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Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Jun 2024To provide family physicians with prescribing and diagnostic strategies that can reduce carbon emissions associated with inhalers. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To provide family physicians with prescribing and diagnostic strategies that can reduce carbon emissions associated with inhalers.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
This review is based on the authors' experience developing the climate-conscious inhaler prescribing playbooks and courses for CASCADES (Creating a Sustainable Canadian Health System in a Climate Crisis). The approach was refined through patient and provider feedback since the first playbook was published in 2021. PubMed was also searched for relevant publications on inhaler use, asthma management, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. Current asthma and COPD guidelines were also reviewed.
MAIN MESSAGE
There is growing acknowledgment of the substantial impact that inhalers have on climate emissions generated by the health sector. Recent surveys indicate that most Canadian patients care about climate change and would be willing to opt for less carbon-intensive treatment and care delivery options where available. Beyond inhaler choice, there are many opportunities to address the climate impacts of respiratory care and enhance quality of care. Working with patients to ensure they are using the right medications in the right ways will produce both carbon savings and better health outcomes. The climate crisis can therefore serve as a catalyst for improving treatment of patients with respiratory conditions. Family physicians may reduce carbon emissions associated with inhalers by reducing unnecessary inhaler prescribing; ensuring patients' control of asthma and COPD is optimized; considering whether a more sustainable inhaler may be appropriate; optimizing dosing technique to reduce emissions and waste; and disposing of inhalers appropriately if possible.
CONCLUSION
Family physicians may reduce carbon emissions associated with inhalers through the following strategies: confirming diagnosis, controlling disease, considering inhaler type, optimizing dosing technique, and encouraging appropriate disposal.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Canada; Physicians, Family; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Climate Change; Family Practice
PubMed: 38886092
DOI: 10.46747/cfp.7006381 -
Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Jun 2024To understand how lack of attachment to a regular primary care provider influences patients' outlooks on primary care, ability to address their health care needs, and...
OBJECTIVE
To understand how lack of attachment to a regular primary care provider influences patients' outlooks on primary care, ability to address their health care needs, and confidence in the health care system.
DESIGN
Qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews.
SETTING
Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients aged 18 years or older who were unattached or had become attached within 1 year of being interviewed and who resided in the province in which they were interviewed.
METHODS
Forty-one semistructured interviews were conducted, during which participants were asked to describe how they had become unattached, their searches to find new primary care providers, their perceptions of and experiences with the centralized waiting list in their province, their experiences seeking care while unattached, and the impact of being unattached on their health and on their perceptions of the health care system. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic approach.
MAIN FINDINGS
Two main themes were identified in interviews with unattached or recently attached patients: unmet needs of unattached patients and the impact of being unattached. Patients' perceived benefits of attachment included access to care, longitudinal relationships with health care providers, health history familiarity, and follow-up monitoring and care coordination. Being unattached was associated with negative effects on mental health, poor health outcomes, decreased confidence in the health care system, and greater pre-existing health inequities.
CONCLUSION
Having a regular primary care provider is essential to having access to high-quality care and other health care services. Attachment also promotes health equity and confidence in the public health care system and has broader system-level, social, and policy implications.
Topics: Humans; Qualitative Research; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Adult; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Primary Health Care; Health Services Accessibility; Canada; Aged; Interviews as Topic; Physician-Patient Relations
PubMed: 38886083
DOI: 10.46747/cfp.7006396 -
International Journal of Spine Surgery Jun 2024We sought to determine which aspect of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV)-tilt angle or screw angle-was more strongly associated with: (1) proximal junctional...
Comparing the Upper Instrumented Vertebrae Tilt Angle vs Screw Angle in the Development of Proximal Junction Kyphosis After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Which Matters More?
