Non-pharmacological rehabilitation interventions for individuals with antiphospholipid syndrome: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore what non-pharmacological interventions have been examined for individuals with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of the databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1983-Feb. 2023. Our scoping review included studies that examined non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with APS using patient-reported outcome measures. We excluded studies that reported physiological outcomes only. RESULTS: The review yielded one case study on the safety and efficacy of an exercise program for a 15-year-old male with secondary APS using physiological and patient-reported outcome measures. Despite the lack of evidence of non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with APS, one excluded study reported that individuals with APS want guidance about physical activity and exercise. We also found several types of potentially relevant non-pharmacological interventions for individuals with lupus, a disease that often co-occurs with APS. CONCLUSIONS: Non-pharmacological interventions may offer a solution for addressing some non-thrombotic or non-obstetric APS symptoms, such as neurological, physical, and cognitive symptoms that are not well-controlled by anticoagulation. Due to the unique risks associated with APS, research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions, particularly those involving exercise. Adopting a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to managing patients with APS and involving rehabilitation professionals, who are experts in the design and delivery of non-pharmacological interventions, may provide a foundation for developing and testing novel interventions that improve health outcomes while also fulfilling unmet needs reported by patients.

Periprocedural Complications With Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty: Analysis of Global Studies.

BACKGROUND: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) was introduced as a treatment modality for patients with inoperable, medically refractory chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension decades ago; however, reports of high rates of pulmonary vascular injury have led to considerable refinement in procedural technique. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to better understand the evolution of BPA procedure-related complications over time. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review of original articles published by pulmonary hypertension centers globally and performed a pooled cohort analysis of procedure-related outcomes with BPA. RESULTS: This systematic review identified 26 published articles from 18 countries worldwide from 2013 to 2022. A total of 1,714 patients underwent 7,561 total BPA procedures with an average follow up of 7.3 months. From the first period (2013-2017) to the second period (2018-2022), the cumulative incidence of hemoptysis/vascular injury decreased from 14.1% (474/3,351) to 7.7% (233/3,029) (P < 0.01); lung injury/reperfusion edema decreased from 11.3% (377/3,351) to 1.4% (57/3,943) (P < 0.01); invasive mechanical ventilation decreased from 0.7% (23/3,195) to 0.1% (4/3,062) (P < 0.01); and mortality decreased from 2.0% (13/636) to 0.8% (8/1,071) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Procedure-related complications with BPA, including hemoptysis/vascular injury, lung injury/reperfusion edema, mechanical ventilation, and death, were less common in the second period (2018-2022), compared with first period (2013-2017), likely from refinement in patient and lesion selection and procedural technique over time.

A systematic review of remotely delivered contingency management treatment for substance use.

BACKGROUND: Substance use and related consequences (e.g., impaired driving, injuries, disease transmission) continue to be major public health concerns. Contingency management (CM) is a highly effective treatment for substance use disorders. Yet CM remains vastly underutilized, in large part due to implementation barriers to in-person delivery. If feasible and effective, remote delivery of CM may reduce barriers at both the clinic- and patient-level, thus increasing reach and access to effective care. Here, we summarize data from a systematic review of studies reporting remote delivery of CM for substance use treatment. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review, reported according to PRISMA guidelines. The study team identified a total of 4358 articles after deduplication. Following title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and reference tracking, 39 studies met the eligibility criteria. We evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality tool. RESULTS: Of 39 articles included in the review, most (n = 26) targeted cigarette smoking, with others focusing on alcohol (n = 9) or other substance use or targeting multiple substances (n = 4). Most remotely delivered CM studies focused on abstinence (n = 29), with others targeting substance use reduction (n = 2), intervention engagement (n = 5), and both abstinence and intervention engagement (n = 3). CM was associated with better outcomes (either abstinence, use reduction, or engagement), with increasingly more remotely delivered CM studies published in more recent years. Studies ranged from moderate to strong quality, with the majority (57.5 %) of studies being strong quality. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with in-person CM, remotely delivered CM focusing on abstinence or use reduction from substances or engagement in substance use treatment services improves outcomes at the end of treatment compared to control conditions. Moreover, remotely delivered CM is feasible across a variety of digital delivery platforms (e.g., web, mobile, and wearable), with acceptability and reduced clinic and patient burden as technological advancements streamline monitoring and reinforcer delivery.

