bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative longitudinal study of traumatic orthopaedic injury survivors’ experiences with pain and the long-term recovery trajectory
Authors: Finstad Jeanette , Røise Olav , Clausen Thomas , Rosseland Leiv Arne , Havnes Ingrid Amalia
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To explore trauma patients’ experiences of the long-term recovery pathway during 18 months following hospital discharge.

Design

Longitudinal qualitative study.

Setting and participants

Thirteen trauma patients with injuries associated with pain that had been interviewed 6 weeks after discharge from Oslo University Hospital in Norway, were followed up with an interview 18 months postdischarge.

Method

The illness trajectory framework informed the data collection, with semistructured, in-depth interviews that were analysed thematically.

Results

Compared with the subacute phase 6 weeks postdischarge, several participants reported exacerbated mental and physical health, including increased pain during 18 months following discharge. This, andalternating periods of deteriorated health status during recovery, made the pathway unpredictable. At 18 months post-discharge, participants were coping with experiences of reduced mental and physical health and socioeconomic losses. Three main themes were identified: (1) coping with persistent pain and reduced physical function, (2) experiencing mental distress without access to mental healthcare and (3) unmet needs for follow-up care. Moreover, at 18 months postdischarge, prescribed opioids were found to be easily accessible from GPs. In addition to relieving chronic pain, motivations to use opioids were to induce sleep, reduce withdrawal symptoms and relieve mental distress.

Conclusions and implications

The patients’ experiences from this study establish knowledge of several challenges in the trauma population’s recovery trajectories, which may imply that subacute health status is a poor predictor of long-term outcomes. Throughout recovery, the participants struggled with physical and mental health needs without being met by the healthcare system. Therefore, it is necessary to provide long-term follow-up of trauma patients’ health status in the specialist health service based on individual needs. Additionally, to prevent long-term opioid use beyond the subacute phase, there is a need to systematically follow-up and reassess motivations and indications for continued use throughout the recovery pathway.
INdigenous Systems and Policies Improved and Reimagined for Ear and hearing care (INSPIRE): a multi-method study protocol
Authors: Nash Kai , Gwynne Kylie , Dimitropoulos Yvonne , Fitzpatrick Mark , Gunasekera Hasantha , Halvorsen Luke , Kong Kelvin , Lumby Noeleen , Macniven Rona , Parter Carmen , Wingett Amanda , McMahon Catherine
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Otitis media (middle ear disease) severity and chronicity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as gaps in socioeconomic outcomes related to hearing loss, indicates a breakdown in the current ear and hearing care system. The ear and hearing care system spans multiple sectors due to long-term impacts of otitis media and hearing loss in health, education and employment, necessitating a multi-disciplinary cross-sectorial approach to ear and hearing care. Public policies shape the current ear and hearing care system and here it is argued that a critical public policy analysis across different sectors is needed, with strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and guidance. The current study aims to establish consensus-based ear and hearing care policy solutions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Methods and analysis

This multi-method study will be guided by a Brains Trust with strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership. Public policies in hearing health, social services, and education will be scoped to identify policy gaps, using the World Health Organization framework. Qualitative data will be collected through a culturally specific process of yarning circles to identify policy challenges and/or limitations in enabling accessible ear and hearing care programs/services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, using dimensions of Morestin’s public policy appraisal tool as an interview guide for stakeholders. Themes from the yarning circles will be used to inform an expert Delphi process to establish consensus-based policy solutions for optimising the ear and hearing care system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has approval from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Ethics Committee. Study findings will be disseminated to community through Brains Trust members and study participants, as well as through publications in peer-reviewed journals and research forum presentations.
Risk assessment and real-world outcomes in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: insights from a UK pulmonary hypertension referral service
Authors: Kiely David G , Hamilton Neil , Wood Steven , Durrington Charlotte , Exposto Fernando , Muzwidzwa Ruvimbo , Raiteri Louise , Beaudet Amélie , Muller Audrey , Sauter Rafael , Pillai Nadia , Lawrie Allan
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of risk assessment to predict healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU), costs, treatments, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and survival in patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Pulmonary hypertension referral centre in the UK.

Participants

Adults diagnosed with CTEPH between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2019 were included. Cohorts were retrospectively defined for operated patients (received pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA)) and not operated; further subgroups were defined based on risk score (low, intermediate or high risk for 1-year mortality) at diagnosis.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, treatment patterns, HRQoL, HCRU, costs and survival outcomes were analysed.

