Adherence to pharmacological therapy in patients with hypertension: protocol of a qualitative study by focus groups
This study aims to gather the perspectives of patients with hypertension and healthcare professionals such as family doctors, nurses and community pharmacists from Portugal, regarding the most effective strategies to enhance antihypertensive medication adherence and to understand the factors contributing to non-adherence.
Methods and analyses
We will conduct qualitative research through synchronous online focus groups of 6–10 participants. Some groups will involve patients with hypertension, while others will include family doctors, nurses and community pharmacists. The number of focus groups will depend on the achi...
Source: BMJ Open - April 9, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Rosendo-Silva, B., Prazeres, F., Santiago, L. M., Rosendo, I. Tags: Open access, General practice / Family practice Source Type: research
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in paediatric patients: a review systematic and meta-analysis protocol
Introduction
The paediatric population represents a quarter of the world’s population, and like adult patients, they have also suffered immeasurably from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Immunisation is an effective strategy for reducing the number of COVID-19 cases. With the advancements in vaccination for younger age groups, parents or guardians have raised doubts and questions about adverse effects and the number of doses required. Therefore, systematic reviews focusing on this population are needed to consolidate evidence that can help in decision-making and clinical practice. This protocol aims to assess the safety of C...
Source: BMJ Open - April 9, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Freitas, C. L., Sarmento, A. C. A., Serquiz, N., Nobre, M. L., Costa, A. P. F., Medeiros, K. S., Goncalves, A. K. Tags: Open access, Paediatrics, COVID-19 Source Type: research
Predicting pressure injury risk in hospitalised patients using machine learning with electronic health records: a US multilevel cohort study
Conclusions
These data could help hospitals conserve resources within a critical period of patient vulnerability of hospital-acquired pressure injury which is not reimbursed by US Medicare; thus, conserving between 30 000 and 90 000 labour-hours per year in an average 500-bed hospital. Hospitals can use this predictive algorithm to initiate a quality improvement programme for pressure injury prevention and further customise the algorithm to patient-specific variation by facility. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 9, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Padula, W. V., Armstrong, D. G., Pronovost, P. J., Saria, S. Tags: Open access, Health informatics Source Type: research
Role of patient characteristics in adherence to first-line treatment guidelines in breast, lung and prostate cancer: insights from the Nordic healthcare system
Conclusions
The findings indicated lesser cancer health disparities regarding guideline adherence and treatment toxicity within the Nordic healthcare framework. A causal connection may not be established; however, the findings contribute to discourse on equitable cancer health provision. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Sandström, N., Leppälä, E., Jekunen, A., Johansson, M., Andersen, H. Tags: Open access, Oncology Source Type: research
Impact of pandemic-related movement restriction on public access defibrillation in Japan: a retrospective cohort study
Conclusions
Prolonged and repeated movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the OHCA outcomes concurrently with disturbed BLS actions, including the reduced PAD incidence in out-of-home settings. Maintaining BLS training, re-arranging automated external defibrillator placement and establishing a local alert system for recruiting well-trained citizens to the scene are essential. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Omatsu, K., Yamashita, A., Inaba, H. Tags: Open access, Emergency medicine Source Type: research
Solving poverty or tackling healthcare inequalities? Qualitative study exploring local interpretations of national policy on health inequalities under new NHS reforms in England
Conclusions
Varied and vague interpretations of NHS policy on health inequalities are not new, but lack of clarity among local health leaders brings major risks—including interventions being poorly targeted or inadvertently widening inequalities. Greater conceptual clarity is likely needed to guide ICS action in future. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Alderwick, H., Hutchings, A., Mays, N. Tags: Open access, Health policy Source Type: research
Undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension in rural African adults: a scoping review protocol of primary health care interventions
Introduction
Non-communicable diseases cause 74% of global deaths, with cardiovascular diseases as the major contributor. Hypertension, a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is highly prevalent in Africa. Diagnosis, treatment and control rates are notably limited in rural areas. This limitation results in increased risks of premature mortality and complications such as stroke due to socioeconomic, cultural and geographical challenges. Progress in African countries enhancing hypertension services through primary health care interventions exists. However, a comprehensive review of all primary health care interven...
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Peniston, S., Sivaramakrishnan, D., Holloway, A. Tags: Open access, Public health Source Type: research
Combination of diuretics for acute heart failure: a protocol for a systematic review of randomised clinical trials with network meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Introduction
Acute heart failure (AHF) is a critical, costly condition with high mortality rates, affecting millions annually. Despite advances in cardiovascular care, AHF treatment lacks robust evidence. AHF commonly manifests with sudden heart failure symptoms such as pulmonary congestion, and the pathophysiology involves fluid overload. Initial treatment is based on intravenous diuretics typically, but the optimal combination of drugs remains uncertain.
