Understanding Preferences for Osteoporosis Information to Develop an Osteoporosis Patient Education Brochure

Feasibility and acceptability of a telerehabilitation intervention on patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty in Iran: randomised controlled trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Telerehabilitation is a promising avenue to enhance post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) rehabilitation by improving accessibility, convenience and cost-effectiveness. Despite its potential benefits, its application in the context of TKA in Iran is in its early stages, lacking comprehensive studies on feasibility, acceptance and programme adherence. This article outlines a protocol for an open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial investigating the impact of a 4 week telerehabilitation programme alongside usual care.

METHODS

Thirty patients (aged 50-90) undergoing TKA for severe Knee Osteoarthritis at Atiyeh Hospital in Tehran, Iran, will be recruited using block randomisation. Participants will be assigned to either the intervention group, receiving telerehabilitation or the control group without telerehabilitation. The intervention will include virtual physiotherapy sessions thrice weekly, lasting 30-45 min each, over 4 weeks. The primary objective is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of telerehabilitation, measured through recruitment and attrition rates, questionnaire completion rates, patient satisfaction using appropriate questionnaire and adherence to the intervention. Secondary outcomes encompass four Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score questionnaire subscales (function in Activities of Daily Living, Pain, Symptoms, Quality of Life). Patient global assessment will use a standardised question. An online survey will evaluate walking assistant device usage, exercise adherence and adverse events. The number of individuals receiving in-person rehabilitation will be documented after the first postoperative surgeon visit. Assessments occur at baseline and 4 weeks postsurgery.

ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis, including independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression, will use SPSS software version 16, with significance set at p<0.05.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by AJA University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee (IR.AJAUMS.REC.1402.126), trial results will be presented to relevant groups and published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

TCTR20231020004.

Do we understand each other when we develop and implement hip fracture models of care? A systematic review with narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

A hip fracture in an older person is a devastating injury. It impacts functional mobility, independence and survival. Models of care may provide a means for delivering integrated hip fracture care in less well-resourced settings. The aim of this review was to determine the elements of hip fracture models of care to inform the development of an adaptable model of care for low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

Multiple databases were searched for papers reporting a hip fracture model of care for any part of the patient pathway from injury to rehabilitation. Results were limited to publications from 2000. Titles, abstracts and full texts were screened based on eligibility criteria. Papers were evaluated with an equity lens against eight conceptual criteria adapted from an existing description of a model of care.

RESULTS

82 papers were included, half of which were published since 2015. Only two papers were from middle-income countries and only two papers were evaluated as reporting all conceptual criteria from the existing description. The most identified criterion was an evidence-informed intervention and the least identified was the inclusion of patient stakeholders.

CONCLUSION

Interventions described as models of care for hip fracture are unlikely to include previously described conceptual criteria. They are most likely to be orthogeriatric approaches to service delivery, which is a barrier to their implementation in resource-limited settings. In LMICs, the provision of orthogeriatric competencies by other team members is an area for further investigation.

Estimating Burden of Mortality due to Excess Body Mass Index in the US Adult Population by Combining Evidence from a Mendelian Randomization Study and National Health Surveys

Importance

Assessment of the burden of mortality due to excess body weight in a population and its subgroups is important for designing health policies for interventions. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies can provide an opportunity to correct for unmeasured confounding bias present in observational studies, but such evidence has not been used to assess population burden of mortality due to excess BMI.

Objective

Combine results from a recent Mendelian randomization (MR) study and data from the National Health Surveys to estimate preventable fraction (PF) of 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality by different degrees of BMI reduction in the US adult population and underlying risk strata.

Designs

We use cross-sectional data on the distribution of BMI and other risk factors of mortality from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES) across two-time spans (1999-2006 and 2017-2018). We use linked data from National Death Index to characterize the observed risk of 10-year mortality associated with BMI and other risk factors based on the NHANES 1999-2006 cohort. We further import results from an external MR study on linear and non-linear effects of BMI and use novel methods to estimate preventable fraction (PF) for deaths under different counterfactual scenarios of BMI reduction in the NHANES population.

Settings

Primary analysis is restricted to the NHANES non-Hispanic white population (age range 40-69 years) due to the unavailability of MR studies in other groups, but projections are provided for the African American population under the assumption of homogeneity of causal effects.

Outcome

Preventable fraction for 10-year all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality due to 50% and 100% reduction of excess BMI (BMI>25.6 kg/m2) for the US adult population in the age range of 40-69 years.

Results

Nearly 33% and 43% of the NHANES 2017-2018 target population are overweight (25.6 kg/m2≤BMI<30.7 kg/m2) and obese (BMI>30.7 kg/m2), respectively, according to WHO definitions. Estimates of relative risks for different BMI categories (relative to normal BMI) from the external MR study range from 1.05 (25.6 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 27.8 kg/m2) to 5.95 (BMI> 42.4 kg/m2). We estimate PF for 10-year all-cause mortality due to 50% and 100% reduction of excess BMI for the population to be 24% (95% CI: 14 - 34) and 35% (95% CI: 22-48), respectively. The estimate of PF of death due to heart disease and cancer for this population reaches up to 48% (95% CI: 25-71) and 18% (95% CI: -2-38), respectively. Partitioning of PF shows that 60% of all BMI-attributable deaths arise from only 12% of the population who are at the highest risk due to obesity and a combination of other risk factors.

