A transversal cross-sectional study of factors related to HPV vaccination status and cancer screening participation among French women aged 25-40.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, uterine cervical cancer (UCC) was the 12th most common cancer among women in France and the 4th worldwide. French health authorities wanted to increase Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination and screening rates. There were still many barriers to these measures among young women, their families, and health professionals and teachers. Between 2014 and 2019, international studies found inconsistent effects of HPV vaccination on UCC screening. In 2022, a survey was conducted among women aged 25 to 40 in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region to assess participation 1) in HPV vaccination and its barriers, 2) in UCC screening as a function of HPV vaccination status. METHODS: Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed by QR code in 80 general practices randomly selected in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region between January and June 2022. Results were analyzed bivariately using the Chi2 test, multivariately when numbers allowed, and in age subgroups (sensitivity analysis). RESULTS: 407 complete questionnaires (for 602 participating women) were analyzed. In our sample, 41% of women aged 25 to 40 in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region were vaccinated against HPV viruses in 2022. The risk factors for non-vaccination, after multivariable adjustment, were: the periods of eligibility for vaccination in the early days of French vaccination (2007-2012: odds ratio OR = 0.04 [95% CI, 0.02-0.09]; 2012-2017: OR = 0.5 [0.3-0.8]), information received from non-medical sources (OR = 0.3 [0.2-0.6]), and absence of information about vaccination (OR = 0.12 [0.05-0.27]). In our sample, 90% of women were screened for UCC. In bivariate analysis, women at risk of not being screened were those who were youngest, had been vaccinated against HPV, were not heterosexual, lived alone, had gynecological follow-up by their general practitioner, and did not have regular gynecological follow-up. Sensitivity analysis showed that the only risk factor significantly correlated with non-screening regardless of age group was lack of regular gynecological follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in HPV vaccination and UCC screening is improved by medical education and gynecological follow-up. This multicenter study, limited by the relative youth of vaccination in France, should be repeated after 2037 to assess the possible effect of vaccination on screening.

Pattern of encounters to emergency departments for suicidal attempts in France: Identification of high-risk days, months and holiday periods.

INTRODUCTION: Seasonal change in patterns of suicidal attempts is not well known in France and may differ from other western countries. We aimed to determine the peak times (days, months and holiday periods) of suicidal attempts in France. METHODS: We carried out a multicentre retrospective epidemiological study, using data from the Organization for Coordinated Monitoring of Emergencies (OSCOUR®) network. We aggregated daily data from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019. Variations in suicidal attempts on specific days were investigated by comparing their frequencies (ad hoc Z-scores). RESULTS: 114,805,488 ED encounters were recorded including 233,242 ED encounters regarding suicidal attempts. Men accounted for 45.7%. A significantly higher frequency of ED encounters for suicidal acts were found on Sundays in the months of May-June for both sexes and on New Year's Day for all genders and age groups. An increased risk was also noted on July 14th (National Day) and June 22nd (Summer Solstice). A protective effect was noted on the day after Valentine's Day, on Christmas Day and Christmas time (in particular December 24 and 26). CONCLUSION: Sundays, June, New Year's Day were at increased risk of suicidal attempts in France requiring a strengthening of prevention.

[Antidepressive agents and hyponatremia: A literature review and a case/non-case study in the French Pharmacovigilance database]. / Antidépresseurs et hyponatrémie : revue de littérature et analyse cas/non-cas dans la base nationale de pharmacovigilance française.