Results

Overall, 683 patients were analysed (268 (39%) operated; 415 (61%) not operated). Most patients in the operated and not-operated cohorts were intermediate risk (63%; 53%) or high risk (23%; 31%) at diagnosis. Intermediate-risk and high-risk patients had higher HCRU and costs than low-risk patients. Outpatient and accident and emergency visits were lower postdiagnosis for both cohorts and all risk groups versus prediagnosis. HRQoL scores noticeably improved in the operated cohort post-PEA, and less so in the not-operated cohort at 6–18 months postdiagnosis. Survival at 5 years was 83% (operated) and 49% (not operated) and was lower for intermediate-risk and high-risk patients compared with low-risk patients.

Conclusions

Findings from this study support that risk assessment at diagnosis is prognostic for mortality in patients with CTEPH. Low-risk patients have better survival and HRQoL and lower HCRU and costs compared with intermediate-risk and high-risk patients.
Intervention to increase physical activity and healthy eating among under-represented adolescents: GOAL trial protocol
Authors: Robbins Lorraine B , Ling Jiying , Pfeiffer Karin A , Kerver Jean M , Resnicow Kenneth , McCaffery Harlan , Hilliard Aisha , Hobbs Logan , Donald Sheldon , Kaciroti Niko
Published: January 2024

Introduction

To reduce obesity-related disparities, reaching economically disadvantaged and/or minority status adolescents to assist them in meeting physical activity (PA) and nutrition recommendations is important. To address the problem, a 16-week intervention called Guys/Girls Opt for Activities for Life (GOAL) was designed. The purpose of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate any effect of the intervention, compared with a control condition, on improving: (1) adolescents’ % body fat (primary outcome), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), diet quality and cardiorespiratory fitness from 0 to 4 months; (2) body mass index (BMI), overweight/obesity percentage and quality of life from 0 to 4 months and to 13 months; and (3) perceived social support, self-efficacy and motivation from 0 to 4 months with evaluation of any mediating effect on adolescent PA and diet quality. An exploratory aim is to evaluate any effect of the intervention, compared with the control, on improving parents’/guardians’ home environment, MVPA and diet quality from 0 to 4 months; and BMI from 0 to 4 months and to 13 months.

Methods and analysis

Adolescents (fifth to eighth grade) in 14 schools located in underserved urban communities are randomly assigned to the intervention or usual school offerings. One parent per adolescent is enrolled (882 dyads total). Cohort 1 includes four schools (2022–2023). Cohorts 2 and 3 include 5 schools in 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, respectively. The 16-week intervention has three components: (1) after-school GOAL club for adolescents to engage in PA and healthy eating/cooking activities; (2) three parent–adolescent meetings to empower parents to assist adolescents; and (3) GOAL social networking website for parents to share how they helped their adolescent.

Ethics and dissemination

The Michigan State University Biomedical Institutional Review Board provided ethical approval for the study. Findings will be shared via the trial registration database, peer-reviewed publications, conferences and community-oriented strategies.

Trial registration number

NCT04213014.
Meeting high-risk patient pain care needs through intensive primary care: a secondary analysis
Authors: Giannitrapani Karleen F , Holliday Jesse R , McCaa Matthew D , Stockdale Susan , Bergman Alicia A , Katz Marian L , Zulman Donna M , Rubenstein Lisa V , Chang Evelyn T
Published: January 2024

Objective

Chronic pain disproportionately affects medically and psychosocially complex patients, many of whom are at high risk of hospitalisation. Pain prevalence among high-risk patients, however, is unknown, and pain is seldom a focus for improving high-risk patient outcomes. Our objective is to (1) evaluate pain frequency in a high-risk patient population and (2) identify intensive management (IM) programme features that patients and providers perceive as important for promoting patient-centred pain care within primary care (PC)-based IM.

Design

Secondary observational analysis of quantitative and qualitative evaluation data from a multisite randomised PC-based IM programme for high-risk patients.

Setting

Five integrated local Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare systems within distinct VA administrative regions.

Participants

Staff and high-risk PC patients in the VA.

Intervention

A multisite randomised PC-based IM programme for high-risk patients.

Outcome measures

(a) Pain prevalence based on VA electronic administrative data and (b) transcripts of interviews with IM staff and patients that mentioned pain.

Results

Most (70%, 2593/3723) high-risk patients had at least moderate pain. Over one-third (38%, 40/104) of the interviewees mentioned pain or pain care. There were 89 pain-related comments addressing IM impacts on pain care within the 40 interview transcripts. Patient-identified themes were that IM improved communication and responsiveness to pain. PC provider-identified themes were that IM improved workload and access to expertise. IM team member-identified themes were that IM improved pain care coordination, facilitated non-opioid pain management options and mitigated provider compassion fatigue. No negative IM impacts on pain care were mentioned.