Conclusions

Nearly one in three deaths in a contemporary US adult population can be attributed to overweight and obesity. A substantial fraction of these deaths are likely to be preventable through pragmatic and targeted BMI interventions.

Scoping review of the preferences of older adults for patient education materials

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of studies that describe the preferred mode and format of delivery of patient education materials to older adults.

METHODS

A scoping review was used to identify relevant literature published between January 2010 and June 2021, with specific attention given to studies conducted in high income countries with similar health systems.

RESULTS

A total of 3245 titles were identified, and 20 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. Older adults preferred written information that could be accessed via health professionals or downloaded online. Other key features were identified including logical layout, signposted information, larger text size, labelled visual aids, and use of images appropriate and relevant to the target group were preferred. Audio visual resources were also considered valuable when well designed. Formats for patient education such as apps, group classes and online courses were less popular with older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient education materials for older adults should be carefully designed, with attention to layout and content. Older adults indicated a preference for hard copy handouts or in a format that can be downloaded.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Regular engagement with older consumers about their preferences is important as technology for delivery of patient education materials evolve. Key features for specific attention during the design process include a logical layout (tested with consumers), signposted information, text size, labelled visual aids and appropriate images. The perspectives of other key groups of older adults such as those from minority populations or other disadvantaged groups are largely unexplored.

Exploring patient's experience and unmet needs on pregnancy and family planning in rare and complex connective tissue diseases: a narrative medicine approach

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to explore patient' unmet needs of rare and complex rheumatic tissue diseases (rCTDs) patients during pregnancy and its planning by means of the narrative-based medicine (NBM) approach.

METHODS

A panel of nine rCTDs patients' representatives was identified to codesign a survey aimed at collecting the stories of rCTD patients who had one or more pregnancies/miscarriages. The results of the survey and the stories collected were analysed and discussed with a panel of patients' representatives to identify unmet needs, challenges and possible strategies to improve the care of rCTD patients.

RESULTS

129 replies were collected, and 112 stories were analysed. Several unmet needs in the management of pregnancy in rCTDs were identified, such as fragmentation of care among different centres, lack of education and awareness on rCTD pregnancies among midwifes, obstetricians and gynaecologists. The lack of receiving appropriate information and education on rCTDs pregnancy was also highlighted by patients and their families. The need for a holistic approach and the availability specialised pregnancy clinics with a multidisciplinary organisation as well as the provision of psychological support during all the phases around pregnancy was considered also a priority.

CONCLUSION

The adoption of the NBM approach enabled a direct identification of unmet needs, and a list of possible actions was elaborated to improve the care of rCTD patients and their families in future initiatives.

Utility of screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in children and young people attending clinical and healthcare settings: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To examine and synthesise the literature on adverse childhood experience (ACE) screening in clinical and healthcare settings servicing children (0-11) and young people (12-25).

DESIGN

A systematic review of literature was undertaken.

DATA SOURCE

PsycInfo, Web of Science, Embase, PubMed and CINAHL were searched through June 2021. Additional searches were also undertaken.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

English language studies were included if they reported results of an ACE tool being used in a clinical or healthcare setting, participants were aged between 0 and 25 years and the ACE tool was completed by children/young people or by parents/caregivers/clinicians on behalf of the child/young person. Studies assessing clinicians' views on ACE screening in children/young people attending health settings were also included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed for risk of bias using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results were synthesised qualitatively.

RESULTS

Initial searches identified 5231 articles, of which 36 were included in the final review. Findings showed that the most commonly used tool for assessing ACE was the ACE questionnaire; administering ACE tools was found to be feasible and acceptable; there were limited studies looking at the utility, feasibility and acceptability of assessing for ACE in First Nations people; and while four studies provided information on actions taken following ACE screening, no follow-up data were collected to determine whether participants accessed services and/or the impact of accessing services.

CONCLUSION

As the evidence stands, widespread ACE screening is not recommended for routine clinical use. More research is needed on how and what specific ACE to screen for and the impact of screening on well-being.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD42021260420).

Using human-centred design to tackle COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children and youth: a protocol for a mixed-methods study in Montreal, Canada

INTRODUCTION

To successfully combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and increase uptake, research has demonstrated that interventions are most effective when tailored to meet local needs through active engagement and co-development with communities. This mixed-methods project uses a human-centred design (HCD) approach to understand local perspectives of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and develop strategies to enhance vaccine confidence for children and adolescents.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Project ECHO (Étude Communautaire sur l'Hésitation vaccinale contre la COVID-19) combines population-based surveys of parents and adolescents with community-based participatory action research to design and pilot strategies to enhance COVID-19 vaccine confidence in two underserved and ethnoculturally diverse neighbourhoods of Montreal, Canada. Two surveys conducted 6 months apart through primary and secondary schools are used to monitor vaccine acceptance and its social determinants among children and youth. Analyses of survey data include descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. Community-led design teams of parents and youth from the two participating neighbourhoods, supported by academic researchers, design thinking experts and community partners, use an HCD approach to: (1) gather data to understand COVID-19 vaccine decision-making among parents and youth in their community and frame a design challenge (inspiration phase); (2) develop an intervention to address the design challenge (ideation phase) and (3) pilot the intervention (implementation phase). Strategies to evaluate the community-led interventions will be co-developed during the implementation phase.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the research ethics boards of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre and the University of Montreal. Community design teams will be involved in the dissemination of findings and the design of knowledge translation initiatives that foster dialogue related to COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescents among community, school and public health stakeholders. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, community forums, policy briefs, and social media content.

