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BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jun 2024To investigate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) overall and by age, sex, and socioeconomic status, and its variation over time, in the UK during 2000-19.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) overall and by age, sex, and socioeconomic status, and its variation over time, in the UK during 2000-19.
DESIGN
Population based study.
SETTING
UK.
PARTICIPANTS
1 650 052 individuals registered with a general practice contributing to Clinical Practice Research Datalink and newly diagnosed with at least one CVD from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2019.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome was incident diagnosis of CVD, comprising acute coronary syndrome, aortic aneurysm, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation or flutter, chronic ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, second or third degree heart block, stroke (ischaemic, haemorrhagic, and unspecified), and venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). Disease incidence rates were calculated individually and as a composite outcome of all 10 CVDs combined and were standardised for age and sex using the 2013 European standard population. Negative binomial regression models investigated temporal trends and variation by age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
RESULTS
The mean age of the population was 70.5 years and 47.6% (n=784 904) were women. The age and sex standardised incidence of all 10 prespecified CVDs declined by 19% during 2000-19 (incidence rate ratio 2017-19 2000-02: 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.88). The incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke decreased by about 30% (incidence rate ratios for acute coronary syndrome, chronic ischaemic heart disease, and stroke were 0.70 (0.69 to 0.70), 0.67 (0.66 to 0.67), and 0.75 (0.67 to 0.83), respectively). In parallel, an increasing number of diagnoses of cardiac arrhythmias, valve disease, and thromboembolic diseases were observed. As a result, the overall incidence of CVDs across the 10 conditions remained relatively stable from the mid-2000s. Age stratified analyses further showed that the observed decline in coronary heart disease incidence was largely restricted to age groups older than 60 years, with little or no improvement in younger age groups. Trends were generally similar between men and women. A socioeconomic gradient was observed for almost every CVD investigated. The gradient did not decrease over time and was most noticeable for peripheral artery disease (incidence rate ratio most deprived least deprived: 1.98 (1.87 to 2.09)), acute coronary syndrome (1.55 (1.54 to 1.57)), and heart failure (1.50 (1.41 to 1.59)).
CONCLUSIONS
Despite substantial improvements in the prevention of atherosclerotic diseases in the UK, the overall burden of CVDs remained high during 2000-19. For CVDs to decrease further, future prevention strategies might need to consider a broader spectrum of conditions, including arrhythmias, valve diseases, and thromboembolism, and examine the specific needs of younger age groups and socioeconomically deprived populations.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; United Kingdom; Incidence; Aged; Middle Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Social Class; Age Distribution; Sex Distribution; Young Adult
PubMed: 38925788
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-078523 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Evidence-based psychological treatments for people with personality disorder usually involve attending group-based sessions over many months. Low-intensity psychological...
Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Structured Psychological Support for people with probable personality disorder in mental health services in England: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION
Evidence-based psychological treatments for people with personality disorder usually involve attending group-based sessions over many months. Low-intensity psychological interventions of less than 6 months duration have been developed, but their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are unclear.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This is a multicentre, randomised, parallel-group, researcher-masked, superiority trial. Study participants will be aged 18 and over, have probable personality disorder and be treated by mental health staff in seven centres in England. We will exclude people who are: unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent, have a coexisting organic or psychotic mental disorder, or are already receiving psychological treatment for personality disorder or on a waiting list for such treatment. In the intervention group, participants will be offered up to 10 individual sessions of Structured Psychological Support. In the control group, participants will be offered treatment as usual plus a single session of personalised crisis planning. The primary outcome is social functioning measured over 12 months using total score on the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS). Secondary outcomes include mental health, suicidal behaviour, health-related quality of life, patient-rated global improvement and satisfaction, and resource use and costs. The primary analysis will compare WSAS scores across the 12-month period using a general linear mixed model adjusting for baseline scores, allocation group and study centre on an intention-to-treat basis. In a parallel process evaluation, we will analyse qualitative data from interviews with study participants, clinical staff and researchers to examine mechanisms of impact and contextual factors.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study complies with the Helsinki Declaration II and is approved by the London-Bromley Research Ethics Committee (IRAS ID 315951). Study findings will be published in an open access peer-reviewed journal; and disseminated at national and international conferences.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN13918289.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; England; Mental Health Services; Personality Disorders; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Adult; Psychosocial Intervention
PubMed: 38925701