Conclusions

Pain is common among high-risk patients. Future IM evaluations should consider including a focus on pain and pain care, with attention to impacts on patients, PC providers and IM teams.
Feasibility of an artificial intelligence phone call for postoperative care following cataract surgery in a diverse population: two phase prospective study protocol
Authors: Hatamnejad Amin , Higham Aisling , Somani Sohel , Tam Eric S , Lim Ernest , Khavandi Sarah , de Pennington Nick , Chiu Hannah H
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) development has led to improvements in many areas of medicine. Canada has workforce pressures in delivering cataract care. A potential solution is using AI technology that can automate care delivery, increase effectiveness and decrease burdens placed on patients and the healthcare system. This study assesses the use of ‘Dora’, an example of an AI assistant that is able to deliver a regulated autonomous, voice-based, natural-language consultation with patients over the telephone. Dora is used in routine practice in the UK, but this study seeks to assess the safety, usability, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of using the technology in Canada.

Methods and analysis

This is a two-phase prospective single-centred trial. An expected 250 patients will be recruited for each phase of the study. For Phase I of the study, Dora will phone patients at postoperative week 1 and for Phase II of the study, Dora will phone patients within 24hours of their cataract surgery and again at postoperative week 1. We will evaluate the agreement between Dora and a supervising clinician regarding the need for further review based on the patients’ symptoms. A random sample of patients will undergo the System Usability Scale followed by an extended semi-structured interview. The primary outcome of agreement between Dora and the supervisor will be assessed using the kappa statistic. Qualitative data from the interviews will further gauge patient opinions about Dora’s usability, appropriateness and level of satisfaction.

Ethics and dissemination

Research Ethics Board William Osler Health System (ID: 22–0044) has approved this study and will be conducted by guidelines of Declaration of Helsinki. Master-linking sheet will contain the patient chart identification (ID), full name, date of birth and study ID. Results will be shared through peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
The Irish national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease quality improvement collaborative: an adaptive learning collaborative
Authors: Woods Orla , MacDonell Rachel , Brennan John , Prihodova Lucia , Cushen Breda , Costello Richard W , McDonnell Timothy J
Published: January 2024

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the the most common disease-specific cause of adult emergency hospital admissions in Ireland. Preliminary groundwork indicated that treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) in Ireland is not standardised between public hospitals. Applying Institute for Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough Series and Model for Improvement methodologies, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland designed and conducted a novel flexible and adaptive quality improvement (QI) collaborative which, using embedded evaluation, aimed to deliver QI teaching to enable teams to implement bespoke, locally applicable changes to improve and standardise acute COPD care at presentation, admission and discharge stages within their hospitals.

Methods

Eighteen teams from 19 hospitals across Ireland participated over 13 months. QI teaching was facilitated through inperson learning sessions, site visits, programme manager and coaching support. Teams submitted monthly anonymised patient data (n=10) for 22 measures of AECOPD care for ongoing QI evaluation. A mixed-methods survey was administered at the final learning session to retrospectively evaluate participants’ experiences of QI learning and patient care changes.

Results

Participants reported that they learnt QI and improved patient care during the collaborative. Barriers included increased workload and lack of stakeholder buy-in. Statistically significant improvements (mean±SD) were seen for ‘documented dyspnoea, eosinopenia, consolidation, acidaemia and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) assessment’ (7.3 (±14.4)% month(M)1 (n=15 sites); 49.6 (±37.7)% M13 (n=16 sites); p<0.001, 95% CI (14.3 to 66.7)), ‘Documented diagnosis - spirometry’ (42.5 (± 30.0)% M1 (n=16 sites); 69.1 (±29.9)% M13 (n=16 sites); p=0.0176, 95% CI 5.0 to 48.2) and ‘inhaler technique review completed’ (45.6 (± 34.1)% M1 (n=16 sites); 76.3 (±33.7)% M13 (n=16 sites); p=0.0131, 95% CI 10.0 to 65.0). ‘First respiratory review’ demonstrated improved standardisation.

Conclusion

This flexible QI collaborative provided adaptive collaborative learning that facilitated participating teams to improve AECOPD patient care based on the unique context of their own hospitals. Findings indicate that involvement in the QI collaborative facilitated teams in achieving their improvements.
Measuring the added value of virtual communities of practice for developing the educator role of critical care professionals
Authors: Ghani Manisa , Cooper-Ioelu Pauline , Jowsey Tanisha
Published: January 2024