Prescribing Patterns of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients with CKD: A Cross-Sectional Registry Analysis

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) reduce kidney disease progression and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), regardless of diabetes status. However, the prescribing patterns of these novel therapeutics in the CKD population in real-world settings remain largely unknown.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included adults with stages 3-5 CKD included in the Mass General Brigham (MGB) CKD registry in March 2021. We described the adoption of SGLT-2i therapy and evaluated factors associated with SGLT-2i prescription using multivariable logistic regression models in the CKD population, with and without diabetes.

Results

A total of 72,240 patients with CKD met the inclusion criteria, 31,688 (44%) of whom were men and 61,265 (85%) White. A total of 22,653 (31%) patients were in the diabetic cohort, and 49,587 (69%) were in the nondiabetic cohort. SGLT-2i prescription was 6% in the diabetic cohort and 0.3% in the nondiabetic cohort. In multivariable analyses, younger Black men with a history of heart failure, use of cardiovascular medications, and at least one cardiologist visit in the previous year were associated with higher odds of SGLT-2i prescription in both diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts. Among patients with diabetes, advanced CKD stages were associated with lower odds of SGLT-2i prescription, whereas urine dipstick test and at least one subspecialist visit in the previous year were associated with higher odds of SGLT-2i prescription. In the nondiabetic cohort, CKD stage, urine dipstick test, and at least one nephrologist visit in the previous year were not significantly associated with SGLT-2i prescription.

Conclusions

In this registry study, prescription of SGLT-2i was low in the CKD population, particularly among patients without diabetes.

Risk of 30-day Readmission after Knee or Hip Replacement in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis by non-Medicare and Medicare Payer Status

OBJECTIVE

To determine the indication and risk of 30-day rehospitalization after hip or knee replacement among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) by Medicare and non-Medicare status.

METHODS

Using the Nationwide Readmission Database (2010-2014), we defined an Index hospitalization as an elective hospitalization with a principal procedure of total hip or knee replacement among adults aged ≥18 years. Primary payer was categorized as Medicare or non- Medicare. Survey logistic regression provided the odds of 30-day rehospitalization in RA relative to OA. We calculated the rates for principal diagnoses leading to rehospitalization.

RESULTS

Overall, 3.53% of 2,190,745 index hospitalization had a 30-day rehospitalization. Patients with RA had a higher adjusted risk of rehospitalization after TKR (Odds Ratio [OR], 1.11; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.21) and THR (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.62). Persons with RA and OA did not differ with respect to rates of infections, cardiac events, or postoperative complications leading to the rehospitalization. After TKR, RA patients with Medicare had a lower VTE risk (OR, 0.58;95% CI, 0.58 to 0.88) while post-THR those with RA had a greater VTE risk (OR, 2.41;95% CI, 1.04 to 5.57).

CONCLUSION

RA patients had a higher 30-day rehospitalization than OA after TKR and THR regardless of payer type. While infections, postoperative complications, cardiac did not differ, there was a significant difference in venous thromboembolism as the rehospitalization's principal diagnosis.

Development and validation of the Health-Friendly Activity Index: an assessment tool to comprehensively measure health-friendly activities of corporations or organisations

OBJECTIVES

We developed the Health-Friendly Activity Index (HFAI) to comprehensively measure the health-friendly activities of corporations or organisations. We validated the developed tool and reported on its use as an assessment tool to improve consumers' health-related outcomes.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Development of the HFAI questionnaire followed a three-phase process: item generation, item construction and validation with field testing. Using relevance and feasibility criteria, we developed a 105-item questionnaire with six domains (Governance and Infrastructure, Needs Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Feedback, and Outcomes).

PARTICIPANTS

To assess the sensitivity and validity of the questionnaire, the HFAI and Contribution Assessment Tool for Consumer's Health (CATCH) were administered to 302 participants (151 employers and 151 employees) from 151 Korean companies.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The CATCH measured the contribution of each company to the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of its consumers. To estimate the reliability and validity of all six HFAI domains and their respective scales, Cronbach's α coefficients and correlation coefficients were used.

RESULTS

Each domain and scale of the HFAI exhibited a Cronbach's α coefficient between 0.80 and 0.98 for the employers and employees. The overall HFAI and its six domains correlated significantly and positively with all health outcomes such as physical, mental, social and spiritual status scores evaluated using the CATCH (Spearman's correlation range: 0.37-0.68).