BACKGROUND
We sought to determine which aspect of the upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV)-tilt angle or screw angle-was more strongly associated with: (1) proximal junctional kyphosis/failure (PJK/F), (2) other mechanical complications and reoperations, and (3) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
METHODS
A single-institution, retrospective cohort study was undertaken for patients undergoing adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery from 2011 to 2017. Only patients with UIV at T7 or below were included. The primary exposure variables were UIV tilt angle (the angle of the UIV inferior endplate and the horizontal) and UIV screw angle (the angle of the UIV screws and superior endplate). Multivariable logistic regression included age, body mass index, osteopenia/osteoporosis, postoperative sagittal vertical axis, postoperative pelvic-incidence lumbar lordosis mismatch, UIV tilt angle and UIV screw angle.
RESULTS
One hundred and seventeen patients underwent adult spinal deformity surgery with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. A total of 41 patients (35.0%) had PJK and 26 (22.2%) had PJF. (1) UIV tilt angle: 96 (82.1%) had lordotic UIV tilt angles, 6 (5.1%) were neutral, and 15 (12.8%) were kyphotic. (2) UIV screw angle: 38 (32.5%) had cranially directed screws, 4 (3.4%) were neutral, and 75 (64.1%) were caudally directed. Both lordotic-angled UIV endplate (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.12, and = 0.020) and cranially directed screws (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.07-1.33, and < 0.001) were associated with higher odds of PJK, with a more pronounced effect of UIV screw angle compared with UIV tilt angle (Wald test, 9.40 vs 4.42). Similar results were found for PJF. Neither parameter was associated with other mechanical complications, reoperations, or patient-reported outcome measures.
CONCLUSIONS
UIV screw angle was more strongly associated with development of PJK/F compared with tilt angle. Overall, these modifiable parameters are directly under the surgeon's control and can mitigate the development of PJK/F.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Surgeons may consider selecting a UIV with a neutral or kyphotically directed UIV tilt angle when performing ASD surgery with a UIV in the lower thoracic or lumbar region, as well as use UIV screw angles that are caudally directed, for the purprose of decreasing the risk of developing PJK/F.
PubMed: 38886012
DOI: 10.14444/8607 -
RMD Open Jun 2024The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity and antigen specificity at diagnosis have predictive...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity and antigen specificity at diagnosis have predictive utility in paediatric-onset small vessel vasculitis.
METHODS
Children and adolescents with small vessel vasculitis (n=406) stratified according to the absence (n=41) or presence of ANCA for myeloperoxidase (MPO) (n=129) and proteinase-3 (PR3) (n=236) were compared for overall and kidney-specific disease activity at diagnosis and outcomes between 1 and 2 years using retrospective clinical data from the ARChiVe/Paediatric Vasculitis Initiative registry to fit generalised linear models.
RESULTS
Overall disease activity at diagnosis was higher in PR3-ANCA and MPO-ANCA-seropositive individuals compared with ANCA-negative vasculitis. By 1 year, there were no significant differences, based on ANCA positivity or specificity, in the likelihood of achieving inactive disease (~68%), experiencing improvement (≥87%) or acquiring damage (~58%). Similarly, and in contrast to adult-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis, there were no significant differences in the likelihood of having a relapse (~11%) between 1 and 2 years after diagnosis. Relative to PR3-ANCA, MPO-ANCA seropositivity was associated with a higher likelihood of kidney involvement (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.7, p=0.008) and severe kidney dysfunction (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) stages 4-5; OR 6.04, 95% CI 2.77 to 13.57, p<0.001) at onset. Nonetheless, MPO-ANCA seropositive individuals were more likely to demonstrate improvement in kidney function (improved KDIGO category) within 1 year of diagnosis than PR3-ANCA seropositive individuals with similarly severe kidney disease at onset (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest important paediatric-specific differences in the predictive value of ANCA compared with adult patients that should be considered when making treatment decisions in this population.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; Male; Female; Child; Adolescent; Peroxidase; Myeloblastin; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Diseases; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis; Biomarkers; Child, Preschool; Prognosis; Predictive Value of Tests
PubMed: 38886004
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004315 -
RMD Open Jun 2024To compare longitudinal changes in spirometric measures between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA comparators.
