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Purpose: The Child Health Utility-9 Dimensions (CHU9D) is a patient-reported outcome measure to generate Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), recommended for economic evaluations of interventions to inform funding decisions. When the CHU9D is not available, mapping algorithms offer an opportunity to convert other paediatric instruments, such as the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL), onto the CHU9D scores. This study aims to validate current PedsQL to CHU9D mappings in a sample of children and young people of a wide age range (0 to 16 years of age) and with chronic conditions. New algorithms with improved predictive accuracy are also developed. Methods: Data from the Children and Young People's Health Partnership (CYPHP) were used (N = 1735). Four regression models were estimated: ordinal least squared, generalized linear model, beta-binomial and censored least absolute deviations. Standard goodness of fit measures were used for validation and to assess new algorithms. Results: While previous algorithms perform well, performance can be enhanced. OLS was the best estimation method for the final equations at the total, dimension and item PedsQL scores levels. The CYPHP mapping algorithms include age as an important predictor and more non-linear terms compared with previous work. Conclusion: The new CYPHP mappings are particularly relevant for samples with children and young people with chronic conditions living in deprived and urban settings. Further validation in an external sample is required. Trial registration number NCT03461848; pre-results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused rapid changes in primary care delivery in the UK, with concerns that certain groups of the population may have faced increased barriers to access. This study assesses the impact of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care consultations for individuals with multimorbidity and identifies ethnic inequalities. Methods: A longitudinal study based on monthly data from primary care health records of 460,084 patients aged ≥18 years from 41 GP practices in South London, from February 2018 to March 2021. Descriptive analysis and interrupted time series (ITS) models were used to analyse the effect of the pandemic on primary care consultations for people with multimorbidity and to identify if the effect varied by ethnic groups and consultation type. Results: Individuals with multimorbidity experienced a smaller initial fall in trend at the start of the pandemic. Their primary care consultation rates remained stable (879 (95% CI 869–890) per 1000 patients in February to 882 (870–894) March 2020), compared with a 7% decline among people without multimorbidity (223 consultations (95% CI 221–226) to 208 (205–210)). The gap in consultations between the two groups reduced after July 2020. The effect among individuals with multimorbidity varied by ethnic group. Ethnic minority groups experienced a slightly larger fall at the start of the pandemic. Individuals of Black, Asian, and Other ethnic backgrounds also switched from face-to-face to telephone at a higher rate than other ethnic groups. The largest fall in face-to-face consultations was observed among people from Asian backgrounds (their consultation rates declined from 676 (659–693) in February to 348 (338–359) in April 2020), which may have disproportionately affected their quality of care. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected primary care utilisation in patients with multimorbidity. While there is evidence of a successful needs-based prioritisation of multimorbidity patients within primary care at the start of the pandemic, inequalities among ethnic minority groups were found. Strengthening disease management for these groups may be necessary to control widening inequalities in future health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of care worries and rising costs have resulted in a widespread interest in enhancing the efficiency of health care delivery. One area of increasing interest is in promoting teamwork as a way of coordinating efforts to reduce costs and improve quality, and identifying the characteristics of the work environment that support teamwork. Relational climate is a measure of the work environment that captures shared employee perceptions of teamwork, conflict resolution, and diversity acceptance. Previous research has found a positive association between relational climate and quality of care, yet its relationship with costs remains unexplored. We examined the influence of primary care relational climate on health care costs incurred by diabetic patients at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs between 2008 and 2012. We found that better relational climate is significantly related to lower costs. Clinics with the strongest relational climate saved $334 in outpatient costs per patient compared with facilities with the weakest score in 2010. The total outpatient cost saving if all clinics achieved the top 5% relational climate score was $20 million. Relational climate may contribute to lower costs by enhancing diabetic treatment work processes, especially in outpatient settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the influence of relational climate on quality of diabetes care.Data Sources/study Setting: The study was conducted at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA All Employee Survey (AES) was used to measure relational climate. Patient and facility characteristics were gathered from VA administrative datasets.Study Design: Multilevel panel data (2008-2012) with patients nested into clinics.Data Collection/extraction Methods: Diabetic patients were identified using ICD-9 codes and assigned to the clinic with the highest frequency of primary care visits. Multiple quality indicators were used, including an all-or-none process measure capturing guideline compliance, the actual number of tests and procedures, and three intermediate continuous outcomes (cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure).Principal Findings: The study sample included 327,805 patients, 212 primary care clinics, and 101 parent facilities in 2010. Across all study years, there were 1,568,180 observations. Clinics with the