Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can affect cardiovascular function in health and disease. The present study assessed the effect of prior COVID-19 infection on cardiovascular phenotype at rest and in response to exercise in middle age and older individuals.

This case-control, single-centre study recruited 124 participants: 84 with a history of COVID-19 (59.9 ± 7.41 years, 54.8% female) and 40 participants without history of COVID-19 infection (62.8 ± 7.14 years, 62.5% female). All participants underwent non-invasive assessment of arterial function using pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (Alx) and hemodynamic function (i.e. cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP)) at rest. Cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing with simultaneous gas exchange and hemodynamic (bioreactance) measurements was also performed.

There were no differences between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups in PWV (COVID-19: 7.52 ± 1.66 m/s, non-COVID-19: 7.32 ± 1.79 m/s, p = 0.440); Alx (COVID-19: 29.2 ± 9.12%, non-COVID-19: 29.2 ± 8.44%, p = 0.980); CI (COVID-19: 2.85 ± 0.39 L/min/m2, non-COVID-19: 2.79 ± 0.37 L/min/m2, p = 0.407); SVI (COVID-19: 46.5 ± 7.54 mL/m2, non-COVID-19: 47.0 ± 7.59 mL/m2, p = 0.776), HR (COVID-19: 62.3 ± 10.6 beats/min, Non-COVID-19: 60.2 ± 8.52 beats/min, p = 0.263), or MAP (COVID-19: 98.1 ± 11.2 mmHg, non-COVID-19: 96.6 ± 9.46 mmHg, p = 0.464). COVID-19 participants however demonstrated lower O2 consumption at anaerobic threshold (15.5 ± 4.25 vs 16.8 ± 4.51 mL/kg/m2, p = 0.034), peak cardiac index (10.4 ± 2.3 vs 11.3 ± 2.5 L/min/m2, p = 0.040) and peak stroke volume index (82.1 ± 25.3 vs 98.6 ± 37.6 mL/m2, p = 0.028).

Healthy middle-age and older individuals with history COVID-19 infection demonstrate reduced exercise tolerance and cardiac function response to exercise.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) studies in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) according to KRAS mutational status are limited. This study aimed to report real-world evidence on HRQoL outcomes based on KRAS mutational status in patients with advanced NSCLC tumors receiving second-line or later (2L+) treatment in France and Germany.

In this real-world, non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicenter, patient-reported outcome (PRO) study conducted in France (15 contributing sites) and Germany (8 contributing sites), physicians enrolled adult patients with locally advanced and unresectable or metastatic NSCLC with known KRAS mutation status (KRAS G12C, KRAS non-G12C, or KRAS wildtype [WT]), who received a 2L + treatment. Study outcomes included sociodemographic characteristics; HRQoL evaluations based on EORTC Global Health Status QoL scores (QLQ-C30) and EQ-5D-5L scores. Data were analyzed descriptively.

Of 156 enrolled patients, data from 149 patients were included in the final analysis (France, n = 103; Germany, n = 46). Median (quartile [Q]1, Q3) age was 67.0 (61.0, 71.0) years; 56.4% of patients were male. In total, 38.9% (n = 58), 26.2% (n = 39), and 34.9% (n = 52) of patients had tumors with KRAS G12C mutation, KRAS non-G12C mutation and WT KRAS, respectively. Mean (±SD) QLQ-C30 Global Health Status QoL scores were 56.99 (20.30) for the overall population, and 56.03 (22.55), 58.97 (18.67) and 56.57 (19.05) for KRAS G12C, non-G12C, and WT subpopulations. In the overall population, moderate-to-extreme problems were reported in all EQ-5D-5L dimensions (range: overall population, 15.5%-39.6%; KRAS G12C, 15.6%-46.6%; non-G12C, 7.8%-23.1%; WT, 21.1%-44.2%).

HRQoL was broadly similar across KRAS G12C, non-G12C, and WT subpopulations.

The objective of this study is to determine if the detection of DAN through Sudoscan® can reclassify cardiovascular risk in patients with T2DM according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines 2023 (ESC 2023) compared to other risk scales.

A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 161 patients with T2DM who had undergone Sudoscan® in a Northern Mexico Hospital between December 2022 and July 2023. We compared the cardiovascular risk with SCORE-2, SMART, ADVANCE, ASCVD plus, and Globo Risk scales.

Estimated cardiovascular risk according to the ESC 2023 without consideration of DAN was low for 91 (57%), moderate for 53 (33%), high for 11 (7%) and very high for 22 (3%) of patients. While inclusion of DAN resulted in low risk in 81 (51%), moderate in 46 (28%9, high in 9(5%) and very high risk for 25 ((16%), p = 0.004). The majority of patients were classified as low or moderate risk using other scales such as ASCVD plus, SCORE-2, Globo Risk, ADVANCE, and SMART.

Sudoscan® enhances cardiovascular risk assessment in T2DM by accurately diagnosing microvascular complications, ensuring comprehensive patient evaluation.

Pregnancy's impact on cancer has been understudied throughout the literature. The current authoritative cancer database in the US, NCI's SEER database, tracks nearly all aspects of cancer care however has no provision to track pregnancy. Consequently, there are no systematic evidence based clinical guidelines available for this vulnerable population.

This retrospective cohort study outlines reported clinical presentation, obstetric outcomes, and treatment regimens for pregnant patients diagnosed with glioma to better understand current practice pattern for glioma during pregnancy.

An exhaustive PubMed and Cochrane based literature search was performed for pregnancy and glioma. Individual patient data was extracted primarily from case reports and case series, since pregnancy is an exclusion criterion for most clinical trials.

We identified a cohort of 94 patients, 54% of whom (n = 51/94) were diagnosed prior to their pregnancy. Of the patients who were diagnosed during their pregnancy, diagnosis was most common in the second trimester (27%, n = 25/94). Seizure was the most common presenting symptom and maternal survival varied significantly by glioma grade. Treatment delays were common and were most detrimental to maternal survival in glioblastoma (GBM) (22 months (no delay) vs 8 months (delay) p < 0.10). Most patients regardless of tumor grade delivered healthy babies (80%, n = 75/94) while GBM carried the highest rate of birth complications or defects (15% n = 3/20). Fetal exposure to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy increased the rate of birth defects or complications from 5% (n = 2/47) to 16% (n = 6/37).

In summary, we found wide practice variation in management of glioma during pregnancy. Systematic reporting on this vulnerable population is needed to better serve mothers and fetuses during this incredibly challenging life event.

Most atypical depression (AD) cases endorse prominent mood reactivity, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity, resembling some of the characteristics of emotional dysregulation (ED). The present study assesses the frequency and clinical features of different levels of ED in ADyes vs. non-AD(ADno) cases.

