Strengthening The Reporting Of Observational Studies In Epidemiology Research Articles

Spiritual Meaning Impacts Psychological Distress and Control of Mean Arterial Pressure in Hypertension Patients

Hypertension is a disease that can cause various complications and is made worse by psychological distress, where cases are increasing at the Bangkalan Community Health Center. This research aims to analyze the correlation between spiritual meaning in regulating psychological distress and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in hypertension patients. This research method is correlation analytic with a cross-sectional approach with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline. population of 76 patients and a sample of 62 taken using simple random sampling. The independent variable is spiritual meaning, measured using the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES). Meanwhile, the dependent variable is distress, measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) value. The collected data was then subjected to statistical tests using Spearman ranks with an alpha value of 0.05. The research results show a relationship between spiritual meaning and psychological distress with a p-value of 0.016 < 0.05 and a correlation coefficient of -0.305. Spirituality is also significantly related to the mean arterial pressure (MAP) value with p value 0.005 < 0.05, and the correlation coefficient is -0.351. Spirituality has an impact on reducing psychological distress, affecting the function of the Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Sympathetic Adrenal Medullary (SAM) Axis. The SAM Axis will balance the secretion of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E), which affects the balance of contraction of smooth cardiac muscle cells, vasoconstriction and vasodilation, heart rate, and normalizes sodium levels so that it can control blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

THE EFFECT OF DUAL-TASKS ON WALKING SPEED IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract Normative age-related changes occur in both walking and cognitive performance; non-normative changes could lead to decreased mobility, loss of autonomy in daily life, and increased fall risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of completing a dual-task on overground walking speed in healthy older adults. Database searches were carried out in three electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest) from inception through October 2022 to find studies that assessed healthy older adults who completed a walking test and a walking task combined with a neurocognitive assessment (dual-task). Methodological quality and risk of bias was assessed via the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). Cohen’s d effect size with a 95% confidence intervals, Cochrane’s Q, I2, and Fail-safe N statistics were calculated between the single- and dual-task walking speeds. The initial search yielded 459 articles; six were included in the final review after completing all screening procedures. Included studies had relatively high STROBE scores (19.97±0.82). Eight individual effects across the six articles (total sample size=5627) were calculated. Walking speed significantly decreased in dual-task conditions with cognitive tasks (walking speed Δ=1.03; 95%CI 0.65 to 1.40; p<.001); individual effects were higher during high load cognitive tasks (i.e., serial 7’s subtraction, TMT part B). Dual-tasking with a cognitive component clearly affected walking speed in aging adults. Studying different age groups will help create a model of the aging process to understand when changes begin, as well as the rate of change; this could be useful for earlier fall-prevention interventions.

An Evaluation on the Attitude Toward Using Patient Rights and Satisfaction Levels in Emergency Department Patients

IntroductionIn emergency health care services, patient satisfaction is one of the fundamental indicators of quality emergency care, making it essential to identify factors that can impact this component of care. This study aimed to determine emergency service patients’ attitudes toward using patient rights, their satisfaction levels with emergency service, and related factors. MethodsThe cross-sectional study was conducted with 382 patients who presented to the emergency department between November 2022 and March 2023. Data were collected using the Patient Description Form, the Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Scale, and the Scale of Patient Rights Using Attitude. The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for reporting. ResultsThe mean score of the Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Scale was 53.88 ± 6.88 (minimum score, 30; maximum score, 68), and the mean score of the Scale of Patient Rights Using Attitude was 108.89 ± 11.90 (minimum score, 73; maximum score, 135). As a result of the regression analysis, it was found that the Scale of Patient Rights Using Attitude scores and frequency of ED visits significantly contributed to the Emergency Department Patient Satisfaction Scale scores. Younger patients who had higher educational status presented to the emergency department more frequently and had chronic diseases were associated with positive attitudes about using patient rights and had higher levels of ED patient satisfaction (P < .001). DiscussionThe study has provided valuable information for assessing the attitudes of ED patients toward exercising their patient rights and their satisfaction levels. Respect for patient rights and their effective utilization by patients can enhance the quality of ED services and increase patient satisfaction.

ADvAnced PhysioTherapy in MuSculosKeletal Triage: Investigating prognostic factors, healthcare utilisation and clinical outcomes (ADAPT MSK) - a cohort study protocol.

