Search

Introduction:\ud \ud Regular moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with improved mental health, but the evidence for the effect of reducing sedentary behaviour (SB) or increasing light PA (LPA) in older adults, is lacking. Using isotemporal substitution (IS) models, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of substituting SB with LPA or MVPA on associations with mental health in older adults.\ud \ud Methods:\ud \ud Data from 1,360 older adults (mean age 75.18 years) in four countries were utilised. PA and SB was measured using ActiGraph wGT3X‐BT+ accelerometers worn for 7 days. Self‐rated mental health was measured using the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). IS models estimated cross‐sectional associations when 30 minutes of one behaviour was substituted with another. Models were adjusted for age, sex, marital status, educational attainment.\ud \ud Results:\ud \ud Substituting 30 minutes of SB with LPA (β ‐0.37; 95%CI ‐0.42, ‐0.32) or MVPA (β ‐0.14; 95%CI ‐0.21, ‐0.07) and substituting LPA with MVPA (β ‐0.11; 95%CI ‐0.18, ‐0.04) was associated with improvements in anxiety. However, substituting 30 minutes of SB with LPA (β 0.55; 95%CI 0.49, 0.62) was associated with increased depression.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud \ud Replacing 30 minutes of SB with LPA or MVPA was associated with improved anxiety symptoms in older adults. Greater benefits were observed when shifting SB and LPA to MVPA.

Background This is the second part of a large spectrum systematic review which aims to identify and assess the evidence for the efficacy of non-pharmacological acupuncture techniques in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results of all techniques except for filiform needle are described in this publication. Methods Eleven different databases were screened for randomised controlled trials up to June 2019. Authors in pairs extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias independently. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis. Results Thirty-three trials met the inclusion criteria, which involved the follow techniques: AcuTENS (7 trials), moxibustion (11 trials), acupressure (7 trials), ear acupuncture (6 trials), acupressure and ear acupuncture combined (1 trial) and cupping (1 trial). Due to the great heterogeneity, only 7 meta-analysis could be performed (AcuTENS vs sham on quality of life and exercise capacity, acupressure vs no acupressure on quality of life and anxiety and ear acupuncture vs sham on FEV1 and FEV1/FVC) with only acupressure showing statistical differences for quality of life (SMD: -0.63 95%CI: − 0.88, − 0.39 I2 = 0%) and anxiety (HAM-A scale MD:-4.83 95%CI: − 5.71, − 3.94 I2 = 0%). Conclusions Overall, strong evidence in favour of any technique was not found. Acupressure could be beneficial for dyspnoea, quality of life and anxiety, but this is based on low quality trials. Further large well-designed randomised control trials are needed to elucidate the possible role of acupuncture techniques in the treatment of COPD. Trial registration PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42014015074).

Aim: Older patients with chronic hepatitis C infection starting direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are frequently prescribed multiple medications that may be categorized as inappropriate. Anticholinergic burden has been shown to be a predictor of adverse health and functional outcomes. Different scales are available to calculate anticholinergic burden. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anticholinergic medication among older patients treated with DAAs and the risk factors associated using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale, the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) and the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS) and analyze the resulting safety consequences. Methods: Observational, retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients &ge, 65 years old receiving DAAs and taking concomitant medication. This study was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of observational studies in Epidemiology Statement. Results: 236 patients were included. The average age was 71.7 years, 73.3% cirrhotic, and 47% patients took &ge, 5 medicines. According to the ACB, ARS and ADS scales, 35.2% (n = 83), 10.6% (n = 25) and 34.3% (n = 81) of the patients were treated with anticholinergic medication. Two hundred-and-six (86%) patients presented any adverse events (AEs) during therapy. ARS scale showed a significant relationship between presence of anticholinergic medication and AEs. A large number of patients suffered anticholinergic events, with more events per patient in patients taking anticholinergic drugs. Conclusions: Older hepatitis C chronic patients are exposed to potentially inappropriate polypharmacy and anticholinergic risk, according to the ACB, ARS and ADS scales. The three scales showed different results. Only the ARS scale was associated with AEs, but the rate of anticholinergic effects per patient was significantly higher in patients with anticholinergic drugs, regardless of the scale used. Consider quality of pharmacotherapy when starting DAA with a multidisciplinary approach could improve health outcomes.

Background The prevalence of vision and hearing loss is higher amongst older individuals with dementia, as well as higher in long-term care settings than in the wider community. However, the incidence of sensory impairment is underreported and often goes untreated. In this study, we aimed to understand nurses’ current experiences of screening and caring for long-term care residents who have dementia and sensory impairment. Methods As part of a larger study on the sensory screening of long-term care residents with dementia, an environmental scan was conducted with front-line healthcare providers. We report here on the findings from the content analysis of individual, semi-structured interviews with nurses working in two long-term care homes in Southern Ontario, Canada. Twenty regulated nurses, including designated resident assessment coordinators, working full- or part-time with individuals who have dementia, participated across the two sites. All interviews were transcribed, and their contents reviewed and coded for themes by means of inductive thematic analysis. Results Following a systematic and recursive approach, three analysts identified several themes relating to: 1) the sensory screening process, 2) communication strategies, and 3) quality of life, sensory loss, and dementia. Participants reported on the strengths and limitations of screening procedures, what improvements should be made, which informal strategies are effective, and the continued professional development that is needed. Conclusions Nurses demonstrated insight into the facilitators and barriers to effective screening and care of residents with dementia and sensory impairments, and expressed the need for further education, more suitable screening tools, and formalised accountability within the screening process for vision and hearing loss in these long-term care residents. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-018-0917-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a major cause of hospital admissions and dyspnoea is its main symptom. Some studies have concluded that a new modality of acupuncture, called acupoint transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (acuTENS), could reduce dyspnoea in patients with COPD by increasing β-endorphin levels. However, those trials have been conducted mainly on patients in stable condition. This study aims to determine whether the administration of acuTENS can reduce dyspnoea in patients hospitalized for AECOPD. Methods A multicentre randomized control trial with blinding of participants and assessors will be conducted. A sample of 60 patients will be randomly assigned to receive 45 min of either real acuTENS or sham acuTENS treatment once a day for five consecutive days. The trial will be conducted at the “Hospital del Mar” in Barcelona (Spain) and the “Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Manresa” in Manresa (Spain). The Borg scale at baseline and days 1 to 5 will be the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will be the duration of the hospitalization, quantity of drugs administrated, expiratory peak flow adverse effects and mortality and readmissions at 3 months. Discussion AcuTENS is a non-pharmacological, non-invasive and inexpensive intervention. This trial will help to elucidate the potential role of acuTENS in the treatment of AECOPD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02998957. Recruitment status: Recruiting. First posted: 21 December 2016. Last update posted: 2 October 2018. Trial registration dataset is available in Additional file 1. Protocol version 03. Issue date: 20 March 2018. Author: Carles Fernández.

