Tag: pubmed

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2022 Jul 29;22(1):199. doi: 10.1186/s12911-022-01949-9.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacists are frequent users of mobile medical apps (MMA) for drug information (DI) and clinical decision-making purposes. However, the wide range of available MMA may be of variable credibility and results in heterogeneous recommendations. The need for subscription may also influence choice of apps.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the usage pattern of MMA among hospital pharmacists, including their perceptions and factors affecting their choice of apps.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study required respondents to fill in an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included sections on respondents’ demographic data, MMA usage pattern, perceived usefulness and opinion on subscription fees. Items were adapted from available literature and validated locally. It was made accessible for 6 weeks starting November 2019 for all pharmacists working in the 23 public hospitals in Sarawak to response (universal sampling). Collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS: A response rate of 37.2% was achieved (n = 162). Respondents were heavily reliant on MMA, with 78.4% accessing them multiple times daily. The majority also agreed that MMA contain correct and up-to-date information. A median of 5 apps were downloaded, suggesting an ultimate app catering for all DI needs was lacking. The Malaysian Drug Formulary was the most downloaded app (88.3%), whereas Lexicomp® was the most “well-rounded” in terms of functionality. Clinical pharmacists were significantly more likely to purchase MMA, in particular UpToDate® (p < 0.01) due to their need to access clinical updates. Respondents highly recommended institutional access for either UpToDate® or Lexicomp® be made available. Pre-registration pharmacists should be guided on judicious MMA usage, as they downloaded significantly more apps and were more likely to indicate not knowing which DI recommendation to follow (both p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: MMA has become an indispensable tool for hospital pharmacists, however there was a tendency to download multiple apps for DI needs. Institutional access can be considered for credible apps identified to ensure accuracy and uniformity of DI recommendations, with purchase decision made after surveying the needs and preferences of end users.

PMID:35906649 | DOI:10.1186/s12911-022-01949-9

Nutr J. 2022 Jul 30;21(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s12937-022-00802-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Literature suggests a relationship between estrogen levels and migraine headache pathogenesis. However, the effect of soy isoflavones on migraine characteristic remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of soy isoflavones on migraine characteristics and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels in women with migraine.

METHODS: Eighty-three participants completed a randomized double-blind controlled trial, receiving 50 mg per day soy isoflavones or placebo supplementation for 8 weeks. Migraine severity, migraine days per month, frequency and duration of attacks, mental status, quality of life and serum CGRP levels were measured at baseline and the end of the intervention. Bivariate comparison and intention-to-treat (ITT) were used for analysis.

RESULTS: Soy isoflavones intake resulted in a significant decrease in mean frequency (-2.36 vs -0.43, P < 0.001), duration (-2.50 vs -0.02, P < 0.001) of migraine attacks and CGRP level (-12.18 ng/l vs -8.62, P = 0.002) in compared to placebo group. Also, a significant improvement was found in quality of life (16.76 vs 2.52, P < 0.001). Although, reduction in the migraine severity and mental status did not reach a statistically significant level (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: soy isoflavones supplementation may be considered as a complementary treatment for women with migraine to improve migraine characteristics and reduce the burden of disease.

PMID:35906640 | DOI:10.1186/s12937-022-00802-z

Parasit Vectors. 2022 Jul 29;15(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05402-8.

ABSTRACT

We read with great interest the article by Hendershot et al. (Parasit Vectors 14:473, 2021). The authors compared a PCR method for detecting Plasmodium vivax’s mitochondrial (mt) cytochrome oxidase I (COX-I) gene with the current “gold standard” circumsporozoite (CSP) ELISA for detecting circumsporozoite protein for identification of different life stages of Plasmodium vivax during development within Anopheles arabiensis. We found that Cohen’s kappa value for measuring the agreement between mt COX-I PCR and CSP ELISA was questionable. In addition, we recommend a more appropriate statistical method in this article.In short, any scientific conclusion requires support by the reasonable application of methodological and statistical methods.