Clinical specialist physiotherapist-led musculoskeletal triage clinics were introduced nationally in Ireland in 2011 to improve patient care and reduce waiting times for secondary care orthopaedics and rheumatology. Evidence has shown them to be effective in reducing waiting lists, however there are currently no data on longitudinal patient outcomes following clinic attendance. The primary aim of this cohort study is to identify predictors of pain and function outcomes up to one year following musculoskeletal triage review. Secondary aims include measuring self-reported use of healthcare resources over the 12-month follow-up period and to explore musculoskeletal phenotypes based on established prognostic factors for musculoskeletal pain. This is a prospective cohort study. ADvAnced PhysioTherapy in MuSculosKeletal Triage (ADAPT MSK) will recruit a cohort of 252 adults through musculoskeletal triage clinics across five secondary care sites in Ireland. The STrengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines will be adhered to for future reporting. Adults (≥ 18 years old) attending physiotherapist-led musculoskeletal triage clinics with musculoskeletal pain, who do not require surgical or consultant-led medical care will be considered for participation. Participant demographics, health literacy, healthcare utilisation, and self-report questionnaires on pain, function, musculoskeletal health, musculoskeletal risk stratification, fear of movement, and psychological distress will be obtained at baseline, with follow-ups at three, six, and 12 months. Primary outcomes are pain intensity and function. Secondary outcomes include musculoskeletal risk stratification status, musculoskeletal health, healthcare utilisation, and work-related factors. Descriptive statistics will be used to profile the participants and predictors of outcome will be assessed using multivariable linear regression. Musculoskeletal phenotypes will be explored using latent class analysis. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal publication and presentation at national and international conferences. Engagement with a public patient involvement (PPI) panel will explore dissemination strategies for public and service user engagement.

Attitudes of patients with schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorders towards medication self-management during hospitalisation.

Medication self-management (MSM) is defined as a person's ability to cope with medication treatment for a chronic condition, along with the associated physical and psychosocial effects that the medication causes in their daily lives. For many patients, it is important to be able to self-manage their medication successfully, as they will often be expected to do after discharge. The aim of this study was to describe the willingness and attitudes of patients with schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorders regarding MSM during hospital admission. A secondary aim was to identify various factors associated with patient willingness to participate in MSM and to describe their assumptions concerning needs and necessary conditions, as well as their attitudes towards their medication. A multicentre, quantitative cross-sectional observational design was used to study the willingness and attitudes of psychiatric patients regarding MSM during hospitalisation. The study adhered to guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). In this study, 84 patients, of which 43 were patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 41 were patients with bipolar disorders, participated. A majority of the patients (81%) were willing to participate in MSM during their hospitalisation. Analysis revealed patients are more willing to MSM if they are younger (r = -.417, p < .001) and a decreasing number of medicines (r = -.373, p = .003). Patients' willingness was positively associated with the extent of support by significant others during and after hospitalisation (Pearson's r = .298, p = .011). Patients were convinced that they would take their medication more correctly if MSM were to be allowed during hospitalisation (65%). Most of the patients were willing to self-manage their medication during hospitalisation, however, under specific conditions such as being motivated to take their medication correctly and to understand the benefits of their medication. From a policy point of view, our study provided useful insights into how patients look at MSM to enable the development of future strategies. Since patients are willing to self-manage their medication during hospitalisation, this may facilitate its implementation. Patients were recruited for this study. Participation was voluntary, and signed informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the questionnaire.

Prevalence and Severity of Ectopic Eruption of First Permanent Molars in Pediatric Patients in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Background Early detection and management of ectopic eruption (EE) of first permanent molars (FPMs) are crucial to avoid complicated treatments later. Aim This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of EE of FPMs among children in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective study was based on a radiographic evaluation of 1,008 dental panoramic radiographs performed for children attending the Dental Educational Hospital at Umm Al-Qura University and the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah. Patients' age, sex, tooth location, and severity of EE were assessed. The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline for cross-sectional studies. Results Of the 1,008 reviewed cases, 18 (1.79%) were diagnosed with EE of FPMs. Among the 11 male patients, 81.82% showed severe EE, while 57.14% exhibited moderately severe EE among the seven female patients. The prevalences of EE in the maxilla and mandible were 1.59% and 0.20%, respectively. In contrast, the occurrence of EE of FPMs was similar between the right and left sides. Conclusion In this study, the prevalence of EE of FPMs among children in Makkah was 1.79%. The frequency and severity were both greater in male patients compared to female patients. While significantly more EE of FPMs was observed in the maxilla than in the mandible, there was no significant difference between the right and left sides.

