Information For Healthcare Professionals Research Articles

Health information analysis of cryptorchidism-related short videos: Analyzing quality and reliability.

Cryptorchidism is a common congenital anomaly in children. Short video content has increased awareness and urged timely intervention, but there is a lack of understanding about the quality and reliability of these videos. This survey assesses the quality and credibility of cryptorchidism-related videos on Chinese short video platforms to ensure accurate information for caregivers and healthcare professionals. We analyzed 228 videos from TikTok, Bilibili, and Kwai on 16 May 2024. Using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) criteria, Global Quality Score (GQS), and modified DISCERN score, we evaluated the videos based on six factors: definition, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, and outcome. Video quality varied significantly across platforms (P = .03). Medical professionals' videos had higher JAMA scores than those by nonmedical professionals (P < .001), but no significant differences were found in GQS (P = .633) or modified DISCERN scores (P = .853). Overall, video quality was suboptimal, focusing mainly on treatment, symptoms, and prognosis, while neglecting tests and risk factors. Longer videos correlated with higher GQS (r = .34, P < .001) and modified DISCERN scores (r = .39, P < .001), while newer videos were of higher quality (GQS: r = -.19, P < .005; modified DISCERN: r = -.25, P < .001). Higher engagement (comments: r = -.16, P = .01; shares: r = -.18, P = .04) was associated with lower quality. Overall, the videos' quality and reliability were moderate, with professional content providing more accurate insights. This highlights the need for improved regulation of medical information on short video platforms.

ChatGPT-4 Omni's superiority in answering multiple-choice oral radiology questions.

This study evaluates and compares the performance of ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4 Omni (4o), Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot in responding to text-based multiple-choice questions related to oral radiology, as featured in the Dental Specialty Admission Exam conducted in Türkiye. A collection of text-based multiple-choice questions was sourced from the open-access question bank of the Turkish Dental Specialty Admission Exam, covering the years 2012 to 2021. The study included 123 questions, each with five options and one correct answer. The accuracy levels of ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4o, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot were compared using descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Dunn's post hoc test, and Cochran's Q test. The accuracy of the responses generated by the four chatbots exhibited statistically significant differences (p = 0.000). ChatGPT-4o achieved the highest accuracy at 86.1%, followed by Google Bard at 61.8%. ChatGPT-3.5 demonstrated an accuracy rate of 43.9%, while Microsoft Copilot recorded a rate of 41.5%. ChatGPT-4o showcases superior accuracy and advanced reasoning capabilities, positioning it as a promising educational tool. With regular updates, it has the potential to serve as a reliable source of information for both healthcare professionals and the general public. Not applicable.

The prevalence of self-neglect among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To quantitatively pool the overall prevalence of self-neglect in older adults and provide evidence-based information for healthcare professionals to develop preventive measures. Systematically and thoroughly searched ten databases from inception to September 1, 2024 and we pooled the prevalence of self-neglect in older adults using a random-effects model based on the Stata 15.0 software. In our meta-analysis, 21 studies were included, and the estimated prevalence rate of self-neglect among older adults was 27% (95% CI: 23%-30%). We found that the incidence of self-neglect was higher in males, aged 80 years, developing countries, hospitals, and using the Elder Self-Neglect Questionnaire assessment tool. Self-neglect is a common and underestimated phenomenon in older adults, and the prevalence rate of self-neglect is high. Several epidemiological characteristics such as gender, age, countries, settings, and definition criteria were associated with its prevalence. It deserves early screening and targeted intervention by using a globally accepted definition of self-neglect to prevent older adults from self-neglect. Our study can provide clinical evidence for nursing staff and healthcare professionals to identify high-risk groups of self-neglect in older adults.

Background Factors Contributing to Safety Warning Discordance in the Initial Labeling of New Drugs in Japan, the United States, and the European Union.

Drug labels summarize essential safety information for healthcare professionals and patients. However, studies have reported a discordance of safety information in drug labeling among countries/regions. We aimed to identify the characteristics of adverse events associated with discordant safety warnings during the initial labeling of new drugs approved at approximately the same time in Japan, the United States, and the European Union. Safety warning discordance/concordance between two countries/regions and the explanatory variables were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. The safety warning concordance rate was 71.0% (152/214) for the United States and the European Union, 59.5% (135/227) for Japan and the United States, and 64.3% (144/224) for Japan and the European Union. A significant association with discordant safety warnings was revealed for "adverse event rate" and "warning status in a similar drug" between the United States and the European Union; "adverse event rate," "adverse event included in important medical event list," and "warning status in a similar drug" between Japan and the United States; and "adverse event included in important medical event list" and "warning status in a similar drug" between Japan and the European Union. Clarifying and publicizing the reasons for safety warnings, along with an awareness of the factors associated with the discordance identified in this study, will help healthcare professionals, patients, marketing authorization holders, and regulatory authorities around the world share the background of country/region-specific warnings, reducing the possibility of confusion among them due to the discrepancies.

