Characterizing Diagnostic Inertia in Arterial Hypertension With a Gender Perspective in Primary Care

Background and Objectives

Substantial evidence shows that diagnostic inertia leads to failure to achieve screening and diagnosis objectives for arterial hypertension (AHT). In addition, different studies suggest that the results may differ between men and women. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in diagnostic inertia in women and men attending public primary care centers, to identify potential gender biases in the clinical management of AHT.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Cross-sectional descriptive and analytical estimates were obtained nested on an epidemiological ambispective cohort study of patients aged ≥30 years who attended public primary care centers in a Spanish region in the period 2008–2012, belonging to the ESCARVAL-RISK cohort. We applied a consistent operational definition of diagnostic inertia to a registry- reflected population group of 44,221 patients with diagnosed hypertension or meeting the criteria for diagnosis (51.2% women), with a mean age of 63.4 years (62.4 years in men and 64.4 years in women).

Results

Of the total population, 95.5% had a diagnosis of hypertension registered in their electronic health record. Another 1,968 patients met the inclusion criteria for diagnostic inertia of hypertension, representing 4.5% of the total population (5% of men and 3.9% of women). The factors significantly associated with inertia were younger age, normal body mass index, elevated total cholesterol, coexistence of diabetes and dyslipidemia, and treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs. Lower inertia was associated with age over 50 years, higher body mass index, normal total cholesterol, no diabetes or dyslipidemia, and treatment with lipid-lowering, antiplatelet, and anticoagulant drugs. The only gender difference in the association of factors with diagnostic inertia was found in waist circumference.

Conclusion

In the ESCARVAL-RISK study population presenting registered AHT or meeting the functional diagnostic criteria for AHT, diagnostic inertia appears to be greater in men than in women.

A Bibliometric Evaluation of Worldwide Research of the Podiatry Field from 1965 to 2017

BACKGROUND

To identify the strengths and weaknesses in a given research area, it is necessary to analyze the published literature. International studies on podiatry research productivity are scarce. This study aimed to analyze scientific productivity in the area of podiatric medicine from 1965 to 2017.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational, bibliometric study. The MEDLINE database was used to identify research published between 1965 and 2017. Literature searches were performed in 2010 and 2017 through RefWorks, and research production per year, author, document type, country, institution, journal, and language were calculated. Podiatry's contribution to global scientific production was measured by calculating the ratio of podiatry publications to total production, and Price's law was applied to analyze the temporal evolution. Author productivity index, coauthorship, geographic distribution, and the distribution by institution type and journal (Bradford's law) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The MEDLINE search yielded 1,256 publications, representing 4.75 articles per 100,000 publications in global scientific research. The growth rate followed Price's law after linear adjustment. The 2,229 identified authors presented a transience index of 85.73%; 0.38% were highly productive authors. The coauthorship index increased from 1.40 in 1965 to 5.80 in 2017. The most common document type was the journal article, whereas 2.1% were clinical trials. Only one document reported a controlled clinical trial. The United States led scientific production, with 77.15% of the documents; 60.5% of the publications were concentrated in four journals.

CONCLUSIONS

Podiatry is still an emerging research field, and literature is concentrated in a small number of journals, categorized into different subjects.

Incubation period of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The incubation period of COVID-19 helps to determine the optimal duration of the quarantine and inform predictive models of incidence curves. Several emerging studies have produced varying results; this systematic review aims to provide a more accurate estimate of the incubation period of COVID-19.

METHODS

For this systematic review, a literature search was conducted using Pubmed, Scopus/EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases, covering all observational and experimental studies reporting the incubation period and published from 1 January 2020 to 21 March 2020.We estimated the mean and 95th percentile of the incubation period using meta-analysis, taking into account between-study heterogeneity, and the analysis with moderator variables.

RESULTS

We included seven studies (n = 792) in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity (I2 83.0%, p < 0.001) was significantly decreased when we included the study quality and the statistical model used as moderator variables (I2 15%). The mean incubation period ranged from 5.6 (95% CI: 5.2 to 6.0) to 6.7 days (95% CI: 6.0 to 7.4) according to the statistical model. The 95th percentile was 12.5 days when the mean age of patients was 60 years, increasing 1 day for every 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Based on the published data reporting the incubation period of COVID-19, the mean time between exposure and onset of clinical symptoms depended on the statistical model used, and the 95th percentile depended on the mean age of the patients. It is advisable to record sex and age when collecting data in order to analyze possible differential patterns.