SURG-27. 17-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF INTRADURAL EXTRAMEDULLARY (IDEM) TUMORS: CLINICAL OUTCOMES FROM A LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRY

Abstract INTRODUCTION Surgical outcomes of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors have been well-reported in the literature from high-income countries. However, limited contemporaneous data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) exists. This study sought to analyze the clinical outcomes of all IDEM tumor cases operated during a 17-year period at a resource-limited setting in an LMIC. METHODS The present work was conducted and reported in accordance with Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. A retrospective cohort study was carried out to analyze all IDEM tumor cases, operated upon by a consultant neurosurgeon, during 2004-2021, at a resource-limited setting in Southern India. All patients underwent routine biochemical and radiological investigations, including contrast-enhanced MRI. Laminectomy and tumor resection under the microscope were done without using intraoperative neuro-monitoring. Nerve fibers running through the tumor were sacrificed. Bilateral facet joints were preserved to ensure integrity without spinal fusion. All cases received a dural closure with 5-0 Prolene, with postoperative MRI confirming complete resection. Patients received telephonic and/or in-person follow-up visits. RESULTS 50 patients with a mean age of 46.3 years (range 13-80) were included, with 31 males and 19 females. Their clinical presentation included radiculopathy (78%), radiculomyelopathy (12%), and radiculomyelopathy with bowel and bladder symptoms (10%). Histologically, schwannomas were the most common (52%), followed by neurofibromas (34%), meningiomas (12%), and ependymomas (2%). Two individuals were diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. All meningiomas occurred in the thoracic region, with 83.3% of cases being in females. All patients had symptomatic relief postoperatively. No major adverse events occurred, including CSF leaks, permanent neurological deficits, or spinal instability. Recurrence occurred in two 'dumbbell' tumors (4%) at 5 and 7 years after primary excision during follow-up, managed with successful re-resection. CONCLUSION Microsurgical excision of IDEM tumors carries high safety and efficacy, including in resource-limited settings like LMICs.

Risk Factors Associated with Congenital Syphilis, Georgia, 2008-2015.

Congenital syphilis (CS) is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. The study objectives were to compare risk factors among women with syphilis infection whose pregnancies did and did not result in CS cases and to evaluate other geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of county of residence as a measure of healthcare inequity. This study linked maternal and congenital syphilis data from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), 2008-2015. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) reporting guideline was followed. Demographic, behavioral, and case characteristics were compared among women with syphilis infection who did and did not have an infant with CS. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and multivariate regression analyses were performed using STATA 14.2 (College Station, TX). Of 505 women with syphilis infection, 23% had an infant with CS, while 77% did not. After adjusting for race/ethnicity, factors associated with CS outcome were age greater than 35 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-14.89), hospital/emergency department diagnosis of syphilis (aOR 3.43; 95% CI 1.54-7.62), and high-risk behaviors such as exchanging sex for money or drugs (aOR 3.25; 95% CI 1.18-8.98). There were no associations between characteristics of county of residence and CS outcome. This study highlights risk factors that may be associated with CS incidence and the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with CS. Further work is needed to study improved data collection systems, contributing factors related to CS as well as prevention measures in the United States.

Is PONV still a problem in pediatric surgery: a prospective study of what children tell us.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is an unpleasant complication after surgery that commonly co-occurs with pain. Considering the high prevalence among pediatric patients, it is important to explore the main risk factors leading to PONV in order to optimize treatment strategies. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to determine the prevalence of PONV on the day of surgery by conducting interviews with pediatric patients, (2) to assess PONV prevalence in the recovery room and on the ward by analyzing nursing records, and (3) to collect information on PONV risk factors on the day of surgery and the following postoperative days. We wanted to investigate real-life scenarios rather than relying on artificially designed studies. A prospective analysis [according to STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines] of PONV on the day of surgery and the following postoperative days was conducted by evaluating demographic and procedural parameters, as well as conducting interviews with the children under study. A total of 626 children and adolescents, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years, were interviewed on the ward following their surgery. The interviews were conducted using a questionnaire, as children aged 4 and above can participate in an outcome-based survey. On the day of surgery, several multivariable independent predictors were identified for PONV. The type of surgery was found to be a significant factor (p = 0.040) with the highest odds ratio (OR) in patients with procedural investigations [OR 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8-19.2], followed by abdominal surgery (OR 3.1, 95% CI: 0.9-11.1) when inguinal surgery was used as the reference category. In addition, the study identified several predictors, including the amount of fentanyl administered during anesthesia (µg/kg body weight) (OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8), intraoperative use of piritramide (OR 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5-4.4) and diclofenac (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1. 3-3.1), opioid administration in the recovery room (OR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.9-4.7), and piritramide use on the ward (OR 4.5, 95% CI: 1.7-11.6). The main risk factors for PONV include the intraoperative administration of opioids during the recovery room stay and at the ward, the intraoperative use of non-opioids (diclofenac), and the specific type of surgical procedure. Real-life data demonstrated that in clinical praxis, there is a gap between the adherence to established guidelines and the use of antiemetic prophylaxis in surgeries that are generally not associated with a high PONV prevalence. Further efforts are needed to improve the existing procedures and thus improve the overall outcome.

