Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a valuable tool for primary care (PC), as, among other things, it can help healthcare professionals improve diagnostic accuracy, chronic disease management and the overall efficiency of the care they provide. It is important to emphasise that AI should not be seen as a replacement tool, but as an aid to PC professionals. Although AI is capable of processing large amounts of data and generating accurate predictions, it cannot replace the skill and expertise of professionals in clinical decision making. AI still requires the interpretation and clinical judgement of a trained healthcare professional and cannot provide the empathy and emotional support often required in healthcare.

Research has shown that multidimensional approaches to Chagas disease (CD), integrating its biomedical and psycho-socio-cultural components, are successful in enhancing early access to diagnosis, treatment and sustainable follow-up.For the first time, a consulate was selected for a community-based CD detection campaign. Two different strategies were designed, implemented and compared between 2021 and 2022 at the Consulate General of Bolivia and a reference health facility in Barcelona open to all Bolivians in Catalonia.Strategy 1 consisted in CD awareness-raising activities before referring those interested to the reference facility for infectious disease screening. Strategy 2 offered additional in-situ serological CD screening. Most of the 307 participants were Bolivian women residents in Barcelona. In strategy 1, 73 people (35.8% of those who were offered the test) were screened and 19.2% of them were diagnosed with CD. Additionally, 53,4% completed their vaccination schedules and 28.8% were treated for other parasitic infections (strongyloidiasis, giardiasis, eosinophilia, syphilis). In strategy 2, 103 people were screened in-situ (100% of those who were offered the test) and 13.5% received a CD diagnosis. 21,4% completed their vaccination schedule at the reference health facility and 2,9% were referred for iron deficiency anemia, strongyloidiasis or chronic hepatitis C.The fact that the screening took place in an official workplace of representatives of their own country, together with the presence of community-based participants fueled trust and increased CD understanding. Each of the strategies assessed had different benefits. Opportunities for systematic integration for CD based on community action in consulates may enhance early access to diagnosis, care and disease prevention.

The regional and temporal differences in the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its classic risk factors are unknown. The current study examined these associations in different European regions over a 30-year period. The study sample comprised 553 818 individuals from 49 cohorts in 11 European countries (baseline: 1982-2012) who were followed up for a maximum of 10 years. Risk factors [sex, smoking, diabetes, non-HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI)] and CVD events (coronary heart disease or stroke) were harmonized across cohorts. Risk factor-outcome associations were analysed using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models, and differences in associations were assessed using meta-regression. The differences in the risk factor-CVD associations between central Europe, northern Europe, southern Europe, and the UK were generally small. Men had a slightly higher hazard ratio (HR) in southern Europe (P = 0.043 for overall difference), and those with diabetes had a slightly lower HR in central Europe (P = 0.022 for overall difference) compared with the other regions. Of the six CVD risk factors, minor HR decreases per decade were observed for non-HDL cholesterol [7% per mmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3-10%] and systolic BP (4% per 20 mmHg; 95% CI, 1-8%), while a minor HR increase per decade was observed for BMI (7% per 10 kg/m2; 95% CI, 1-13%). The results demonstrate that all classic CVD risk factors are still relevant in Europe, irrespective of regional area. Preventive strategies should focus on risk factors with the greatest population attributable risk.

Advanced practice nurses (APN) growth depends on the implementation and acceptance of APNs in each country. Given the diversity of the different contexts and varying population health needs where APNs are developing, this study focuses on exploring the viewpoints of the multidisciplinary and management team who have worked with APNs in public hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. A cross-sectional study with previously identified APNs, health professionals, and health managers. EVOHIPA, a valid and reliable scale, was used. The STROBE checklist was followed. The results showed high levels of agreement among the 746 participants (predominantly physicians and nurses), with statements relating to the APN's contribution in enhancing care continuity and processes, resulting in safer and more patient-centered care. The results showed low levels of agreement with statements relating to legal support for the APN position, regulation, and practice scope. The study provides discussion elements and reflection to determine the axes on which it will be necessary to act to promote APNs and their conditions of service in the context of practice within hospital teams. The study highlights the differences in opinion on APN roles among health professionals and managers who have worked with APNs and allows exploring expectations about current changes in workflows and clinical activities among healthcare team members. Results highlight the importance of fostering a common understanding among healthcare teams to maximize the benefits of collaborative work and recognize the significant contributions of APNs within the multidisciplinary team. Health policy plays a crucial role in recognizing and promoting the contribution of APNs within hospital healthcare teams, acknowledging their autonomy and expertise in improving patient outcomes.

AbstractMediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.