TACE versus TARE for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Overall and individual patient level meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly used as an alternative to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to perform an overall and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of studies comparing TACE and TARE. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search using pre-specified keywords with the aid of an informationist for articles from inception to 3/2020. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoint was time to progression (TTP). RESULTS: Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria with 2465 unique patients, with one randomized trial, 4 prospective studies and 12 retrospective studies. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B (42.8%) was the most common stage followed by BCLC A (30.3%) and BCLC C (29.0%). There was no difference in OS between the two modalities (-0.55 months, 95% CI -1.95 to 3.05). In three studies with available TTP data, TARE resulted in a longer TTP than TACE (mean TTP 17.5 vs. 9.8 months; mean TTP difference 4.8 months, 95% CI 1.3-8.3 months). IPD-level meta-analysis of 311 patients from three studies showed no difference in overall OS between the two modalities including among subgroups stratified by tumor stage and liver function. Limitations of the current literature include inconsistent length of follow-up, inconsistency in response criteria, and safety reporting. CONCLUSIONS: Current data suggest TARE provides significantly longer TTP than TACE, although the two treatments do not significantly differ in terms of OS. Given limitations of the current data, there is rationale for prospective studies comparing these modalities.

A scoping review of distributed cognition in acute care clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVES: In acute care settings, interactions between providers and tools drive clinical decision-making. Most studies of decision-making focus on individual cognition and fail to capture critical collaborations. Distributed Cognition (DCog) theory provides a framework for examining the dispersal of tasks among agents and artifacts, enhancing the investigation of decision-making and error. CONTENT: This scoping review maps the evidence collected in empiric studies applying DCog to clinical decision-making in acute care settings and identifies gaps in the existing literature. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Thirty-seven articles were included. The majority (n=30) used qualitative methods (observations, interviews, artifact analysis) to examine the work of physicians (n=28), nurses (n=27), residents (n=16), and advanced practice providers (n=12) in intensive care units (n=18), operating rooms (n=7), inpatient units (n=7) and emergency departments (n=5). Information flow (n=30) and task coordination (n=30) were the most frequently investigated elements of DCog. Provider-artifact (n=35) and provider-provider (n=30) interactions were most explored. Electronic (n=18) and paper (n=15) medical records were frequently described artifacts. Seven prominent themes were identified. DCog is an underutilized framework for examining how information is obtained, represented, and transmitted through complex clinical systems. DCog offers mechanisms for exploring how technologies, like EMRs, and workspaces can help or hinder clinical decision-making.

Checklists to reduce diagnostic error: a systematic review of the literature using a human factors framework.

OBJECTIVES: To apply a human factors framework to understand whether checklists reduce clinical diagnostic error have (1) gaps in composition; and (2) components that may be more likely to reduce errors. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science were searched through 15 February 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Any article that included a clinical checklist aimed at improving the diagnostic process. Checklists were defined as any structured guide intended to elicit additional thinking regarding diagnosis. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two authors independently reviewed and selected articles based on eligibility criteria. Each extracted unique checklist was independently characterised according to the well-established human factors framework: Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety 2.0 (SEIPS 2.0). If reported, checklist efficacy in reducing diagnostic error (eg, diagnostic accuracy, number of errors or any patient-related outcomes) was outlined. Risk of study bias was independently evaluated using standardised quality assessment tools in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. RESULTS: A total of 30 articles containing 25 unique checklists were included. Checklists were characterised within the SEIPS 2.0 framework as follows: Work Systems subcomponents of Tasks (n=13), Persons (n=2) and Internal Environment (n=3); Processes subcomponents of Cognitive (n=20) and Social and Behavioural (n=2); and Outcomes subcomponents of Professional (n=2). Other subcomponents, such as External Environment or Patient outcomes, were not addressed. Fourteen checklists examined effect on diagnostic outcomes: seven demonstrated improvement, six were without improvement and one demonstrated mixed results. Importantly, Tasks-oriented studies more often demonstrated error reduction (n=5/7) than those addressing the Cognitive process (n=4/10). CONCLUSIONS: Most diagnostic checklists incorporated few human factors components. Checklists addressing the SEIPS 2.0 Tasks subcomponent were more often associated with a reduction in diagnostic errors. Studies examining less explored subcomponents and emphasis on Tasks, rather than the Cognitive subcomponents, may be warranted to prevent diagnostic errors.