Prevalence and Determinants of Vaccine ‎Hesitancy Among Students at King Faisal ‎University.

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, providing immunity against various diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a significant challenge to global health efforts. This cross-sectional study explores the prevalence and determinants of vaccine hesitancy among 401 students at King Faisal University. The sample primarily comprises young individuals (97.4% aged 18-24) and predominantly female participants (79%), with 90.5% residing in Al-Ahsaa. Our findings indicate that 75.4% of students adhere to the vaccination schedule, and 55.8% recognize the health benefits of vaccines. Notably, while 1.5% express skepticism, 45.8% strongly agree on the safety of vaccines, and 47.3% acknowledge their effectiveness. Interestingly, only 30.4% feel well-informed about vaccination recommendations, and 47.1% recognize the media's influence on vaccine hesitancy. A significant majority (68.5%) demonstrate high awareness, mainly relying on healthcare professionals (63.4%) for information. Concerns regarding side effects (58.8%) and doubts about vaccine efficacy (21.2%) are prevalent among participants. In conclusion, while the majority of students exhibit high knowledge levels and low hesitancy, concerns about side effects and trust in vaccine efficacy remain critical barriers. Targeted interventions are essential to enhance vaccine uptake and effectively address the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy.

Impact of Intrauterine Insults on Fetal and Postnatal Cerebellar Development in Humans and Rodents.

Many children suffer from neurodevelopmental aberrations that have long-term effects. To understand the consequences of pathological processes during particular periods in neurodevelopment, one has to understand the differences in the developmental timelines of brain regions. The cerebellum is one of the first brain structures to differentiate during development but one of the last to achieve maturity. This relatively long period of development underscores its vulnerability to detrimental environmental exposures throughout gestation. Moreover, as postnatal functionality of the cerebellum is multifaceted, enveloping sensorimotor, cognitive, and emotional domains, prenatal disruptions in cerebellar development can result in a large variety of neurological and mental health disorders. Here, we review major intrauterine insults that affect cerebellar development in both humans and rodents, ranging from abuse of toxic chemical agents, such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids, to stress, malnutrition, and infections. Understanding these pathological mechanisms in the context of the different stages of cerebellar development in humans and rodents can help us to identify critical and vulnerable periods and thereby prevent the risk of associated prenatal and early postnatal damage that can lead to lifelong neurological and cognitive disabilities. The aim of the review is to raise awareness and to provide information for obstetricians and other healthcare professionals to eventually design strategies for preventing or rescuing related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Relative Bioavailability Studies With Mitapivat: Formulation and Food Effect Assessments in Healthy Subjects.

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare, hereditary, hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in the PKLR gene encoding the PK enzyme. Mitapivat (previously designated AG-348) is a first-in-class, oral, allosteric activator of PK. We report results from 5 Phase 1 trials in healthy adults to characterize and compare mitapivat pharmacokinetics across different formulations and analyze food effects on mitapivat bioavailability (Studies 1-5). Pharmacokinetic assessments were peak exposure, total exposure, time to maximum plasma concentration of mitapivat, and relative bioavailability (where appropriate). Plasma total exposure of mitapivat was similar in the fasted and fed (high-fat meal or different soft foods) states after capsule, tablet, and pediatric granule formulations. Although mitapivat administration with food reduced the rate of mitapivat absorption (delay in time to maximum plasma concentration; reduction in maximum concentration) versus dosing under fasted conditions, this was not considered clinically relevant, given the lack of effect on total mitapivat exposure. Consequently, the administration instructions for mitapivat relating to food state that "patients may take mitapivat tablets with or without food." These findings will continue to inform clinical studies and development of mitapivat in adult and pediatric patients with hemolytic anemias and may help inform healthcare professionals on mitapivat dosing/administration recommendations in clinical practice.

Hypertension and its determinants in Abu Dhabi population: a retrospective cohort study.

