Prevalence of psychological distress in nurses, physicians and leaders working in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national one-year follow-up study

Objective
To report and compare psychological distress as symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress among intensive care units’ (ICU) nurses, physicians and leaders at 12 months after the baseline survey (spring 2020), during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway. Furthermore, to analyse which baseline demographic and COVID ICU-related factors have a significant impact on psychological distress at 12 months.

Design
Prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study.

Setting
Nationwide, 27 of 28 hospitals with COVID ICUs in Norway.

Participants
Nurses, physicians and their leaders. At 12 month follow-up 287 (59.3%) of 484 baseline participants responded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). Symptoms of post-traumatic stress using the post-traumatic stress disease checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (PCL-5).
Demographics (included previous symptoms of anxiety and depression) and COVID ICU-related factors (professional preparations, emotional experience and support) impacting distress at 12 months.

Results
Psychological distress, defined as caseness on either or both HSCL-10 and PCL-5, did not change significantly and was present for 13.6% of the participants at baseline and 13.2% at 12 month follow-up. Nurses reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress than physicians and leaders. Adjusted for demographics and the COVID ICU-related factors at baseline, previous symptoms of depression and fear of infection were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression at 12 months. Previous symptoms of depression, fear of infection and feeling of loneliness was significantly associated with more symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

Conclusion
One year into the COVID-19 pandemic 13.2% of the ICUs professionals reported psychological distress, more frequently among the nurses. Fear of infection, loneliness and previous symptoms of depression reported at baseline were associated with higher levels of distress. Protective equipment and peer support are recommended to mitigate distress.

Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04372056.

Leggi
Dicembre 2023

Protocol for a prospective cohort study on the feasibility of application of nutritional ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with nutritional risk at hospital discharge: study on body composition and function (DRECO)

Introduction
Nutritional ultrasound (US) is an emerging technique in clinical nutrition for the morphological and structural study of muscle mass. Currently, all definitions of malnutrition include the measurement of muscle mass; however, there is no single way to assess it. It is necessary to develop new techniques to identify muscle involvement in malnutrition that are valid, standardised, reliable, accurate and profitable.

Objective
To value the new muscle US techniques aimed to measure muscle and functional status, to make a more accurate diagnosis and a better prediction of complications and morbidity and mortality in patients at nutritional risk. Primary outcome: to assess the feasibility of US or muscle US techniques in both nutritional diagnosis and follow-up in a nutritional intervention programme.

Methods and analysis
Disease-Related caloric-protein malnutrition EChOgraphy (DRECO) is a prospective, multicentre (25 Spanish hospitals), uncontrolled clinical study in standard clinical practice to value the usefulness of nutritional US (muscle US) in the nutritional diagnosis and follow-up, over 3–6 months, after standard nutritional clinical practice intervention and physical activity, to control their disease-related malnutrition. 1000 patients are expected to be included in.

Discussion
This study will standardise nutritional US measures. It will validate and define specific cut-off values for nutritional US and correlate it with already well-known nutritional tools such as Subjective Global Assessment or Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Thus, muscle US will become not only a tool to diagnose malnutrition, but it will also be integrated in the daily practice to evaluate nutritional interventions.

Ethics and dissemination
All DRECO study materials have been approved by each of the IRB/IEC of all the sites enrolled (either approval of the own IRB/IEC or validating the approval of the IRB/IEC of another hospital). The study has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, on 27 June 2022. The results from this study will be presented at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number
NCT05433831.

Leggi
Dicembre 2023

Add-on pramipexole for anhedonic depression: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and open-label follow-up in Lund, Sweden

Introduction
Many depressed patients do not achieve remission with available treatments. Anhedonia is a common residual symptom associated with treatment resistance as well as low function and quality of life. There are currently no specific and effective treatments for anhedonia. Some trials have shown that dopamine agonist pramipexole is efficacious for treating depression, but more data is needed before it could become ready for clinical prime time. Given its mechanism of action, pramipexole might be a useful treatment for a depression subtype characterised by significant anhedonia and lack of motivation—symptoms associated with dopaminergic hypofunction. We recently showed, in an open-label pilot study, that add-on pramipexole is a feasible treatment for depression with significant anhedonia, and that pramipexole increases reward-related activity in the ventral striatum. We will now confirm or refute these preliminary results in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and an open-label follow-up study.

