Tag: pubmed

Eur J Nutr. 2025 Sep 6;64(6):272. doi: 10.1007/s00394-025-03796-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The UK has a high and increasing prevalence of folate deficiency. The decision to start mandatory folic acid fortification has not yet been implemented. Concern has been raised about the effect of high folate on vitamin B12 status.

METHODS: The prevalence of folate deficiency was assessed based on the serum folate concentrations from 47,240 samples collected between August 2023 and January 2025 (provided to us as anonymised data, measured in a UK-based contract laboratory using an immunochemical analyser). In 39,374 individuals, both serum folate and holotranscobalamin (holoTC) (‘active’ vitamin B12) concentrations were available, and were used to determine if high folate status had a negative impact on active vitamin B12 concentrations.

RESULTS: For women of reproductive age (16-50 y), 72.7% had serum folate concentration lower than 24.3 nM/L for protection against neural tube defects. For young adult women (21-25 y) this percentage was 85.5%. The top decile, across all samples (mean serum folate = 43.9 nM/L, range 38.4- > 45 nM/L, n = 3935), had on average also a high holoTC concentration (119.2 pM/L) and no increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

CONCLUSION: Young women are especially a risk of low folate status. We found no evidence that high folate affects vitamin B12 status.

PMID:40913719 | DOI:10.1007/s00394-025-03796-6

Sports Med. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02304-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Physical training influences competitive marathon performance, including training volume and training frequency changes (TFCs) pre-race. Training intensity distribution (i.e., steady-state, quality sessions, interval training) and cross-training contribute to volume and TFCs that may influence performance.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the relationships among training and TFCs preceding the 2022 Boston Marathon and race performance.

METHODS: Adult 2022 Boston Marathon registrants were contacted via email 1 month pre-race. Athletes reported demographics, training/racing experience, and training pre-race. TFCs were calculated by comparing two timeframes: 12-4 and 4-0 month pre-race training. Official race performance was obtained from chip timing data and demographics. Separate linear regressions were used to assess the effects of training and cross-training in 12-4 and 4-0 months pre-race and TFCs on performance, accounting for experience and demographics.

RESULTS: In total, 917 athletes were included (female: n = 495, 3:53 ± 0:37 h race times, 64.4 ± 24 km/week weekly distance; male: n = 422; 3:35 ± 0:39 h race times, 67.6 ± 26.2 km/week weekly distance). Higher running distance/week, running sessions/week (n), quality sessions/week (“hard sessions”; n), average distance in the 12-4 and 4-0 months pre-race (p ≤ 0.050), and more cross-training (p < 0.001) in the 4-0 months pre-race were associated with faster times and performance. Runners with TFCs of decreased running sessions/week (p = 0.035) had faster times and better performance versus athletes who maintained/increased volume.

CONCLUSION: Habitually higher training exposure 12-4 and 4-0 months, but relatively reduced training frequency 4-0 months pre-race, contributed to better marathon performance.

PMID:40913707 | DOI:10.1007/s40279-025-02304-4

Drug Saf. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s40264-025-01602-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Problems with medication management are consistently identified as key concerns for the quality of residential aged care (RAC). Incident reports can provide valuable information on key issues related to medication management; however, few studies have explored medication incidents in RAC settings.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of medication incidents at different stages of medication management and identify the risk factors associated with incidents.

METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted using medication incidence data from 25 RAC facilities in New South Wales, Australia. All medication incidents between 1 July 2014 and 31 August 2021 relating to 5709 aged care residents aged ≥ 65 years were included. The outcome measure was the medication incidence rate (IR), quantified as the number of medication incidents per 1000 resident days. A multilevel Poisson regression model was performed to identify risk factors associated with exposure to medication incidents.

