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Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Large language models (LLMs) represent a recent advancement in artificial intelligence with medical applications across various healthcare domains. The objective of... (Review)
Review
Large language models (LLMs) represent a recent advancement in artificial intelligence with medical applications across various healthcare domains. The objective of this review is to highlight how LLMs can be utilized by clinicians and surgeons in their everyday practice. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Six databases were searched to identify relevant articles. Eligibility criteria emphasized articles focused primarily on clinical and surgical applications of LLMs. The literature search yielded 333 results, with 34 meeting eligibility criteria. All articles were from 2023. There were 14 original research articles, four letters, one interview, and 15 review articles. These articles covered a wide variety of medical specialties, including various surgical subspecialties. : LLMs have the potential to enhance healthcare delivery. In clinical settings, LLMs can assist in diagnosis, treatment guidance, patient triage, physician knowledge augmentation, and administrative tasks. In surgical settings, LLMs can assist surgeons with documentation, surgical planning, and intraoperative guidance. However, addressing their limitations and concerns, particularly those related to accuracy and biases, is crucial. LLMs should be viewed as tools to complement, not replace, the expertise of healthcare professionals.
PubMed: 38892752
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113041 -
Pain Jun 2024Many patients experience acute pain, which has been associated with numerous negative consequences. Pain education has been proposed as a strategy to improve acute pain...
Many patients experience acute pain, which has been associated with numerous negative consequences. Pain education has been proposed as a strategy to improve acute pain management. However, studies report limited effects with educational interventions for acute pain in adults, which can be explained by the underuse of the person-centered approach. Thus, we aimed to systematically review and synthetize current evidence from quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies describing patients' needs and preferences for acute pain education in adults. We searched original studies and gray literature in 7 databases, from January 1990 to October 2023. Methodological quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 32 studies were included (n = 1847 patients), two-thirds of which were qualitative studies of high methodological quality. Most of the studies were conducted over the last 15 years in patients with postsurgical and posttraumatic pain, identified as White, with a low level of education. Patients expressed the greatest need for education when it came to what to expect in pain intensity and duration, as well how to take the medication and its associated adverse effects. The most frequently reported educational preferences were for in-person education while involving caregivers and to obtain information first from physicians, then by other professionals. This review has highlighted the needs and preferences to be considered in pain education interventions, which should be embedded in an approach cultivating communication and partnership with patients and their caregivers. The results still need to be confirmed with different patient populations.
PubMed: 38888742
DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003288 -
Sleep & Breathing = Schlaf & Atmung Jun 2024The goal of this review is to provide sleep physicians, dentists, and researchers with an evidence-based overview of the literature on smart mandibular advancement... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The goal of this review is to provide sleep physicians, dentists, and researchers with an evidence-based overview of the literature on smart mandibular advancement devices (MADs) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted by two blinded reviewers and an information specialist. A smart MAD was defined as any MAD with additional functionality besides mandibular protrusion. The bibliographic databases Medline, Embase, and Scopus were used to identify relevant publications. Studies were included if they described any stage of development of smart MADs. A total of 3162 titles and abstracts were screened for their relevance. In total, 58 articles were selected for full-text screening, 26 of which were included in this review.
RESULTS
The overall quality of the available literature was low. Most of the studies were observational, clinical or applied-research articles. The authors classified MADs into two main groups: passive and active. Passive MADs measured patient data, most commonly patient compliance. Active MADs adjusted protrusion of the mandible in response to patient data and were found in various phases of technological readiness (in development, demonstration, or deployment).
CONCLUSION
Innovations in smart mandibular advancement devices most frequently track patient compliance. Devices measuring other health parameters and active, feedback-controlled, devices are increasingly reported on. However, studies demonstrating their added benefit over traditional methods remain sparse. With further study, smart mandibular advancement devices have the potential to improve the efficiency of obstructive sleep apnea treatment and provide new treatment possibilities.