Methods and analysis
Eighty patients with major depression (bipolar or unipolar) or dysthymia and significant anhedonia according to the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) are randomised to either add-on pramipexole or placebo for 9 weeks. Change in anhedonia symptoms per the SHAPS is the primary outcome, and secondary outcomes include change in core depressive symptoms, apathy, sleep problems, life quality, anxiety and side effects. Accelerometers are used to assess treatment-associated changes in physical activity and sleep patterns. Blood and brain biomarkers are investigated as treatment predictors and to establish target engagement. After the RCT phase, patients continue with open-label treatment in a 6-month follow-up study aiming to assess long-term efficacy and tolerability of pramipexole.

Ethics and dissemination
The study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority and the Swedish Medical Products Agency. The study is externally monitored according to Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Results will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number
NCT05355337 and NCT05825235.

Leggi
Novembre 2023

Optimising scale-up for public health impact: a multimethod implementation science research protocol to improve infant health outcomes in Ethiopia

Introduction
Child mortality rates remain high in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. We are conducting a cluster randomised control trial in the Gondar zone of the Amhara region to determine the impact of pairing Orthodox priests with community health workers, known locally as the Health Development Army (HDA), on newborns’ nutritional status, early illness identification and treatment, and vaccination completeness.
Ensuring intervention efficacy with scientific rigour is essential, but there are often delays in adopting evidence into policy and programmes. Here, we present a protocol for conducting parallel implementation research alongside an efficacy study to understand intervention implementability and scalability. This will help develop a scale-up strategy for effective elements of the intervention to ensure rapid implementation at scale.

Methods and analysis
We will conduct a stakeholder analysis of key implementation stakeholders and readiness surveys to assess their readiness to scale up the intervention. We will conduct semistructured interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders, including HDA members, health workers, Orthodox priests, and caregivers, to determine the core intervention elements that need to be scaled, barriers and facilitators to scaling up the intervention in diverse sociocultural settings, as well as the human and technical requirements for national and regional implementation. Finally, to determine the financial resources necessary for sustaining and scaling the intervention, we will conduct activity-based costing to estimate implementation costs from the provider’s perspective.

Ethics and dissemination
The study received approval from the University of Gondar Institutional Review Board (approval no: VP/RTT/05/1030/2022) and the University of Washington Human Subjects Division (approval no: STUDY00015369). Participants will consent to participate. Results will be disseminated through workshops with stakeholders, local community meetings, presentations at local and international conferences, and journal publications. The study will provide evidence for factors to consider in developing a scale-up strategy to integrate the intervention into routine health system practices.

Leggi
Novembre 2023

Staff perceptions towards virtual reality-motivated treadmill exercise for care home residents: a qualitative feedback study with key stakeholders and follow-up interview with technology developer

Objectives
Health and care resources are under increasing pressure, partly due to the ageing population. Physical activity supports healthy ageing, but motivating exercise is challenging. We aimed to explore staff perceptions towards a virtual reality (VR) omnidirectional treadmill (MOTUS), aimed at increasing physical activity for older adult care home residents.

Design
Interactive workshops and qualitative evaluation.

Settings
Eight interactive workshops were held at six care homes and two university sites across Cornwall, England, from September to November 2021.

Participants
Forty-four staff participated, including care home, supported living, clinical care and compliance managers, carers, activity coordinators, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Interventions
Participants tried the VR treadmill system, followed by focus groups exploring device design, potential usefulness or barriers for care home residents. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. We subsequently conducted a follow-up interview with the technology developer (September 2022) to explore the feedback impact.

Results
The analysis produced seven key themes: anticipated benefits, acceptability, concerns of use, concerns of negative effects, suitability/unsuitability, improvements and current design. Participants were generally positive towards VR to motivate care home residents’ physical activity and noted several potential benefits (increased exercise, stimulation, social interaction and rehabilitation). Despite the reported potential, staff had safety concerns for frail older residents due to their standing position. Participants suggested design improvements to enhance safety, usability and accessibility. Feedback to the designers resulted in the development of a new seated VR treadmill to address concerns about falls while maintaining motivation to exercise. The follow-up developer interview identified significant value in academia–industry collaboration.

Conclusion
The use of VR-motivated exercise holds the potential to increase exercise, encourage reminiscence and promote meaningful activity for care home residents. Staff concerns resulted in a redesigned seated treadmill for those too frail to use the standing version. This novel study demonstrates the importance of stakeholder feedback in product design.

Leggi
Novembre 2023

Association between anxiety and depression and all-cause mortality: a 50-year follow-up of the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden

Objectives
This study aimed to examine the association between anxiety disorders and/or major depression disorder (ADs/MDD) and all-cause mortality in a 50-year perspective and to examine specific risk and health factors that may influence such an association.

