Article
Pediatrics
Sean M. Cullen, Snezana Nena Osorio, Erika A. Abramson, Efniki Kyvelos
Summary: This quality improvement initiative led by resident doctors successfully improved caregivers’ understanding of liquid acetaminophen administration in infants. The use of English and Spanish pictograms and provision of dose-demarcated oral syringes proved to be effective interventions in enhancing caregivers’ comprehension and reducing dosing errors in pediatric patients.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Guyue Tang, Kairi Izumi, Megumi Izumisawa, Shinichi Koyama
Summary: Designing an OTC-EHR can improve OTC usage. A survey examined participant characteristics, attitudes towards obtaining user-shared OTC medication information, health-related application usage, and inclination to share anonymized health information. The findings showed that Japanese consumers with high eHealth literacy and women had more positive attitudes towards obtaining user-shared OTC medication information. Most consumers owned smartphones but did not use health-related applications. The perceived helpfulness of OTC-EHR was associated with health-related application usage and attitude towards sharing anonymized health information.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
India D. Little, Laura M. Koehly, Chris Gunter
Summary: As genomic and personalized medicine become more popular, it is crucial to assess and understand the genetic literacy of the public. A study comparing data from 2021 and 2013 found that familiarity with genetic terms and knowledge of genetic concepts have significantly increased. Individuals enrolled in genetic research also demonstrated higher familiarity, knowledge, and skills compared to the general population. These findings suggest that genetic literacy is improving over time but still requires further educational interventions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Nursing
Julie Vignato, Brooke Mehner, Alondra Negrete, Lisa S. Segre
Summary: This study aims to investigate the use of over-the-counter pain medication among pregnant women. The analysis of 2019 Iowa Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data revealed that 76% of pregnant women reported taking over-the-counter pain relievers during pregnancy, with acetaminophen being the most commonly used. The study also found that mothers with higher education were more likely to use over-the-counter pain relievers during pregnancy.
MCN-THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-CHILD NURSING
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Susan J. Blalock, Elizabeth B. Solow, Valerie F. Reyna, Molly Keebler, Delesha Carpenter, Caprice Hunt, Genevieve Hickey, Jeffrey R. Curtis, Kimberlee O'Neill, Sandra Bond Chapman
Summary: The study found no main effects for the two interventions, but a significant interaction between the SMART and no SMART groups on informed decision-making. Participation in the SMART program may have a beneficial effect on informed decision-making among patients with inadequate knowledge concerning therapeutic options.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arash Nemat, Khalid Jan Rezayee, Mohammad Yasir Essar, Wafaa Binti Mowlabaccus, Shoaib Ahmad, Mohammad Yousuf Mubarak
Summary: Self-medication with over-the-counter medications is a prevalent issue in Afghanistan due to poverty, illiteracy, and limited access to healthcare facilities. An online survey was conducted to understand this problem, and the results showed that cost, convenience, and perceived effectiveness were the main reasons for choosing over-the-counter medications. The study highlights the need for greater education and awareness about the appropriate use of over-the-counter medications in Kabul, Afghanistan.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ahmed Alhowimel, Faris Alodiabi, Dalyah Alamam, Mazyad Alotaibi, Julie Fritz
Summary: The study examined the level of knowledge regarding pain neurophysiology among physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. The results showed that the physiotherapists displayed limited knowledge of pain neuroscience. Continued education in modern pain science is recommended for physiotherapists, especially those dealing with patients suffering from chronic pain.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
William Galanter, Tewodros Eguale, Walid Gellad, Bruce Lambert, Maria Mirica, John Cashy, Alejandra Salazar, Lynn A. Volk, Suzanne Falck, John Shilka, Elizabeth Van Dril, Jennie Jarrett, John Zulueta, Julie Fiskio, John Orav, Diana Norwich, Samuel Bennett, Diane Seger, Adam Wright, Jeffrey A. Linder, Gordon Schiff
Summary: The study aimed to develop a method to define primary care physicians' personal formularies and examine differences among physicians at 4 institutions; evaluate associations with patient, physician, and practice site characteristics; and empirically derive and examine variability among the top 200 core drugs prescribed at the 4 sites. Results showed variability in both personal formulary size and core drug usage among physicians and institutions, suggesting the potential for safer and more appropriate prescribing practices through comparisons and identification of outliers.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jacquelin Peck, Ivan Urits, Sandy Peoples, Lukas Foster, Akshara Malla, Amnon A. Berger, Elyse M. Cornett, Hisham Kassem, Jared Herman, Alan D. Kaye, Omar Viswanath