Background Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a syndrome characterised by episodes of apnoea (complete cessation of breathing) or hypopnoea (insufficient breathing) during sleep. Classical symptoms of the disease - such as snoring, unsatisfactory rest and daytime sleepiness - are experienced mainly by men; women report more unspecific symptoms such as low energy or fatigue, tiredness, initial insomnia and morning headaches. OSA is associated with an increased risk of occupational injuries, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, mortality, and being involved in traffic accidents. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) - delivered by a machine which uses a hose and mask or nosepiece to deliver constant and steady air pressure- is considered the first treatment option for most people with OSA. However, adherence to treatment is often suboptimal. Myofunctional therapy could be an alternative for many patients. Myofunctional therapy consists of combinations of oropharyngeal exercises - i.e. mouth and throat exercises. These combinations typically include both isotonic and isometric exercises involving several muscles and areas of the mouth, pharynx and upper respiratory tract, to work on functions such as speaking, breathing, blowing, sucking, chewing and swallowing. Objectives To evaluate the benefits and harms of myofunctional therapy (oropharyngeal exercises) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Search methods We identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from the Cochrane Airways Trials Register (date of last search 1 May 2020). We found other trials at web-based clinical trials registers. Selection criteria We included RCTs that recruited adults and children with a diagnosis of OSA. Data collection and analysis We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We assessed our confidence in the evidence by using GRADE recommendations. Primary outcomes were daytime sleepiness, morbidity and mortality. Main results We found nine studies eligible for inclusion in this review and nine ongoing studies. The nine included RCTs analysed a total of 347 participants, 69 of them women and 13 children. The adults' mean ages ranged from 46 to 51, daytime sleepiness scores from eight to 14, and severity of the condition from mild to severe OSA. The studies' duration ranged from two to four months. None of the studies assessed accidents, cardiovascular diseases or mortality outcomes. We sought data about adverse events, but none of the included studies reported these. In adults, compared to sham therapy, myofunctional therapy: probably reduces daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), MD (mean difference) -4.52 points, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) -6.67 to -2.36; two studies, 82 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); may increase sleep quality (MD -3.90 points, 95% CI -6.31 to -1.49; one study, 31 participants; low-certainty evidence); may result in a large reduction in Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI, MD -13.20 points, 95% CI -18.48 to -7.93; two studies, 82 participants; low-certainty evidence); may have little to no effect in reduction of snoring frequency but the evidence is very uncertain (Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) -0.53 points, 95% CI -1.03 to -0.03; two studies, 67 participants; very low-certainty evidence); and probably reduces subjective snoring intensity slightly (MD -1.9 points, 95% CI -3.69 to -0.11 one study, 51 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Compared to waiting list, myofunctional therapy may: reduce daytime sleepiness (ESS, change from baseline MD -3.00 points, 95% CI -5.47 to -0.53; one study, 25 participants; low-certainty evidence); result in little to no difference in sleep quality (MD -0.70 points, 95% CI -2.01 to 0.61; one study, 25 participants; low-certainty evidence); and reduce AHI (MD -6.20 points, 95% CI -11.94 to -0.46; one study, 25 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to CPAP, myofunctional therapy may result in little to no difference in daytime sleepiness (MD 0.30 points, 95% CI -1.65 to 2.25; one study, 54 participants; low-certainty evidence); and may increase AHI (MD 9.60 points, 95% CI 2.46 to 16.74; one study, 54 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to CPAP plus myofunctional therapy, myofunctional therapy alone may result in little to no difference in daytime sleepiness (MD 0.20 points, 95% CI -2.56 to 2.96; one study, 49 participants; low-certainty evidence) and may increase AHI (MD 10.50 points, 95% CI 3.43 to 17.57; one study, 49 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to respiratory exercises plus nasal dilator strip, myofunctional therapy may result in little to no difference in daytime sleepiness (MD 0.20 points, 95% CI -2.46 to 2.86; one study, 58 participants; low-certainty evidence); probably increases sleep quality slightly (-1.94 points, 95% CI -3.17 to -0.72; two studies, 97 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); and may result in little to no difference in AHI (MD -3.80 points, 95% CI -9.05 to 1.45; one study, 58 participants; low-certainty evidence). Compared to standard medical treatment, myofunctional therapy may reduce daytime sleepiness (MD -6.40 points, 95% CI -9.82 to -2.98; one study, 26 participants; low-certainty evidence) and may increase sleep quality (MD -3.10 points, 95% CI -5.12 to -1.08; one study, 26 participants; low-certainty evidence). In children, compared to nasal washing alone, myofunctional therapy and nasal washing may result in little to no difference in AHI (MD 3.00, 95% CI -0.26 to 6.26; one study, 13 participants; low-certainty evidence). Authors' conclusions Compared to sham therapy, myofunctional therapy probably reduces daytime sleepiness and may increase sleep quality in the short term. The certainty of the evidence for all comparisons ranges from moderate to very low, mainly due to lack of blinding of the assessors of subjective outcomes, incomplete outcome data and imprecision. More studies are needed. In future studies, outcome assessors should be blinded. New trials should recruit more participants, including more women and children, and have longer treatment and follow-up periods.

IntroductionThe work-to-retirement transition involves a process of psychologically and behaviourally distancing oneself from the workforce that is often accompanied by other social changes. The person is confronted with new social roles, expectations, challenges and opportunities that can influence lifestyle and well-being. In the scientific literature, we find recent reports of interventions aimed at improving health and well-being in people at retirement age. However, there is still a gap of knowledge on how different interventions during retirement might improve health status. We intend to conduct a scoping review with the aim of describing interventions for improving well-being across the retirement transition.Methods and analysisThe methodological framework described by Arksey and O’Malley; the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for scoping reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols statements will be followed. Eligibility criteria comprise of: (a) all type of original studies, review articles or reports published on journals as well as grey literature; (b) describing interventions to improve the well-being in adults across their retirement transition; (c) including participants before, during and after retirement; (d) all publications must describe variables associated with participants’ physical and/or psychological and/or social well-being and/or perceived quality of life related to these; (e) no language restriction and (f) published from January 2000 to March 2019. The main findings will be summarised using a narrative descriptive synthesis approach and grouped following the population, concept and context principles. A stakeholder meeting will be held to provide feedback on the findings and to develop next steps in research and practice.Ethics and disseminationApproval from a research ethics committee is not required, as no personal information will be collected. We plan to disseminate our research findings at different levels: scientific community, clinical and social arenas, as well as to healthcare leaders and policymakers and general population. The project has been registered at Open Science Framework with the name TRANSITS: work to retirement transition project.

Older adults; Physical activity; Adherence Adultos mayores; Actividad física; Adherencia Adults majors; Activitat física; Adherència Exercise is a form of physical activity (PA). PA is an important marker of health and quality of life in older adults. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the effect of exercise-based interventions on an at least six-month follow up PA measure, and to describe the specific strategies implemented during the intervention to strengthen the sustainability of PA in community-dwelling 65+ year-old adults. We registered and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42017070892) of randomized clinical trials (RCT). We searched three electronic databases during January 2018 to identify RCT assessing any type of exercise-based intervention. Studies had to report a pre-, post-, and at least 6-month post-intervention follow-up. To be included, at least one PA outcome had to be assessed. The effect of exercise-based interventions was assessed compared to active (e.g., a low-intensity type of exercise, such as stretching or toning activities) and non-active (e.g., usual care) control interventions at several time points. Secondary analyses were conducted, restricted to studies that reported specific strategies to enhance the sustainability of PA. The intervention effect was measured on self-reported and objective measures of time spent in PA, by means of standardized mean differences. Standardized mean differences of PA level were pooled. Pooled estimates of effect were computed with the DerSimonian–Laird method, applying a random effects model. The risk of bias was also assessed. We included 12 studies, comparing 18 exercise intervention groups to four active and nine non-active control groups. Nine studies reported specific strategies to enhance the long-term sustainability of PA. The strategies were mostly related to the self-efficacy, self-control, and behavior capability principles based on the social cognitive theory. Exercise interventions compared to active control showed inconclusive and heterogeneous results. When compared to non-active control, exercise interventions improved PA time at the six-months follow up (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.30; 95%CI 0.15 to 0.44; four studies; 724 participants; I2 0%), but not at the one- or two-years follow-ups. No data were available on the mid- and long-term effect of adding strategies to enhance the sustainability of PA. Exercise interventions have small clinical benefits on PA levels in community-dwelling older adults, with a decline in the observed improvement after six months of the intervention cessation. The present study was funded by United States Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, and NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA), USA, (K24 AG057728).

IntroductionSITLESS is a randomised controlled trial determining whether exercise referral schemes can be enhanced by self-management strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity in the long term, in community-dwelling older citizens. The intervention is complex and requires a process evaluation to understand how implementation, causal mechanisms and context shape outcomes. The specific aims are to assess fidelity and reach of the implementation, understand the contextual aspects of each intervention site, evaluate the mechanisms of impact, and explore perceived effects.Methods and analysisFollowing the Medical Research Council guidance on complex interventions, a combination of qualitative and quantitative procedures is applied, including observational checklists and attendance registries, standardised scales (ie, Marcus’s Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Physical Activity Self-Regulation Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale) at baseline, postintervention and follow-up assessments, semistructured questionnaires gathering contextual characteristics, and participant observations of the sessions. Semistructured interviews and focus groups with the participants and trainers are conducted at postintervention and during the follow-up to explore their experiences. Outcomes from the standardised scales are analysed as moderators within the impact evaluation. Descriptive results on context and perceived effects complement results on impact. The qualitative and quantitative findings will help to refine the logic model to finally support the interpretation of the results on the effectiveness of the intervention.Ethics and disseminationThe study design was approved by the respective Ethical Committee of Ramon Llull University, Southern Denmark, Northern Ireland and Ulm University. Participation is voluntary, and all participants are asked to sign informed consent before starting the study. A dissemination plan operationalises how to achieve a social impact by reaching academic and non-academic stakeholders. A data management plan describes the specific data sets and regulates its deposition and curation. All publications will be open access.Trial registration numberNCT02629666; Pre-results.

