Search Results for: Low Back Pain: raccomandazioni

Objective
This study aimed to assess high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (HPV 16/18) and its determinants among women in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Design
An institutional-based cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants
The study was conducted among 337 women screened for cervical cancer in two hospitals in East Gojjam Zone from February to April 2021 gregoriean calander.

Results
The prevalence of HPV infection was 14.2% (95% CI: 10.7% to 18.1%). The mean age of the respondents was 36.7±9.1 years. Women in the age group of 55–65 years (adjusted OR (AOR)=7.91, 95% CI: 1.95 to 32.09), early initiation of sexual intercourse (AOR=5.36, 95% CI: 1.58 to 18.13), history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: 1.27 to 9.72), HIV positive status (AOR=6.8, 95% CI: 1.99 to 23.54) and number of lifetime sexual partners (AOR=4.37, 95% CI: 1.15 to 17.3) were important independent factors associated with the presence of oncogenic HPV infection.

Conclusion and recommendation
We found a relatively low prevalence of high-risk HPV infection. Age, early initiation of sexual intercourse at less than 18 years, history of STI, being HIV seropositive and multiple sexual partners were important factors for high-risk HPV infection. Women aged >46 years, women with early initiation of sex, a history of STI, being HIV positive and a history of multiple sexual partners should be encouraged to be screened and vaccinated for HPV infection. Wider-ranging studies are also needed in HPV-infected women in association with the cervical lesion.

Objectives
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a global public health challenge, and our understanding of its temporal evolution in China compared with the Group of Twenty (G20) countries remains limited. This study aims to analyse the disease burden of IE in China from 1990 to 2021, forecast trends for the next 15 years and compare the findings with those in G20 countries.

Design
Observational study.

Setting
The data of 20 countries and regions in G20 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021.

Participants
Data were publicly available and individuals were not involved.

Main outcome measures
Using data from the GBD 2021, we collected incidence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and age-standardised rates for both China and G20 countries. Temporal trends were assessed using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and a joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to pinpoint periods of significant change. Additionally, a decomposition analysis was performed to identify the factors driving changes. Finally, the Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to forecast trends for the next 15 years.

Results
In 2021, there were 264 282 (95% UI: 216 083 to 315 405) incident cases of IE in China, resulting in 49 925 (95% UI: 38 779 to 69 119) DALYs. The age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardised DALY rate (ASDR) were 14.38 (95% UI: 12.03 to 16.92) and 3.46 (95% UI: 2.65 to 5.01) per 100 000 population, respectively, with both rates being higher in males than in females. Notably, both ASIR and ASDR showed a pattern of first decreasing and then increasing with age, with the highest values observed in the age group of 95 years and above. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR of IE in China showed a slow upward trend (EAPC: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.55), which was lower than the average level among G20 countries. In contrast, the ASDR exhibited a significant downward trend (EAPC: –6.26, 95% CI: –6.8 to –5.71), representing the largest decline among the G20 countries. The most notable increase in ASIR occurred from 1995 to 2005 in both China and the G20. The greatest decrease in ASDR was observed in China between 2001 and 2004 and in the G20 between 2018 and 2021. Projections suggest that over the next 15 years, the ASIR for both males and females in China will continue to rise, while the ASDR will show a declining trend.

Conclusions
In China, the incidence of IE-related diseases has steadily increased across both genders, despite a declining trend in DALYs. Compared with G20 countries, China’s age-standardised burden of IE is relatively low, yet the large increasing number of cases should not be underestimated. Therefore, establishing effective prevention and treatment strategies is crucial to alleviating the future burden of IE.

Objectives
Cancer patients often experience psychological distress, while optimism has been identified as a protective factor. However, the mental health of postradiotherapy cancer survivors and its association with optimism remain largely unexplored. This study assesses the mental health status and optimism levels of postradiotherapy cancer survivors and evaluates their associations.

Design
Cross-sectional survey study.

Participants
114 Hong Kong cancer survivors who (1) were aged 18 years or above and (2) had received radiotherapy for their cancer treatment and finished the radiotherapy within the previous 3 years (2021–2024).

