This real-world study investigated the changes of lipid lowering therapy (LLT) usage in patients with high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk in the UK and the group of all other European countries in the SANTORINI study up to 1 year from baseline and the impact this treatment had on the attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) risk-adjusted goals set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and those in the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) dyslipidaemia guidelines.

Secondary analysis of the SANTORINI dataset (an international, prospective, observational, non-interventional study (NCT04271280)).

Primary and secondary care centres in the UK and the group of other European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland).

663 UK patients with high and very high CV risk were included in this analysis and 8502 from the group of other European countries. Of these, 380 UK patients and 6830 from the group of other European countries had LDL-C information available at baseline and 1-year follow-up.

The primary objectives were to describe patients’ lipid management, LDL-C levels at 1-year follow-up and their attainment of 2023 NICE (≤2.0 mmol/L) and 2019 ESC/EAS LDL-C 2019 guideline-recommended LDL-C goals (

Over the course of 1-year follow-up, the overall proportion of UK patients on no LLT reduced from 20.4% at baseline to 7.1%, similar to that observed in the group of other European countries (baseline–20.9%, 1 year–3.0%). The proportion of UK patients receiving LLT monotherapy increased from 74.8% at baseline to 84.9%, higher at both time points than that observed for the group of other European countries (baseline: 52.0%, 1 year: 55.0%). The use of any combination therapy increased slightly from baseline to 1 year in the UK overall cohort (4.9% vs 7.1%) and overall in the group of all other European countries, the cohort increased from baseline (27.1%) to 1 year (40.2%). Overall, mean (SD) LDL-C levels in the UK were 2.5 (1.2) mmol/L at baseline and 2.1 (1.0) mmol/L at 1 year and for the group of other European countries were 2.4 (1.2) mmol/L at baseline and 2.0 (0.9) mmol/L at 1 year. The overall proportions of UK patients achieving the UK NICE treatment goal and ESC/EAS 2019 guidelines at baseline versus 1-year follow-up were 40.3% vs 52.6% and 22.9% vs 32.9%, respectively; 21.1% and 30.9% of patients in the group of other European countries achieved the ESC/EAS 2019 guidelines at baseline and 1-year follow-up, respectively.

In this UK-focused analysis of the SANTORINI study, use of LLT increased modestly over 1 year, accompanied by a reduction in average LDL-C levels. However, mean LDL-C remained above the NICE goal, and attainment of both NICE and ESC/EAS LDL-C thresholds remained suboptimal. The findings highlight continued opportunities to optimise lipid management in UK clinical practice, including the potential for broader use of combination therapies.

The over 14 million African children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU) are at risk for poor health outcomes, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism; however, no study to date has examined autism in CHEU in Africa, where the vast majority of these children live. Scalable diagnostic and neurobehavioural tools, including powerful, low-cost approaches such as eye-tracking, for detection and study of mechanistic neural processes are necessary to advance autism research in these settings. The objective of this study is to examine autism diagnostic outcomes and eye-tracking biomarkers in relation to CHEU while at the same time building capacity for neuro-health research in Kenya.

This study will leverage a longitudinally assessed cohort of CHEU and children who are HIV-unexposed and uninfected (CHUU) with well characterised HIV-related and contextual exposures. We will first determine and compare autism diagnostic outcomes between young CHEU and CHUU across a large cohort (n=850) of Kenyan children using research-grade autism assessment tools, and, second, determine whether neurobehavioural eye-tracking markers predict autism outcomes across this cohort.

Human subjects approvals have been obtained from Moi University Institutional Review and Ethics Committee (IREC; IREC/909/2024; Approval #0004835), Kenya’s National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI; Reference #NACOSTI/P/25/415028), the Institutional Review Board of the Indiana University School of Medicine (Protocol #23171), with reliance agreements executed with Purdue University and Boston University. Dissemination of findings will occur through multiple channels within the research and clinical community, including peer-reviewed journal publications and conference abstracts and presentations. As part of capacity building efforts, the research team will also communicate study results to policy makers, the lay public and other health systems involved in the care of young children with disabilities via study-hosted workshops and conferences.

To explore the current context in which maternal influenza vaccination (MIV) is delivered in Kuwait and to identify determinants influencing its provision and uptake from the perspectives of preventive medicine professionals (PMPs), including policymakers.

Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with purposely selected PMPs including policymakers. Interview questions were obtained from the Tailoring Immunization Programme for improving MIV in Europe.

PMPs from six governmental regions of Kuwait, including hospitals and associated polyclinics. Data collection was conducted between March and June 2022.

A total of 10 participants reflected diverse professional and population contexts, including Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti professionals working in rural and urban settings. Cell sampling was used to ensure representation across key roles involved in MIV delivery, including policymakers, vaccination campaign managers and campaign implementers.

Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: barriers, facilitators, influences on MIV uptake and suggested interventions. Key barriers included limited knowledge among pregnant women and healthcare providers (HCPs), lack of prioritisation of pregnant women within vaccination programmes, shortage of vaccine supply and the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitators and influential factors included the presence of vaccination champions, targeted health promotion activities and the availability of a Ministry of Health (MoH) hotline for addressing concerns and system-level accessibility and digital facilitation of MIV uptake. Suggested interventions emphasised strengthening HCP education through continuous training aligned with clear national policies and guidelines.

This study highlights the need for clear national policies and clinical guidelines to support consistent MIV provision, alongside ongoing education for HCPs in Kuwait to strengthen MIV recommendation. Future research should include obstetricians, given their central role in antenatal care, to ensure MIV strategies are clinically grounded and integrated into routine maternity services.

Chronic tic disorders (CTDs)—such as Tourette Syndrome (TS)—are neurodevelopmental disorders affecting at least 1% of the population, causing repetitive involuntary movements and vocalisations known as tics. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of accessing healthcare for people with CTD or TS and their families in the United Kingdom (UK), as part of a larger programme of work to inform change to healthcare services for this population.

Informed and designed with extensive patient and public involvement, the design utilised qualitative research using focus groups. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Participants were recruited via online support groups, social media and research registers.

Seven focus groups were held separately with young people with tics (n=2), adults with tics (n=10) and parents/guardians of children with tics (n=11), led by a lived experience expert (coauthor PS) and facilitated by researchers. Discussion focused on three areas: the impact of living with tics, experience accessing healthcare for tics and management of tics.

Five themes were developed highlighting challenges across the healthcare pathway, including gaining a diagnosis, and receiving treatment, resulting in the use of self-support methods to reduce tic expression or the impact of tics. Themes also illustrated perceptions that healthcare provider's knowledge impacted initial interactions with the healthcare system, and how healthcare systems were not felt to be prioritising CTDs.

The findings highlight a lack of prioritisation for tic disorders compounded by a healthcare structure which does not support a complex condition that requires a multidisciplinary approach. This research calls for improvements to UK healthcare services for CTD.