Influenza vaccine effectiveness to prevent influenza-related hospitalizations and serious outcomes in Canadian adults over the 2011/12 through 2013/14 influenza seasons: A pooled analysis from the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS Network)

BackgroundOngoing assessment of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is critical to inform public health policy. This study aimed to determine the VE of trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) for preventing influenza-related hospitalizations and other serious outcomes over three consecutive influenza seasons.MethodsThe Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) conducted active surveillance for influenza in adults ≥16 years (y) of age during the 2011/2012, 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons in hospitals across Canada. A test-negative design was employed: cases were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive for influenza; controls were PCR-negative for influenza and were matched to cases by date, admission site, and age (≥65 y or <65 y). All cases and controls had demographic and clinical characteristics (including influenza immunization status) obtained from the medical record. VE was estimated as 1-OR (odds ratio) in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated patients × 100%. The primary outcome was VE of TIV for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalization; secondary outcomes included VE of TIV for preventing influenza-related intensive care unit (ICU) admission/mechanical ventilation, and influenza-related death.ResultsOverall, 3394 cases and 4560 controls were enrolled; 2078 (61.2%) cases and 2939 (64.5%) controls were ≥65 y. Overall matched, adjusted VE was 41.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 34.4–48.3%); corresponding VE in adults ≥65 y was 39.3% (95% CI: 29.4–47.8%) and 48.0% (95% CI: 37.5–56.7%) in adults <65 y, respectively. VE for preventing influenza-related ICU admission/mechanical ventilation in all ages was 54.1% (95% CI: 39.8–65.0%); in adults ≥65 y, VE for preventing influenza-related death was 74.5% (95% CI: 44.0–88.4%).ConclusionsWhile effectiveness of TIV to prevent serious outcomes varies year to year, we demonstrate a statistically significant and clinically important TIV VE for preventing hospitalization and other serious outcomes over three seasons. Public health messaging should highlight the overall benefit of influenza vaccines over time while acknowledging year to year variability.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01517191.     

Systematic review of interventions delivered by UK mental health nurses

The effectiveness of mental health nurse interventions has not been generally established in the literature. In this systematic review, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified, undertaken in the United Kingdom, where mental health interventions delivered by mental health nurses had been evaluated. The main online literature databases were searched, key journals were hand searched and contact was made with key authors, resulting in a total of 52 studies, involving at least 7172 service users. Data were extracted and then all identified trials were assessed for inclusion by two reviewers. The results showed that in the UK, mental health nurses are involved in the delivery of a wide range of interventions in a variety of clinical health settings, with broadly positive results.     

实时动态超声造影在多囊肝射频消融术 治疗中的有效性及安全性分析

目的 探讨实时动态超声造影在多囊肝射频消融术（radiofrequency ablation,RFA）治疗中的有效性及安全性。方法 选取2018年5月至2019年6月于义乌市中心医院行RFA的98例多囊肝患者为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将其分为造影组（n=49）和常规组（n=49）。术前两组患者均行CT及磁共振成像检查,常规组患者常规超声引导行RFA,造影组患者行实时动态超声造影检查后超声引导下行RFA。比较两组患者的肝功能、肝内囊肿总体积、术后肝囊肿总体积缩小率、完全灭活数、局部残存数及不良反应发生情况。结果 术后6个月,两组患者的肝囊肿体积均显著缩小,造影组患者的肝囊肿体积显著小于常规组（P<0.05）,术后肝囊肿总体积缩小率显著大于常规组（P<0.05）,术后完全灭活率显著高于常规组（P<0.05）;术前和术后1周,两组患者的丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶、总胆红素比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;两组患者的不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 实时动态超声造影可有效提高多囊肝RFA的治疗效果,减少术后局部残留数,且未加重肝脏负荷,适宜临床推广。     