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086593 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Insomnia is a common health problem and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as a treatment. As there is a critical shortage of CBT-trained therapists, we... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Insomnia is a common health problem and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as a treatment. As there is a critical shortage of CBT-trained therapists, we developed a digital CBT application (IIIP MED: Sleepy Med) as Software as a Medical Device for insomnia. This paper describes the study protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate effectiveness and safety of our developed digital CBT (dCBT) for 5 weeks compared with zolpidem tartrate for patients with insomnia disorder.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This proposed multicentre exploratory RCT will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of Chiba University Hospital, Akita University Hospital and Yoyogi Sleep Disorder Center, Japan. The study population comprises two parallel groups (dCBT and zolpidem) consisting of 15 participants each (n=30 in total) diagnosed with insomnia disorder who remain symptomatic at 4 weeks after sleep hygiene education. We will evaluate the effectiveness at baseline, week 5 (post-intervention) and week 10 (follow-up). The primary outcome will be the change of subjective sleep onset latency at week 5 from baseline. Secondary outcomes include sleep-related outcomes, such as objective sleep onset latency measured by mobile electroencephalography, functional improvement during the daytime and quality of life.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethics approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of Chiba University Hospital (K2023001). All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. Results will be published in international journals.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
jRCT2032230353.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Zolpidem; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Adult; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Female; Male; Treatment Outcome; Japan; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38925698
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081205 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are more at risk for the neurodevelopmental disorders attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder...
INTRODUCTION
Children with atopic dermatitis (AD) are more at risk for the neurodevelopmental disorders attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with parallel increases in global prevalences. Children afflicted with these conditions appear to share similar problems in sensory modulation but investigational studies on the underlying aetiology are scarce. This scoping review aims to find knowledge gaps, collate hypotheses and to summarise available evidence on the shared pathophysiology of AD, ADHD and ASD in children.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Our study will follow the methodological manual published by the Joanna Briggs Methodology for Scoping Reviews and will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. The following electronic databases will be searched for studies focused on children with AD and symptoms of ADHD and/or ASD: Medline ALL via Ovid, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials via Wiley.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This review does not require ethics approval as it will not be conducted with human participants. We will only use published data. Our dissemination strategy includes peer review publication and conference reports.
Topics: Humans; Dermatitis, Atopic; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Child; Research Design
PubMed: 38925697
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081280 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Jun 2024Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a significant global health threat partly due to its ability to develop resistance to anti-retroviral therapies....
BACKGROUND
Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a significant global health threat partly due to its ability to develop resistance to anti-retroviral therapies. HIV-1 genotype and drug resistance analysis of the polymerase (pol) sequence is a mainstay of its clinical and public health management. However, as new treatments and resistances evolve, analysis methods must change accordingly. In this study, we outline the development and implementation of a direct whole-genome sequencing approach (dWGS) using probe-capture target-enrichment for HIV-1 genotype and drug resistance analysis.
METHODS
We implemented dWGS and performed parallel pol Sanger sequencing for clinical samples, followed by comparative genotype and drug-resistance analysis. These HIV-1 WGS sequences were also utilised for a novel partitioned phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS
Optimised nucleic acid extraction and DNAse I treatment significantly increased HIV-1 whole-genome coverage and depth, and improved recovery of high-quality genomes from low viral load clinical samples, enabling routine sequencing of viral loads as low as 1000 copies/mL. Overall, dWGS was robust, accurate and more sensitive for detecting low-frequency variants at drug-resistance sites compared to Sanger sequencing. Analysis of multiple sequence regions improved phylogenetic reconstruction for recombinant HIV-1 sequences compared to analysis of pol sequence alone.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate dWGS enhances HIV-1 drug-resistance analysis by quantitative variant detection and improves reconstruction of HIV-1 phylogenies compared to traditional pol sequencing. This work supports that HIV-1 dWGS is a viable option to replace Sanger sequencing for clinical and public health applications.
PubMed: 38924832
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105709 -
PloS One 2024Dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences the bioavailability and behavior of trace metals and other pollutants in landfill leachate. This research characterized...
Characterization and spatiotemporal variations of fluorescent dissolved organic matter in leachate from old landfill-derived incineration residues and incombustible waste.