RESULTS: A total of 5708 medication incidents were analysed. The overall medication IR was 1.81 per 1000 resident days (95% CI 1.76, 1.86). Of 5709 residents, 35% (n = 2016) had at least one recorded medication incident, of which 1095 (> 50%) had more than one. The majority of the incidents were associated with medication administration (3023 incidents, 53%), followed by supply (n = 1546, 27%) and monitoring the response to the medication (n = 548, 9.6%). The outcome of the incident on residents was reported in 5165 (90%) incidents, with 724 (14%) requiring the resident to be monitored by the hospital, general practitioner (GP), or staff. Respite admissions were associated with a higher risk of medication incidents including potentially harmful incidents, compared with permanent admissions (rate ratio (RR) = 1.908, 95% CI 1.646, 2.211, p < 0.01). Residents with Parkinson’s disease had a 1.5-fold greater risk of a medication incident (RR = 1.586, 95% CI 1.318, 1.908) compared with residents without Parkinson’s. The administration of more than five medications (polypharmacy) was associated with an increased risk of medication incidents (RR = 2.019, 95% CI 1.930, 2.111).

CONCLUSIONS: Medication incidents affected more than one-third of older adults in RAC facilities. Improvement strategies should focus on medication administration, supply and monitoring, with particular attention given to respite residents and those with multimorbidity and polypharmacy.

PMID:40913687 | DOI:10.1007/s40264-025-01602-0

J Endocrinol Invest. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s40618-025-02654-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: Controversy has emerged regarding the impact of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) on body weight. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aims to assess the effect of NNS intake on body weight change.

RESULTS: Of the 3327 studies retrieved, 19 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Compared to the control group, the experimental group that replaced daily caloric sugars with NNS showed significant weight change (MD = -0.79 kg; 95% CI: [-1.55, -0.04]; P = 0.04; I² = 84) When grouped by study duration, the effect of NNS intervention on weight change was significant in studies lasting less than 18 weeks (MD = -0.91 kg; 95% CI: [-1.70, -0.12]; P = 0.02), but minimal in studies longer than 18 weeks (P = 0.51). According to the weight status of the participants, the effect of NNS on body weight was statistically significant only in the normal weight group (MD = -0.97 kg; 95% CI: [-1.40, -0.54]; P < 0.01) and the mixed weight group (comprising normal and overweight individuals) (MD= -1.59 kg, 95% CI: [-2.62, -0.57]; P < 0.01), not in the obese group (MD = -0.646 kg; 95% CI: [-1.839, 0.546]; P = 0.29). In the comparator group, NNS had a greater effect only when compared with caloric sugars (MD= -0.94 kg, P = 0.04). Significant weight differences were also observed in the population with diabetes (MD = -1.56 kg, P < 0.01), but not in the nondiabetic population.

CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that replacing sugar with NNS leads to weight loss, particularly in normal-weight participants who received the intervention for less than 18 weeks and those with diabetes. For the overweight, it is still advisable to focus on active weight intervention strategies, using NNS only as an auxiliary measure to replace the caloric sugars in the daily diet during weight intervention. This information can inform evidence-based clinical decision-making.

PMID:40913681 | DOI:10.1007/s40618-025-02654-w

Rheumatol Int. 2025 Sep 6;45(9):220. doi: 10.1007/s00296-025-05977-2.

ABSTRACT

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is frequently diagnosed during reproductive ages, but its impact on pregnancy remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in FMF pregnancies by comparing before and after diagnosis periods as well as with healthy controls, and to identify predictors of adverse outcomes. This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 215 pregnancies (129 before and 86 after FMF diagnosis) from 81 women with FMF and 94 pregnancies from 42 healthy controls. Demographic data, disease characteristics, medications, and genetic mutations were recorded. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of adverse maternal outcomes. After FMF diagnosis, live birth occurred in 69 cases (80.2%), miscarriage in 15 (17.4%), and stillbirth in 2 (2.3%). In contrast, before diagnosis, live birth occurred in 104 cases (80.6%), miscarriage in 17 (13.4%), and stillbirth in 7 (5.4%). Among pregnancies after diagnosis, cesarean section was more frequent (38 cases, 53.5% vs. 29 cases, 25.9%, p < 0.001), as well as adverse maternal outcomes (58 cases, 67.4% vs. 63 cases, 48.8%, p = 0.007), compared to before diagnosis. Compared with controls, FMF patients showed no significant differences in maternal or neonatal outcomes. Among 86 pregnancies after diagnosis, colchicine was used in 66 (76.7%), and FMF flares were reported in 22 cases (31.9%) among pregnancies resulting in live birth, most commonly during the second trimester. Logistic regression identified older maternal age (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.25, p = 0.02) and disease flares before pregnancy (OR 6.96, 95% CI: 1.40-34.58, p = 0.02) as independent predictors of adverse maternal outcomes. Maternal and neonatal outcomes in FMF pregnancies were comparable to those in controls. Advanced maternal age and disease activity before conception were identified as independent predictors of adverse maternal outcomes.