[Background] High-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) atherogenic traits can describe the role of both particles on cardiovascular diseases more accurately than HDL- or LDL-cholesterol levels. However, it is unclear how these lipoprotein properties are particularly affected by different cardiovascular risk factors., [Objective] To determine which lipoprotein properties are associated with greater cardiovascular risk scores and each cardiovascular risk factor., [Methods] In two cross-sectional baseline samples of PREDIMED trial volunteers, we assessed the associations of HDL functionality (N = 296) and LDL atherogenicity traits (N = 210) with: 1) the 10-year predicted coronary risk (according to the Framingham-REGICOR score), and 2) classical cardiovascular risk factors., [Results] Greater cardiovascular risk scores were associated with low cholesterol efflux values; oxidized, triglyceride-rich, small HDL particles; and small LDLs with low resistance against oxidation (P-trend, [Conclusions] Dysfunctional HDL and atherogenic LDL particles are present in high cardiovascular risk patients. Dyslipidemia and male sex are predominantly linked to HDL dysfunctionality, whilst diabetes and advanced age are associated with LDL atherogenicity., This work was supported by: Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2017 SGR 222), Fundació La Marató de TV3 (201512.31), and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB06/03/0028 and PI15/00047). A.H. was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CD17/00122), M.-T.S.-F. was supported by Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2015 FI_B 01042), and M. Fitó was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CES12/025). CIBERs of Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) and Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV) are initiatives of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.

Neuromuscular asymmetries have been previously associated with reduced performance. Similarly, maturation has shown that youth athletes may experience a loss of motor control, which could also lead to compromised physical performance. The present study aimed to evaluate and quantify the level of asymmetry among chronological and maturational groups. Forty-one youth tennis players performed the single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), star excursion balance test (SEBT) and a change of direction speed (CODS) test. Differences were found between the strongest and weakest limbs across all tests (p &lt, 0.001), and also for SEBT in the posteromedial direction (p = 0.02), SEBT composite score (p &lt, 0.01) in maturation groups, and for SEBT posterolateral direction (p = 0.03) and SEBT composite score (p = 0.01) in chronological groups. The SLCMJ showed the largest inter-limb asymmetries for the circa peak height velocity (PHV) group (19.31 &plusmn, 12.19%) and under-14 (U14) group (17.55 &plusmn, 9.90%). Chronological and maturation groups followed similar trends for inter-limb asymmetries, but the biological index showed larger asymmetry scores in the jumping test at PHV compared to that found in the chronological group (U14). These results show that inter-limb differences may be heightened during PHV. Practitioners can use this information to inform the decision-making process when prescribing training interventions in youth tennis players.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity is key to improve the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To help to tailor future interventions we aimed to identify the baseline characteristics of COPD patients which predict 12-month completion and response to a behavioral physical activity intervention. METHODS: This is a 12-month cohort study of the intervention arm of the Urban Training randomized controlled trial (NCT01897298), an intervention proven to be efficacious to increase physical activity. We considered baseline sociodemographic, interpersonal, environmental, clinical and psychological characteristics as potential determinants of completion and response. We defined completion as attending the 12-month study visit. Among completers, we defined response as increasing physical activity ≥1100 steps/day from baseline to 12 months, measured by accelerometer. We estimated the factors independently for completion and response using multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of a total of 202 patients (m (SD) 69 (9) years, 84% male), 132 (65%) completed the study. Among those, 37 (28%) qualified as responders. Higher numbers of baseline steps/day (OR [95% CI] 1.11 [1.02-1.21] per increase of 1000 steps, p

Older people usually present with adverse drug events (ADEs) with nonspecific symptoms such as cognitive decline, recurrent falls, reduced mobility, and/or major deterioration. The aims of this study were to assess the ADEs of patients with dementia and presenting neuropsychiatric/behavioral, and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) and to categorize and identify the principal factors that allow to prevent ADEs, and separately ADEs that result in falls. To that end, a one-year prospective study in a psychogeriatric ward (July 2015 to July 2016) was performed. All patients admitted to this ward were eligible for enrolment. Patients who met any of the following criteria were excluded from the study: Patients without cognitive impairment, a length of stay under 7 days, and palliative or previous psychiatric pathology. We included 65 patients (60% women, 84.9 years &plusmn, 6.7) with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, moderate to severe functional dependence, and a high prevalence of geriatric syndromes and comorbidity. A total of 87.7% were taking five or more drugs (mean 9.0 &plusmn, 3.1). ADEs were identified during the interdisciplinary meeting and the follow up by clinical record. Sixty-eight ADEs (81.5% patients) were identified, of which 73.5% were not related to falls. From these, 80% were related to drugs of the nervous system. The Naranjo algorithm determined that 90% of ADEs were probable. The severity of the ADEs was Category E in 34 patients (68%). The number of preventable ADE according to the Schumork&ndash, Thornton test was 58%. The main ADE was drowsiness/somnolence (27.7%). ADEs related to falls represented a 26.5%. The balance between effective treatment and safety is complex in these patients. A medication review in interdisciplinary teams is an essential component to optimize safety prevention.

Objective: To determine whether the appearance of a radial extracorporeal shock wave device affects clinical outcomes in chronic plantar fasciitis. Study design: Randomized controlled parallel assessor-blinded clinical trial. Material and methods: A total of 135 patients were assigned to 3 groups: group I, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device; group II, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device modified to give a more sophisticated appearance; group III, standard radial extracorporeal shock wave device modified to give a more austere appearance. The radial extracorporeal shock waves emitted by the 3 devices were identical. Primary outcome was foot function, measured with the Foot Function Index. Secondary outcomes were pain at different times, measured with a visual analogue scale, and plantar fascia thickness, measured with ultrasound. Results: All variables decreased significantly from baseline assessment, in all 3 groups and at all time-points: 1, 2, 4 and 14 months after the last session (p

Several professional groups, which are not health professionals, are more likely to witness situations requiring basic life support (BLS) due to the nature of their job. The aim of this study was to assess BLS learning after 150 min of training in undergraduate students of sports science and their retention after eight months. Participants trained on BLS (150-min session: 30 theory, 120 practice). After training (T1) and after 8 months (T2), we evaluated their performance of the BLS sequence and two minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At T1, the 23 participants presented a mean score of 72.5 &plusmn, 21.0% in the quality of the CPRs (compressions: 78.6 &plusmn, 25.9%, ventilation: 69.9 &plusmn, 30.1%). More than 90% of the participants acted correctly in each step of the BLS sequence. At T2, although the overall quality of the CPR performed did not decrease, significant decreases were observed for: correct hand position (T1: 98.2 &plusmn, 8.8, T2: 77.2 &plusmn, 39.7%), compression depth (T1: 51.4 &plusmn, 7.9, T2: 56.0 &plusmn, 5.7 mm), and compression rate. They worsened opening the airway and checking for breathing. In conclusions, participants learned BLS and good-quality CPR after the 150-min training session. At eight months they had good retention of the BLS sequence and CPR skills. Training on airway management and the position of the hands during CPR should be reinforced.

The aim of this article is to present the development of cross-country comparable food reference budgets in 26 European countries, and to discuss their usefulness as an addition to food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) for tackling food insecurity in low-income groups. Reference budgets are illustrative priced baskets containing the minimum goods and services necessary for well-described types of families to have an adequate social participation. This study was conducted starting from national FBDG, which were translated into monthly food baskets. Next, these baskets were validated in terms of their acceptability and feasibility through focus group discussions, and finally they were priced. Along the paper, we show how that food reference budgets hold interesting contributions to the promotion of healthy eating and prevention of food insecurity in low-income contexts in at least four ways: (1) they show how a healthy diet can be achieved with limited economic resources, (2) they bring closer to the citizen a detailed example of how to put FBDG recommendations into practice, (3) they ensure that food security is achieved in an integral way, by comprising the biological but also psychological and social functions of food, and (4) providing routes for further (comparative) research into food insecurity.