Summary: This systematic review explores non-prescription treatment options for chronic low back pain, finding that over-the-counter analgesics are recommended as the first-line medication for non-specific LBP. Current literature suggests that NSAIDs, acetaminophen, as well as antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and opioids can be effective treatments for CLBP. Recent randomized controlled trials also evaluate the benefits of buprenorphine, tramadol, and strong opioids like oxycodone.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clementine Courdi, Sahar Ramazan Ali, Mathieu Pelletier-Dumas, Dietlind Stolle, Anna Dorfman, Jean-Marc Lina, Eric Lacourse, Roxane de la Sablonniere
Summary: This study examines how individuals' understanding of COVID-19 information and the types of sources they use can affect their adherence to public health measures. The findings show that higher levels of understanding are associated with higher adherence, and the type of information sources used also influence adherence to social distancing and staying home.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Akihiro Shiina, Tomihisa Niitsu, Masaomi Iyo
Summary: The use of OTC drugs for psychiatric conditions remains controversial. In a survey conducted in Japan, it was found that the need for self-medication of psychiatric symptoms appears to be limited, with some participants holding a relatively positive opinion regarding the use of OTC psychiatric drugs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samirah N. Abdu-Aguye, Kamilu S. Labaran, Nuhu M. Danjuma, Shafiu Mohammed
Summary: This study describes outpatient/caregiver medication knowledge and satisfaction with medication counselling in outpatient pharmacies of public hospitals in Northwestern Nigeria. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the time spent and quantity of information provided during counselling. However, over 60% of respondents felt that dispensers did not assess their understanding or invite them to ask questions. Despite this, overall satisfaction with counselling was high.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sineenart Chautrakarn, Waraporn Khumros, Phanupong Phutrakool
Summary: Self-medication with OTC medicines is popular among the working-age population in metropolitan areas of Thailand, with a high prevalence rate. The most commonly used drug groups are NSAIDs and antibiotics. Reasons for self-medication include minor illnesses and easy access to pharmacies. While only a small percentage experienced adverse drug reactions, some had severe symptoms that disrupted their daily lives or required hospitalization. Participants also had misunderstandings regarding some antibiotic drug concepts. Recommendations include providing more information about risks of self-medication, drug adverse reactions, antibiotic stewardship, supervision of OTC drugs, and adequate facilities for medical services at the policy level.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
William F. Rayburn
Summary: Pregnancy often requires the use of nonprescription or OTC drugs to alleviate symptoms, but there is a lack of sufficient studies on the safety of these drugs during pregnancy and lactation. Obstetric clinicians generally consider OTC medicines safe due to their low dose and short-term use. It is recommended to choose products with the lowest effective dose and necessary ingredients, and consult resources like the Reproductive Toxicology Center (REPROTOX) for safety information.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zenab Mohseni-Alsalhi, Maud A. M. Vesseur, Nick Wilmes, Sophie A. J. S. Laven, Daniek A. M. Meijs, Eveline M. van Luik, Esmee W. P. Vaes, Cedric J. R. Dikovec, Jan Wiesenberg, Mohamad F. Almutairi, Emma B. N. J. Janssen, Sander de Haas, Marc E. A. Spaanderman, Chahinda Ghossein-Doha
Summary: This study investigated the representation of females and the presentation of sex-stratified data in studies on the effect of antihypertensive drugs. The results showed a slight increase in female participation over the past decades, but females are still underrepresented compared to males. Additionally, the frequency of sex stratification in the studies was low.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marina Serper, David E. Kaplan, Menghan Lin, Tamar H. Taddei, Neehar D. Parikh, Rachel M. Werner, Elliot B. Tapper
Summary: Specialty care utilization for cirrhosis-related admissions was low in both national cohorts. Patients who received GI/HEP consultation had higher disease severity, and consultation was not associated with lower mortality except for lower 30-day readmissions in the Veterans Affairs cohort only.
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sarjukumar Panchal, Marina Serper, Therese Bittermann, Sumeet K. Asrani, David S. Goldberg, Nadim Mahmud
Summary: Removing race adjustment from prominent eGFR equations may increase the proportion of Black patients qualifying for CKD-related SLKT by 3.0% to 4.0%. Reclassified patients are more likely to require post-LTA kidney transplantation within one year, highlighting the need for equitable algorithms in estimating GFR.
