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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2022Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening cardiovascular condition, with an incidence of 23 to 69 new cases per 100,000 people each year. For selected... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening cardiovascular condition, with an incidence of 23 to 69 new cases per 100,000 people each year. For selected low-risk patients with acute PE, outpatient treatment might provide several advantages over traditional inpatient treatment, such as reduction of hospitalisations, substantial cost savings, and improvements in health-related quality of life. This is an update of an earlier Cochrane Review.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of outpatient versus inpatient treatment in low-risk patients with acute PE.
SEARCH METHODS
We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 31 May 2021.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of outpatient versus inpatient treatment of adults (aged 18 years and over) diagnosed with low-risk acute PE.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were short- and long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were bleeding, adverse effects, recurrence of PE, and patient satisfaction. We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence for each outcome.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not identify any new studies for this update. We included a total of two RCTs involving 453 participants. Both trials discharged participants randomised to the outpatient group within 36 hours of initial triage, and both followed participants for 90 days. One study compared the same treatment regimens in both outpatient and inpatient groups, and the other study used different treatment regimens. There was no clear difference in treatment effect for the outcomes of mortality at 30 days (risk ratio (RR) 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 7.98; 2 studies, 453 participants; low-certainty evidence), mortality at 90 days (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.58; 2 studies, 451 participants; low-certainty evidence), major bleeding at 14 days (RR 4.91, 95% CI 0.24 to 101.57; 2 studies, 445 participants; low-certainty evidence) and at 90 days (RR 6.88, 95% CI 0.36 to 132.14; 2 studies, 445 participants; low-certainty evidence), minor bleeding (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.07 to 16.79; 1 study, 106 participants; low-certainty evidence), recurrent PE within 90 days (RR 2.95, 95% CI 0.12 to 71.85; 2 studies, 445 participants; low-certainty evidence), and patient satisfaction (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.04; 2 studies, 444 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence because the CIs were wide and included treatment effects in both directions, the sample sizes and numbers of events were small, and it was not possible to determine the effect of missing data or the presence of publication bias. The included studies did not assess PE-related mortality or adverse effects, such as haemodynamic instability, or adherence to treatment.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, only low-certainty evidence is available from two published randomised controlled trials on outpatient versus inpatient treatment in low-risk patients with acute PE. The studies did not provide evidence of any clear difference between the interventions in overall mortality, bleeding, or recurrence of PE.
Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Hemorrhage; Hospitalization; Humans; Inpatients; Outpatients; Pulmonary Embolism; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35511086
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010019.pub4 -
A systematic review and meta-analysis to assess patient-reported outcomes after lung cancer surgery.TheScientificWorldJournal Nov 2013The main objective of this review was to systematically review, assess, and report on the studies that have assessed health related quality of life (HRQOL) after VATS... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
The main objective of this review was to systematically review, assess, and report on the studies that have assessed health related quality of life (HRQOL) after VATS and thoracotomy for resection of lung cancer. We performed a systematic review of six databases. The Downs and Black tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Five studies were included. In general, patients undergoing VATS have a better HRQOL when compared to thoracotomy; however, there was a high risk of bias in the included studies. The consistent use of a lung cancer specific questionnaire for measuring HRQOL after surgery is encouraged.
Topics: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Observational Studies as Topic; Patient Satisfaction; Patients; Publication Bias; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; Thoracotomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24302870
DOI: 10.1155/2013/789625 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Mar 2013A small percentage of patients die during hospitalization or shortly thereafter, and it is widely believed that more or better nursing care could prevent some of these... (Review)
Review
A small percentage of patients die during hospitalization or shortly thereafter, and it is widely believed that more or better nursing care could prevent some of these deaths. The author systematically reviewed the evidence about nurse staffing ratios and in-hospital death through September 2012. From 550 titles, 87 articles were reviewed and 15 new studies that augmented the 2 existing reviews were selected. The strongest evidence supporting a causal relationship between higher nurse staffing levels and decreased inpatient mortality comes from a longitudinal study in a single hospital that carefully accounted for nurse staffing and patient comorbid conditions and a meta-analysis that found a "dose-response relationship" in observational studies of nurse staffing and death. No studies reported any serious harms associated with an increase in nurse staffing. Limiting any stronger conclusions is the lack of an evaluation of an intervention to increase nurse staffing ratios. The formal costs of increasing the nurse-patient ratio cannot be calculated because there has been no evaluation of an intentional change in nurse staffing to improve patient outcomes.