PMID:35906628 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-022-05402-8

BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Jul 29;22(1):966. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08306-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The relationship between healthcare service accessibility in the community and incarceration is an important, yet not widely understood, phenomenon. Community behavioral health and the criminal legal systems are treated separately, which creates a competing demand to confront mass incarceration and expand available services. As a result, the relationship between behavioral health services, demographics and community factors, and incarceration rate has not been well addressed. Understanding potential drivers of incarceration, including access to community-based services, is necessary to reduce entry into the legal system and decrease recidivism. This study identifies county-level demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare services availability/accessibility, and criminal legal characteristics that predict per capita jail population across the U.S. More than 10 million individuals pass through U.S. jails each year, increasing the urgency of addressing this challenge.

METHODS: The selection of variables for our model proceeded in stages. The study commenced by identifying potential descriptors and then using machine learning techniques to select non-collinear variables to predict county jail population per capita. Beta regression was then applied to nationally available data from all 3,141 U.S. counties to identify factors predicting county jail population size. Data sources include the Vera Institute’s incarceration database, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Uniform Crime Report, and the U.S. Census.

RESULTS: Fewer per capita psychiatrists (z-score = -2.16; p = .031), lower percent of drug treatment paid by Medicaid (-3.66; p < .001), higher per capita healthcare costs (5.71; p < .001), higher number of physically unhealthy days in a month (8.6; p < .001), lower high school graduation rate (-4.05; p < .001), smaller county size (-2.66, p = .008; -2.71, p = .007; medium and large versus small counties, respectively), and more police officers per capita (8.74; p < .001) were associated with higher per capita jail population. Controlling for other factors, violent crime rate did not predict incarceration rate.

CONCLUSIONS: Counties with smaller populations, larger percentages of individuals that did not graduate high school, that have more health-related issues, and provide fewer community treatment services are more likely to have higher jail population per capita. Increasing access to services, including mental health providers, and improving the affordability of drug treatment and healthcare may help reduce incarceration rates.

PMID:35906627 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-022-08306-6

Radiat Oncol. 2022 Jul 29;17(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s13014-022-02099-y.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Definitive chemoradiotherapy has established the standard non-surgical treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer. The standard dose of 50-50.4 Gy has been established decades ago and been confirmed in modern trials. The theorical advantage of better local control and technical advances for less toxicity have encouraged clinicians for dose escalation investigation. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have the potential to tailor therapy for esophageal patients not showing response to CRT and pioneers the PET-based dose escalation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The ESO-Shanghai 12 trial is a prospective multicenter randomized phase 3 study in which patients are randomized to either 61.2 Gy or 50.4 Gy of radiation dose by PET response. Both groups undergo concurrent chemoradiotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin regimen for 2 cycles followed by consolidation chemotherapy for 2 cycles. Patients with histologically confirmed ESCC [T1N1-3M0, T2-4NxM0, TxNxM1 (Supraclavicular lymph node metastasis only), (AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 8th Edition)] and without any prior treatment of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery against esophageal cancer will be eligible. The primary endpoints included overall survival in PET/CT non-responders (SUV_max > 4.0) and overall survival in total population. Patients will be stratified by standardized uptake volume, gross tumor volume and tumor location. The enrollment could be ended, when the number of PET/CT non-responder reached 132 and the total population reached 646 for randomization.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has been approved by the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Institutional Review Board. Trial results will be disseminated via peer reviewed scientific journals and conference presentations. Trial registration The trial was initiated in 2018 and is currently recruiting patients. Trial registration number NCT03790553.

PMID:35906623 | DOI:10.1186/s13014-022-02099-y

BMC Complement Med Ther. 2022 Jul 29;22(1):201. doi: 10.1186/s12906-022-03655-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava L leaves and phenytoin as a standard agent on the induced oral mucosal wound.

METHODS: Hundred seventy Sprague Dawley rats were grouped in 5 clusters randomly. Oral mucosal wounds were induced in all rats except for the control group. Phenytoin and guajava leaf extract were used as a mouthwash. Twelve rats from the 5 groups were euthanized on day 7^th and 10^th, and 10 rats from each group were sacrificed on the 14^th day. Interleukin-6 and total antioxidant capacity were determined in the serum. The tissues were evaluated for pathological and stereological assessments. Phytochemical analyses were performed on the hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava L to determine the antioxidant potency.