The present cross-sectional study discriminated depressed outpatients screened with the Hamilton Depression rating scale with the Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire, 110-item version, 36-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Young Mania Rating Scale into people with high (EDhigh) vs. low (EDlow) for a broad range of clinical and psychopathological features. Descriptive statistics were followed by random forest analysis with "out-of-bag"[OOB] computation.

We included 326 patients (MDD = 204[62.60 %], BD-II = 105[32.20 %], and BD-I = 17[5.20 %]). ADyesEDhigh cases had the earliest age at the onset of depression and overall clinical burden. Higher scores at interpersonal sensitivity, somatization, early age at onset of depression, anxious features, non-atypical core of depression, cyclothymic and depressive temperament, DERS total, and strategies scores predicted higher odds of atypical depression (OOB = 0.25). Among other predictors, age at onset of depression somatization and cyclothymic temperament predicted EDhigh group membership (OOB = 0.23). Hyperthymic temperament, the SIGH-ADS atypical balance percentage score, and somatization emerged as top predictors of treatment-resistant-depression (OOB = 0.12) in contrast to the SIGH-ADS-8-item atypical balance, psychotic features, and age at onset for treatment-resistant-bipolar-depression (OOB = 0.16).

Cross-sectional design; treatment-seeking outpatients.

AD and ED represent intertwined clinical entities potentially relevant to enhanced treatment outcomes, warranting more accurate random-forest models.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder characterized by progressive stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid arteries and the development of collateral moyamoya vessels. Surgical revascularization is commonly used to prevent future ischemic events in ischemic-type MMD, but there remains a high rate of stroke perioperatively. This study aims to analyze the predictive factors for perioperative stroke in patients with ischemic-type MMD undergoing surgical revascularization using a large multicenter database.

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. This study included patients with ischemic-type MMD who underwent surgical revascularization across 13 academic institutions in North America. Data were collected and analyzed on a per-hemisphere basis, covering patient demographics, disease characteristics, procedural details, and outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata (V.17.0), comparing baseline characteristics, and using univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of perioperative stroke.

A total of 301 patients with ischemic-type MMD underwent surgical revascularization, with 34 patients (11.3 %) experiencing perioperative stroke. Patients who experienced perioperative stroke had a mean age of 43.6 years (SD 14.0) compared to 40.0 years (SD 13.9) in those without perioperative stroke (P = 0.16). Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in the perioperative stroke group (73.5 % vs. 47.9 %, P = 0.005). Current smoking was also more common in the perioperative stroke group (55.8 % vs. 38.2 %, P = 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression identified hypertension (OR 2.32, 95 % CI 1.01 to 5.37, P = 0.04) and current smoking (OR 2.28, 95 % CI 1.04 to 4.97, P = 0.03) as significant independent predictors of perioperative stroke.

Hypertension and smoking were significant predictors of perioperative stroke in patients with ischemic-type MMD undergoing surgical revascularization. These findings emphasize the importance of managing risk factors in ischemic-type MMD. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Handgrip strength is a critical indicator of overall health, particularly in older adults, and is associated with frailty, sarcopenia and risk of adverse health outcomes. Precise and reliable measurement instruments are necessary to ensure accuracy in personalised diagnostic evaluations. This study aimed to assess the inter-instrument reliability and agreement between the Jamar Plus+ digital and Jamar hydraulic dynamometers in measuring handgrip strength.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the handgrip strength of older individuals in the community aged more than 60, using the Jamar Plus+ digital and Jamar hydraulic dynamometers. The inter-instrument reliability and agreement between the devices were evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis.

A total of 109 participants with a mean age of 66±5.3 years were included in this study. The Jamar Plus+ digital dynamometer recorded significantly higher handgrip strength measurements (27.0±7.1 kg) compared with the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer (21.0±6.7 kg). The ICCs between the two devices ranged from 0.67 to 0.70, indicating moderate reliability. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a consistent overestimation of handgrip strength by the Jamar Plus+ digital dynamometer, with systematic biases of 4.8 kg in men and 6.26 kg in women compared with the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer.

The Jamar Plus+ digital dynamometer consistently overestimated handgrip strength compared with the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer, but both devices demonstrated moderate reliability. The Jamar Plus+ showed greater responsiveness to variations in strength. Selecting appropriate diagnostic tools is crucial for optimising individualised health assessments in older adults.

Distal femur fractures present a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons, accounting for approximately 5% of all femoral fractures. Among the most commonly reported combined techniques in the literature are the double-plate technique and the retrograde nailing plus lateral plating, the nail-plate construct (NPC). The aim of our study is to compare surgical data, quality of life, and functional outcomes in 33-C fractures treated with either double-plate constructs or a retrograde nailing plus lateral plate.

A multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted in accordance with Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Diagnoses were made on the basis of the AO classification, utilizing traditional radiological assessments. Patients were categorized into two groups on the basis of the surgical treatment they received: The NPC group comprised patients who underwent surgery with nail-plate construct, while the Plate group consisted of those who had surgery with double plating.

A total of 42 patients were included in the study. The NPC group comprised 26 patients with a mean age of 58.4 ± 18.8 years, while the Plate group consisted of 16 patients with a mean age of 61.3 ± 16.4 years. Significant differences were observed in knee extension recovery (p = 0.010) and lateral distal femur angle (LDFA) (p < 0.001). Linear regression showed a significant influence from treatment choice on all the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, as well as in all domains of the European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Five-Level Version (EQ-5D-5L), except for the Daily Self-Care domain.

Nail-plate constructs seems to lead to significantly better outcomes in AO type C distal femur fractures, compared with double plating, in terms of knee function and quality of life. Significant differences are shown also in anatomical outcomes, especially in extension gap, and LDFA.

III.

Introduction: Long waiting lists for elective medical consultations present significant challenges within health care systems globally. Remote consultation (teleconsultation) between a primary care physician and a specialist doctor can resolve some of these demands, reducing waiting lists. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of teleconsultations in reducing unnecessary specialist referrals and waitlist time within the referral process with primary care doctors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2019. The regulation process of specialized consultations waiting lists was made by two groups: (1) those regulated by RegulaSUS associated with the provision of teleconsultation and (2) those regulated by the usual procedures of the Ambulatory Regulation Center of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (contemporaneous controls group). The primary outcome evaluated the proportion of patients managed within primary health care (PHC) without requiring in-person specialist care, and the waitlist times during the regulation process were compared between the different groups. Results: The analysis encompassed 245,643 referral requests for specialized consultations across 23 medical specialties. The RegulaSUS project reduced the need for in-person specialized medical consultation by 29% (31.6% vs. 44.5%, p < 0.001). The median waitlist time was 1,140.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 1,393.6-476.6) days in individuals in the RegulaSUS and 1,271.0 (IQR, 778.4-1,723.0) control (p < 0.0001). Discussion: The RegulaSUS teleconsultations demonstrated an effective approach to increasing the resolution of primary care physicians, reducing unnecessary specialist referrals, and reducing waitlist time for specialized medical consultations. This initiative is a model for efficient referral management, prioritizing patients needing specialized care while optimizing health care resource allocation in PHC settings.

The outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for large (≥ 5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly (≥ 70 years old) patients have not been deeply investigated so far. The aim of the study was to compare short- and long-term results of LLR vs. open liver resection (OLR) in this setting. Data regarding all patients undergoing liver resection for large HCC were retrospectively collected from referral European and Asian HPB centers. The cases were propensity score matched for age, BMI, center, underlying liver cirrhosis, comorbidities, extent of the resection, tumor size, and numbers. After matching 363 patients with large HCC aged ≥ 70 years old, two cohorts of 90 patients were compared. The laparoscopic group showed a shorter median length of hospital stay (7 vs 9 days, p = 0.01), with a lower rate of R1 resections (4.4% vs 13.3%, p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found in the median operative time (p = 0.34), intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 1.00), severe postoperative complications (p = 0.29), postoperative hemorrhage (p = 0.30), post-hepatectomy liver failure (p = 0.47), or in-hospital mortality (p = 0.31). After a median follow-up of 35 months (95% CI 27.6-42.3), there were no statistically significant differences in both overall survival (p = 0.28) and disease-free survival (p = 0.42). LLR was safe and effective in selected cases of large HCC in elderly patients and was proven to shorten median hospital stay and to reduce the R1 rates, without affecting both short- and long-term survival outcomes.

Familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM), especially severe cases, impose a heavy physical and psychological burden on patients and their families. To explore the differences in plasma biomarker levels between patients with FCCM and their healthy first-degree relatives (FDRs) and between FCCM patients with and without severe chronic disease aggressiveness (CDA). In a cross - sectional study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and genetic testing were performed in patients with multiple CCMs and their FDRs. Subsequently, sixty-seven plasma biomarkers were tested using a customised multiplex bead immunoassay kit. Univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between plasma factors and the risk of developing FCCM and severe CDA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each independent risk factor. As a result, plasma factors of 37 patients with FCCM and 37 FDRs were examined. Low CD31 (P < 0.001) and BDNF levels (P = 0.013) were independent risk factors for FCCM. The best model was achieved by combining the results of CD31 and BDNF (AUC = 0.845, sensitivity 0.838, specificity 0.784, cutoff score - 4.295) to distinguish patients with FCCM from healthy FDRs. Low Serpin E1/PAI-1 (P = 0.011) and high ROBO4 levels (P = 0.013) were independent risk factors for severe CDA in patients with FCCM. The best model was achieved by combining the results of Serpin E1/PAI-1 and ROBO4 levels (AUC = 0.913, sensitivity 1.000, specificity 0.760, cutoff score - 0.525) to identify patients with FCCM and severe CDA. In summary, the plasma concentrations of CD31 and BDNF seem to be lower in patients with FCCM than in their healthy FDRs. Low Serpin E1/PAI-1 and high ROBO4 concentrations may be correlated with high lesion burden and risk of recurrent bleeding.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03467295.

Mental health conditions cause a huge burden on individuals and healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization, around 970 million individuals worldwide had a mental disorder in 2019.

To explore the attitudes towards mental health conditions among the Iraqi community and determine factors influencing such attitudes.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1394 individuals of the Iraqi general population between December 2022 and February 2023 using a self-administered online questionnaire in Arabic, utilising convenience and snowball sampling. The data were analysed using R Statistical Software.

In total, 763 (54.73%) individuals had positive attitudes towards mental health conditions. The multivariate regression analysis revealed the males and age group of 46 years, and more were significantly associated with negative attitudes (p = 0.001, p = 0.045 respectively).

Individuals with mental health conditions experience stigmatising attitudes as in the Middle East jeopardising their treatment and recovery. This is the first study to address the Iraqi population's attitudes towards mental health conditions indicating overall positive attitudes.

Health promotions must be conducted by educators, healthcare workers and universities to dispel the myths. Future studies with extensive sampling will help clarify the obscurity of mental health conditions in Iraq.

Structural and dynamic alterations of peripheral nerves are commonly observed in patients with radiculopathy. The current study aimed to compare the cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity index (ECHO), and skin-to-nerve distance (SKN) of the sciatic nerve between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides of patients with probable neuropathic pain under different levels of nerve tension.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 31 participants classified as having probable chronic neuropathic pain. The CSA, ECHO, and SKN of the sciatic nerve of both lower limbs were measured in the following positions: A) flexed knee and neutral ankle, B) extended knee and ankle plantarflexion, and C) extended knee and ankle dorsiflexion. Sonographic measurements of both lower limbs were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance.

The mean age of the sample was 44 years (SD 10; 77.4% females), and the mean pain intensity was 5.3 (SD 1.9) out of 10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. No significant differences were found for CSA, ECHO, or SKN measurements between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides for the three tested positions. Position C had a smaller CSA of the sciatic nerve on both sides compared to position A. Both sides exhibited the nerve being more superficial in position C compared to the other positions.

Participants with probable chronic neuropathic pain had similar CSA, ECHO, and SKN of the sciatic nerve between the symptomatic and asymptomatic lower limbs. Increasing sciatic nerve tension (position C) reduced CSA and caused superficial nerve displacement on both sides.

Early-onset seizures are common in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), with risk factors that have been explored. However, early-onset seizures in patients with angiogram-negative nonperimesencephalic SAH (an-SAH) are less understood. We sought to compare the incidence and risk factors of early-onset seizures between these groups.

We conducted a retrospective study of a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to an academic center between July 2016 and July 2023. Patients were categorized into aSAH or an-SAH based on imaging findings. Clinical data and electroencephalogram findings were retrieved and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for clinical or electrographic seizures, as well as other epileptic features.

We included 473 patients (63% female) in the final analysis, of whom 79 had an-SAH and 394 had aSAH. Patients with an-SAH were older (mean age 61.9 years [standard deviation 15.9] vs. 56.7 [standard deviation 13.4]; p = 0.02). The rate of clinical or electrographic seizures was similar between the two groups (13% in aSAH vs. 11% in an-SAH; p = 0.62). Highly epileptic features (electrographic seizures, ictal-interictal continuum, and periodic epileptic discharges) occurred more frequently in the aSAH group compared with the an-SAH group, although this difference was not significant (15% vs. 8%; p = 0.09). Risk factors for seizures in aSAH were Hunt and Hess grade (odds ratio [OR] 1.25 per grade increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.49; p = 0.011), modified Fisher score (OR 1.64 per point increase, 95% CI 1.25-2.15; p < 0.001), cerebral infarct (OR 3.64, 95% CI 2.13-6.23; p < 0.001), and intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 10, 95% CI 1.35-76.9; p = 0.017). However, none of these factors were associated with seizures in an-SAH.