Patient factors associated with left ventricular assist device infections: A scoping review.

Infections are widely prevalent in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients and associated with adverse events including mortality and rehospitalizations. Current evidence examining factors associated with infections in this setting predominantly comprises single-center observational data. We performed a scoping review to systematically summarize all existing studies examining patient-related factors associated with infections after LVAD implantation. Studies published between 01/06 and 02/19 were identified through searching 5 bibliographic databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection. Inclusion criteria required examination of patient-related factors associated with infections among recipients of contemporary implantable, continuous flow LVADs. Key study characteristics were extracted by four independent reviewers and current literature described narratively. All analyses took place between February 2019 and May 2021. A total of 31 studies met inclusion criteria. All included studies were observational, and most commonly focused on driveline infections (n = 17). Factors studied most commonly included body composition (n = 8), diabetes and other comorbidities (n = 8), and psychosocial/socio-economic factors (n = 6). Studies were frequently single-center with heterogeneity in definition of infectious outcomes as well as exposure variables. Patient race and sex did not correlate with infection risk. There was no consistent association noted between obesity, diabetes, or psychosocial/socio-economic factors and infections in LVAD recipients. Two studies reported a significant association between malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia and post implant infections. This review summarizes 31 studies that described patient-related factors associated with infection after LVAD implantation. Patient related comorbidities, especially body composition and diabetes, were most commonly evaluated, but were not consistently associated with infections after LVAD implantation.

Domains and outcome measures for the assessment of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis: an international collaborative scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to comprehensively identify instruments within relevant domains employed to assess lcSSc since the endorsement of its consensus definition in 1988. The overall objective is to inform the creation of a Combined Response Index for Scleroderma Trials Assessing lcSSc (CRISTAL). METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase were searched using terms selected to comprehensively retrieve titles and abstracts mentioning both lcSSc and dcSSc, along with those only mentioning lcSSc, SSc sine scleroderma, limited SSc and/or CREST/CRST. Because our initial assessment of the literature revealed that very few studies included only lcSSc subjects, we also assessed literature that included both cutaneous subsets. A total of 3964 titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers, and 270 articles were selected for data extraction. RESULTS: We identified 27 domains encompassing 459 instruments. Instruments from 'Skin involvement', 'Pulmonary involvement' and 'Health-related quality of life and general functioning' were the most frequently retrieved. Among the 15 most represented instruments announced as primary end points in efficacy or effectiveness studies, 7 were clinician-reported outcomes (ROs), 7 were patient ROs, and one was a performance outcome (6 min-walk test). The mean proportion of lcSSc patients in studies of lcSSc, including studies that mention both lcSSc and dcSSc, was 56.4%, demonstrating that this subset is underrepresented in the literature, given that the prevalence of lcSSc ranges from 60% to 80% in national registries and international cohorts. CONCLUSION: This scoping literature review provides a comprehensive identification of domains and outcomes used to assess lcSSc. Our results also highlight that lcSSc is underrepresented in the literature.

