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Delays in cancer diagnosis for patients with non-specific symptoms (NSSs) lead to poorer outcomes. Rapid Diagnostic Clinics (RDCs) expedite care, but most NSS patients do not have cancer, highlighting the need for better risk stratification. This study aimed to develop biomarker-based clinical prediction scores to differentiate high-risk and low-risk NSS patients, enabling more targeted diagnostics.
Retrospective and prospective cohort study.
Secondary care RDC in London.
Adult patients attending an RDC between December 2016 and September 2023 were included. External validation used data from another RDC.
The primary outcome was a cancer diagnosis. Biomarker-based risk scores were developed using Latent Class Analysis (LCA) and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). Model performance was assessed using logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) and decision curve analysis.
Among 5821 RDC patients, LCA identified high white cell count, low haemoglobin, low albumin, high serum lambda light chain, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, high serum kappa light chain (SKLC), high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high C-reactive protein (CRP) and high neutrophils as cancer risk markers. LASSO selected high platelets, ESR, CRP, SKLC, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Each one-point increase in score predicted higher odds of cancer (LCA: AOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.23; LASSO: AOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.34). Scores ≥2 predicted significantly higher cancer odds (LCA: AOR 3.79, 95% CI 2.91 to 4.95; LASSO: AOR 3.44, 95% CI 2.66 to 4.44). Discrimination was good (AUROC: LCA 0.74; LASSO 0.73). External validation in 573 patients confirmed predicted increases in cancer risk per one-point LASSO score rise (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.42), with a borderline increase for LCA (AOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.27).
Biomarker-based scores effectively identified NSS patients at higher cancer risk. LCA captured a broader biomarker range, offering higher sensitivity, while LASSO achieved higher specificity with fewer markers. These scores may also help detect severe benign conditions, improving RDC triage. Further validation is needed before broader clinical implementation.
There is an urgent need for effective interventions to aid diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) healing. This study aimed to test the deliverability of a proposed trial of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for DFU healing. A pilot double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Patients with a DFU present for ≥ 4 weeks were randomised to high dose (500 shocks/cm2), low dose (100 shocks/cm2) or sham (0 shocks/cm2) ESWT, plus standard care. Follow-up was for 24 weeks. Primary outcome was deliverability of the trial. Secondary outcomes were healing, quality of life and healthcare resource use. One-hundred and forty-one (15.6%) screened patients were eligible and 74 (52.5%) patients were recruited. Follow-up attendance was 97.3% (72/74), 93.2% (69/74) and 87.8% (65/74) at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The median DFU healing time was high dose: 54.0 (IQR 119.0), low dose: 78.5 (IQR 61.0) and sham: 83.0 (IQR 85.0) days. The mean EQ-5D-5L utility value at 24 weeks was high dose: 0.621 (95% CI 0.438–0.804), low dose: 0.779 (95% CI 0.683–0.876) and sham: 0.806 (95% CI 0.717–0.895). Healthcare resource use was lowest in the low-dose ESWT arm. The pilot trial has demonstrated that patients with a DFU are willing to engage in the proposed trial and suggest the optimal way to deliver the definitive trial.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a prevalent condition among breast cancer survivors, often exacerbated by oncological treatments. Hormonal therapies are typically contraindicated in this population, necessitating effective non-hormonal interventions.
This randomised controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of multimodal pelvic floor physiotherapy—comprising pelvic floor muscle training, non-ablative radiofrequency, therapeutic pelvic health education and the use of vaginal moisturisers—versus fractional CO2 laser therapy combined with vaginal moisturisers in alleviating GSM symptoms in breast cancer survivors. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups. Primary outcomes include measures of sexual function (assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index), subjective pelvic perineal pain intensity (measured with a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale) and health-related quality of life (assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast), assessed at baseline, post-intervention and at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Statistical analyses will be conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the interventions.
The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics and Health Research Committee of the University of Alcalá (Reference: CEIP/2024/1/012). All participants will provide informed consent prior to inclusion in the study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, and by engaging with patient associations and survivor groups through tailored materials.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for improving the quality of care and health outcomes in healthcare organizations. This study aimed to analyze the association between the nursing work environment and EBP elements, including attitude, training, implementation and quality of care.
