.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary validity endpoint would be the intended correlation of 0.40 between the Shopping game-based Quality-Weighted Efficiency Score (QWES) and Trail Making Test Part (TMT)-B. Six secondary validity endpoints have been pre-specified for assessing the convergent validity of the games, with multiplicity corrected using the False Discovery Rate (FDR) via the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. Usability of the games will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), with a mean score exceeding 70 defined as the threshold of acceptable usability. Moderation analysis will be conducted to examine the role of technology proficiency and fatigue in impacting the primary and secondary correlations. Incremental validity analysis will be conducted to examine non-redundancy and ecological validity of the game-based scores. Finally, the inductive thematic analysis approach will be used to analyse the interview transcripts.

DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study in India to examine game-based cognitive assessments among participants with MCI. It also offers a unique socio-cultural perspective from India on such games, which is currently absent from the global evidence base. The findings will offer insights into the use of CAGs as an alternative modality for cognitive assessment in the clinical settings, and inform the methodology, planning, and procedures for large-scale, multi-centric studies on games for cognitive assessment, ultimately contributing to the development of generalizable evidence.

STATUS OF THE STUDY AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION: Ongoing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI Registration number: CTRI/2025/04/085745).

PMID:41530695 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-025-06929-y

BMC Gastroenterol. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12876-025-04585-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and enhanced computed tomography (CT) can offer more image features of gastric stromal tumors with higher pathological risk, which is of great significance for determining the pathological risk degree of gastric stromal tumors (GSTs) before surgery.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between EUS and enhanced CT image features and pathological risk of GSTs.

METHODS: Retrospectively collect the cases of primary GSTs. The lesions were divided into four group based on the pathological risk degree. Univariate analysis was used to identify the risk factors for higher pathological risk GSTs. The relatively benign group consisted of the very low-risk group and the low-risk group, while the relatively malignant group consisted of the intermediate-risk group and the high-risk group. Independent risk factors for the relative malignancy of GSTs pathological risk degree were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: (1) Statistically significant disparities among groups regarding the presence of ulcer on the lesion surface, length, boundary morphology, internal echo uniformity and cystic change (P < 0.05). Lesion length (P < 0.001) and irregular boundary morphology of the lesion (P = 0.003) were independent risk factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for predicting the relative malignancy of GSTs using EUS revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.876. (2) Statistically significant differences among groups in the lesion length, shape (round or quasi-round/irregular), boundary clarity, enhancement pattern, and necrosis (P < 0.05). Lesion length (P = 0.031) and the irregular lesion shape (P = 0.019) were independent risk factors. ROC curve analysis for predicting the relative malignancy of GSTs using enhanced CT showed that the AUC was 0.795.

CONCLUSION: The image features of GSTs under EUS and enhanced CT is significantly correlated with the pathological risk of GSTs, which can be used to predict whether the pathological risk of GSTs is relatively malignant.

PMID:41530694 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-025-04585-5

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2026 Jan 13. doi: 10.1186/s12874-025-02754-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41530682 | DOI:10.1186/s12874-025-02754-4