高压氧在下肢复合伤中的应用

目的观察下肢复合伤中应用高压氧的效果。方法 82例下肢开放性复合伤患者随机分为两组,均采用手术、清创、皮瓣转移,术后抗生素预防感染的常规治疗,观察组42例在常规治疗基础上加用高压氧治疗,共进行20 d。观察组治疗前后两组患者肌肉组织恢复情况、皮瓣转移存活率和骨折的愈合情况。结果观察组在治疗后局部肿胀消退,无疼痛或轻度压痛患者27例(64.3%),对照组在治疗后局部肿胀消退,无疼痛或轻度压痛患者13例(32.5%),观察组明显优于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组有21例患者行皮瓣转移,存活20例(95.2%),对照组有18例患者行皮瓣转移,存活15例(83.3%),观察组皮瓣转移存活率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。平均随访12个月,观察组骨折平均愈合时间为4个月,愈合41例,愈合率97.6%;对照组骨折平均愈合时间为6个月,愈合37例,愈合率92.5%.观察组在愈合时间方面明显少于对照组(P<0.05),观察组骨折愈合率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论高压氧治疗可以减轻下肢复合伤炎性反应、提高皮瓣转移存活率和加快骨折愈合。     

Accurately measuring the quality and effectiveness of lumbar surgery in registry efforts: determining the most valid and responsive instruments

Background contextProspective registries have emerged as a feasible way to capture real-world care across large patient populations. However, the proven validity of more robust and cumbersome patient-reported outcomes instruments (PROis) must be balanced with what is feasible to apply in large-scale registry efforts.PurposeTo determine the relative validity and responsiveness of common PROis in accurately determining effectiveness of lumbar fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in registry efforts.Study designProspective cohort study.Patient sampleFifty-eight patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesisOutcome measuresPatient-reported outcome measures for pain (numeric rating scale for back and leg pain [NRS-BP, NRS-LP]), disability (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), general health (Short Form [SF]-12), quality of life (QOL) (EuroQol five dimensions [EQ-5D]), and depression (Zung depression scale [ZDS]) were assessed.MethodsFifty-eight patients undergoing primary TLIF for lumbar spondylolisthesis were entered into an institutional registry and prospectively followed for 2 years. Baseline and 2-year patient-reported outcomes were assessed. To assess the validity of PROis to discriminate between effective and noneffective improvements, receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for each outcomes instrument. An area under the curve (AUC) of ≥0.80 was considered an accurate discriminator. The difference between standardized response means (SRMs) in patients reporting meaningful improvement versus not was calculated to determine the relative responsiveness of each instrument.ResultsFor pain and disability, ODI had AUC=0.94, suggesting it as an accurate discriminator of meaningful improvement. Oswestry Disability Index was most responsive to postoperative improvement (SRM difference: 2.18), followed by NRS-BP and NRS-LP. For general health and QOL, SF-12 physical component score (AUC: 0.90), ZDS (AUC: 0.89), and SF-12 mental component score (AUC: 0.85) were all accurate discriminators of meaningful improvement, however, EQ-5D was most accurate (AUC: 0.97). EuroQol five dimensions was also most responsive (SRM difference: 2.83).ConclusionsFor pain and disability, ODI was the most valid and responsive measure of effectiveness of lumbar fusion. Numeric rating scale-BP and NRS-LP should not be used as substitutes for ODI in measuring effectiveness of care in registry efforts. For health-related QOL, EQ-5D was the most valid and responsive measure of improvement, however, SF-12 and ZDS are valid alternatives with less responsiveness.     

Hyperphosphatemia and phosphate binders: effectiveness and safety

In patients with kidney dysfunction hyperphosphatemia is more evident as renal failure progresses. It is related to increased FGF-23 levels, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and accelerated progressive vascular calcification. In CKD patients advanced coronary artery calcification is strongly associated with future cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality. Apart from the above, phosphate per se is suspected as a causal risk factor for CKD progression. Keeping serum phosphorus within the target values are linked to improvement in life expectancy. A low phosphate diet, an efficient dialysis removal of phosphate load, and the administration of phosphate binders are the main recommended steps to control hyperphosphatemia. Calcium-based phosphate binders can lead to a positive calcium balance, hypercalcaemia, parathyroid gland suppression, adynamic bone disease, and coronary artery and aortic calcification. On the other hand Sevelamer hydrochloride and Lanthanum carbonate has been shown to be effective, safe and useful therapeutic tools for hyperphosphatemia. When prescribe pharmacological agents, one must take into account the large increase in health-care expenditure and the choice of phosphate binder should be individualized.     