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marina Serper, Neehar D. Parikh, Grace Thiele, Nadia Ovchinsky, Shivang Mehta, Alexander Kuo, Chanda Ho, Fasiha Kanwal, Michael Volk, Sumeet K. Asrani, Marwan S. Ghabril, John R. Lake, Raphael B. Merriman, Timothy R. Morgan, Elliot B. Tapper
Summary: HCC is a major cause of mortality in patients with advanced liver disease and is associated with significant morbidity. The evaluation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in HCC is lacking in systematic assessment. A review of studies found that poor PROs were associated with worse prognosis in HCC patients, although some patients had better PROs compared to those with cirrhosis. Treatment methods were found to have an impact on symptom burden, but further research is needed for more specific effects.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marina Serper, Sumeet K. Asrani, Lisa B. VanWagner, Peter P. Reese, Minjee Kim, Michael S. Wolf
Summary: Liver transplant recipients face challenges in managing their health due to medical comorbidities and cognitive impairment. Research should focus on modifiable factors post-transplant to improve long-term health outcomes, such as caregiver support and physical activity.
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sneha Chebrolu, Meaghan Phipps, Frederick Yao, Jennifer Lai, Elizabeth Verna, Marina Serper, Giuseppe Cullaro, Sumeet K. Asrani, Lisa B. VanWagner
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marina Serper, Elliot B. B. Tapper, David E. E. Kaplan, Tamar H. H. Taddei, Nadim Mahmud
Summary: We examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality, outpatient, and inpatient care for cirrhosis patients. HCC surveillance rates initially dropped but have rebounded, although still below pre-pandemic levels. The use of population-based strategies and specialty care were associated with higher completion of HCC surveillance.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ani Kardashian, Marina Serper, Norah Terrault, Lauren D. Nephew
Summary: The syndemic of hazardous alcohol consumption, opioid use, and obesity has led to important changes in liver disease epidemiology that have exacerbated health disparities. Understanding how social and structural factors cause health disparities and affect chronic liver disease outcomes is crucial for improving liver health outcomes.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Marina Serper, David E. Kaplan, Tamar H. Taddei, Elliot B. Tapper, Jordana B. Cohen, Nadim Mahmud
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of nonselective beta blockers in preventing hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality. The results suggest that carvedilol may reduce the risk of hepatic decompensation and composite outcome of hepatic decompensation/liver-related mortality, especially in specific subgroups.
Editorial Material
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andrew J. Groff, Marina Serper, Sunny Y. Tao, Pamela M. Bloomer, Michael A. Dunn, Andres Duarte-Rojo
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Sasha Deutsch-Link, Therese Bittermann, Lauren Nephew, Katherine Ross-Driscoll, Ethan M. Weinberg, Robert M. Weinrieb, Kim M. Olthoff, Senayish Addis, Marina Serper
Summary: This study aimed to investigate racial and ethnic inequities in liver transplantation (LT) waitlisting for medical and psychosocial reasons. The findings showed that Black race and Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity were associated with not being waitlisted for psychosocial reasons. Health systems and LT centers should develop programs to address these disparities and promote equity in LT access.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Stephanie Ruth Young, Emily Gardiner Lattie, Andrew B. L. Berry, Lynn Bui, Greg Joseph Byrne, Julia Noelani Yoshino Benavente, Michael Bass, Richard C. Gershon, Michael S. Wolf, Cindy J. Nowinski
Summary: This study described the design and proposed implementation of a remote cognitive screening app called MyCog Mobile, which aims to facilitate cognitive screening before annual wellness visits in primary care settings. The findings suggest that primary care clinicians and clinic administrators are motivated to adopt a remote cognitive screening process if it saves time, and older adult patients are interested in completing screeners on a smartphone, with potential benefits such as time-saving and privacy.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Helen Tang, Christopher Shi, Sara Chapin, Sarjukumar Panchal, Xiaoling Yu, Lisa B. B. VanWagner, Marina Serper, Nadim Mahmud
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Mara Sophie Vell, Arunkumar Krishnan, Kirk Wangensteen, Marina Serper, Katharina Sophie Seeling, Leonida Hehl, Miriam Daphne Rendel, Inuk Zandvakili, Marijana Vujkovic, Eleonora Scorletti, Kate Townsend Creasy, Christian Trautwein, Daniel James Rader, Saleh Alqahtani, Kai Markus Schneider, Carolin Victoria Schneider
Summary: Regular aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of liver disease in men without an elevated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. The protective effect of aspirin appears to be dependent on the duration of intake, and there may be sex-related differences in its effects.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Catherine Mezzacappa, Nadim Mahmud, Marina Serper, Binu V. John, Tamar H. Taddei, David E. Kaplan
Summary: Diabetes is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis, and inadequate long-term blood glucose control is consistently associated with a higher risk of HCC.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maureen P. Whitsett, Nneka N. Ufere, Arpan Patel, Judy A. Shea, Christopher A. Jones, Oren K. Fix, Marina Serper
Summary: The survey reveals gaps in palliative care experience and education among transplant hepatology fellows, lack of comfort in managing psychological distress and advance care planning, and a desire to improve skills, particularly in symptom management.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