OBJECTIVE: Most antidepressants have been associated with a risk of hyponatremia in the literature. This effect is not always reported in monographs. The aim of our study was to clarify the difference of increased risk of hyponatremia among various antidepressants. METHODS: Retrospective study of such cases/non-cases from observations recorded in the French national pharmacovigilance between 01/01/2004 and 31/12/2013. We studied all antidepressants marketed in 2014 in France, with a positive control (haloperidol) and a negative one (amoxicillin). The association between exposure to a given drug and the occurrence of an adverse event was estimated by calculating the reporting odds ratio (ROR). His confidence interval (CI) was calculated with the method of Woolf, with an alpha risk of 5%. The disproportionality is defined by an ROR>1, the 95% CI did not include the value 1. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2013, 3397 cases of hyponatremia were. All antidepressants were associated with hyponatremia among these cases, with the exception of: milnacipran, amoxapine, dosulepine, doxepine, trimipramine, iproniazide. The effect was predominant for the class of selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake (SSRIs), inhibitors of serotonin reuptake and noradrenaline (SNRIs) and other antidepressants; it seemed more doubtful for tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Contrary to the literature, we found an association between hyponatremia and exposure to agomelatine (ROR=4.1, 95% CI [2.2 to 7.7]), mianserine (ROR=2.7, 95% CI [2.0 to 3.7]) and tianeptine (ROR=6.1, 95% CI [4.7 to 7.9]). CONCLUSION: This study suggests to stay alert to electrolyte disorders when using all antidepressants, not only serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Efficacy and safety of insulin in type 2 diabetes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to anticipate and limit the social, economic and sanitary cost of type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is in constant progression worldwide. When blood glucose targets are not achieved with diet and lifestyle intervention, insulin is recommended whether or not the patient is already taking hypoglycaemic drugs. However, the benefit/risk balance of insulin remains controversial. Our aim was to determine the efficacy and safety of insulin vs. hypoglycaemic drugs or diet/placebo on clinically relevant endpoints. METHODS: A systematic literature review (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library) including all randomised clinical trials (RCT) analysing insulin vs. hypoglycaemic drugs or diet/placebo, published between 1950 and 2013, was performed. We included all RCTs reporting effects on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, death by cancer, cardiovascular morbidity, microvascular complications and hypoglycaemia in adults ≥ 18 years with T2D. Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and extracted the data. Internal validity of studies was analyzed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Risk ratios (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated, using the fixed effect model in first approach. The I(2) statistic assessed heterogeneity. In case of statistical heterogeneity, subgroup and sensitivity analyses then a random effect model were performed. The alpha threshold was 0.05. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes were non-fatal cardiovascular events, hypoglycaemic events, death from cancer, and macro- or microvascular complications. RESULTS: Twenty RCTs were included out of the 1632 initially identified studies. 18 599 patients were analysed: Insulin had no effect vs. hypoglycaemic drugs on all-cause mortality RR = 0.99 (95 % CI =0.92-1.06) and cardiovascular mortality RR = 0.99 (95 % CI =0.90-1.09), nor vs. diet/placebo RR = 0.92 (95 % CI = 0.80-1.07) and RR = 0.95 (95 % CI 0.77-1.18) respectively. No effect was found on secondary outcomes either. However, severe hypoglycaemia was more frequent with insulin compared to hypoglycaemic drugs RR = 1.70 (95 % CI = 1.51-1.91). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant evidence of long term efficacy of insulin on any clinical outcome in T2D. However, there is a trend to clinically harmful adverse effects such as hypoglycaemia and weight gain. The only benefit could be limited to reducing short term hyperglycemia. This needs to be confirmed with further studies.

[Investigation of the medical and social situation of patients managed by opiate replacement regimens for over 10 years by their GP]. / Enquête sur la situation médico-sociale de patients suivis pour un traitement substitutif aux opiacés depuis plus de 10ans par leur médecin généraliste.

OBJECTIVE: Management with opiate replacement regimens (ORRs) of patients presenting to primary care settings with opiate addiction has become a long-term follow-up. The aim of this survey study was to describe patients who had been prescribed ORRs for at least 10 years by their general practitioner (GP). METHOD: In 2011, two questionnaires were sent to a sample of 38 GPs prescribing ORRs in Northern France. Doctors' questionnaires collected their typology and opinions on their patients receiving opiate substitution treatments for over 10 years. Patients' questionnaires were completed in the presence of the patient. RESULTS: Twenty-three doctors' and 83 patients' questionnaires were suitable for analysis. The average number of listed ORR patients was 14.2 and 3.6 had been managed for 10 years or more. Misuse persisted: 30.5% of GPs considered that it was carried out by at least by 15% of patients. Average dosages were 60.3 mg for methadone and 7.0 mg for buprenorphine. Employment (46.3% of patients had a salary), dwelling and family live (46.3% of patients were in charge of children) were favored. Nevertheless, precariousness persisted: 32% of patients were indebted and help of social workers was not systematically searched. One third of the patients were alcohol and cannabis misusers, 70% were smoking and 34.5% multiple drug misusers. An important number of patients were taking anxiolytics (37.8%) and hypnotics (30.5%). CONCLUSION: After 10 years of follow-up for an ORR by a GP, the social situation of patients seems to have stabilized, but psychoactive drugs consumption remains important.