OBJECTIVE
To compare longitudinal changes in spirometric measures between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and non-RA comparators.
METHODS
We analysed longitudinal data from two prospective cohorts: the UK Biobank and COPDGene. Spirometry was conducted at baseline and a second visit after 5-7 years. RA was identified based on self-report and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use; non-RA comparators reported neither. The primary outcomes were annual changes in the per cent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV%) and per cent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%). Statistical comparisons were performed using multivariable linear regression. The analysis was stratified based on baseline smoking status and the presence of obstructive pattern (FEV/FVC <0.7).
RESULTS
Among participants who underwent baseline and follow-up spirometry, we identified 233 patients with RA and 37 735 non-RA comparators. Among never-smoking participants without an obstructive pattern, RA was significantly associated with more FEV% decline (β=-0.49, p=0.04). However, in ever smokers with ≥10 pack-years, those with RA exhibited significantly less FEV% decline than non-RA comparators (β=0.50, p=0.02). This difference was more pronounced among those with an obstructive pattern at baseline (β=1.12, p=0.01). Results were similar for FEV/FVC decline. No difference was observed in the annual FVC% change in RA versus non-RA.
CONCLUSIONS
Smokers with RA, especially those with baseline obstructive spirometric patterns, experienced lower FEV% and FEV/FVC decline than non-RA comparators. Conversely, never smokers with RA had more FEV% decline than non-RA comparators. Future studies should investigate potential treatments and the pathogenesis of obstructive lung diseases in smokers with RA.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Male; Spirometry; Female; Middle Aged; Longitudinal Studies; Prospective Studies; Smoking; Aged; Forced Expiratory Volume; Vital Capacity; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Adult; United Kingdom
PubMed: 38886003
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2024-004281 -
RMD Open Jun 2024To understand (1) what guidance exists to assess the methodological quality of qualitative research; (2) what methods exist to grade levels of evidence from qualitative...
Synthesis of guidance available for assessing methodological quality and grading of evidence from qualitative research to inform clinical recommendations: a systematic literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To understand (1) what guidance exists to assess the methodological quality of qualitative research; (2) what methods exist to grade levels of evidence from qualitative research to inform recommendations within European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR).
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed in multiple databases including PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, COCHRANE and PsycINFO, from inception to 23 October 2020. Eligible studies included primary articles and guideline documents available in English, describing the: (1) development; (2) application of validated tools (eg, checklists); (3) guidance on assessing methodological quality of qualitative research and (4) guidance on grading levels of qualitative evidence. A narrative synthesis was conducted to identify key similarities between included studies.
RESULTS
Of 9073 records retrieved, 51 went through to full-manuscript review, with 15 selected for inclusion. Six articles described methodological tools to assess the quality of qualitative research. The tools evaluated research design, recruitment, ethical rigour, data collection and analysis. Seven articles described one approach, focusing on four key components to determine how much confidence to place in findings from systematic reviews of qualitative research. Two articles focused on grading levels of clinical recommendations based on qualitative evidence; one described a qualitative evidence hierarchy, and another a research pyramid.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of consensus on the use of tools, checklists and approaches suitable for appraising the methodological quality of qualitative research and the grading of qualitative evidence to inform clinical practice. This work is expected to facilitate the inclusion of qualitative evidence in the process of developing recommendations at EULAR level.
Topics: Humans; Qualitative Research; Research Design; Evidence-Based Medicine; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 38886002
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-004032 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024The prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (M-LTCs) increases as adults age and impacts quality of life and health outcomes. To help people manage these conditions,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness of complex behaviour change interventions tested in randomised controlled trials for people with multiple long-term conditions (M-LTCs): systematic review with meta-analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of multiple long-term conditions (M-LTCs) increases as adults age and impacts quality of life and health outcomes. To help people manage these conditions, complex behaviour change interventions are used, often based on research conducted in those with single LTCs. However, the needs of those with M-LTCs can differ due to complex health decision-making and engagement with multiple health and care teams.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review is to identify whether current interventions are effective for people living with M-LTCs, and which outcomes are most appropriate to detect this change.
