bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life and psychosocial impacts of a diagnosis of non-specific genital infection in symptomatic heterosexual men attending UK sexual health clinics: a feasibility study
Authors: Hill-Tout Rachel , Harding-Esch Emma M , Pacho Agata , Furegato Martina , Fuller Sebastian S , Sadiq Syed Tariq 
Published: June 2018

IntroductionNon-specific genital infection (NSGI; non-Chlamydia trachomatis, non-Neisseria gonorrhoeae-associated urethritis) is a common diagnosis in symptomatic heterosexual men attending UK sexual health clinics (SHCs). but little is known about the psychosocial impact of this diagnosis.MethodsWe conducted an observational study among symptomatic heterosexual men attending SHCs to evaluate the psychosocial impact of an NSGI diagnosis compared with a diagnosis ofChlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeaeor no abnormalities detected focusing on the feasibility of our study methodology. Participants completed a computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) including two validated measures of psychosocial impact: the EQ-5D-5L health-related quality of life and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, before diagnostic testing and 2 weeks after receiving test results (follow-up 1 (FU-1)) and a qualitative interview. We compared scores between diagnostic groups using paired t-tests, qualitative data were analysed thematically and feasibility was assessed by process analysis.Results60 men completed the baseline CASI (75% response rate). 46 (76.6%) were eligible for follow-up; 11/46 (23.9%) completed the follow-up CASI, and 3/11 (27.3%) completed the qualitative interview. 81.7% of all participants left CASI feedback at baseline: 73.5% reported the questionnaire as ‘fine’ or ‘very good’. Qualitative interview participants reported the study was acceptable. Compared with baseline, among patients completing FU-1, only patients with a diagnosis of NSGI (p<0.05) or CT (p<0.05) showed increased EQ-5D-5L Index, whereas patients with a diagnosis of NSGI (p=0.05) showed decreased mean Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score.ConclusionsAlthough most participants indicated study acceptability at baseline, and we employed measures to increase retention (CASI questionnaires, reminder messages and a focus on men’s health), we experienced high loss to follow-up. We found that heterosexual men attending SHCs with symptoms of urethritis experience both positive and negative psychosocial impacts following their clinic attendance, which warrants further investigation.
History and publication trends in the diffusion and early uptake of indirect comparison meta-analytic methods to study drugs: animated coauthorship networks over time
Authors: Ban Joann K , Tadrous Mina , Lu Amy X , Cicinelli Erin A , Cadarette Suzanne M 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo characterise the early diffusion of indirect comparison meta-analytic methods to study drugs.DesignSystematic literature synthesis.Data sourcesCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science.Study selectionEnglish language papers that used indirect comparison meta-analytic methods to study the efficacy or safety of three or more interventions, where at least one was a drug.Data extractionThe number of publications and authors was plotted by year and type: methodological contribution, review or empirical application. Author and methodological details were summarised for empirical applications, and animated coauthorship networks were created to visualise contributors by country and affiliation type (academia, industry, government or other) over time.ResultsWe identified 477 papers (74 methodological contributions, 42 reviews and 361 empirical applications) by 1689 distinct authors from 1997 to 2013. Prior to 2002, only three applications were published, with contributions from the USA (n=2) and Canada (n=1). The number of applications gradually increased annually with rapid uptake between 2011 and 2013 (n=254, 71%). Early diffusion occurred primarily in Europe with the first application credited to the UK in 2003. Application spread to other European countries in 2005, and may have been supported by regulatory requirements for drug approval. By the end of 2013, contributions included 49% credited to Europe (22% UK, 27% other), 37% credited to North America (11% Canada, 26% USA) and 14% from other regions.ConclusionIndirect comparison meta-analytic methods are an important innovation for health research. Although Canada and the USA were the first to apply these methods, Europe led their diffusion. The increase in uptake of these methods may have been facilitated by acceptance by regulatory agencies, which are calling for more comparative drug effect data to assist in drug accessibility and reimbursement decisions.