Early-onset seizures occur at similar rates in patients with an-SAH and aSAH. However, seizure risk factors appear to differ between these groups. Larger prospective studies are needed to identify predictors of seizures in patients with an-SAH.

The aim of the study is to describe and compare adverse event incidence, type, severity, and preventability in the Canadian inpatient rehabilitation setting.

In this retrospective case series, adverse events were identified through chart reviews from two Canadian academic tertiary postacute care hospitals. Adverse events were characterized through descriptive statistics and compared using the Mantel-Haenszel and Fisher's exact tests.

During the study period, one site ( n = 120) had 28 adverse events and an incidence of 9.7 (95% CI = 6.1-13.3) per 1000 patient days, and the other ( n = 48) had 15 adverse events and an incidence of 13.9 (95% CI = 6.9-21) per 1000 patient days ( P = 0.82). The two sites differed significantly in adverse event type ( P = 0.033) and preventability ( P = 0.002) but not severity. The most common adverse event type was medication/intravenous fluids-related (16/28, 57%) at one site and patient incidents (e.g., falls, pressure ulcers) at the other. Four percent (1/28) of adverse events were preventable at one site, and 53% (8/15) at another. Most adverse events at both sites were mild in severity.

Adverse events significantly differed in type and preventability between the two sites. These results suggest the importance of context and the need for an organization-specific and tailored approach when addressing patient safety in inpatient rehabilitation settings.

Delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children may result in complex appendicitis with appendiceal perforation. Delayed diagnosis can result from missed opportunity for initial diagnosis (MOID) despite medical attention. Studies report MOID of less than 5% in pediatric emergency departments (EDs), but we hypothesized that many MOID occurs outside tertiary care facilities. Our goals were to determine the MOID rate in all presenting facilities in children with complex appendicitis and to identify associated risk factors.

Children (age ≤18) undergoing appendectomy for complex appendicitis between 2018 and 2022 at a single free-standing academic children's hospital were reviewed. Missed opportunity for initial diagnosis was defined as evaluation for related symptoms without a diagnosis of appendicitis within 7 days prior to appendectomy. Logistic regression and UpSet plots were used to identify associated risk factors.

Of 856 children, 140 (16.4%) had MOID. Most MOID originated from nontertiary facilities [urgent care (38.6%), local EDs (26.4%), primary care (25.0%)] compared to our pediatric ED (11.4%). Compared to single-encounter diagnosis, MOID was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio per year [aOR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-0.97) and non-English/Spanish primary language (aOR 2.61, 95% CI: 1.18-5.76). Uninsured patients had lower MOID (aOR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.96). Missed opportunity for initial diagnosis was associated with more complications (33.6% vs 19.1%, P  < 0.0001), prolonged length of stay (6 vs 4 days, P  < 0.0001), and increased readmission (11.4% vs 6.6%, P  = 0.044).

Missed opportunity for initial diagnosis of complex appendicitis occurs in nontertiary care facilities, is more common in younger children and non-English/Spanish speakers, and is associated with worse outcomes, highlighting the need for interpreters and algorithmic evaluation in nontertiary care facilities.

People who are Black and have physical disabilities likely face a dual burden of risk for maternal mortality due to enduring systemic oppression rooted in racism and ableism.

To investigate maternal mortality risks among Black birthing individuals with physical disabilities in the United States and assess the potential compounding effect when these marginalized identities intersect.

We conducted a historical cohort study using the 2004-2021 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The study included 8,263,997 delivery hospitalizations. We used modified Poisson regression to estimate unadjusted and adjusted relative risks (RR) of maternal mortality by race and physical disability status. We calculated the Relative Excess Risk due to Interaction (RERI) and Attributable Proportion (AP) to assess additive interaction between Black race and physical disability status.

After adjusting for covariates, compared to their White birthing individuals, their Black peers experienced about 2.5 times (RR = 1.48,95%CI:2.08-2.96) the risk of maternal mortality. Compared to birthing individuals without physical disabilities, those with physical disabilities experienced nearly 11 times the (RR = 10.72,95%CI:8.15-14.10) risk of maternal mortality. Our adjusted additive interaction analysis revealed a significant super-additive effect (RERI = 11.3; AP = 0.47); suggesting that the combined effect of having both marginalized identities was greater than the sum of the individual effects of each identity.

Our findings provide evidence for substantial inequities in maternal mortality by Black race and physical disability status, with evidence of a compounding effect when these marginalized identities intersect. These results underscore the urgent need for intersectional approaches in maternal health interventions and policies.

Beyond knee pain itself, the fear of movement, also known as kinesiophobia, recently has been proposed as a potential factor contributing to disability and functional limitation in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Nevertheless, the available evidence on the association of kinesiophobia with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in knee OA remains limited.

Among patients with nonoperatively treated knee OA, we asked: (1) Is kinesiophobia associated with decreased quality of life (QoL), functional outcomes, and physical activity? (2) What are the patient disease and psychosocial demographic factors associated with kinesiophobia?

This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study of 406 general orthopaedic patients from two urban, referral-based tertiary hospitals in Singapore under a single healthcare group who received nonoperative treatment for knee OA. Between July 2020 and January 2022, a total of 1541 patients were treated for knee OA nonoperatively. Based on that, 60% (923) of patients were rejected due to refusal to participate in the study, 3% (52) of patients were enrolled but did not show up for their appointments for data collection, and a further 10% (160) had incomplete data sets, leaving 26% (406) for this study's analysis. The mean age of patients was 64 ± 8 years, 69% were women, and 81% were Chinese. The level of kinesiophobia in patients was measured using the Brief Fear of Movement scale, a validated 6-item questionnaire ranging from a score of 6 to 24 to measure kinesiophobia in OA, with higher scores representing higher levels of kinesiophobia. In terms of PROMs, the QoL and functional level of patients were measured using the QoL and activities of daily living (ADL) components of the widely validated 12-item Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-12). The KOOS-12 is a questionnaire consisting of 12 items encompassing three domains (QoL, ADL, and pain), with each item ranging from 0 to 4 and higher scores representing worse outcomes. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Activity Scale was used to measure the level of physical activity in patients. The UCLA score is a descriptive 10-level activity scale ranging from a score of 1 to 10, with higher scores representing greater physical activity levels. A directed acyclic graph, which is a relationship map used to depict and visualize the confounders between the studied variables, was used to identify the confounders between kinesiophobia and PROMs (QoL, function, and physical activity). An ordinal regression model was used to explore: (1) the association between kinesiophobia (as measured using the Brief Fear of Movement scale) and PROMs (as measured using KOOS QoL, KOOS ADL, and the UCLA Activity Scale), adjusting for key confounders such as age, gender, pain, side of arthritis, OA duration/severity, and psychosocial factors (for example, depression, anxiety, and education levels), and (2) the association between kinesiophobia (Brief Fear of Movement scale) and various patient disease and psychosocial demographic factors.

