Conectar
by Jingwei Song, Alexander A. Langley, Michael A. Banks, Bernarda Calla
Hemolymph is vital for bivalves, contributing to their innate immune system, nutrient transport, waste elimination, and hormone regulation. Yet, traditional sampling methods are often invasive or fatal to the organisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of repeated, non-lethal hemolymph sampling on adult Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas). Five- year-old oysters were relaxed with magnesium sulphate, and hemolymph was extracted from half of the individuals, while the other half with relaxation served as controls. Sampling took place during gonad maturation in two groups: one laboratory conditioned (approximately three months in indoor tanks with controlled environment), and one naturally conditioned (approximately seven months at the bay in Yaquina Bay, Oregon, USA). Total mortalities ranged from 10% in the laboratory groups (after four samplings) and 22% (after seven samplings) in the natural groups; most of the mortalities took place after the last sampling. Sex ratio was similar between the sampled (66%) and control groups (63%) in the laboratory setting. In the natural setting, the final sex ratio was male biased in the group that was repeatedly sampled for hemolymph (58%) compared to the non-sampled controls (28%). Our findings highlight that repeated hemolymph sampling can be performed with minimal mortality, allowing non-lethal monitoring of hemolymph physiology over time.by Johanna Charlotte Neubauer, Anna Kaiser, Leon Lettermann, Tobias Volkert, Alexander Häge
ObjectiveThis study evaluates the performance of four large language models—ChatGPT 4o, ChatGPT o1-mini, Gemini 2.0 Flash, and Gemini 1.5 Flash—in answering multiple-choice questions in child and adolescent psychiatry to assess their level of factual knowledge in the field.
MethodsA total of 150 standardized multiple-choice questions from a specialty board review study guide were selected, ensuring a representative distribution across different topics. Each question had five possible answers, with only one correct option. To account for the stochastic nature of large language models, each question was asked 10 times with randomized answer orders to minimize known biases. Accuracy for each question was assessed as the percentage of correct answers across 10 requests. We calculated the mean accuracy for each model and performed statistical comparisons using paired t-tests to evaluate differences between Gemini 2.0 Flash and Gemini 1.5 Flash, as well as between Gemini 2.0 Flash and both ChatGPT 4o and ChatGPT o1-mini. As a post-hoc exploration, we identified questions with an accuracy below 10% across all models to highlight areas of particularly low performance.
ResultsThe accuracy of the tested models ranged from 68.3% to 78.9%. Both ChatGPT and Gemini demonstrated generally solid performance in the assessment of in child and adolescent psychiatry knowledge, with variations between models and topics. The superior performance of Gemini 2.0 Flash compared with its predecessor, Gemini 1.5 Flash, may reflect advancements in artificial intelligence capabilities. Certain topics, such as psychopharmacology, posed greater challenges compared to disorders with well-defined diagnostic criteria, such as schizophrenia or eating disorders.
ConclusionWhile the results indicate that language models can support knowledge acquisition in child and adolescent psychiatry, limitations remain. Variability in accuracy across different topics, potential biases, and risks of misinterpretation must be carefully considered before implementing these models in clinical decision-making.
In response to global outcries of poor healthcare, organisational interventions have been implemented with the aim of promoting compassionate care. An overall synthesis of qualitative data, including the perspectives of healthcare staff who have attended interventions, can establish ‘what works’ and inform future interventions.
To synthesise existing research exploring how healthcare staff experience organisational interventions for compassionate care.
Qualitative evidence synthesis.
A qualitative evidence synthesis was conducted in August 2023. Five databases were searched: MEDLINE, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo and APA PsycArticles. Articles met the following criteria: (a) reported on the experiences of healthcare staff who had participated in organisational interventions for compassionate care, (b) taken place in a healthcare setting, (c) use of a qualitative or mixed-methods methodology, (d) published in English and (e) published since 2010. A thematic synthesis was conducted using NVivo software to synthesise findings. Data from the complete ‘findings/results’ sections were included in the synthesis. The final search protocol and search strategy were registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023472404) and are reported using the PRISMA guidelines.
Eighteen qualitative or mixed-methods studies were included in the review, encapsulating the experiences of healthcare staff across eight countries. Four themes were identified: (1) holding back, (2) humanising healthcare, (3) values are instilled and (4) sustainability is important.