In healthcare settings, workplace learning is often supported by clinicians who strive to combine service provision and educator roles. We evaluated an international 12-month programme that supports widely distributed critical care health professional educators (HPEs) through a virtual community of practice (vCoP). Specifically, we evaluateifandhowthe vCoP approach affects learning experiences using an innovative evaluation framework in medical education—the value-creation framework (VCF). We used a mixed-methods approach to evaluation, including an anonymous survey and semistructured interviews. Themes from data sources were identified using the VCF as the common thread. Themes discussed by at least two-thirds of interview participants were analysed using narrative inquiry. 27 of 66 participants responded to the survey, and 15 participated in interviews. Positive and negative indicators of value creation were extracted and organised according to the framework’s eight value cycles. Framework analysis made value-creation and potential flow-on effects in one value-creation cycle to another visible, offering insight into relationships. Themes from narrative inquiry elaborated on the results of the framework analysis. Using the VCF to evaluate the Incubator programme brings to bear the complexity of boundary-crossing HPE faculty development for critical care educators. The framework can be a valuable tool for evaluating a vCoP associated with faculty development programmes.
Development and evaluation of a clinical guideline for a paediatric telemedicine service in a low-resource setting
Authors: Klarman Molly B , Chi Xiaofei , Cajusma Youseline , Flaherty Katelyn E , Capois Anne Carine , Dofiné Michel Daryl Vladimir , Exantus Lerby , Friesen Jason , Beau de Rochars Valery Madsen , Becker Torben K , Baril Chantale , Gurka Matthew J , Nelson Eric J
Published: January 2024

Objective

To develop and evaluate a guideline for a paediatric telemedicine and medication delivery service (TMDS).

Methods

A clinical guideline for paediatric telemedicine was derived from the World Health (WHO) OrganizationIntegrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Handbook. The guideline was deployed at a TMDS in Haiti and evaluated through a prospective cohort study; children ≤10 years were enrolled. For non-severe cases, paired virtual and in-person examinations were conducted at the call centre and household; severe cases were referred to the hospital. The performance of virtual examination components were evaluated by comparison with the paired in-person examination findings (reference).

Results

A total of 391 cases were enrolled. Among the 320 cases with paired examinations, no general WHO danger signs were identified during in-person examinations; 5 cases (2%) required hospital referral due to problem-specific danger signs or other reasons for escalation. Cohen’s kappa for the virtual designation of mild cases was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69 to 0.87). The sensitivity and specificity of a virtually reported fever were 91% (95% CI: 87% to 96%) and 69% (95% CI: 62% to 76%), respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of virtually reported ‘fast breathing’ were 47% (95% CI: 21% to 72%) and 89% (95% CI: 85% to 94%), respectively. Kappa for ‘no’ and ‘some’ dehydration indicated moderate congruence between virtual and in-person examinations (0.69; 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.98). At 10 days, 273 (95%) of the 287 cases reached by phone were better/recovered.

Conclusion

Critical components of the virtual examination (triage, danger signs and dehydration assessment) performed well despite varied performance among the problem-specific components. The study and associated resources represents formative steps towards an evidence-based paediatric telemedicine guideline built on WHO clinical principles. In-person examinations for select cases were important to address limitations with virtual examinations and identify cases for escalation.

Trial registration number

NCT03943654.
Women’s experiences of the consenting process for pregnancy remains disposal following early miscarriage
Authors: Kilshaw Susie
Published: January 2024

Background and methodology

UK clinical practices around managing pregnancy remains after pregnancy loss involve a process of documenting consent. Women are typically offered options for disposal, which may include cremation, burial, releasing for private arrangements, releasing to a funeral director and, in some cases, sensitive incineration. A single researcher conducted 20 months of ethnographic fieldwork in one National Health Service (NHS) Trust including observing the consenting process for pregnancy remains disposal (n=28) and interviewing 27 women, including 19 who had experience of the consent process for pregnancy remains disposal, about their understanding, attitudes and experiences of pregnancy remains disposal. Transcripts were analysed for representative themes.

Results

Prior to the discussion and consenting process most participants had not given consideration to disposal methods. Participants expressed surprise about the discussion and disposal pathways with most suggesting it was inappropriate, particularly given the early stage of their pregnancy (<12 weeks’ gestation). In some cases, the consenting process caused distress due to the way the participant framed their pregnancy remains being divergent from implied meaning in discussions about disposal.

Conclusions

Current practices appear discordant with the views of some women experiencing miscarriage. A person-centred approach to pregnancy remains disposal is recommended to accommodate a diverse range of approaches so as not to challenge a woman’s experience of and agency about her body, pregnancy and pregnancy remains.
Effects of a periodic intermittent theta burst stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wu Xingqi , Yan Yibing , Hu Panpan , Wang Lu , Wu Yue , Wu Pan , Geng Zhi , Xiao Guixian , Zhou Shanshan , Ji Gongjun , Qiu Bensheng , Wei Ling , Tian Yanghua , Liu Hesheng , Wang Kai
Published: January 2024

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated that excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a novel excitatory rTMS protocol for brain activity stimulation with the ability to induce long-term potentiation-like plasticity and represents a promising treatment for AD. However, the long-term effects of iTBS on cognitive decline and brain structure in patients with AD are unknown.

Aims

We aimed to explore whether repeating accelerated iTBS every three months could slow down the cognitive decline in patients with AD.