A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1022 registered nurses from 57 primary care centers and four public hospitals in northern Spain. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) was used to assess the nursing work environment. Data collection also included the Health Sciences Evidence-Based Practice (HS-EBP) questionnaire to evaluate attitudes toward EBP, and self-reported measures of EBP training, EBP implementation, and overall quality of care. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for the association between the nursing work environment and EBP elements were calculated using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational characteristics.
Compared to nurses who reported working in unfavorable environments (n = 220; 21.5%), those working in favorable environments (n = 437; 42.8%) exhibited a positive attitude toward EBP (OR = 2.89; 95% CI [2.00, 4.18]), EBP implementation (OR = 2.30; 95% CI [1.52, 3.39]) and higher quality of care (OR = 2.35; 95% CI [1.61, 3.44]). Using a composite measure that considered all EBP elements, favorable environments were associated with overall EBP engagement (OR = 3.47; 95% CI [2.38, 5.07]). The most influential environmental dimensions were adequate staffing and strong nursing foundations.
A favorable nursing work environment was strongly associated with a positive attitude toward EBP, the implementation of EBP, and a commitment to providing high-quality care. Key strategies to promote EBP should involve healthcare and academic institutions working together to establish a healthy work environment with appropriate staffing and care foundations rooted in nursing theory.
During the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, in some countries such as Spain, nursing students have offered to provide health assistance, but the role they have played, their degree of preparedness to face the situation, and what must be improved in their training to be ready for these situations is unknown.
Describe the experience and perceptions of students of the Nursing university degree during their participation as health support in the COVID-19 health crisis in Spain.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey study.
503 students enrolled in the 4th course of the Nursing degree in Spain during the months of March and April 2020. An online questionnaire was developed, based on a pilot study and distributed through the Nursing Association, students’ unions and students’ associations. Variables were used to describe their participation, degree of preparedness and training needs to determine how to improve training through descriptive statistics, as well as nonparametric tests to analyse the relationship between training and degree of preparedness nursing students. Results are reported according to the STROBE Statement.
73.2% (368) of students offered to participate in healthcare aid, of which 225 were actively involved. 27.8% carried out nursing tasks without supervision, and 47.7% assisted COVID-19 patients as any other nurse. Only 3.4% felt very prepared to work in the field of intensive care, finding that those students who perceived a higher degree of preparedness had received previous training in personal protective equipment and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.005). The highest scores for training activities that may improve their preparedness were simulations to improve levels of anxiety and stress when managing critical patients, simulation in ventilatory support and mandatory practices in services where ventilators are used.
Although three out of four students were willing to provide health assistance, they recognise that they were not specially prepared in the field of intensive care and demand training with simulation to improve anxiety and stress levels in the management of critical patients and simulation in ventilatory support.
Students have been vital resources for our health system and society when they have been needed. It is now up to us, both teachers and health authorities, to share their efforts by implementing the necessary improvements in training and safety measures not only because these affects the health and safety of the patient, but because they will be essential parts in future pandemics.
Safety culture is essential to improving healthcare quality. Paediatric emergency departments are high-risk environments where evaluating safety culture helps identify areas for improvement. This study aimed to analyse the safety culture among professionals in paediatric emergency departments, according to job category and gender.
Multicentre cross-sectional study using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC).
19 paediatric emergency departments, covering all levels of care.
1843 healthcare professionals were invited to participate; the response rate was 63.8%, and 33% of respondents were nurses. All clinical staff in paediatric emergency departments were eligible. Professionals from other specialties and non-clinical staff were excluded.
The primary outcome was the assessment of patient safety culture using the HSOPSC, following the methodology of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Secondary outcomes included comparisons by job category and gender, and an exploratory cluster analysis.