Non-patient factors associated with infections in LVAD recipients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Infections are the most common complication in recipients of durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and expenditures. The existing literature examining factors associated with infection in LVAD recipients is limited and principally comprises single-center studies. This scoping review synthesizes all available evidence related to identifying modifiable, non-patient factors associated with infections among LVAD recipients. METHODS: Published studies were identified through searching 5 bibliographic databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science Core Collection. Inclusion criteria required examination of factors associated with infections among recipients of contemporary, implantable, continuous flow LVADs. Key study characteristics were extracted by 4 independent reviewers and current literature described narratively. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model was used to develop a taxonomy for non-patient related factors (e.g., tasks, tools, technologies, organization, and environment) associated with infections following LVAD implantation. All analyses took place between February 2019 and May 2021. FINDINGS: A total of 43 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority of included studies were observational (n = 37), single-center (n = 29), from the U.S. (n = 38), and focused on driveline infections (n = 40). Among the 22 evaluated sub-domains of non-patient related factors, only two: increasing center experience and establishing a silicone-skin interface at the driveline exit site, were identified as consistently being associated with a lower risk of infection. CONCLUSION: This review identified 43 studies that described non-patient related factors associated with infection in LVAD recipients. Only two factors were consistently associated with lower infection risk in LVAD recipients: increasing experience and establishing a silicone-skin interface at driveline exit site. The large variability in reporting across multiple studied interventions limited the ability to discern their effectiveness.

Outcome measurement instrument selection for lung physiology in systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease: A systematic review using the OMERACT filter 2.1 process.

OBJECTIVE: The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) is a research organization focused on improving health care outcomes for patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. The Connective Tissue Disease-Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Working Group on Lung Physiology is a group within OMERACT charged with identifying outcome measures that should be implemented in studies of patients with CTD-ILD. The OMERACT Filter 2.1 is an evidence-based algorithm used to identify outcome measures that are truthful, feasible, and able to discriminate between groups of interest. Our objective was to summate evidence (published literature, key opinion leader input, patient perspectives) that would influence the CTD-ILD Working Group's vote to accept or reject the use of two measures of lung physiology, the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLco) for use in randomized controlled trials (RTCs) and longitudinal observational studies (LOSs) involving patients with systemic sclerosis associated ILD (SSc-ILD). METHODS: Patient Research Partners (those afflicted with SSc-ILD) and the CTD-ILD Working Group on Lung Physiology were polled to assess their opinion on the FVC and DLco in terms of feasibility; the CTD-ILD Working Group was also queried on these instruments' face and content validity. We then conducted a systematic literature review to identify articles in the SSc-ILD population that assessed the following measurement properties of FVC and DLco: (1) construct validity, (2) test-retest reliability, (3) longitudinal construct validity, (4) clinical trial discrimination/sensitivity to detect change in clinical trials, and (5) thresholds of meaning. Results were summarized in a Summary of Measurement Properties (SOMP) table for each instrument. OMERACT CTD-ILD Working Group members discussed and voted on the strength of evidence supporting these two instruments and voted to endorse, provisionally endorse, or not endorse either instrument. RESULTS: Forty Patient Research Partners reported these two measures are feasible (are not an unnecessary burden or represent an infeasible longitudinal assessment of their disease). A majority of the 18 CTD-ILD Working Group members voted that both the FVC and DLco are feasible and have face and content validity. The systematic literature review returned 1,447 non-duplicated articles, of which 177 met eligibility for full text review. Forty-eight studies (13 RCTs, 35 LOSs) were included in the qualitative analysis. The FVC SOMP table revealed high quality, consistent data with evidence of good performance for all five measurement properties, suggesting requisite published evidence to proceed with endorsement. The DLco SOMP table showed a lack of data to support test-retest reliability and inadequate evidence to support clinical trial discrimination. There was unanimous agreement (15 [100%]) among voting CTD-ILD Working Group members to endorse the FVC as an instrument for lung physiology in RCTs and LOSs in SSc-ILD. Based on currently available evidence, DLco did not meet the OMERACT criteria and is not recommended for use in RCTs to represent lung physiology of SSc-ILD. The OMERACT Technical Advisory Group agreed with these decisions. CONCLUSION: The OMERACT Filter 2.1 was successfully applied to the domain of lung physiology in patients with SSc-ILD. The FVC was endorsed for use in RCTs and LOSs based on the Working Group's vote; DLco was not endorsed.