Enhancing field GP engagement in hospital-based studies. Rationale, design, main results and participation in the Diagest 3-GP motivation study.

BACKGROUND: Diagest 3 was a study aimed at lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes within 3 years after childbirth. Women with gestational diabetes were enrolled in the study. After childbirth, the subjects showed little interest in the structured education programme and did not attend workshops. Their general practitioners (GPs) were approached to help motivate the subjects to participate in Diagest 3, but the GPs were reluctant. The present study aimed to understand field GPs' attitudes towards hospital-based studies, and to develop strategies to enhance their involvement and reduce subject drop-out rates. METHODS: We used a three-step process: step one used a phenomenological approach exploring the beliefs, attitudes, motivations and environmental factors contributing to the GPs' level of interest in the study. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews and coded by hand and with hermeneutic software to develop distinct GP profiles. Step two was a cross-sectional survey by questionnaire to determine the distribution of the profiles in the GP study population and whether completion of an attached case report form (CRF) was associated with a particular GP profile. In step three, we assessed the impact of the motivation study on participation rates in the main study. RESULTS: Fifteen interviews were conducted to achieve data saturation. Theorisation led to the definition of 4 distinct GP profiles. The response rate to the questionnaire was 73%, but dropped to 52% when a CRF was attached. The link between GP profiles and the rate of CRF completion remains to be verified. The GPs provided data on the CRF that was of comparable quality to those collected in the main trial. Our analysis showed that the motivation study increased overall participation in the main study by 23%, accounting for 16% (24/152) of all final visits for 536 patients who were initially enrolled in the Diagest 3 study. CONCLUSIONS: When a hospital-led study explores issues in primary care, its design must anticipate GP participation early in the trial. Based on our questionnaire response rates, we found that one in two GPs were willing to participate in our hospital-led study, regardless of their initial attitudes.

Doping with aromatase inhibitors and oestrogen receptor modulators in steroid users: Analysis of a forum to identify dosages, durations and adverse drug reactions.

INTRODUCTION: Some users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) secretly consume aromatase inhibitors (AI) and selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERM). Cyber-forums can be potential sources of information. Our aim was to determine the cycles used, and to identify the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) experienced, reported in a bodybuilding forum. METHOD: We collected discussions on a French forum for AAS users (MESO-Rx®), from January 2013 to 2019 on concerning clomiphene, tamoxifen, anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole were collected. Characteristics of the users, duration of cures, treatments, dosages, point of purchase and occurrence of ADRs were analysed. RESULTS: Among the 1792 posts published on the forum, 845 concerned SERM and 571 concerned AI, i.e. 2180 drugs used (several cycles included concomitant consumption). Our population was exclusively male, with an average age of 28.2±6.3years, and had been practising weight training for 6.7±5.6years. The SERMs were mainly used to "revive the hypothalamohypophyseal axis" and the AIs to "fight against androgen aromatisation". The median treatment duration was 22 days for SERM, 70days for anastrozole, 84days for exemestane and 30days for letrozole, with a mean dose of 69mg/d for clomiphene, 22mg/d for tamoxifen, 0.4mg/d for anastrozole, 10mg/d for exemestane, 2mg/d for letrozole. The main way of obtaining these drugs was through the internet. 157 ADRs were identified: 95 for SERMs and 62 for AI. The most represented were acne, musculoskeletal, mood and reproductive disorders. Impaired quality of life (according to the patient) was described in 54% of the SERM posts and 26% of the AI posts. CONCLUSIONS: Patient narratives posted on forums can be a useful tool in the context of doping, to better understand practices, motivations and possibly to bring up pharmacovigilance signals.

