bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biologics in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis in Canada: Current Trends and Practice Patterns
Authors: Ouellette Alexie J. , Thamboo Andrew , Sowerby Leigh J. , Chin Christopher J. 
Published: December 2024

Objectives As the understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis has increased over the last few years, it has been discovered that biologic therapy targeting type 2 inflammatory molecules can be beneficial for those with difficult-to-treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Given the recency of biologics, there is somewhat limited evidence on when to prescribe these medications and who should receive them. A recent consensus paper published by a group of Canadian rhinologists gave recommendations regarding prescribing biologics to patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). This study aimed to outline current practices and prescribing patterns of biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis in Canada and contrast this to existing guidelines. Materials/Methods An online survey was distributed to members of the Canadian Rhinology Group of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. The survey contained 44 questions, with 17 questions covering various topics related to criteria for initializing biologic therapy, investigations ordered prior to initialization of a biologic, and follow-up schedules. The responses were subsequently compared to clinical guidelines. Results Twenty-one physicians responded to the survey. One response was discarded for this analysis as the respondent did not prescribe biologics. The biologic agent of choice for the majority of physicians (85%) was Dupilumab (Dupixent). The most used patient-reported outcome measure used was the SNOT-22 (80%), and most physicians (90%) confirm that their patients have undergone adequate sinus surgery with a computed tomography (CT) scan prior to considering biologic therapy. Investigations ordered prior to therapy and follow-up schedules varied. Only 10% of respondents consistently refer their patients to a multidisciplinary clinic prior to prescribing biologics despite recommendations in guidelines, but 70% involve an allergist and/or a respirologist in the care of these patients. Conclusions Most respondents follow the recommendations made by the Canadian and international guidelines [European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS), European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases (EUFOREA)]. The lack of multidisciplinary clinics across the country could be contributing to the low number of physicians using this resource for their patients despite recommendations. As our knowledge about biologics and CRSwNP improves, and with updated guidelines recently published, this survey should be expanded and repeated in the future to revaluate biologic prescribing practices in Canada.
Global and regional trends and projections of chronic pain from 1990 to 2035: Analyses based on global burden of diseases study 2019
Authors: Zhu Mengyi , Zhang Jiarui , Liang Diefei , Qiu Junxiong , Fu Yuan , Zeng Zhaopei , Han Jingjun , Zheng Junmeng , Lin Liling 
Published: December 2024

Background Chronic pain poses a significant public health challenge. We present the global and regional data on Prevalence, Incidence and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) for Chronic pain from the Global burden of disease (GBD) study 2019 data and analyze their associations with Socio-demographic index (SDI), age, and gender, and the future trends from 2020 to 2035. Methods Regional trends in the burden of chronic pain and its association with age, gender, and SDI were assessed from 1990 to 2019. Joinpoint analysis was employed to describe trends in chronic pain burden across different SDI regions. Additionally, the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model (BAPC) was used for predicting future trends. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) of prevalence, incidence, and YLDs were employed to quantify the burden of chronic pain. Results Between 1990 and 2019, a significant increase was observed in global prevalence and YLDs rates of chronic pain. Higher rates were found among females, whereas a faster rise was noted among males. Notably, Low Back Pain (LBP) and Migraine accounted for predominant YLDs globally, particularly among those aged 75 and above. A notable prevalence of Tension-type Headache (TTH) was observed among younger populations. Furthermore, ASRs for chronic pain were highest in high-SDI regions. Projections suggest an increase in headache ASRs globally for both genders from 2020 to 2035. Conclusion From 1990 to 2019, the global burden of chronic pain increased significantly, with projections indicating a continued rise in headache burden over the next 15 years, underscoring the need for heightened attention to these issues.
Professional Values and Related Factors Among Nurses Employed in South Wollo Zone Public Hospitals
Authors: Tegegne Belachew , Shumye Mekuriaw Wuhib , Zeru Leul Mekonnen , Yalew Zemen Mengesha 
Published: December 2024