Methods

In this randomised, assessor-blinded, controlled trial, iTBS was administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of 42 patients with AD for 14 days every 13 weeks. Measurements included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and the grey matter volume (GMV) of the hippocampus. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after follow-up. The longitudinal pipeline of the Computational Anatomy Toolbox for SPM was used to detect significant treatment-related changes over time.

Results

The iTBS group maintained MoCA scores relative to the control group (t=3.26, p=0.013) and reduced hippocampal atrophy, which was significantly correlated with global degeneration scale changes. The baseline Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, apolipoprotein E genotype and Clinical Dementia Rating were indicative of MoCA scores at follow-up. Moreover, the GMV of the left (t=0.08, p=0.996) and right (t=0.19, p=0.977) hippocampus were maintained in the active group but significantly declined in the control group (left: t=4.13, p<0.001; right: t=5.31, p<0.001). GMV change in the left (r=0.35, p=0.023) and right (r=0.36, p=0.021) hippocampus across the intervention positively correlated with MoCA changes; left hippocampal GMV change was negatively correlated with global degeneration scale (r=−0.32, p=0.041) changes.

Conclusions

DLPFC-iTBS may be a feasible and easy-to-implement non-pharmacological intervention to slow down the progressive decline of overall cognition and quality of life in patients with AD, providing a new AD treatment option.

Trial registration number

NCT04754152.
Blood-based colorectal cancer screening in an integrated health system: a randomised trial of patient adherence
Authors: Coronado Gloria D , Jenkins Charisma L , Shuster Elizabeth , Johnson Cheryl , Amy David , Cook Jennifer , Sahnow Samantha , Zepp Jamilyn M , Mummadi Rajasekhara
Published: January 2024

Objective

We evaluated whether people who had not completed a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening would complete a blood-based testing option if offered one during health encounters. Blood-based screening tests for CRC could add to the total number of people screened for CRC by providing another testing alternative.

Design

Study participants were patients aged 45–75 years at a large, integrated health system who were offered but did not complete an FIT in the prior 3–9 months and were scheduled for a clinical encounter. Individuals were randomised (1:1) to be offered a commercially available CRC blood test (Shield, Guardant Health) versus usual care. We compared 3-month CRC screening proportions in the two groups.

Results

We randomised 2026 patients; 2004 remained eligible following postrandomisation exclusions (1003 to usual care and 1001 to blood draw offer; mean age: 60, 62% female, 80% non-Hispanic white). Of the 1001 allocated to the blood test group, 924 were recruited following chart-review exclusions; 548 (59.3%) were reached via phone, of which 280 (51.1%) scheduled an appointment with the research team. CRC screening proportions were 17.5 percentage points higher in the blood test group versus usual care (30.5% vs 13.0%; OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.34 to 3.70; p<0.001).

Conclusion

Among adults who had declined prior CRC screening, the offer of a blood-based screening test boosted CRC screening by 17.5 percentage points over usual care. Further research is needed on how to balance the favourable adherence with lower advanced adenoma detection compared with other available tests.

Trial registration number

NCT05987709.
Revisiting the performance of cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen as a diagnostic marker for pancreatic mucinous cysts: a comprehensive 20-year institutional review
Authors: Kwan Melanie C , Pitman Martha Bishop , Fernandez-del Castillo Carlos , Zhang M Lisa
Published: January 2024

Objective

Elevated pancreatic cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been routinely used to classify mucinous cysts. This study incorporates original data that established the CEA ≥192 ng/mL threshold with over 20 years of additional data and reassesses the diagnostic performance of CEA for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous cysts.

Design

1169 pancreatic cysts (1999–2021) with CEA results were identified. 394 cases had histological confirmation as the diagnostic standard. Additionally, 237 cysts without histological confirmation demonstratedKRAS,GNAS, orRNF43mutations by molecular testing and were combined with the histologically confirmed cysts for separate analysis on a total cohort of 631 cysts.

Results

Median CEA was significantly higher in mucinous cysts (323.9 ng/mL, n=314) versus non-mucinous cysts (204.6 ng/mL, n=80) (p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an optimal CEA cut-off of 20 ng/mL (area under the curve: 80%), though the specificity was lower than desired (sensitivity 89%, specificity 64%). At the previously established threshold of 192 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 78%, respectively. To achieve a specificity of 85% as originally reported, a CEA threshold of 250 ng/mL was needed; the 13 false positive cases at this threshold included 4 benign simple cysts, 2 squamoid cysts, 1 serous cystadenoma, 1 lymphoepithelial cyst and 5 more uncommon entities. All results remained similar within the total cohort after including additional cases withKRAS/GNAS/RNF43mutations only.