CONCLUSION

The HFAI, a unique assessment tool with acceptable psychometric properties, can help corporate managers assess their health-friendly activities.

How can human-centered design build a story-based video intervention that addresses vaccine hesitancy and bolsters vaccine confidence in the Philippines? A mixedmethod protocol for project SALUBONG

INTRODUCTION

Since the onset of a dengue vaccine controversy in late 2017, vaccine confidence has plummeted in the Philippines, leading to measles and polio outbreaks in early 2019. This protocol outlines a human-centered design (HCD) approach to co-create and test an intervention that addresses vaccine hesitancy (VH) via narrative and empathy with and among families and healthcare workers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 'Salubong' is a Filipino term that means to welcome someone back into one's life, reinforcing notions of family ties and friendships. We apply this sentiment to vaccines. Following the phases of HCD, guided by a theoretical framework, and drawing from locally held understandings of faith and acceptance, we will conduct in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) in rural and urban Filipino communities that witnessed dramatic increases in measles cases in recent years. During qualitative engagements with caretakers, providers, and policymakers, we will collect narratives about family and community perceptions of childhood vaccinations, public health systems and opportunities to restore faith. IDIs and FGDs will continuously inform the development of (and delivery mechanisms for) story-based interventions. Once developed, we will test our co-created interventions among 800 caretakers and administer a VH questionnaire prior to and immediately following the intervention encounter. We will use the feedback gained through the survey and Kano-style questionnaires to further refine the intervention. Considering the data collection challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed workarounds to conduct data collection primarily online. We will use systematic online debriefings to facilitate comprehensive participation of the full research team.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been granted by the Institutional Review Board of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (number 2019-44) and Ethical Commission of Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine (S-833/2019). Study findings will be disseminated in scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Managing head injury risks in competitive skateboarding: what do we know?

OBJECTIVES

The broad objective of this paper is to inform policy, practice and research regarding the management of head injury risks in competitive skateboarding. The main motivation for the current study was the question of mandating helmet use in competitive skateboarding. The specific aims are to present current knowledge on (A) head injury risks in skateboarding, (B) preliminary biomechanical data on falls and head injury risks in a selection of competitive skateboarding events similar to those planned for the Summer Olympics, (C) standards for skateboard-styled helmets and (D) impact performance of helmets commonly used in skateboarding.

METHODS

A narrative review of the published literature on head injuries in skateboarding was conducted. Videos of skateboarding competitions from Vans Park Professional League, Street League Skateboarding and Dew Tour were reviewed to describe crashes and falls. Standards databases including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), British Standards Institution (BSI), Snell, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) were searched for skateboarding-styled helmet standards. A sample of helmets considered suitable for skateboarding was tested in standard impact tests.

RESULTS

The majority of previous literature focused on the paediatric population in a recreational setting with little data from competitive skateboarding. Head injuries comprised up to 75% of all injuries and helmet use was less than 35%. Video analysis identified high rates of falls and crashes during competitive skateboarding, but also a capacity for the athletes to control falls and limit head impacts. Less than 5% of competitive skateboarders wore helmets. In addition to dedicated national skateboard helmet standards, there are several national standards for skateboard-styled helmets. All helmets, with the exception of one uncertified helmet, had similar impact attenuation performance; that is, at 0.8 m drop height, 114-148 g; at 1.5 m, 173-220 g; and at 2.0 m, 219-259 g. Impact performance in the second impact was degraded in all helmets tested.

CONCLUSION

Helmets styled for skateboarding are available 'off the shelf' that will offer protection to the head against skull fractures and intracranial injuries in competitive skateboarding. There is an urgent need to commence a programme of research and development to understanding and control head injury risks.

Repeated and adaptive multidisciplinary assessment of a patient with acute pulmonary embolism and recurrent cardiac arrests

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that must be recognised and treated rapidly. The importance of correct risk stratification to guide therapeutic decisions has prompted the introduction of multidisciplinary PE response teams (PERTs). The recommended first-line treatment for high-risk PE is intravenous thrombolysis. Alternatives to consider if thrombolysis has insufficient effect or may cause significant haemorrhagic complications include catheter-directed intervention (CDI) and surgical thrombectomy. For patients in deep shock or cardiac arrest, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can be instituted for cardiopulmonary rescue and support during CDI, thrombectomy or pharmacological treatment. We present a complex case of high-risk PE that illustrates the importance of an early PERT conference and repeated decision-making when the initial therapy fails. After a trial of thrombolysis with insufficient effect, VA-ECMO was used to reverse circulatory and respiratory collapse in a patient with PE and recurrent episodes of cardiac arrest.

Clinician and patient beliefs about diagnostic imaging for low back pain: a systematic qualitative evidence synthesis

OBJECTIVE

Overuse of diagnostic imaging for patients with low back pain remains common. The underlying beliefs about diagnostic imaging that could drive overuse remain unclear. We synthesised qualitative research that has explored clinician, patient or general public beliefs about diagnostic imaging for low back pain.