Common mental disorders among Indigenous people living in regional, remote and metropolitan Australia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nasir Bushra F , Toombs Maree R , Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan Srinivas , Kisely Steve , Gill Neeraj S , Black Emma , Hayman Noel , Ranmuthugala Geetha , Beccaria Gavin , Ostini Remo , Nicholson Geoffrey C 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo determine, using face-to-face diagnostic interviews, the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) in a cohort of adult Indigenous Australians, the cultural acceptability of the interviews, the rates of comorbid CMD and concordance with psychiatrists’ diagnoses.DesignCross-sectional study July 2014–November 2016. Psychologists conducted Structured Clinical Interviews for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) (n=544). Psychiatrists interviewed a subsample (n=78).SettingFour Aboriginal Medical Services and the general community located in urban, regional and remote areas of Southern Queensland and two Aboriginal Reserves located in New South Wales.ParticipantsIndigenous Australian adults.Outcome measuresCultural acceptability of SCID-I interviews, standardised rates of CMD, comorbid CMD and concordance with psychiatrist diagnoses.ResultsParticipants reported that the SCID-I interviews were generally culturally acceptable. Standardised rates (95% CI) of current mood, anxiety, substance use and any mental disorder were 16.2% (12.2% to 20.2%), 29.2% (24.2% to 34.1%), 12.4% (8.8% to 16.1%) and 42.2% (38.8% to 47.7%), respectively—6.7-fold, 3.8-fold, 6.9-fold and 4.2-fold higher, respectively, than those of the Australian population. Differences between this Indigenous cohort and the Australian population were less marked for 12-month (2.4-fold) and lifetime prevalence (1.3-fold). Comorbid mental disorder was threefold to fourfold higher. In subgroups living on traditional lands in Indigenous reserves and in remote areas, the rate was half that of those living in mainstream communities. Moderate-to-good concordance with psychiatrist diagnoses was found.ConclusionsThe prevalence of current CMD in this Indigenous population is substantially higher than previous estimates. The lower relative rates of non-current disorders are consistent with underdiagnosis of previous events. The lower rates among Reserve and remote area residents point to the importance of Indigenous peoples’ connection to their traditional lands and culture, and a potentially important protective factor. A larger study with random sampling is required to determine the population prevalence of CMD in Indigenous Australians.
A systematic review of epigenetic biomarkers in progression from non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus to oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nieto Tom , Tomlinson Claire L , Dretzke Janine , Bayliss Susan , Price Malcolm James , Dilworth Mark , Beggs Andrew D , Tucker Olga 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesThe objective of this systematic review is to identify and summarise studies which examine epigenetic biomarkers in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) and their association with progression to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OADC). BO is a precursor lesion for OADC. There is no clinical test to predict patients who are likely to progress to OADC. An epigenetic biomarker could predict patients who are at high risk of progression from BO to OADC which could facilitate earlier diagnosis and spare those unlikely to develop cancer from regular invasive surveillance endoscopy.SettingA systematic search was conducted of the following databases: MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index and the British Library’s ZETOC. Studies were conducted in secondary and tertiary care settings.ParticipantsAll studies measuring epigenetic change in patients over 18 years old who progressed from non-dysplastic BO to OADC were included. Genetic, in vitro and studies which did not measure progression in the same patient cohort were excluded. Study inclusion and risk of bias of individual eligible studies were assessed in duplicate by two reviewers using a modified Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.Results14 studies met the inclusion criteria. 42 epigenetic markers were identified, and 5 studies developed models aiming to predict progression to OADC.ConclusionsThe evidence from this systematic review is suggestive of a role for p16 as an epigenetic biomarker for the progression of BO to OADC.Prospero numberCRD42016038654.
Statewide cross-sectional survey of emergency departments’ adoption and implementation of the Ohio opioid prescribing guidelines and opioid prescribing practices
Authors: Penm Jonathan , MacKinnon Neil J , Mashni Rebecca , Lyons Michael S , Hooker Edmond A , Winstanley Erin L , Carlton-Ford Steve , Connelly Chloe , Tolle Erica , Boone Jill , Koechlin Kathleen , Defiore-Hyrmer Jolene 
Published: June 2018

Study objectiveTo evaluate the implementation of the Ohio Emergency and Acute Care Facility Opioids and Other Controlled Substances Prescribing Guidelines and their perceived impact on local policies and practice.MethodsThe study design was a cross-sectional survey of emergency department (ED) medical directors, or appropriate person identified by the hospital, perception of the impact of the Ohio ED Opioid Prescribing Guidelines on their departments practice. All hospitals with an ED in Ohio were contacted throughout October and November 2016. Distribution followed Dillman’s Tailored Design Method, augmented with telephone recruitment. Hospital chief executive officers were contacted when necessary to encourage ED participation. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the impact of opioid prescribing policies on prescribing practices.ResultsA 92% response rate was obtained (150/163 EDs). In total, 112 (75%) of the respondents stated that their ED has an opioid prescribing policy, is adopting one or is implementing prescribing guidelines without a specific policy. Of these 112 EDs, 81 (72%) based their policy on the Ohio ED Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. The majority of respondents strongly agreed/agreed that the prescribing guidelines have increased the use of the prescription drug monitoring programme (86%) and have reduced inappropriate opioid prescribing (71%).ConclusionThis study showed that the Ohio ED Opioid Prescribing Guidelines have been widely disseminated and that the majority of EDs in Ohio are using them to develop local policies. The majority of respondents believed that the Ohio opioid prescribing guidelines reduced inappropriate opioid prescribing. However, prescribing practices still varied greatly between EDs.