An objective analysis of the human movement can help both clinical assessment and sports performance. Kinovea is a free 2D motion analysis software that can be used to measure kinematic parameters. This low-cost technology has been used in sports sciences, as well as in the clinical and research fields. One interesting tool is that it can measure an object (or person) passing in front of the camera, taking into account the perspective between the camera and the recorded object. Although it has been validated as a tool to assess time-related variables, few studies assessed its validity compared to a Gold Standard; furthermore, its reliability in different perspectives has not been previously assessed. The main objective of this study is to determine the validity of the Kinovea software compared to AutoCAD, and its intra and inter-rater reliability in obtaining coordinates data; a second objective is to compare their results at 4 different perspectives (90°, 75°, 60° and 45°) and to assess the inter and intra rater reliability at each perspective. For this purpose, a wire structure figure in the shape of a human lower limb was designed and measured in AutoCAD; it was then recorded during a pendular motion with a video-camera placed at distance of 5 m and analyzed with Kinovea in the 4 perspectives (90°, 75°, 60° and 45°). Each frame was examined by three observers who made two attempts. A multiple approach was applied involving the analysis of the systematic error, with a two-way ANOVA 2x4; the relative reliability with Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Coefficient of Variance (CV) (95% confidence interval); and the absolute reliability with the Standard Error (SE). The results indicate that the Kinovea software is a valid and reliable tool that is able to measure accurately at distances up to 5 m from the object and at an angle range of 90°–45°. Nevertheless, for optimum results an angle of 90° is suggested.

Background: To introduce and manage a Pharmaceutical care programs in geriatric care institutions presents difficulties such as reduced pharmacy service staff, complexity of the patients or lack of integration of the pharmacist in the health care team. This work describes the evolution of the implementations of a program of pharmaceutical care centered in drug related problems (DRP) in a group of geriatric institutions of different levels of complexity. Methods: Setting: Long-term and subacute care hospitals (HSS) and Health care teams attending nursing homes (EARs). Participants: Patients attended in HSS and EARs during different periods between 2010 and 2016. Interventions: The program was developed in different stages, in which pharmacists made interventions of increasing complexity. Results: Between 2010 and 2013, the approach was only to improve the prescription of non-appropriate drugs for the elderly, which was reduced from 19 to 14.5%. Subsequent steps included detection of drug-related problems (DRP), systematization of treatment revisions, recording of pharmacist interventions, improvements in the classification of interventions and the creation of a web-based database for recording in a more efficient way. During these years, there was an increase in the number of patients included in pharmaceutical care activities and thus the number of pharmacist interventions (3872 in 2014 vs 5903 in 2016). In 2016, mean age in 2016: 83.2 years old. Mean number of medicines/patient: 8.4 ± 3.3, and mean interventions/patient: 1.62. Degree of acceptance of the interventions by physicians improved (68.6% in 2016 vs 45.5% in 2012), even though there is still much work to do. The Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) showed that when the interventions were accepted, there was an important improvement. HSS mean MAI values pre-intervention: 2.52, post-intervention 0.80. In EARs: 5 pre and 1.39 post. In both cases p < 0.0001. Conclusions: Approaching the deployment of activities in a progressive way has made us more efficient and able to confront and solve the problems that have arisen. Even though there has been a very restricted increase in the staff and budget, we are able to implement a DRP detection programme with guaranties of quality.

Epidemiological studies show that diet is linked to the risk of developing CVD. The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the association between empirically derived dietary patterns and CVD. PubMed was searched for observational studies of data-driven dietary patterns that reported outcomes of cardiovascular events. The association between dietary patterns and CVD was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis with 95 % CI. Totally, twenty-two observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled relative risk (RR) for CVD, CHD and stroke in a comparison of the highest to the lowest category of prudent/healthy dietary patterns in cohort studies was 0·69 (95 % CI 0·60, 0·78; I2=0 %), 0·83 (95 % CI 0·75, 0·92; I2=44·6 %) and 0·86 (95 % CI 0·74, 1·01; I2=59·5 %), respectively. The pooled RR of CHD in a case–control comparison of the highest to the lowest category of prudent/healthy dietary patterns was 0·71 (95 % CI 0·63, 0·80; I2=0 %). The pooled RR for CVD, CHD and stroke in a comparison of the highest to the lowest category of western dietary patterns in cohort studies was 1·14 (95 % CI 0·92, 1·42; I2=56·9 %), 1·03 (95 % CI 0·90, 1·17; I2=59·4 %) and 1·05 (95 % CI 0·91, 1·22; I2=27·6 %), respectively; in case–control studies, there was evidence of increased CHD risk. Our results support the evidence of the prudent/healthy pattern as a protective factor for CVD.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the economic effects of hospital malnutrition and the cost of longer hospital stays according to the Prevalence of Hospital Malnutrition and Associated Costs in Spain (PREDyCES) study data. Methods: This was a nested case–control study in a prospective cohort of patients (n ¼ 114) who were at nutritional risk at admission and controls (n ¼ 354) who were not at risk at admission. The total cost of hospital stay was the cost of the bed plus the cost of drugs administered during the stay. Hospital costs were extrapolated to Spanish National Health System admissions for 2009. Results: The mean hospital length of stay for patients at risk (cases) was significantly longer (11.5 7.5 versus 8.5 5.8 d; P < 0.001) than for the controls. The cost of patients at risk at admission was significantly higher than that of those not at risk (V8590 V6127 versus V7085 V5625; P ¼ 0.015). The most significant difference in the cost of the hospital stay was observed between controls at nutritional risk at discharge and controls who remained not at risk throughout the hospital stay (V13 013 V9086 versus V6665 V5091; P < 0.001). Extrapolation of the study findings to Spanish National Health System hospital admissions showed that the potential cost of hospital malnutrition in Spain was at least V1.143 billion per year. Conclusion: Hospital malnutrition in Spain is associated with substantial costs, suggesting the need to establish procedures for screening, diagnosing, and treating malnutrition.

Introduction Ecological crises associated with the global degradation of the natural environment call for dialogues and action to develop an economically and environmentally sustainable world. This paper proposes a new narrative for humanity by connecting ecology with broad ideas about occupation and occupational justice. Method The authors reflect on literature and action projects on ecology, occupation, and occupational justice. Results The authors propose that doing ecology is essentially occupational, and necessarily a matter of occupational justice given the strong link between poverty and the degradation of the natural environment. Conclusion Eco-social occupational therapy practices are illustrated in poverty reduction projects, funded through university–community partnerships in Spain. The potential to expand eco-social occupational therapy lies in publicly embracing ecological challenges, focusing practices on changing the environment, and attracting partners to find new funding for enabling people everywhere to participate in ecological sustainability through occupation. This paper calls on occupational therapists to spark dialogues and take action in doing ecology and justice through occupation.

Background Demographic changes have led to an increase in the number of elderly frail persons and, consequently, systematic geriatric assessment is more important than ever. Frailty Indexes (FI) may be particularly useful to discriminate between various degrees of frailty but are not routinely assessed due, at least in part, to the large number of deficits assessed (from 30 to 70). Therefore, we have developed a new, more concise FI for rapid geriatric assessment (RGA)—the Frail-VIG index (“VIG” is the Spanish/Catalan abbreviation for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment), which contains 22 simple questions that assess 25 different deficits. Here we describe this FI and report its ability to predict mortality at 24 months. Methods Prospective, observational, longitudinal study of geriatric patients followed for 24 months or until death. The study participants were patients (n = 590) admitted to the Acute Geriatric Unit at the at the University Hospital of Vic (Barcelona) during the year 2014. Participants were classified into one of seven groups based on their Frail-VIG score (0–0.15; 0.16–0.25; 0.26–0.35; 0.36–0.45; 0.46–0.55; 0.56–0.65; and 0.66–1). Survival curves for these groups were compared using the log-rank test. ROC curves were used to assess the index’s capacity to predict mortality at 24 months. Results Mean (standard deviation) patient age was 86.4 (5.6) years. The 24-month mortality rate was 57.3% for the whole sample. Significant between-group (deceased vs. living) differences (p