Methods and analysis
We will systematically review randomised controlled trials enrolling patients with AHF and volume overload undergoing in-hospital diuretic treatmen...
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Nahiz, N., Lukoschewitz, J. D., Seven, E., Olsen El Caidi, N., Hove, J. D., Jakobsen, J., Grand, J. Tags: Open access, Cardiovascular medicine Source Type: research
Subjective social status, health and well-being among older adults in China and South Korea: a cross-sectional analysis
Conclusion
Overall, the results highlight a significant association among social status, subjective health, life satisfaction and general happiness in both the countries. Health policymakers should identify effective strategies to promote healthy ageing and reduce disparities in health and well-being outcomes among older adults from different social backgrounds. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Yan, J., Wang, Y., Yang, E., Wang, J., Lv, B., Cao, Y., Tang, S. Tags: Open access, Epidemiology Source Type: research
Caregiving experiences of family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in a community: a qualitative study in Beijing
Conclusion
Family caregivers experienced psychosocial distress and family stress in the process of caregiving. They had to cope with caregiving stress and were concerned about the long-term care of people with schizophrenia. These findings provide implications for intervention programmes to strengthen social support, family involvement, and active coping for caregivers and develop long-term care mechanisms for people with schizophrenia. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Pan, Z., Li, T., Jin, G., Lu, X. Tags: Open access, General practice / Family practice Source Type: research
Do medical specialists accept claims-based Audit and Feedback for quality improvement? A focus group study
Conclusions
Using claims-based A&F for QI is, for some clinical topics and under certain conditions, accepted by medical specialists. Acceptance of claims-based A&F can be shaped by how A&F is implemented into clinical practice. When designing A&F for QI, it should be considered whether claims data, as the most resource-efficient data source, can be used or whether it is necessary to collect more specific data. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: de Weerdt, V., Ybema, S., Repping, S., van der Hijden, E., Willems, H. Tags: Open access, Health services research Source Type: research
Global, regional and national epidemiology of allergic disorders in children from 1990 to 2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019
Conclusions
Over the past three decades, there has been a worldwide increase in new asthma and AD cases, even though mortality rates have significantly declined. However, the prevalence of these allergic diseases among children varies considerably across regions, countries and age groups. This variation highlights the need for precise prevalence assessments. These assessments are vital in formulating effective strategies for prevention and treatment. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Lv, J.-j., Kong, X.-m., Zhao, Y., Li, X.-y., Guo, Z.-l., Zhang, Y.-j., Cheng, Z.-h. Tags: Open access, Epidemiology Source Type: research
Social prescribing for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers: what works, for whom, under what circumstances and why - protocol for a complex intervention systematic review
Introduction
Dementia is a complex medical condition that poses significant challenges to healthcare systems and support services. People living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers experience complex needs often exacerbated by social isolation and challenges in accessing support. Social prescribing (SP) seeks to enable PLWD and their carers to access community and voluntary sector resources to support them address such needs. Existing research, however, does not describe what SP interventions are currently in place in dementia care. Little is known about the needs these interventions are designed to address, the reasons ...
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Marshall, J., Papavasiliou, E., Fox, C., Hawkes, M., Irvine, A., Moniz-Cook, E., Pick, A., Polley, M. J., Reeve, J., Robinson, L., Rook, G., Sadler, E., Wolverson, E., Walker, S., Cross, J. L., the SPLENDID Collaboration, Fox, Cross, Allan, Avery, Bradbur Tags: Open access, Health services research Source Type: research
Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of different repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation modalities for post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis protocol
This study will be the first Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) to determine the best rTMS modalities for swallowing of patients who had a stroke.
Methods and analysis
PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chongqing VIP Database and WanFang Data will be searched from their creation to 2 September 2023. All randomised controlled trials associated with rTMS for PSD will be included. Only Chinese or English results will be studied. Two researchers will independently review the literature and extract data, then use the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk...
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Chen, Q., Kan, M., Jiang, X., Liu, H., Zhang, D., Yuan, L., Xu, Q., Bi, H. Tags: Open access, Rehabilitation medicine Source Type: research
Development and validation of an individualised nomogram to predict mother-to-child transmission in pregnant women with syphilis in China: a retrospective cohort study
Conclusions
Our nomogram exhibited good performance in predicting individualised risk for MTCT of syphilis, which may help guide early and personalised prevention for MTCT of syphilis. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 8, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Feng, S., Gao, S., Wang, Q., Cai, M., Huang, Z., Huang, Y., Hong, Y., Yuan, L., Liu, F., Jiang, H. Tags: Open access, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Obstetrics and gynaecology Source Type: research