The Impact of Implant Angulation on the Stress Distribution and Survival Rate of Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses: A Retrospective Study.

Background Implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) have become a reliable method for the rehabilitation of edentulous patients, offering improved contour, function, esthetics, and overall oral health. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of implant angulation on the stress distribution and survival rate of implant-supported FDPsusingfinite element analysis (FEA). Methods A retrospective cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing existing patient records and radiographic data. The study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines for transparent and comprehensive reporting. Sample size calculation was based on a reference study, considering a standard deviation of 2.5 for stress distribution measurements and a minimum detectable effect size of 1.0. Data collection included demographic and clinical characteristics, implant selection and placement details, prosthetic design and fabrication, as well as stress distribution analysis using FEA. Results The study included a total of 307 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Demographic variables demonstrated a balanced gender distribution (p = 0.172), with 51.5% males and 48.5% females. Smoking status (p < 0.001) and income level (p = 0.026) were significantly associated with the research outcomes. Implant characteristics analysis revealed three main types: NobelReplace Select (53.6%), Straumann Bone Level (31.9%), and BioHorizons Tapered Internal (14.5%). Implant type (p < 0.001), length (p = 0.003), diameter (p = 0.019), and manufacturer (p < 0.001) were all found to have statistically significant associations with the research outcomes. Conclusion The findings of this retrospective study highlight the importance of implant angulation on the stress distribution and survival rate of implant-supported FDPs. The evaluation of stress distribution patterns and the analysis of implant characteristics provide valuable insights for optimizing implant design and placement strategies.

Before and after COVID-19 pandemic: impact on hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical services in a Singapore Tertiary Hospital.

Reallocation of healthcare resources to prioritize the COVID-19 pandemic-related incremental healthcare needs resulted in longer waiting times for routine elective clinical services. We aimed to analyze the effects of the pandemic on the hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) unit's surgical workload. The HPB unit's surgical workload for the months of January-June from 2019 to 2022 was extracted, retrospectively compared, and analyzed. This study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05572866) and complies with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Benign elective surgeries were impacted adversely, with elective gallbladder operations decreasing by 45.2% (146 in 2019 vs 80 in 2020, p = 0.89) before slowly increasing to 120 cases in 2021 and rebounding to 179 cases in 2022 (p = 0.001). Elective oncology operations paradoxically increased, with liver resections rising by 12.9% (31 in 2019 vs 35 in 2020, p = 0.002) and maintaining 37 cases in 2021 (p = 0.0337) and 34 cases in 2022 (p = 0.69). Elective pancreatic resections increased by 171.4% (7 in 2019 vs 19 in 2020, p < 0.0001) and were maintained at 15 cases in 2021 (p = 0.013) and 18 cases in 2022 (p = 0.022). The overall emergency workload decreased from 2019 (n = 198) to 2020 (n = 129) to 2021 (n = 122) before recovering to baseline in 2022 (n = 184). The month-on-month volume generally showed similar trends compared to the other years except for February 2022 and May 2021. This audit shows that despite large-scale disruption of the local healthcare system, essential surgeries can still proceed with careful resource planning by steadfast and vigilant clinical teams.