Topics: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Hospital Costs; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Inpatients; Nursing Staff, Hospital; Patient Safety; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; Quality of Health Care; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 23460097
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-5-201303051-00007 -
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Mar 2023Despite the frequent comorbidity of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric disorders, it remains unclear if screening for substance use in behavioral health... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Despite the frequent comorbidity of substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychiatric disorders, it remains unclear if screening for substance use in behavioral health clinics is a common practice. The aim of this review is to examine what is known about systematic screening for substance use in outpatient behavioral health clinics.
METHODS
We conducted a PRISMA-based systematic literature search assessing substance use screening in outpatient adult and pediatric behavioral health settings in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO. Quantitative studies published in English before May 22, 2020 that reported the percentage of patients who completed screening were included.
RESULTS
Only eight articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Reported prevalence of screening ranged from 48 to 100%, with half of the studies successfully screening more than 75% of their patient population. There were limited data on patient demographics for individuals who were and were not screened (e.g., gender, race) and screening practices (e.g., electronic versus paper/pencil administration).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this systematic review suggest that successful screening for substance use in behavioral health settings is possible, yet it remains unclear how frequently screening occurs. Given the high rates of comorbid SUD and psychopathology, future research is necessary regarding patient and clinic-level variables that may impact the successful implementation of substance use screening. Trial registry A methodological protocol was registered with the PROSPERO systematic review protocol registry (ID: CRD42020188645).
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Outpatients; Substance-Related Disorders; Comorbidity
PubMed: 36967381
DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00376-z -
Journal of Patient-reported Outcomes Oct 2023The aim of this study was to create a model of patient-centered outcomes with respect to self-management tasks and skills of patients with a tracheostomy in their home... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to create a model of patient-centered outcomes with respect to self-management tasks and skills of patients with a tracheostomy in their home setting.
METHODS
A scoping review using four search engines was undertaken (Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library) to identify studies relevant to this issue and published since 2000. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statements for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach of conducting and reporting a scoping review, and the Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) scheme were employed. The following elements of the framework synthesis study data were screened, and presented based on the self-management model of Lorig and Holman.
RESULTS
34 publications from 17 countries met the criteria for study inclusion: 24 quantitative, 8 qualitative and 2 mixed methods designs. Regarding the dimensions of self-management, 28 articles reported on "managing the therapeutic regimen", 27 articles discussed "managing role and behavior changes", and 16 articles explored "managing emotions". A model of self-management of patients with tracheostomy was developed, which placed the patient in the center, since it is this individual who is completing the tasks and carrying out his or her skill sets.
CONCLUSION
This scoping review represents the first comprehensive overview and modeling of the complex self-management tasks and skills required of patients with tracheostomy in their home setting. The theoretical model can serve as a cornerstone for empirical intervention studies to better support this patient-centered outcome for this population in the future.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Tracheostomy; Self-Management; Patients; Empirical Research
PubMed: 37823948
DOI: 10.1186/s41687-023-00643-2 -
Patient-derived xenograft models of colorectal cancer in pre-clinical research: a systematic review.Oncotarget Oct 2016We sought to objectively assess the internal and external validity of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a platform in pre-clinical research into colorectal... (Review)
Review
AIMS
We sought to objectively assess the internal and external validity of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a platform in pre-clinical research into colorectal cancer (CRC). Metastatic disease is the most common cause of death from CRC, and despite significant research, the results of current combination chemotherapy and targeted therapies have been underwhelming for most of this patient group. One of the key factors limiting the success of translational CRC research is the biologically inaccurate models in which new therapies are developed.
METHODS
We used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist and SYRCLE (Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation) guidelines to search Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases up to July 2015 to identify studies involving PDX models of CRC where the model had been validated across multiple parameters. Data was extracted including host mouse strain, engraftment rate, site of engraftment, donor tumour source and development of metastases in the model.
RESULTS
Thirteen articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. There was significant heterogeneity amongst the included studies, but overall the median engraftment rate was high (70%) and PDX models faithfully recapitulated the characteristics of their patient tumours on the microscopic, genetic and functional levels.