Incubation period of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objective

The incubation period of COVID-19 helps to determine the optimal duration of the quarantine and inform predictive models of incidence curves. Several emerging studies have produced varying results; this systematic review aims to provide a more accurate estimate of the incubation period of COVID-19.

Methods

For this systematic review, a literature search was conducted using Pubmed, Scopus/EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases, covering all observational and experimental studies reporting the incubation period and published from 1 January 2020 to 21 March 2020.We estimated the mean and 95th percentile of the incubation period using meta-analysis, taking into account between-study heterogeneity, and the analysis with moderator variables.

Results

We included seven studies (n = 792) in the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity (I² 83.0%, p < 0.001) was significantly decreased when we included the study quality and the statistical model used as moderator variables (I² 15%). The mean incubation period ranged from 5.6 (95% CI: 5.2–6.0) to 6.7 days (95% CI: 6.0–7.4) according to the statistical model. The 95th percentile was 12.5 days when the mean age of patients was 60 years, increasing 1 day for every 10 years.

Conclusion

Based on the published data reporting the incubation period of COVID-19, the mean time between exposure and onset of clinical symptoms depended on the statistical model used, and the 95th percentile depended on the mean age of the patients. It is advisable to record sex and age when collecting data in order to analyze possible differential patterns.

Expert consensus for primary management of reproductive health: a Delphi study

BACKGROUND

The main barrier for an appropriate primary management of the reproductive health was lack of knowledge about the risk factors and prevention measures for infertility and the main recommendations was to involve primary care physicians in reproductive health.

AIMS

To reach a consensus around barriers and enablers for appropriate primary management of the reproductive health.

METHODS

An observational study was performed using the modified Delphi technique, from October 2017 to April 2018 in private and public assisted reproduction clinics in Spain. A questionnaire consisted of 58 items, divided into four blocks to explore consensus among a group of experts by synthesizing opinions.

RESULTS

In the first Delphi round, the response rate was 50% and panelists reached a 72.4% of consensus. In second round, the response rate was 55% and panelists reached a 25% of consensus. To minimize limitations related to the use of a structured questionnaire, a space for free text responses was provided. The following items yielded unanimous agreement: "It is necessary to promote reproductive planning-not just contraception-from secondary school," "The media should not trivialize pregnancies in women aged over 50," "Postponing family formation is the main cause of the increase in assisted reproduction treatments in Spain," and "Postponing motherhood implies an inherently decreased probability of having children."

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations could set the basis for a public health action plan for primary management of reproductive health. The findings may be applicable to any country whose health services system provides primary healthcare.

A new risk score to assess atrial fibrillation risk in hypertensive patients (ESCARVAL-RISK Project

This study aimed to assess atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence and predictive factors in hypertensive patients and to formulate an AF risk assessment score that can be used to identify the patients most likely to develop AF. This was a cohort study of patients recruited in primary healthcare centers. Patients aged 40 years or older with hypertension, free of AF and with no previous cardiovascular events were included. Patients attended annual visits according to clinical practice until the end of study or onset of AF. The association between AF incidence and explanatory variables (age, sex, body mass index, medical history and other) was analyzed. Finally, 12,206 patients were included (52.6% men, and mean age was 64.9 years); the mean follow-up was 36.7 months, and 394 (3.2%) patients were diagnosed with AF. The incidence of AF was 10.5/1000 person-years. Age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.08), male sex (HR 1.88; 95% CI 1.53-2.31), obesity (HR 2.57; 95% CI 1.70-3.90), and heart failure (HR 2.44; 95% CI 1.45-4.11) were independent predictors (p < 0.001). We propose a risk score based on significant predictors, which enables the identification of people with hypertension who are at the greatest risk of AF.

Plantar pressure improvement in moderate hallux valgus with modified chevron osteotomy: Clinical and radiographic outcomes

BACKGROUND

Hallux valgus (HV) is widely treated by Chevron osteotomy (CO); however, a modified CO may improve patient outcomes and recovery.

METHODS

A prospective study was designed to analyze plantar pressure measurements and clinical and radiographic outcomes of a modified CO for HV. Recruitment was between February 2016 and February 2017.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

diagnosis of moderate HV; an indication for surgical correction due to discomfort, pain or difficulty with shoe wear; and age over 18 years. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) guidelines and a visual analog scale (VAS).

RESULTS

Forty-four patients met inclusion criteria. After surgery, the highest percentage in mean pressure was in the first and fifth metatarsal heads. At 12 months' follow-up, the AOFAS score improved, but differences in VAS scale were only significant at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Modified CO is a good option for people with HV, improving foot activity compared to preoperative levels while limiting the time needed for recovery.