DESIGN

A qualitative evidence synthesis using a thematic analysis.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and PsycINFO from inception to 17 June 2019. Qualitative studies that interviewed clinicians, patients and/or general public exploring beliefs about diagnostic imaging for low back pain were included. Four review authors independently extracted data and organised these according to themes and subthemes. We used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool to critically appraise included studies. To assess confidence in review findings, we used the GRADE-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research method.

RESULTS

We included 69 qualitative studies with 1747 participants. Key findings included: Patients and clinicians believe diagnostic imaging is an important test to locate the source of low back pain (33 studies, high confidence); patients with chronic low back pain believe pathological findings on diagnostic imaging provide evidence that pain is real (12 studies, moderate confidence); and clinicians ordered diagnostic imaging to reduce the risk of a missed diagnosis that could lead to litigation, and to manage patients' expectations (12 studies, moderate confidence).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians and patients can believe that diagnostic imaging is an important tool for locating the source of non-specific low back pain. Patients may underestimate the harms of unnecessary imaging tests. These beliefs could be important targets for intervention.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42017076047.

Lung complications of Sjogren syndrome

Primary Sjogren syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands and by a number of systemic manifestations, including those regarding the lung. Pulmonary involvement in pSS includes interstitial lung disease (ILD) and airway disease, together with lymphoproliferative disorders.

Patients with pSS-ILD report impaired health-related quality of life and a higher risk of death, suggesting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this type of pulmonary involvement. In contrast, airway disease usually has little effect on respiratory function and is rarely the cause of death in these patients.

More rare disorders can be also identified, such as pleural effusion, cysts or bullae.

Up to date, available data do not allow us to establish an evidence-based treatment strategy in pSS-ILD. No data are available regarding which patients should be treated, the timing to start therapy and better therapeutic options. The lack of knowledge about the natural history and prognosis of pSS-ILD is the main limitation to the development of clinical trials or shared recommendations on this topic. However, a recent trial showed the efficacy of the antifibrotic drug nintedanib in slowing progression of various ILDs, including those in pSS patients.

Primary Sjogren syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease with a possible lung involvement, that it appears as polymorphic, including interstitial lung disease, airway disease and lymphoproliferative disorders with different degree of severityhttps://bit.ly/3akjk4b

Consumers' consciousness of health-friendly products and services and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and health status: a cross-sectional survey of the South Korean population

OBJECTIVES

To identify consumers' consciousness of health-friendly products and services (consumer reaction, purchase intention and willingness to pay more) and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and multidimensional health status.

METHODS

From March to May 2018, we administered questionnaires to 1200 individuals from the general Korean population asking about their perception of health-friendly labels, and if they would purchase such labelled products (foods, pharmaceuticals, etc) and services (purifying water, preventing air pollution, etc) at extra cost.

RESULTS

The participants placed a high value on the importance of mental, social, spiritual and physical health factors in terms of the company's products and services with a score of about 8 out of 10 (range, 7.74-8.33). Most respondents (72.4%) said that they were interested in adopting health-friendly labels. When a health-friendly label is introduced (such as one by the Business for Social Responsiveness), 65.1% of the respondents said that they intended to purchase the product or service, while 6.8% said that they did not and 75.0% said that they were willing to pay extra for the health-friendly product or service. Multivariate logistic regression models showed urban residence, high education level and good social health to be significantly associated with positive attitudes towards health-friendly labels. People with high income, no religion or normal weight were more likely to say that they intend to purchase products and services with health-friendly labels. They also had a more positive attitude towards paying more for such products and services, as did people with good spiritual health.

CONCLUSION

This study provides data that illustrate the importance of health-friendly products and services to the general population and companies.

The e-merging e-pidemic of e-scooters

Introduction

Since their release in 2017, standing electric motorized scooters (eScooters) have risen in popularity as an alternative mode of transportation. We sought to examine the incidence of injury, injury patterns, prevalence of helmet and drug and alcohol use in eScooter trauma.

Methods

This was a multi-institutional retrospective case series of patients admitted for injuries related to operation of an eScooter following the widespread release of these devices in September 2017 (September 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018). Demographics, drug and alcohol use, helmet use, admission vitals, injuries, procedures, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), death, and disposition were analyzed.

Results

103 patients were admitted during the study period, and monthly admissions increased significantly over time. Patients were young men (mean age 37.1 years; 65% male), 98% were not wearing a helmet. Median LOS was 1 day (IQR 1-3). 79% of patients were tested for alcohol and 48% had a blood alcohol level >80 mg/dL. 60% of patients had a urine toxicology screen, of which 52% were positive. Extremity fractures were the most frequent injury (42%), followed by facial fractures (26%) and intracranial hemorrhage (18%). Median Injury Severity Score was 5.5 (IQR 5-9). One-third of patients (n=34) required an operative intervention, the majority of which were open fixations of extremity and facial fractures. No patients died during the study. The majority of patients were discharged home (86%).

Conclusion

eScooter-related trauma has significantly increased over time. Alcohol and illicit substance use among these patients was common, and helmet use was extremely rare. Significant injuries including intracranial hemorrhage and fractures requiring operative intervention were present in over half (51%) of patients. Interventions aimed at increasing helmet use and discouraging eScooter operation while intoxicated are necessary to reduce the burden of eScooter-related trauma.