CONCLUSIONS
PDX models of CRC have a reasonable internal validity and a high external validity. Developments in xenografting technology are broadening the applications of the PDX platform. However, the included studies could be improved by standardising reporting standards and closed following the ARRIVE (Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments) guidelines.
Topics: Animals; Colorectal Neoplasms; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mice; Patients; Translational Research, Biomedical; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
PubMed: 27517155
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11184 -
BMC Health Services Research Jul 2014Clinical practice guidelines are typically written for healthcare providers but there is increasing interest in producing versions for the public, patients and carers.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Clinical practice guidelines are typically written for healthcare providers but there is increasing interest in producing versions for the public, patients and carers. The main objective of this review is to identify and synthesise evidence of the public's attitudes towards clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based recommendations written for providers or the public, together with their awareness of guidelines.
METHODS
We included quantitative and qualitative studies of any design reporting on public, patient (and their carers) attitudes and awareness of guidelines written for providers or patients/public. We searched electronic databases including MEDLINE, PSYCHINFO, ERIC, ASSIA and the Cochrane Library from 2000 to 2012. We also searched relevant websites, reviewed citations and contacted experts in the field. At least two authors independently screened, abstracted data and assessed the quality of studies. We conducted a thematic analysis of first and second order themes and performed a separate narrative synthesis of patient and public awareness of guidelines.
RESULTS
We reviewed 5415 records and included 26 studies (10 qualitative studies, 13 cross sectional and 3 randomised controlled trials) involving 24 887 individuals. Studies were mostly good to fair quality. The thematic analysis resulted in four overarching themes: Applicability of guidelines; Purpose of guidelines for patient; Purpose of guidelines for health care system and physician; and Properties of guidelines. Overall, participants had mixed attitudes towards guidelines; some participants found them empowering but many saw them as a way of rationing care. Patients were also concerned that the information may not apply to their own health care situations. Awareness of guidelines ranged from 0-79%, with greater awareness in participants surveyed on national guideline websites.
CONCLUSION
There are many factors, not only formatting, that may affect the uptake and use of guideline-derived material by the public. Producers need to make clear how the information is relevant to the reader and how it can be used to make healthcare improvements although there were problems with data quality. Awareness of guidelines is generally low and guideline producers cannot assume that the public has a more positive perception of their material than of alternative sources of health information.
Topics: Awareness; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Patients; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Public Opinion
PubMed: 25064372
DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-321 -
JAMA Network Open Nov 2023Exome sequencing (ES) has been established as the preferred first line of diagnostic testing for certain neurodevelopmental disorders, such as global developmental delay... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Exome sequencing (ES) has been established as the preferred first line of diagnostic testing for certain neurodevelopmental disorders, such as global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder; however, current recommendations are not specific to or inclusive of congenital hydrocephalus (CH).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic yield of ES in CH and whether ES should be considered as a first line diagnostic test for CH.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were used to identify studies published in English between January 1, 2010, and April 10, 2023. The following search terms were used to identify studies: congenital hydrocephalus, ventriculomegaly, cerebral ventriculomegaly, primary ventriculomegaly, fetal ventriculomegaly, prenatal ventriculomegaly, molecular analysis, genetic cause, genetic etiology, genetic testing, exome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, genome sequencing, microarray, microarray analysis, and copy number variants.
STUDY SELECTION
Eligible studies included those with at least 10 probands with the defining feature of CH and/or severe cerebral ventriculomegaly that had undergone ES. Studies with fewer than 10 probands, studies of mild or moderate ventriculomegaly, and studies using genetic tests other than ES were excluded. A full-text review of 68 studies was conducted by 2 reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used by 2 reviewers to extract data. Data were synthesized using a random-effects model of single proportions. Data analysis occurred in April 2023.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was pooled diagnostic yield. Additional diagnostic yields were estimated for specific subgroups on the basis of clinical features, syndromic presentation, and parental consanguinity. For each outcome, a 95% CI and estimate of interstudy heterogeneity (I2 statistic) was reported.
