Rationale and protocol for a prospective cohort study of respiratory viral infections in patients admitted from emergency departments of community hospitals: Effect of respiratory Virus infection on EmeRgencY admission (EVERY) study
Introduction
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a causative virus for the common cold worldwide and can result in hospitalisations and even death in patients with high-risk conditions and older adults. However, the relationship between RSV or other incidental respiratory infections and acute exacerbations of underlying conditions has not been well investigated. The primary objective of this study is to estimate RSV prevalence, risk factors for adverse outcomes or hospitalisation and their effect on the hospital course of patients with acute respiratory symptoms admitted from emergency departments. Furthermore, we evaluat...
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Morimoto, T., Morikawa, T., Imura, H., Nezu, M., Hamazaki, K., Sakuma, M., Chaumont, A., Moitinho de Almeida, M., Moreno, V. P., Ho, Y., Harrington, L., Matsuki, T., Nakamura, T. Tags: Open access, Health services research Source Type: research
Real-world data evaluating Guys rapid diagnostic clinic as an alternate pathway for patients with FIT levels below 10
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the effectiveness of RDCs as an alternate pathway for FIT <10 patients with ongoing clinical concerns. These results contribute to enhancing patient care and optimising resource allocation within the healthcare system. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Monroy-Iglesias, M. J., Martin, S., Cargaleiro, C., Jones, G., Steward, L., Murtagh, C., Bruno, F., Millwaters, J., Schizas, A., Watson, H., Haire, A., Haire, K., Moss, C. L., Russell, B., Srirajaskanthan, R., Van Hemelrijck, M., Dolly, S. Tags: Open access, Oncology Source Type: research
Labour Care Guide implementation as a decision-making tool for monitoring labour among healthcare providers in Uganda: protocol for a mixed-methods study
Introduction
The new WHO Labour Care Guide (LCG), also regarded as the ‘next-generation partograph’, is a core component of 2018 WHO consolidated guidelines on intrapartum care for positive childbirth experience. The Ugandan Ministry of Health is in the process of adopting the new WHO LCG with no local context-specific data to inform this transition. We will explore potential barriers and facilitators to healthcare providers’ (HCPs) sustained engagement in labour monitoring in Mbarara city, Southwestern Uganda, and use the data to refine the new WHO LCG and develop a suitable implementation strategy to ef...
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Mugyenyi, G. R., Byamugisha, J., Tumuhimbise, W., Atukunda, E., Yarine, F. T. Tags: Open access, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Obstetrics and gynaecology Source Type: research
Chronic disease prevention and screening outcomes for patients with and without financial difficulty: a secondary analysis of the BETTER WISE cluster randomised controlled trial
Conclusion
The BETTER intervention improved uptake of CCDPS manoeuvres in participants without financial difficulty, but not in those living with financial difficulty. Improving CCDPS for people living with financial difficulty may require a different clinical approach or that social determinants be addressed concurrently with clinical and lifestyle needs or both.
Trial registration number
ISRCTN21333761. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Aubrey-Bassler, K., Patel, D., Fernandes, C., Lofters, A. K., Campbell-Scherer, D., Meaney, C., Moineddin, R., Wong, T., Pinto, A. D., Shea-Budgell, M., McBrien, K., Grunfeld, E., Manca, D. P. Tags: Open access, General practice / Family practice Source Type: research
Study protocol: improving response to malaria in the Amazon through identification of inter-community networks and human mobility in border regions of Ecuador, Peru and Brazil
This study develops a network survey to quantify the effect of community connectivity and mobility on malaria transmission.
Methods
We measure community connectivity across the study area using a respondent driven sampling design among key informants who are at least 18 years of age. 45 initial communities will be selected: 10 in Brazil, 10 in Ecuador and 25 in Peru. Participants will be recruited in each initial node and administered a survey to obtain data on each community’s mobility patterns. Survey responses will be ranked and the 2–3 most connected communities will then be selected and surveyed. This pro...
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Janko, M. M., Araujo, A. L., Ascencio, E. J., Guedes, G. R., Vasco, L. E., Santos, R. O., Damasceno, C. P., Medrano, P. G., Chacon-Uscamaita, P. R., Gunderson, A. K., OMalley, S., Kansara, P. H., Narvaez, M. B., Coombes, C., Pizzitutti, F., Salmon-Mulanov Tags: Open access, Global health Source Type: research
Professionals perspectives on interventions to reduce problematic alcohol use in older adults: a realist evaluation of working elements
Conclusion
In addition to the IPT, our findings emphasise the need for social contact and support, personalised content, and strong relationships (both between client and practitioner, and client and peers) in interventions for older adults. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: van den Bulck, F. A. E., Knijff, R., Crutzen, R., van de Mheen, D., Bovens, R. H. L. M., Stutterheim, S. E., Van de Goor, I., Rozema, A. D. Tags: Open access, Addiction Source Type: research
Operational complexities in international clinical trials: a systematic review of challenges and proposed solutions
Conclusions
International collaborative trials are valuable in cases where recruitment may be difficult, diversifying participation and applicability. However, multiple operational and regulatory challenges are encountered when implementing a trial in multiple countries. Careful planning and communication between trials units and investigators, with an emphasis on establishing adequately resourced cross-border sponsorship structures and regulatory approvals, may help to overcome these barriers and realise the benefits of the approach.
