Objective To assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards deprescribing. Design A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2025. Setting Two public hospitals in Gondar, Ethiopia. Participants A total of 389 healthcare professionals participated in this study with a 92.2% response rate. Outcomes We assessed healthcare professionals’ KAP towards deprescribing as the primary outcomes. These were measured using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Results The majority of participants were female (54.2%), and the largest age…
Background, hypothesis and aim Teenage pregnancy remains a major public health challenge in Uganda, with Northern Uganda accounting for approximately 25% of the national burden. Inadequate knowledge on reproductive health among adolescents predisposes them to early childbearing, thereby increasing the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and the infant. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding the risks associated with teenage pregnancy among adolescent girls at selected secondary schools in Lira City to determine whether these factors contribute to the…
Objective This review explores the conceptual frameworks, methods, barriers and facilitators associated with the human-centred design (HCD) process employed when developing digital health dashboards (DHDs) for the care of older adults. Design This scoping review is designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, ensuring a systematic approach to identifying and synthesising relevant literature. Data sources Five databases were searched including EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Cochrane…
Introduction Opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) in patients with cancer imposes a substantial clinical burden and may compromise adherence to opioid therapy. Naldemedine, a peripheral μ-opioid receptor antagonist, is currently approved for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. Recent evidence suggests similar benefits for the treatment of OINV. This study aims to evaluate the preventive effect of naldemedine on OINV in patients with cancer pain initiating opioid analgesics. Methods and analysis This multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group…
Purpose The PREgnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (PRECISE)-DYAD Study is a prospective observational cohort designed to investigate health outcomes among mother-child pairs (dyads) over the first 3 years of life in two contexts from sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective of the study was to explore the effects of selected placenta-related complications, such as pregnancy hypertension, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth, on (1) Child health and development, and (2) Women’s health and well-being, including outcomes after stillbirth. Participants The…
Introduction Knowledge about the late effects of COVID-19, or so-called post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC), and its pathogenesis is still very limited. The purpose of this observational study is to chart late neurocognitive effects of the COVID-19 infection. The aim is to increase knowledge of the underlying biological processes and describe how biomarkers correlate with degree of symptoms, mapping their role as diagnostic markers over time (24 months). Methods and analysis This prospective observational cohort study is longitudinal and monitors patients with neurocognitive and psychological…
Objectives To explore intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ experiences, practices and support needs in ventilator alarm management. Design A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured individual interviews and conventional content analysis. Setting A tertiary hospital ICU in Beijing, China. Participants Fifteen ICU nurses with direct experience in caring for mechanically ventilated patients and managing ventilator alarms were recruited through purposive sampling. Results Analysis of the interview data using a more granular line-by-line coding approach generated 113 initial codes, which…
Introduction Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remains the most frequent arrhythmic complication after cardiac surgery, with most episodes occurring after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) when continuous rhythm monitoring is no longer routinely available. Early detection of POAF is clinically relevant and influences long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Wearable devices combining photoplethysmography technology with single-lead ECG capability offer a potential solution for continuous rhythm monitoring in conventional surgical wards. However, their effectiveness and feasibility…
Introduction Study of TOfacitinib for the treatment of chronic PouchITis (STOPit) is a national, investigator-led, multicentre, open-label induction with randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled maintenance trial to determine the effectiveness of tofacitinib to induce and maintain clinical remission in chronic pouchitis patients. The primary objective of STOPit is to evaluate the clinical response to tofacitinib, compared with placebo, using the validated modified Pouchitis Disease Activity Index score. Secondary objectives include clinical response and remission rates, endoscopic response…
Introduction Pain remains difficult to manage due to limited efficacy and adverse effects of many existing analgesics, highlighting the need for safer non-opioid treatment strategies. Metformin is a widely prescribed oral antihyperglycaemic agent with emerging preclinical and early clinical evidence suggesting potential analgesic effects. Proposed mechanisms include activation of AMP-activated protein kinase with downstream inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways implicated in nociceptive sensitisation and chronic pain. This protocol…