Systematic review: radiomics for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Advances in imaging technology have the potential to transform the early diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through quantitative image analysis. Computational "radiomic" techniques extract biomarker information from images which can be used to improve diagnosis and predict tumour biology. AIMS: To perform a systematic review on radiomic features in HCC diagnosis and prognosis, with a focus on reporting metrics and methodologic standardisation. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of all full-text articles published from inception through December 1, 2019. Standardised data extraction and quality assessment metrics were applied to all studies. RESULTS: A total of 54 studies were included for analysis. Radiomic features demonstrated good discriminatory performance to differentiate HCC from other solid lesions (c-statistics 0.66-0.95), and to predict microvascular invasion (c-statistic 0.76-0.92), early recurrence after hepatectomy (c-statistics 0.71-0.86), and prognosis after locoregional or systemic therapies (c-statistics 0.74-0.81). Common stratifying features for diagnostic and prognostic radiomic tools included analyses of imaging skewness, analysis of the peritumoural region, and feature extraction from the arterial imaging phase. The overall quality of the included studies was low, with common deficiencies in both internal and external validation, standardised imaging segmentation, and lack of comparison to a gold standard. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative image analysis demonstrates promise as a non-invasive biomarker to improve HCC diagnosis and management. However, standardisation of protocols and outcome measurement, sharing of algorithms and analytic methods, and external validation are necessary prior to widespread application of radiomics to HCC diagnosis and prognosis in clinical practice.

Considerations for a combined index for limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis to support drug development and improve outcomes.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc; systemic scleroderma) is characterized by a heterogeneous range of clinical manifestations. SSc is classified into limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous subgroups (dcSSc) based on the extent of skin involvement. Randomized controlled trials in scleroderma have mainly focused on dcSSc partly because the measurement of skin involvement, critical for evaluating a therapeutic intervention is more dynamic in this subset. Nonetheless, lcSSc, the most common cutaneous subset (about 2/3), is also associated with significant morbidity and detrimental impact on health-related quality of life. The lack of interventional studies in lcSSc is partly due to a lack of relevant outcome measures to evaluate this subgroup. Combining several clinically meaningful outcomes selected specifically for lcSSc may improve representativeness in clinical trials and responsiveness of outcomes measured in randomized controlled trials. A composite index dedicated to lcSSc combining such relevant outcomes could advance clinical trial development for lcSSc by providing the opportunity to test and select among candidate drugs that could act as disease-modifying treatments for this neglected subgroup of SSc. This proposed index would include items selected by expert physicians and patients with lcSSc across domains grounded in the lived experience of lcSSc. This article reviews the reasons behind the relative neglect of lcSSc, discusses the current state of outcome measures for lcSSc, identifies challenges, and proposes a roadmap for a combined lcSSc-specific treatment response index.

Do Wearable Activity Trackers Increase Physical Activity Among Cardiac Rehabilitation Participants? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to review randomized controlled trials (RCT), which included a wearable activity tracker in an intervention to promote physical activity among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants, and to conduct a meta-analysis for the outcomes of step counts and aerobic capacity (V˙o2max). METHODS: Eight databases were searched for RCTs that included an activity tracker, enrolled adults eligible for CR, and reported outcomes of step count or aerobic capacity. Mean differences were calculated for outcomes in the meta-analyses. RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs with 2429 participants were included in the systematic review and 10 RCTs with 891 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of three RCTs using a pedometer or accelerometer demonstrated a significant increase in daily step count compared with controls (n = 211, 2587 steps/d [95% CI, 916-5257]; I2 = 74.6% and P = .002). Meta-analysis of three RCTs using a pedometer or accelerometer intervention demonstrated a significant increase in V˙o2max compared with controls (n = 260, 2.6 mL/min/kg [95% CI, 1.6-3.6]; I2 = 0.0% and P < .0001). Meta-analysis of four RCTs using a heart rate monitor demonstrated a significant increase in V˙o2max compared with controls (n = 420, 1.4 mL/min/kg [95% CI, 0.4-2.3]; I2 = 0.0% and P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Use of activity trackers among CR participants was associated with significant increases in daily step count and aerobic capacity when compared with controls. However, study size was small and variability in intervention supports the need for larger trials to assess use of activity trackers in CR.

