Tag: pubmed

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):271-281.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate self-reported changes in mental health and their association with various sociodemographic factors and beliefs in conspiracy theories among university and college students in Latvia during the second state of emergency caused by COVID-19.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of an international research project, where university and college students were anonymously asked to complete an online self-report questionnaire. Changes in anxiety and depression were assessed using self-rated questions. Statistical analysis involved Pearson’s chi-square test and univariate binary logistic regression.ression.

RESULTS: The study comprised 1047 students, with 828 females (79.08% aged 21.71±0.09). Worsening in self-reported anxiety was more prevalent among females (69.3%, p<0.001), unemployed respondents (70.0%, p=0.003), individuals who were were not working during the lockdown (70.3%, p<0.001), those experiencing deterioration in general health condition (93.0%, p<0.001), and those belonging to or having knowledge of someone in a vulnerable group (69.5%, p=0.004). Worsening self-reported depression was more prevalent in respondents who did not work during the lockdown (63.9%, p=0.014) and those with deteriorating general health conditions (93.0%, p<0.001). Increased odds ratios (OR) for experiencing changes in anxiety and depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: ‘Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights’ (OR=1.49, p=0.019 and OR=2.40, p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, increased OR for experiencing changes in depression were associated with beliefs in the following conspiracy theories: ‘The COVID-19 vaccine was ready before the virus spread’ (OR=3.11, p=0.007), ‘COVID-19 has a lower mortality rate” (OR=1.85, p<0.001)’, ‘Recommended measures are an attempt to restrict human rights’ (OR=2.40, p<0.001), and ‘The COVID-19 outbreak is the creation of world leaders’ (OR=2.17, p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported changes in depression and anxiety were associated with certain beliefs in specific conspiracy theories.

PMID:37800240

Psychiatr Danub. 2023 Oct;35(Suppl 2):266-270.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: WHO has decreed an end to the pandemic crisis from COVID-19. However, the consequences of stress, compassion fatigue, and healthcare workers’ expectations are still evident. Also, the hope of ending the problems associated with the pandemic is still present, although the awareness of maintaining a high level of attention is current in the HCWs.

METHOD: In our observational study, 102 (65 females, 37 males) mental healthcare workers were evaluated during and post-COVID-19 pandemic. They were divided into different categories of workers: nurses, physicians, psychologists, social assistants, social educators, social health workers, and psychiatric rehabilitation technicians. We used the ProQoL for compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout; BHS for hopelessness.

RESULTS: ProQoL data showed a significant increase in compassion satisfaction in post-pandemic (p=0.002) in all professional workers. The same results in burnout and secondary stress subscales (respectively, p=0.018, p=0.000) are evident. The BHS total score indicated that the difference between T0 vs. T1 was not statistically significant (p=0.109).

CONCLUSIONS: The collected data during and post-COVID-19 pandemic showed reduced burnout and compassion fatigue in the helping professions. However, in the periods analyzed, no changes in hope are observed.

PMID:37800239

Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Oct 5:ciad606. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad606. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) occurs frequently, and concomitant antibiotic (CA) during the initial episode for treatment of non-C. difficile infection is a major risk factor. We sought to address the comparative efficacy of fidaxomicin vs. vancomycin in the setting of CA during the initial CDI episode.

METHODS: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial at two hospitals in Ann Arbor, MI. We consecutively consented and enrolled hospitalized patients ≥18 years old with diarrhea, a positive test for C. difficile, and ≥1 qualifying CA. Complicated CDI, CDI treatment for >24 hours prior to enrollment, and planned long-term (>12 weeks) CA use were notable exclusions.Clinical cure was defined as resolution of diarrhea for 2 consecutive days maintained until 2 days after therapy, and rCDI as recurrent diarrhea with positive testing ≤30 days after initial treatment. Patients were randomized to fidaxomicin or vancomycin.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups of 144 subjects. Rates of clinical cure (73% vs. 62.9%, P = .195) and rCDI (3.3% vs 4.0%; P > .99) were similar for fidaxomicin and vancomycin in the intention to treat and per protocol cohorts, respectively. Only four subjects developed rCDI.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study of patients with CDI receiving CA, a numerically higher proportion were cured with fidaxomicin vs. vancomycin, but this result did not reach statistical significance. Overall recurrence was lower than anticipated in both arms compared to previous studies that did not extend duration of CDI treatment during CA.