Level of evidence

Level IV.

Primary care performance of alternatively licenced physicians in Ontario, Canada: a cross-sectional study using administrative data

OBJECTIVES

Medical Regulatory Authorities (MRAs) provide licences to physicians and monitor those physicians once in practice to support their continued competence. In response to physician shortages, many Canadian MRAs developed alternative licensure routes to allow physicians who do not meet traditional licensure criteria to obtain licences to practice. Many physicians have gained licensure through alternative routes, but the performance of these physicians in practice has not been previously examined. This study compared the performance of traditionally and alternatively licenced physicians in Ontario using quality indicators of primary care. The purpose of this study was to examine the practice performance of alternatively licenced physicians and provide evaluative evidence for alternative licensure policies.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional retrospective examination of Ontario health administrative data was conducted using Poisson regression analyses to compare the performance of traditionally and alternatively licenced physicians.

SETTING

Primary care in Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

All family physicians who were licenced in Ontario between 2000 and 2012 and who had complete medical billing data in 2014 were included (n=11 419).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary care quality indicators were calculated for chronic disease management, preventive paediatric care, cancer screening and hospital readmission rates using Ontario health administrative data.

RESULTS

Alternatively licenced physicians performed similarly to traditionally licenced physicians in many primary care performance measures. Minimal differences were seen across groups in indicators of diabetic care, congestive heart failure care, asthma care and cancer screening rates. Larger differences were found in preventive care for children less than 2 years of age, particularly for alternatively licenced physicians who entered Ontario from another Canadian province.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that alternatively licenced physicians perform similarly to traditionally licenced physicians across many indicators of primary care. Our study also demonstrates the utility of administrative data for examining physician performance and evaluating medical regulatory policies and programmes.

Diet and exercise changes following bone densitometry in the Patient Activation After DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) study

Calcium and vitamin D intake and exercise are suboptimal among older adults. Following bone densitometry, a letter communicating individualized fracture risk accompanied by an educational brochure improved participants' lifestyle-but no more than existing communication strategies-over 52 weeks. Simple communication strategies are insufficient for achieving optimal levels of bone health behaviors.

PURPOSE

The Patient Activation After DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) study was designed to evaluate whether a letter with individualized fracture risk and an educational brochure mailed to patients soon after their DXA might improve bone health behaviors (daily calcium intake, vitamin D supplementation, and weekly exercise sessions) compared to slower, less individualized communication characterizing usual care.

METHODS

Participants ≥ 50 years were recruited, at three sites, following their DXA and randomized with 1:1 allocation to intervention and control (usual care only) groups. Data were collected at enrollment interview and by phone survey at 12 and 52 weeks thereafter. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted on 7749 of the 20,397 eligible participants who enrolled. Changes in bone health behaviors were compared within and between study groups. Average treatment effects and heterogeneity of treatment effects were estimated with multivariable linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

In unadjusted analyses, calcium intake, vitamin D supplementation, and weekly exercise sessions increased significantly over 52 weeks within both the intervention and control groups (all p < 0.001). In unadjusted analyses and multivariable models, increases in each behavior did not significantly differ between the intervention and control groups. Intervention group participants with a > 20% 10-year fracture risk at enrollment did, however, have a significantly greater increase in calcium intake compared to other study participants (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Bone health behaviors improved, on average, over 52 weeks among all participants following a DXA. Receipt of the PAADRN letter and educational brochure did not directly improve bone health behaviors compared to usual care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) Study is registered at ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT01507662, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01507662.

Non-participation in systematic screening for osteoporosis-the ROSE trial

Population-based screening for osteoporosis is still controversial and has not been implemented. Non-participation in systematic screening was evaluated in 34,229 women age 65-81 years. Although participation rate was high, non-participation was associated with comorbidity, aging other risk factors for fractures, and markers of low social status, e.g., low income, pension, and living alone. A range of strategies is needed to increase participation, including development of targeted information and further research to better understand the barriers and enablers in screening for osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

Participation is crucial to the success of a screening program. The objective of this study was to analyze non-participation in Risk-stratified Osteoporosis Strategy Evaluation, a two-step population-based screening program for osteoporosis.

METHODS

Thirty-four thousand two hundred twenty-nine women aged 65 to 81 years were randomly selected from the background population and randomized to either a screening group (intervention) or a control group. All women received a self-administered questionnaire designed to allow calculation of future risk of fracture based on FRAX. In the intervention group, women with an estimated high risk of future fracture were invited to DXA scanning. Information on individual socioeconomic status and comorbidity was obtained from national registers.

RESULTS

A completed questionnaire was returned by 20,905 (61%) women. Non-completion was associated with older age, living alone, lower education, lower income, and higher comorbidity. In the intervention group, ticking "not interested in DXA" in the questionnaire was associated with older age, living alone, and low self-perceived fracture risk. Women with previous fracture or history of parental hip fracture were more likely to accept screening by DXA. Dropping out when offered DXA, was associated with older age, current smoking, higher alcohol consumption, and physical impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers to population-based screening for osteoporosis appear to be both psychosocial and physical in nature. Women who decline are older, have lower self-perceived fracture risk, and more often live alone compared to women who accept the program. Dropping out after primary acceptance is associated not only with aging and physical impairment but also with current smoking and alcohol consumption. Measures to increase program participation could include targeted information and reducing physical barriers for attending screening procedures.