Introduction Nurses require good knowledge about professional values to provide quality nursing care. Implementing professional values in clinical areas improves the quality of patients care. Even though applying professional values had significant impact on the continuity and quality of nursing care, there is scarcity of study on professional values in Ethiopia. Objective The study was aimed to identify the level of nurses’ professional values and related factors among nurses employed in South Wollo Zone public hospitals. Methods A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 nurses working in South Wollo Zone public hospitals from May to June 2023. Participants were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Nursing Professional Values Scale-Revised was used to measure the professional values. Data entry was performed using Epidata version 4.6.1 and then exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 for analysis. To identify the strength of association between outcome and independent variables, binary logistic regression was applied. From the final model, those variables having p < .05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were reported as statistically significant. Results The mean (±standard deviation) age was 32.29 (±7.01), with 63% of nurses being males. Less than half, 47.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.2, 53.4), of nurses had good professional values. Monthly income (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]  = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.72), position (AOR  = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.38), training (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.92), promotion (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.84, 5.1), and respect from one’s profession (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.78) were statistically associated with professional values. Conclusion The majority of nurses demonstrated poor professional values. Professional values were substantially correlated with monthly income, position, training, promotion, and professional esteem. In order to ensure the quality and continuity of patient care, we advised nurses to be aware of nursing professional values and apply them in clinical settings.
Examining the Influence of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Postoperative Outcomes in Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: McDonald Weston E. , Guareshi Alexander S. , Allen John R. , Morningstar Joshua L. , Friedman Richard J. , Scott Daniel J. , Gross Christopher E. 
Published: December 2024

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Historically, a robust association between psychiatric conditions and perioperative complications following orthopaedic surgeries has been established. Within the past decade, the prevalence of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has risen by 136.1%. In a similar time frame, the United States has seen the prevalence of mental health disorders rise, a trend that was accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the effect of mental health disorders on the postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing primary TAA. Methods: The Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried to identify 29,705 patients undergoing primary TAA from 2015 to 2020. Patients were then divided into cohorts based on concurrent mental health diagnosis (MHD) (MHD=6,041, no MHD=23,664). Further analysis was performed for common mental health diagnoses, including depression (n=3,553), anxiety (n=3,510), psychosis (n=592), bipolar disorder (BPD) (n=411), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=235). A multivariate regression analysis was performed to control for confounding variables. Results: Patients with any MHD were significantly younger (p <.001), more likely to be female (p <.001), lower income (p <.001), and had a higher Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (p <.001). These patients were also significantly more likely to have Medicaid insurance (p <.001) and be treated at an urban teaching hospital (p=.027). Patients with anxiety, depression, or psychosis experienced statistically significantly higher rates of complications. Similarly, patients with anxiety, psychosis, or PTSD experienced statistically significantly higher rates of postoperative deep infections. Multivariate regression analysis found any MHD to be predictive of increased risk of complication by 16% (OR=1.158; 95%CI=1.048-1.278; p=.004), adverse discharge by 70% (OR=1.678; 95%CI=1.57-1.793; p<.001), extended stay by 50% (OR=1.497; 95%CI=1.351-1.658; p<.001), and infection by 65% (OR=1.654; 95%CI=1.231-12.223; p<.001). Conclusion: Patients with MHD are at a statically significantly higher risk of complications, infections, protracted hospital stays, and adverse discharge outcomes following primary TAA. Careful appraisal and counseling are necessary in this patient demographic when considering patients selection for TAA.
Experiences and Predictors of First Sex Initiation among Early Adolescents in Koforidua Municipality, Ghana: A Convergent Parallel Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Ofori Richard , Boampong Mary Sefa , Sekyi Dorcas , Arthur Andrew Nketsia , Yeboah Eric Henry , Appiah Seth Christopher Yaw 
Published: December 2024

Background: Early sexual initiation among adolescents increases the risk of STDs, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and despair. Aims: This study explored first sexual initiation experiences among early adolescents (11–15years) in Koforidua Municipality, Ghana. Methods: The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed method anchored on a cross-sectional and phenomenological design. A custom-designed questionnaire and interview guide, developed through a comprehensive review of literature were used for the data collection. The questionnaire constituted 20 items: 14 measured sexual debut experience and 6 assessed delayed sexual debuts at the categorical level. A total of 373 early adolescents responded to the questionnaire while 10 participants were interviewed. The quantitative data was analyzed using binary logistic regression with p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant and fitted into the model. The qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. Results: The prevalence of sexual debut among early adolescents was 23.9%, with the mean age of sexual debut being 11.7 years. Almost 34 (38.2%) of the sexual debutants felt good, while 47(52.9%) had no regret after initiating first sex. Nearly 30 (30.7%) of the sexual debutants have had sex with multiple partners. In a multilevel analysis, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) revealed that early adolescents who were dating [(AOR = 5.564 (95.0% CI: 2.512–12.324), P = .000] are five times more likely to initiate first sex compared to those who were not dating. Early adolescents who are residing in Srodae [(AOR = 5.144 (95.0% CI: 1.052–5.098), p = .037] are significantly more likely to initiate first sex compared to those residing in Betom and Zongo community. Conclusion: Providing culturally relevant age-appropriate and comprehensive sexuality education programs in schools and out-of-school early adolescents remains an effective strategy for addressing the sexual needs of early adolescents.
A Case Series Study of Solitary Mucosal Neuroma-Rare Cases of Benign Peripheral Neurogenic Tumours
Authors: Takayama Yu , Yokoo Satoshi , Yamaguchi Takahiro , Suzuki Keisuke , Shimizu Takahiro , Ogawa Masaru , Gomi Akinori , Seki Mai , Makiguchi Takaya 
Published: December 2024