In terms of patient safety, the main strength was ‘teamwork within units’ (83.65% positive), while the main weakness was ‘staffing’ (61.92% negative). Patient safety was rated with an average score of 7.21 by the participants. Paediatricians rated ‘manager expectations’ significantly higher than nurses (p=0.023) and residents (p=0.026). Paediatricians gave more positive responses overall, with significant differences in ‘communication openness’, ‘feedback and communication’, ‘non-punitive response’ and ‘teamwork across units’, though none were classified as strengths. Cluster analysis showed that the group with more paediatricians identified more strengths and no weaknesses, while the group with more nurses and nursing assistants showed no strengths and significant weaknesses in ‘overall safety perception’, ‘staffing’ and ‘management support’.
Safety culture in paediatric emergency departments is acceptable, but still far from excellent, indicating ample room for improvement. Differences between professional categories, especially between paediatricians and nurses, highlight the need for targeted safety strategies and leadership involvement.
Breast cancer is common and women requiring mastectomy will be offered a breast reconstruction if they are surgically suitable candidate. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate) or delayed to a second operation after cancer treatments. The reconstruction can either use the patients’ own tissue to make the breast (autologous) or use a prosthesis to make the breast in the form of a fixed or expandable volume implant (implant-based breast reconstruction, IBBR). Immediate breast reconstruction on top of the chest wall muscles (prepectoral) is performed worldwide. This operation involves the use of a synthetic or biological mesh placed around the implant under the skin. Increasingly, surgeons are performing this technique without the use of mesh. Both techniques, with and without mesh, have not been compared in a head-to-head randomised controlled trial (RCT); therefore, surgeons and patients do not have high quality data to guide their decision making in this area.
UK-based pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled feasibility trial. The primary aim is to determine the feasibility of a definitive RCT comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of no-mesh versus mesh-assisted prepectoral breast reconstruction. Secondary objectives will explore patient understanding of mesh and willingness to be randomised within an RCT; determine if it is possible to collect data to inform a future economic analysis on the use of mesh in breast reconstruction and determine the feasibility of measuring breast biomechanics pre-surgery and post breast reconstruction surgery. Total number of patients to be included: 40 (20 per arm).
This study will be conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval has been obtained. Ethics Ref: 23/SC/0302; IRAS Project ID: 301 423. The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, independent of the results, following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials standards for RCTs.
Introducción. La punción arterial para el análisis gasométrico provoca dolor de intensidad variable. Este dolor podría alterar la dinámica ventilatoria y, por tanto, los parámetros respiratorios de la muestra sanguínea. Objetivos. Determinar la posible relación entre el dolor inducido por la punción arterial y los parámetros obtenidos del análisis gasométrico de estas muestras de sangre. Como objetivos secundarios, obtener la prevalencia del dolor provocado en la muestra estudiada y la posible asociación con el número de intentos. Metodología. Estudio transversal que incluyó 100 muestras arteriales de 61 pacientes durante el primer semestre de 2024. La intensidad del dolor, reportada mediante la escala NRS-11, fue la variable principal de estudio. Se analizó la asociación de esta variable con variables gasométricas (por ejemplo, pH, pO2, pCO2 y lactato) y con otras variables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con punción arterial. Resultados. La edad fue de 69,43 ± 13,07 y el 68% eran hombres. Respecto a la variable principal de resultado, la puntuación media del dolor fue de 4,03 ± 2,61. La intensidad del dolor no mostró asociación con ninguna variable gasométrica. Sin embargo, el número de intentos de obtener con éxito una muestra arterial mostró significación. Tras ajustar por otras variables, cada intento adicional aumentaba el dolor en 1,14 puntos. Discusión. No se encontró asociación entre el dolor de la punción arterial y los parámetros del análisis gasométrico, por lo que los resultados pueden interpretarse de forma robusta en situaciones en las que no es posible un manejo adecuado del dolor.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Arterial puncture for gasometrical analysis causes pain of varying intensity. This pain could alter the ventilatory dynamics and therefore the respiratory parameters of the blood sample. Objectives. To determine the possible relationship between the pain induced by arterial puncture and the parameters obtained from the gasometrical analysis of these blood samples. As secondary objectives, to obtain the prevalence of pain caused in the sample studied and the possible association with the number of attempts. Methodology. Cross-sectional study involving 100 arterial samples from 61 patients during the first half of 2024. Pain intensity reported by the NRS-11 was the main study variable. The association of this variable with gasometrical variables (for example: pH, pO2, pCO2, lactate) and with other variables of different nature (sociodemographic and related to the arterial puncture itself) was analyzed. Results. The age was 69,43 ± 13,07 and 68% were men. Regarding the main outcome variable, the mean pain score was 4.03 ± 2.61. Pain intensity showed no association with any of the gasometric variables. However, the number of attempts to successfully obtain an arterial sample showed significance. After adjustment for other variables, each additional attempt increased pain by 1.14 points. Discussion. No association was found between arterial puncture pain and gasometric analysis parameters, so the results can be robustly interpreted in situations where adequate pain management is not possible.
