Objective To examine socioeconomic and demographic differences in who complains about healthcare and whether these factors are associated with the outcomes of complaint cases. Design Nationwide cross-sectional study in Denmark using linked national health, complaint and administrative registers. Setting The Danish healthcare system provides universal coverage and has a centralised system for handling complaints with linked patient-level data to sociodemographic variables. Participants All healthcare contacts in 2022 in general practice (GP), non-psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric hospitals…
Study type Mixed-methods observational implementation and economic evaluation study. Background Perioperative care bundles have the potential to improve patient outcomes but their successful implementation depends on staff engagement and the resources required. Data on implementation costs and staff perceptions are limited for perioperative brain health initiatives. Objectives To estimate the resource use and costs of implementing a perioperative brain healthcare bundle in a Swiss hospital and to explore staff perceptions relevant to sustainable adoption. Design Retrospective mixed-methods…
Introduction Diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) remains challenging. This national cohort aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, management strategies and outcomes of patients with PJI. Methods and analysis This is a national, multicentre, prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study of patients who underwent revision for PJI of the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow or ankle. Participating centres are university or non-university tertiary healthcare facilities located in Switzerland. Episodes include likely and…
by Chirag K. Kumar, Nathan C. Lo Measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are re-emerging worldwide in locations where they were once eliminated. Targeted policy interventions in the locations at greatest risk may be an effective strategy to curb this public health threat. Measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are re-emerging worldwide in locations where they were once eliminated. In this Perspective, Chirag Kumar and Nathan Lo outline how and why targeted policy interventions in the locations at greatest risk may be an effective strategy to curb this public health threat.
Takeda has unveiled more data from its phase 3 trials of zasocitinib, demonstrating that the once-daily pill was able to clear or almost clear scalp psoriasis in 75% of patients.
A phase 2 trial of InnoCare Pharma’s TYK2 inhibitor soficitinib in nonsegmental vitiligo has hit its primary endpoint, clearing the Chinese biotech to advance into the phase 3 part of the study.
Objectives Low intervention uptake and contamination can dilute effects of cluster randomised trials (CRTs). We investigated the feasibility of digital fingerprints to assess intervention coverage and contamination in a CRT of community-based sexual and reproductive health services for youth (CHIEDZA). Methods 24 clusters in Zimbabwe were randomly allocated to intervention/control. In intervention clusters, CHIEDZA services were provided in community halls for 30 months. A population-based survey of youth aged 18–24 (700/cluster) was conducted to ascertain impact. Digital fingerprints were…
Introduction Canadian long-term care (LTC) homes have faced long-standing challenges with quality of care, staffing and resource limitations. In Ontario, specifically, there has been increased focus on resilience and performance in LTC homes given the burden that the COVID-19 pandemic presented (eg, highest number of resident deaths due to COVID-19 across Canada, staffing crisis). Nevertheless, little is known about the current practices and operational state of LTC homes in the province and limited data are collected on Ontario’s LTC homes at the organisational level and on the factors that…
Objective To determine the prevalence and factors associated with stress, anxiety and depression among married women in Chandrapur municipality, Nepal. Design We conducted a cross-sectional study. Setting Household Survey of Chandrapur municipality, Nepal. Participants We enrolled 545 married women from June to August 2022. Outcome measures We administered the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) through face-to-face interviews to determine the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression. We performed univariable and multivariable linear regression to identify factors associated…
Objectives This study aimed to assess the pooled proportion of dropout from the maternal continuum of care (CoC) and its associated factors in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Study design Cross-sectional study using nationally representative demographic and health survey (DHS) data. Setting 41 LMICs with DHS data available after the establishment of the Sustainable Development Goals from 2016 to 2024 were included. A total of 217 083 (weighted 213 474) women were included. Using Stata V.17.0, a multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors…
Objective The aim of this study was to describe the literature that has been published on colorectal surgery patients’ experiences, including the challenges and solutions related to the transition from hospital to home. Background With surgery being an inevitable treatment for most individuals with colorectal disease, optimising the discharge transition from the hospital to home requires careful consideration of surgical patient experience, including a thorough understanding of their challenges during the transition period, particularly surrounding education. Design A search was conducted of…
Introduction Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a chronic debilitating infection requiring prolonged multidrug therapy. Common symptoms contribute to inactivity, malnutrition and sarcopenia, and low muscle mass is associated with increased mortality. Evidence supporting exercise in NTM-PD is scarce, and no randomised controlled trial has evaluated its efficacy. This study aims to determine whether a 6-week hybrid, circuit-based exercise programme improves cardiorespiratory fitness compared with delayed intervention/usual care and to evaluate its effects on physical…