RESULTS: Total phenolic content test and DPPH analysis demonstrated the high potential of antioxidant capacity of Psidium guajava L. Decreasing IL-6 and increasing TAC were seen in the guajava hydroalcoholic extract and phenytoin groups. The difference of IL-6 between the wound treated guajava group and the wounded group was significant. The wound treated guajava group and wound treated phenytoin group on the 14^th day increased the number of fibroblast cells and volume density of sub-mucosae effectively to the same thickness to be considered as a healed sub-mucosae layer. The volume density of the epithelium changes showed statistically significant different responses based on gender.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guajava L leaves might exert theraputic effects on oral mucositis.

PMID:35906612 | DOI:10.1186/s12906-022-03655-5

Implement Sci. 2022 Jul 29;17(1):51. doi: 10.1186/s13012-022-01218-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interventions are often adapted; some adaptations may provoke more favorable outcomes, whereas some may not. A better understanding of the adaptations and their intended goals may elucidate which adaptations produce better outcomes. Improved methods are needed to better capture and characterize the impact of intervention adaptations.

METHODS: We used multiple data collection and analytic methods to characterize adaptations made by practices participating in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of a complex, multicomponent diabetes intervention. Data collection methods to identify adaptations included interviews, observations, and facilitator sessions resulting in transcripts, templated notes, and field notes. Adaptations gleaned from these sources were reduced and combined; then, their components were cataloged according to the framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions (FRAME). Analytic methods to characterize adaptations included a co-occurrence table, statistically based k-means clustering, and a taxonomic analysis.

RESULTS: We found that (1) different data collection methods elicited more overall adaptations, (2) multiple data collection methods provided understanding of the components of and reasons for adaptation, and (3) analytic methods revealed ways that adaptation components cluster together in unique patterns producing adaptation “types.” These types may be useful for understanding how the “who, what, how, and why” of adaptations may fit together and for analyzing with outcome data to determine if the adaptations produce more favorable outcomes rather than by adaptation components individually.

CONCLUSION: Adaptations were prevalent and discoverable through different methods. Enhancing methods to describe adaptations may better illuminate what works in providing improved intervention fit within context.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov under Trial number NCT03590041 , posted July 18, 2018.

PMID:35906602 | DOI:10.1186/s13012-022-01218-3

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jul 30;23(1):729. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05618-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Restriction in foot and ankle joint range of motion, such as an ankle equinus, has been associated with increased plantar pressure and its complications. However, previous research is limited by its scope of measures and study populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between foot and ankle joint range of motion on barefoot plantar pressures during walking in healthy older adults.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 49 older adults. Participants underwent measures of foot (first metatarsophalangeal dorsiflexion range of motion, and navicular drop and drift) and ankle joint range of motion, foot posture, body mass index, and plantar pressure during barefoot walking. Spearman Rank Order Correlations were used to explore the relationship between foot and ankle measures, body mass index, and plantar pressure, with significant correlations explored in a hierarchical regression analysis. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare plantar pressure values between those with and without ankle equinus per region of the foot.

RESULTS: Mean (SD) age and BMI were 72.4 years (5.2) and 29.8 kg/m² (5.9) respectively. A total of 32 of the 49 participants (65%) identified as female sex. Mean (SD) ankle joint range of motion was 32.7 (6.4) degrees with 17/49 (34.7%) participants classified as having an ankle equinus (defined as < 30 degrees of ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion). We found that an ankle equinus predicted a statistically significant amount of peak forefoot plantar pressure (p = 0.03). Participants with an ankle equinus displayed significantly higher forefoot peak pressure 677.8 kPa (589.9 to 810.4) compared to those with no equinus 565.58 kPa (447.3 to 651.2), p = 0.02. A statistically significant correlation was found between body mass index and midfoot peak pressure (p < 0.01) and pressure-time integral (p < 0.01). No other significant correlations were found.

CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider screening for an ankle equinus and body mass index as a simple way to identify which healthy older adults may be at risk of pressure-related complications in the mid- and forefoot.

PMID:35906599 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-022-05618-w

BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Jul 29;22(1):971. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08351-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Opioid substitution treatment (OST) populations are aging and have increased mortality and somatic morbidity compared to general populations internationally. While OST patients have poor self-rated physical health and unmet healthcare needs, documented healthcare utilization has been sparsely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess registered healthcare utilization for somatic conditions in a sample of Swedish OST patients, and compare healthcare utilization among OST patients with and without use of on-site primary healthcare (PHC).

METHODS: Patients in OST in Malmö, Sweden, were recruited for a survey study conducted in 2017-2018. Survey data were compared with comprehensive patient records from specialized and primary care during one year prior to study inclusion (total n = 190). All patient records were examined for healthcare utilization, source of healthcare (PHC, emergency care and secondary care), and documented diagnoses and symptoms. Factors associated with healthcare utilization were analyzed by using logistic regression analysis. Patients with and without on-site PHC were compared by using descriptive statistics and Chi-2 test.

RESULTS: A total of 88% of the sample had been in direct or indirect contact with somatic healthcare during one year (PHC 66%; emergency care 28%; secondary care 67%). The most prevalent somatic diagnoses were infectious diseases (39%) and symptom diagnoses (37%). Respiratory, dermatological and musculoskeletal diagnoses, and trauma/intoxication were documented in 21-26% of the sample, respectively. PHC utilization was associated with older age and being born in Sweden. Among patients with on-site PHC (n = 25), the number utilizing secondary care was 84%, and certain diagnostic codes were more frequent in this group.

CONCLUSION: OST patients are seemingly underserved as regards their physical health. Since increased OST access decreases opioid overdose fatalities, the life expectancy among OST patients is likely to increase and thereby also increases the risk of age-related conditions. Thus, easily accessible physical healthcare is of great importance in this group. On-site PHC might be a way to establish healthcare contact with OST patients, especially for non-acute conditions, although further research is needed.

PMID:35906595 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-022-08351-1

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022 Jul 29;21(1):142. doi: 10.1186/s12933-022-01576-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) has become more common in recent years and is often associated with poor outcomes. Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a simple and reliable surrogate for insulin resistance (IR) and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular prognosis. However, the prognostic value of the TyG index in patients with PCAD remains uncertain. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic value and predictive performance of the TyG index in patients with PCAD.

METHODS: A total of 526 young subjects (male < 45 years, female < 55 years) with angiographically proven CAD from January 2013 to December 2018 were included consecutively in this study. Their clinical and laboratory parameters were collected, and the TyG index was calculated as [Formula: see text]. The follow-up time after discharge was 40-112 months (median, 68 months; interquartile range, 49‒83 months). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery revascularization, and non-fatal stroke.

RESULTS: The TyG index was significantly associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and the Gensini score (GS). Kaplan-Meier survival (MACE-free) curves by tertiles of the TyG index showed statistically significant differences (log-rank test, p = 0.001). In the fully adjusted Cox regression model, the Hazard ratio (95% CI) of MACE was 2.17 (1.15-4.06) in tertile 3 and 1.45 (1.11-1.91) for per SD increase in the TyG index. Time-dependent ROC analyses of the TyG for prediction of MACE showed the area under the curves (AUC) reached 0.631 at 3 years, 0.643 at 6 years, and 0.710 at 9 years. Furthermore, adding TyG index to existing risk prediction model could improve outcome prediction [C-statistic increased from 0.715 to 0.719, p = 0.007; continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) = 0.101, p = 0.362; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) = 0.011, p = 0.017].

CONCLUSION: The TyG index is an independent predictor of MACE in patients with PCAD, suggesting that the TyG index has important clinical implications for risk stratification and early intervention of PCAD.

PMID:35906587 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-022-01576-8