Defining and evaluating the Hawthorne effect in primary care, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In 2015, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in primary care to evaluate if posters and pamphlets dispensed in general practice waiting rooms enhanced vaccination uptake for seasonal influenza. Unexpectedly, vaccination uptake rose in both arms of the RCT whereas public health data indicated a decrease. We wondered if the design of the trial had led to a Hawthorne effect (HE). Searching the literature, we noticed that the definition of the HE was unclear if stated. Our objectives were to refine a definition of the HE for primary care, to evaluate its size, and to draw consequences for primary care research. We designed a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses review and meta-analysis between January 2012 and March 2022. We included original reports defining the HE and reports measuring it without setting limitations. Definitions of the HE were collected and summarized. Main published outcomes were extracted and measures were analyzed to evaluate odds ratios (ORs) in primary care. The search led to 180 records, reduced on review to 74 for definition and 15 for quantification. Our definition of HE is "an aware or unconscious complex behavior change in a study environment, related to the complex interaction of four biases affecting the study subjects and investigators: selection bias, commitment and congruence bias, conformity and social desirability bias and observation and measurement bias." Its size varies in time and depends on the education and professional position of the investigators and subjects, the study environment, and the outcome. There are overlap areas between the HE, placebo effect, and regression to the mean. In binary outcomes, the overall OR of the HE computed in primary care was 1.41 (95% CI: [1.13; 1.75]; I 2 = 97%), but the significance of the HE disappears in well-designed studies. We conclude that the HE results from a complex system of interacting phenomena and appears to some degree in all experimental research, but its size can considerably be reduced by refining study designs.

Trends in the delivery of reimbursed nicotine replacement therapies between 2016 and 2019 in France.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the evolution of the expenses and the number of boxes of nicotine replacement therapy reimbursed by the French health insurance between 2016 (flat rate of €.150/year with advance payment) and 2019 (65% reimbursement without in advance payment and without a spending limit). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Descriptive and analytical epidemiological study between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 based on a retrospective collection of data from OpenMEDIC (the merged French health insurances drug claim database) on the number of reimbursed NRT boxes dispensed by community pharmacies and their annual cost. RESULTS: During 4 years, 7.4 million boxes of NRT were reimbursed (total cost of 148.4 million euros): approximately 300,000 in 2016, 650,000 in 2017, 1.9 million in 2018 and 4.6 million in 2019, namely a fifteen-fold increase between 2016 and 2019 (a geometric growth ratio of 2.5 each year). This increase was slightly more pronounced among men than among women, and concerned more NRT delivered from time to time (gums, tablets): transdermal devices proportion decreased from 79.7% of reimbursed NRT in 2016 to 52.9% in 2019, with an increase in gums (8% to 13.3%) and sublingual tablets (8.4% to 15.8%) over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of NRT reimbursement comes with an increase in NRT deliveries. This suggests a real medical need rather than a short trend: therefore, this suggests a catch-up in the access to care.

Participation rate in cervical cancer screening in general practice related to the proximity of gynecology care facilities: A 3 year follow-up cohort study.

Cervical cancer screening (CCS) by Pap tests is mainly performed by gynecologists in France, but also by general practitioners (GPs) and midwives. The screening uptake is insufficient to reduce the incidence of cervical neoplasms. Our aim was to investigate the association between screening rates in patients listed with GPs and the distance between GPs' offices and gynecology facilities. The population of 345 GPs, and their 93,918 female patients eligible for screening over 3 years (2013-2015), were derived from the Health Insurance claim database. We estimated the socioeconomic level of the geographical area of GPs' offices using the European Deprivation Index (EDI). The proximity of gynecology facilities was calculated by computing their distance from GPs' offices (in order to adjust the proximity of gynecology facilities with EDI and performance of smears by the GP). The number of gynecologists within 5 km of a GP's office was associated with the CCS rate increasing by 0.31% for every unit increase in the density of gynecologists within 5 km (p < 0.0001). The close proximity of gynecology facilities was not significantly associated with screening uptake among female patients when the office of the GP where they were registered was settled in a deprived area.

Reanalysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Promoting Influenza Vaccination in General Practice Waiting Rooms: A Zelen Design.

In 2014-2015, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effect of an advertising campaign for influenza vaccination using posters and pamphlets in general practitioner (GP) waiting rooms. No effect of the intervention could be demonstrated, but the immunization uptake increased in both arms of the study. In 2019, we deepened the investigations explaining the increased uptake conducting a registry-based 4/2/1 cluster RCT designed by Zelen with two extra years of follow-up of the study cohort. The study population included 23,024 patients eligible to be vaccinated who were registered with 175 GPs. The main outcome remained the number of vaccination units delivered per study group. Data were extracted from the SNIIRAM warehouse claim database for the Lille-Douai district (northern France). No difference in vaccination uptake was found in the Zelen versus the control group of the initial RCT. Overall, the proportion of vaccinated patients increased in the cohort from 51.4% to 70.4% over the three years. Being vaccinated the previous year was a strong predictor of being vaccinated in a subsequent year. The increase in vaccination uptake, especially among people older than 65, can be explained by a cohort effect. Health promotion and the promotion of primary health care may play an important role in this increase.

[Use of the ankle-brachial index in the detection of peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities in general medicine]. / Utilisation de l'index de pression systolique dans le dépistage de l'artériopathie du membre inférieur en médecine générale.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities (PAD) is a serious condition, frequently under-evaluated. Long asymptomatic, it is easily detected by measuring the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a reference tool that is reliable, reproducible, simple and inexpensive. The objective of this thesis was to determine the rate of achievement of ABI in French Haute Autorité de santé indications, identify the associated factors and prioritize the obstacles to achieving ABI. METHODS: Descriptive and analytical epidemiological study, with analysis of practices, prospectively addressed by postal questionnaire to a randomized sample of 220 general practitioners practicing in the European Metropolis of Lille between December 15, 2016 and February 15, 2017. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of 92 GPs (42% participation). Among them, only 6 practiced ABI, notably for: intermittent claudication (n=5: 5%, IC95% [1; 10]), the existence of at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), diabetic patients over 40 years of age (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]), and patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]): 2%, CI95% [0; 5]), patients over 50 years of age with a history of diabetes or smoking (n=2: 2%, CI95% [0; 5]), or those with an unhealed lower extremity skin lesion (n=5: 5%, CI95% [1; 10]). The most frequently cited barriers were: the prescription of a routine echo-doppler (61%, 95% CI [51; 71]), lack of control (46%, 95% CI [36; 56]), time considered too long (17%, 95% CI [10; 25]), and equipment purchase or maintenance (19%, 95% CI [10.5; 26.4]). CONCLUSION: ABI is few used in our sample, mainly due to delegation to angiologists.

The association between cervical cancer screening participation and the deprivation index of the location of the family doctor's office.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer screening rates are known to be strongly associated with socioeconomic status. Our objective was to assess whether the rate is also associated with an aggregated deprivation marker, defined by the location of family doctors' offices. METHODS: To access this association, we 1) collected data from the claim database of the French Health Insurance Fund about the registered family doctors and their enlisted female patients eligible for cervical screening; 2) carried out a telephone survey with all registered doctors to establish if they were carrying out Pap-smears in their practices; 3) geotracked all the doctors' offices in the smallest existing blocks of socioeconomic homogenous populations (IRIS census units) that were assigned a census derived marker of deprivation, the European Deprivation Index (EDI), and a binary variable of urbanization; and 4) we used a multivariable linear mixed model with IRIS as a random effect. RESULTS: Of 348 eligible doctors, 343 responded to the telephone survey (98.6%) and were included in the analysis, encompassing 88,152 female enlisted patients aged 25-65 years old. In the multivariable analysis (adjusted by the gender of the family doctor, the practice of Pap-smears by the doctor and the urbanization of the office location), the EDI of the doctor's office was strongly associated with the cervical cancer screening participation rate of eligible patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The EDI linked to the location of the family doctor's office seems to be a robust marker to predict female patients' participation in cervical cancer screening.

