Objectives This study aims to explore the ability to identify high-grade intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) by an artificial intelligence (AI) designed to detect large vessel occlusions (LVO) and the clinical relevance of these ‘false positive’ findings. Design We are presenting a retrospective cohort study. Setting The study was conducted at a supraregional stroke centre of an urban tertiary care provider. Participants Consecutive stroke cases treated between January 2023 and December 2023 of patients >18 years of both sexes and any ethnicity were eligible for inclusion. 934 patients…
Introduction Patients on low-dose prednisolone may develop adrenal insufficiency causing reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased risk of adrenal crisis. This study examines whether supplemental hydrocortisone during mild to moderate stress improves HRQoL in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis (PMR/GCA) with adrenal insufficiency on low-dose prednisolone. Methods and analysis A multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial including patients with PMR/GCA receiving ongoing prednisolone ≤5 mg/day. Eligible patients…
Introduction Access to musculoskeletal healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa is inadequate. As osteoarthritis is the most prevalent chronic osteoarticular disease globally, it’s essential to understand its social and economic impact, as well as the determinants of inequities in access to healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa. The absence of systematised knowledge on this topic makes this review pertinent. However, due to data scarcity, assessing this burden is challenging. The objective of this scoping review is to map and summarise the available literature up to 2025 on the…
Objectives Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry (PRISm) is a new spirometric entity defined in international guidelines, associated with overall worse outcomes. It remains unclear whether this represents a distinct entity or an early phase of multiple other diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive lung diseases. There is a notable scarcity of data on PRISm, particularly in Lebanon. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of PRISm and COPD, and their associated factors, among individuals aged 40 years and above who underwent spirometry in a single…
Objectives This study explored the lived experiences, challenges and coping strategies of Arab male patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who rely on intermittent catheterisation (IC) to manage neurogenic bladder. Design A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data analysed using a phenomenological framework. Setting Rehabilitation Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants Male patients with SCI undergoing rehabilitation and performing IC were included in the study. Although both male and female patients were approached to participate, all eligible…
Introduction Both dermatological and neurological manifestations characterise neurocutaneous syndromes (NCSs). Although individually rare, collectively they impose a substantial clinical, humanitarian and economic burden, often contributing to barriers in healthcare access. This scoping review aims to map global evidence on healthcare access and service utilisation in NCSs and identify barriers, facilitators and gaps in care. Methods and analysis This scoping review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines…
Objectives To prospectively assess pregnancy-related care sought and obstacles and stress experienced by newly pregnant people. Design The ADAPT Study, a longitudinal cohort study, followed 2015 non-pregnant participants aged 15–34 years for a year. Those with confirmed incident pregnancies were followed through their pregnancies and for 3 years. Setting We recruited participants from 23 reproductive and primary care facilities located in five southwestern states with different sociopolitical reproductive health contexts (restrictive, Arizona and West Texas; protective, southeastern…
Introduction Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a chronic, oestrogen-deficient condition that is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Although low-dose vaginal estriol improves epithelial trophism and microbial balance, a substantial proportion of women report persistent symptoms. High-quality randomised evidence evaluating combined therapeutic strategies remains scarce. Energy-based modalities, including the erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser (=2940 nm), have been proposed as adjunctive treatments. This trial aims to assess the efficacy of Er:YAG laser therapy combined with vaginal…
Objectives To map and synthesise existing evidence on pregnant women’s perceptions and experiences of social media communication for antenatal care (ANC). Design Scoping review. Data sources Four electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar) alongside ‘grey’ and supplementary searches were conducted between December 202–January 2026. Study selection All studies reporting pregnant women’s perceptions or experiences of social media communication for ANC. Data extraction and synthesis Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a structured charting…
Introduction Postextubation swallowing disorders (SD) are common in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are associated with severe complications, including aspiration pneumonia, a three-fold increase in reintubation risk and higher mortality. While fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopy are gold standards for diagnosis, they are often impractical or impossible to perform on intubated patients. The use of ultrasound offers a non-invasive, bedside alternative to evaluate the musculoskeletal structures involved in swallowing. The Echographie Identifier les…
Background This retrospective cohort study investigated the long-term risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) following COVID-19 using a nationwide database of Japanese medical claims. Methods Propensity score matching was utilised to form a cohort of individuals with COVID-19 and a non-infected control group using data from the National Claims Database encompassing six prefectures in Japan. The primary outcome measured was the initiation of renal replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplantation) after the index month of the study period. Cox proportional hazards models incorporating…
Introduction Delayed post-polypectomy bleeding (DPPB) remains a significant complication of endoscopic resection, contributing to morbidity and increased healthcare costs. Although prophylactic clipping is widely practised to mitigate this risk, evidence from recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding its efficacy is inconsistent. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic clips following thermal resection. Methods and analysis We will conduct a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library from…
Objectives The aim of this study was to translate the Attitudes and Beliefs about Cardiovascular Disease (ABCD) Risk Questionnaire into Norwegian and assess its psychometric properties among individuals with a history of myocardial infarction. Design The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The original questionnaire was translated into Norwegian and adapted for use in the target population. The Norwegian version was pilot tested in a sample of patients and then validated in the target population. Setting Norway, using a web-based solution to collect data. Patients A random sample of…
Introduction Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common perioperative complication that can cause delayed mobilisation and discharge, and increase the need for catheterisation. Suprapubic temperature stimulation is a simple bedside, nurse-led approach but its effectiveness and safety have not been synthesised in a focused review. Methods and analysis We will systematically search PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CENTRAL from inception to the final search date, without language or date restrictions and will also screen trial registries and grey literature. We will…
Introduction and objective Organ preservation strategies for rectal cancer following neoadjuvant treatment require intensive endoscopic monitoring to detect early luminal recurrence. This is termed 'Watch and Wait' (WAW). Standard protocols commonly mandate flexible sigmoidoscopy every 3–4 months for 2 years. Digital proctoscopy with the LumenEye device has been shown to be a safe alternative that can be performed in an outpatient setting without the need for sedation and with less staffing requirements. The study objective is to evaluate the economic implications of using digital proctoscopy…
Introduction Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by definitive treatment consisting of either radical radiotherapy or radical cystectomy is the recommended treatment for patients with organ-confined muscle-invasive bladder cancer (OC-MIBC). A randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the effectiveness of radical radiotherapy and radical cystectomy but failed to recruit. Radical radiotherapy is non-invasive and organ-preserving, and observational studies have suggested this treatment may be associated with similar outcomes compared with radical cystectomy. However, in these…
Having met the MHRA’s rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management.
Chief Medical Officer Trang Ly said the system, which allows people to manage Type 2 diabetes without bolusing, will be “completely different” than those being developed by MiniMed and Tandem Diabetes Care.