Balancing measures or a balanced accounting of improvement impact: a qualitative analysis of individual and focus group interviews with improvement experts in Scotland

BACKGROUND

As quality improvement (QI) programmes have become progressively larger scale, the risks of implementation having unintended consequences are increasingly recognised. More routine use of balancing measures to monitor unintended consequences has been proposed to evaluate overall effectiveness, but in practice published improvement interventions hardly ever report identification or measurement of consequences other than intended goals of improvement.

METHODS

We conducted 15 semistructured interviews and two focus groups with 24 improvement experts to explore the current understanding of balancing measures in QI and inform a more balanced accounting of the overall impact of improvement interventions. Data were analysed iteratively using the framework approach.

RESULTS

Participants described the consequences of improvement in terms of desirability/undesirability and the extent to which they were expected/unexpected when planning improvement. Four types of consequences were defined: expected desirable consequences (goals); expected undesirable consequences (trade-offs); unexpected undesirable consequences (unpleasant surprises); and unexpected desirable consequences (pleasant surprises). Unexpected consequences were considered important but rarely measured in existing programmes, and an improvement pause to take stock after implementation would allow these to be more actively identified and managed. A balanced accounting of all consequences of improvement interventions can facilitate staff engagement and reduce resistance to change, but has to be offset against the cost of additional data collection.

CONCLUSION

Improvement measurement is usually focused on measuring intended goals, with minimal use of balancing measures which when used, typically monitor trade-offs expected before implementation. This paper proposes that improvers and leaders should seek a balanced accounting of all consequences of improvement across the life of an improvement programme, including deliberately pausing after implementation to identify and quantitatively or qualitatively evaluate any pleasant or unpleasant surprises.

The cost of a patient activation intervention for achieving successful outcomes: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

In a large, pragmatic clinical trial, we calculated the costs of achieving four successful patient-centered outcomes using a tailored patient activation DXA result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure. The cost to achieve one successful outcome (e.g., a 0.5 standard deviation improvement in care satisfaction) ranged from $127.41 to $222.75.

INTRODUCTION

Pragmatic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) should focus on patient-centered outcomes and report the costs for achieving those outcomes. We calculated per person incremental intervention costs, the number-needed-to-treat (NNT), and incremental per patient costs (cost per NNT) for four patient-centered outcomes in a direct-to-patient bone healthcare intervention.

METHODS

The Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic RCT enrolled 7749 patients presenting for DXA at three health centers between February 2012 and August 2014. Interviews occurred at baseline and 52 weeks post-DXA. Intervention subjects received an individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational bone health brochure 4 weeks post-DXA, while the usual care subjects did not. Outcomes focused on patients (a) correctly identifying their results, (b) contacting their providers, (c) discussing their results with their providers, and (d) satisfaction with their bone healthcare. NNTs were determined using intention-to-treat linear probability models, per person incremental intervention costs were calculated, and costs per NNT were computed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years old, 83.8% were women, and 75.3% were non-Hispanic whites. The incremental per patient cost (costs per NNT) to increase the ability of a patient to (a) correctly identify their DXA result was $171.07; (b) contact their provider about their DXA result was $222.75; (c) discuss their DXA result with their provider was $193.55; and (d) achieve a 0.5 SD improvement in satisfaction with their bone healthcare was $127.41.

CONCLUSION

An individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure can improve four patient-centered outcomes at a modest cost.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01507662.

Activating Patients With a Tailored Bone Density Test Results Letter and Educational Brochure: the PAADRN Randomized Controlled Trial

In cross-sectional studies, patient activation has been associated with better health behaviors, health outcomes, and health-care experiences. Moreover, tailored interventions have led to clinically meaningful improvements in patient activation, as well as health outcomes over time. We tested whether a tailored patient-activation letter communicating bone mineral density (BMD) test results plus an educational brochure improved patient activation scores and levels at 12 and 52 wk post-baseline as the mechanism leading to enhanced bone healthcare. In a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, multicenter pragmatic clinical trial, we randomized 7749 patients ≥50 yr old and presenting for BMD testing at 3 medical centers in the United States between February 2012 and August 2014. The outcome measures were patient activation scores and levels based on 6 items taken from the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) that were administered at the baseline, 12-wk, and 52-wk follow-up interviews. Mean age was 66.6 yr, 83.8% were women, and 75.3% were Non-Hispanic-Whites. Overall, PAM activation scores improved from 58.1 at baseline to 76.4 by 12 wk (p < 0.001) and to 77.2 (p = 0.002) by 52 wk post-baseline. These improvements, however, were not significantly different between the intervention and usual care groups (18.7 vs 18.1, p = 0.176, at 12 wk) in intention-to-treat analyses. PAM activation scores and levels substantially improved at 12 wk and 52 wk, but no differences were observed in these improvements between the intervention and usual care groups. These null findings may have occurred because the tailoring focused on the patient's BMD and fracture risk results, rather than on the patient's BMD and fracture risk results as well as the patient's baseline PAM activation scores or levels.