PubMed: 38886278
DOI: 10.1007/s11325-024-03068-3 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Jun 2024Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-targeted Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has revolutionised prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment, offering superior... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-targeted Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has revolutionised prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment, offering superior diagnostic accuracy over traditional methods and enabling theragnostic applications. However, a significant diagnostic challenge has emerged with identifying unspecific bone uptakes (UBUs), which could lead to over-staging and inappropriate treatment decisions if misinterpreted. This systematic review explores the phenomenon of UBUs in PCa patients undergoing PSMA-PET imaging.
METHODS
Studies assessing the prevalence, topographical distribution, and potential clinical implications of UBUs were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method and evaluated with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool.
RESULTS
The percentage of PCa patients with UBUs on PSMA-PET scans ranged from 0 to 71.7%, depending on the radiopharmaceutical used, with [F]PSMA-1007 showing the highest incidence. The ribs are the primary site of UBUs across all PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceuticals. The spine is the second most frequent UBU site for [Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, [F]DCFPyL, [F]rhPSMA-7, while the pelvic girdle represents the second most frequent site for [F]PSMA-1007. The average maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) of UBUs varied from 3.4 to 7.7 and was generally lower than that of bone metastases.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings underscore the need for heightened awareness and precise interpretation of UBUs to avoid potential over-staging and subsequent inappropriate treatment decisions. Considering the radiopharmaceutical used, PET-derived semiquantitative parameters, the topographical distribution of UBUs, and accurately evaluating the pre-test probability based on clinical and laboratory parameters may aid nuclear medicine physicians in interpreting PSMA-PET findings.
PubMed: 38884773
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06797-5 -
Zdravstveno Varstvo Sep 2024Beekeepers represent a high-allergic risk population group due to their unavoidable seasonal or persistent exposure to the elicitors of venom allergy, bees in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Beekeepers represent a high-allergic risk population group due to their unavoidable seasonal or persistent exposure to the elicitors of venom allergy, bees in particular. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to venom among beekeepers worldwide.
METHODS
We rigorously reviewed and conducted meta-analysis on observational studies retrieved from seven electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Academic Search Complete, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Zoological Record), spanning data from inception to August 1, 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize evidence.
RESULTS
Out of 468 studies, eight original articles met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall lifetime and one-year prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom were 23.7% (95% CI: 7.7-53.4) and 7.3% (95% CI: 5.8-9.2), respectively. The estimated lifetime prevalence of self-reported systemic allergic reaction to bee venom for grades III-IV (severe systemic allergic reaction) was 6.0% (95% CI: 3.0-11.7). In general, substantial heterogeneity and a high risk of bias were observed across the majority of studies. The impact of geographical location and climate differences on the estimated lifetime prevalence is suggestive for severe systemic allergic reaction.
CONCLUSIONS
Future observational cross-sectional studies should employ rigorous study designs, using validated questionnaires, and thoroughly report the observed health outcomes, verified by physicians.
PubMed: 38881633
DOI: 10.2478/sjph-2024-0020 -
The Journal of the Association of... May 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to identify the risk factors of long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide insight for selecting cases... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to identify the risk factors of long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide insight for selecting cases for more aggressive monitoring and treatment after COVID-19 infection and reduce morbidity due to long COVID-19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
All relevant studies published till July 2022 were searched for in PubMed, Trip database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library). Reference lists of the studies selected for appraisal were also considered. The National Institute of Health Clinical Database and Google Scholar were searched for unpublished studies. All cohort studies which studied risk factors for long COVID-19 in adults (>18 years age-group) were included. Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were used for data extraction and bias assessment were. The outcomes were risk factors identified as being related with persistent symptoms 3 months after recovery from COVID-19. Random-effects model (RevMan 5.3) was used to pool the data.
RESULTS
Total nine studies were included with overall quality scores ranging from 16 to 19 out of the maximum 22. Pooled results demonstrated statistically significant association of long COVID-19 with female gender [odds ratio (OR) -1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-2.09], need of hospitalization (OR -1.80; 95% CI 1.22-2.64), and hospital stay (OR 2.41; 95% CI 0.75-4.07).
