Introduction Methamphetamine use has risen dramatically in North America, contributing to increased emergency department (ED) visits marked by agitation and complex psychosocial needs. While clinical consequences of methamphetamine use are well-documented, there is a paucity of research capturing the perspectives of people who use methamphetamines (PWUM) when accessing emergency care. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of PWUM in ED settings to identify service gaps and inform patient-centered care strategies. Methods A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using…
Objectives To explore implementation processes, acceptability among participants who engaged with virtual reality (VR), recruitment feasibility and exploratory within-session effects of recreational VR programmes in a closed psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU). The qualitative component focused on patients’ and professionals’ experiences of VR use, while quantitative measures examined inclusion rates, exploratory within-session changes in emotional distress and descriptive trends in coercive events, pro re nata (PRN) medication, perceived stress and length of hospitalisation during a year…
Introduction Patients frequently face excessive waiting times for specialist medical outpatient clinics, negatively impacting health outcomes. Previous research has demonstrated that translation of demand-driven strategies incorporated within the evidence-based Specific Timely Assessment and Triage (STAT) model effectively reduces wait times in a range of healthcare settings. We outline the study protocol for a hybrid type II implementation effectiveness study, using a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial design, to evaluate whether the STAT model can be implemented in specialist…
Introduction Women with postpartum pre-diabetes following gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at particularly high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While the implementation of effective lifestyle interventions in the early postpartum period is often difficult and has in general limited efficacy to prevent T2DM after GDM, effective preventive strategies, including medical therapies, are needed in this population. The ‘semaglutide for the treatment of pre-diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes (SERENA) study’ aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety and…
Introduction Parosmia is a qualitative olfactory disorder characterised by a distorted perception of smell, often experienced as unpleasant or offensive. Although parosmia has multiple aetiologies, post-viral parosmia has become increasingly prevalent following the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, post-viral parosmia affects an estimated 637 836 individuals and has a substantial negative impact on quality of life and mood. At present, there is no licensed or standardised treatment for this condition. Gabapentin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue with neuromodulatory properties, has shown…
by Gemma C. Sharp, Deborah A. Lawlor, Kayleigh E. Easey, Sampurna Kundu, Ahmed Elhakeem, Edward Hone, Rosemary R. C. McEachan, Maria C. Magnus, Alexandra Havdahl, Caroline L. Relton Background The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis suggests that early life environmental exposures, especially during pregnancy, can impact long-term health. Research has largely relied on correlational evidence and has focussed on maternal factors, with less attention given to paternal, postnatal, and broader social determinants. This focus could complicate efforts to determine the most…
Eli Lilly’s triple-G drug retatrutide has hit the primary endpoints of a pair of phase 3 obesity trials, although the peak weight loss fell short of previous trials while failing to prove the drug reduces cardiovascular risk.
This cross-sectional study describes methods and timing of dissemination of the results of efficacy and safety trials outlined in postmarketing requirements for novel drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This cross-sectional study seeks to quantify the association between minimum concentration and area under the concentration curve (AUC) measurements of vancomycin.
This cohort study examines the prevalence of palliative care concurrent with cancer-directed therapy among adults ages 18 to 39 years with advanced cancer.
This cohort study identifies the demographic and tumor characteristics, disease detection methods, and survival outcomes for transgender, nonbinary, and/or gender-diverse patients with stage 0 to IV breast cancer.
This cohort study assesses the association between height and regional injury patterns among children involved in motor vehicle crashes evaluated at trauma centers and examines how these patterns vary between child restraint system and seat belt users.
Influenza vaccination was associated with lower risks of incident atrial fibrillation (AFib) and multiple cardiovascular outcomes, according to an observational cohort study published July 11 in EHJ. The findings support vaccination as a potential AFib prevention strategy and underscore the need for randomized trials focused on AFib-related outcomes.
Introduction The Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS) were developed to improve the completeness and transparency of reporting of reliability and agreement of health measurement instruments. However, since their publication in 2011 methodological standards, both for reporting guideline development and reliability, agreement and measurement error studies have advanced, highlighting the need for aligning and updating. In addition, related initiatives like COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) have emerged, offering…
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with immune checkpoint inhibitors transforming treatment paradigms despite modest response rates of approximately 30%. Emotional distress, encompassing depression and anxiety symptoms, affects 30–50% of cancer patients and may influence immunotherapy efficacy through immune system modulation. Recent studies in lung cancer, gastric cancer and melanoma demonstrate associations between pretreatment emotional distress and worse immunotherapy outcomes. However, this relationship remains unexplored in patients with…
Background Wild mushroom poisoning represents a significant global public health challenge, with China experiencing particularly high incidence rates. Despite continuous prevention campaigns by government and health authorities, existing educational videos demonstrate variable effectiveness and lack culturally adapted strategies for diverse audiences. Specifically, evidence on which narrative strategies engage young audiences across high-tradition and low-tradition cultural contexts remains limited. Objective This qualitative study aimed to identify effective narrative characteristics in wild…
Introduction Retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a common retinal vascular disease, is frequently treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents as first-line therapy. However, anti-VEGF monotherapy lacks neuroprotective effects, primarily targets vascular leakage and neovascularisation, and requires frequent long-term injections that impose substantial economic burdens. Therefore, combined therapeutic strategies that address both vascular pathology and neural damage are being explored. This article describes the protocol for evaluating mecobalamin (a widely used…
Objectives This study aimed to explore the psychosomatic state of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), with the hypothesis that depression and anxiety are closely associated with somatic symptoms in patients with FGIDs. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Setting The study was conducted in gastroenterology outpatient clinics. Participants The analysis included 655 patients with FGIDs treated between March 2021 and December 2024. Interventions There were no interventions in this observational study. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome…
Introduction Stroke stands as one of the worldwide leading causes of disability, highlighting the need to develop new therapies. Although placebo effects in motor recovery have been reported to produce clinically meaningful improvements, the neural substrates underlying these effects, particularly across different modalities such as open-label and hidden placebo, remain unclear. This study aims to characterise the neurophysiological signatures of hidden and open placebo during motor-cortex stimulation in chronic stroke survivors and its correlation to motor recovery. Methods and analysis This…
Background Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) is widely used for analgesia in thoracoscopic lung resection, offering effective pain relief and enhanced recovery. However, preoperative TPVB may block both thoracic somatic nerves and cardiac sympathetic nerves, potentially increasing the risk of hypotension during general anaesthesia induction. This study aims to compare the haemodynamic effects of TPVB performed at the superficial vs deep layers of the superior costotransverse ligament (SCTL). Methods and analysis This randomised controlled trial will enrol 128 patients undergoing…
Introduction Growing up with family violence (FV) is potentially harmful both in a short-term and long-term perspective for the child. Early identification and support are therefore important. The purpose of this project (FRIDa) is to gain a deeper knowledge about the identification of and response to FV in the Swedish Child Health Services (CHS). Further, we would like to better understand how structure and organisation together with nurses’ perceptions may contribute to identification and response within the CHS. Methods and analysis In this part of the FRIDa-project, we will use a…
Introduction To advance stunting reduction efforts, robust cost evidence on multisectoral interventions is essential for optimising resources and achieving outcomes efficiently. This study objective was to estimate the cost and cost-efficiency of three multisector interventions that combined standard of care (SOC), SOC plus cash transfers (SOC+CT) and SOC plus nutritional supplementation (SOC+NS) with small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) complemented with a family food ration (FFR) to prevent stunting in Southern Angola. Cost-effectiveness will be estimated in a future…