After accounting for confounders, greater kinesiophobia (higher Brief Fear of Movement scores) was associated with lower QoL (KOOS QoL score adjusted IQR OR 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53 to 0.90]; p = 0.007) and lower physical activity (UCLA score adjusted IQR OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.52 to 0.90]; p = 0.007); however, there was no association between kinesiophobia and function (KOOS ADL score adjusted IQR OR 0.90 [95% CI 0.70 to 1.17]; p = 0.45). After adjusting for age, gender, OA duration, pain, and BMI, higher levels of anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire 2 [PHQ-2] anxiety score adjusted OR 2.49 [95% CI 1.36 to 4.58]; p = 0.003) and depression (PHQ-2 depression score adjusted OR 3.38 [95% CI 1.73 to 6.62]; p < 0.001) were associated with higher levels of kinesiophobia. Education level, OA disease severity, side of arthritis (unilateral versus bilateral), and history of previous injury or surgery on the knee were not associated with kinesiophobia.

Clinicians should assess for kinesiophobia and other psychological comorbidities such as depression and anxiety at the point of initial evaluation and subsequent follow-up of knee OA with simple validated tools like the Brief Fear of Movement scale (kinesiophobia) in the clinic. This allows for clinicians to identify high-risk individuals and offer evidence-based treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapies with a multidisciplinary team, including a physical therapist and psychologist, to manage these psychological comorbidities and improve outcomes in patients with knee OA. While kinesiophobia was found to be associated with poorer QoL and physical activity, future studies including larger observational cohort studies should be conducted to determine causal and prognostic relationships between kinesiophobia and outcomes in knee OA.

Level III, prognostic study.

This study aimed to evaluate the perceived quality of pre- and post-test explanations given to women carrying BRCA1/2 variants, and to compare these outcomes between two cohorts: female BRCA1/2 carriers identified through self-reported population-based screening (the screening group), in comparison to self-reported formal pre-test genetic counseling due to personal or familial cancer history (genetic counseling group). This cross-sectional survey of female BRCA1/2 carriers employed an anonymous questionnaire distributed through the "Good Genes - a support and information group for BRCA carriers" association from January to March 2023. Main evaluated outcomes included the perceived quality of pre- and post-test explanations, first analyzed in the overall cohort, and then compared between the 110 respondents in the screening group, to 444 women in the counseling group. In the screening group, 45.5% rated the perceived quality of pre-test explanations as unsatisfactory, compared to 27.4% in the genetic counseling group (p = 0.0005). In terms of result delivery, the screening group reported higher instances of inappropriate timing (61.8% vs. 40.3%, p < 0.0001), suboptimal mode of delivery (55.5% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.0008) and suboptimal perceived quality in post-test explanations (51.4% vs. 33.9%, p = 0.0006), as well as elevated stress levels (74.3% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.043). In the screening group, 21.5% of the women reported that the results were communicated by phone, letter, or online notice, compared to 17.2% in the counseling group, a non-statistically significant difference. A logistic regression model controlling for timing and mode of delivery showed that both timing (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and mode of delivery (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) remained significant predictors of dissatisfaction of post-test counseling. The findings of this survey underscore the pressing need for enhancements in pre-test explanation, as well as the post-test counseling for positive results, especially within the realm of BRCA screening.

The aim of this study was to assess differences in the clinical profile and baseline characteristics between patients with femoral neck fracture (FNF) and trochanteric fracture (TF). The secondary aim was to explore potential differences in clinical outcomes and mortality.

A prospective hip fracture database (FAMMI) was used to obtain data for this observational cohort study. Patients with hip fracture surgery between January 2018 and February 2021 who were aged older than 70 years were prospectively included. Differences between patients with FNF and TF were evaluated by univariable logistic regression. A multivariable analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between type of fracture and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders.

In total, 2,089 patients were analyzed, of whom 1,233 (59%) had FNF and 856 (41%) had TF. Patients with TF were older, more often female, had a higher rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dementia, and had a lower Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living score. Patients with TF had a lower rate of clinical complications such as delirium, pneumonia, reoperation, or wound infections. No differences in 30-day and one-year mortality were observed, also after multivariable correction.

Based on this study, elderly patients with TF exhibit a comparatively inferior baseline status in comparison to patients with FNF. However, patients with TF have lower incidence of postoperative complications. No differences in 30-day and one-year mortality rates were observed between patients with the two types of proximal femoral fractures.

With a surge in younger, more active individuals undergoing hip surgery, both recreational players and elite athletes seek to break free from post-surgery limitations. Despite advancements, the safety of returning to tennis following Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) remains underexplored. This systematic review aims to explore the insights which may guide informed decision-making concerning return to the sport.

This systematic review aims to assess the clinical and functional outcomes of THA in tennis players. A protocol has been registered with PROSPERO, adhering to PRISMA-P guidelines. A comprehensive literature search will be carried out and this will include PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Reviews and SPORTDiscus databases for the last 20 years. The search terms focus on tennis and hip replacement, without language or study design restrictions. Studies featuring recreational or professional tennis players post-THA will be considered for inclusion. A team of independent reviewers will screen extracted studies for inclusion based on pre-defined criteria.

The review aims to consolidate evidence on post-THA outcomes in tennis players, identifying variables such as implant types, pre and post-surgery play levels, and return-to-play timeframes. Divergent opinions among Orthopaedic surgeons about post-THA tennis participation warrants a comprehensive analysis. Moreover, the differentiation between singles and doubles tennis in post-THA recommendations is a critical but underexplored area. The systematic review seeks to bridge these gaps and establish a foundation for consensus-based guidelines, aiding patient counselling and decision-making regarding surgical treatment and post-surgery recommendations, specifically concerning returning to tennis.

This systematic review protocol is registered with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42024495730.

Patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) who have a history of meniscectomy have worse postoperative functional outcomes, increased rates of early postoperative complications, and higher revision rates. Despite knowing this, to the best of our knowledge, it has not been previously studied whether the timing of meniscectomy before TKA impacts functional outcomes after undergoing TKA. Compared to patients who underwent meniscectomy more than one year before TKA, do patients who have meniscectomy less than one year before TKA have significantly different postoperative outcomes?