PMID:40913658 | DOI:10.1007/s00296-025-05977-2

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s00404-025-08159-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by reproductive and endocrine abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) and vitamin D3 on sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS and vitamin D3 deficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in Iran between January and April 2019. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were filled out for all participants and their serum levels of vitamin D3 were measured. Women with PCOS and vitamin D3 deficiency were divided into 2 equal groups (A and B) with a table of random numbers (n = 35/ each). Both groups were given vitamin D3 (50,000 IU/w) for 12 week. The case group was given low-dose OCP for 3 months and a similar placebo was given to the control group. Vitamin D3 level and sexual function were assessed in both groups at 3 and 6 months after taking OCP.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in demographic characteristic such as weight (69.54 ± 10.34 vs 70.17 ± 10.60, P = 0.803). Both groups treated with vitamin D3 exhibited increased sexual function scores at the beginning of the study (P = 0.03) and 3 months (P = 0.01) after taking OCP. Examination of sexual function variables showed that sexual desire in the control group was greater than in the OCP-treated group at 3 (P = 0.009) and 6 (P = 0.01) months after entering the study.

CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the score of women’s sexual performance increased in all areas, especially in the area of sexual desire, with the use of vitamin D3. The simultaneous use of OCP with vitamin D3 to improve sexual performance in these women had no significant difference with the use of vitamin D3 alone. According to the research findings, it is recommended that vitamin D3 supplementation can be used to increase the quality of life and improve sexual function in PCOS women.

PMID:40913650 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-025-08159-4

J Gastroenterol. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s00535-025-02294-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systemic chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus S-1 (GEM + S-1), GEM + CDDP plus S-1 (GEM + CDDP + S-1), or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GEM + CDDP) is standard treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer (aBTC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy in older patients with aBTC.

METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study (JON2104-B, UMIN000045156) included patients aged ≥ 70 years with aBTC. Inverse-probability weighting propensity-score analyses (IPW) were used to compare overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint and progression-free survival (PFS) across treatment groups.

RESULTS: This study included 305 patients between August 2021 and January 2023. Of them, 75, 131, 26, 52, and 10 received GEM + CDDP + S-1, GEM + CDDP, GEM + S-1, gemcitabine, and S-1; their median ages were 74, 75, 77.5, 80, and 80 years, and approximately 24%, 16.8%, 23.1%, 9.6%, and 0% had G-8 scores of > 14, respectively. GEM + CDDP had a safety profile comparable to that of GEM + CDDP + S-1 but was more toxic than gemcitabine. Per IPW, the hazard ratio (HR) for GEM + CDDP + S-1 versus GEM + CDDP was 0.80 for OS (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-1.17) and 0.55 for PFS (95% CI 0.38-0.80). The HR for GEM + CDDP versus gemcitabine was 0.74 for OS (95% CI 0.42-1.29) and 0.79 for PFS (95% CI 0.42-1.49).

CONCLUSIONS: GEM + CDDP + S-1 was associated with longer PFS without additional toxicity than GEM + CDDP for fit older patients. However, the OS for both were not statistically different. The efficacies of GEM + CDDP and gemcitabine for vulnerable older patients did not also differ significantly. These findings highlight the importance of vulnerability in patients with aBTC.

PMID:40913639 | DOI:10.1007/s00535-025-02294-0

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2025 Sep 6;35(1):381. doi: 10.1007/s00590-025-04472-5.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To identify factors that contribute to the speed of angular correction in skeletally immature patients with genu varum treated with paraphyseal tension band plates, hypothesizing that screw length and divergence, severity of deformity, and underlying pathology influence the rate and speed of genu varum correction.

