Portuguese observational cross-sectional clinical imaging study protocol to investigate central dopaminergic mechanisms of successful weight loss through bariatric surgery
Introduction
Bariatric surgery (BS) is the treatment of choice for refractory obesity. Although weight loss (WL) reduces the prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities, not all patients maintain it. It has been suggested that central mechanisms involving dopamine receptors may play a role in successful WL. This protocol describes an observational cross-sectional study to test if the binding of central dopamine receptors is similar in individuals who responded successfully to BS and age- and gender-matched normal-weight healthy individuals (controls). As secondary goals, the protocol will investigate if this binding correl...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Pais, M. L., Crisostomo, J., Abrunhosa, A., Castelo-Branco, M. Tags: Open access, Diabetes and Endocrinology Source Type: research
Estimating the return on investment of the New York Tobacco Control Programme: a synthetic control study
Conclusions
In this study, we found relatively large ROIs for the NY TCP, which suggests that the programme—which lowers SAE and saves lives—is an efficient use of public funds. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Nonnemaker, J., Mann, N., MacMonegle, A. J., Gaber, J., Fajobi, O. Tags: Open access, Smoking and tobacco Source Type: research
Alcohol use among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone
Conclusion
Our study has shown that alcohol use is prevalent among in-school adolescents in Sierra Leone. Grade level, experiences of being bullied, history of sexual intercourse, truancy at school, and previous use of marijuana were the factors influencing alcohol use among in-school adolescents. The findings emphasise the necessity of creating school-based health interventions in Sierra Leone that can effectively identify in-school adolescents potentially vulnerable to alcohol-related issues. Also, existing policies and programmes aimed at reducing alcohol use among in-school adolescents need to be strengthened. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Osborne, A., Aboagye, R. G., Olorunsaiye, C. Z., James, P. B., Bangura, C., Seidu, A.-A., Kangbai, J. B., Ahinkorah, B. O. Tags: Open access, Public health Source Type: research
Mental health inequalities, challenges and support needs during COVID-19: a qualitative study of 14-to-25-year-olds in London
Conclusions
In our qualitative study, adolescents spoke of positive reflections, challenges, and need for support 4 years on from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many adolescents shared their lived experiences for the first time with someone else and wished they would have the space and time to acknowledge this period of loss. Adolescents living with existing inequality and deprivation before the pandemic have reported sustained and exacerbated impacts during the pandemic, hence coproduced support for adolescents should be a priority. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Lee, J., Wong, K. K.-Y. Tags: Open access, Mental health, COVID-19 Source Type: research
Information needs on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and its management in children and adolescents: a qualitative study
Conclusion
This study provided valuable insights into the information needs related to T1DM and insulin therapy among children and adolescents with T1DM that should be considered by stakeholders in the development of age-appropriate education materials. Such materials will assist children and adolescents to better manage their life-long T1DM condition from adolescence until adulthood. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Muhammed Elamin, S., Muhamad Arshad, N. F., Md Redzuan, A., Abdul Aziz, S. A., Hong, J., Chua, X. Y., Bin-Abbas, B. S., Alsagheir, A., Mohamed Shah, N. Tags: Open access, Diabetes and Endocrinology Source Type: research
Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes from a retrospective chart review study of patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer who progressed following prior systemic therapy in Europe
Conclusions
Patients had poor clinical outcomes with a median OS of <1 year and rwPFS of approximately 7 months, highlighting the significant unmet medical need in pretreated recurrent/advanced endometrial cancer patients. Novel therapies with potential to improve PFS and OS over conventional therapies could provide significant clinical benefit. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Zhang, J., Kelkar, S. S., Prabhu, V. S., Qiao, Y., Grall, V., Miles, N., Marth, C. Tags: Open access, Oncology Source Type: research
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial: optimisation of perioperative analgesia protocol for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Introduction
Postoperative pain after thoracic surgery impairs patients’ quality of life and increases the incidence of respiratory complications. Optimised analgesia strategies include minimally invasive incisions, regional analgesia and early chest tube removal. However, little is known about the optimal analgesic regimen for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS).
Methods and analysis
We will conduct a single-centre, prospective, single-blind, randomised trial. The effects of postoperative analgesia will be tested using thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) in combination with patient-controlled intr...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Wang, L. F., Feng, H. X., Shi, Y. H., Li, Y., Zheng, M. T., Bu, T., Zhang, Z. R. Tags: Open access, Anaesthesia Source Type: research
Effectiveness of an anti-inflammatory diet versus low-fat diet for knee osteoarthritis: the FEAST randomised controlled trial protocol
Introduction
Chronic inflammation plays a key role in knee osteoarthritis pathophysiology and increases risk of comorbidities, yet most interventions do not typically target inflammation. Our study will investigate if an anti-inflammatory dietary programme is superior to a standard care low-fat dietary programme for improving knee pain, function and quality-of-life in people with knee osteoarthritis.