Outpatient antibiotic use in Dutch infants after 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine introduction: a time-series analysis
Authors: Fortanier Alexandre C , Venekamp Roderick P , Stellato Rebecca K , Sanders Elisabeth A M , Damoiseaux Roger A M J , Hoes Arno W , Schilder Anne M 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveThis population-based cohort study assesses the impact of switching from a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to a 10-valent PCV on outpatient antibiotic use in Dutch infants, and whether geographical vaccination coverage modifies this association.Setting and participantsWe extracted 2006–2013 anonymised antibiotic purchase data of 255 154 Dutch infants aged below 2 years from Achmea Health, a health insurance fund covering 28% of the national population.Design and main outcome measureChanges in monthly antibiotic use from 2006–2011 (PCV7) to 2011–2013 (PCV10) were estimated using time-series analysis accounting for seasonality and autocorrelation. Interaction terms for vaccination coverage (categorised into seven groups) and period were added to the model to test whether this association was vaccination coverage-dependent.Results275 337 antibiotic courses were used by 119 078 infants (461 352 person-years). PCV10 introduction was associated with a modest 1.6% overall reduction in antibiotic use (purchase rate ratio: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.98 to 0.99). Our model showed a significant difference in time trend in antibiotic use after PCV10 introduction (p=0.0084) with an increase in prescriptions in the PCV7 period (slope: 0.0023/month, 95% CI: −0.0001 to 0.0047) versus a decline in the PCV10 period (slope: −0.0089/month, 95% CI: −0.0150 to −0.0029). There was no evidence that PCV vaccination coverage affected this association, but since the largest rate ratios were observed in municipalities with the lowest vaccine coverage and had very wide accompanying CIs, our study might have insufficient power to detect such an association.ConclusionsSwitching from PCV7 to PCV10 was associated with a modest decline in outpatient antibiotic use in Dutch infants.
Accuracy and utility of using administrative healthcare databases to identify people with epilepsy: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mbizvo Gashirai K , Bennett Kyle , Simpson Colin R , Duncan Susan E , Chin Richard F M 
Published: June 2018

IntroductionIn an increasingly digital age for healthcare around the world, administrative data have become rich and accessible tools for potentially identifying and monitoring population trends in diseases including epilepsy. However, it remains unclear (1) how accurate administrative data are at identifying epilepsy within a population and (2) the optimal algorithms needed for administrative data to correctly identify people with epilepsy within a population. To address this knowledge gap, we will conduct a novel systematic review of all identified studies validating administrative healthcare data in epilepsy identification. We provide here a protocol that will outline the methods and analyses planned for the systematic review.Methods and analysisThe systematic review described in this protocol will be conducted to follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE and Embase will be searched for studies validating administrative data in epilepsy published from 1975 to current (01 June 2018). Included studies will validate the International Classification of Disease (ICD), Ninth Revision (ICD-9) onwards (ie, ICD-9 code 345 and ICD-10 codes G40–G41) as well as other non-ICD disease classification systems used, such as Read Codes in the UK. The primary outcome will be providing pooled estimates of accuracy for identifying epilepsy within the administrative databases validated using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2statistic and descriptive analyses used where this is present. The secondary outcome will be the optimal administrative data algorithms for correctly identifying epilepsy. These will be identified using multivariable logistic regression models. 95% confidence intervals will be quoted throughout. We will make an assessment of risk of bias, quality of evidence, and completeness of reporting for included studies.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and in press releases.PROSPERO registrationCRD42017081212.