Primary maternal hypothyroidism is defined as the increase of TSH levels in serum during pregnancy. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is the second most common endocrine disease, after diabetes mellitus, with a prevalence ranging between 3.2 and 5.5%. Its variability depends on ethnical differences. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is associated with other chronic diseases and fetal and maternal outcomes. To analyze the prevalence of hypothyroidism among multiethnic pregnant women, and to evaluate the comorbidity with chronic diseases and outcomes leaded during pregnancy and newborn. Retrospective observational cohort study in pregnant women during the years 2012-2018 in the health region of Lleida. The relationship of hypothyroidism with different variables was analyzed by calculating the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) with multivariate logistic regression models. We analyzed a sample of 17177 pregnant women, which represents more than 92% of the total of pregnant women in the health region of Lleida. The annual prevalence of hypothyroidism was 5.7-7.1%. According to the region of origin, the lowest prevalence was found in the population from Sub Saharian Africa (2.1%), while the highest was from Asia and the Middle East (8.6%). Other factors associated with hypothyroidism were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. In addition, we did not observe an effect of hypothyroidism on the course of pregnancy, childbirth, and on the newborn. Finally, there was a good control of the disease during pregnancy. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnancy was 6,5% in this study which depends on the country of origin, lower values were found in Sub Saharian African women and higher in those from Asia and the Middle East. Hypothyroidism was associated with age, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, or dyslipidemia, and was not related to the Apgar score or the weight of the newborn.

Objectives: Our objective was to analyse effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants (OAC) for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Material and methods: Population-based cohort study including adults initiating oral anticoagulants, either direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) or vitamin K antagonists (VKA), during 2011-2020. Data source: SIDIAP, capturing information from the electronic health records of Primary Health Care in Catalonia, Spain. Study outcomes: stroke, cerebral and gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage, assessed by patients' subgroups according to different clinical characteristics. Results: We included 90,773 patients. Male sex, older than 75, previous event, peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, or receiving antiplatelets, antidiabetics or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was associated with higher stroke risk. For DOAC-treated, treatment switch increased stroke risk, while being adherent had a protective effect. Men, antidiabetic treatment or a previous event increased the risk of cerebral bleeding. Receiving direct oral anticoagulants had a protective effect in comparison to vitamin K antagonists. For DOAC-treated, treatment switch increased, and adherence decreased the bleeding risk. Men, people with chronic kidney disease or a previous event posed an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, whereas receiving PPI had a protective effect. For DOAC-treated, switch was associated with a higher bleeding risk. Conclusion: Being men, a previous event and DOAC-switch posed a higher risk for all study outcomes. direct oral anticoagulants had a protective effect against cerebral bleeding in comparison to vitamin K antagonists. Adherence to direct oral anticoagulants resulted in lower risk of stroke and cerebral bleeding. We found no differences in the risk of stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding when we compared direct oral anticoagulants vs. vitamin K antagonists.

Physical exercise is an indispensable element in the multidisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The present study examined if men diagnosed with FMS engaged in any type of physical activity or exercise, the perceived effects from exercise, and who specifically recommended exercise. A qualitative cross-cultural study was performed in fibromyalgia clinical units in Spain and the United States. A total of 17 participants, 10 men from Spain and 7 men from the US, were included. In Spain, a focus group was completed in two parts, one month apart in 2018. In the US, five individual interviews and one joint interview with two men were completed in 2018. Three central themes appeared in the qualitative data: (1) Understanding what constitutes physical activity or exercise, (2) Facilitating or discouraging the performance of physical exercise, and (3) Effects of physical activity or exercise on psychological and social symptoms. The actual practice of exercise by patients with FMS is often perceived as leading to pain and fatigue, rather than a treatment facilitator. Physical activity and exercise can provide benefits, including relaxation, socialization, and increased muscle tone. However, minor opioids limit physical activity as they cause addiction, drowsiness, and decrease physical activity in Spanish men. Recommendations in a clinical setting should incorporate exercise as well as physical activity via daily life activities.

ABSTRACTIn the EU project TRAJECTOME, we used a novel methodology to identify temporal disease maps of depression and highly prevalent co-occurring disease conditions. This information was combined with disability weights established by the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to create a depression-related health risk assessment tool, the Multimorbidity Adjusted Disability Score (MADS). MADS was used to stratify over one million cases from three different cohorts and evaluate the impact on utilisation of healthcare resources, mortality, pharmacological burden, healthcare expenditure and multimorbidity progression. Results indicate statistically significant associations between MADS and increased mortality rate (P <.001), heightened healthcare utilization (i.e. emergency room visits P <.001; hospitalizations P <.001; pharmaceutical prescriptions P <.001; total healthcare expenditure P <.001), and a higher risk of disease progression and incidence of new depression-related comorbidities. MADS seems to be a promising approach to predict depression-related health risk and depression’s impact on individuals and healthcare systems, which can be tested in other diseases; nevertheless, clinical validation is still necessary.