Open science framework registration number
osf-registrations-yvtjb-v1. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Gumber, L., Agbeleye, O., Inskip, A., Fairbairn, R., Still, M., Ouma, L., Lozano-Kuehne, J., Bardgett, M., Isaacs, J. D., Wason, J. M., Craig, D., Pratt, A. G. Tags: Open access, Research methods Source Type: research
Cardiovascular safety of evogliptin dual and triple therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study
Conclusions
These findings suggest that dual or triple therapies of evogliptin for the management of type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice present no cardiovascular harms, but could alternatively offer cardiovascular benefits in this patient population. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Park, S., Jeong, H. E., Oh, I.-S., Hong, S., Yu, S. H., Lee, C. B., Shin, J.-Y. Tags: Open access, Diabetes and Endocrinology Source Type: research
Scaling hypertension treatment in 24 low-income and middle-income countries: economic evaluation of treatment decisions at three blood pressure cut-points
Conclusions
In areas where economic considerations might play an outsized role, such as very low-income countries, prioritising treatment to populations with severe hypertension can maximise benefits net of economic costs. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Hutchinson, B., Walter, A., Campbell, N., Whelton, P. K., Varghese, C., Husain, M. J., Nugent, R., Kostova, D., Honeycutt, A. Tags: Open access, Health economics Source Type: research
The impact of delayed diagnosis and treatment due to COVID-19 on Australian thyroid cancer patients: a qualitative interview study
Conclusions
This study highlights an increased psychological burden in patients with thyroid cancer who experienced delayed diagnosis and/or treatment during COVID-19. The impacts experienced by patients during this time may be similar in the case of other unexpected delays and highlight the need for regular clinical review during delays to diagnosis or treatment. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 15, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: D'souza, B., Glover, A., Bavor, C., Brown, B., Dodd, R. H., Lee, J. C., Millar, J., Miller, J. A., Zalcberg, J. R., Serpell, J., Ioannou, L. J., Nickel, B. Tags: Open access, Surgery, COVID-19 Source Type: research
Impact of health education on promoting influenza vaccination health literacy in primary school students: a cluster randomised controlled trial protocol
This study aims to evaluate the effect of health education interventions on influenza vaccination rates and health literacy.
Methods and analysis
This cluster randomised controlled trial will enrol 3036 students in grades 4–5 from 20 primary schools in Dongguan City, China. Schools will be randomised to an intervention group receiving influenza vaccination health education or a control group receiving routine health education. The primary outcome is the influenza vaccination rate. Secondary outcomes include health literacy levels, influenza diagnosis rate, influenza-like illness incidence and vaccine protection rate...
Source: BMJ Open - April 12, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Xie, W., Xiao, J., Chen, J., Huang, H., Huang, X., He, S., Xu, L. Tags: Open access, Epidemiology Source Type: research
Development of an enhanced scoring system to predict ICU readmission or in-hospital death within 24 hours using routine patient data from two NHS Foundation Trusts
Conclusions
We showed that a scoring system incorporating data from a patient’s stay in the ICU has better performance than commonly used EWS systems based on vital signs alone.
Trial registration number
ISRCTN32008295. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 12, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Pimentel, M. A. F., Johnson, A., Darbyshire, J. L., Tarassenko, L., Clifton, D. A., Walden, A., Rechner, I., Watkinson, P. J., Young, J. D. Tags: Open access, Intensive care Source Type: research
A cross-sectional study on the proper administration of eye medications and its determinants among outpatients attending Brhan Aini Ophthalmic National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea
Conclusion
This research revealed that there was an inappropriate administration technique and disposal practices of eye medications among ophthalmic outpatients. This requires immediate attention from policy-makers, programme managers and healthcare professionals to ensure the appropriate use of eye medications by the patients. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 11, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Abdu, N., Weldemariam, D. G., Goitom Tesfagaber, A., Tewelde, T., Tesfamariam, E. H. Tags: Open access, Ophthalmology Source Type: research
Assessment of the prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain (LBP) among three different professionals in Bangladesh: Findings from a face-to-face survey
Conclusion
The study underscores occupational differences in LBP prevalence, emphasising the necessity for tailored interventions and occupational health policies. Identifying specific risk factors and management practices in these professions can aid in developing effective prevention strategies and enhancing healthcare services. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 11, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Nasim, A. S. M., Siddique, A. B., Devnath, N., Zeba, Z. Tags: Open access, Public health Source Type: research
Point-of-choice kilocalorie labelling practices in large, out-of-home food businesses: a preobservational versus post observational study of labelling practices following implementation of The Calorie Labelling (Out of Home Sector) (England) Regulations 2021
Conclusion
The number of large businesses in the OHFS providing kcal labelling increased following the implementation of mandatory labelling regulations. However, around one-fifth of eligible outlets sampled were not providing kcal labelling 4–8 months after the regulations came into force, and the majority of businesses only partially complied with government guidance. More effective enforcement may be required to further improve kcal labelling practices in the OHFS in England.
Preregistration
Study protocol and analysis strategy preregistered on Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/pfnm6/). (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - April 11, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Polden, M., Jones, A., Essman, M., Adams, J., Bishop, T., Burgoine, T., Donohue, A., Sharp, S., White, M., Smith, R., Robinson, E. Tags: Open access, Public health Source Type: research
