Article
Rheumatology
Jacoline J. van den Driest, Dieuwke Schiphof, Marcel de Wilde, Patrick J. E. Bindels, Johan Van der Lei, Sita M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra
Summary: The study found that prescription rates of antidepressants and anticonvulsants in OA patients have been increasing over time, particularly for pregabalin. Less than 3% of patients were prescribed these medications long-term. These medications were more commonly prescribed for older patients, women, patients with multiple OA joints, spinal OA, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Scott G. Weiner, Sanae El Ibrahimi, Michelle A. Hendricks, Sara E. Hallvik, Christi Hildebran, Michael A. Fischer, Roger D. Weiss, Edward W. Boyer, Peter W. Kreiner, Dagan A. Wright, Diana P. Flores, Grant A. Ritter
Summary: This cohort study examines patient and prescription-related risk factors associated with opioid overdose. The findings provide valuable insights for opioid counseling, monitoring, decision-making tools, and prevention and treatment resources.
Article
Psychiatry
Alejandro G. Szmulewicz, Brian T. Bateman, Raisa Levin, Krista F. Huybrechts
Summary: The study found that among patients receiving prescription opioids, sedating antipsychotic agents were associated with an increased risk of overdose compared to nonsedating agents. Therefore, caution is necessary when co-prescribing these medications, and choosing a nonsedating agent whenever possible is recommended.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nathaniel A. Cohen, Dejan M. Micic, Atsushi Sakuraba
Summary: In this study, mental health disorders and smoking were independently associated with non-compliance to medication in predominantly adolescent, hospitalized pediatric CD patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric gastroenterologists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists is needed to treat the underlying causes and improve adherence in these patients.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Paken, Cyril Devadas Govender, Mershen Pillay, Merga Feyasa, Vikash Sewram
Summary: This epidemiological study reveals the temporal course and severity of ototoxicity experienced by cervical cancer patients treated with cisplatin, with greater impact in the HIV-positive subgroup, highlighting the need for audiological monitoring and timely interventions in this cohort.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sang Hyuck Kim, Kyungdo Han, Gunseog Kang, Seung Woo Lee, Chi-Min Park, Jongho Cho, Jung Won Choi, Se Jun Park, Minyong Kang, Tae Jun Kim, Seo-Hee Hong, Yong-Chol Kwon, Junhee Park, Dongwook Shin
Summary: Postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding (PGIB) is a serious complication with higher incidence in major surgeries, associated risk factors include age, sex, income, comorbidities, and use of steroids. Other analgesics are not associated with increased risk of PGIB.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Pilar Carrasco-Garrido, Domingo Palacios-Cena, Isabel Jimenez-Trujillo, Valentin Hernandez-Barrera, Lidiane Lima Florencio, Soledad Garcia-Gomez-Heras, Carmen Gallardo-Pino
Summary: Prescription opioid misuse is common among school-aged adolescents, with higher prevalence in boys. Misuse of tranquilizers, sedatives, sleeping pills, and other illicit psychoactive drugs are risk factors for prescription opioid misuse in both genders. Cannabis and cocaine use are predictors of prescription opioid misuse in females.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
RiYin Tay, Joyce Y. S. Tan, Allyn Y. M. Hum
Summary: This study aimed to explore the factors associated with family caregiver burden in home care for patients with advanced dementia and examine its relationship with end-of-life care treatment decisions. The results showed that younger family caregivers and those without informal paid help experienced greater burden and risk of depression. Additionally, the severity of patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms and clinical instability were also associated with caregiver burden and depression risk.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe, Derrick Adu Asare, Abigael Omowumi Emikpe, Ludwig Albert Nortey Botchway, Richard Abeiku Bonney
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of burnout among veterinary students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. The results showed that the year of study and daily sleep hours were significantly associated with burnout.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stewart Ndutard Ngasa, Leticia Armelle Sani Tchouda, Christabel Abanda, Neh Chang Ngasa, Eric Wah Sanji, Therence Nwana Dingana, Carlson-Sama Babila
Summary: This study in Cameroon and the Central African region is the first to examine the mental health of COVID-19 patients, finding high levels of anxiety and depression among hospitalized patients. Treatment should include psychotherapy and psychiatric support.