Outcome measures
Mental health was assessed using the Chinese Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and optimism was measured using the Revised Life Orientation Test. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the associations between these measures.

Results
Participants reported overall low optimism with mild to moderate depression, anxiety and stress. Strong negative correlations were identified between optimism and depression (r=–0.833, p

Introduction
Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) is the most common gynaecological condition among young women and is associated with significant socioeconomic repercussions. It is unclear which works best for pain relief when pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are compared. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) will aim to compare and rank the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in patients with PD.

Methods and analysis
Randomised controlled trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for PD will be identified via a search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus database and Google Scholar search engine until September 2025. The primary outcome will be a change in pain intensity among patients with PD, while the secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and treatment-related adverse events. Two independent reviewers will perform document screening, study selection and data extraction. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (V.2). The RevMan, Stata and Aggregate Data Drug Information System software will be used to perform a pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian NMA in a random-effects model. The certainty of the evidence will be rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System.

Ethics and dissemination
This systematic review protocol is exempt from ethical approval as it involves analysis of previously published data. The findings of this review will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

Trial Registration number
CRD42024543573.

Introduction
Emergence delirium (ED) stands out as a prevalent postoperative complication among paediatric patients, correlating with extended hospitalisation periods, escalated healthcare expenses and increased incidence of postoperative maladaptive behaviours (POMBs). Well-established pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions demonstrating efficacy in reducing the occurrence of ED are notably absent. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of family-centred perioperative care for anaesthesia (FPCA) in mitigating the incidence of ED in children compared with routine anaesthesia.

Method and analysis
This multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled clinical trial will enrol a total of 444 children aged 2–6 years undergoing elective short surgery (estimated duration ≤2 h). According to the stratification factors of surgical types (ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat (Oph&ENT) and non-Oph&ENT surgeries), patients will be randomly allocated into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. For the FPCA group (group F), both children and parents will receive FPCA (including video education, mask practice, electronic pamphlet, distraction strategies and parental presence), without sedatives before surgery. For the routine anaesthesia group (group R), both children and parents will receive routine preoperative education and anaesthesia, and preoperative sedatives (such as oral midazolam or intranasal dexmedetomidine) will be recommended. The primary outcome is the incidence of ED. Secondary outcomes include the severity of ED, incidence of POMBs, cognitive function, quality of sleep and life, preoperative anxiety, compliance with anaesthesia induction and postoperative pain score. Logistic regression will be applied to compare differences in primary and secondary outcomes between groups, and patients’ age, sex, and body mass index will be considered as covariates in baseline measurements.

Ethics and dissemination
This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences and mass media. Recruitment began in October 2023.

Trial registration number
NCT06092671.

Objectives
To evaluate the association between left atrial appendage volume (LAAV) and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation (CA) and explore the potential mechanism.

Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources
PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically from inception through 28 September 2024 to identify relevant studies.

Eligibility criteria
Observational studies that estimated the association between LAAV and AF recurrence.

Data extraction and synthesis
Two independent investigators screened studies for inclusion and extracted data. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q-test and I², with p 50% indicating significant heterogeneity. This study used a random-effects model to account for potential heterogeneity. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I tool) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Publication bias was examined through funnel plots and Egger’s test.

Result
Seventeen studies (3078 patients) were included. Meta-analysis of 11 studies suggested that LAAV was significantly associated with the risk of AF recurrence in both univariate (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.08, p

Objectives
To identify and contextualise evidence-based strategies for implementing deprescribing practices at different levels of healthcare in Brazil, through the development of an evidence brief for policy that includes stakeholder deliberation and considers barriers, facilitators and equity aspects.