Objetivo. Analizar factores relacionados con la conducta suicida en pacientes con enfermedad mental para orientar la prevención y cuidados de salud mental especializados. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo transversal de una muestra de 44 pacientes hospitalizados por conducta suicida en psiquiatría. Durante 12 meses se registraron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, se aplicaron la escala Columbia de cribado del riesgo suicida, la de Desesperanza de Beck, la de Impulsividad de Plutchik y el Inventario de Razones para Vivir. Se usó estadística descriptiva e inferencial para una significación estadística de p<0,05. Resultados. El 84% (n=37) presentó ideación suicida, el 63,3% (n=28) tentativa y el 2,3% (n=1) suicidio consumado. Realizaron más intentos previos las mujeres (60%/n=15) que los hombres (38%/n=7). La intoxicación medicamentosa fue el método más utilizado por ambos sexos seguido de autolesiones por mujeres (p<0,05) y precipitación por hombres (p<0,05). La depresión, trastorno más prevalente, se asoció a la edad y al medio rural (p<0,05). El trastorno de ansiedad fue el más predictivo para la intención/plan y tentativas suicidas (p<0,05). El 80% (n=16) de los intentos padecía enfermedad médica (p<0,05). Se evidenció la relación inversa entre las creencias de supervivencia/afrontamiento y la conducta suicida. Discusión. La conducta suicida supone más del 20% de los ingresos de una unidad psiquiátrica. No es posible determinar un perfil único de riesgo, se han evidenciado diferencias según el espectro suicida. Todos los factores relacionados deben ser valorados.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To analyze factors related to suicidal behavior in patients with mental illness to guide prevention and specialized mental health care. Methodology. A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of 44 inpatients at a psychiatric unit who attempted suicide. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were registered during 12 months. The scales applied were the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Beck Hopelessness Scale, Plutchik’s Impulsivity Scale and the Reasons for Living Inventory. A descriptive and inferential statistic has been applied for a statistical significance of p<0,05. Results. 84% (n=37) had suicidal thinking, 63,3% (n=28) attempted suicide and 2,3% (n=1) committed suicide. More women (60%; n=15) than men (38%; n=7) attempted suicide. Medication overdose was the main suicidal approach by both sexes followed by self-harm by women (p<0,05) and deliberate fall by men (p<0,05). Depression, the most prevalent disorder, was associated with age and rural environment (p<0,05). Anxiety had the highest predictive value of suicidal attempt (p<0,05). 80% (n=16) of those who attempted suicide suffered from a medical illness (p<0,05). There is evidence of inverse relationship between the survival and coping beliefs and the suicidal behaviour. Discussion. Suicidal behaviour surpasses 20% of the admissions at a psychiatric unit. It is not possible to determine a specific risk profile as differences according to the suicidal spectrum have been acknowledged. Every possible cause must be evaluated.
El incremento en la esperanza de vida y la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y oncológicas ha generado un mayor número de personas que requieren un trasplante. Sin embargo, la reducción progresiva de donantes jóvenes y al cambio del perfil actual del donante de órganos el papel del método de conservación parece ser crucial en el resultado del trasplante renal. La preocupación de los trasplantadores por mejorar la calidad de los órganos donados, así́ como, la necesidad de recurrir a donantes con criterios expandidos dada la escasez de órganos y la imposibilidad de valorar su viabilidad antes del trasplante, ha impulsado en los últimos años el desarrollo de métodos de preservación mejores para estos órganos menos adecuados. El mantenimiento de la viabilidad de los órganos durante la preservación se ha convertido en un reto.
FreshRSS 