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic medical center. Patients who did not have a history of meniscectomy (controls) were matched in a 1:3 ratio with patients who underwent meniscectomy before primary TKA (cases) based on age, sex, race, body mass index, and nonage-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index. The inclusion criteria consisted of patients undergoing TKA from 2013 to 2020, with a minimum of one-year follow-up for Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Joint Replacement (KOOS-JR). The exclusion criteria comprised patients undergoing revision or conversion TKA. There were 1,767 patients in the control cohort and 589 patients in the cases cohort who were included.

Preoperative KOOS-JR scores did not significantly differ between the five cohorts, while postoperative KOOS-JR scores were significantly lower for patients who underwent meniscectomy less than six months before TKA and between six months and 1 year before TKA. Patients undergoing meniscectomy within six months of TKA had a significantly higher rate of aseptic revision, while patients who had a history of meniscectomy at other timeframes did not have a significantly increased rate of aseptic revision.

Patients undergoing TKA who had a history of meniscectomy within 1 year of the TKA may experience worse postoperative functional outcomes, and patients undergoing meniscectomy within six months of TKA may have an increased risk of revision TKA.

To understand the link between perceived racial/ethnic discrimination among older adults and 2 health service utilization processes: (1) visiting health care providers or emergency room (ER), and (2) repeated visits after the first encounter.

Analysis of 2021 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults-a nationally representative, self-reported, and cross-sectional survey from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We used a 2-part multivariable hurdle model.

Perceived discrimination was associated with 18% reduced odds of visiting at least 1 primary care provider (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68-0.99). Among those who have visited at least 1 provider, those who perceived discrimination were more likely to visit different providers when compared with those who did not (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11). Perceived racism was associated with first (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.27) and frequent (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.01-1.29) ER visits.

Perceived racial discrimination is linked with higher health service utilization among older adults in high-income countries.

A multilevel policy response that includes workforce sensitization and diversification, system transparency and accountability, and addressing structural barriers to accessing health care is warranted.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication after lung transplantation, but the reported incidence varies in the literature. No data on AKI have been published from the Swedish lung transplantation program.

The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence, perioperative risk factors, and effects of early postoperative acute kidney injury (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] criteria) after lung transplantation. A retrospective, nationwide study of 568 lung-transplanted patients in Sweden between 2011 and 2020 was performed.

The incidence of AKI (any grade) was 42%. Renal replacement therapy was used in 5% of the patients. Preoperative factors independently associated with increased incidence of AKI were higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.12) longer time on transplantation waiting list (OR: 1.05 [1.01, 1.09]), re-transplantation (OR: 2.24 [1.05, 4.80]) and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (OR: 2.61 [1.36, 5.03]). Intraoperative factors independently associated with increased incidence of AKI were use of cardiopulmonary bypass (OR: 2.70 [1.57, 4.63]), increasing number of transfused red blood cell units, and use of immunosuppressive therapy other than routine (OR: 2,56 [1.47, 4.46]). A higher diuresis (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58-0.85) was associated with less incidence of acute kidney injury. Development of AKI was associated with increased time to extubation (median 30 h, IQR [9, 118] vs. 6 [3, 16]), length of stay in the intensive care unit (9 days [4, 25] vs. 3 [2, 5]) and increased rate of primary graft dysfunction (OR 2.33 [1.66, 3.29]) and 30-day mortality (OR: 10.8 [3.0, 69]).

Acute kidney injury is common after lung transplantation and affects clinical outcomes negatively. Preoperative factors may be used for risk assessment. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass is a potentially modifiable intraoperative risk factor.

Acute kidney injury is a common complication after lung transplantation that severely influences patient outcomes. This large study of more than 500 patients treated over a decade identified potentially modifiable factors associated with the development of acute kidney injury.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) constitutes a significant portion of acute stroke incidents worldwide, often leading to post-stroke dysphagia (PSD), affecting 50-77% of survivors and worsening patient morbidity. This study aimed to identify predictive variables for PSD among patients with spontaneous ICH. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients with acute spontaneous ICH, confirmed by brain computed tomography, from June 2019 to June 2023. We analyzed demographic, neuroimaging, and stroke-specific characteristics and rehabilitation indicators. PSD was evaluated using nasogastric (NG) tube retention and the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) levels at 4 and 12 weeks post-ICH. Statistical analyses involved univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify PSD predictors. A total of 310 ICH patients were included in the study. At 4 weeks, significant predictors for NG tube retention included 24-hour National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, estimated glomerular filtration rate and sitting balance. At 12 weeks, hospital stay duration and ICH score were significant predictors for NG tube retention. Regarding the FOIS, significant predictors at 4 weeks included higher 24-hour NIHSS scores, compromised sitting balance, immobility-related complications, initial hematoma volume and intraventricular hemorrhages. At 12 weeks, older age and higher 24-hour NIHSS scores significantly predicted lower FOIS levels. Our findings demonstrate that PSD in ICH patients is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including stroke severity, renal function, and physical impairment. The study highlights the importance of early neurological assessment, physical function, and comprehensive management in improving swallowing outcomes, emphasizing a multifaceted approach to enhancing outcomes for ICH survivors.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed the practice of medicine, and various anti-contagion restrictions were implemented worldwide.

This study aimed to evaluate the annual trend in the incidence of otologic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the influence of social restrictions on these diseases.

We retrospectively reviewed the number of patients treated for otologic diseases, particularly those associated with infectious pathophysiology, and the total number of patients in the otolaryngology departments at three tertiary referral centers in South Korea.

The number of patients who underwent ventilation tube insertion due to persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) significantly decreased (raw number: -37.1%, incidence: -2.04‰) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a sharp increase was observed in 2023 (raw number: +42.9%, incidence: +1.63‰) when the pandemic officially ended. The number of patients newly diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) gradually increased during the pandemic period.

Restrictive measures to control COVID-19 spread positively influenced the reduction in the incidence of OME. Whether COVID-19 is a direct risk factor for SSNHL remains uncertain, but the potential impact of the virus itself or the COVID-19 vaccine on the auditory system appears to exist.

Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) represents the infarct core in acute ischemic stroke. DWI reversibility is a phenomenon reported for the anterior circulation affecting small brain areas of the white matter. This study aims to define DWI reversibility in the posterior circulation after successful recanalization of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and its influence on patient outcome.

This was a retrospective analysis of two tertiary stroke-centers analyzing stroke patients between January 2015 and December 2022. Inclusion criteria were available MRI before and after acute stroke treatment and successful BAO recanalization. Brain areas were defined as brainstem, cerebellum and supratentorial brain areas supplied by the posterior circulation. These areas were compared in univariate analysis. Secondarily, patient outcome was compared between patients with DWI reversibility and patients without in univariate analysis with good outcome as primary endpoint (mRS 90d 0 to 2).