Domains and outcome measures for the assessment of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) is the most frequent subset of systemic sclerosis. Despite this, lcSSc is not the major focus of clinical studies. The lack of interventional studies in lcSSc is due, in part, to a paucity of relevant outcome measures to effectively evaluate this subset. A combined response index dedicated to lcSSc would facilitate development of well-designed trials and approval of new drugs. The objective of this scoping review is to perform a broad and comprehensive identification of the outcome measures (core set items) within relevant domains, which have been used so far to assess lcSSc. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The planned scoping review will be based on the approach proposed by Arksey et al and further developed by Levac et al. Development and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and guidelines. The development of the search strategy was guided by the concepts of domains and outcomes based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology approach and by the different names and definitions of SSc, with a specific emphasis on their occurrence in clinical trial studies. Two databases will be searched: MEDLINE and Embase. Studies in English, published from the year 1988 onwards, will be included, since 1988 corresponds to the publication of LeRoy's first consensus definition of lcSSc. Data will be extracted and analysed using a standardised charting tool. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is required for this study. The results will be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal and scientific conferences, informing the discussion on which items should be included in a combined response index dedicated to lcSSc (the CRISTAL project: Combined Response Index for Scleroderma Trial Assessing lcSSc).

Is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Therapy Non-Inferior to Antibiotic Therapy in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Amid growing antimicrobial resistance, there is an increasing focus on antibiotic stewardship efforts to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. In this context, novel approaches for treating infections without antibiotics are being explored. One such strategy is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the rates of symptom resolution and infectious complications in adult women with uncomplicated UTIs treated with antibiotics versus NSAIDs. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until January 13, 2020, for randomized controlled trials comparing NSAIDs with antibiotics for treatment of uncomplicated UTIs in adult women. Studies comparing symptom resolution between groups were eligible. Two authors screened all studies independently and in duplicate; data were abstracted using a standardized template. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. RESULTS: Five randomized trials that included 1309 women with uncomplicated UTI met inclusion criteria. Three studies (1130 patients) favored antibiotic therapy in terms of symptom resolution. Two studies (179 patients) found no difference between NSAIDs and antibiotics in terms of symptom resolution. Three studies reported rates of pyelonephritis, two of which found higher rates in patients treated with NSAIDs versus antibiotics. Between two studies that reported this outcome (747 patients), patients randomized to NSAIDs received fewer antibiotic prescriptions compared with those in the antibiotics group. Three studies were at low risk of bias, one had an unclear risk of bias, and one was at high risk of bias. DISCUSSION: For the outcomes of symptom resolution and complications in adult women with UTI, evidence favors antibiotics over NSAIDs. PROSPERO: CRD42018114133.