PMID:37797310 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciad606

Eur J Neurol. 2023 Oct 5. doi: 10.1111/ene.16087. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37797299 | DOI:10.1111/ene.16087

Prev Chronic Dis. 2023 Oct 5;20:E88. doi: 10.5888/pcd20.230046.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity positively affects health. Although 94% of Americans know the health benefits of regular physical activity, more than 75% do not achieve recommended levels. The objective of our study was to identify and define the key components of a physical activity intervention tailored to rural American men.

METHODS: We recruited rural men (N = 447) via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk online platform to complete a needs assessment survey focused on their interest in a physical activity intervention, preferred intervention features, and potential intervention objectives. Data were summarized by using descriptive statistics. A cumulative logistic regression model examined associations between the men’s perceived importance of physical activity to health and their interest in a physical activity intervention.

RESULTS: Almost all participants (97.7%) rated physical activity as “at least somewhat important” to their health, and 83.9% indicated they would be “at least somewhat interested” in participating in a physical activity intervention. On a scale of 1 (not at all a barrier) to 5 (very much a barrier), motivation (mean 3.4; 95% CI, 3.3-3.5), cold weather (mean, 3.4; 95% CI, 3.3-3.5), and tiredness (mean, 3.3; 95% CI, 3.2-3.4) were rated the biggest barriers to physical activity. Becoming fitter (54.1%) was the top reason for joining a physical activity program. Preferred delivery channels for receiving an intervention were mobile application (ranked from 1 being the most preferred and 9 being the least preferred: mean, 2.8; 95% CI, 2.70-3.09) and e-mail (mean, 4.2; 95% CI, 3.92-4.36). Rural men preferred interventions that taught them how to exercise and that could be done from home.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest US men in rural areas are receptive to physical activity programs. A systematic approach and a clear model of development are needed to tailor future physical activity interventions to the special needs of rural men.

PMID:37797290 | DOI:10.5888/pcd20.230046

JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2023 Sep;7:e2300017. doi: 10.1200/CCI.23.00017.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) are crucial for the management of complex oncology patients. Tools to evaluate MCC performance are needed. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the applicability of an existing validated performance assessment tool to evaluate the quality of thoracic MCCs (T-MCCs).

METHODS: Data were collected from weekly T-MCCs over a 5-week period using the MCC Performance Assessment Tool and a self-assessment survey. Audio recordings were used to supplement observation notes. Case presentation, discussion duration, decision making contribution, recommendations, and consensus were captured. Quality of information and contribution were rated on a 1-5 scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to calculate means and composite scores representing overall MCC performance.

RESULTS: A total of 44 cases were observed at the T-MCC with the mean presentation and discussion time of 6 minutes and 22 seconds. Quality of case history, radiologic and pathological information, and reason for case discussion were rated above average (>3), whereas inclusion of comorbidities and patient views were rated below average. Surgical oncologists had a higher discussion contribution compared with medical and radiation oncologists (3.6 v 2.9 and 2.4, respectively). The overall mean composite score was 55.9 (deemed average) with no cases categorized as poor or excellent. Radiologists and pathologists had mean preparation times of 81.7 and 144.0 minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the applicability of a previously validated tool to assess the quality of a T-MCC at an academic comprehensive cancer center. The tool was found to be useful in identifying elements of the T-MCC process that needed improvement.

PMID:37797277 | DOI:10.1200/CCI.23.00017

N Z Med J. 2023 Oct 6;136(1583):67-91.

ABSTRACT

In this article we review the COVID-19 pandemic experience in Aotearoa New Zealand and consider the optimal ongoing response strategy. We note that this pandemic virus looks likely to result in future waves of infection that diminish in size over time, depending on such factors as viral evolution and population immunity. However, the burden of disease remains high with thousands of infections, hundreds of hospitalisations and tens of deaths each week, and an unknown burden of long-term illness (long COVID). Alongside this there is a considerable burden from other important respiratory illnesses, including influenza and RSV, that needs more attention. Given this impact and the associated health inequities, particularly for Māori and Pacific Peoples, we consider that an ongoing respiratory disease mitigation strategy is appropriate for New Zealand. As such, the previously described “vaccines plus” approach (involving vaccination and public health and social measures), should now be integrated with the surveillance and control of other important respiratory infections. Now is also a time for New Zealand to build on the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance preparedness nationally and internationally. New Zealand’s experience suggests elimination (or ideally exclusion) should be the default first choice for future pandemics of sufficient severity.