Methods and analysis
This protocol outlines the development of an evidence brief for policy using a mixed-methods design. It involves synthesising evidence for health policies by integrating global research and local evidence through three stages: stakeholder exchange, evidence brief development and external endorsement. The Supporting Policy-Relevant Reviews and Trials tools for evidence-informed health policies will guide both the synthesis of strategies and the facilitation of deliberative dialogues. The synthesis will encompass evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analysis on deprescribing strategies across healthcare levels, focusing on effectiveness, harms, costs, perceptions, barriers, facilitators and equity. Studies proposing strategies not yet implemented will be excluded. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted independently and in duplicate. The methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the A Measurement Tool for Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews-2 criteria. Synthesised evidence will be used to develop evidence-based strategies, which will then be presented in deliberative dialogues for endorsement by stakeholders and adaptation to the Brazilian context. Endorsement rates will be classified as high, moderate or low based on predefined criteria.

Ethics and dissemination
This study was approved by the University of Sorocaba Research Ethics Committee (certificate 82098324.7.0000.5500). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024548845.

Background
Patient-centred care (PCC) is one of the six key attributes of healthcare quality. However, despite its significant contribution to improving healthcare quality, PCC is often poorly implemented. This study aimed to explore the determinants of effective PCC implementation among healthcare providers at Kahama Municipal Hospital in Tanzania.

Objective
To explore the determinants influencing the effective implementation of PCC among healthcare providers at Kahama Municipal Hospital in Tanzania.

Design
A qualitative approach was used, with 21 healthcare providers recruited through purposive and convenience sampling methods. Data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, and content analysis was employed to analyse the data.

Setting
The study was conducted at Kahama Municipal Hospital, in the Kahama Municipal Council of the Shinyanga region, Tanzania, from February to June 2019. As a referral hospital, Kahama Municipal Hospital serves a vast catchment area, including rural and semiurban communities across more than eight regions in Tanzania’s Lake and Western zones.

Results
The study identified several factors related to healthcare professionals, including awareness of PCC, staff motivation, heavy workload, professional competencies and effective communication. Organisational-related determinants, such as the absence of ethical guidelines, a lack of a clear organisational culture and the absence of specific policies and guidelines on PCC, were also found to affect its effective implementation.

Conclusion
PCC is recognised at Kahama Municipal Hospital, but key barriers hinder its implementation, including unclear policies, lack of a PCC-focused vision, staff shortages, excessive workloads, low motivation, limited practical exposure and communication issues. To improve PCC implementation, healthcare policymakers and hospital administrators should: (1) establish clear PCC policies, (2) integrate a patient-centred vision into leadership, (3) address workforce shortages, (4) provide targeted training on PCC and (5) boost staff motivation through recognition and career development. Implementing these measures will improve care quality and health outcomes. Further large-scale research is needed to assess PCC implementation across Tanzania and guide national policy.

Background
Patient-centred care (PCC) is associated with better experiences for chronic care encounters and better outcomes. However, its assessment and resultant management outcomes have not been well documented in Malawi. As Malawi strives to institutionalise PCC in its quality-of-care initiatives, documenting its correlates and outcomes is a good starting point in the implementation and advocacy of PCC among chronic care patients, particularly those living with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Aim
We sought to assess the level of diabetic patients’ perception of PCC and its relationship to self-efficacy, adherence and glycaemic control among patients with DM.

Study setting
This study was done in DM clinics of two district and two central hospitals in southern Malawi.

Research design and methods
This was a cross-sectional analytical study. We studied 607 subsequent consenting adult patients with DM. We assessed the level of perception of using a locally generated and validated tool and its correlation with self-efficacy, adherence and long-term glycaemic control after a medical encounter. We used K-means clustering, linear and logistic regression, and path analysis in the analysis.

Outcomes
The study’s outcome measures included adherence, self-efficacy, long-term glycaemic control. Adherence included aspects related to medication, diet, lifestyle and appointment keeping and was assessed using the Hill-Bone tool. Self-efficacy was assessed using a Stanford self-efficacy tool while long-term glycaemic control was determined through haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) point-of-care testing.

Results
Overall, the mean score for PCC was 62.86 (SD 14.78). The study highlighted two groups of patients with statistically distinct mean scores of 51.6 (7.8) vs 77.1 (7.2) out of a possible 92 (p

Objectives
Postoperative sleep disturbance (PSD), a common clinical complication, can be influenced by various factors. This article aims to investigate the association between pain sensitivity and PSD in adult patients (

Objectives
To review the available evidence of screening for atherosclerosis in adults in a primary prevention setting with coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) on the impact on cardiovascular (CV) risk factor control, health behaviour and clinical events.