Aim/objective: Mucosal neuroma (MN) is a benign peripheral nerve tumour that usually occurs as a symptom of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) (MEN2B-associated MN). MN that is not associated with MEN2B is termed solitary mucosal neuroma (SMN). We present a case of SMN in the upper gingiva and examine previously reported cases. Methods: The study included nine patients (eight from seven articles and one from this study) with SMN. Age of onset, sex, disease duration, tumour site, clinical findings including subjective symptoms, diagnostic method, treatment, prognosis and relationship with MEN2B were investigated in these nine patients. Results and conclusion: SMN is thought to be caused by the overproduction of nerve growth factors due to trauma or chronic continuous stimulation, whereas MEN2B-associated MN is caused by GNDF-induced hyperplasia. Considering the pathogenesis of their development, both diseases exhibit hyperplasia of the nerve fibre bundles and have the same histological type of hypertrophy. MNs (SMN and MEN2B-induced MN) must be differentiated from benign peripheral neurogenic tumours. Morphological recognition and immunohistopathological analyses make this differentiation possible.
Neurodivergent affirming practice in occupational therapy: Scoping review and qualitative content analysis of the literature
Authors: (Bex) Twinley Rebecca 
Published: December 2024

Background Issues pertaining to neurodiversity and neurodivergence have only begun to be commented on in the occupational therapy discourse in recent years. A seminal piece made a notable proposal for the occupational therapy profession to shift its service paradigm to develop inclusive support for neurodivergent populations; the extent and success of this were yet to be measured. Aim To examine and describe the current qualitative, conceptual/theoretical, or opinion-based literature to identify key factors related to neurodivergent-affirming (or neurodivergent-inclusive) occupational therapy practice. Methods A combination of methodological guidance were utilised: (1) Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage methodological framework, (2) Levac et al., and (3) Pollock et al. Findings were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Qualitative content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was conducted. Findings Eight resources met the criteria for inclusion. Four key categories were identified: (1) paradigm shift and therapeutic practice approaches; (2) advocacy and empowerment; (3) understanding and embracing neurodiversity as part of ethical and collaborative practice, and (4) systemic barriers, external challenges, and social context. Conclusions/Significance Findings suggest future directions include developing holistic approaches and building evidence through further research. This study serves as a knowledge synthesis to inform future research.
Causal reasoning in social versus non-social domains and its relation to autistic traits
Authors: Bastan Elif , Beck Sarah R. , Surtees Andrew D. R. 
Published: December 2024

Causation is a fundamental way to make sense of both social and non-social domains. High levels of autistic traits have been linked to enhanced rationality, suggesting a more normative way of reasoning. We aimed to systematically compare causal reasoning tendencies across social and non-social domains and evaluate their relation to self-reported autistic traits and thinking styles. We used a causal reasoning task with three binary (present/absent) variables forming common cause networks (X←Z→Y) representing social and non-social domains. Causal mechanisms in the social domain represented social relationships, while causal mechanisms in the non-social domain represented economics and meteorology. We recruited 76 participants from the general population and measured their levels of autistic traits and thinking styles on self-reports. We found that participants consistently violated the normative rules of causal reasoning. We also identified systematic differences across domains. However, we did not identify meaningful differences between clusters of reasoners in their levels of self-reported autistic traits and thinking styles. We conclude with that people violate the normative rules of causal reasoning differently across domains. However, we cannot conclude that this relates to levels of autistic traits or thinking styles. Lay Abstract We regularly think about cause-and-effect relationships in the world around us. Previously, researchers reported that people with higher levels of autistic traits reason more consistently and rule-based. However, they have not compared social, involving living things, and non-social, involving non-living things, worlds in relation to people's levels of autistic traits. We used a causal reasoning task to test this. In this task, there were causal scenarios with binary variables, meaning a variable can be either present or absent. The scenarios either reflected a non-social mechanism, for example, economics, or a social mechanism, for example, an interpersonal relationship. Our participants, who did not necessarily have a clinical diagnosis, completed this task and two self-report questionnaires. We found that people did not follow the rules of causal reasoning. We also found that people's responses differed between social and non-social scenarios. We found that this was unrelated to people's self-reported autistic traits and thinking styles. We are confident that people differ in their use of reasoning rules in their causal reasoning, and this happens differently between social and non-social scenarios. Highlights People consistently violate the normative rules of causal reasoning. This happens differently across social and non-social domains. Neither the levels of self-reported autistic traits nor thinking styles differ between the clusters of decisive and indecisive reasoners, yet further exploration is suggested.
A Hospital-Based Intervention to Improve Access to Buprenorphine for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Fine Matthew , Hirt Wilner Leeza , Ormiston Cameron K. , Wang Linda , Lee Trevor G. , Herscher Michael 
Published: December 2024