Objective To explore the implementation of England’s high volume, low complexity (HVLC) surgical hubs programme from the perspective of senior leaders involved in its development and rollout. Design A qualitative design using semistructured interviews with service leaders. Setting Following the postponement of elective surgical care in England after the outbreak of COVID-19, NHS England and the ‘Getting it Right First Time’ (GIRFT) programme developed an elective recovery plan for the NHS, with surgical hubs as the chief innovation for building elective surgical capacity. Participants 12…
Objectives Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major contributor to global disease burden with societal impact among survivors. This study aimed to estimate the population-level prevalence of MI among working-age adults in Spain and to examine associated sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical and occupational factors focusing on sex differences. Design Two-phase population-based study using data from the 2020 Spanish European Health Interview Survey, including adults of working age. First, weighted estimates were used to calculate the population-level prevalence and describe sociodemographic…
Objective Overweight and obesity are prevalent among individuals in post-acute stroke rehabilitation and are associated with poorer functional outcomes and increased cardiovascular risk. Interventions targeting weight management in this population are complex and often involve multiple behavioural components; however, characteristics are not well defined. This scoping review aimed to identify and map the literature on professional dietary and lifestyle interventions targeting the management of overweight and obesity during post-acute stroke rehabilitation. Design This scoping review followed…
Introduction Chagas disease (CD) remains a major cause of cardiac and digestive morbidity and premature death in the Americas. Although benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only two available trypanocidal agents worldwide, direct comparisons between these two drugs in Brazilian adults are lacking. Therapeutic efficacy in chronically infected adults remains unclear as parasitological response is variable and serological negativisation is not frequent within short-term follow-up. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of Trypanosoma cruzi may influence treatment response and has been…
Introduction Effective support for patients with advanced cancer and their relatives requires addressing individual needs, preferences and wishes, with communication as a central component. However, discussions about end-of-life issues are often perceived as difficult, and communication needs frequently remain unmet. While past interventions have primarily targeted healthcare professionals, evidence suggests that directly involving patients can have positive effects. eHealth solutions offer a promising approach to facilitate access to information, support communication and promote patient…
Sakanoue H, Yamaji H, Okamoto S, et al Association between venous access-site closure device use and postoperative nausea and vomiting after atrial fibrillation ablation under propofol sedation: a singlecentre retrospective observational study in Okayama, Japan BMJ Open 2026;16:e117719. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117719 This article has been corrected since it was published online. Figure 3 in our manuscript is incorrect. Therefore, I am submitting a corrected version of figure 3 (file name: 'Corrected figure 3').
Objectives To understand pregnant women’s perception of the quality of antenatal care (ANC) services in terms of service provision and experience in Sudan, a country with one of the highest rates of maternal deaths worldwide. Design A cross-sectional facility-based study. Setting Public primary healthcare centres in Khartoum state, Sudan. Participants 473 pregnant women attending ANC visits. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a standardised questionnaire. Primary outcome measures The perceived quality of ANC services assessed across two continuous domains: service…
Introduction Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) significantly impact morbidity, mortality, function and quality of life. Stable fractures with controllable pain can be managed conservatively. Those that remain painful can be treated with minimally invasive measures of vertebral augmentation (VA). In contrast, severe and unstable OVFs risk collapse, progressive kyphosis and neurological damage. Conventional VA is considered insufficient for these unstable fractures, making surgical stabilisation necessary to restore spinal load-bearing capacity, and allow fast and painless mobilisation…
GSK has ended development of camlipixant in chronic cough after delivering mixed phase 3 data, dealing a major blow to a potential blockbuster that analysts saw as the key 2026 catalyst for the drugmaker.
Dimerix has bought an acute kidney injury drug from Mission Therapeutics, paying $5 million upfront and committing up to $287 million in milestones for the phase 2-ready asset.
Introduction Globally, 8 million people experience conditions for which rehabilitation services can be beneficial. These services are considered an essential health service for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. According to the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 report, 23% of the population has some type of functional disability, among whom 6% have total functional disability. This study aims to assess the readiness of rehabilitation services, knowledge of health workers, experience of service recipients and policy framework. Methods A mixed-methods study design will be…
This randomized clinical trial examines the feasibility, acceptability, and patient-reported outcomes of personalized listening to vocal music during hospitalization for acute stroke.