CONCLUSION
Female gender, need for hospitalization and duration of hospitalization during acute COVID-19 infection are the risk factors for later development of long COVID-19. There should be specific guidelines for monitoring and treatment of this population after acute COVID-19 infection.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Risk Factors; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38881113
DOI: 10.59556/japi.72.0528 -
Arthroscopy : the Journal of... Jun 2024To systematically review the literature regarding the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques and fixation methods for vertically oriented meniscal tears. (Review)
Review
Neither All-Inside, nor Inside-Out, nor Outside-In Repair Demonstrates Superior Biomechanical Properties for Vertical Meniscal Tears: A Systematic Review of Human Cadaveric Studies.
PURPOSE
To systematically review the literature regarding the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques and fixation methods for vertically oriented meniscal tears.
METHODS
Human cadaveric studies evaluating the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques for vertically oriented meniscal tears were identified using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health databases. Primary outcomes included load to failure, displacement, stiffness, peak contact pressure, and contact area of repaired menisci. Repair techniques from included studies were reclassified into a total of 19 distinct all-inside (AI), inside-out (IO), or outside-in (OI) techniques.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were included (420 total menisci). Contact pressure and area were restored to intact-state values across all 5 compressive load studies at low knee flexion angles but not at greater knee flexion angles (i.e., >60°). There were no significant differences in contact pressure or area between AI, IO, and OI techniques across all studies. Some studies demonstrated statistically significant advantages in tensile properties with IO techniques when compared with AI techniques, whereas others found AI techniques to be superior. No studies directly compared tensile properties of OI techniques with those of AI or IO techniques. Vertical mattress suture configurations resulted in significantly greater load to failure and decreased displacement compared with horizontal mattress configurations in 67% of studies comparing the 2 techniques. There was no difference in the rate of tissue failure in AI (66.97%), IO (60.38%), or OI (66.67%, χ = 0.83, P = .66) techniques.
CONCLUSIONS
Contact mechanics are reliably restored after repair of vertical meniscal tears at low flexion angles but inconsistently restored at greater flexion angles, regardless of technique. Vertical mattress configurations outperformed horizontal mattress configurations under tensile load. There are conflicting data regarding the comparison of tensile properties between AI and IO techniques. Ultimately, neither AI, IO, nor OI repair demonstrated superior biomechanical properties in the present literature.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Several repair techniques demonstrate favorable biomechanical properties for vertical meniscal tears under tensile and compressive loads. Neither AI, IO, nor OI repair techniques demonstrate superior biomechanical properties at this time.
PubMed: 38880182
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.03.049 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Strikes in the health sector have been of growing concern, given their disruptive nature, negatively impacting the provision of health care and jeopardizing the...
INTRODUCTION
Strikes in the health sector have been of growing concern, given their disruptive nature, negatively impacting the provision of health care and jeopardizing the well-being of patients. This study aims to identify the main actors, the reasons behind industrial actions protests, strikes and lockouts (IAPSL) in sub-Saharan African countries and their impact on health care workers (specifically doctors) and health services, as well as to identify the main strategies adopted to reduce their impact on healthcare services.
METHODS
Studies published between January 2000 and December 2021 and archived in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, ProQuest, and Science Direct were included. Quantitative, observational (i.e., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and ecological) and experimental studies, as well as mixed methods, quasi-experimental, and qualitative studies were eligible.
RESULTS
A total of 5521 studies were identified and after eliminating duplicates, applying the inclusion criteria, and assessing the risk of bias, a total of 11 studies were included in the review. Nurses and doctors are the actors most commonly involved in strikes. The main causes of strikes were salary claims and poor working conditions. The main strategies adopted to mitigate the strike consequences were to restrict services and prioritize emergency and chronic care, greater cooperation with the private sector and rearrange tasks of the available staff. The strikes led to a reduction in hospitalizations and in the number of women giving birth in health units, an increase in maternal and child morbidities and delays in the immunization process. Increased mortality was only reported in faith-based hospitals.
DISCUSSION
This evidence can assist decision-makers in developing strategies and interventions to address IAPSL by health care workers, contributing to strengthen the health system. Strikes in the health sector disrupt healthcare services provision and compromise the well-being of patients, especially the most disadvantaged, with consequences that may be difficult to overcome ever. The potential health impacts of strikes highlights the importance of their prevention or timely resolution through regulation and negotiations to balance the rights of health care workers and the rights of patients.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=334173, identifier CRD42022334173.