Comparison of the assisted reproductive technology outcomes between conventional IVF and ICSI with donor oocytes in normozoospermic patients

There is no evidence for the superiority of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using donor oocytes. This retrospective descriptive study aimed to compare the outcomes of conventional IVF (n = 506) and ICSI (n = 613) with donor oocytes in (n = 968) normozoospermic patients. Although the fertilization rate was statistically higher in the ICSI group (p < 0.001), conventional IVF provided better results than ICSI with respect to embryo quality (number of grade A embryos, p < 0.001). In addition, we observed more blastocysts in the conventional IVF group (p < 0.001) and more good quality embryos were obtained for cryopreservation compared to ICSI (p < 0.001). Regarding clinical results, there were no statistical significant differences in the positive pregnancy test, clinical pregnancy and clinical miscarriage rates between IVF and ICSI. However, the implantation rate was statistically higher when IVF was performed (50.4% vs. 43.0%, p = 0.031, OR (95% CI): 1.185 (1.050-2.530)). In conclusion, with the use of normozoospermic samples in our oocyte donation programme, IVF offers more embryo efficiency and increased implantation rates than ICSI.

Maternal periodontitis and preterm birth: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To assess the association between periodontitis and preterm birth in women of childbearing age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review included analytical case-control studies and prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth. Of the 3104 screened articles, 31 met the inclusion criteria for the review, and 20 met the quality criteria. The selected studies included a total of 10 215 women.

RESULTS

Twenty articles contributed to the meta-analysis; 16 used a case-control design, and 4 were prospective cohort studies. The study heterogeneity was low (Q = 24.2464; P = 0.1869; I²  = 21.63%). A positive association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth was found in 60% of the studies. Under the random-effects model, meta-analysis gave an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (95% CI 1.71, 2.36), representing a significant positive association between the explanatory and outcome variables.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant mothers with periodontitis double the risk of preterm birth. There is a lack of international consensus for diagnosing maternal periodontitis.

Effects of Watching Cartoons During an Echocardiography on Infants and Preschool Children. A Prospective Randomized Study

Echocardiography is currently the main diagnostic technique in pediatric cardiology, but sometimes it is difficult to use in very young children, as a complete and accurate study depends on the patient's and family's cooperation. Children's behavior is one of the main problems for this procedure, and interventions like sedative medication have been used to facilitate its performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of TV entertainment in infants and preschool children during echocardiography. We designed an experimental study in children with a heart murmur. An examination room was prepared with a TV on the ceiling, giving the children an unobstructed view during the echocardiography procedure. Fifty-eight patients were randomized into two groups: TV intervention vs. usual care (consisting of other distraction measures). The primary outcome was echocardiography time, but we also assessed blood pressure, quality of technique, child behavior, and parents' stress level. The TV group showed a statistically significant reduction in duration of the echocardiography and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as better quality of technique and child behavior. Consequently, we recommend the use of a TV as a simple and useful distraction method for improving echocardiography in young children.

Correction: Lipid profile, cardiovascular disease and mortality in a Mediterranean high-risk population: The ESCARVAL-RISK study

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186196.].

Adherence to European Clinical Practice Guidelines for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Cohort Study

To provide a better understanding of the actions taken within health systems and their results, this study aims to assess clinicians’ adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) regarding recommended treatments in patients with cardiovascular disease in primary care settings, and to determine the associated factors. We conducted an ambispective cohort study in 21 primary care centres in 8 Spanish regions. Patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease, stroke and/or peripheral arterial disease were included. Patients who received the treatment recommended in the European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention (CPG’s adherent group) were compared with patients who did not (CPG’s non-adherent group). The outcome variables were cardiovascular hospital admissions, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality during follow-up. Of the 438 participants, 38.6% (n = 169) received the drug therapies recommended in the guidelines. The factors that increased the likelihood of good adherence to CPG’s were being diagnosed with hypertension (p = 0.001), dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001) or diabetes (p = 0.001), and not having a psychiatric disorder (p = 0.005). We found no statistically significant association between good adherence to CPG’s and lower incidence of events (p = 0.853). Clinician adherence to guidelines for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease was low in the primary care setting.

Lipid profile, cardiovascular disease and mortality in a Mediterranean high-risk population: The ESCARVAL-RISK study

INTRODUCTION

The potential impact of targeting different components of an adverse lipid profile in populations with multiple cardiovascular risk factors is not completely clear. This study aims to assess the association between different components of the standard lipid profile with all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to cardiovascular events in a high-risk population.