In total, 5/28 of included patients (21.74%) showed DWI reversibility, which was exclusively found in the brainstem. The overall extent of brainstem infarction correlated better with patient outcome compared to cerebellar or supratentorial infarction (Spearman's ρ = 0.757; p < 0.001). Good outcome was more frequent in patients with DWI reversibility compared to those without (mRS 0-2, DWI+ n = 4, 80% vs. DWI- n = 6, 26%, p = 0.023).

DWI restriction reversibility was observed in the brainstem of acute stroke patients with BAO. In this study, patient outcome correlates stronger with the extent of brainstem infarction compared to cerebellar or supratentorial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to describe family engagement practices in a cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) and to explore their relationship with patient outcomes. Observations were conducted on 104 patients, with most (n = 61; 58%) having family members present. On average, 1.3 ± 0.6 family members were present per observation period per patient, spending 69% of the observation time at the bedside. The most common forms of family engagement included communication (n = 61; 100%), active family presence (n = 36; 59%), and direct contribution to care (n = 35; 57%). Patients with family present were 3 times less likely to be re-admitted to the hospital within 30 days compared to those without family present (5% vs 16%; P = .05). This study offers valuable insights through direct observations of family engagement practices in a CVICU setting, offering a foundational understanding of family engagement patterns and their associations with patient outcomes. These findings establish a basis for developing targeted interventions, policies, and training programs aimed at enhancing family engagement and improving outcomes for both patients and their families in critical care settings.

Recognizing the risk factors for postoperative hospital-acquired infection and mortality is crucial for better outcomes. We aimed to determine the risk predictors for postoperative hospital-acquired infection and death following cardiac surgery.

This is a retrospective cohort study that included 880 consecutive adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2015 and 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the predictors of postoperative hospital-acquired infection and mortality.

Patients who developed postoperative hospital-acquired infection had higher values on European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (4.01% vs. 2.51%; P=0.001), as well as longer hospital preoperative stay (9.44 vs. 8.28 days; P=0.049) and hospital length of stay (28.41 vs. 16.16 days; P<0.001). After multivariable analysis, predictors of postoperative hospital-acquired infection were longer hospital preoperative stay (odds ratio 1.024; 95% confidence interval 1.005-1.044; P=0.009), higher body mass index (odds ratio 1.043; 95% confidence interval 1.008-1.079; P=0.015), and longer extracorporeal circulation time (odds ratio 1.007; 95% confidence interval 1.003-1.012; P<0.001). Both longer extracorporeal circulations time and postoperative hospital-acquired infection were significantly associated with higher mortality before hospital discharge (odds ratio 1.012; 95% confidence interval 1.006-1.019; P<0.001; and odds ratio 2.418; 95% confidence interval 1.385-4.233; P=0.001, respectively).

Extended preoperative hospitalization, body mass index, and extracorporeal circulation time are correlated with heightened postoperative hospital-acquired infection rates. Moreover, longer extracorporeal circulation time and postoperative hospital-acquired infection incidence emerged as significant predictors of mortality following cardiac surgery.

Pediatric liver tumors presenting as centrally located masses with contact to or even invasion of all three hepatic veins (HVs) and the inferior vena cava (IVC) present significant surgical challenges. While liver transplantation may be indicated in truly unresectable tumors, extended liver resection with vascular reconstruction can be an organ-preserving alternative.

This study aimed to present a reference center's strategy for children with liver tumors involving the hepatic venous confluence or the retrohepatic IVC who underwent extended liver resection with vascular reconstruction.

All pediatric patients undergoing major hepatectomy with reconstruction of an HV or the IVC over a 10-year study period were included. Preoperative imaging, surgical techniques, and short- and long-term postoperative data were analyzed.

From a total of 125 pediatric major hepatectomies, 17 children (15 hepatoblastoma, two undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma) underwent liver resection with vascular reconstruction of an HV or the IVC. In nine cases an HV was reconstructed, and in eight children, a partial resection of the IVC was performed. Total vascular exclusion of the liver was applied in 16/17 cases. No 90-day postoperative mortality, no major postoperative complication, and no local relapse occurred; 16/17 patients are alive without relapse at a median follow-up of 44 months (range 19-111).

This is the largest single-center series to report major hepatectomies with HV or IVC reconstruction in children. In specialized centers, these complex procedures are associated with excellent outcomes. Successful tumor resection can be achieved in selected cases even in locally advanced tumor stages.

The German Medical Informatics Initiative (MII) introduced a standardised Broad Consent (BC) form encompassing medical data, insurance data, contact information and biomaterials for health data research. This study assesses the feasibility of MII-BC in emergency departments (EDs), examining patient understanding and identifying implementation facilitators and barriers. Recommendations for implementation of MII-BC in EDs will be derived.

Mixed-method data were collected in EDs of four German university hospitals (UHs) using pseudonymised participant observation with a focus on patient perspective and surveys from patients. Data included MII-BC acceptance rates, patient understanding, motivation to consent and implementation facilitators and barriers. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively; qualitative data underwent content analysis with deductive-inductive category formation.

The exploratory study involved 12 participant observations from four tertiary UHs, surfacing five key themes: (1) MII-BC patient information in the ED, (2) facilitators and (3) barriers in obtaining MII-BC in the ED, (4) patient perspectives on MII-BC and (5) recommendations for implementing MII-BC in EDs. Survey results (n=225) showed that most patients (89.8%) demonstrated high understanding of MII-BC patient information. Facilitators include empathetic engagement, clear communication and encouragement for questions. Hindering factors include estimating study time frames, ambient noises and study procedure interruptions. Adequate resources, such as trained staff and suitable premises, are crucial.

Implementing MII-BC in the ED is feasible with appropriate resources, though ED-specific challenges must be addressed. Successful MII-BC implementation in EDs hinges on ensuring access to comprehensible information materials, transparent communication and a calm recruitment environment.

DRKS00030054.

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an emerging surrogate marker of insulin resistance, has been implicated in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, its prognostic value in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality in this high-risk population.

We identified critically ill patients with AF from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database and categorized them into tertiles based on their TyG index levels. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, with 90-day and 365-day all-cause mortality as secondary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to elucidate the relationship between the TyG index and all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to visualize survival differences among the tertiles.

A total of 1473 patients were included; the 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day all-cause mortality rates were 26.8%, 33.3%, and 41.1%, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that the TyG index was independently associated with mortality at 30 days [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 1.26 (1.09-1.45), P = 0.002], 90 days [HR (95% CI) 1.27 (1.11-1.45), P < 0.001], and 365 days [HR (95% CI) 1.24 (1.10-1.40), P < 0.001]. Restricted cubic splines regression showed a positive linear association between the TyG index and mortality risk. Kaplan-Meier survival curves further confirmed the significant survival disparities across TyG index tertiles.