Organisational interventions for compassionate health care are valued and appreciated by healthcare staff and foster reflection and connection. Interventions facilitate clinical creativity, improve staff well-being and strengthen communication between staff.
The implementation of organisational interventions for compassionate care should be encouraged in healthcare settings. Interventions that consider organisational cultures are driven by organisational values and are embedded with sustainability in mind can improve staff well-being and positively impact the provision of patient care.
PRISMA guidelines were followed in the reporting of this review.
Scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps (collectively known as ‘big picture reviews’) in health continue to gain popularity within the evidence ecosystem. These big-picture reviews are beneficial for policy-makers, guideline developers and researchers within the field of health for understanding the available evidence, characteristics, concepts and research gaps, which are often needed to support the development of policies, guidelines and practice. However, these reviews often face criticism related to poor and inconsistent methodological conduct and reporting. There is a need to understand which areas of these reviews require further methodological clarification and exploration. The aim of this project is to develop a research agenda for scoping reviews, mapping reviews and evidence and gap maps in health by identifying and prioritising specific research questions related to methodological uncertainties.
A modified e-Delphi process will be adopted. Participants (anticipated N=100) will include patients, clinicians, the public, researchers and others invested in creating a strategic research agenda for these reviews. This Delphi will be completed in four consecutive stages, including a survey collecting the methodological uncertainties for each of the big picture reviews, the development of research questions based on that survey and two further surveys and four workshops to prioritise the research questions.
This study was approved by the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee (H-2024-188). The results will be communicated through open-access peer-reviewed publications and conferences. Videos and infographics will be developed and placed on the JBI (previously Joanna Briggs Institute) Scoping Review Network webpage.
by Grant L. Austin, Feng Wang, Steven Q. Le, Alexander Sorensen, Shan Li, Lai C. Foong, Srikanth Singamsetty, Jill Wood, Tsui-Fen Chou, Patricia I. Dickson
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID (MPS IIID; Sanfilippo D) is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase (GNS), which participates in catabolism of heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycans. Characterization of MPS IIID disease at a cellular level has not been robustly achieved. We used unbiased quantitative proteomics to establish a cellular phenotype for MPS IIID mice. Recombinant human GNS (rhGNS), a variant of which previously demonstrated single dose efficacy in MPS IIID human fibroblasts and in MPS IIID neonatal mice, was used to establish a repeat dosing schedule to treat MPS IIID mice. Adult Gns KO mice or heterozygous carriers were treated via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections and received 3, 30, or 200 μg rhGNS in 4 doses over 2 weeks or vehicle. Twenty-four hours after the final dose, HS in brain and CSF showed dose-dependent reductions, reaching carrier levels in the higher dose groups. Furthermore, the proteomic perturbations that we described were corrected by rhGNS treatment. Next, Gns KO or carrier adult mice were treated via ICV and received 3, 30 or 200 μg rhGNS or vehicle once every two weeks (Day 1, 15, 29, 43, 57, 71, 85) and were euthanized on day 91. Following treatment, total HS and MPS IIID-specific HS (GlcNAc6S) showed dose-dependent reductions in brain and CSF and markers of neuroinflammation were substantially reduced. ICV enzyme replacement therapy with rhGNS restores CNS pathology of adult MPS IIID mice even with treatment at 14-day intervals, demonstrating preclinical efficacy for MPS IIID.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for preventing disease progression. The concept of early COPD is considered to represent the initial phase of the disease course. However, different terms are used, and a standardised definition is lacking. This has hindered research and clinical utility. This systematic review aims first to examine current early COPD research and outline the definitions and terms used to help reach consensus and direct future clinical research. Second, it will identify currently proposed markers and tools for predicting the progression of early COPD and the quality of evidence to help direct future research and facilitate the development of novel management strategies.
This study will search for all clinical studies on early COPD, using a standardised search strategy, searching CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Titles and abstracts will be reviewed and compared against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Stage 1 of this review will assess the terms and definitions used for early COPD. Stage 2 will assess studies presenting additional markers or tools for predicting the progression of early COPD. Study quality will be assessed using a modified Downs and Black checklist for observational studies and the risk of bias (RoB) 2 tool for randomised controlled trials. This protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025645320).