María Barroso,1–3 Silvia Pérez-Fernández,1,4 M Mar Vila,1,4,5 M Dolors Zomeño,6,7 Ruth Martí-Lluch,8 Ferran Cordon,9 Rafel Ramos,8,10,11 Roberto Elosua,1,4 Irene R Degano,1,4 Montse Fitó,5,12 Carmen Cabezas,13 Gemma Salvador,13 Conxa Castell,13 María Grau1,4,14 1Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Genetics Research Group, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 2Centre d’Atenció Primària La Marina, Direcció d’Atenció Primària Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 3Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 4Consortium for Biomedical Research in Cardiovascular Disease (CIBERCV), 5Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Barcelona, 6Cardiovascular Risk and Nutrition, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 7School of Health Sciences, Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain; 8Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de Girona, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol, 9Centre d’Atenció Primària Montilivi, Direcció d’Atenció Primària Girona, Institut Català de la Salut, 10Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 11Girona Biomedical Research Institute, Girona, Spain; 12Consortium for Biomedical Research in Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), 13Catalan Agency of Public Health, 14Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Background: The validity of a cardiovascular risk self-screening method was assessed. The results obtained for self-measurement of blood pressure, a point-of-care system’s assessment of lipid profile and glycated hemoglobin, and a self-administered questionnaire (sex, age, diabetes, tobacco consumption) were compared with the standard screening (gold standard) conducted by a health professional. Methods: Crossover clinical trial on a population-based sample from Girona (north-eastern Spain), aged 35–74, with no cardiovascular disease at recruitment. Participants were randomized to one of the two risk assessment sequences (standard screening followed by self-screening or vice versa). Cardiovascular risk was estimated with the Framingham-REGICOR function. Concordance between methods was estimated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were estimated, considering 5% cardiovascular risk as the cutoff point. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration #NCT02373319. Clinical Research Ethic Committee of the Parc de Salut Mar Registration #2014/5815/I. Results: The median cardiovascular risk in men was 2.56 (interquartile range: 1.42–4.35) estimated by standard methods and 2.25 (1.28–4.07) by self-screening with ICC=0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.93). In women, the cardiovascular risk was 1.14 (0.61–2.10) by standard methods and 1.10 (0.56–2.00) by self-screening, with ICC=0.89 (0.87–0.90). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the self-screening method were 0.74 (0.63–0.82), 0.97 (0.95–0.99), 0.86 (0.77–0.93), and 0.94 (0.91–0.96), respectively, in men. In women, these values were 0.50 (0.30–0.70), 0.99 (0.98–1), 0.81 (0.54–0.96), and 0.97 (0.95–0.99), respectively. Conclusion: The self-screening method for assessing cardiovascular risk provided similar results to the standard method. Self-screening had high clinical performance to rule out intermediate or high cardiovascular risk. Keywords: risk assessment, cardiovascular diseases, preventive medicine, public health, epidemiology, empowerment

Xavier Bonfill,1–3 Ingrid Arevalo-Rodriguez,4,5 Laura Martínez García,3 Maria Jesús Quintana,1,2 Diana Buitrago-Garcia,4 Diego Lobos Urbina,6 José Antonio Cordero7 On behalf of the IADT Spanish Study Group 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain; 2CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health, Barcelona, Spain; 3Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Barcelona, Spain; 4Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, Ecuador; 5Hospital Ramon y Cajal (IRYCIS), Clinical Biostatistics Unit, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain; 6Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; 7School of Health Sciences Blanquerna– Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide evidence-based recommendations of intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (IADT) compared with continuous androgen deprivation therapy (CADT) for men with prostate cancer (PCA). Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ECONLIT, from the database inception to December 2017. We adhered to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework to assess the quality of the evidence and to formulate recommendations. Results: We included one systematic review with 15 trials as well as three additional studies that assessed IADT versus CADT, all of them focused on PCA patients in advanced stages. The findings did not show differences for critical and important outcomes, including adverse events. Trials reported the benefits of IADT in terms of selected domains of health-related quality of life, although with high heterogeneity. Evidence quality was considered moderate or low for most of the assessed outcomes. We identified a patient preference study reporting a high preference for IADT, due to issues related to quality of life, general well-being, and side effects, among others. We did not identify economic studies comparing these regimes. We formulate four recommendations: one no-recommendation, one conditional recommendation, and two good practice points. Conclusion: For men in early stages of PCA, it is not possible to make any recommendation about the preferable use of IADT or CADT due to the lack of available evidence. For men in advanced stages of the disease, an IADT should be considered as soon as clinically reasonable (weak recommendation and low certainty of the evidence). Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of IADT and CADT with their patients, taking into account their values and preferences. Keywords: hormone deprivation therapy, prostate cancer, prostate neoplasm, evidence-based medicine, GRADE approach

Background: Fluid intake before, during and after exercise is the most important way to replace water lost during exercise and avoid dehydration.Aim: To assess fluid intake habits before, during and after exercise in amateur basketball players on both training and competition days.Design: 183 amateur basketball players (87 women and 96 men, 19-29 years old) were interviewed. Data was obtained from a drinking habits questionnaire.Results: Overall, 20.8%, 5.5% and 2.7% of subjects did not drink before, during and after exercise on training days, respectively; 17.5% of subjects did not drink before exercise on competition days. Water was the preferred beverage before, during and after exercise on both training and competition days, with fruit juice being the second most consumed beverage before exercise. All subjects also drank fizzy drinks and other beverages during exercise on competition days. According to the recommendations, good hydration habits were found in 54.6%, 74.2% and 76.5% subjects before, during and after training days, respectively.Conclusions: Most amateur basketball players drink before, during and after exercise on both training and competition days, but not all of them complied with the hydration recommendations.Título: Hábitos de hidratación antes, durante y tras el ejercicio y la competición en jugadores de baloncesto amateurs.Antecedentes: La ingesta de líquidos antes, durante y tras el ejercicio es la forma más importante de recuperar el agua perdida durante el ejercicio y de evitar la deshidratación.Objetivo: Analizar los hábitos de ingesta de líquidos, durante y tras el ejercicio en jugadores de baloncesto amateurs tanto durante el entrenamiento como durante la competición.Diseño: Se entrevistaron 183 jugadores de baloncesto amateurs (87 mujeres y 96 hombres, de 19-29 años de edad). Los datos se obtuvieron por aplicación de un cuestionario de hábitos de bebida.Resultados: Globalmente, 20.8%, 5.5% y 2.7% de los sujetos no bebieron antes, durante y tras el entrenamiento, respectivamente; 17.5% de los sujetos no bebieron antes de la competición. El agua fue la bebida preferida antes, durante y tras el ejercicio, tanto durante el entrenamiento como durante la competición, en tanto que los zumos de frutas fue la segunda bebida consumida antes del ejercicio. Todos los sujetos tomaron bebidas gaseosas y de otro tipo durante la competición. De acuerdo a las recomendaciones, se encontraron buenos hábitos de hidratación en 54.6%, 74.2% y 76.5% de los sujetos antes, durante y tras el entrenamiento, respectivamente.Conclusiones: La mayoría de los jugadores de baloncesto amateurs beben antes, durante y tras el ejercicio, tanto durante el entrenamiento como durante la competición, pero no todos ellos cumplen con las recomendaciones de hidratación.