Design
Observational population study, 1968–2019.

Setting
The Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden (PSWG).

Participants
In 1968–1969, 899 (out of 1462) women from PSWG were selected according to date of birth for a psychiatric investigation, including diagnostic evaluation. Eight hundred (89%) were accepted. Twenty-two women were excluded. Of the 778 included, 135 participants (17.4 %) had solely ADs, 32 (4.1%) had solely MDD and 25 (3.2%) had comorbid AD/MDD.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Associations between ADs, MDD, comorbid AD/MDD and all-cause mortality with adjustments for potential confounding factors. Differences between the groups concerning health and risk factors and their association with mortality.

Results
In a fully adjusted model, ADs were non-significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.41). When examining age during risk time as separate intervals, a significant association between mortality and AD was seen in the group of participants who died at the age of 65–80 years (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.29). In the younger or older age interval, the association did not reach significance at the 95% level of confidence. Among confounding factors, smoking and physical activity were the strongest contributors. The association between smoking and mortality tended to be further increased in the group with ADs versus the group without such disorders (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.60 to 2.75 and HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.12, respectively).

Conclusions
This study suggests potential links between ADs, age and mortality among women with 50 years of follow-up, but does not provide definitive conclusions due to the borderline significance of the results.

Leggi
Novembre 2023

Incidence and predictors of respiratory distress syndrome among low birth weight neonates in the first seven days in Northwest Ethiopia Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, 2023: A retrospective follow-up study

Introduction
Respiratory distress syndrome is a catastrophic respiratory problem among low birth weight neonates. It increases the suffering of neonates and the economic expenditure of the countries. Notably, it is a major public health issue in low-income and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Despite this, studies regarding respiratory distress syndrome among low birth weight neonates were limited in Ethiopia.

Objective
To assess the incidence and predictors of respiratory distress syndrome among low birth weight neonates in the first 7 days in Northwest Ethiopia Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals.

Method
Multicentred institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted from 19 September 2021 to 1 January 2023, among 423 low birthweight neonates. A simple random sampling technique was used. The data were collected using a data extraction checklist from the medical registry of neonates. The collected data were entered into EPI-DATA V.4.6.0.6. and analysed using STATA V.14. The Kaplan-Meier failure curve and log-rank test were employed. Bivariable and multivariable Weibull regression was carried out to identify predictors of respiratory distress syndrome. Statistical significance was declared at a p≤0.05.

Result
The incidence rate of respiratory distress syndrome was found to be 10.78 (95% CI 9.35 to 12.42) per 100 neonate days. Fifth minute Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (APGAR score)

Leggi
Novembre 2023

Long-term follow-up study of work status among patients with work-related mental disorders referred to departments of occupational medicine in Denmark

Objectives
To describe the 5 year work status in patients referred for suspected work-related common mental disorders. To develop a prognostic model.

Design
Register-based nationwide longitudinal follow-up study.

Setting
All departments of occupational medicine in Denmark.

Participants
17 822 patients aged 18–67 years, seen for the first time at a Department of Occupational Medicine in Denmark from 2000 to 2013 and diagnosed with stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or other mental disorders.

Interventions
All patients were seen for diagnostic assessment and causal evaluation of the work-relatedness of their disorders. Some departments offered patients with stress disorders psychological treatment, which, however, was not organised according to patient selection or type of treatment.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Register data were collected for 5 year periods before and after the patients’ first assessment at a department. Weekly percentages of patients are presented according to work status. The outcome in the prognostic model was a high Work Participation Score (ie, working >75% of potential work weeks/year) at 5 year follow-up.

Results
For all subgroups of patients, a high proportion were working ( >75%) 1–5 years before assessment, and all experienced a large reduction in work status at time of assessment. At 1 year follow-up, almost 60% of patients with stress were working, whereas in the other patient subgroups, less than 40% were working. In the following years, practically no increase was observed in the percentage of patients working in any of the subgroups. Based on these 5 year follow-up data, we developed a work participation model with only moderate discrimination and calibration.

Conclusions
In Denmark, not all return to previous work status 5 years after a referral due to a suspected work-related common mental disorder. We developed a prognostic model with only moderate discrimination and calibration for long-term work participation after suggested work-related common mental disorders.

Leggi
Novembre 2023

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Up Among Older Adults

About 63% of COVID-19-related hospitalizations between January and August 2023 were among people aged 65 years or older, based on data collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The proportion had been declining through mid-July but increased again by the end of August.

Leggi
Novembre 2023