Outcomes of Pain Management Among Postoperative Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

PurposePostoperative pain management has always been a significant challenge for both hospital staff and surgical patients. Determination of pain management outcomes among surgically treated patients may help develop pain management strategies, improve health services that would yield better outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of pain management among postoperative patients. DesignThe study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. MethodsThe research was performed on postoperative patients at two university hospitals in North Cyprus from July to September 2019. The study sample consisted of 90 patients from both hospitals. The Turkish Version of the revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R-TR) was used for data collection. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist was used to report the present study. FindingsThis study showed that the overall mean for pain severity and the worst pain experienced by patients after 24 hours was slightly higher than medium. Examination of interference of the pain with functions demonstrated that patients experienced problems with physical activities and sleeping. The most experienced side effects were nausea and drowsiness, and the most common emotions were anxiety and helplessness during the postsurgery period. The satisfaction rate of the patients with postoperative pain management was relatively high. ConclusionsA holistic approach with evidence-based practices is crucial for adequate postoperative pain management. The recommendations include the development of individual pain outcome strategies to improve overall satisfaction with pain management among postoperative patients.

A Guide to AI in epidemiology: ChatGPT and the STROBE checklist for observational studies

Abstract Background Chat-Generative Pre-training Transformer (ChatGPT) is a recently developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) model capable of generating high-quality scientific text and answering complex tasks. This study aims at investigating how AI-based transformers can support public health researchers in designing and conducting epidemiological studies. To accomplish this, we used ChatGPT to reformulate the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) recommendations for observational studies into a list of questions to be answered by the transformer itself. We then qualitatively evaluated the coherence and relevance of the transformer's outputs. Methods We first chose a study to be used as a basis for the simulation. We then used ChatGPT to transform each STROBE checklist's item into specific prompts. Each answer was evaluated by independent researchers in terms of coherence and relevance. Results The mean scores assigned to each prompt were heterogeneous. On average, for the coherence domain, the overall mean score was 3.6 out of 5.0, and for relevance it was 3.3 out of 5.0. The lowest scores were assigned to items belonging to the Methods section of the checklist. Conclusions ChatGPT can be considered as a valuable support for researchers in conducting an epidemiological study, following internationally recognized guidelines. It is crucial for the users to have knowledge on the subject and a critical mindset when evaluating its outputs. The potential benefits of AI in scientific research are undeniable, but it is crucial to address the risks, and the ethical and legal consequences associated with its use. Key messages • Our analysis showed the ability of AI-based transformers to generate answers and human-like text, which could potentially be used to conduct epidemiological studies or write research articles. • We advocate the necessity for taking a proactive stance towards this evolving context, in order to ensure a careful governance of this inevitable process.

Determination of Nursing Students’ Resilience Levels, Care Behaviors, and Violence Management Competencies: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Relational Study

Purpose. Violence is a factor that is frequently encountered in health systems and causes problems of various sizes. Nursing students who take an active role in health environments and are also inexperienced are also exposed to this workplace violence. Mental health nurses and nursing students practicing in this field aim to improve the quality of patient care while managing violence and aggression. It is thought that the inability of nursing students practicing in the field of mental health to successfully manage violence and demonstrate resilience may affect their clinical performance and reduce the quality of patient care. This study was conducted to determine the psychological resilience levels, caring behaviors, and violence management competencies of nursing students and to reveal the relationship between the variables. Design and Methods. The type of study is descriptive and cross-sectional. The sample of the study consisted of 452 nursing students who agreed to participate in the study. The data of the study were collected using the personal information form, Adult Resilience Scale, Caring Behaviors Scale-24, and Violence Management Competency Scale for nursing students in practice areas. This study was reported following the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) recommendations. Findings. A statistically significant positive correlation was found among the psychological resilience levels, caring behaviors, and violence management proficiency of the students participating in the study ( p = 0.001 ). Practice Implications. It is very important to determine the psychological resilience, care behaviors, and violence management competency levels of nursing students, who are the professionals of the future, to present nursing care from a holistic framework and to increase the quality of the care provided. In this context, it is recommended to determine the psychological resilience, care behaviors, and violence management competency levels of nursing students in their education and training processes.