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of 'sit less, move more' interventions on workplace performance. This study assessed the short and mid-term impacts of and patterns of change within, a 19-week workplace web-based intervention (Walk@WorkSpain; W@WS; 2010-11) on employees' presenteeism, mental well-being and lost work performance. Methods: A site randomised control trial recruited employees at six Spanish university campuses (n = 264; 42 +/- 10 years; 171 female), assigned by worksite and campus to an Intervention (IG; used W@WS; n = 129; 87 female) or an active Comparison group (A-CG; pedometer, paper diary and self-reported sitting time; n = 135; 84 female). A linear mixed model assessed changes between the baseline, ramping (8 weeks), maintenance (11 weeks) and follow-up (two months) phases for the IG versus A-CG on (i) % of lost work productivity (Work Limitations Questionnaire; WLQ); (ii) three scales for presenteeism (WLQ) assessing difficulty meeting scheduling demands (Time), performing cognitive and inter-personal tasks (Mental-Interpersonal) and decrements in meeting the quantity, quality and timeliness of completed work (Output); and (iii) mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). T-tests assessed differences between groups for changes on the main outcomes. In the IG, a multivariate logistic regression model identified patterns of response according to baseline socio-demographic variables, physical activity and sitting time. Results: There was a significant 2 (group) x 2 (program time points) interaction for the Time (F [3]= 8.69, p = 0.005), Mental-Interpersonal (F [3]= 10.01, p = 0.0185), Output scales for presenteeism (F [3]= 8.56, p = 0.0357), and for % of lost work performance (F [3]= 10.31, p = 0.0161). Presenteeism and lost performance rose significantly in both groups across all study time points; after baseline performance was consistently better in the IG than in the A-CG. Better performance was linked to employees being more active (Time, p = 0.041) and younger (Mental-interpersonal, p = 0.057; Output, p = 0.017). Higher total sitting time during nonworking days (Mental-interpersonal, p = 0.019) and lower sitting time during workdays (WLQ Index, p = 0.013) also improved performance. Conclusion: Versus an active comparison condition, a 'sit less, move more' workplace intervention effectively reduced an array of markers of lost workday productivity. The study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICCIN; project reference DEP 2009-1147). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Background: In recent years, the incidence of injury in older people has increased. The aim of this study is to address the hypothesis that this increase is due to an increase in the incidence of some injuries that, while less common than hip fractures, are sufficient jointly to counteract the decrease or stabilisation in hip fracture rates observed in most countries. Methods: We performed a descriptive study of trends using data from the National Hospital Discharge Register. We included individuals 65 years and older who were discharged from a Spanish hospital during the period 2000–2010 with at least one injury diagnosis in the primary diagnosis field on the discharge form. The dependent variables were the following injury groups, classified using the Barell Matrix: hip fracture, shoulder and upper arm fractures, forearm and elbow fractures, thoracic fractures, lower leg and ankle fractures, and TBI type 1 internal injury. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants (data from National Statistics Institute) and stratified by sex and age group. Trends, in terms of Annual Percent Change (APC), were assessed using Poisson Regression with discharge year as the independent variable. Results: Hip fracture continues to be the most important injury type in older people. Thoracic fractures and TBI internal injuries are more common in men, while fractures in the upper extremities are more common in women. All injuries increased in frequency with age, except lower leg and ankle fractures, which decreased. While a secular decreasing trend in hip fracture was noted, the incidences of fractures of the shoulder and upper arm, forearm and elbow, and lower leg and ankle, as well as of TBI type 1 internal injuries have increased steadily. Conclusions: Although hip fracture continue to be the most common type of injury in older people, this study has allowed identifying other types of injury that are becoming increasingly common. These trends are driving paradigm changes in the burden of injuries requiring treatment within the hospital system, and must be taken into account in the design of preventative programs and actions.

ResumenLa vigilancia de las lesiones producidas por tráfico comporta numerosas dificultades metodológicas debido, entre otras razones, a la falta de criterios consensuados de definición de caso. Para monitorizar las lesiones por tráfico, habitualmente se han utilizado los registros policiales como fuente principal de información, y en cambio apenas se han utilizado fuentes sanitarias. La fuente de origen policial suele disponer de información exhaustiva sobre las características de la colisión, pero en general infranotifica casos y no recoge información fiable sobre la gravedad de las lesiones. Aun así, las estadísticas de heridos graves se han basado casi exclusivamente en criterios policiales. Esta nota tiene como objetivo proponer criterios para definir, a partir de fuentes sanitarias: a) «Alta hospitalaria por lesiones por tráfico», b) «Persona con lesión grave por tráfico», y c) «Muerte por lesiones por tráfico», con la finalidad de homogeneizar el uso de estas fuentes.AbstractRoad traffic injury surveillance involves methodological difficulties due, among other reasons, to the lack of consensus criteria for case definition. Police records have usually been the main source of information for monitoring traffic injuries, while health system data has hardly been used. Police records usually include comprehensive information on the characteristics of the crash, but often underreport injury cases and do not collect reliable information on the severity of injuries. However, statistics on severe traffic injuries have been based almost exclusively on police data. The aim of this paper is to propose criteria based on medical records to define: a) “Hospital discharge for traffic injuries”, b) “Person with severe traffic injury”, and c) “Death from traffic injuries” in order to homogenize the use of these sources.

Physical activity is associated with a decreased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and improved sleep efficiency. Studies on the effects of a comprehensive exercise program in a community setting remain limited. Our objective was to investigate the effects of a combined physical and oropharyngeal exercise program on the apnea-hypopnea index in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. This was a randomized clinical trial where the intervention group followed an eight-week urban-walking program, oropharyngeal exercises, and diet and sleep recommendations. The control group followed diet and sleep recommendations. A total of 33 patients were enrolled and randomized and, finally, 27 patients were included in the study (IG, 14, CG, 13) Obstructive sleep apnea patients were analyzed with a median age of 67 (52&ndash, 74) and median apnea-hypopnea index of 32 events/h (25&ndash, 41). The apnea-hypopnea index did not differ between groups pre- and post-intervention. However, in intervention patients younger than 60 (n = 6) a reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index from 29.5 (21.8&ndash, 48.3) to 15.5 (11&ndash, 34) events/h (p = 0.028) was observed. While a comprehensive multimodal program does not modify the apnea-hypopnea index, it could reduce body weight and increase the walking distance of patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Patients younger than 60 may also present a decreased apnea-hypopnea index after intervention.

Background: There has been a long-standing debate over the definition and nature of the quality of healthcare and factors that influence and enhance quality. Within nursing, the challenge is to identify the outcomes that are measurable and amenable to change as a result of nursing care. Arising originally from concerns over potential nurse staffing shortages and nurse retention within the United States, an extensive literature has developed in the acute sector, exploring nurse staffing and its consequences. All of these studies raise the generic question of what potential causal mechanisms might link nurse staffing levels and skill mix to issues of patient safety and outcome. Objectives: To generate a tentative logic model to understand existing findings and to elucidate possible ways in which nurse staffing and skill mix may affect patient and nurse outcomes. Methods: This study was grounded within the principles of realist evaluation, realist review and logic modelling. The existing literature was reviewed to bring to light the underlying rationale suggested by the authors of this study on how nursing care might affect patient outcomes. A step-by-step process was followed to demonstrate the generation of a tentative logic model of how nurse staffing might influence patient, and nursing, outcomes. Results: The final logic model depicts staffing adequacy as having a complex link with patient outcomes. This is mediated at a general level through factors in the process of care (for example, nurse surveillance, clinical judgement, level of education, level of nurse training and length of nursing experience) and tasks left undone. These operate in conjunction with working with other nurses who are clinically competent, having good nurse–physician relationships and communication, supportive nurse manager/supervisor and good teamwork. Conclusions: This study extends the understanding of the mechanisms through which nurse staffing levels may result in adverse patient outcomes in the acute sector. Key intervening variables are the application of nurse intuition, operation of clinical judgement and missed nursing care/tasks left undone. The tentative logic model can be used to draw up areas and hypotheses to guide the direction of future research and to aid interpretation of existing research.

Background: Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Breast cancer survivors face numerous problems, especially after completing the first year of intense treatment. We present the protocol for an ongoing study to analyze the impact of a series of factors on breast cancer survival related to lifestyle, emotional well-being, and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objective: We aim to analyze the influence of social determinants, lifestyle changes, emotional well-being, and use of CAM in the progression of breast cancer in women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2003 and 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. Methods: We will perform a mixed cohort study (prospective and retrospective) of women diagnosed with breast cancer, created using a convenience sample in which we study the evolution of the disease (relapse, death, or remaining disease-free). Once identified, we sent the women information about the study and an informed consent form that they are required to sign in order to participate; a total of 2235 women were recruited. We obtained the following information from all participants: sociodemographic profile via a phone interview, and a self-administered survey of information about the study’s objectives (lifestyles, emotional well-being, health care services, and the use of CAM). Lastly, we examined clinical records to obtain data on the tumor at the time of diagnosis, the treatment received, the occurrence of relapses (if any), and the tumor typology. We present data on the women’s social profile based on descriptive data obtained from the telephone interview (welcome survey). Results: Based on the welcome survey, which was completed by 2712 women, 14.42% (391/2712) of respondents were 65 years of age. A total of 43.69% (1185/2712) belonged to the highest social classes (I and II), 31.27% (848/2712) to the middle class (III), and 23.49% (637/2712) to the working classes (IV and V). Approximately 22.71% (616/2712) lived alone, 38.31% (1039/2712) lived with one person, and 38.97% (1057/2712) lived with two or more people. Conclusions: We obtained information from a large cohort of women, but this study has limitations related to the convenience sampling strategy, one of which is reduced representativeness. Conversely, being a self-administered survey, the study introduces biases, especially from respondents that answered on paper. However, the information that the study provides will serve as the basis for designing future interventions aimed at improving the knowledge gaps indicated for women with breast cancer.