The effects of a patient activation intervention on smoking and excessive drinking cessations: results from the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

Patients may exhibit risky bone health behaviors. In a large pragmatic clinical trial, we tested whether a tailored patient activation DXA result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure led to smoking and excessive drinking cessations. The intervention did not, however, alter these risky bone health behaviors.

INTRODUCTION

Besides dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening and pharmacotherapy when indicated, beneficial bone health behaviors including proper calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise should be encouraged. Similarly, risky bone health behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking should be discouraged. We examined whether a direct-to-patient activation intervention led to smoking and excessive drinking cessations.

METHODS

The Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic clinical trial enrolled 7749 patients between February 2012 and August 2014. Interviews occurred at baseline and 12 and 52 weeks later. Intervention subjects were mailed an individually tailored DXA results letter accompanied by a bone health educational brochure 4 weeks post-DXA. Usual care subjects were not sent these materials. Smoking and excessive drinking were assessed by self-report at each interview. Intention-to-treat linear probability models were used.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years, 83.8% were women, and 75.3% were Non-Hispanic-Whites. Smoking was reported at baseline by 7.6% of the intervention group vs. 7.7% of the usual care group (p = 0.873). Excessive drinking was reported at baseline by 6.5% of the intervention group vs. 6.5% of the usual care group (p = 0.968). Intention-to-treat analyses indicated no significant differences between the intervention vs. usual care groups at either 12 or 52 weeks post-DXA (all p values ≥ 0.346).

CONCLUSION

An individually tailored DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure did not lead to smoking or excessive drinking cessations in patients who received DXA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01507662.

Evaluation of a "Just-in-Time" Nurse Consultation on Bone Health: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

CONTEXT

Evidence is inconclusive whether a nurse consultation can improve osteoporosis-related patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether a nurse consultation immediately after dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) produced better osteoporosis-related outcomes than a simple intervention to activate adults in good bone health practices or usual care.

DESIGN

Pilot randomized controlled trial, conducted within the larger Patient Activation After DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) trial (NCT01507662). After DXA, consenting adults age 50 years or older were randomly assigned to 3 groups: nurse consultation, PAADRN intervention (mailed letter with individualized fracture risk and an educational brochure), or usual care (control). Nurse consultation included reviewing DXA results, counseling on bone health, and ordering needed follow-up tests or physician referrals.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change from baseline to 52 weeks in participant-reported osteoporosis-related pharmacotherapy, lifestyle, activation and self-efficacy, and osteoporosis care satisfaction.

RESULTS

Nurse consultation participants (n = 104) reported 52-week improvements in strengthening and weight-bearing exercise (p = 0.09), calcium intake (p < 0.01), osteoporosis knowledge (p = 0.04), activation (p < 0.01), dietary self-efficacy (p = 0.06), and osteoporosis care satisfaction (p < 0.01). Compared with PAADRN intervention participants (n = 39), nurse consultation participants had improved dietary self-efficacy (p = 0.07) and osteoporosis care satisfaction (p = 0.05). No significant improvements in osteoporosis-related outcomes were achieved vs PAADRN controls (n = 70).

CONCLUSION

"Just-in-time" nurse consultation yielded a few improvements over 52 weeks in osteoporosis-related outcomes; however, most changes were not different from those obtained through the lower-cost PAADRN intervention or usual care.

Patient-activation and guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment after bone density testing: the PAADRN randomized controlled trial

Patients often do not know or understand their bone density test results, and pharmacological treatment rates are low. In a clinical trial of 7749 patients, we used a tailored patient-activation result letter accompanied by a bone health brochure to improve appropriate pharmacological treatment. Treatment rates, however, did not improve.

INTRODUCTION

Patients often do not know or understand their dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test results, which may lead to suboptimal care. We tested whether usual care augmented by a tailored patient-activation DXA result letter accompanied by an educational brochure would improve guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment compared to usual care only.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, pragmatic clinical trial at three health care centers in the USA. We randomized 7749 patients ≥50 years old and presenting for DXA between February 2012 and August 2014. The primary clinical endpoint at 12 and 52 weeks post-DXA was receiving guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment. We also examined four of the steps along the pathway from DXA testing to that clinical endpoint, including (1) receiving and (2) understanding their DXA results and (3) having subsequent contact with their provider and (4) discussing their results and options.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.6 years, 83.8 % were women, and 75.3 % were non-Hispanic whites. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed that guideline-concordant pharmacological treatment was not improved at either 12 weeks (65.1 vs. 64.3 %, p = 0.506) or 52 weeks (65.2 vs. 63.8 %, p = 0.250) post-DXA, even though patients in the intervention group were more likely (all p < 0.001) to recall receiving their DXA results letter at 12 weeks, correctly identify their results at 12 and 52 weeks, have contact with their provider at 52 weeks, and have discussed their results with their provider at 12 and 52 weeks.

CONCLUSION

A tailored DXA result letter and educational brochure failed to improve guideline-concordant care in patients who received DXA.