Preventing high blood pressure and its complications requires identifying its risk factors. This study assessed predictors of hypertension and its associated complications among Emirati adults in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This retrospective cohort study was conducted by retrieving data from the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) of Emiratis who participated in a national cardiovascular screening program between 2011 and 2013. The study cohort comprised 8456 Emirati adults (18 years and above): 4095 women and 4361 men. The average follow-up period was 9.2 years, with a maximum of 12 years. The age-adjusted hypertension prevalence in Abu Dhabi increased from 24.5% at baseline to 35.2% in 2023. At baseline, 61.8% of hypertensive patients had controlled blood pressure, which increased to 74.3% in 2023. Among those free from hypertension at screening, 835 patients (12.3%) were newly diagnosed during the follow-up period. Using Cox regression, the hypertension prediction model developed included age [P value <0.001, hazard ratio 1.051, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.046-1.056], SBP (P value <0.001, hazard ratio 1.017, 95% CI 1.011-1.023) and DBP (P value <0.001, hazard ratio 1.029, 95% CI 1.02-1.037), glycated hemoglobin (P < 0.001, hazard ratio 1.132, 95% CI 1.077-1.191), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P value <0.001, hazard ratio 0.662, 95% CI 0.526-0.832). This prediction model had a c-statistic of 0.803 (95% CI 0.786-0.819). Using survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier), higher blood pressure was associated with more cardiovascular events and mortality during follow-up. Targeting population-specific predictors of hypertension can prevent its progression and inform healthcare professionals and policymakers to decrease the incidence, complications, and mortality related to hypertension.

Gastric cancer in Spain: evaluating productivity loss and economic impact

Introduction In 2018, gastric cancer (GC) was estimated to account for over 1.03 million new cases globally, making it one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies. In Spain, about 6,913 new cases were diagnosed in 2022. GC is an aggressive cancer originating in the stomach and ranks fifth in cancer incidence and third in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite treatment, only 25% of patients survive more than 5 years after diagnosis. Methods To estimate the economic impact of premature mortality due to GC, the human capital method was employed. This approach involved collecting data on mortality rates, average salaries, and unemployment rates. The study spanned a 10-year period, from 2013 to 2022, to integrate the latest and most pertinent data for analysis. The goal was to quantify the economic consequences GC-related deaths, providing valuable information for policy makers and healthcare professionals. Results GC caused 51,814 deaths over the study period with a slight annual decline, predominantly affecting men. Approximately 23% of deaths occurred among people of working age, amounting to a total of 122,632 YPLL. In economic terms, GC deaths accounted for costs of €1,239.34 million in 2013, rising to €1,242.04 million by 2021, for a total of €11,469.07 million over the study period. Conclusions The incidence of gastrointestinal cancers has decline in some types, but they remain a substantial public health challenge. These findings underline the significant health and economic challenges posed by GC, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to mitigate its impact on both individuals and healthcare systems.

Radiation information, protection and awareness of healthcare professionals in terms of occupational health and safety: a two–center survey study

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, protection and awareness of radiation among healthcare professionals. A total of 413 healthcare professionals from two major training and research hospitals in Istanbul took part in the study. The sample consisted of 26.6% physicians and 73.4% other healthcare professionals. There was considerable variation in the knowledge of radiation content in imaging techniques, with correct response rates of 89.3% for Computed Tomography, 80.1% for digital x-ray, and 52.8% for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. While 69.5% of respondents provided correct answers to questions regarding radiation protection principles, 64.4% demonstrated a lack of sufficient knowledge in this area. It is noteworthy that 48.4% of respondents incorrectly identified the medical imaging technique to which the public is most exposed. It was concluded that further training on radiation-related issues should be provided at the university level and through in-service training for healthcare professionals.

Investigating stress, social support, and decisional conflict dynamics in surrogates of intensive care unit patients with cancer.

The purpose of this study is to examine fluctuations in stress, social support, and decisional conflict among surrogates during the admission and discharge phases of intensive care unit (ICU) patients with cancer. Additionally, this study seeks to identify the factors that influence changes in decisional conflict experienced by these surrogates. This study involved surrogates of ICU patients with cancer. Data were collected within three days of ICU admission and during the discharge phase. The study included 115 surrogates of ICU patients with cancer. Following ICU discharge, the surrogates experienced a significant reduction in mean stress levels (t = - 7.205; p < .001), improved family support (t = 3.748; p < .001), and decreased support from healthcare professionals (t = - 3.286; p = .001). Younger surrogates, high-stress levels in surrogates, and low social support from healthcare professionals were associated with high decisional conflict. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that surrogates' age, changes in stress, and changes in healthcare professionals' support explained 5%, 8%, and 16% of the variation in changes in decisional conflict, respectively. To effectively reduce decisional conflict, particularly during the transition of patients with cancer from the ICU, a robust support system and comprehensive information on the treatment and prognosis of diseases in patients with cancer should be provided to younger surrogates. Healthcare professionals can facilitate family meetings and ensure comprehensive communication of the treatment plan. Practical guidance, social work assistance, timely clarification, and thorough information healthcare professionals provide can effectively mitigate decisional conflicts and enhance decision-making processes.