Audiovisual aids in primary healthcare settings' waiting rooms. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Health promotion is part of GPs' commitments. Some waiting rooms have therefore been implemented with audiovisual aids (posters, pamphlets or screens) for health promotion purposes. Few studies have assessed the effect of audiovisual aids in primary care. OBJECTIVES: To identify, describe and appraise studies that have investigated the effects of audiovisual aids on health promotion in primary healthcare waiting rooms. To determine which factors influence this impact through literature review. METHODS: Systematic review. Two independent researchers using predefined keywords searched databases. Additional publications were extracted from the reference lists of the selected articles. The selection of the articles was performed on the title and abstract, followed by complete reading and assessment. Bias and level of evidence were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 909 articles were collected. Most of them were not in primary care settings. Fourteen peer-reviewed articles fully meeting inclusion criteria were included and analysed. Good quality studies were scarce. Eight of these articles using videos or slideshows on TV screens or tablets indicated effects: three of them were significant on patient knowledge with acceptable evidence and three on health behaviour on surrogate endpoints. Audiovisual aids seem to be used or noticed by patients and can induce conversations with physicians. The relevant factors that might influence these effects (duration of exposure, conception quality, theme, target population and time spent in the waiting room) are insufficiently investigated. CONCLUSION: Audiovisual aids broadcasting messages using screens (TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones with Bluetooth® pairing) probably enhance patients' knowledge. A change in health behaviour remains controversial.

The Effect of Cervical Smears Performed by General Practitioners on the Cervical Cancer Screening Rate of their Female Patients: A Claim Database Analysis and Cross-Sectional Survey.

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer screening reduces the incidence and specific mortality rate of cervical neoplasms. In most cases screening by means of Pap smears is performed in France by gynecologists. The primary objective of this study was to confirm whether the participation rate is increased when general practitioners (GPs) carry out the smears themselves. The secondary objective was to evaluate other independent characteristics of GPs predicting participation rates in women. METHODS: The population of 347 GPs, including their relevant characteristics and their 90,094 female patients eligible for screening over 2 years (2013-2014), was derived from the SIAM claim database of the Flanders Healthcare Insurance Fund (CPAM). A telephone survey among all GPs was carried out to know whether they were performing smears in their surgeries. RESULTS: A total of 343 GPs were included for analysis (98.8% participation rate). The mean cervical cancer screening participation rate over 2 years among all the women in the recommended age group (25-65 years) was 43.3% (±6.9). Bivariate analysis showed that participation rate was higher when the GP performed smears (adjusted difference of mean: 2.06 [95% CI: 0.67-3.45], p = 0.037) and whether the GP was female (2.08 [0.42-3.74], p = 0.0144). After multivariate analysis the only significant characteristic of the GP was the performance of smears (1.71 [0.27-3.16], p = 0.0204). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical smears performed by GPs led to increased screening participation rates within the recommended age group of women. However, the size of this increase is insufficient to reach the expected participation rates.

Randomized controlled trial on promoting influenza vaccination in general practice waiting rooms.

BACKGROUND: Most of general practitioners (GPs) use advertising in their waiting rooms for patient's education purposes. Patients vaccinated against seasonal influenza have been gradually lessening. The objective of this trial was to assess the effect of an advertising campaign for influenza vaccination using posters and pamphlets in GPs' waiting rooms. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Registry based 2/1 cluster randomized controlled trial, a cluster gathering the enlisted patients of 75 GPs aged over 16 years. The trial, run during the 2014-2015 influenza vaccination campaign, compared patient's awareness from being in 50 GPs' standard waiting rooms (control group) versus that of waiting in 25 rooms from GPs who had received and exposed pamphlets and one poster on influenza vaccine (intervention group), in addition to standard mandatory information. The main outcome was the number of vaccination units delivered in pharmacies. Data were extracted from the SIAM-ERASME claim database of the Health Insurance Fund of Lille-Douai (France). The association between the intervention (yes/no) and the main outcome was assessed through a generalized estimating equation. Seventy-five GPs enrolled 10,597 patients over 65 years or suffering from long lasting diseases (intervention/control as of 3781/6816 patients) from October 15, 2014 to February 28, 2015. No difference was found regarding the number of influenza vaccination units delivered (Relative Risk (RR) = 1.01; 95% Confidence interval: 0.97 to 1.05; p = 0.561). CONCLUSION: Effects of the monothematic campaign promoting vaccination against influenza using a poster and pamphlets exposed in GPs' waiting rooms could not be demonstrated.