METHODS
Five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science) were systematically searched, between January 1999 and January 2022, to identify randomised controlled trials evaluating effectiveness of behaviour change interventions in people with M-LTCs. Intervention characteristics, intervention effectiveness and outcome measures were meta-analysed and narratively synthesised.
RESULTS
53 eligible articles were included. Emotional well-being and psychological distress (depression and anxiety) outcomes were most amenable to change (emotional well-being: standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.31 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.58); depression psychological distress: SMD -0.45 (95% CI -0.73 to -0.16); anxiety psychological distress: SMD -0.14 (95% CI -0.28 to 0.00)), particularly for interventions with a collaborative care approach. Interventions targeting those with a physical and mental health condition and those with cognitive and/or behavioural activation approach saw larger reductions in psychological distress outcomes. Interventions that lasted for longer than 6 months significantly improved the widest variety of outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Complex interventions can be successfully delivered to those with M-LTCs. These are most effective at reducing psychological distress in those with physical and mental LTCs. Further research is needed to identify the effective components of interventions for people with two or more physical LTCs and which outcome is most appropriate for detecting this change.
Topics: Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Behavior Therapy; Quality of Life; Multiple Chronic Conditions
PubMed: 38885992
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081104 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Decreased prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was associated with adverse outcomes in many clinical diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between...
Association between extremely high prognostic nutritional index and all-cause mortality in patients with coronary artery disease: secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study in China.
OBJECTIVES
Decreased prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was associated with adverse outcomes in many clinical diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline PNI value and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
DESIGN
The Personalized Antiplatelet Therapy According to CYP2C19 Genotype in Coronary Artery Disease (PRACTICE) study, a prospective cohort study of 15 250 patients with CAD, was performed from December 2016 to October 2021. The longest follow-up period was 5 years. This study was a secondary analysis of the PRACTICE study.
SETTING
The study setting was Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated First Hospital in China.
PARTICIPANTS
Using the 50th and 90th percentiles of the PNI in the total cohort as two cut-off limits, we divided all participants into three groups: Q1 (PNI <51.35, n = 7515), Q2 (51.35 ≤ PNI < 59.80, n = 5958) and Q3 (PNI ≥ 59.80, n = 1510). The PNI value was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dL) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm).
PRIMARY OUTCOME
The primary outcome measure was mortality, including all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM).
RESULTS
In 14 983 participants followed for a median of 24 months, a total of 448 ACM, 333 CM, 1162 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1276 major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were recorded. The incidence of adverse outcomes was significantly different among the three groups (p <0.001). There were 338 (4.5%), 77 (1.3%) and 33 (2.2%) ACM events in the three groups, respectively. A restricted cubic spline displayed a J-shaped relationship between the PNI and worse 5-year outcomes, including ACM, CM, MACE and MACCE. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, we found that only patients with extremely high PNI values in the Q3 subgroup or low PNI values in the Q1 subgroup had a greater risk of ACM (Q3 vs Q2, HR: 1.617, 95% CI 1.012 to 2.585, p=0.045; Q1 vs Q2, HR=1.995, 95% CI 1.532 to 2.598, p <0.001).
CONCLUSION
This study revealed a J-shaped relationship between the baseline PNI and ACM in patients with CAD, with a greater risk of ACM at extremely high PNI values.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT05174143.
Topics: Humans; Coronary Artery Disease; Female; Male; China; Prospective Studies; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Risk Factors; Cause of Death
PubMed: 38885991
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079954 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024Diagnostic imaging is vital in emergency departments (EDs). Accessibility and reporting impacts ED workflow and patient care. With radiology workforce shortages,...
Assessing the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in prioritising CT head interpretation: study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial (ACCEPT-AI).