A-233 Update to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Application (CLApp v2.0) on iPhone. A resource tool for information and training for healthcare professionals

A-233 Update to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Application (CLApp v2.0) on iPhone. A resource tool for information and training for healthcare professionals

Intra- and inter-facility experiences of coordinating care for patients with lung cancer in KwaZulu-Natal public health facilities: a qualitative study

Aim Despite evidence that effective cancer care coordination has yielded positive results in facilitating and supporting high-quality care, it remains a complex and challenging system to implement. South Africa’s mortality of lung cancer is reported at 13.4%, ranking highest among all cancers. Coordinating the care of cancer patients is complex and can last several months or years, with multiple consultations, rounds of treatment, and follow-up in various settings. With so many health professionals, services, and settings involved, the care of these patients can become fragmented and uncoordinated. This interface between primary and specialty care offers a valuable opportunity to appreciate the challenges of delivering well-coordinated cancer care. Consequently, this paper explores healthcare professionals’ perspectives on coordinating lung cancer care within and between healthcare services. Methods This study was conducted through virtual, telephonic, and face-to-face in-depth interviews with 26 purposively selected participants from primary to tertiary health professionals, using a semi-structured tool and drawing from grounded theory design. Data generation and analysis were conducted iteratively, followed by systematic thematic analysis to organise data, review, and interpret the findings. Findings The overall public health system challenges reported by participants involved service fragmentation, staff shortages, and communication problems. Drivers of lack of care coordination varied widely across healthcare professionals, with interoperability and communication challenges standing out as the most prominent themes. Consequently, better communication, interoperability, and improved care transitions between providers and health systems were proposed. This study provides pertinent information for policymakers and healthcare professionals to develop appropriate strategies for improving cancer care coordination interventions. Conclusions A fundamental change is required to shift the direction of the KwaZulu-Natal public health system towards responsive, patient-centred, comprehensive, and coordinated care. Enabling the primary healthcare level to play a substantial role in care coordination may provide a plausible intervention to circumvent healthcare complexities.

Healthcare Professionals' Knowledge, Skills, and Information Needs Pertaining to Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids in Swedish Nursing Homes: A Cross-Sectional Study and Psychometric Evaluation.

Hearing loss increases with age and due to increased life expectancy there is an increase in the number of individuals living with hearing loss. Older people with hearing loss residing in nursing homes are often dependent on healthcare professionals to help them with their hearing aids. The aim of the study was to translate and test the psychometric properties of a Swedish version of a Norwegian questionnaire and to assess healthcare professionals' self-reported knowledge, experience, skills, competence, and information needs pertaining to residents' hearing loss and hearing aids in the Swedish context. A Norwegian questionnaire was translated and adapted, and thereafter distributed to healthcare professionals in nine nursing homes in mid Sweden between 2020 and 2021, and 313 questionnaires were returned. An exploratory factor analysis demonstrated adequate factorial structure in six factors, satisfying construct validity and internal consistency for the Swedish version. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a satisfactory model fit. Healthcare professionals reported having the skills required for handling hearing aids, but reported lower scores for having received information about hearing aids, taking initiatives to refer residents to hearing healthcare units, and checking for earwax. Registered nurses generally reported lower perceived knowledge and practical skills concerning hearing aids. Seventy-seven percent of the total group reported a need for information regarding hearing aid maintenance. Healthcare professionals reported that the majority of nursing home residents need help with their hearing aids, but only a minority of these professionals had received education on hearing loss and training in hearing aid maintenance. Enrolled nurses and care assistants demonstrated higher levels of competence in handling hearing aids compared to registered nurses. In order to ensure safe and effective care, as well as facilitate communication among older adults with hearing loss, healthcare professionals need appropriate education and training.

Improving the communication of multifactorial cancer risk assessment results for different audiences: a co-design process.