METHODS

This prospective registry included high risk adults over 30 years old free of cardiovascular disease (2008-2012). Diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes mellitus was inclusion criterion. Lipid biomarkers were evaluated. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and hospital admission due to coronary heart disease or stroke. We estimated adjusted rate ratios (aRR), absolute risk differences and population attributable risk associated with adverse lipid profiles.

RESULTS

51,462 subjects were included with a mean age of 62.6 years (47.6% men). During an average follow-up of 3.2 years, 919 deaths, 1666 hospitalizations for coronary heart disease and 1510 hospitalizations for stroke were recorded. The parameters that showed an increased rate for total mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke hospitalization were, respectively, low HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.25, 1.29 and 1.23; high Total/HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.22, 1.38 and 1.25; and high Triglycerides/HDL-Cholesterol: aRR 1.21, 1.30, 1.09. The parameters that showed highest population attributable risk (%) were, respectively, low HDL-Cholesterol: 7.70, 11.42, 8.40; high Total/HDL-Cholesterol: 6.55, 12.47, 8.73; and high Triglycerides/HDL-Cholesterol: 8.94, 15.09, 6.92.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population with cardiovascular risk factors, HDL-cholesterol, Total/HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratios were associated with a higher population attributable risk for cardiovascular disease compared to other common biomarkers.

Clinical benefit of the FIFA 11 programme for the prevention of hamstring and lateral ankle ligament injuries among amateur soccer players

Objective

To analyse the relationship between the implementation of ‘the 11’ protocol during the regular season in a men’s amateur soccer team and the rate of hamstring and lateral ankle ligament (LAL) injuries, and to estimate the clinical benefit of the programme according to the type of injury and the position field.

Methods

This cohort study was conducted in two different men’s amateur soccer teams. During two seasons, the exposed group (43 players) performed ‘the 11’ protocol twice a week, and the unexposed group (43 players) performed the regular training programme. All players trained three times per week for 1.5 hours per day. Data collection was performed for every 1000 hours of play.

Results

18 hamstring injuries (injury rate (IR) of 2.26 injuries/1000 training+competition hours) and 15 LAL injuries (IR of 1.88 injuries/1000) were registered in the exposed group. In the unexposed group, there were 25 LAL injuries (IR of 3.14 injuries/1000) and 35 hamstring injuries (IR of 4.39 injuries/1000). The number needed to treat to prevent one new case was 3.9 in LAL injuries, 3.31 in biceps femoris injuries and 10.7 in recurrent hamstring injuries.

Conclusions

‘The 11’ programme reduced the incidence of hamstring and LAL injuries in amateur players. According to the field position, the programme was effective for defenders and midfielders. In accordance with the type of injury, the exposed group had a lower risk of LAL, biceps femoris and hamstring injuries compared with those in the unexposed group.

Effectiveness of influenza vaccination programme in preventing hospital admissions, Valencia, 2014/15 early results

Preliminary results for the 2014/15 season indicate low to null effect of vaccination against influenza A(H3N2)-related disease. As of week 5 2015, there have been 1,136 hospital admissions, 210 were due to influenza and 98% of subtype A strains were H3. Adjusted influenza vaccine effectiveness was 33% (range: 6-53%) overall and 40% (range: 13% to 59%) in those 65 years and older. Vaccination reduced by 44% (28-68%) the probability of admission with influenza.

Protective factors in patients aged over 65 with stroke treated by physiotherapy, showing cognitive impairment, in the Valencia Community. Protection study in older people (EPACV)

Background

Family function may have an influence on the mental health deterioration of the caregivers of dependent family members and it could have a varying importance on the care of dependents. Little attention has been paid to the preparation of minor stroke survivors for the recovery trajectory or the spouse for the caregiving role. Therefore, this study protocol intends to analyze the influence of family function on the protection of patients with stroke sequels needing physiotherapy in the family environment.

Methods/Design

This is an analytical observational design, prospective cohort study and using a qualitative methodology by means of data collected in the “interviews of life”. The study will be carried out by the Rehabilitation Service at Hospital of Elda in the Valencia Community.

All patients that have been diagnosed with stroke and need physiotherapy treatment, having a dependency grade assigned and consent to participate in the study, will undergo a monitoring of one year in order to assess the predictive factors depending on the dependence of the people affected.

Discussion

Our research aims to analyze the perception of caregivers, their difficulties to work, and the influence of family function. Moreover, it aims to register the perception of the patients with stroke sequel over the care received and whether they feel protected in their family environment.