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) influences the bioavailability and behavior of trace metals and other pollutants in landfill leachate. This research characterized fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) in leachate from an old landfill in Japan during a 13-month investigation. We employed excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to deconvolute the FDOM complex mixture into three fluorophores: microbial humic-like (C1), terrestrial humic-like (C2), and tryptophan-like fluorophores (C3). These FDOM components were compared with findings from other studies of leachate in landfills with different waste compositions. The correlations among EEM-PARAFAC components, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, and ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence indices were evaluated. The FDOM in leachate varied spatially among old and extended leachate collected in the landfill and leachate treatment facility. The FDOM changed temporally and decreased markedly in August 2019, November 2019, and April 2020. The strong positive correlation between HIX and %C2 (r = 0.87, ρ = 0.91, p < 0.001)) implies that HIX may indicate the relative contribution of terrestrial humic-like components in landfill leachate. The Fmax of C1, C2, and C3 and the DOC concentration showed strong correlations among each other (r > 0.72, ρ > 0.78, p < 0.001) and positive correlations with leachate level (r > 0.41, p < 0.001), suggesting the importance of hydrological effects and leachate pump operation on FDOM.
Topics: Water Pollutants, Chemical; Waste Disposal Facilities; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Incineration; Japan; Humic Substances; Fluorescence; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38924014
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304188 -
PloS One 2024Myopia, characterized by excessive axial elongation of the eyeball, increases risks of having sight-threatening diseases and impose a financial burden to healthcare... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Myopia, characterized by excessive axial elongation of the eyeball, increases risks of having sight-threatening diseases and impose a financial burden to healthcare system. Although myopic control interventions showed their effectiveness in slowing progression, the efficacy varies between individuals and does not completely halt progression. The study aims to investigate the efficacy of combining 0.01% atropine administered twice daily with optical defocus for myopia control in schoolchildren.
METHODS AND DESIGN
This is a prospective, parallel-group, single-blinded, randomized, active-control trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06358755). Myopic schoolchildren with no previous myopic control interventions aged between 7 to 12 years will be recruited. They will be randomly allocated into two groups (n = 56 per group) after baseline measurement. Both groups will receive 0.01% atropine twice per day for 18 months (one drop in the morning and the other drop at night before bedtime). Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses will be prescribed in atropine plus optical defocus (ATD) treatment group while single vision spectacle lenses will be given in atropine only (AT) group. Cycloplegic refraction and axial lengths will be monitored every 6 months over 18-month study period. The primary outcomes are changes in cycloplegic refraction and axial lengths relative to the baseline over the study period.
DISCUSSION
The result will examine the combination effect of low dose atropine and myopic defocus on myopia control in a randomized controlled study. The findings will also explore the potential benefits of applying 0.01% atropine twice per day on myopic control and its potential side effects.
Topics: Humans; Atropine; Myopia; Child; Prospective Studies; Male; Female; Refraction, Ocular; Eyeglasses; Single-Blind Method; Ophthalmic Solutions; Mydriatics; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38923965
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306050 -
Journal of the International AIDS... Jun 2024Habits are a common strategy for successfully countering medication non-adherence, yet existing interventions do not support participants during the long habit formation... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Habits are a common strategy for successfully countering medication non-adherence, yet existing interventions do not support participants during the long habit formation period, resulting in high attrition. We test a novel intervention combining text messages and incentives with anchoring to support antiretroviral therapy (ART) pill-taking habits.
METHODS
In a randomized, parallel controlled trial, a sample of 155 participants 18 years and older who initiated ART within 3 months were recruited at Mildmay Uganda between October 2021 and April 2022. All participants were educated on the anchoring strategy and chose an anchor, that is existing routines, to pair with pill-taking. Participants were randomized to either usual care (C = 49), daily text message reminders to follow their anchoring plan (Messages group; T1 = 49) or messages and incentives conditional on pill-taking in line with their anchor (Incentives group; T2 = 57). Assessments occurred at baseline, month 3 (end of intervention) and month 9 (end of observation period). The primary outcomes are electronically measured mean adherence and pill-taking consistent with participants' anchor time.