INTRODUCTION
Diagnostic imaging is vital in emergency departments (EDs). Accessibility and reporting impacts ED workflow and patient care. With radiology workforce shortages, reporting capacity is limited, leading to image interpretation delays. Turnaround times for image reporting are an ED bottleneck. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can improve productivity, efficiency and accuracy in diagnostic radiology, contingent on their clinical efficacy. This includes positively impacting patient care and improving clinical workflow. The ACCEPT-AI study will evaluate Qure.ai's qER software in identifying and prioritising patients with critical findings from AI analysis of non-contrast head CT (NCCT) scans.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This is a multicentre trial, spanning four diverse sites, over 13 months. It will include all individuals above the age of 18 years who present to the ED, referred for an NCCT. The project will be divided into three consecutive phases (pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation of the qER solution) in a stepped-wedge design to control for adoption bias and adjust for time-based changes in the background patient characteristics. Pre-implementation involves baseline data for standard care to support the primary and secondary outcomes. The implementation phase includes staff training and qER solution threshold adjustments in detecting target abnormalities adjusted, if necessary. The post-implementation phase will introduce a notification (prioritised flag) in the radiology information system. The radiologist can choose to agree with the qER findings or ignore it according to their clinical judgement before writing and signing off the report. Non-qER processed scans will be handled as per standard care.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of Good Clinical Practice. The protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of East Midlands (Leicester Central), in May 2023 (REC (Research Ethics Committee) 23/EM/0108). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated in scientific findings (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06027411) TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06027411.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Emergency Service, Hospital; Head; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Algorithms
PubMed: 38885990
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078227 -
BMJ Open Jun 2024To estimate the cost-effectiveness of craniotomy, compared with decompressive craniectomy (DC) in UK patients undergoing evacuation of acute subdural haematoma (ASDH). (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the cost-effectiveness of craniotomy, compared with decompressive craniectomy (DC) in UK patients undergoing evacuation of acute subdural haematoma (ASDH).
DESIGN
Economic evaluation undertaken using health resource use and outcome data from the 12-month multicentre, pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised, Randomised Evaluation of Surgery with Craniectomy for Patients Undergoing Evacuation-ASDH trial.
SETTING
UK secondary care.
PARTICIPANTS
248 UK patients undergoing surgery for traumatic ASDH were randomised to craniotomy (N=126) or DC (N=122).
INTERVENTIONS
Surgical evacuation via craniotomy (bone flap replaced) or DC (bone flap left out with a view to replace later: cranioplasty surgery).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
In the base-case analysis, costs were estimated from a National Health Service and Personal Social Services perspective. Outcomes were assessed via the quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) derived from the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (cost-utility analysis) and the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) (cost-effectiveness analysis). Multiple imputation and regression analyses were conducted to estimate the mean incremental cost and effect of craniotomy compared with DC. The most cost-effective option was selected, irrespective of the level of statistical significance as is argued by economists.
RESULTS
In the cost-utility analysis, the mean incremental cost of craniotomy compared with DC was estimated to be -£5520 (95% CI -£18 060 to £7020) with a mean QALY gain of 0.093 (95% CI 0.029 to 0.156). In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the mean incremental cost was estimated to be -£4536 (95% CI -£17 374 to £8301) with an OR of 1.682 (95% CI 0.995 to 2.842) for a favourable outcome on the GOSE.
CONCLUSIONS
In a UK population with traumatic ASDH, craniotomy was estimated to be cost-effective compared with DC: craniotomy was estimated to have a lower mean cost, higher mean QALY gain and higher probability of a more favourable outcome on the GOSE (though not all estimated differences between the two approaches were statistically significant).
ETHICS
Ethical approval for the trial was obtained from the North West-Haydock Research Ethics Committee in the UK on 17 July 2014 (14/NW/1076).
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN87370545.
Topics: Humans; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Decompressive Craniectomy; Craniotomy; United Kingdom; Male; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute; Female; Middle Aged; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Adult; Aged; Glasgow Outcome Scale; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38885989
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085084