Multifactorial cancer risk prediction tools, such as CanRisk, are increasingly being incorporated into routine healthcare. Understanding risk information and communicating risk is challenging and healthcare professionals rely substantially on the outputs of risk prediction tools to communicate results. This work aimed to produce a new CanRisk report so users can directly access key information and communicate risk estimates effectively. Over a 13-month period, we led an 8-step co-design process with patients, the public, and healthcare professionals. Steps comprised 1) think aloud testing of the original CanRisk report; 2) structured feedback on the original report; 3) literature review; 4) development of a new report prototype; 5) first round of structured feedback; 6) updating the new report prototype; 7) second round of structured feedback; and 8) finalising and publishing the new CanRisk report. We received 56 sets of feedback from 34 stakeholders. Overall, the original CanRisk report was not suitable for patients and the public. Building on the feedback, the new report has an overview of the information presented: section one summarises key information for individuals; sections two and three present information for healthcare professionals in different settings. New features also include explanatory text, definitions, graphs, keys and tables to support the interpretation of the information. This co-design experience shows the value of collaboration for the successful communication of complex health information. As a result, the new CanRisk report has the potential to better support shared decision-making processes about cancer risk management across clinical settings.

The role of the pharmacist during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: an updated scoping review

Abstract Objective To identify new articles that describe services provided by pharmacists during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods An update scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and Google Scholar between 21 May 2020 and 31 May 2021. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent authors. DEPICT v. 2 was used to characterize the components of pharmacists’ interventions. It was also verified whether the articles evaluated outcomes of care. Key findings A total of 8983 records were identified, of which 120 met the inclusion criteria. The hospital was the workplace of the pharmacist most often described (55%). The majority of articles (73.3%) described the main domains of DEPICT v.2. Pharmacists provided interventions for patients (27.5%), healthcare professionals (25.8%), both (34.2%), individually (84.2%), through face-to-face contact (44.2%), and followed by telephone (41.7%). The main actions included patient counseling (56.7%), drug supply management (42.5%), and drug information for healthcare professionals (40.8%). Less than half of the articles (36.6%) evaluated the dimension “outcomes of care” of the study population. Conclusion Although most of the articles reported the pharmacists’ interventions, the description is still not satisfactory. In addition, the majority of articles focused solely on the dimension “process of care”. Future research should provide more detailed descriptions of the pharmacists’ interventions and assess the effectiveness of their interventions.

Caregiver burden after stroke: a 10-year follow-up study of Polish caregivers for stroke patients

BackgroundA long-term assessment of stroke outcomes from the perspectives of patients and their caregivers is important for optimising long-term post-stroke care. The extended effects of stroke caregiving, particularly caregiver burden beyond 5 years since stroke, remain to be determined. Hence, this study aimed to determine caregiver burden at 10 years after stroke, compare the burden severity at 10 years with its levels at 5 years and 6 months after stroke, and identify predictors of the burden severity at 10 years post-stroke.MethodsA longitudinal follow-up study including a group of first-ever stroke patients/informal continuous caregivers pairs was followed for 10 years and interviewed face-to face at their home setting.Caregiver burden was evaluated with the Caregiver Burden Scale. Potential predictors were examined using standardised measures and identified by applying the Classification and Regression Tree.ResultsA total of 40 caregiver/patient pairs participated in the study. At 10 years, 47.5% of the caregivers experienced a considerable burden. This was more than after 5 years (17.5%) and comparable to that after 6 months (37.5%), p < 0.003. Longer time spent caregiving, caregivers’ weaker sense of coherence, more severe stroke, and caregivers’ anxiety were the independent predictors of considerable burden 10 years after stroke.ConclusionsCaregivers’ burden in the late chronic post-stroke phase is a significant problem, as nearly half of the caregivers experience a substantial burden. This problem mainly concerns individuals who spend at least 7 h daily caregiving and have a lower Sense of Coherence.The long-term evaluation of stroke consequences reported by stroke patients and their caregivers can be an important source of information for healthcare professionals in order to optimise the care and support they provide at various stages of life after stroke.

New Insights Concerning Phytophotodermatitis Induced by Phototoxic Plants.