Article
Substance Abuse
Emily L. Zale, Jessica M. Powers, Joseph W. Ditre
Summary: Studies show that individuals with chronic pain are motivated to use alcohol and opioids to cope with negative emotions related to pain. Factors such as distress intolerance, anxiety sensitivity, pain-related anxiety, and pain catastrophizing are linked to motivation for alcohol and opioid use in the context of pain.
ALCOHOL RESEARCH-CURRENT REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tadesse Jember, Getachew Hailu, Gizachew Tadesse Wassie
Summary: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of family contact screening practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 randomly selected pulmonary tuberculosis index cases, with data collected through a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. The results showed that factors associated with family contact screening practice included family support, shorter waiting time, health education, and good knowledge about TB prevention.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Aranya Rakhab, Christine Jackson, Kittikorn Nilmanat, Tony Butterworth, Roslyn Kane
Summary: This study investigated factors supporting career development in Advanced Practice Nurses in Thailand and emphasized the need for established standardized career pathways to promote career progression and evidence implementation. The study also highlighted the responsibility of clinical departments in providing an enabling environment for Advanced Practice Nurses to fulfill their roles effectively.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James J. Yahaya, Irene F. Doya, Emmanuel D. Morgan, Advera I. Ngaiza, Deogratius Bintabara
Summary: Glycemic control is crucial for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study found a high prevalence of poor glycemic control among outpatients with T2DM attending a diabetes clinic in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania. Failure to adhere to regular follow-up and alcoholism were identified as independent predictors of poor glycemic control.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jorge Gabriel Ruiz-Sanchez, Alfonso Luis Calle-Pascual, Miguel Angel Rubio-Herrera, Maria Paz De Miguel Novoa, Emilia Gomez-Hoyos, Isabelle Runkle
Summary: This study aimed to describe the clinical manifestations and associated factors of hypoaldosteronism in adults. The majority of cases were isolated and acquired, and hypovolemia was associated with hyponatremia and a more severe clinical presentation. The presence of aldosterone-lowering and mineralocorticoid resistance factors was associated with hypovolemic hyponatremia.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Andrija Babic, Tina Poklepovic Pericic, Dawid Pieper, Livia Puljak
Summary: The study examined decision-making patterns for stable or closed Cochrane reviews, finding unclear rationales and a lack of discernible patterns for conclusive review traits. Most outcomes presented in the reviews were rated with low to very low certainty evidence, suggesting potential research waste due to the lack of definition for systematic review conclusiveness.
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS METHODS
(2022)
Correction
Medical Laboratory Technology
Anamarija Mladinic, Livia Puljak, Zvonimir Koporc
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mahir Fidahic, Danijela Nujic, Marta Civljak, Renata Runjic, Filipa Markotic, Marin Vidak, Livia Puljak
Summary: In the early clinical trials for COVID-19, most of them did not specify the standard of care used, and many of the interventions have been proven ineffective or even harmful.
BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Tina Dogas, Tonci Brkovic, Ivana Novak, Josipa Radic
Summary: This study aimed to explore the severity, complications, and outcome predictors of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients in the Dalmatian population. The results showed that D-dimers were the key prognostic factor of clinical complications, emphasizing the importance of underlying thrombotic microangiopathy.
THERAPEUTIC APHERESIS AND DIALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Pasko Babic, Natalija Filipovic, Lejla Ferhatovic Hamzic, Livia Puljak, Katarina Vukojevic, Benjamin Benzon
Summary: Age is the main factor influencing MSH2 expression in the kidney, and diabetes mellitus also affects its expression, especially in older rats. Aging may promote kidney neoplasia through downregulation of MSH2.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Bruna Mimica, Viljemka Bucevic Popovic, Ines Banjari, Antonia Jelicic Kadic, Livia Puljak
Summary: This study analyzed the methods and reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the bioavailability of systemic oral curcumin. The analysis found that a high number of diverse methods were used in these trials, but very few trials compared different curcumin products. More studies are needed to explore the comparative bioavailability and efficacy of different curcumin products.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Thilo von Groote, Narges Ghoreishi, Maria Bjoerklund, Christian Porschen, Livia Puljak
Summary: The evidence-based medicine (EBM) movement is increasing its efforts to evaluate medical artificial intelligence (AI) and data science studies. There has been a significant rise in published systematic reviews assessing medical AI studies since 2017, with a growing use of data from observational studies. It is particularly important to assess the risk of bias in medical AI studies to identify potential AI bias.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aleksandra Banic, Mahir Fidahic, Jelena Suto, Rea Roje, Ivana Vuka, Livia Puljak, Ivan Buljan
Summary: Most of the Cochrane Plain Language Summaries did not have a conclusive message and the conclusion regarding the effects of analyzed interventions was either unclear or non-existent. The language characteristics analysis showed that PLSs were written in an objective style with high levels of analytical tone and clout, but lower relation to authenticity and tone. The readability analysis indicated that PLSs may be difficult to read for lay audiences without medical education.
BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Birgitte Norgaard, Matthias Briel, Stavri Chrysostomou, Danijela Ristic Medic, Sandra C. Buttigieg, Ele Kiisk, Livia Puljak, Malgorzata Bala, Tina Poklepovic Pericic, Wiktoria Lesniak, Joanna Zajac, Hans Lund, Dawid Pieper
Summary: This systematic review examines the characteristics and application of citation analyses in evaluating clinical health studies. The study finds that the definition of outcomes in citation analyses and adherence to reporting guidelines appear to be arbitrary. The authors recommend continued efforts to promote evidence-based research and monitor the implementation of an evidence-based approach by clearly defining and justifying outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Renata Runjic, Antonia Jelicic Kadic, Edita Runjic, Krunoslava Gudelj, Jakov Milic, Rafael Leite Pacheco, Tanja Rombey, Dawid Pieper, Livia Puljak
Summary: This study analyzed whether articles labeled as systematic reviews or meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) were actually updated versions of previously existing SR/MA. The research examined the usage of the term "update" and whether the previous version of SR was referenced. The majority of articles using the term "update" in the title/abstract were not updated versions of an SR.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Mario Marendic, Ivana Bokan, Antonela Matana, Rahela Orlandini, Ana Siric, Livia Puljak, Ivana Gusar, Sanja Zoranic, Melita Sajko, Snjezana Cukljek, Ivana Barac, Deana Svaljug
Summary: This study examined the attitudes and factors influencing the choice of thesis type among Croatian nursing students. Mentor encouragement, knowledge, and sense of research ability were positively associated with positive attitudes toward scientific research and preference for a research-based thesis. Policy-makers should consider these factors and encourage students to engage in research and select research-based theses.
NURSE EDUCATION TODAY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Martina Carev, Marta Civljak, Livia Puljak, Svjetlana Dosenovic
Summary: This study analyzed the characteristics and completion status of Systematic Reviews (SRs) about regional anesthesia for acute perioperative pain relief registered in PROSPERO. The results showed that although there is an increase in PROSPERO registrations for regional anesthesia, most of the studies are not published and a significant number of records have inaccurate status.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Davorina Petek, Irena Zakarija-Grkovic, Aleksandar Stepanovic, Marion Tomicic, Zlata Ozvacic Adzic, Venija Cerovecki, Igor Svab, Vesna Homar
Summary: The study revealed that Departments of Family Medicine in the former Yugoslavia successfully transitioned from face-to-face to distance education during COVID-19. Distance education offered flexible scheduling, innovative tools, and the possibility of self-directed learning. However, face-to-face education was still considered preferable for fostering interpersonal relations and teaching clinical skills. Educators should strive to strike a balance between innovative approaches and the preservation of personal experiences.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Primary Health Care
Irena Zakarija-Grkovic, Aleksandar Stepanovic, Davorina Petek, Marion Tomicic, Zlata Ozvacic, Venija Cerovecki, Igor Svab, Vesna Homar
Summary: This study investigated the experience of medical schools in the former Yugoslavia in transitioning from face-to-face to distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that only a small percentage of teachers and students received formal preparation for distance education, and most participants lacked confidence in online assessment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marta Civljak, Rok Civljak, Ilija Kuzman, Ana Grgic, Dijana Sember, Sanja Belak Kovacevic, Livia Puljak
Summary: The aim of this pilot project was to introduce a multimodal smoking cessation intervention in the hospital setting and assess users' satisfaction and effectiveness within six months post-discharge. The results showed that the intervention was successful in achieving high smoking abstinence rates and user satisfaction at six months post-discharge.
ACTA CLINICA CROATICA
(2022)