Efficacy of standard operating procedures for fall protection in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia

Fall-related injury is the most common cause of functional disability and mortality in the older population. Falls in patients with schizophrenia are one of the major concerns in psychiatric hospitals. This study aimed to examine the impact of standardized operating procedures (SOP) on falls in veterans with schizophrenia. Veterans with schizophrenia were allocated to the control group (n = 345) and to the fall protection standardized operating procedures (FP-SOP) group (n = 342). Patients in the control group were given routine nursing for falls, and patients in the FP-SOP group were intervened with FP-SOP plus routine nursing. All patients were observed for one year. The study methods comply with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. We found a fall rate of 1.5% in the FP-SOP group and 4.6% in the control group, with a significant difference in the fall rate between the two groups. In addition, the difference in patient satisfaction between the two groups was statistically significant. Our findings suggest that FP-SOP is an effective strategy for fall prevention in psychiatric hospitals.

Do we really know if they are in pain? A cross-sectional study in hospitalised adult patients in Spain.

To describe the prevalence and characteristics of pain in adult hospitalised patients, as well as to analyse the concordance between patient-reported and recorded pain and its impact on analgesic management. A cross sectional study. The study was performed on a sample of 611 patients, from October to December 2017. Data were obtained from patient interviews, review of medical and nursing records and review of electronic prescribing. The prevalence of pain at the time of the interview was 36.7%. The median VAS score was 4. 90% of the patients had their pain assessed within the last 24 h; however, concordance between patient-reported pain and recorded pain in the nursing record was slight. Pain is still often documented inadequately. Despite the wide use of analgesics, half of the patients with moderate to severe pain do not have adequate pain management. A systematic assessment and recording of pain promotes appropriate analgesic prescription. The findings of our study provide insight into the main gaps in the correct management of pain in hospitalised patients. A systematic assessment and recording of the pain suffered by the patient facilitates its control and allows a better management of the analgesic prescription by the physician. This information could help hospital managers to develop training programmes on pain assessment and on the importance of doctor-nurse collaboration to improve pain management, increasing the quality of care and reducing hospital costs. The study has adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines, according to The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies.

Teaching evidence-based practice to physiotherapy students in Italy: a cross sectional study

BackgroundEvidence-based practice (EBP) is being rapidly adopted by the Italian physiotherapy community, although a knowledge gap persists at clinical level with consequent lack of integration of EBP into ground roots practice. Teaching of EBP during the Bachelor of Science (BSc) undergraduate course in physiotherapy likely has a vital role to play in the spread of knowledge, providing a grounding in the fundamental concepts of EBP.The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of EBP educational content in Italian BSc courses in physiotherapy.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study during which characteristics of EBP teaching in BSc degree courses of physiotherapy in Italy were collected from institutional websites during the period May to September 2021 with an update in August 2022. We used the STrengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines for our manuscript.ResultsForty-two physiotherapy BSc degree programs were retrieved, accounting for all the BSc delivered in the 2021–2022 academic year. Fourteen of these (33.3%) did not report EBP content. Northern universities provided EBP content in 16 out of 18 (88%) degree courses. Central Italian universities provided EBP content in 6 out of 9 (66.6%) degree courses. Southern universities delivered EBP content in 3 out of 9 (33.3%) degree courses. The universities of Sicily and Sardinia provided EBP content in 2 out of 5 (40%) degree courses.The degree courses taught in public universities were more likely to contain EBP material (25 out of 37, 67.4%), compared to those taught within the private system (3 out of 5, 60%).ConclusionsThe prevalence of EBP content within physiotherapy BSc degree programs in Italy can be considered suboptimal, with both regional differences and according to the system (public vs private). The results of this study could be used as a stimulus for increasing investment in the teaching of EBP in Italian physiotherapy degree courses, thereby improving educational standards.

Diversity Within the Field of Orthopedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review.