RESULTS
From 498 deduplicated and screened records, 9 studies with a total of 538 CH probands were selected for final inclusion. The overall diagnostic yield was 37.9% (95% CI, 20.0%-57.4%; I2 = 90.1). The yield was lower for isolated and/or nonsyndromic cases (21.3%; 95% CI, 12.8%-31.0%; I2 = 55.7). The yield was higher for probands with reported consanguinity (76.3%; 95% CI, 65.1%-86.1%; I2 = 0) than those without (16.2%; 95% CI, 12.2%-20.5%; I2 = 0).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic yield of ES in CH, the diagnostic yield was concordant with that of previous recommendations for other neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting that ES should also be recommended as a routine diagnostic adjunct for patients with CH.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Exome Sequencing; Pathology, Molecular; Patients; Hydrocephalus
PubMed: 37991765
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.43384 -
Journal of the American Medical... 2014To systematically review existing literature regarding patient engagement technologies used in the inpatient setting. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review existing literature regarding patient engagement technologies used in the inpatient setting.
METHODS
PubMed, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Digital Library, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Xplore, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies that discussed patient engagement ('self-efficacy', 'patient empowerment', 'patient activation', or 'patient engagement'), (2) involved health information technology ('technology', 'games', 'electronic health record', 'electronic medical record', or 'personal health record'), and (3) took place in the inpatient setting ('inpatient' or 'hospital'). Only English language studies were reviewed.
RESULTS
17 articles were identified describing the topic of inpatient patient engagement. A few articles identified design requirements for inpatient engagement technology. The remainder described interventions, which we grouped into five categories: entertainment, generic health information delivery, patient-specific information delivery, advanced communication tools, and personalized decision support.
CONCLUSIONS
Examination of the current literature shows there are considerable gaps in knowledge regarding patient engagement in the hospital setting and inconsistent use of terminology regarding patient engagement overall. Research on inpatient engagement technologies has been limited, especially concerning the impact on health outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Communication; Electronic Health Records; Hospitalization; Humans; Inpatients; Internet; Medical Informatics; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Participation; Self Efficacy; Terminology as Topic; Video Games
PubMed: 24272163
DOI: 10.1136/amiajnl-2013-002141 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Feb 2023Diagnostic uncertainty is a pervasive issue in primary care where patients often present with non-specific symptoms early in the disease process. Knowledge about how...
BACKGROUND
Diagnostic uncertainty is a pervasive issue in primary care where patients often present with non-specific symptoms early in the disease process. Knowledge about how clinicians communicate diagnostic uncertainty to patients is crucial to prevent associated diagnostic errors. Yet, in-depth research on the interpersonal communication of diagnostic uncertainty has been limited. We conducted an integrative systematic literature review (PROSPERO CRD42020197624, unfunded) to investigate how primary care doctors communicate diagnostic uncertainty in interactions with patients and how patients experience their care in the face of uncertainty.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Linguistics and Language Behaviour Abstracts (LLBA) from inception to December 2021 for MeSH and keywords related to 'communication', 'diagnosis', 'uncertainty' and 'primary care' environments and stakeholders (patients and doctors), and conducted additional handsearching. We included empirical primary care studies published in English on spoken communication of diagnostic uncertainty by doctors to patients. We assessed risk of bias with the QATSDD quality assessment tool and conducted thematic and content analysis to synthesise the results.
RESULTS
Inclusion criteria were met for 19 out of 1281 studies. Doctors used two main communication strategies to manage diagnostic uncertainty: (1) patient-centred communication strategies (e.g. use of empathy), and (2) diagnostic reasoning strategies (e.g. excluding serious diagnoses). Linguistically, diagnostic uncertainty was either disclosed explicitly or implicitly through diverse lexical and syntactical constructions, or not communicated (omission). Patients' experiences of care in response to the diverse communicative and linguistic strategies were mixed. Patient-centred approaches were generally regarded positively by patients.
DISCUSSION
Despite a small number of included studies, this is the first review to systematically catalogue the diverse communication and linguistic strategies to express diagnostic uncertainty in primary care. Health professionals should be aware of the diverse strategies used to express diagnostic uncertainty in practice and the value of combining patient-centred approaches with diagnostic reasoning strategies.
Topics: Humans; Uncertainty; Patients; Empathy; Health Personnel
PubMed: 36127538
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07768-y