Process evaluation of implementation strategies to reduce potentially inappropriate medication prescribing in older population: A scoping review

ObjectivesSeveral implementation strategies can reduce potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) prescribing. Although use of PIMs has declined in recent years, it remains prevalent. Various strategies exist to improve the appropriateness of medication use. However, little is known about the processes of these different implementation strategies. This scoping review aims to investigate how the process evaluation of implementation strategies for reducing PIM prescribing in the older population has been studied.MethodsWe searched for process evaluations of implementation strategies for reducing PIM prescribing in PUBMED, SCOPUS and Web of Science published between January 2000 and November 2019 in English. We applied the following inclusion criteria: patients aged ≥65 years, validated PIM criteria, and implementation process evaluated. The review focuses on decision support for health care professionals. We described the findings of the process evaluations, and compared the authors’ concepts of process evaluation of the included publications to those of Proctor et al.( 2010).ResultOf 9131 publications screened, 29 met our inclusion criteria. Different process evaluation conceptualizations were identified. Most process evaluations took place in the initial stages of the process (acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility) and sustainability and implementation costs were seldom evaluated. None of the included publications evaluated fidelity.Multifaceted interventions were the most studied implementation strategies. Medication review was more common in acceptability evaluations, multidisciplinary interventions in adoption evaluations, and computerized systems and educational interventions in feasibility evaluations. Process evaluations were studied from the health care professionals’ viewpoint in most of the included publications, but the management viewpoint was missing.DiscussionThe conceptualization of process evaluation in the field of PIM prescribing is indeterminate. There is also a current gap in the knowledge of sustainability and implementation costs. Clarifying the conceptualization of implementation process evaluation is essential in order to effectively translate research knowledge into practice.     

Biomarkers of in vivo limbal stem cell function

PurposeTo evaluate in vivo parameters as biomarkers of limbal stem cell function and to establish an objective system that detects and stage limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).MethodsA total of 126 patients (172 eyes) with LSCD and 67 normal subjects (99 eyes) were included in this observational cross-sectional comparative study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (IVCM), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were performed to obtain the following: clinical score, cell morphology score, basal cell density (BCD), central corneal epithelial thickness (CET), limbal epithelial thickness (LET), total corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and tortuosity coefficient. Their potential correlations with the severity of LSCD were investigated, and cutoff values were determined.ResultsAn increase clinical score correlated with a decrease in central cornea BCD, limbal BCD, CET, mean LET, maximum LET, CNFL, CNFD, CNBD, and tortuosity coefficient. Regression analyses showed that central cornea BCD, CET and CNFL were the best parameters to differentiate LSCD from normal eyes (Coef = 3.123, 3.379, and 2.223; all p < 0.05). The rank correlation analysis showed a similar outcome between the clinical scores and the central cornea BCD (ρ = 0.79), CET (ρ = 0.82), and CNFL (ρ = 0.71). A comprehensive LSCD grading formula based on a combination of these parameters was established.ConclusionsA comprehensive staging system combining clinical presentation, central cornea BCD, CET, and CNFL is established to accurately and objectively diagnose LSCD and stage its severity.     

ECFS standards of care on CFTR-related disorders: Updated diagnostic criteria

This paper is the first in a series providing updated guidance on the definition, evaluation and management of people with a Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR)-Related Disorder (CFTR-RD). The need for this update relates to more precise characterisation of CFTR gene variants and improved assessment of CFTR protein dysfunction. The exercise is co-ordinated by the European CF Society Standards of Care Committee and Diagnostic Network Working Group and involves stakeholder engagement. This first paper was produced by a core group using an extensive literature review and papers graded for their quality. Subsequent wider stakeholder agreement was achieved.The definition of a CFTR-RD remains “a clinical condition with evidence of CFTR protein dysfunction that does not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for CF”. Clearer guidance on CFTR dysfunction and relevant CFTR variants will be provided. Thresholds for clinical presentations are presented and the paradigm that pathobiological processes may be evident in more than one organ is agreed. In this paper we reflect on the early patient journey, highlighting that CF specialists as well as other relevant specialists should be involved in the care of people with a CFTR-RD.     

Revisiting a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis – Uncertainties and considerations

There is now increased knowledge and experience of newborn screening around the world. There is also a better understanding of CF gene analysis, informed by international databases. This has resulted in a small number of children and adults having their diagnosis of CF reversed. This article illustrates this issue with three cases. It considers how best to tell children and adults with their families, and the reactions that may be encountered. It also discusses practical issues of removing the diagnosis.     

结核性脑膜炎临床诊断评分体系的建立及评价研究

背景 结核性脑膜炎（TM）是临床常见的中枢性感染的一种，其起病较慢，症状不典型，病原学诊断困难，误诊率高。目前有效的TM诊断工具较少。利用常见的临床症状、检查指标等建立诊断评分系体可提高诊断准确率，减少误诊。 目的 建立TM临床诊断评分体系（TMCDS），并对其应用价值进行初步评价。 方法 选取2011年11月至2021年9月在柳州市人民医院感染病科住院并诊断为脑膜炎的患者187例为研究对象，采用SPSS 21.0统计软件将患者随机分成建模组（147例）和验模组（40例）。根据是否为TM将建模组分为非TM亚组（76例）和TM亚组（71例）。收集患者的一般资料，主要包括性别、年龄、临床症状（发热、头痛、意识障碍、颈抵抗），实验室及影像学检查结果，包括人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染情况、CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数、C反应蛋白、颅内压、脑脊液常规生化检查（糖、氯、蛋白、细胞数）。建模组采用多因素Logistic回归分析探讨TM的影响因素；根据每个因素的β值所占比重设立相应分值，建立TMCDS；采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC曲线）分析TMCDS诊断TM的价值。 结果 两亚组头痛、HIV感染、CD4+ T淋巴细胞计数<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、颅内压>200 mm H2O（1 mm H2O=0.009 8 kPa）、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液氯降低、脑脊液蛋白升高、脑脊液单核细胞升高情况比较，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，头痛、CD4+ T淋巴细胞<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液蛋白升高均是TM的影响因素（P<0.05）。将以上5个影响因素同时结合临床经验纳入脑脊液氯、脑脊液细胞数再次进行多因素Logistic回归分析，结果显示，头痛、CD4+ T淋巴细胞<200/μl、C反应蛋白升高、脑脊液糖降低、脑脊液蛋白升高均是TM的影响因素（P<0.05）。根据上述7个因素β值建立评分系统，将脑脊液氯降低β值设定为1分，其他因素β值与其的倍数即为该因素所对应的分值，因2个影响因素评分为负值，为方便临床，每个因素对应分值增加2.5分，最终建立TMCDS。TMCDS诊断建模组TM的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0.807〔95%CI（0.735，0.879），标准误=0.037，P<0.001〕，最佳诊断界值为21.50分。TMCDS诊断验模组TM的AUC为0.766〔95%CI（0.610，0.921），标准误=0.079，P=0.004〕，灵敏度为0.789，特异度为0.667。 结论 通过7个变量建立的TMCDS简单易行，对于早期TM具有较高的临床诊断价值。