Orthopedic surgery is among the least diverse specialties in medicine. This systematic review analyzes gender, racial, and ethnic diversity within orthopedic sports medicine and aims to raise awareness and provide guidance for future strategies that support underrepresented minorities in medicine (URMs) and women in joining the orthopedic sports medicine workforce. We hypothesize that at all tiers of training, there is a lack of gender, racial, and ethnic parity in academic rank, leadership positions, and research productivity. A search of all published literature in the English language from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases, between January 1, 2010, and August 18, 2023, was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included studies presented demographics regarding diversity within orthopedic sports medicine and provided trends in applicants, attendings, leadership, and/or research. Bias was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) study checklist. Thirteen studies published between 2016 and 2023 with STROBE scores 15.5 to 21.5 (70.5% to 97.7%) met criteria, and pertinent data were extracted. The percent of female orthopedic sports medicine surgeons from 2010 to 2019 increased from 5% (n = 138) to 6% (n = 206) with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2% (r2 = 0.97; p < 0.001). Females and URMs are underrepresented at the highest levels of orthopedic sports medicine leadership including department chair (female: 0% [n = 0]), division chief (female: 4% [n = 4]; URM: 3% [n = 3]), and fellowship director (female: 3.3% [n = 3]; URM: 4.4% [n = 4]). Studies from prominent orthopedic sports medicine journals (American Journal of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and Sports Health) show a 12.1% increase in female involvement in orthopedic sports medicine research from 1972 to 2018; however, this increase captures 59.3% (n = 2,953) females with degrees other than an MD. Although increasingly more females and underrepresented minorities are joining orthopedic sports medicine, the rate of diversification remains slow and current involvement in leadership and research is minimal. Targeted efforts aimed at increasing research opportunities and inspiring interest through mentorship for URMs and females in orthopedics is essential to drive change toward parity. Level IV. Systematic Review. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The risk and prevalence of pressure injuries in older people in the home care service: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to understand the risk of developing pressure injuries (PIs) and their prevalence rate in older adults in Italy who received public funded home care services and who were often living alone. In May 2019, a cross-sectional study was performed according to the STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. The data collection included demographic variables, a PI risk assessment using the Braden Scale score, the type of mobility devices available, the wound description detailing the PI category, body location and ongoing treatment. Data analysis was conducted using non-parametric descriptive statistics. Of the 2223 patients who participated in the study, the risk of developing a PI as measured with the Braden Scale sore was: 'absent' for 37.7%; 'mild' for 25.8%; 'moderate' for 13.8%; 'high' for 15.5%; and 'severe' for 7.1% of patients. The PI prevalence in the sample of home care service patients was 26%, of which 46% were inpatients with a Braden Scale score of <14. Of the PIs that developed during the study, 65% of these developed in patients in home care and of these, 81% had a Braden Scale score of ≤9. PIs developed not only during hospitalisation but at home. Assessing the commitment of patients and caregivers to PI prevention and treatment strategies in home care services could be key to reducing PI prevalence, hospital admissions for PIs, related complications for older people living at home, and the severity of the PI category.

Epidemiology of Injuries in Professional and Amateur Football Men (Part II).

Background (1): Men's football is a physically demanding contact sport that involves intermittent bouts of sprinting, jogging, walking, jumping and changes of direction. The physical demands of the game vary by level of play (amateur club, sub-elite and open club or international), but injury rates at all levels of the men's football game remain the highest of all sports. Objective: The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of data from the epidemiological literature regarding the profile, severity and mechanisms of injuries and the frequency of recurrent injuries in professional and amateur football players. Methods (2): A systematic review, according to PRISMA guidelines, was performed up to June 2023 in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Google academic, Google scholar and the Diva portal. Twenty-seven studies that reported data on the type, severity, recurrence and mechanisms of injury in professional and amateur men's football were selected and analyzed. Two reviewers independently audited data and assessed the study quality using the additional and adapted version of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) to assess risk of bias for the quality of external validity. Results (3): In professional male football players, the mean prevalence of muscle/tendon injuries was 39.78%, followed by joint and ligament injuries-21.13%, contusions-17.86%, and fractures-3.27%, and for amateur football players, the prevalence's were 44.56% (muscle/tendon injuries), 27.62% (joint and ligament injuries), 15.0% (contusions) and 3.05% (fracture), respectively. The frequency of traumatic injuries was higher in amateur football players (76.88%) compared to professional football players (64.16%), the situation being reversed in the case of overuse injuries: 27.62% in professional football players and 21.13% in amateur football players. Most contact injuries were found in professional footballers (50.70%), with non-contact injuries predominating in amateur footballers (54.04%). The analysis of the severity of injuries showed that moderate injuries dominated in the two categories of footballers; the severe injuries in amateur footballers exceeded the severe injuries recorded in professional footballers by 9.60%. Recurrence proportions showed an inverse relationship with the level of play, being higher in amateur footballers (16.66%) compared to professional footballers (15.25%). Conclusions (4): Football-related injuries have a significant impact on professional and amateur football players and their short- and long-term health status. Knowing the frequency of severe diagnoses, such as strains, tears and cramps of the thigh muscles, ankle ligament sprains and hip/groin muscle strain requires the establishment of adequate programs to prevent them, especially in amateur football players, who are more prone to serious injuries.