Long-term sickness absence of 32 chronic conditions: a Danish register-based longitudinal study with up to 17 years of follow-up
Authors: Nexo Mette Andersen , Carlsen Kathrine , Pedersen Jacob , Hetland Merete Lund , Watt Torquil , Hansen Sofie Mandrup , Bjorner Jakob Bue 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesSickness absence has been used as a central indicator of work disability, but has mainly been examined in single diseases, with limited follow-up time. This study identified the risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA) of 32 chronic disease groups in the first year after diagnosis and the subsequent years.SettingWe identified chronic disease groups prevalent in the work force (26 physical and 6 mental conditions) requiring all levels of care (primary, secondary, tertiary), by national registers of diagnoses from all hospital visits and prescribed medicine in Denmark from 1994 to 2011.ParticipantsA general population sample within the working age range (18–59 years) was drawn by Statistics Denmark. Participants not working before and during the follow-up period were excluded. A total of 102 746 participants were included.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHRs of transitions from work to LTSA of each of the chronic conditions were estimated in Cox proportional hazards models for repeated events—distinguishing between risk within the first (<1 year) and subsequent years of diagnosis (≥1 year) and an HR ratio (HRR): HR ≥1 year divided by HR <1 year.ResultsAlmost all the conditions were associated with significantly increased risks of LTSA over time. The risks were generally more increased in men than in women. Three main patterns of LTSA were identified across diseases: strong decreases of LTSA from the first to subsequent years (eg, stroke in men <1 year: HR=7.55, 95% CI 6.45 to 8.85; ≥1 year HR=1.43, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.74; HRR=0.23). Moderate or small decreases in LTSA (HRR between 0.46 and 0.76). No changes (HRR between 0.92 and 0.95) or increases in elevated risks of LTSA over time (HRR between 1.02 and 1.16).ConclusionsThe 32 chronic diseases were associated with three different risk patterns of LTSA over time. These patterns implicate different strategies for managing work disability over time.
Conflict of interest among Italian medical oncologists: a national survey
Authors: DeCensi Andrea , Numico Gianmauro , Ballatori Enzo , Artioli Fabrizio , Clerico Mario , Fioretto Luisa , Livellara Virginia , Ruggeri Benedetta , Tomirotti Maurizio , Verusio Claudio , Roila Fausto 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesTo assess Italian medical oncologists’ opinion on the implications of conflict of interest (COI) on medical education, care and research, and to evaluate their direct financial relationships.DesignNational cross-sectional survey conducted between March and April 2017 among Italian oncologists.SettingOnline survey sponsored by the Italian College of Medical Oncology Chiefs through its website.ParticipantsItalian oncologists who filled out an anonymous questionnaire including 19 items and individual and working characteristics.Main outcome measureThe proportion of medical oncologists perceiving COI as an outstanding issue and those receiving direct payments from industry.ResultsThere were 321 respondents, representing 13% of Italian tenured medical oncologists. Overall, 62% declared direct payments from the pharmaceutical industry in the last 3 years. Sixty-eight per cent felt the majority of Italian oncologists have a COI with industry, but 59% suppose this is not greater than that of other specialties. Eighty-two per cent consider that most oncology education is supported by industry. More than 75% believe that current allocation of industry budget on marketing and promotion rather than research and development is unfair, but 75% consider it appropriate to receive travel and lodging hospitality from industry. A median net profit margin of €5000 per patient enrolled in an industry trial was considered appropriate for the employee institution. Sixty per cent agree to receive a personal fee for patients enrolled in industry trials, but 79% state this should be reported in the informed consent. Over 90% believe that scientific societies should publish a financial report of industry support. Finally, 79% disagree to being a coauthor of an article written by a medical writer when no substantial scientific contribution is made.ConclusionsAmong Italian oncologists COI is perceived as an important issue influencing costs, education, care and science. A more rigorous policy on COI should be implemented.
Relationship between sociodemographic factors and selection into UK postgraduate medical training programmes: a national cohort study
Authors: Kumwenda Ben , Cleland Jennifer A , Prescott Gordon J , Walker Kim , Johnston Peter W 
Published: June 2018

IntroductionKnowledge about allocation of doctors into postgraduate training programmes is essential in terms of workforce planning, transparency and equity issues. However, this is a rarely examined topic. To address this gap in the literature, the current study examines the relationships between applicants’ sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes on the UK Foundation Training selection process.MethodsA longitudinal, cohort study of trainees who applied for the first stage of UK postgraduate medical training in 2013–2014. We used UK Medical Education Database (UKMED) to access linked data from different sources, including medical school admissions, assessments and postgraduate training. Multivariable ordinal regression analyses were used to predict the odds of applicants being allocated to their preferred foundation schools.ResultsApplicants allocated to their first-choice foundation school scored on average a quarter of an SD above the average of all applicants in the sample. After adjusting for Foundation Training application score, no statistically significant effects were observed for gender, socioeconomic status (as determined by income support) or whether applicants entered medical school as graduates or not. Ethnicity and place of medical qualification were strong predictors of allocation to preferred foundation school. Applicants who graduated from medical schools in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were 1.17 times, 3.33 times and 12.64 times (respectively), the odds of applicants who graduated from a medical school in England to be allocated to a foundation school of their choice.ConclusionsThe data provide supportive evidence for the fairness of the allocation process but highlight some interesting findings relating to ‘push-pull’ factors in medical careers decision-making. These findings should be considered when designing postgraduate training policy.