El oxígeno y/o la luz son los principales causantes de la degradación de los componentes de la nutrición parenteral (NP), especialmente de vitaminas y lípidos. La oxidación de algunas vitaminas y la peroxidación lipídica son catalizadas por la luz, siendo la presencia de oxígeno el factor decisivo del proceso. El material de la bolsa en contacto con la NP debe ser químicamente inerte, como el etilvinilacetato (EVA) o el polipropileno. El cloruro de polivinilo (PVC), además de ceder a los lípidos el plastifi cante tóxico dietilhexilftalato (DEHP), también adsorbe otros componentes de la NP.

Background The GOLD multidimensional classification of COPD severity combines the exacerbation risk with the symptom experience, for which 3 different questionnaires are permitted. This study investigated differences in physical activity (PA) in the different GOLD quadrants and patient’s distribution in relation to the questionnaire used. Methods 136 COPD patients (58±21% FEV1 predicted, 34F/102M) completed COPD assessment test (CAT), clinical COPD questionnaire (CCQ) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire. Exacerbation history, spirometry and 6MWD were collected. PA was objectively measured for 2 periods of 1 week, 6 months apart, in 5 European centres; to minimise seasonal and clinical variation the average of these two periods was used for analysis. Results GOLD quadrants C+D had reduced PA compared with A+B (3824 [2976] vs. 5508 [4671] steps.d-1, p

This article presents the ex-post assessment of a program of clinical and health services research and the evaluation of the social impact. The Catalan Agency for Health Information, Assessment, and Quality (CAHIAQ) promotes a biannual open, public, competitive extramural research call to conduct non-commercial clinical and health services research. Its aim is to address local needs of research (knowledge gaps) and to assess the implementation of innovation. Approximately 5.8 million Euros have been allocated to the call. To meet the Agency’s mission, a periodical ‘call for expressions of interest’ and topic prioritization is organized prior to the research call. The awarded projects are submitted to an ex-ante, ongoing, and ex-post assessment. Impact assessment of the research call on advancing knowledge and healthcare decision making is based on the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences framework (Panel on Return on Investment in Health Research, 2009). The methods used include bibliometric analysis, surveys to researchers and decision-makers, and a more in-depth case study of translation pathways. This includes a crossover of cases from 1996 to 2004. Some results are compared against other international health services research calls. The conclusion is that local agencies can significantly contribute to fill knowledge gaps in a specific context. Assessment of the complete research cycle provides opportunities for improving the entire research process (identification of knowledge needs, call for proposals, funding allocation, research completion, subsequent impact). Specifically, assessment of the different types of impact of research development on knowledge generation and decision making closes the evaluation cycle fulfilling the Agency's mission. Fil: Adam, Paula. Catalan Agency for Health Information; España. Epidemiologia y Salud Pública; España Fil: Solans Doménech, Maite. Catalan Agency for Health Information; España. Epidemiologia y Salud Pública; España Fil: Pons, Joan M. V.. Catalan Agency for Health Information; España. Epidemiologia y Salud Pública; España. Gobierno de Catalunya. Ministerio de Salud; España Fil: Aymerich, Marta. Gobierno de Catalunia. Ministerio de Salud; España. Universidad de Girona; España Fil: Berra, Silvina del Valle. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Guillamon, Imma. Catalan Agency for Health Information; España. Epidemiologia y Salud Pública; España Fil: Sánchez, Emilia. Universitat Ramon Llull; España Fil: Permanyer Miralda, Gaieta. Catalan Agency for Health Information; España. Epidemiologia y Salud Pública; España. Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D; España

Background: In healthy subjects, Nordic walking (NW) generates higher oxygen uptake (V˙O2) than standard walking at an equal rate of perceived exertion (RPE). The feasibility and positive outcomes of NW in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported. Objectives: The aim of the current study is to assess the physiological responses and RPE during NW in COPD patients. Methods: In 15 COPD patients [mean (SD) age 67 (9) years] with a forced expiratory volume in the 1st s of 55% (15)], V˙O2, minute ventilation and heart rate were measured with a portable system during the 6-min walking test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walking test (SWT), 6-min NW on solid ground (6mNWground) and 6-min NW on soft dry beach sand (6mNWsand). The RPE using a modified Borg scale was assessed after each test. Results: 6mNWground and 6mNWsand showed a higher V˙O2 plateau compared with the 6MWT and peak V˙O2 measured during SWT [mean (SD) V˙O2 21 (3), 22 (4), 18 (4) and 19 (5) ml·kg-1·min-1, respectively; p < 0.05 each]. However, no differences in RPE were observed among 6mNWground, 6MWT and SWT [modified Borg scale score for dyspnea 4.2 (2.0), 4.1 (1.8) and 4.3 (1.7), respectively; nonsignificant]. However, RPE in 6mNWsand was significantly higher than in all the other exercise protocols [modified Borg scale score for dyspnea 5.2 (2.2); p < 0.05]. Conclusions: In COPD patients, the use of Nordic poles generates higher V˙O2 than standard walking with no differences in the dyspnea score. The results indicate the potential to enhance community-based training programs in these patients.

Objective: The main aim was to define the impact and type of injuries in children aged from 7 to 15 years old competing in karting competition in Catalonia during the 2005-2009 periods. Secondary aims were to analyze the differences in injuries according to year of competition, category, number of participants and circuit. We also explored risk factors for injury and suggest possible corrective measures to reduce its number and severity. Design: Longitudinal epidemiological study with retrospective data. The study period was the 5-year period from 2005 to 2009. Setting: The study took part in 6 karting circuits in Catalonia. Patients and methods: A total of 334 licensed drivers who participated in the Catalan Karting Championship. The subjects were in the age range from 7 to (and including) 15 years old with an average drive age of 11 years old. Results: Three hundred and thirty four drivers completed a total No. of 445590.8 km of competition and 38 of them sustained injuries during the 5 years of the study. Corporal injuries were mainly, located in hands and wrists (42.1%) followed of injuries in thorax and elbow (13.1%). In the years 2005 and 2007, as well as in circuits located in Sils, Mora and Juneda, significant differences were found in the number of drivers injured in relation to the number of participations. Conclusions: The low injury incidence suggests that Karting is a relatively safe sport. The fact that injuries were mainly produced in specific bodily regions emphasizes the importance of protecting them to reduce the risk of injury. A more in depth analysis is required to explain why injuries occurred preferentially in some circuits and in some specific competition years.

Background The significant growth in the elderly population expected in the coming years demands a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the incidence of injuries in this group for purposes of prevention polices and their evaluation. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of injuries in hospital inpatients over 64 years of age in Spain, stratified by sex, age group, and the severity and mechanism of injury, and to analyse trends in incidence during the period 2000-2010. Methods Descriptive trends study using data from the National Hospital Discharge Register. The dependent variable was the number of hospital discharges with injury. Stratified incidence rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants. Trends, in terms of annual per cent change, were assessed using Poisson regression with discharge year as the independent variable. Results Rates of injury were higher among women than men, increased with age in both sexes, with individuals aged >= 85 years having a fivefold greater risk than those aged 65-69 years. During the period 2000-2010, incidence increased annually by 1.1% in men and 0.9% in women aged 75-79 years, 2.3% and 1.6% in 80-84-year-olds and 3.3% and 2.4% in >= 85-year-olds, respectively. The incidence of all levels of injury severity and all mechanisms of injury increased during the study period, except for traffic injuries, which decreased. Conclusions Incidence of injury in the elderly is rising, particularly in older individuals, indicating that the increase in the number of hospitalisations is not a consequence of population aging only.