Design
Systematic review, reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources
We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through 22 January 2025.

Eligibility criteria
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohorts, without language restrictions, comparing adults without cardiovascular diseases undergoing CACS to a control group that either did not undergo CACS or where the participants and physicians were blinded to its result. Outcomes included changes in CV risk factor control, CV therapy, changes in health behaviour at follow-up and clinical events (all-cause and CV mortality and non-fatal CV events).

Data extraction and synthesis
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Due to substantial heterogeneity among the included studies, a quantitative analysis was not possible.

Results
We identified seven RCTs and one observational study, with participants ranging from 56 to 43 447 with a total of 51 554. Populations were heterogeneous with a mean age range of 42–64 years, % women ranging from 21% to 100% and mean baseline CACS from 1.37 to >100 Agatston units. Interventions following CACS were also heterogeneous, ranging from simply communicating results to participants to initiating statin therapy for detectable CACS. One RCT demonstrated improvement regarding blood pressure (BP) (n=2137; change in systolic BP: CACS: –5 mm Hg; control: –7 mm Hg; p=0.02), several an improvement in blood lipids between groups (five studies, n=3693; eg, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: range –6.0 to –4.9 mg/dL). Results regarding CV medication (seven studies, n=51 104) were more discrepant, with some studies showing a decrease and others an increase in indication for or usage of CV medication. Three trials (n=3338) investigated adherence to CV medication, with only one showing increased adherence to statins (CACS: 63.3%; control: 45.6%; p=0.03). Five trials (n=3692) investigated behavioural changes, with one showing an increased motivation to change lifestyle (CACS: 94%; control: 62.8%; p=0.002) and another a higher adherence in self-reported physical activity (CACS: 96%; control: 59%; p

In patients of advanced age, IVL for calcified coronary lesions demonstrates a favorable safety and efficacy profile, with high technical success and low rates of device-related adverse events. Nonetheless, larger studies with extended follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings and establish long-term outcomes.

Background
Fathers are intricately bound to the experience of adolescent mothers and their children. Yet, fathers of children born to adolescent mothers, particularly within the context of HIV, remain neglected in the literature. These exploratory analyses provide insight into the characteristics of fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa.

Setting
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Design
Cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort study.

Participants
Young mothers (10–24 years of age) and their children (0–68 months). All mothers completed detailed study questionnaires, including standardised and study-specific measures, relating to their self, their children and the fathers of their children. Summary statistics are presented based on maternal self-report of father characteristics. 2 tests and t-tests (Fisher’s exact/Kruskal-Wallis tests, where appropriate) were additionally used to explore sample characteristics (including father characteristics, maternal experience and child characteristics) according to paternal age and father involvement in childcare (defined by responses to four maternal self-report questions). Father characteristics were also explored according to maternal HIV status and maternal mental health status.

Results
40% of fathers were adolescents (10–19 years) at the birth of their children. Overall, father involvement was low (19.5%). Compared with noninvolved fathers, involved fathers were more likely to be older when their child was born (21 years vs 20 years, t=4.30, p=0.04), to be in a relationship with the mothers of their children (74.8% vs 47.2%, 2=40.8, p≤0.0001), to reside with their children and their mothers (14.7% vs 3.7%, 2=49.3, p≤0.0001) and to attend the first antenatal appointment (4.3% vs 1.5%, 2=5.21, p=0.02). A quarter (25.4%; 227/894) of the adolescent mothers in the sample were living with HIV. The prevalence of maternal HIV was found to be higher among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (31.7% vs 15.9%, 2=28.3, p≤0.001). Likewise, depressive symptoms were more prevalent among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (9.9% vs 5.3%, 2=6.08, p=0.01). Adolescent mothers reporting poor mental health were less likely to be in a relationship with the fathers of their children (41.8% vs 54.1%, 2=7.32, p=0.03) and more likely to experience domestic violence perpetrated by the fathers of their children (8.2% vs 3.3%, 2=6.07, p=0.01) and to engage in arguments about finances with the fathers of their children (30.0% vs 17.0%, 2=10.8, p=0.001). While some differences in individual subscales were identified, overall composite scores of child cognitive development did not differ according to father age or father involvement.