A significant linear association was observed between higher TyG index and increased all-cause mortality at 30, 90, and 365 days in critically ill patients with AF. This underscores the role of the TyG index as a key prognostic indicator for risk stratification and management in intensive care.

The aims of this study were to identify factors associated with menstruation-related symptoms and compare them between female soccer players and women without exercise habits.

This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2022. Participants were healthy Japanese women aged 18-29 years, divided into two groups for comparison by exercise habits: women without exercise habits and female college soccer players. Participants responded to a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to their physical and menstrual characteristics, menstruation-related symptoms, and lifestyle habits. For menstruation-related symptoms, the Andersch and Milsom Scale was used to assess the severity of each of the 16 symptoms before and during menstruation. Lifestyle habits included stress, sleep, diet, and physical activity, which were assessed using Perceived Stress Scale, Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Food Frequency Questionnaire, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using the t-test and multiple logistic regression analysis. All analyses were performed with a statistical significance of 5%.

A total of 428 women (192 without exercise habits; 236 soccer players) participated in the study, and 244 women (99 without exercise habits; 125 soccer players) were analyzed. For women without exercise habits, long menstrual days (OR = 5.627; 95% CI, 1.046-30.259) and high levels of stress (1.082; 1.011-1.157) were factors before menstruation, and stress (1.131; 1.045-1.225) was a factor during menstruation were significantly associated with severe menstruation-related symptoms. Contrastingly, for soccer players, high body mass index (BMI) (1.460; 1.080-1.973), late bedtime (0.288; 0.110-0.753) before menstruation, older age (1.662; 1.073-2.575), high BMI (1.468; 1.089-1.980), family history of menstruation-related symptoms (3.090; 1.179-8.098), late bedtime (0.358; 0.133-0.958), caffeine consumption ( 0.359; 0.139-0.930), and less frequent breakfast intake (0.807; 0.653-0.997) were significant factors. Additionally, the factors associated with the occurrence of menstruation-related symptoms differed according to the symptom type. The most frequently associated factor in women without exercise habits was stress (13 symptoms). In female soccer players, the most frequently associated factor was BMI (8 symptoms).

Women presented different factors for menstruation-related symptoms depending on the presence or absence of exercise habits in their routine.

In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mortality risk is typically assessed using the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) divided by the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), known as the PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Recently, the SpO2/FiO2 ratio, which uses peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) instead of PaO2, has been suggested as a reasonable alternative when there is little access to arterial blood gas analyses. Additionally, equations that predict PaO2 from SpO2 values could offer another viable method for assessment.

To evaluate the accuracy of methods for predicting PaO2 from SpO2 values and compare risk stratification based on measured versus predicted PaO2/FiO2 ratios using a large database that harmonizes the individual data of patients included in four observational studies.

The individual data from four observational studies ('Epidemiology of Respiratory Insufficiency in Critical Care study' [ERICC], 'Large Observational Study to Understand the Global Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Failure' [LUNG SAFE], 'PRactice of VENTilation in critically ill patients without ARDS' [PRoVENT], and 'PRactice of VENTilation in critically ill patients in Middle-income Countries' [PRoVENT-iMiC]) were harmonized and pooled into a database named 'PRoPERLy II'. The primary endpoint of this planned analysis will be the accuracy of currently available methods to predict PaO2 from SpO2 values. The secondary endpoint will be the accuracy of classification based on SpO2/FiO2 ratio and the predicted PaO2/FiO2 ratio.

Our planned analysis addresses a clinically important research question by comparing different equations for predicting PaO2 from SpO2 values.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is generally associated with increased postoperative adverse events. We aimed to investigate whether preoperative quantitative quadriceps muscle ultrasound could predict POD in older patients after gastrointestinal surgery in order to provide more targeted prevention and treatment measures.

We prospectively collected data from elderly patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal surgery from August to December 2023 at a tertiary hospital in China. Intergroup difference analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent risk factors. We calculated and assessed the parameters via sensitivity, specificity, the Youden index, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The nomogram was validated internally through bootstrap resampling. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate its clinical validity.

A total of 695 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery were analyzed in this investigation, among which 137 patients experienced POD with an incidence rate of 19.7%. After conducting multivariate logistic regression analyses using R software, six independent risk factors associated with POD were identified, including age, quadriceps muscle thickness (Q-MT), quadriceps echo intensity (Q-EI), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), preoperative frailty and preoperative Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. The AUC value of the model was 0.966 (95% CI: 0.950-0.982; p < 0.05). The calibration curve revealed that the predicted probability of the nomogram was consistent with the actual probability, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test value was 0.811. DCA revealed that the nomogram has a net benefit for POD.

Quantitative quadriceps ultrasound parameters, including the Q-MT and Q-EI, could predict POD after gastrointestinal surgery in older patients. We have developed a new nomogram for predicting POD in older patients who undergo gastrointestinal surgery.

The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ) on August 3, 2023, with the registration number of ChiCTR2300074304.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response times are critical for optimizing patient outcomes, particularly in time-sensitive emergencies. This study explores the multifaceted determinants of EMS response times, leveraging machine learning (ML) techniques to identify key factors such as urgency levels, environmental conditions, and geographic variables. The findings aim to inform strategies for enhancing resource allocation and operational efficiency in EMS systems.

A retrospective analysis was conducted using over one million EMS missions from Stockholm, Sweden, between 2017 and 2022. Advanced ML techniques, including Gradient Boosting models, were applied to evaluate the influence of diverse variables such as call handling times, travel times, weather patterns, and resource availability. Feature engineering was employed to extract meaningful insights, and statistical models were used to validate the relationships between key predictors and response times.

The study revealed a complex interplay of factors influencing EMS response times, aligning with the study's aim to deepen the understanding of these determinants. Key drivers of response time variability included weather conditions, call priority, and resource constraints. ML models, particularly Gradient Boosting, proved effective in quantifying these impacts and provided robust predictions of response times across scenarios. By providing a comprehensive evaluation of these influences, the results support the development of adaptive resource allocation models and evidence-based policies aimed at enhancing EMS efficiency and equity across all call priorities.

This study underscores the potential of ML-driven insights to revolutionize EMS resource allocation strategies. By integrating real-time data on weather, call types, and workload, EMS systems can transition to adaptive deployment models, reducing response times and enhancing equity across priority levels. The research provides a blueprint for implementing predictive analytics in EMS operations, paving the way for evidence-based policies that improve emergency care efficiency and outcomes.

Not applicable.