Comparative efficacy for different age groups of psychological or psychosocial treatments on post-traumatic stress disorder: protocol for systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis

Introduction
It remains unknown whether psychological or psychosocial treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have comparable effects across the life span. This study aims at comparing the effects of psychological/psychosocial treatments for PTSD between different age groups of youth, early-middle adults and late adults.

Methods and analysis
A systematic search will be conducted among thirteen electronic databases, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, ERIC, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Published International Literature on Traumatic Stress, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, the Wanfang database, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP Database) and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, from inception to 15 May 2022. Electronic searches will be supplemented by a comprehensive grey literature search in Conference proceedings and trial registries. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing psychological or psychosocial treatments for PTSD with control conditions in all age groups will be included. The primary outcome is the between-treatments efficacy for PTSD that refers to the outcomes of the RCTs included in the meta-analysis. Effect sizes will be calculated for all comparisons and pooled with a fixed effects model or a random effects model. Differences in the efficacy of psychological/psychosocial therapies for PTSD across the age groups will be examined by stratified analyses and meta-regression analyses.

Ethics and dissemination
Data used in this study will be anonymised. These data will not be used for other purposes than research. Authors who supply the data will be acknowledged. The authors declare that no conflicts of interest exist. The findings of this study will be disseminated through briefing reports, publications and presentations.

Trial registration number
CRD42022334305.

Leggi
Gennaio 2023

Trends in inpatient and post-discharge mortality among young infants admitted to Kilifi County Hospital, Kenya: a retrospective cohort study

Objectives
To describe admission trends and estimate inpatient and post-discharge mortality and its associated exposures, among young infants (YI) admitted to a county hospital in Kenya.

Design
Retrospective cohort study.

Setting
Secondary level hospital.

Participants
YI aged less than 60 days admitted to hospital from January 2009 to December 2019: 12 271 admissions in 11 877 individuals. YI who were resident within a Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS): n=3625 with 4421 admissions were followed-up for 1 year after discharge.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Inpatient and 1-year post-discharge mortality, the latter in KHDSS residents.

Results
Of 12 271 YI admissions, 4421 (36%) were KHDSS-resident. Neonatal sepsis, preterm complications and birth asphyxia accounted for 83% of the admissions. The proportion of YI among under-5s admissions increased from 19% in 2009 to 34% in 2019 (Ptrend=0.02). Inpatient case fatality was 16%, with 66% of the deaths occurring within 48 hours of admission. The introduction of free maternity care in 2013 was not associated with a change in admissions or inpatient mortality among YI. During 1-year post-discharge, 208/3625 (5.7%) YI died, 64.3 (95% CI 56.2 to 73.7) per 1000 infant-years. 49% of the post-discharge deaths occurred within 1 month of discharge, and 49% of post-discharge deaths occurred at home. Both inpatient and post-discharge deaths were associated with low admission weight. Inpatient mortality was associated with clinical signs of disease severity, while post-discharge mortality was associated with the length of hospitalisation, leaving against advice and referral to a specialised hospital.

Conclusions
YIs accounted for an increasing proportion of paediatric admissions and their overall mortality remains high. Post-discharge mortality accounts for a lower proportion of deaths but mortality rate is higher than among children aged 2–59 months. Services to address post-discharge mortality are needed and should focus on infants at higher risk.

Leggi
Gennaio 2023

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments for vestibular and oculomotor dysfunction in patients with persistent post-concussive symptoms: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction
Concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury that disrupts brain function. Although symptoms are mostly transient, recovery can be delayed and result in persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS). Vestibular and oculomotor dysfunction are among the most debilitating impairments associated with PPCS. However, pharmacological interventions for these impairments are associated with deleterious side effects. Accordingly, increasing research has examined the utility of non-pharmacological interventions for PPCS. The aim of this review is to synthesise and evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of vestibular and oculomotor dysfunction for patients with PPCS.

Methods and analysis
Systematic searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus will identify randomised controlled trials employing non-pharmacological treatments for vestibular and/or oculomotor dysfunction for PPCS. Such interventions may include, but are not limited to, vestibular rehabilitation, optokinetic stimulation and vestibulo-ocular reflex exercises. Assessments of oculomotor function will include versional eye movements, vergence eye movements, visual-fixation movements and accommodation response. Assessments of vestibular function will include the Fukuda Step test, functional balance tests, force displacement tests, and subjective reports of balance disruption or vertigo. Where appropriate, meta-analyses of standardised mean differences will be conducted using a random effects model for continuous outcomes. For dichotomous outcomes (improved vs not improved following treatment), effects will be expressed as relative risk. The impact of heterogeneity will be calculated using the I2 statistic. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale will be used to determine the methodological quality of individual studies and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations used to assess the certainty and quality of evidence for each outcome.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not required for this review. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42021254720.