This systematic review will use freely available data within the literature and will not directly involve human participants; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results of this systematic review will be prepared and submitted for presentation as conference presentation(s) and for publication as a peer-reviewed article.
CRD42025645320.
No abstract available Chronic wounds pose significant challenges to patients and potentially reduce patients' quality of life. A prospective randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted in Russia between 2018 and 2021 to assess the effectiveness of treating chronic wounds with a high-intensity Erbium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er:YAG with RecoSMA (Reconstructive Spatially Modulated Ablation module for distributing laser radiation into microbeams) laser technology versus sharp debridement in 144 patients (treatment group N = 71; control N = 73) with diabetic foot, venous and arterial leg ulcers. The median ulcer size at baseline in the treatment and control group was 11 cm2 and 10 cm2 with median ulcer duration of 16 months and 15 months, respectively. The endpoints were the time to achieve a clean wound bed, time to granulation, extent of complete and marginal epithelialisation, change in wound area, presence of bacteria, levels of topical wound pain, and the patients' tolerance of debridement. A difference at p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. After a 30-day observation period, complete epithelialisation occurred in more than twice as many wounds in the treatment group (56.3%) compared to the control group (26%). The Er:YAG laser was more effective than sharp debridement in clearing wounds of microbial flora, stimulating tissue regeneration, promoting early granulation, marginal epithelialisation and wound healing, suggesting that Er:YAG laser therapy may offer greater benefits than conventional methods of sharp debridement of slow healing wounds.
Computers are ubiquitous to nursing and nursing practice, often in the form of electronic health records. Most nurses do not know the history of computers, how they were developed, or who the computing pioneers were that enabled the discipline of nursing to use this technology in its practices. Computers were first envisioned in the early 19th century, and one of the most influential computer programming visionaries was Ada Lovelace. It is important for the discipline of nursing to know Ada Lovelace, not only who she was, but also how her pioneering work influenced the history of computer technology. This article highlights the life of Ada Lovelace, her contributions to computer programming, and how her work paved the way for the use of computers in nursing and, ultimately, nursing informatics as a nursing specialty. by Sarah Damery, Janet Jones, Alexander Harrison, Sebastian Hinde, Kate Jolly
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in the UK. Clinical guidelines recommend cardiac rehabilitation (CR), including health education, cardiovascular risk reduction advice, physical activity and stress management components. However, uptake of standard in-person, group-based CR is only around 50%. Hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (CR), combining in-person and remote service delivery, may improve CR uptake and reduce inequalities in service access. This study used focus groups and semi-structured interviews to explore staff and patient experiences of using the Active+me REMOTE hybrid CR app, a cloud-based platform providing access to education modules, behaviour change support, live exercise classes, physical activity and health monitoring across three sites in the East of England. Twelve staff and six patients participated. Topic guides explored participants’ experiences of delivering or receiving hybrid CR, barriers and facilitators associated with the hybrid CR pathway, and implications for future implementation of Active+me REMOTE. Qualitative data were collected remotely, audio-recorded and independently transcribed. Staff data were analysed deductively, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Patient data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Despite some technical issues and governance delays, Active+me REMOTE was perceived as acceptable, convenient and allowed tailoring of support to meet patients’ needs and circumstances. Data upload from wearable devices (blood pressure monitors) allowed staff to monitor patients’ progress and empowered patients to direct their recovery. Staff initially felt they should screen patients to ensure that hybrid CR was offered to digitally literate, physically active individuals, although screening became less common as staff familiarity with the app increased. Findings suggest that effective implementation of hybrid CR requires system-level resource to facilitate governance approvals and embed hybrid CR delivery as standard care. Sufficient time must be allowed for staff training and to support patient enrolment to hybrid services. The study was registered on 3/7/2023 (ISRCTN320764).by Rafael C. Schick, Henriette Bast, Manuela Frank, Theresa Urban, Thomas Koehler, Florian T. Gassert, Andreas P. Sauter, Bernhard Renger, Alexander A. Fingerle, Alexandra Karrer, Marcus R. Makowski, Daniela Pfeiffer, Franz Pfeiffer
BackgroundDark-field radiography has been proven to be a promising tool for the assessment of various lung diseases.