Conclusions
Analyses provide the first preliminary description of the fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. Fathers are inherently tied to the experiences of adolescent mothers and their children. Father involvement with their children was low. Further research is required to explore the potential barriers to father involvement and pathways to overcome these. Efforts to bolster father engagement, such as the inclusion of fathers within maternal and child service provision, may have benefits for fathers, adolescent mothers and their children. There was a high prevalence of adolescent fatherhood in the study. Adolescent fathers may have specific needs requiring tailored intervention for adolescent parent families. The need for the inclusion of fathers within policy, programming and research remains.

Introduction
Pain is one of the most bothersome symptoms that affects patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but is often inadequately treated. Inadequate pain control in the inpatient setting not only impacts patients’ experience but increases opioid use and hospital length of stay. Opioids are often considered first-line treatment for severe pain but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in IBD. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a non-opioid analgesic option, but concerns regarding their contribution to IBD flares have limited their use. Brain-gut behavioural therapies (BGBT), such as cognitive behavioural therapy, meditation and gut-directed hypnotherapy, are effective for pain management and have a role in the treatment of IBD symptoms. However, the use of BGBT in IBD is challenging, given limited access to behavioural health specialists, especially in the inpatient setting. Virtual reality (VR)-directed BGBT programmes can bridge this gap and enhance pain treatment for inpatients with IBD. Therefore, in this study, we aim to establish feasibility and acceptability for a VR-directed BGBT inpatient programme for patients with IBD.

Methods and analysis
We will recruit 40 patients with IBD who are hospitalised at Michigan Medicine and who endorse IBD-related pain. We will assess patient-reported outcomes (pain rating, IBD-specific symptoms, perceived stress, mood) before and after treatment, cumulative inpatient analgesic requirements and hospital length of stay. Our primary objective will be to establish intervention feasibility defined by the frequency and percentage of enrolled participants that use the VR-directed BGBT inpatient intervention in any capacity. Our secondary objective will be to evaluate intervention acceptability by conducting semistructured interviews with study participants. We will also explore the preliminary effectiveness of VR-directed BGBT on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare utilisation as compared with historic controls.

Ethics and dissemination
The study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Michigan Medical School on 10 October 2023 (HUM00240999). All human subjects will be required to sign an informed consent document prior to study participation. Study findings will be reported through peer-reviewed publication.

Trial registration number
NCT06188793.

Introduction
Pain accounts for approximately 80% of emergency department admissions. While intravenous morphine titration is commonly used for severe pain, non-invasive alternatives that bypass intravenous access are needed. Nebulised fentanyl, combined with pupillometry for objective monitoring of opioid impregnation, may offer a rapid and safe alternative for pain management.

Methods and analysis
This phase I, open-label, randomised, exploratory, crossover, single-centre prospective controlled trial will employ pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modelling to assess the variability in bioavailability of nebulised fentanyl administered via intranasal route versus facial aerosol. 20 healthy volunteers will receive three repeated administrations of fentanyl over two visits. At each visit, blood samples (n=11) will be collected for fentanyl quantification by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and pupillary unrest in ambient light (PUAL) measurements (n=9) will be recorded. The resulting data will be analysed using Monolix 2024R1 to model PK–PD relationships, perform Monte Carlo simulations and determine the optimal dosing and timing required to achieve a reduction of more than 30% in PUAL, while also evaluating safety, comfort and tolerance.

Ethics and dissemination
The study has been approved by the Ethic Committee Île-de-France VII (approval reference number: 000216, February 2024) and will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and appropriate data-sharing platforms to support further research and clinical application.

Trial registration number
This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06281951).

Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of developing common illnesses but are not necessarily more or less likely to use antibiotics for these conditions compared to children without disabilities. However, gender, country and impairment type disparities persist. Targeted efforts are needed to address these health inequities and ensure equitable access to care.