highest relational climate were 25 percent more likely to provide guideline-compliant care than those with the lowest relational climate (OR for a 1-unit increase: 1.02, p-value <.001). Among insulin-dependent diabetic veterans, this effect was twice as large. Contrary to that expected, relational climate did not influence intermediate outcomes.Conclusions: Relational climate is positively associated with tests and procedures provision, but not with intermediate outcomes of diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current breast cancer screening guidelines promote the use of shared decision making for women younger than 50 years of age, yet their effect on mammography utilization is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of two elements of shared decision making on the use of mammogram screening: patient-perceived choice and patient–provider communication. Data were obtained from HINTS 4, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population, administered from 2011 to 2013. Choice was measured with the question “Has a doctor ever told you that you could choose whether or not to have a mammogram?” Communication was measured using a 7-item scale (range: 7–28; higher scores denote better communication). Binary logistic regression models assessed the effect of patient choice and communication on ever having a mammogram using weighted sample data. The sample included 1,085 women younger than 50 years of age: 31% of women perceived having a choice to undergo mammography. The mean patient–provider communication score was 22.8. Those who thought they were given a choice regarding mammography were more likely to have a mammogram relative to those who did not think a choice was given by the provider. Patient–provider communication had no significant association with mammography utilization. Patient perceived choice, but not patient-provider communication, is positively associated with mammography utilization in women younger than 50 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND: Hospital readmissions are expensive and they may signal poor quality of care. Whether functional status is related to hospital readmissions using a representative U.S sample remains unexplored . OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the relationship between functional status and all-cause 30-day hospital readmissions using a representative sample of the US population. DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study (2003-2011). PATIENTS: The study included 3,772 patients who completed the SF-12 before being hospitalized. Three hundred and eighteen (8.4 %) were readmitted within 30 days after being discharged. MEASUREMENTS: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was employed. Functional status was measured with the Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey Version 2® (SF-12). The probability of being readmitted was estimated using a logistic model controlling for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, insurance coverage, physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) summaries of the SF-12, reason for hospitalization, length of hospital stay, region, and residential area. RESULTS: A one-unit difference in PCS reduced the odds of readmission by 2 % (odds ratio 0.98 [95 % CI, 0.97 to 0.99]; p < 0.001), which implies an 18 % reduction in the odds of readmissions for a ten-unit difference (one standard deviation) in PCS. The c-statistic of the model was 0.72. CONCLUSION: Baseline physical function is associated with hospital readmissions. The SF-12 improves the ability to identify patients at high risk of hospital readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke registers are recommended as a key priority by the Lancet Neurology World Stroke Organization Commission for Stroke, 2023, and the African Stroke Leaders' Summit, 2022. Aims: This scoping review aims to map where stroke registers have been implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The article then compares and critiques the methods and definitions used and summarizes key results from the registers. The scoping review searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CABI Global Health databases and included all studies with a prospective longitudinal design in SSA, where adult acute stroke was the primary condition studied. Articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria independently by two authors. Summary: We identified 42 unique stroke registers from 48 individual studies. The registers were located in 19 countries, with 19 from East Africa, 15 West Africa, 6 Central Africa, and 2 from Southern Africa. Cumulatively, the registers recruited 12,345 participants with stroke, the median number of participants was 183 (interquartile range (IQR): 121–312), and the range was 50–1018. Only one study was a population-based register, and 41 were hospital-based registers. Of the hospital-based registers, 29 were single site, 10 were conducted at two sites, and 2 at three sites. Twenty-three (54.7%) of the registers were located in the capital city of their respective country, and only one of the hospital-based registers was in a self-described rural area. Length of recruitment ranged from 4 months to 6 years; the median length of recruitment was 12 months. Methodology and definitions were heterogenous between the registers. Only seven (19.4%) registers referenced the WHO STEPwise approach to implementing stroke registers. Twenty-seven (64.3%) registers used the WHO definition of stroke. The mean neuroimaging rate was 84%, and ranged from 0% to 100%. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in 22 (52.4%) registers, four registers used the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), two registers used the miniNIHSS, one used the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, one modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and 11 registers did not report a stroke severity measure. Seventeen (40.5%) registers used the mRS to measure function, six registers used Barthel Index alone, and three registers used both mRS and Barthel Index. Only two registers included a quality-of-life measure, the EQ-5D. Eight registers included a quality-of-care measure, and 26 (61.9%) registers recorded socioeconomic status or a socioeconomic status proxy, most frequently educational attainment. Conclusions: This scoping review found high heterogeneity of methods and definitions used by stroke registers, with low uptake of the WHO stepwise method of stroke surveillance. A drive to standardize methodology would improve the comparability of stroke data in SSA. The shared use of educational attainment by registers in our review may enable future meta-analyses of inequities in stroke in SSA. Incorporating health-related quality-of-life measures, such as EQ-5D, into stroke registers should be encouraged, bringing a patient perspective, and allow the estimation of quality-adjusted life years lost to stroke. Agreement on a standardized register methodology or further promotion and uptake of the WHO stepwise method is essential to produce comparable data to improve stroke prevention and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL after stroke is understudied in Africa and there are no reports of quality-adjusted life years after stroke (QALYs) in African countries. We determined the impact of stroke on HRQoL after stroke in Sierra Leone. We calculated QALYs at 1 year post-stroke and determined sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with HRQoL and QALYs in this population. Methods: A prospective stroke register was established at the two-principal adult tertiary government hospitals in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Participants were followed up at 7, 90 days, and 1 year post-stroke to capture all-cause mortality and EQ-5D-3L data. QALYs were calculated at the patient level using EQ-5D-3L utility values and survival data from the register, following the area under the curve method. Utilities were based on the UK and Zimbabwe (as a sensitivity analysis) EQ-5D value sets, as there is no Sierra Leonean or West African value set. Explanatory models were developed based on previous literature to assess variables associated with HRQoL and QALYs at 1 year after stroke. To address missing values, Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations (MICE), with linear and logistic regression models for continuous and binary variables, respectively, were used. Results: EQ-5D-3L data were available for 373/460 (81.1%), 360/367 (98.1%), and 299/308 (97.1%) participants at 7, 90 days, and 1 year after stroke. For stroke survivors, median EQ-5D-3L utility increased from 0.20 (95% CI: −0.16 to 0.59) at 7 days post-stroke to 0.76 (0.47 to 1.0) at 90 days and remained stable at 1 year 0.76 (0.49 to 1.0). Mean QALYs at 1 year after stroke were 0.28 (SD: 0.35) and closely associated with stroke severity. Older age, lower educational attainment, patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and undetermined stroke types all had lower QALYs and lower HRQoL, while being the primary breadwinner was associated with higher HRQoL. Sensitivity analysis with the Zimbabwe value set did not significantly change regression results but did influence the absolute values with Zimbabwe utility values being higher, with fewer utility values less than 0. Conclusion: We generated QALYs after stroke for the first time in an African country. QALYs were significantly lower than studies from outside Africa, partially explained by the high mortality rate in our cohort. Further research is needed to develop appropriate value sets for West African countries and to examine QALYs lost due to stroke over longer time periods. Data availability: The Stroke in Sierra Leone anonymized dataset is available on request to researchers, see data access section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, repeatability, validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-3L in Krio for patients with stroke in Sierra Leone, the first psychometric assessment of the EQ-5D-3L to be conducted in patients with stroke in Sub Saharan Africa. Methods: A prospective stroke register at two tertiary government hospitals recruited all patients with the WHO definition of stroke and followed patients up at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke. The newly translated EQ-5D-3L, Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a measure of stroke severity, were collected by trained researchers, face to face during admission and via phone at follow up. Feasibility was assessed by completion rate and proportion of floor/ceiling effects. Internal consistency was assessed by inter item correlations (IIC) and Cronbach's alpha. Repeatability of the EQ-5D-3L was examined using test–retest, EQ-5D-3L utility scores at 90 days were compared to EQ-5D-3L utility scores at one year in the same individuals, whose Barthel Index had remained within the minimally clinical important difference. Known group validity was assessed by stroke severity. Convergent validity was assessed against the BI, using Spearman's rho. Responsiveness was assessed in patients whose BI improved or deteriorated from seven to 90 days. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the UK and Zimbabwe value sets, to evaluate the effect of value set, in a subgroup of patients with no formal education to evaluate the influence of patient educational attainment, and using the mRS instead of the BI to evaluate the influence of utilising an alternative functional scale. Results: The EQ-5D-3L was completed in 373/460 (81.1%), 360/367 (98.1%) and 299/308 (97.1%) eligible patients at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke. Missing item data was low overall, but was highest in the anxiety/depression dimension 1.3% (5/373). Alpha was 0.81, 0.88 and 0.86 at seven days, 90 days and one year post stroke and IIC were within pre-specified ranges. Repeatability of the EQ-5D-3L was moderate to poor, weighted Kappa 0.23–0.49. EQ-5D-3L utility was significantly associated with stroke severity at all timepoints. Convergent validity with BI was strong overall and for shared subscales. EQ-5D-3L was moderately responsive to both improvement Cohen's D 0.55 (95% CI:0.15—0.94) and deterioration 0.92 (95% CI:0.29—1.55). Completion rates were similar in patients with no formal education 148/185 (80.0%) vs those with any formal education 225/275 (81.8%), and known group validity for stroke severity in patients with no formal education was strong. Using the Zimbabwe value set instead of the UK value set, and