PurposeTo evaluate the potential of dose reduction in dark-field chest radiography for the detection of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia.
Materials and methodsPatients aged at least 18 years with a medically indicated chest computed tomography scan (CT scan) were screened for participation in a prospective study between October 2018 and December 2020. Patients were included if they had a CO-RADS (COVID-19 Reporting and Data System) score ≥ 4 (COVID-19 group) or if they had no pathologic lung changes (controls). A total of 89 participants with a median age of 60 years (interquartile range 48 to 68 yrs.) were included in this study. Dark-field and attenuation-based radiographs were simultaneously obtained by using a prototype system for dark-field radiography. By modifying the image reconstruction algorithm, low-dose radiographs were simulated based on real participant images. The simulated radiographs corresponded to 50%, 25%, and 13% of the full dose (41.9 μSv, median value). Four experienced radiologists served as blinded readers assessing both image modalities, displayed side by side in random order. The presence of COVID-19-associated lung changes was rated on a scale from 1 to 6. The readers’ diagnostic performance was evaluated by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) using Obuchowski’s method. Also, the dark-field images were analyzed quantitatively by comparing the dark-field coefficients within and between the COVID-19 and the control group.
ResultsThe readers’ diagnostic performance in the image evaluation, as described by the AUC value (where a value of 1 corresponds to perfect diagnostic accuracy), did not differ significantly between the full dose images (AUC = 0.86) and the simulated images at 50% (AUC = 0.86) and 25% of the full dose(AUC = 0.84) (p>0.050), but was slightly lower at 13% dose (AUC = 0.82) (p = 0.038). For all four radiation dose levels, the median dark-field coefficients within groups were identical but different significantly by 15% between the controls and the COVID-19 pneumonia group (p Conclusion
Dark-field imaging can be used to diagnose the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia with a median dose of 10.5 μSv, which corresponds to 25% of the original dose used for dark-field chest imaging.
by Katalin Gémes, Emma Pettersson, Sara Sjölund Andoff, Kristin Farrants, Emilie Friberg, Kristina Alexanderson
BackgroundStress-related disorders are common diagnoses for sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) in many Western countries. Knowledge on future SA/DP trajectories among those starting such a SA spell is limited. The aims were to identify future SA/DP days trajectories among individuals starting an SA spell due to stress-related disorder and investigate socio-demographic and morbidity characteristics associated with specific trajectories.
MethodsUsing microdata from nationwide registers, we established two cohorts of all living in Sweden who started a new SA spell >14 days due to stress-related disorder in 2011 (N = 32,417) or in 2018 (N = 65,511), respectively. Group-based trajectory models were used to identify trajectories of monthly average SA/DP days during the following 13 months, separate for each cohort. We used multinomial logistic regression to investigate the associations between sociodemographic and morbidity-related predictors and trajectory membership.
ResultsWe identified six SA/DP trajectories in the two cohorts: steep drop (30.6% and 35.9% of all included in 2018 and 2011); constant fluctuating (8.7%, 11.2%); fast decrease (25.5%, 24.4%); medium decrease (18.1%, 13.1%); slow decrease (10.8%, 7.3%), and constant high (6.2%, 8.0%). The distributions of sociodemographic factors, multi-morbidity, and history of SA/DP differed between the trajectory groups. For example, compared to the steep drop trajectory, individuals in the other trajectories were more likely to be a woman, older, having had prior SA/DP or specialized outpatient healthcare visits.
ConclusionsIn these two explorative, population-wide cohorts, we identified six different trajectories of SA/DP days among all with a new SA spell with stress-related disorders. The trajectory groups differed regarding both sociodemographic and health-related covariates.
Este artículo está dividido en tres partes. En primer lugar, a modo de una primera provocación, he señalado tres párrafos, para indicarle de manera general al lector, lo que posiblemente pueda encontrar dentro del contenido de este texto. Lo segundo, presentaré concretamente algunos aspectos conceptuales y metodológicos del abordaje autoetnográfico, entendiendo que esto no es una profundización en el tema, sino simplemente, una segunda provocación, para que lo consideré la o el lector - evaluador (que, para mí serían lo mismo) tomando una postura de lo que está leyendo, y tercero, mostraré un fragmento autoetnográfico propio, para señalar la escritura en autoetnografía iniciada a partir de una epifanía. Este ejercicio narrativo surge a partir de dos momentos concretos pero entrelazados: ser enfermero y ser padre de un hijo con Síndrome de Down.