The present review explores the underlying mechanisms of phytophotodermatitis, a non-immunologic skin reaction triggered by certain plants followed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation emitted by sunlight. Recent research has advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology of phytophotodermatitis, highlighting the interaction between plant-derived photosensitizing compounds (e.g., furanocoumarins and psoralens) and ultraviolet light leading to skin damage (e.g., erythema, fluid blisters, edema, and hyperpigmentation), identifying these compounds as key contributors to the phototoxic reactions causing phytophotodermatitis. Progress in understanding the molecular pathways involved in the skin's response to these compounds has opened avenues for identifying potential therapeutic targets suitable for the management and prevention of this condition. The review emphasizes the importance of identifying the most common phototoxic plant families (e.g., Apiaceae, Rutaceae, and Moraceae) and plant species (e.g., Heracleum mantegazzianum, Ruta graveolens, Ficus carica, and Pastinaca sativa), as well as the specific phytochemical compounds responsible for inducing phytophototoxicity (e.g., limes containing furocoumarin have been linked to lime-induced photodermatitis), underscoring the significance of recognizing the dangerous plant sources. Moreover, the most used approaches and tests for accurate diagnosis such as patch testing, Wood's lamp examination, or skin biopsy are presented. Additionally, preventive measures such as adequate clothing (e.g., long-sleeved garments and gloves) and treatment strategies based on the current knowledge of phytophotodermatitis including topical and systemic therapies are discussed. Overall, the review consolidates recent findings in the field, covering a diverse array of phototoxic compounds in plants, the mechanisms by which they trigger skin reactions, and the implications for clinical management. By synthesizing these insights, we provide a comprehensive understanding of phytophotodermatitis, providing valuable information for both healthcare professionals and researchers working to address this condition.

Cardiovascular Side Effects of COVID‑19 Vaccination

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global health, with vaccination playing a crucial role in mitigating the spread of the virus and reducing the severity of illness. However, the potential cardiovascular side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination have raised concerns. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, is one of the most widely reported side effects, particularly among male adolescents and young adults, following the second dose of mRNA vaccines. The incidence of myocarditis post-vaccination ranges from 150 to 4,000 cases per 100,000 individuals, higher than the pre-pandemic estimate of 1-10 cases per 100,000. Other cardiovascular complications such as pericarditis and stroke have also been reported in a small subset of vaccine recipients. Although these side effects are often acute and transient, they can be severe and even fatal in some cases. Understanding the incidence, clinical presentation, and long-term outcomes of these cardiovascular side effects is crucial for informing healthcare professionals and the public about the potential risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination. Ongoing research and surveillance are essential to better understand the underlying mechanisms, identify risk factors, and develop strategies for preventing and managing adverse events, while maintaining public trust in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.Search Methods: This review was conducted by searching the WHO database and other relevant medical literature for studies published from 2000 to 2024 that reported on cardiovascular side effects of COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: Several studies have investigated the incidence of myocarditis, pericarditis, and stroke in individuals who received the COVID‑19 vaccines. Although the overall risk appears relatively low, cardiovascular complications have been reported in a small subset of vaccine recipients, particularly among younger individuals. These effects are often acute and transient but can be severe and even fatal in a few cases. Herein, we have provided a comprehensive review of documents reporting cardiovascular side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in international databases from 2000 to 2024 and discussed the possible causes of these disorders.

Patients' Identification, Management and Prevention of Adverse Drug Reactions: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients with Severe Adverse Drug Reactions.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on how patients identify, manage, and prevent severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study aimed to explore the reasoning that patients use to identify symptoms of severe ADRs and the methods they employ to manage and prevent them. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using structured telephone interviews was administered to patients with a self-assessed severe ADR and to patients with serious skin ADRs from a hospital medical record database (in-patient and out-patient) from 1 September 2016 to 1 September 2019. Patients identified via the medical records were asked to assess their ADR for severity, and only patients that rated their ADR as severe were followed up with a telephone interview. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with respondents by a research pharmacist and audio-recorded. Results: A total of 722 patients with a severe ADR were identified, with 300 completing the interview (41.6%). The most frequently cited reasons for classifying ADRs as severe was worsening ADR symptoms (58.3%), severe ADR symptoms (44.4%), and ADR symptoms interfering with their life (36.4%). Only severe ADR symptoms were significantly different between the questionnaire and the medical records database groups (p = 0.007). The most frequent method of ADR management was discontinuation of drug by physicians (88.3%). About 79.0% of patients stated that they increased their carefulness when using other drugs after experiencing ADRs. The main method patients used to prevent ADRs was informing healthcare professionals (HCPs) about their drug allergy history (65.7%). Conclusions: Worsening ADR symptoms were often used to identify severe ADRs. However, HCPs were mainly responsible for the management and prevention of severe ADRs. Increasing awareness of ADRs by HCPs, and providing additional drug information, may improve patient safety.