Topics: Humans; Africa South of the Sahara; Health Personnel; Strikes, Employee; Physicians
PubMed: 38873309
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1209201 -
JMIR Medical Informatics Jun 2024Burnout among health care professionals is a significant concern, with detrimental effects on health care service quality and patient outcomes. The use of the electronic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Burnout among health care professionals is a significant concern, with detrimental effects on health care service quality and patient outcomes. The use of the electronic health record (EHR) system has been identified as a significant contributor to burnout among health care professionals.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the prevalence of burnout among health care professionals associated with the use of the EHR system, thereby providing evidence to improve health information systems and develop strategies to measure and mitigate burnout.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for English-language peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2022. Two independent reviewers applied inclusion and exclusion criteria, and study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analyses were performed using R (version 4.1.3; R Foundation for Statistical Computing), with EndNote X7 (Clarivate) for reference management.
RESULTS
The review included 32 cross-sectional studies and 5 case-control studies with a total of 66,556 participants, mainly physicians and registered nurses. The pooled prevalence of burnout among health care professionals in cross-sectional studies was 40.4% (95% CI 37.5%-43.2%). Case-control studies indicated a higher likelihood of burnout among health care professionals who spent more time on EHR-related tasks outside work (odds ratio 2.43, 95% CI 2.31-2.57).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the association between the increased use of the EHR system and burnout among health care professionals. Potential solutions include optimizing EHR systems, implementing automated dictation or note-taking, employing scribes to reduce documentation burden, and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance EHR system efficiency and reduce the risk of burnout.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021281173; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021281173.
PubMed: 38865188
DOI: 10.2196/54811 -
European Journal of Emergency Medicine... Jun 2024Multiple decision-aiding models are available to help physicians identify acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and accelerate the decision-making process in emergency...
BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE
Multiple decision-aiding models are available to help physicians identify acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and accelerate the decision-making process in emergency departments (EDs).
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of the Manchester Acute Coronary Syndrome (MACS) rule and its derivations, enhancing the evidence for their clinical use.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception until October 2023 for studies including adult ED patients with suspected cardiac chest pain and inconclusive findings requiring ACS risk-stratification.
OUTCOME MEASURES AND ANALYSIS
The predictive value of MACS, Troponin-only MACS (T-MACS), or History and Electrocardiogram-only MACS (HE-MACS) decision aids for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 30-day major adverse cardiac outcomes (MACEs) among patients admitted to ED with chest pain suspected of ACS. Overall sensitivity and specificity were synthesized using the 'Diagma' package in STATA statistical software. Applicability and risk of bias assessment were performed using the QUADAS-2 tool.
MAIN RESULTS
For AMI detection, MACS has a sensitivity of 99% [confidence interval (CI): 97-100], specificity of 19% (CI: 10-32), and AUC of 0.816 (CI: 0.720-0.885). T-MACS shows a sensitivity of 98% (CI: 98-99), specificity of 35% (CI: 29-42), and AUC of 0.859 (CI: 0.824-0.887). HE-MACS exhibits a sensitivity of 99% (CI: 98-100), specificity of 9% (CI: 3-21), and AUC of 0.787 (CI: 0.647-0.882). For MACE detection, MACS demonstrates a sensitivity of 98% (CI: 94-100), specificity of 22% (CI: 10-42), and AUC of 0.804 (CI: 0.659-0.897). T-MACS displays a sensitivity of 96% (CI: 94-98), specificity of 36% (CI: 30-43), and AUC of 0.792 (CI: 0.748-0.830). HE-MACS maintains a sensitivity of 99% (CI: 97-99), specificity of 10% (CI 6-16), and AUC of 0.713 (CI: 0.625-0.787).
CONCLUSION
Of all the MACS models, T-MACS displayed the highest overall accuracy due to its high sensitivity and significantly superior specificity. T-MACS exhibits very good diagnostic performance in predicting both AMI and MACE. This makes it a highly promising tool for managing patients with acute chest pain.
PubMed: 38864570
DOI: 10.1097/MEJ.0000000000001147