To investigate the real-world experiences of nurses' using smart glasses to triage patients in an urgent care centre.
A parallel convergent mixed-method design.
We collected data through twelve in-depth interviews with nurses using the device and a survey. Recruitment continued until no new themes emerged. We coded the data using a deductive-thematic approach. Qualitative and survey data were coded and then mapped to the most dominant dimension of the sociotechnical framework. Both the qualitative and quantitative findings were triangulated within each dimension of the framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of user experiences.
Overall, nurses were satisfied with using smart glasses in urgent care and would recommend them to others. Nurses rated the device highly on ease of use, facilitation of training and development, nursing empowerment and communication. Qualitatively, nurses generally felt the device improved workflows and saved staff time. Conversely, technological challenges limited its use, and users questioned its sustainability if inadequate staffing could not be resolved.
Smart glasses enhanced urgent care practices by improving workflows, fostering staff communication, and empowering healthcare professionals, notably providing development opportunities for nurses. While smart glasses offered transformative benefits in the urgent care setting, challenges, including technological constraints and insufficient organisational support, were barriers to sustained integration.
These real-world insights encompass both the benefits and challenges of smart glass utilisation in the context of urgent care. The findings will help inform greater workflow optimisation and future technological developments. Moreover, by sharing these experiences, other healthcare institutions looking to implement smart glass technology can learn from the successes and barriers encountered, facilitating smoother adoption, and maximising the potential benefits for patient care.
COREQ checklist (consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research).
No patient or public contribution.
by Junning Chen, Marta Aido, Andreas Roschger, Alexander van Tol, Sara Checa, Bettina M. Willie, Richard Weinkamer
Osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network (LCN) is comprised of micrometre-sized pores and submicrometric wide channels in bone. Accumulating evidence suggests multiple functions of this network in material transportation, mechanobiological signalling, mineral homeostasis and bone remodelling. Combining rhodamine staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy, the longitudinal cross-sections of six mouse tibiae were imaged, and the connectome of the network was quantified with a focus on the spatial heterogeneities of network density, connectivity and length of canaliculi. In-vivo loading and double calcein labelling on these tibiae allowed differentiating the newly formed bone from the pre-existing regions. The canalicular density of the murine cortical bone varied between 0.174 and 0.243 μm/μm3, and therefore is three times larger than the corresponding value for human femoral midshaft osteons. The spatial heterogeneity of the network was found distinctly more pronounced across the cortex than along the cortex. We found that in regions with a dense network, the LCN conserves its largely tree-like character, but increases the density by including shorter canaliculi. The current study on healthy mice should serve as a motivating starting point to study the connectome of genetically modified mice, including models of bone diseases and of reduced mechanoresponse.No abstract available To present the pooled estimated prevalence of adverse events in pronated intubated adult COVID-19 patients.
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study used the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, Livivo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases as data sources.
The studies were meta-analysed using JAMOVI 1.6.15 software. A random-effects model was used to identify the global prevalence of adverse events, confidence intervals and the heterogeneity data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.
Of the 7904 studies identified, 169 were included for full reading, and 10 were included in the review. The most prevalent adverse events were pressure injuries (59%), haemodynamic instability (23%), death (17%) and device loss or traction (9%).
The most prevalent adverse events in mechanically ventilated pronated patients with COVID-19 are pressure injuries, presence of haemodynamic instability, death and device loss or traction.
The evidence identified in this review can help improve the quality and safety of patient care by helping to design care protocols to avoid the development of adverse events that can cause permanent sequelae in these patients.
This systematic review addressed the adverse events related to prone position in intubated adult COVID-19 patients. We identified that the most prevalent adverse events in these patients were pressure injuries, haemodynamic instability, device loss or traction and death. The results of this review may influence the clinical practice of nurses who work in intensive care units and, consequently, the nursing care provided not only to COVID-19 patients but for all intubated patients due to other reasons in intensive care units.
This systematic review adhered to the PRISMA reporting guideline.
As this is a systematic review, we analysed data from primary studies conducted by many researchers. Thus, there was no patient or public contribution in this review.