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is often under-addressed in hospitalized patients. In the absence of formal addiction consult services, volunteer physician-led models can increase access to inpatient OUD treatment. This paper describes a novel, volunteer physician-led interprofessional approach to identifying patients with OUD, initiating buprenorphine, and linking to office-based opioid treatment. Methods: The intervention took place from April 2018 to August 2020 at a large, urban, tertiary care center and teaching hospital in New York, NY that does not have an addiction consult service. Hospitalized patients with OUD were identified by provider-driven referrals or an automated daily patient list generated by a bioinformatics search algorithm. Eligible patients with OUD were started on buprenorphine during their hospitalization and linked to primary care-based buprenorphine treatment. Patients were followed longitudinally via chart review to assess follow-up clinic rates at >30 days, >60 days, >90 days, >6 months, >12 months, and >24 months after discharge. Results: Over a 2-year period, 178 patients were evaluated, 88 were eligible for inpatient buprenorphine, and 47 were started on buprenorphine while hospitalized. Sixty-seven patients were referred to a post-discharge visit at a primary care practice, 29 (43%) of whom attended an appointment at least 30 days after discharge. Of these, 22 (76%) returned at >60 days and 20 (69%) at 6 months. At the 1-year time point, 16 of a possible 17 patients (94%) and 15 of a possible 16 patients (94%) were still engaged in care at 2 years. Conclusion: This intervention represents a proof of principle, adaptable model for identifying patients with OUD and engaging patients in primary care-based buprenorphine treatment. Limitations to consider include the sustainability of a volunteer-based initiative and that retention rates for 1 to 2 years post-discharge may be more indicative of the strengths of office-based opioid treatment itself as opposed to in-hospital engagement and the intervention.
Examining the Impact of Eliminating the X Waiver on Buprenorphine Dispensation in 63 Counties in Pennsylvania
Authors: Bilden Rebecca C. , Roberts Mark S. , Stein Bradley D. , Jones Daniel B. 
Published: December 2024

Background: Opioid overdose rates continue to rise in the United States while access to treatment options remains limited. The X waiver, which allowed clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), in an outpatient setting, was eliminated in December 2022 with hopes of increasing buprenorphine access. We used a quasi-experimental approach to evaluate how eliminating the X waiver affected buprenorphine prescribing in Pennsylvania. Methods: Drawing on Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program data from July 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023, we used a difference-in-differences (DD) approach to assess changes in buprenorphine prescribing between Pennsylvania counties with the proportion of X-waivered providers per county population above the median versus counties with the proportion below the median, before and after the elimination of the X waiver. We also tested whether areas most affected by the opioid epidemic with the highest rates of opioid overdose were more impacted by the X-waiver elimination, using opioid overdose death rates from a pretreatment baseline period (2016-2018) for each county. Results: Thirty-one counties were categorized as above the median and 32 as below the median. We did not observe a significant difference in the effects of eliminating the X waiver on buprenorphine dispensation (DD estimate: −0.6%, 95% CI: −7.5%-6.2%) between above versus below-the-median counties in Pennsylvania. We also did not find a significant effect of the X-waiver elimination on buprenorphine dispensation in counties most affected by the opioid epidemic (difference-in-difference-in-differences estimate 1.6%, 95% CI: −10.2%-13.4%). Conclusions: We found no evidence that eliminating the X waiver had a significant impact on buprenorphine dispensing in Pennsylvania in counties with fewer waivered prescribers or higher fatal overdose rates. Additional efforts to increase buprenorphine use will likely need to address systemic barriers and stigma limiting MOUD access.