Methods and analysis
The eFEct of an Anti-inflammatory diet for knee oSTeoarthritis study is a parallel-group, assessor-blinded, superiority randomised controlled trial. Following baseline assessment, 144 participants aged 45...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Law, L., Heerey, J. L., Devlin, B. L., Brukner, P., Kemp, J. L., Attanayake, A., Hulett, M. D., De Livera, A., Mosler, A. B., Morris, H. G., White, N. P., Culvenor, A. G. Tags: Open access, Rheumatology Source Type: research
Efficacy of electro-acupuncture versus sham acupuncture for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: study protocol for a three-armed randomised controlled trial
Introduction
Specific treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is still lacking, and acupuncture may relieve the symptoms. We intend to investigate the efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture (EA) in alleviating symptoms associated with DPN in diabetes.
Methods and analysis
This multicentre, three-armed, participant- and assessor-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial will recruit 240 eligible participants from four hospitals in China and will randomly assign (1:1:1) them to EA, sham acupuncture (SA) or usual care (UC) group. Participants in the EA and SA groups willl receive either 24-session EA or SA trea...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Zhuang, R., Xiong, Z., Yan, S., Zhang, H., Dong, Q., Liu, W., Miao, J., Zhuo, Y., Fan, X., Zhang, W., Wang, X., Liu, L., Cao, J., Zhang, T., Hao, C., Huang, X., Jiang, L. Tags: Open access, Complementary medicine Source Type: research
Preoperative pancreatic stent placement before the enucleation of insulinoma located in the head and neck of the pancreas in proximity to the main pancreatic duct: study protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial in Chinese tertiary medical centres
Introduction
The surgical intervention approach to insulinomas in proximity to the main pancreatic duct remains controversial. Standard pancreatic resection is recommended by several guidelines; however, enucleation (EN) still attracts surgeons with less risk of late exocrine/endocrine insufficiency, despite a higher postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate. Recently, the efficacy and safety of preoperative pancreatic stent placement before the EN have been demonstrated. Thus, a multicentre open-label study is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent placement in improving the outcome of EN of insul...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Gao, R., Yin, B., Jin, J., Tian, X., Zhang, Y., Wei, J., Cao, F., Wang, Z., Ma, Z., Wang, M., Gou, S., Cong, L., Xu, Q., Wu, W., Zhao, Y. Tags: Open access, Surgery Source Type: research
Association between proton pump inhibitors and risk of hepatic encephalopathy in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of acute liver failure, cirrhosis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. Its clinical manifestations range from mild cognitive deficits to coma. Furthermore, HE is a financial burden to a patient’s family and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. In clinical practice, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for the treatment of HE. The use of PPIs is associated with an increased risk of post-TIPS HE; however, findings on the risk relationship between PPIs and post-TIPS HE are inconsistent. Therefor...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Su, Y., Chen, Y., Zheng, J., Yao, C. Tags: Open access, Gastroenterology and hepatology Source Type: research
Comparing the effectiveness of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of insoles manufactured from foam box cast versus direct scans on patient-reported outcome measures: a protocol for a double-blinded, randomised controlled trial
Introduction
Custom insoles are a routine treatment for many foot pathologies, and the use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is well established within clinical practice in the UK. The method of foot shape capture used to produce insoles varies throughout orthotic services. This trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of two common shape-capture techniques on patient-reported outcomes in people who require insoles for a foot or ankle pathology.
Methods and analysis
This double-blinded randomised controlled trial will involve two intervention groups recruited from a National Health Ser...
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Barr, L., Richards, J., Chapman, G. J. Tags: Open access, Evidence based practice Source Type: research
Quality measures of virtual care in ambulatory healthcare environments: a scoping review
Conclusions
The connections between virtual care modalities and quality domains identified here can inform clinicians, administrators and other decision-makers how to monitor the quality of virtual care and provide insights into gaps in current quality measures. The next steps include the development of a balanced scorecard of virtual care quality indicators for ambulatory settings to inform quality improvement. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Petrie, S., Laur, C., Rios, P., Suarez, A., Makanjuola, O., Burke, E., Bhattacharyya, O., Mukerji, G. Tags: Open access, Health services research Source Type: research
Supplements for cognitive ability in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimers disease: a protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This study is scheduled to commence on 1 June 2023 and conclude on 1 October 2023.
Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval is not required for systematic review and network meta-analysis. The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal or at a conference.
Trial registration number
PROSPERO (CRD42023414700). (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Zhang, X.-Y., Li, Y.-Q., Yin, Z.-H., Bao, Q.-N., Xia, M.-Z., Chen, Z.-H., Zhong, W.-Q., Wu, K.-X., Yao, J., Liang, F.-R. Tags: Open access, Neurology Source Type: research
Willingness of healthcare providers to perform population-based cancer screening: a cross-sectional study in primary healthcare institutions in Tianjin, China
Conclusions
In China, healthcare providers with a positive attitude towards screening have a stronger willingness to contribute to cancer screening, and therefore healthcare providers’ attitude, recognition of the importance of screening and acceptable workload should be optimised to improve the uptake of cancer screening. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 2, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Zheng, S., Zhang, X., Greuter, M. J. W., de Bock, G. H., Lu, W. Tags: Open access, Public health Source Type: research