Effectiveness on high-grade cervical abnormalities and long-term safety of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in Japanese women

This study for the first time assessed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine effectiveness against HPV6/11/16/18-related high-grade cervical disease in Japanese women (16–26 years old), as previously demonstrated in overseas trials, and vaccine safety in a longer term (48-month) open-label study (NCT01544478). Participants received three doses of qHPV vaccine (Day 1, Month 2, Month 6). Effectiveness endpoints, assessed in the per-protocol population, included incidence of HPV6/11/16/18-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Grade 2 or worse (CIN Grade 2 and 3, adenocarcinoma in situ, and/or cervical cancer) as primary endpoint and incidence of external genital lesions (EGLs). Disease related to other high-risk HPV types was also assessed. Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) were collected from Days 1–15 after any vaccination; vaccine-related SAEs, deaths, and new medical conditions were collected throughout the study. A total of 1030 women received at least one vaccination. No cases of CIN2 or worse or EGLs were reported in the per-protocol population. Injection site-related AEs were reported in 14.5% of participants; most were mild and resolved within 15 days. Vaccine-related systemic AEs occurred in 8.6% of participants, most commonly headache (2.3%), malaise (1.7%), and pyrexia (1.3%). There were no vaccine-related SAEs; one participant discontinued due to a vaccine-related AE of mild uticaria. Overall, qHPV vaccine effectiveness against HPV6/11/16/18-related high-grade cervical disease and EGLs was indicated in Japanese women. The vaccine was well-tolerated, without new safety signals throughout the 48-month study period. Findings are consistent with overseas qHPV vaccine pivotal trials.Clinical trial registryclinicaltrials.gov; NCT01544478.     

Association between teaching and support skills and subjective effectiveness of nutritional guidance of registered dietitians at hospitals in a Japanese prefecture

Objective

The aim of this study is to clarify the association between teaching and support skills and the subjective effectiveness of nutritional guidance of registered dietitians working at hospitals.

Methods

We carried out a questionnaire survey of registered dietitians at hospitals in a Japanese prefecture. The utilization of nutritional teaching skills in nutritional guidance was investigated using a self-produced 36-item questionnaire that was designed to be mainly used for diabetic patients in 4 settings: first guidance, first assessment, contemplation stage, and preparation stage. The support skills were evaluated by Kikuchi’s Scale of Social Skills: 18 items. The subjective effectiveness of nutritional guidance was defined by the behavioral change of the patients after nutritional guidance as evaluated by a registered dietitian.

Results

There were 75 respondents (response rate 46.6 %). Among the teaching skills, basic skills in an interview were often used, but some related to coaching skills were not in common use in nutritional guidance. Based on the results of principal component analysis, we created a scale for scoring the utilization of nutritional teaching skills in each setting. Multiple linear regression analysis illustrated that high subjective effectiveness of nutritional guidance was associated with high score of teaching skills in the preparation stage setting and high score of support skills.

Conclusions

These results show that, in addition to frequent use of nutritional teaching skills, improvement of support skills is also necessary to enhance the effectiveness of nutritional guidance.     

Beyond direct impact: Evidence synthesis towards a better understanding of effectiveness of environmental health interventions

Systematic reviews are a cornerstone of evidence-based public health, and there is much discussion on how this method may need to be modified to do justice to complex interventions, such as environmental health interventions. This paper asserts that intervention effectiveness is influenced by variability in five distinct layers – direct (intrinsic) impact, user compliance, delivery, programming and policy measures – which are embedded in the broader geographical, socio-economic, political and cultural context. The multi-component, multi-sectoral nature of most environmental health interventions results in a complex relationship between these layers of influence, involving systemic interactions. As illustrated with examples, understanding environmental health interventions critically relies on considering all of these layers. These distinct layers of influence can serve as a framework towards the comprehensive analysis of environmental health interventions in systematic reviews, drawing on quantitative and qualitative methods and a variety of disciplines.