We describe conceptual innovations in palliative care epidemiology and the methods to identify patients in need of palliative care, in all settings.In middle-high-income countries, more than 75% of the population will die from chronic progressive diseases. Around 1.2-1.4% of such populations suffer from chronic advanced conditions, with limited life expectancy. Clinical status deteriorates progressively with frequent crises of needs, high social impact, and high use of costly healthcare resources.The innovative concept of patients with advanced chronic diseases and limited life prognosis has been addressed recently, and several methods to identify them have been developed.The challenges are to promote early and shared interventions, extended to all patients in need, in all settings of the social care and healthcare systems; to design and develop Palliative Care Programmes with a Public Health perspective. The first action is to identify, using the appropriate tools early in the clinical evolution of the disease, all patients in need of palliative care in all settings of care, especially in primary care services, nursing homes, and healthcare services responsible for care provision for these patients; to promote appropriate care in patients with advanced diseases with prognosis of poor survival.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence of hospital discharges for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Spain by injury circumstances (traffic crashes and others), injury severity, gender and age group and to describe its trends over the period 2000–2009. Methods: It is a study of trends that includes hospital discharges with a primary diagnosis of TSCI or TBI. Crude and age-standardised rates were calculated per million inhabitants. Changes in rates between 2000 and 2009 were assessed through calculation of the relative risk adjusted for age, using Poisson regression. Results: Between 2000 and 2009 in Spain, 10,274 patients were admitted for traumatic TSCI, and 206,503 for TBI. The annual incidence rate for TSCI was 23.5 per million, that for TBI was 472.6 per million. The overall incidence rate for TSCI fell significantly between 2000 and 2009 by 24.2% (traffic-related 40.9%, other 12.9%), as did that for TBI (23.8% overall, 60.2% traffic-related, with no change for other circumstances). Among people aged 65 years and over, no change was observed for TSCI, incidence of TBI fell significantly when due to traffic crashes, but there was a dramatic increase of 87% in men and 89.3% in women when due to other circumstances. Conclusions: Over the last decade the incidence of these types of injury has fallen significantly when the injury resulted from traffic crashes, and to a lesser extent when from other circumstances. However TBI incidence among people aged 65 and over injured in non-traffic-related circumstances has risen dramatically.

Esta investigación quiere facilitar la aplicación de la metodología enfermera utilizando las taxonomías NANDA, NOC y NIC a una población inmigrante y se plantea los siguientes. Objetivos: - Identificar los diagnósticos NANDA más prevalentes, vinculados al proceso migratorio de la población inmigrante y sus familias. - Confeccionar e implementar planes de cuidados de enfermería adecuados a la población inmigrante y sus familias, utilizando las taxonomías NANDA, NOC y NIC - Evaluar la idoneidad y validez de los planes estandarizados confeccionados. Metodología: El proyecto se lleva a cabo en diversos Centros de Atención Primaria del Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) de Cataluña escogidas aleatoriamente. El estudio multicéntrico consta de cuatro fases: a) Primera fase descriptiva: detección de necesidades de la población inmigrante realizada por 60 enfermeras responsables de la recogida de datos. b) Segunda fase: elaboración de planes de cuidados estandarizados según los problemas detectados ,utilizando los lenguajes enfermeros. c) Tercera fase: Implementación de planes de cuidados estandarizados d) Cuarta fase: Medición y evaluación de resultados. Conclusiones: Presentamos elementos innovadores (triangulación metodológica) para abordar con poca evidencia científica enfermera. Hemos identificado 47 etiquetas diagnósticas que están siendo asociadas con los factores relacionados y características definitorias correspondientes. The present research study tries to apply the nursing methodology of NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomy to an immigrant population and presents the following Aims: - To identify the most prevalent NANDA diagnoses linked to the migratory process of immigrant population and their families. - To elaborate and implement nursing care schemes adequate to the immigrant population and their families, using NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomy. - To evaluate suitability and validity of the already made standard schemes. Methodology: The project is being dealt with in several Primary Health Centres of the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) in Catalonia previously selected. The multi-centre study has four stages: a) A descriptive stage: Detection of needs in the immigrant population by 60 nurses responsible for the data collection. b) Preparing some standard care plans according to the detected problems using the appropriate nursing language. c) Implementing those standard care plans. d) Outcomes measure and assessment. Conclusions: Innovative elements as methodological triangulation are here presented in order to show the small scientific nursing evidence. 47 diagnoses associated to those factors and definite characteristics have been identified.

Purposes: The first objective was to propose a new model representing the balance level of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) using Principal Components Analysis (PCA); and the second objective was to use the results from the PCA recorded by regression method to construct and validate summative scales of the standardized values of the index, which may be useful to facilitate a balance assessment in adults with IDD. Methods: A total of 801 individuals with IDD (509 males) mean 33.1±8.5 years old, were recruited from Special Olympic Games in Spain 2009 to 2012. The participants performed the following tests: the timed-stand test, the single leg stance test with open and closed eyes, the Functional Reach Test, the Expanded Timed-Get-up-and-Go Test. Data was analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA) with Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization. We examined the construct validity of our proposed two-factor model underlying balance for adults with IDD. The scores from PCA were recorded by regression method and were standardized. Results: The Component Plot and Rotated Space indicated that a two-factor solution (Dynamic and Static Balance components) was optimal. The PCA with direct Oblimin rotation revealed a satisfactory percentage of total variance explained by the two factors: 51.6 and 21.4%, respectively. The median score standardized for component dynamic and static of the balance index for adults with IDD is shown how references values. Conclusions: Our study may lead to improvements in the understanding and assessment of balance in adults with IDD. First, it confirms that a two-factor model may underlie the balance construct, and second, it provides an index that may be useful for identifying the balance level for adults with IDD.

Background Institutionalized older persons have a poor functional capacity. Including physical exercise in their routine activities decreases their frailty and improves their quality of life. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a type of exercise that seems beneficial in frail older persons to improve their functional mobility, but the evidence is inconclusive. This trial will compare the results of exercise with WBV and exercise without WBV in improving body balance, muscle performance and fall prevention in institutionalized older persons. Methods/Design An open, multicentre and parallel randomized clinical trial with blinded assessment. 160 nursing home residents aged over 65 years and of both sexes will be identified to participate in the study. Participants will be centrally randomised and allocated to interventions (vibration or exercise group) by telephone. The vibration group will perform static/dynamic exercises (balance and resistance training) on a vibratory platform (Frequency: 30-35 Hz; Amplitude: 2-4 mm) over a six-week training period (3 sessions/week). The exercise group will perform the same exercise protocol but without a vibration stimuli platform. The primary outcome measure is the static/dynamic body balance. Secondary outcomes are muscle strength and, number of new falls. Follow-up measurements will be collected at 6 weeks and at 6 months after randomization. Efficacy will be analysed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis and 'per protocol'. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated using the "t" test, Mann-Witney test, or Chi-square test, depending on the type of outcome. The final analysis will be performed 6 weeks and 6 months after randomization. Discussion This study will help to clarify whether WBV training improves body balance, gait mobility and muscle strength in frail older persons living in nursing homes. As far as we know, this will be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of WBV for the prevention of falls. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01375790

La Universidad debe erigirse como motor de la sociedad civil y abordar con decisión los desafíos sociales contemporáneos, como es la situación de paro en España. La metodología del Aprendizaje Servicio Universitario permite integrar un aprendizaje basado en la realidad con el servicio a la comunidad concretizando la responsabilidad social de la Universidad. El artículo presenta el proyecto interfacultativo EcoSPORTech desarrollado en la Universidad de Vic cuya finalidad ha sido la creación de empleo juvenil desde la emprendeduría social. La política de comunicación ha sido clave en este proyecto., The University must become an engine of the civil society and take an active part in leading contemporary social challenges, such as the situation of unemployment in Spain. The University Service Learning methodology allows us to integrate a reality-based learning with the community service, concretizing the social responsibility of the University. The article presents the interfacultative EcoSPORTech project developed at the University of Vic. The purpose of this project has been the creation of youth employment using social entrepreneurship. The communication policy has been a key factor in this project.