Conclusion

Cyst fluid CEA continues to be a useful test in the diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cysts but does not appear as specific as previously reported. Raising the CEA threshold to 250 ng/mL to maintain specificity for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous cysts may be considered.
Treatment of non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome with the histamine 1 receptor antagonist ebastine: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Decraecker Lisse , De Looze Danny , Hirsch David P , De Schepper Heiko , Arts Joris , Caenepeel Philip , Bredenoord Albert J , Kolkman Jeroen , Bellens Koen , Van Beek Kim , Pia Fedrica , Peetermans Willy , Vanuytsel Tim , Denadai-Souza Alexandre , Belmans Ann , Boeckxstaens Guy
Published: January 2024

Objective

We evaluated the histamine 1 receptor antagonist ebastine as a potential treatment for patients with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 study.

Methods

Non-constipated patients with IBS fulfilling the Rome III criteria were randomly assigned to 20 mg ebastine or placebo for 12 weeks. Subjects scored global relief of symptoms (GRS) and abdominal pain intensity (API). A subject was considered a weekly responder for GRS if total or obvious relief was reported and a responder for API if the weekly average pain score was reduced by at least 30% vs baseline. The primary endpoints were the proportion of subjects who were weekly responders for at least 6 out of the 12 treatment weeks for both GRS and API (‘GRS+API’, composite endpoint) and for GRS and API separately.

Results

202 participants (32±11 years, 68% female) were randomly allocated to receive ebastine (n=101) or placebo (n=101). Treatment with ebastine resulted in significantly more responders (12%, 12/92) for GRS+API compared with placebo (4%, 4/87, p=0.047) while the proportion of responders for GRS and API separately was higher for ebastine compared with placebo, although not statistically significant (placebo vs ebastine, GRS: 7% (6/87) vs 15% (14/91), p=0.072; API: 25% (20/85) vs 37% (34/92), p=0.081).

Conclusions

Our study shows that ebastine is superior to placebo and should be further evaluated as novel treatment for patients with non-constipated IBS.

Trial registration number

The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of each study site (EudraCT number: 2013-001199-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01908465).
Review of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on chronic heart failure
Authors: Doherty Daniel J , Docherty Kieran F , Gardner Roy S
Published: January 2024

Guidelines are more accessible than ever and represent an important tool in clinical practice. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed recommendations for heart failure diagnosis and management based not only on morbidity and mortality trial outcome data but also in-depth economic analysis, with a focus on generalisability to UK National Health Service clinical practice. There is broad consistency in structure and content between NICE guidelines and those produced by major cardiovascular organisations such as the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. However, important differences do exist—largely attributable to publication timing—a factor that is enhanced by the rapid pace of heart failure research. This article reviews the most recent iteration of NICE chronic heart failure guidelines and compares them with major guidelines on an international scale. Variations in recommendations will be explored including implications for NICE guideline updates in the future.
Comparison of the number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries captured in police data compared with health service utilisation data in Toronto, Canada 2016–2021
Authors: Macpherson Alison K , Zagorski Brandon , Saskin Refik , Howard Andrew William , Harris M Anne , Namin Sima , Rothman Linda
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Pedestrian and cyclist injuries represent a preventable burden to Canadians. Police-reported collision data include information on where such collisions occur but under-report the number of collisions. The primary objective of this study was to compare the number of police-reported collisions with emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisations in Toronto, Canada.

Methods

Police-reported collisions were provided by Toronto Police Services (TPS). Data included the location of the collision, approximate victim age and whether the pedestrian or cyclist was killed or seriously injured. Health services data included ED visits in the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System and hospitalisations from the Discharge Abstract Database using ICD-10 codes for pedestrian and cycling injuries. Data were compared from 2016 to 2021.

Results

Injuries reported in the health service data were higher than those reported in the TPS for cyclists and pedestrians. The discrepancy was the largest for cyclists treated in the ED, with TPS capturing 7.9% of all cycling injuries. Cyclist injuries not involving a motor vehicle have increased since the start of the pandemic (from 3629 in 2019 to 5459 in 2020 for ED visits and from 251 in 2019 to 430 for hospital admissions).

Implications

While police-reported data are important, it under-reports the burden. There have been increases in cyclist collisions not involving motor vehicles and decreases in pedestrian injuries since the start of the pandemic. The results suggest that using police data alone when planning for road safety is inadequate, and that linkage with other health service data is essential.
‘Every turn can be the last one I do’ - Perceptions of injury risk in high-performance snow sports and its implication for injury prevention
Authors: Bonell Monsonís Oriol , Verhagen Evert , Spörri Jörg , Gouttebarge Vincent , Bolling Caroline
Published: January 2024

Objectives

High-performance snow sports (HPSS) athletes compete in a performance-driven context with a high risk of injury. While there is a lack of evidence on effective prevention measures in snow sports, this study explored the perspectives and perceptions of HPSS stakeholders on sports injury prevention.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory qualitative study based on the grounded theory principles through 11 semistructured interviews with athletes, coaches and healthcare providers from different national teams about sports injury prevention. The interviews were inductively analysed through constant comparative data analysis.