Introduction Digital tools such as virtual reality, mobile applications and digital devices are being implemented across various healthcare practice settings. Engagement in occupations is central to occupational therapy, supporting health and quality of life. Occupational therapists support people with disabilities to participate in occupations by enhancing their abilities or adapting tasks and environments. However, literature rarely specifies how digital technologies are used by occupational therapists, with whom they are implemented, when and where they are delivered, what occupations are…
Objective This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators affecting implementation of perioperative music interventions in general practice. Design A qualitative implementation study using semistructured interviews. The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to guide data collection and analysis. The domains used were: innovation, outer setting, inner setting and individuals. Primary outcomes were barriers and facilitators for the implementation of perioperative music interventions in general practice. Setting General practices in the Netherlands…
Introduction Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by permanent motor impairments that substantially affect functional performance and quality of life. Whole-body vibration therapy (WBVT) has shown potential benefits for improving motor outcomes in children with CP; however, current evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneous intervention protocols. This study aims to evaluate the effects of WBVT as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation in children with CP. Methods and analysis A single-centre, two-arm randomised controlled trial will be…
Introduction Acute mountain sickness (AMS) commonly occurs during rapid ascent to high altitudes and significantly affects the health and cognitive function of travellers and specialised personnel in high-altitude environments. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive, safe and portable neuromodulation technique with potential benefits for AMS. This protocol evaluates taVNS efficacy for AMS and associated cognitive impairment and explores its mechanisms via multiomics analyses. Methods and analysis This is a single-centre, randomised, double-blind…
Introduction Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the axial skeleton as well as the joints and enthesis. Following the failure of conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), numerous biological DMARDs (b-DMARDs) or targeted synthetic DMARDs are now available, although current guidelines do not recommend a specific mode of action in the absence of comorbidities or contraindications. The aim of the study is to identify markers associated with the achievement of Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) at week 16 in patients treated with tumour…
Objectives This study examined temporal trends in physical fitness performance, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity behaviour among Swiss military conscripts from 2006 to 2024, including male conscripts and female volunteers, and explored differences by age, language region and urbanicity. Design Cross-sectional analysis of nationwide conscription data between 2006 and 2024. Setting Swiss Armed Forces conscription centres. Participants Records from 706 994 individuals (99.1% male conscripts and 0.9% female volunteers) were analysed. After exclusions for implausible anthropometric…
Purpose The Developmental Origin of Health and Disease framework emphasises the intergenerational influence of both maternal and paternal factors on the perinatal and longer-term outcomes of offspring. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have driven major advances in family and health research across Australia, including longitudinal studies grounded in community priorities. Despite this progress, few birth cohort studies have focused on Indigenous families and even fewer have examined the health and well-being of Indigenous fathers. Participants The Indigenous Queensland Family…
Objectives To estimate the carbon footprint of a vaccine trial conducted in Uganda and to identify opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in future trials. Design Retrospective carbon footprint assessment of all trial-related activities conducted in Uganda (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02991495), following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the guidance provided by the Low Carbon Clinical Trials Group. Setting The activities related to the yellow fever vaccine fractional dose trial implemented in Mbarara, with contributions from international collaborators. Participants The study assessed…
Introduction Antidepressant overprescribing and unnecessary long-term use are common and can increase the risk of adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation. Although gradual tapering strategies have been proposed, empirical evidence from randomised trials is lacking. This study will compare the efficacy of two antidepressant discontinuation strategies—linear and hyperbolic tapering—in adults with remitted depressive disorders. Methods and analysis This pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group superiority randomised controlled trial will recruit adults (≥18 years)…
Objectives To describe preconception care health literacy among medical students and examine knowledge–behaviour gaps across academic years and by future parenthood intention. Design Cross-sectional online survey. Setting Kawasaki Medical School, Japan. Participants Medical students in years 1–6. A total of 613 students were included in the analysis. Primary and secondary outcome measures Preconception care health literacy was assessed using a validated Japanese preconception care-specific scale comprising a knowledge domain (13 true/false/do not know items; total score 0–13) and a…