PMID:37797257

N Z Med J. 2023 Oct 6;136(1583):55-60.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection is a lethal medical diagnosis associated with high morbidity and mortality. Currently published studies have noted a rising incidence of aortic dissection globally as well as a downward trend in mortality secondary to aortic dissection. There remains no nationally available study here in Aotearoa New Zealand looking into the incidence and mortality of aortic dissection.

METHOD: A retrospective observational study was performed using data extracted from the Manatū Hauora – Ministry of Health National Minimum Dataset (NMDS) from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2021. Diagnosis of aortic dissection was based on the ICD-10 version 2 code for aortic dissection (I7100). Population-based statistics were obtained from Statistics New Zealand.

RESULT: A total of 4,737 patients were included in the study over the 20-year period. The incidence rate of aortic dissection in Aotearoa New Zealand is rising and the current median incidence rate is 4.99 per 100,000 per annum. The mortality rate from aortic dissection is slowly decreasing in Aotearoa New Zealand and the current median mortality rate is 2.19 per 100,000 per annum.

CONCLUSION: There appears to be a rise in the incidence of aortic dissection in Aotearoa New Zealand and a decrease in the mortality rate.

PMID:37797255

Braz J Cardiovasc Surg. 2023 Oct 5;38(6):e20230006. doi: 10.21470/1678-9741-2023-0006.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Since the reduction of healthcare-associated infections has been a focus for quality patient care, this study aimed to evaluate the surgical site infection rate of children who underwent cardiovascular surgery after implementation of ozonized water system for hand and body hygiene allied to previously implemented preventive measures.

METHODS: Two uniformly comparable groups of pediatric patients underwent cardiovascular surgery. Group A (187) patients were operated prior to installation of ozonized water system (March 1 to August 31, 2019), and group B (214) patients were operated after installation of ozonized water system (October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020). Ozonized water was used for professional hand hygiene and patient body hygiene.

RESULTS: There was statistical significance for surgical site infection reduction in group B (P=0.0289), with a relative risk of 0.560 (95% confidence interval = 0.298 to 0.920), inferring the risk of being diagnosed with surgical site infections in group B was 44% less than in group A. There was no statistical significance regarding mechanical ventilation time (P=0.1998) or mortality (P=0.4457).

CONCLUSION: Ozonized water for professional hand hygiene and patient body hygiene was an adjuvant combined with traditional preventive methods to reduce the risk of surgical site infection, although no impact on hospital stay or mortality was observed.

PMID:37797245 | DOI:10.21470/1678-9741-2023-0006

J Clin Neurophysiol. 2023 Oct 5. doi: 10.1097/WNP.0000000000001026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring has been widely applied in various neurosurgical operations. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of MEP monitoring for postoperative motor deficit (PMD) in patients with insular gliomas.

METHODS: Demographic and clinical data, MEP monitoring data, and follow-up data of 42 insular glioma patients were retrospectively reviewed, and 40 patients were finally enrolled. The value of MEP monitoring for predicting PMD was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, and false-positive/false-negative rates. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to further identify the predictive value of MEP monitoring.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that irreversible MEP changes, but not all MEP changes, were more effective in predicting PMD. The sensitivity and specificity of irreversible MEP changes for predicting long-term PMD were 85.71 and 93.94%, whereas the false-positive and -negative rates were 25.00 and 3.12% respectively. In addition, irreversible MEP changes were identified as the only independent predictor for long-term PMD (odds ratio, 101.714; 95% confidence interval, 6.001-1724.122; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: MEP monitoring has been proven to be feasible in insular glioma surgery. Irreversible MEP changes showed good performance in predicting PMD. Their absence can offer an optimistic expectation for the long-term motor outcome. The findings can provide the surgical team with a more effective interpretation of MEP changes and contribute to exploring tailored MEP warning criteria.

PMID:37797240 | DOI:10.1097/WNP.0000000000001026