Results

Participants defined risk management as a central concept in which they approached injury prevention by assessing, managing and sometimes accepting risks. Many factors, such as athlete-related and external factors, are considered in this process, ultimately influencing their decision-making. Participants acknowledged the value of experience when managing and dealing with risks, a key aspect of their learning process and career development. Within this context, open and trustworthy communication and shared responsibilities among all stakeholders influenced and shaped injury prevention strategies and behaviours. Understanding and balancing out speed and risks was considered pivotal in their daily practice. Therefore, injury prevention awareness, ownership, communication, teamwork and shared responsibilities may contribute to the success of sports injury prevention in HPSS.

Conclusion

These findings substantiate the significance of such contextual factors in sports injury prevention. Considering the high-risk nature of HPSS, injury prevention suggests a shift towards risk management strategies, with a strong emphasis on contextual factors and their interactions. Young athletes might benefit from educational interventions centred on developing skills to assess and manage risks.
Predictors of an informative or actionable cytological diagnosis on repeat breast aspiration after an insufficient aspirate: a multicentre retrospective review
Authors: Li Joshua , Lai Billy S W , Ng Joanna K M , Tsang Julia Y S , Tse Gary M K
Published: January 2024

An insufficient/inadequate diagnosis on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast is not an uncommon diagnostic dilemma. This study aims to review the rate and clinical features predicting an informative or actionable diagnosis on repeating breast aspiration after an insufficient aspirate.

Methods

Unsatisfactory/insufficient/inadequate or equivalent breast aspirates were retrieved from the involved institutions, and those with a repeat aspiration performed within 365 days were included. Clinical and radiological information were retrieved. Available cytological slides were reviewed.

Results

Totally 539 paired aspirates were retrieved, with 61.2% (n=330/539) and 10.9% (n=59/539) cytological diagnosis being informative (not insufficient) and actionable (not insufficient nor benign) on repeat aspiration. Younger age (p=0.005) was associated with an informative diagnosis and prior radiotherapy (p=0.097) and insufficient aspirates performed under free-hand (p=0.097) trended with an actionable diagnosis. Radiological findings of calcification (p=0.026) and hyperechogenicity (p=0.045), a small lesion size on initial (p=0.037) and repeat (p=0.059) radiological assessment and interval size increment (p=0.019) correlated with informative/actionable diagnoses. Cytomorphological parameters, except for a trend with crushing artefact (p=0.063), do not correlate with the cytologic diagnosis of the repeat aspirate.

Conclusions

Repeating breast FNAC on patients after an insufficient diagnosis yields an informative (‘sufficient’) result in over 60% of cases. Small lesions with calcification, hyperechogenicity and/or interval size increment are more likely to yield diagnostic results on repeat aspiration and indicate select patients suitable for repeat FNAC over more invasive procedures. The lack of associations with cytomorphological parameters cautions against overinterpretation of insufficient breast aspirates.
Accuracy of GPT-4 in histopathological image detection and classification of colorectal adenomas
Authors: Laohawetwanit Thiyaphat , Namboonlue Chutimon , Apornvirat Sompon
Published: January 2024

Aims

To evaluate the accuracy of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) powered by GPT-4 in histopathological image detection and classification of colorectal adenomas using the diagnostic consensus provided by pathologists as a reference standard.

Methods

A study was conducted with 100 colorectal polyp photomicrographs, comprising an equal number of adenomas and non-adenomas, classified by two pathologists. These images were analysed by classic GPT-4 for 1 time in October 2023 and custom GPT-4 for 20 times in December 2023. GPT-4’s responses were compared against the reference standard through statistical measures to evaluate its proficiency in histopathological diagnosis, with the pathologists further assessing the model’s descriptive accuracy.

Results

GPT-4 demonstrated a median sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 36% for adenoma detection. The median accuracy of polyp classification varied, ranging from 16% for non-specific changes to 36% for tubular adenomas. Its diagnostic consistency, indicated by low kappa values ranging from 0.06 to 0.11, suggested only poor to slight agreement. All of the microscopic descriptions corresponded with their diagnoses. GPT-4 also commented about the limitations in its diagnoses (eg, slide diagnosis best done by pathologists, the inadequacy of single-image diagnostic conclusions, the need for clinical data and a higher magnification view).