Factors associated with the achievement of cervical smears by general practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: Reliable data about general practitioners performing pap-tests are insufficient. A claim code for the achievement of pap-smears exists in France, but its use by general practitioners is not known. The main purpose of this study was to highlight independent factors associated with the achievement of pap-smears by the general practitioner (GP). We carried out a descriptive and analytic epidemiologic study in 347 GPs and their 244,889 patients, registered at the Health Care Insurance Fund of Flanders. The European Deprivation Index (EDI) in the area of GP's surgeries was specified. All GPs were questioned by telephone about their performance of pap-tests. The claim database of the insurance fund was analyzed to describe characteristics of GPs. RESULTS: The answer rate among questioned GPs was 98.8%. Pap-smears were performed in their surgeries by 182 GPs (53.1%). Among males, 45.7% performed pap-smears versus 78.4% of the female (adjusted odds-ratio = 4.5, p < 0.001). The mean rate of screened women in the target population was 44% when GPs were performing smears versus 42% when they were not (adjusted odds-ratio = 1.04, p = 0.03). Only 19.5% of GPs used the claim code. The number of patients, and the EDI were not associated with pap-smears. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02749110 (April 22, 2016).

The transculturality of 'gut feelings'. Results from a French Delphi consensus survey.

BACKGROUND: General Practitioners (GPs) sometimes base their clinical decisions on 'gut feelings.' Research into the significance of this phenomenon with focus groups and a Delphi consensus procedure in the Netherlands provided a concept of 'gut feelings:' a sense of alarm, a sense of reassurance and several determinants. The transculturality of 'gut feelings' has been examined briefly until now as the issue is complex. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a consensus on 'gut feelings' in general practice in France could be obtained. Using a similar Delphi consensus procedure and the same six initial statements as in the Netherlands, and compare the French results with the seven final Dutch consensual statements. METHOD: Qualitative research, including a Delphi consensus procedure after a forward-backward translation (FBT) of the initial Dutch statements of 'gut feelings.' A heterogeneous sample of 34 French expert GPs participated. FBT of the final French statements was undertaken for a content comparison with the Dutch. RESULTS: After three Delphi rounds, French GPs reached agreement on nine statements. Many similarities have been found between the Dutch and the French defining statements, with reservations concerning the 'sense of reassurance,' which French GPs seemed to feel more cautious about. CONCLUSION: 'Gut feelings' are a well-defined concept in France too. The Dutch and the French consensual statements seem very close. The transculturality of the concept is confirmed, which is a new indicator that 'gut feelings' are a self-contained concept.

The European EUCCLID pilot study on care and complications in an unselected sample of people with type 2 diabetes in primary care.

BACKGROUND: European studies on quality of diabetes care in an unselected primary care diabetes population are scarce. RESEARCH QUESTION: To test the feasibility of the set-up and logistics of a cross-sectional EUropean study on Care and Complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Primary Care (EUCCLID) in 12 European countries. METHOD: One rural and one urban practice from each country participated. The central coordinating centre randomly selected five patients from each practice. Patient characteristics were assessed including medical history, anthropometric measures, quality indicators, UKPDS-risk engine, psychological and general well-being. RESULTS: We included 103 participants from 22 GPs in 11 countries. Central data and laboratory samples were successfully collected. Of the participants 54% were female, mean age was 66 years and mean duration of diabetes was 9.6 years. Besides, 18% were using insulin, 31% had a history of cardiovascular disease, mean HbA1c was 7.1% (range 6.6-8.0), mean systolic blood pressure was 133.7 mmHg (range 126.1-144.4) and mean total cholesterol was 4.9 mmol/l (range 4.0-6.2). CONCLUSION: A European study on care and complications in a random selection of people with T2DM is feasible. There are large differences in indicators of metabolic control and wellbeing between countries.