Individuals with serious mental illness often have persistent and disruptive symptoms. These can profoundly affect their children's lives, exposing them to adverse social and psychological conditions. Such conditions can result in traumatic lived experiences during childhood, which can carry over into adulthood, influencing their self-perceptions and shaping their attitudes toward themselves and society. To gain insights into this phenomenon, this study explored the lived experiences of adults who grew up with a parent with serious mental illness and their perceptions of their lives in adulthood.
This study used an interpretive phenomenological design.
Participants were invited to voluntarily participate in the study through a call posted on social media. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 adults (age range, 20–55 years) who grew up with a parent with serious mental illness. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and inductive thematic analysis was used to identify main and overarching themes.
The overarching theme of transition from childhood survival to adulthood survival emerged and included four main themes: (1) a traumatic childhood, (2) perceived control, (3) resilience and general self-efficacy, and (4) adult quality of life. A traumatic childhood consisted of experiences of neglect and abuse, while participants used perceived control to achieve personal growth, self-care, and care of others. Resilience and general self-efficacy emerged during the transition to adulthood and helped participants further their social status and strengthen family bonds. Lastly, adult quality of life was described as being disturbed by feelings of loneliness and being burdensome, stemming from an inherent tendency to rely solely on themselves, leading to trust issues and mental health complications. Therefore, these adults found it difficult to reach out and get help or treatment for their concerns, as they initially did not want to appear dysfunctional or in need.
This study has illuminated the lived experiences of a specific, vulnerable population that has not been intentionally explored until now. To delve into these experiences, we employed a distinctive qualitative approach, merging the interpretive phenomenological perspective with an inductive thematic analysis. This allowed for rich insight with a relatively large group of participants and enabled an in-depth exploration within this methodological framework. Consequently, this study constitutes a notable contribution to the extant body of knowledge, exploring the intricacies of personal growth and its impact on participants' quality of life. It uncovers the essence of resilience and general self-efficacy, revealing how these elements intertwine with the negative results observed. However, the study findings emphasize the need for healthcare professionals, including nurses and other caregivers, to be mindful of the long-lasting effects of the adverse experiences of children of patients with serious mental illness. Prioritizing active clinical assessment and implementing tailored interventions to address such children's specific needs and difficulties across different developmental stages is imperative. Such comprehensive and targeted approaches are crucial in providing appropriate support and promoting the well-being of these individuals.
Enhanced clinical attention in holistic psychiatric care is crucial for individuals and their relatives, especially children. Comprehensive assessments of children and adults raised by seriously mentally ill parents can enable tailored and preventive interventions, positively impacting overall quality of life.
Background
Chronic pain occurs in 30% of older adults. This prevalence rate is expected to increase, given the growth in the older adult population and the associated growth of chronic conditions contributing to pain. No population-based studies have provided detailed, longitudinal information on the experience of chronic pain in older adults; the pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies that older adults use to manage their chronic pain; and the effect of chronic pain on patient-reported outcomes.
Objectives
This article aims to describe the protocol for a population-based, longitudinal study focused on understanding the experience of chronic pain in older adults. The objectives are to determine the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain; identify the pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain treatments used; evaluate for longitudinal differences in biopsychosocial factors; and examine how pain types and pain trajectories affect important patient-reported outcomes. Also included are the results of a pilot study.
Methods
A population-based sample of approximately 1,888 older adults will be recruited from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago’s AmeriSpeak Panel to complete surveys at three waves: enrollment (Wave 1), 6 months (Wave 2), and 12 months (Wave 3). To determine the feasibility, a pilot test of the enrollment survey was conducted among 123 older adults.
Results
In the pilot study, older adults with chronic pain reported a range of pain conditions, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Participants reported an array of pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain strategies. Compared to participants without chronic pain, those with chronic pain reported lower physical and cognitive function and poorer quality of life. Data collection for the primary, longitudinal study is ongoing.
Discussion
This project will be the first longitudinal population-based study to examine the experience and overall effect of chronic pain in older adults. Pilot study results provide evidence of the feasibility of study methods. Ultimately, this work will inform the development of tailored interventions for older patients targeted to decrease pain and improve function and quality of life. 
FreshRSS 