Conclusions

GPT-4 showed high sensitivity but low specificity in detecting adenomas and varied accuracy for polyp classification. However, its diagnostic consistency was low. This artificial intelligence tool acknowledged its diagnostic limitations, emphasising the need for a pathologist’s expertise and additional clinical context.
A national cohort study of community belonging and its influence on premature mortality
Authors: Michalski Camilla , Hurst Mack , Diemert Lori , Mah Sarah M , Helliwell John , Kim Eric S , Rosella Laura C
Published: January 2024

Background

Community belonging, an important constituent of subjective well-being, is an important target for improving population health. Ageing involves transitioning across different social conditions thus, community belonging on health may vary across the life course. Using a nationally representative cohort, this study estimates the life stage-specific impact of community belonging on premature mortality.

Methods

Six cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000–2012) were combined and linked to the Canadian Vital Statistics Database (2000–2017). Respondents were followed for up to 5 years. Multivariable-adjusted modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risk of premature mortality for three life stages: early adulthood (18–35 years), middle adulthood (36–55 years) and late adulthood (56–70 years).

Results

The final analytical sample included 477 100 respondents. Most reported a ‘somewhat strong’ sense of belonging (45.9%). Compared with their ‘somewhat strong’ counterparts, young adults reporting a ‘somewhat weak’ sense of belonging exhibited an increased relative risk (RR) of 1.76 (95% CI 1.27 to 2.43) for premature mortality, whereas middle-aged adults reporting the same exhibited a decreased RR of 0.82 (95% CI 0.69, 0.98). Among older adults, groups reporting a ‘very strong’ (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01, 1.21) or a ‘very weak’ sense (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01, 1.28) of belonging exhibited higher RRs for premature mortality.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate how community belonging relates to premature mortality differs across age groups underscoring the importance of considering life stage-specific perspectives when researching and developing approaches to strengthen belonging.
Type 2 diabetes, glycaemic traits and upper gastrointestinal cancer risk: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Cao Luyao , Wang Tianpei , Li Huizhang , El Hafa Fadoua , Zhu Xia , Yu Yuhui , Yan Caiwang , Du Lingbin , Zhu Meng , Jin Guangfu
Published: January 2024

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been linked with site-specific upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers during the past decades, but associations are still inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the association between T2D, glycaemic traits (random blood glucose and HbA1c) and UGI cancer (oesophageal and gastric cancer).

Methods

In the present study, based on the large-scale prospective cohort of UK Biobank, we included 452 631 eligible participants. T2D was defined according to baseline self-report data, clinical data and biochemistry data. Random blood glucose and HbA1c were measured at baseline. Polygenic risk score was used to classify individuals into different UGI cancer genetic risks. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs.

Results

During a median follow-up of 10.26 years (IQR: 9.47–10.97), 1392 incident UGI cancer cases were identified. T2D was significantly associated with a 44% increment in UGI cancer risk (95% CI 1.22 to 1.70, p<0.001). Moreover, per SD increase in random blood glucose and HbA1c was associated with 7% (95% CI 1.03 to 1.12, p<0.001) and 6% (95% CI 1.04 to 1.09, p<0.001) increased hazards of developing UGI cancer, respectively. Patients with T2D at high genetic risk had a 2.33-fold hazard of UGI cancer (95% CI 1.66 to 3.28, p<0.001), compared with non-T2D individuals at low genetic risk.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that T2D and elevated levels of glycaemic traits may be risk factors for incident UGI cancer. Individuals with a high genetic risk and T2D have a significantly increased risk of developing UGI cancer.
Beyond traffic jam alleviation: evaluating the health and health equity impacts of New York City’s congestion pricing plan
Authors: Ghassabian Akhgar , Titus Andrea R , Conderino Sarah , Azan Alexander , Weinberger Rachel , Thorpe Lorna E
Published: January 2024

New York City (NYC) is slated to be the first jurisdiction in the USA to implement a cordon-based congestion tax, which will be levied on vehicles entering its Central Business District. Several cities around the world, for example, London and Stockholm, have had similar cordon-based pricing programmes, defined as road pricing that charges drivers a fee for entering a specified area (typically a congested urban centre). In addition to reducing congestion and creating revenue, projections suggest the NYC congestion pricing plan may yield meaningful traffic-related air quality improvements that could result in health benefits. NYC is a large city with high air pollution and substantial racial/ethnic and socioeconomic health inequities. The distinct geography and meteorological conditions of the city also suggest that the policy’s impact on air quality may extend beyond the NYC metropolitan area. As such, the potential breadth, directionality and magnitude of health impacts on communities who might be heavily affected by the nation’s first congestion pricing plan should be empirically investigated. We briefly review evaluation studies of other cordon-based congestion pricing policies and argue that implementation of this policy provides an excellent opportunity to employ a quasi-experimental study design to evaluate the policy’s impacts on air quality and health outcomes across population subgroups using a health equity lens. We discuss why real-time evaluations of the NYC congestion pricing plan can potentially help optimise benefits for communities historically negatively affected by traffic-related air pollution. Assessing intended and unintended impacts on health equity is key to achieving these goals.