Leggi
Gennaio 2023

Circulating Spike Protein Detected in Post–COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Myocarditis

Circulation, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:Cases of adolescents and young adults developing myocarditis after vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–targeted mRNA vaccines have been reported globally, but the underlying immunoprofiles of these individuals have not been described in detail.METHODS:From January 2021 through February 2022, we prospectively collected blood from 16 patients who were hospitalized at Massachusetts General for Children or Boston Children’s Hospital for myocarditis, presenting with chest pain with elevated cardiac troponin T after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We performed extensive antibody profiling, including tests for SARS-CoV-2–specific humoral responses and assessment for autoantibodies or antibodies against the human-relevant virome, SARS-CoV-2–specific T-cell analysis, and cytokine and SARS-CoV-2 antigen profiling. Results were compared with those from 45 healthy, asymptomatic, age-matched vaccinated control subjects.RESULTS:Extensive antibody profiling and T-cell responses in the individuals who developed postvaccine myocarditis were essentially indistinguishable from those of vaccinated control subjects, despite a modest increase in cytokine production. A notable finding was that markedly elevated levels of full-length spike protein (33.9±22.4 pg/mL), unbound by antibodies, were detected in the plasma of individuals with postvaccine myocarditis, whereas no free spike was detected in asymptomatic vaccinated control subjects (unpairedttest;P

Leggi
Gennaio 2023

Postsurgery paths and outcomes for hip fracture patients (POST-OP HIP PATHS): a population-based retrospective cohort study protocol

Introduction
Hip fracture patients receive varying levels of support posthip fracture surgery and often experience significant disability and increased risk of mortality. Best practice guidelines recommend that all hip fracture patients receive active rehabilitation following their acute care stay, with rehabilitation beginning no later than 6 days following surgery. Nevertheless, patients frequently experience gaps in care including delays and variation in rehabilitation services they receive. We aim to understand the factors that drive these practice variations for older adults following hip fracture surgery, and their impact on patient outcomes.

Methods and analysis
We will conduct a retrospective population-based cohort study using routinely collected health administrative data housed at ICES. The study population will include all individuals with a unilateral hip fracture aged 50 and older who underwent surgical repair in Ontario, Canada between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018. We will use unadjusted and multilevel, multivariable adjusted regression models to identify predictors of rehabilitation setting, time to rehabilitation and length of rehabilitation, with predictors prespecified including patient sociodemographics, baseline health and characteristics of the acute (surgical) episode. We will examine outcomes after rehabilitation, including place of care/residence at 6 and 12 months postrehabilitation, as well as other short-term and long-term outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination
The use of the data in this project is authorised under section 45 of Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act and does not require review by a Research Ethics Board. Results will be disseminated through conference presentations and in peer-reviewed journals.

Leggi
Dicembre 2022

Effect of free medicine distribution on ability to make ends meet: post hoc quantitative subgroup analysis and qualitative thematic analysis

Objectives
Out-of-pocket medication costs can contribute to financial insecurity and many Canadians have trouble affording medicines. This study aimed to determine if the effect of eliminating out-of-pocket medication costs on individual’s financial security varied by gender, racialisation, income and location.

Design
In this post hoc subgroup analysis of the CLEAN Meds trial, a binary logistic regression model was fitted and a qualitative inductive thematic analysis of comments related to participant’s ability to make ends meet was carried out.

Setting
Primary care patients in Ontario, Canada.

Participants
Adult patients (786) who reported not being able to afford medicines during the previous 12 months.

Intervention
Free access to a comprehensive list of essential medicines for 24 months.

Primary outcome measure
Ability to make ends meet or afford basic necessities.

Results
There were no significant differences in the effect of free medicine distribution by gender (OR for male 0.82; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.33, p=0.76), age (older than 65 years OR 1.28; 95 % CI 0.62 to 2.64, p=0.73), racialisation (OR 0.85; 95 % CI 0.51 to 1.45, p=0.66), household income level (above US$30 000 per year OR 1.08; 95 % CI 0.64 to 1.80, p=0.99) or location (urban OR 0.47; 95 % CI 0.23 to 0.96, p=0.10). The main theme in the qualitative analysis was insufficient income, and there were three related themes: out-of-pocket medication expenses, cost-related non-adherence and the importance of medication coverage. In the intervention group, additional themes identified included improved health, functioning and access to basic needs.

Conclusions
Providing free essential medications improved financial security across subgroups in a trial population who all had trouble affording medicines. Free access to medicines could improve health directly by improving medicine adherence and indirectly by making other necessities more accessible to people who have an insufficient income.

Trial registration number
NCT02744963.

Leggi
Dicembre 2022