Search results for "observational study"
showing 10 items of 776 documents
The paradox of the evidence about invasive fungal infections prevention
2016
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are characterized by high morbidity and mortality in non-neutropenic critically ill patients. Attributable mortality due to Candida spp. infections ranges from about 42 to 63 % [1, 2]. Data from large observational and retrospective studies show an association between early antifungal treatment and improved survival [3, 4]. Updated clinical practice guidelines for the management of candidiasis have been recently published [5]. In 2006, Playford et al. published a Cochrane systematic review investigating the use of antifungal agents for prevention of IFIs in non-neutropenic critically ill patients [6]. In that review, the outcome of proven IFI was defined as…
Systematic review of the association between particulate matter exposure and autism spectrum disorders
2017
Particulate matter (PM) as an environmental pollutant is suspected to be associated with autism spectrum disorders. The aim of the present study was to review the epidemiological literature currently available on the relation between PM exposure and diagnosis of ASD. The PubMed database was searched from November 2015 up to January 2016 by one of the authors. We included observational studies (cohort and case control studies) published in English carried out in children within the last 10 years, measuring PM exposure and health outcomes related to ASD. 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Four of the studies found no association between PM exposure and ASD. The other 8 studies show positi…
Effect of low-dose aspirin on health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
2020
Aims:\ud \ud This study aimed to use an umbrella review methodology to capture the range of outcomes that were associated with low‐dose aspirin and to systematically assess the credibility of this evidence.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud Aspirin is associated with several health outcomes, but the overall benefit/risk balance related to aspirin use is unclear. We searched three major databases up to 15 August 2019 for meta‐analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including low‐dose aspirin compared to placebo or other treatments. Based on random‐effects summary effect sizes, 95% prediction intervals, heterogeneity, small‐study effects and excess significance, signifi…
Translational Research for Improving the Care of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: The “Ten Countries Study” and Beyond
2016
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common and serious form of inherited hyperlipidaemia. Dominantly inherited with high penetrance, untreated FH leads to premature death from coronary artery disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis from birth. Despite its importance, there is still a major shortfall in awareness, detection and treatment of FH worldwide. International models of care for FH have recently been published, but their effective implementation requires the garnering of more knowledge about the condition. The "Ten Countries Study" aims to investigate diagnostic, epidemiological and service aspects, as well as physician practices and patient experiences of FH in several…
International psychometric validation of the Living with Chronic Illness Scale in Spanish-speaking patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2021
Objectives To validate the Living with Chronic Illness (LW-CI) Scale in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design Observational, cross-sectional validation study with retest. Acceptability, reliability, precision and construct validity were tested. Setting The study took place in primary and secondary specialised units of public and private hospitals of Spain and Colombia. Participants The study included 612 patients with COPD assessed from May 2018 to May 2019. A consecutive cases sampling was done. Inclusion criteria included: (A) patients with a diagnosis of COPD; (B) native Spanish speaking; (C) able to read and understand questionnaires; and (D) able to provide…
Quality Improvement Project to Evaluate Discharge Prescriptions in Children With Cystic Fibrosis
2019
Introduction: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) requires multiple pharmaceutical treatments, elevating the risk of medication errors (ME), which may compromise patient safety. This study aimed to improve the quality of discharge prescriptions (DPs) using indicators following admissions for IV antibiotics in pediatric CF patients. Methods: This project involved a longitudinal observational retrospective descriptive study followed by a longitudinal quasi-experimental prospective phase between January 2013 and December 2016 in CF patients admitted to a London Children's Hospital. The CF pharmacist reviewed DPs. Six rights of medication administration were defined (6R): dose, drug, frequency, duration of tr…
Association between preoperative evaluation with lung ultrasound and outcome in frail elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery for hip fracture…
2021
Abstract Background Hip fracture is one of the most common orthopedic causes of hospital admission in frail elderly patients. Hip fracture fixation in this class of patients is considered a high-risk procedure. Preoperative physical examination, plasma natriuretic peptide levels (BNP, Pro-BNP), and cardiovascular scoring systems (ASA-PS, RCRI, NSQIP-MICA) have all been demonstrated to underestimate the risk of postoperative complications. We designed a prospective multicenter observational study to assess whether preoperative lung ultrasound examination can predict better postoperative events thanks to the additional information they provide in the form of “indirect” and “direct” cardiac an…
EU-wide cross-sectional observational study of lipid-modifying therapy use in secondary and primary care: the DA VINCI study
2021
Abstract Aims To provide contemporary data on the implementation of European guideline recommendations for lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) across different settings and populations and how this impacts low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement. Methods and results An 18 country, cross-sectional, observational study of patients prescribed LLT for primary or secondary prevention in primary or secondary care across Europe. Between June 2017 and November 2018, data were collected at a single visit, including LLT in the preceding 12 months and most recent LDL-C. Primary outcome was the achievement of risk-based 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis…
The role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in schizophrenia: a critical appraisal
2014
Despite their widespread use, long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics (APs) are often regarded with some negativity because of the assumption of punishment, control and insufficient evolution towards psychosocial development of patients. However, LAI APs have proved effective in schizophrenia and other severe psychotic disorders because they assure stable blood levels, leading to a reduction of the risk of relapse. Therapeutic opportunities have also arisen after introduction of newer, second-generation LAI APs in recent years. Newer LAI APs are more readily dosed optimally, may be better tolerated and are better suited to integrated rehabilitation programmes. This review outlines the …
Consortium for the lifespan examination of ADHD registry (Clear): An update on methodology and recruitment
2011
IntroductionADHD is often unrecognised and untreated, particularly in Europe. There is a need for improved understanding of ADHD in adults and its impact on patients across the lifespan. Registries allow for multiple real-world comparisons based on assessment of patients that are typically excluded from clinical studies. Data describing the cost, burden and consequences of ADHD are essential to inform clinicians, regulatory agencies, payers and patients about the condition.ObjectivesTo address the gaps in our current understanding of the care and cost of treating adult patients with ADHD by documenting real-life experiences.MethodsA prospective, longitudinal, observational study of adults &…