METHODS: Fifty-three patients (38 males, 15 females) undergoing genu varum correction were included; a total of 138 physes (64 distal femur, 74 proximal tibia) were assessed. The median age at surgery was 37.83 ± 34.27 months (24.37-188.60), and the median follow-up was 11.03 ± 4.9 months (3.17-23). The severity of the deformity, the relative screw length, correction speed (degree per month), and initial screw divergence were calculated for comparison.

RESULTS: Patients close to skeletal maturity showed faster correction speed. Patients with genu varum secondary to metabolic disease had the slowest correction speed (0.76° per month), while there was no clinically significant difference with different etiologies. The distal femur showed a lower correction speed than that of proximal tibia in genu varum. The correction rate was negatively correlated with the relative screw length in genu varum deformity (linear regression coefficient: – 2.39; P < 0.01). The initial screw divergence had no statistically significant impact on the correction speed (P = 0.97).

CONCLUSION: Screw length is an important parameter affecting the rate of genu varum correction with GG using paraphyseal tension band plates.

PMID:40913637 | DOI:10.1007/s00590-025-04472-5

Eur Radiol. 2025 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11986-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Contrast extravasation on imaging studies is a clinical surrogate for bleeding severity. However, the prognostic relevance of this imaging sign needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of contrast extravasation defined by computed tomography (CT) and angiography on massive transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with acute bleeding undergoing transarterial embolization (TAE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed cohort of patients with acute bleeding requiring treatment with TAE between 2018 and 2022 was retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent triphasic CT to localize the source of bleeding and to calculate extravasation volumes in the arterial and portal venous phases. The bleeding rate k was calculated from the CT images.

RESULTS: A total of 128 patients (79 male, 61.7%) with a mean age of 67.4 years (range 21-95 years) and an all-cause 30-day mortality rate of 34.4% were included in the present analysis. A moderate positive correlation was identified between transfused packed red blood cell units and bleeding rate k (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). However, no correlation was found between transfused packed red blood cell units and arterial and portal venous extravasation volume. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, bleeding rate k was identified as an independent prognostic factor for massive transfusion (OR 25.77, 95% CI 1.35-493.61, p = 0.031, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the model: 0.847) and 30-day mortality (OR 25.04, 95% CI 2.29-273.42, p = 0.008, AUROC of the model: 0.781).

CONCLUSION: CT-defined bleeding rate, k, is a prognostic factor for massive transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with acute bleeding undergoing TAE and may be superior to the volume of contrast extravasation volume alone. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

KEY POINTS: Question Does contrast media extravasation on CT have a prognostic role in patients with acute bleeding? Findings Bleeding rate, k, was identified as an independent prognostic factor for massive transfusion (OR 25.77) and 30-day mortality (OR 25.04). Clinical relevance Diagnostic triphasic CT can be used to provide prognostic information of patients with acute bleeding.

PMID:40913621 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11986-3

Spec Care Dentist. 2025 Sep-Oct;45(5):e70097. doi: 10.1111/scd.70097.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Systematically review the literature to answer the focused question: “What is the best way to facilitate pain communication for patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) in dental care?”

METHODS: A systematic search strategy was conducted in five databases and gray literature. Studies evaluating pain communication in dental care for patients with ID were included. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument.

RESULTS: A total of 1525 studies were screened, and after applying exclusion criteria, 10 articles remained. The included studies were published between 2003 and 2021, with sample sizes ranging from 28 to 270 participants with developmental disabilities. The Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ) was the most commonly used tool in the studies. Most studies showed a low risk of bias.

CONCLUSION: The DDQ is the most validated tool for assessing dental pain in individuals with ID, though evidence in adults is limited. Other tools provide useful behavioral cues but may not clearly differentiate pain from discomfort or anxiety. The absence of a gold standard underscores the need for context-appropriate tool selection and clinician training to interpret nonverbal pain, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and promoting equitable care.

PMID:40913592 | DOI:10.1111/scd.70097