Introduction A proportion of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 acquire the disease during their hospital stay, underscoring the risk of hospital-acquired COVID-19 (HA-COVID-19). This risk is presumed to be high, given how commonly and intensely air and surfaces within hospitals are reportedly contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. However, the true extent of HA-COVID-19 worldwide remains unknown, with limited understanding of factors that influence its occurrence and how these have evolved over time. This review will therefore aim to estimate the pooled prevalence of HA-COVID-19 among hospitalised…
Introduction Non-invasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NIV-NAVA) is a promising respiratory support method for avoiding invasive mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). However, its effectiveness and safety have not been widely established through clinical evidence. In this study, we aim to evaluate the feasibility of NIV-NAVA as a primary respiratory support method after birth and its effects on short-term clinical outcomes and long-term neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Methods and analysis In this prospective multicentre observational study, 230 preterm…
Objectives This study aimed to analyse temporal trends in fertility and birth rates, examine maternal characteristics and forecast future demographic changes in Georgia. Design This was a retrospective observational study using population-level data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) and the Georgian Birth Registry (GBR). Temporal trends were analysed using Prais-Winsten regression models and annual percentage changes (APCs) and future projections were generated using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. Participants The study included data on 543 662…
Introduction Poststroke depression (PSD) affects approximately 33% of stroke survivors and is associated with worse outcomes, poor quality of life (QOL) and mortality. Despite its prevalence and consequences, there is no consensus on the most effective strategy for PSD prevention. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective intervention for depression across diverse populations and is considered safer, better tolerated and a longer-lasting alternative to antidepressant medications. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a remotely delivered BA intervention to prevent PSD (Tele-BA-S)…
This Delphi consensus study examines recommendations and guidelines from a panel of surgeons and radiologists for managing percutaneous cholecystostomy drains in patients with acute cholecystitis.
This case-control study estimates the effectiveness of maternal respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccination against hospitalization for RSV-associated acute respiratory illness and lower respiratory tract disease among infants 90 days or younger.
This qualitative study describes experiences and priorities associated with surgical decision-making among Black individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome.
This qualitative study involves thematic analyses of semistructured interviews on the experiences of adults currently or previously taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in a variety of health contexts not limited to type 2 diabetes.
This qualitative study reports surgeon perspectives on patient death following a potentially manageable surgical complication, or failure to rescue, and identifies insights that may inform improvements in surgical education and culture.
This quality improvement study examines changes in the percentage of clinical trial participants who belong to underrepresented populations or live more than 120 miles away from an academic medical center after the implementation of a decentralized clinical trial program.
Objectives To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics associated with polyneuropathy in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting SENS study at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, December 2021–May 2023. Participants KTR, participating in the ongoing TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study, ≥12 months post-transplantation. Main outcome measures Participants underwent a structured neurological assessment including history taking, neurological examination, quantitative sensory testing and nerve conduction studies. An expert…
Objective To summarise the evidence on long-term and infrequent harms following selected spinal and paraspinal injections and denervation procedures for chronic non-cancer spine pain. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from inception to October 2023. Study selection Non-randomised studies reporting on harms of selected interventional procedures administered to adults living with chronic axial or radicular non-cancer spine pain with ≥4 weeks of follow-up. Data extraction and synthesis A…
Objectives Worldwide, billions of children and young people live in areas affected by war. Suicide remains one of the three leading causes of death worldwide among people aged 15–29 years. However, little is known about the effect of war on suicidal behaviours in this group. This review aims to assess suicides, suicide attempts and suicidal ideation among children and young people exposed to war or armed conflict. Design A scoping review of studies was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO databases from their inception to 18 November 2025, without any restrictions on…
Objective Numerous studies focus on women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), but there is a lack of qualitative studies focusing on women who, as victims, become perpetrators. The study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of incarcerated women convicted of IPV against their partner in Maputo, Mozambique. Design and setting A qualitative approach was utilised with females purposively sampled for one-on-one semi-structured interviews in the Maputo female prison setting. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participants Nine females over…
Objectives This scoping review identifies existing registries collecting data on Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) patients and what data are collected, with the purpose of identifying any KS-specific registries. Findings to be used to inform future registry development. Design A comprehensive scoping review was conducted. Multiple sources were reviewed and articles screened based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Data sources Searches performed across multiple sources including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Orphanet, EU…
Background Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily caused by Cutibacterium acnes , which disrupts skin homeostasis, thereby triggering immune responses and sebum metabolism. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the skin and gut microbiota identified as a significant factor contributing to acne progression. Standard therapy often relies on antibiotics, but the long-term use has increased antibiotic resistance, including in Indonesia. Consequently, alternative methods, such as probiotics and mesenchymal stromal cell secretomes, are gaining attention for immunomodulatory and…
Introduction Point-of-care technologies (POCTs) are essential to providing clinical care for patients, with their potential for rapid and accurate results on site supporting efficient clinical decision-making. Objectives To understand the current key needs, barriers and challenges of POCT developers for effective development and implementation of POCTs across diverse settings particularly in the domain of cancer, nutrition and infections. Design A qualitative semi-structured focus group discussion (FGDs) was employed. The FGDs were guided by the needs assessment process and the Phase Gate…
by Andrew S. C. Yuen, Kenneth K. C. Man Pain and fever in pregnancy require treatment, but fetal safety concerns complicate analgesic choice. A recent PLOS Medicine study presents new evidence on the safety of first-trimester NSAID use and congenital malformation risk, but interpreting findings across studies is challenging. In this Perspective, Kenneth Man and Andrew Yuen highlight a recent PLOS Medicine study that presents new evidence on the safety of first-trimester NSAID use and congenital malformation risk, but discuss why interpreting findings across studies is challenging.
by Yiran E. Liu, José Victor Bortolotto Bampi, Ronan F. Arthur, Argita D. Salindri, Caroline Busatto, Pedro Avedillo Jiménez, Daniele Maria Pelissari, Fernanda Dockhorn Costa Johansen, Robert Arana-Narvaez, Alvaro Fernando Moreno Roca, Wilfredo Santos Solís Tupes, Esther Mori Jiu, Christian Alfredo Moreno Roca, Erika Albertina Abregú Contreras, Valentina Antonieta Alarcón Guizado, Julián Trujillo Trujillo, Belkys Marcelino, Mónica Alonso Gonzalez, Mayra Cecilia Córdova Ayllon, Ted Cohen, Moises A. Huaman, Jeremy D. Goldhaber-Fiebert, Julio Croda, Jason R. Andrews Background Incarceration is a…
This cross-sectional study assesses whether aspirin use for secondary prevention changed from 2015 to 2020 and investigates the factors associated with stopping therapy among adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
This cohort study compares total and out-of-pocket health care costs in the last year of life for US decedents aged 0 to 64 years vs 65 years or older, with and without standardization to Medicare pricing.
This cross-sectional study examines whether repealing noneconomic damage caps for awards in medical malpractice cases is associated with changes in maternal care and infant health outcomes.