using the mRS instead of the BI did not change the direction or significance of results. Conclusions: The EQ-5D-3L for stroke in Sierra Leone was feasible, and responsive including in patients with no formal education. However, repeatability was moderate to poor, which may be due to the study design, but should add a degree of caution in the analysis of repeated measures of EQ-5D-3L over time in this population. Known group validity and convergent validity with BI and mRS were strong. Further research should assess the EQ-5D in the general population, examine test–retest reliability over a shorter time period and assess the acceptability and validity of the anxiety/depression dimension against other validated mental health instruments. Development of an EQ-5D value set for West Africa should be a research priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is limited information on long-term outcomes after stroke in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Current estimates of case fatality rate (CFR) in SSA are based on small sample sizes with varying study design and report heterogeneous results. Aims: We report CFR and functional outcomes from a large, prospective, longitudinal cohort of stroke patients in Sierra Leone and describe factors associated with mortality and functional outcome. Methods: A prospective longitudinal stroke register was established at both adult tertiary government hospitals in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It recruited all patients ⩾ 18 years with stroke, using the World Health Organization definition, from May 2019 until October 2021. To reduce selection bias onto the register, all investigations were paid by the funder and outreach conducted to raise awareness of the study. Sociodemographic data, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Barthel Index (BI) were collected on all patients on admission, at 7 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years post stroke. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify factors associated with all-cause mortality. A binomial logistic regression model reports odds ratio (OR) for functional independence at 1 year. Results: A total of 986 patients with stroke were included, of which 857 (87%) received neuroimaging. Follow-up rate was 82% at 1 year, missing item data were <1% for most variables. Stroke cases were equally split by sex and mean age was 58.9 (SD: 14.0) years. About 625 (63%) were ischemic, 206 (21%) primary intracerebral hemorrhage, 25 (3%) subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 130 (13%) were of undetermined stroke type. Median NIHSS was 16 (9–24). CFR at 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years was 37%, 44%, 49%, and 53%, respectively. Factors associated with increased fatality at any timepoint were male sex (hazard ratio (HR): 1.28 (1.05–1.56)), previous stroke (HR: 1.34 (1.04–1.71)), atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.58(1.06–2.34)), subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR: 2.31 (1.40–3.81)), undetermined stroke type (HR: 3.18 (2.44–4.14)), and in-hospital complications (HR: 1.65 (1.36–1.98)). About 93% of patients were completely independent prior to their stroke, declining to 19% at 1 year after stroke. Functional improvement was most likely to occur between 7 and 90 days post stroke with 35% patients improving, and 13% improving between 90 days to 1 year. Increasing age (OR: 0.97 (0.95–0.99)), previous stroke (OR: 0.50 (0.26–0.98)), NIHSS (OR: 0.89 (0.86–0.91)), undetermined stroke type (OR: 0.18 (0.05–0.62)), and ⩾1 in-hospital complication (OR: 0.52 (0.34–0.80)) were associated with lower OR of functional independence at 1 year. Hypertension (OR: 1.98 (1.14–3.44)) and being the primary breadwinner of the household (OR: 1.59 (1.01–2.49)) were associated with functional independence at 1 year. Conclusion: Stroke affected younger people and resulted in high rates of fatality and functional impairment relative to global averages. Key clinical priorities for reducing fatality include preventing stroke-related complications through evidence-based stroke care, improved detection and management of atrial fibrillation, and increasing coverage of secondary prevention. Further research into care pathways and interventions to encourage care seeking for less severe strokes should be prioritized, including reducing the cost barrier for stroke investigations and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Measuring the impact burn injuries have on social participation is integral to understanding and improving survivors' quality of life, yet there are no existing instruments that comprehensively measure the social participation of burn survivors. This project aimed to develop the Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation Profile (LIBRE), a patient-reported multidimensional assessment for understanding the social participation after burn injuries.Methods: 192 questions representing multiple social participation areas were administered to a convenience sample of 601 burn survivors. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to identify the underlying structure of the data. Using item response theory methods, a Graded Response Model was applied for each identified sub-domain. The resultant multidimensional LIBRE Profile can be administered via Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) or fixed short forms.Results: The study sample included 54.7% women with a mean age of 44.6 (SD 15.9) years. The average time since burn injury was 15.4 years (0-74 years) and the average total body surface area burned was 40% (1-97%). The CFA indicated acceptable fit statistics (CFI range 0.913-0.977, TLI range 0.904-0.974, RMSEA range 0.06-0.096). The six unidimensional scales were named: relationships with family and friends, social interactions, social activities, work and employment, romantic relationships, and sexual relationships. The marginal reliability of the full item bank and CATs ranged from 0.84 to 0.93, with ceiling effects less than 15% for all scales.Conclusions: The LIBRE Profile is a promising new measure of social participation following a burn injury that enables burn survivors and their care providers to measure social participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]