RESULTS
The primary outcome of pill-taking in line with the anchoring plan was higher in the Incentives group during the 3-month intervention (12.2 p.p. [95% CI: 2.2 22.2; p = .02]), and remained significantly higher after the incentives were withdrawn (months 4-6 (14.2 p.p. [95% CI 1.1 27.2; p = .03]); months 7-9 (14.1 p.p. [95% CI -0.2 28.5; p = .05])). Mean adherence was higher in both treatment groups relative to the control group during the intervention (T1 vs. C, p = .06; T2 vs. C, p = .06) but not post-intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
The promising approach of using incentives to support habit formation among ART treatment initiators needs to be evaluated in a fully powered study to further our understanding of the habit formation process and to evaluate its cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Humans; Uganda; Medication Adherence; Male; Female; HIV Infections; Adult; Motivation; Reminder Systems; Pilot Projects; Text Messaging; Middle Aged; Anti-HIV Agents; Young Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents
PubMed: 38923298
DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26306 -
Cancer Medicine Jun 2024Neurosurgery is considered the mainstay of treatment for pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG); the extent of resection determines subsequent stratification in current...
INTRODUCTION
Neurosurgery is considered the mainstay of treatment for pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG); the extent of resection determines subsequent stratification in current treatment protocols. Yet, surgical radicality must be balanced against the risks of complications that may affect long-term quality of life. We investigated whether this consideration impacted surgical resection patterns over time for patients of the German LGG studies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Four thousand two hundred and seventy pediatric patients from three successive LGG studies (median age at diagnosis 7.6 years, neurofibromatosis (NF1) 14.7%) were grouped into 5 consecutive time intervals (TI1-5) for date of diagnosis and analyzed for timing and extent of first surgery with respect to tumor site, histology, NF1-status, sex, and age.
RESULTS
The fraction of radiological LGG diagnoses increased over time (TI1 12.6%; TI5 21.7%), while the extent of the first neurosurgical intervention (3440/4270) showed a reduced fraction of complete/subtotal and an increase of partial resections from TI1 to TI5. Binary logistic regression analysis for the first intervention within the first year following diagnosis confirmed the temporal trends (p < 0.001) and the link with tumor site for each extent of resection (p < 0.001). Higher age is related to more complete resections in the cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres.
CONCLUSIONS
The declining extent of surgical resections over time was unrelated to patient characteristics. It paralleled the evolution of comprehensive treatment algorithms; thus, it may reflect alignment of surgical practice to recommendations in respect to age, tumor site, and NF1-status integrated as such into current treatment guidelines. Further investigations are needed to understand how planning, performance, or tumor characteristics impact achieving surgical goals.
Topics: Humans; Child; Glioma; Female; Male; Neurosurgical Procedures; Germany; Brain Neoplasms; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Infant; Neoplasm Grading
PubMed: 38923198
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7417 -
Journal of Vector Borne Diseases Apr 2024The range of Aedes albopictus, the most important vector mosquito in Western Eurasia is growing due to climate change. However, it is not known how it will influence the...
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
The range of Aedes albopictus, the most important vector mosquito in Western Eurasia is growing due to climate change. However, it is not known how it will influence the habitats occupied by the species and its environmental fitness within its future range.
METHODS
To study this question, the habitat characteristic of the mosquito was investigated for 2081-2100.
RESULTS
The models suggest a notable future spread of the mosquito in the direction of Northern Europe and the parallel northward and westward shift of the southern and eastern potential occurrences of the mosquito. The models suggest a notable increase in generation numbers in the warmest quarter, which can reach 4-5 generations in the peri-Mediterranean region. However, both the joint survival rate of larvae and pupae and the number of survival days of adults in the warmest quarter exhibit decreasing values, as does the potential disappearance of the mosquito in the southern regions of Europe and Asia Minor, along with the growing atmospheric CO2 concentration-based scenarios.
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION
While in 1970-2000 Aedes albopictus mainly occupied the hot and warm summer temperate regions of Europe, the species will inhabit dominantly the cool summer temperate (oceanic) and the humid continental climate territories of North and North-Eastern Europe in 2081-2100.
Topics: Aedes; Animals; Ecosystem; Europe; Climate Change; Asia; Mosquito Vectors; Larva; Pupa; Seasons
PubMed: 38922659
DOI: 10.4103/jvbd.jvbd_143_23