Utility of Coronary Calcium Scoring (CCS) in Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs) for the Evaluation of Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis - A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current state of knowledge for the utility of coronary calcium scoring (CCS) in connective tissue disorders (CTDs) as it relates to the presence and quantification of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review retrieved 1019 studies (since database inception on May 7, 2018) from which 121 manuscripts were eligible for review. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies that investigated CCS in adults with respective CTDs. Studies were excluded if a complete manuscript was not written in English or was a case report. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies were included (27 with healthy age-/gender-matched control group for comparison and 4 without). CTDs analyzed in articles with control group: 11 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 14 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 4 systemic sclerosis (SSc), 1 idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), 1 Takayasu arteritis, and 1 psoriasis. Nine out of 11 RA studies, 12 out of 14 SLE studies, and 2 out of 4 SSc studies showed statistically significant increased CCS when compared with the control group. CTDs analyzed in studies without control group: two Kawasaki disease, one juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and one antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) article, which demonstrated increased coronary arterial calcium burden, however, without statistically significant data. CONCLUSION: CTDs, especially SLE and RA, are associated with higher CCS compared with the control group, indicating increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis. Our search did not elicit sufficient publications or statistically significant results in many other CTDs.

Interventions to reduce aggressive care at end of life among patients with cancer: a systematic review.

Little is known about effective interventions to reduce aggressive end-of-life care in patients with cancer. We did a systematic review to assess what interventions are associated with reductions in aggressive end-of-life cancer care. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and PsychINFO for randomised control trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental, and observational studies published before Jan 19, 2018, which aimed to improve measures of aggressive end-of-life care for patients with cancer. We developed a taxonomy of interventions using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model to summarise existing interventions that addressed aggressive care for patients with cancer. Of the 6451 studies identified by our search, five RCTs and 31 observational studies met the final inclusion criteria. Using the SEIPS framework, 16 subcategories of interventions were identified. With the exception of documentation of end-of-life discussions in the electronic medical record, no single intervention type or SEIPS domain led to consistent improvements in aggressive end-of-life care measures. The ability to discern the interventions' effectiveness was limited by inconsistent use of validated measures of aggressive care. Seven (23%) of 31 observational studies and no RCTs were at low risk of bias according to Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool. Evidence for improving aggressive end-of-life cancer care is limited by the absence of standardised measurements and poor study design. Policies and studies to address the gaps present in end-of-life care for cancer are necessary.

Characteristics of healthcare organisations struggling to improve quality: results from a systematic review of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Identifying characteristics associated with struggling healthcare organisations may help inform improvement. Thus, we systematically reviewed the literature to: (1) Identify organisational factors associated with struggling healthcare organisations and (2) Summarise these factors into actionable domains. METHODS: Systematic review of qualitative studies that evaluated organisational characteristics of healthcare organisations that were struggling as defined by below-average patient outcomes (eg, mortality) or quality of care metrics (eg, Patient Safety Indicators). Searches were conducted in MEDLINE (via Ovid), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science from database inception through February 8 2018. Qualitative data were analysed using framework-based synthesis and summarised into key domains. Study quality was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. RESULTS: Thirty studies (33 articles) from multiple countries and settings (eg, acute care, outpatient) with a diverse range of interviewees (eg, nurses, leadership, staff) were included in the final analysis. Five domains characterised struggling healthcare organisations: poor organisational culture (limited ownership, not collaborative, hierarchical, with disconnected leadership), inadequate infrastructure (limited quality improvement, staffing, information technology or resources), lack of a cohesive mission (mission conflicts with other missions, is externally motivated, poorly defined or promotes mediocrity), system shocks (ie, events such as leadership turnover, new electronic health record system or organisational scandals that detract from daily operations), and dysfunctional external relations with other hospitals, stakeholders, or governing bodies. CONCLUSIONS: Struggling healthcare organisations share characteristics that may affect their ability to provide optimal care. Understanding and identifying these characteristics may provide a first step to helping low performers address organisational challenges to improvement. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42017067367.

Update of screening and diagnostic modalities for connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has high morbidity and mortality in connective tissue diseases (CTDs), especially systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this systematic review, we provide an update on screening measures for early detection of PAH in CTD. METHODS: Manuscripts published between July 2012 and October 2017, which incorporated screening measures to identify patients with PAH by right heart catheterization, were identified. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: The systematic review resulted in 1514 unique citations and 22 manuscripts were included for final review; the majority of manuscripts had a lower risk of bias based on the QUADAS-2 tool. There were 16 SSc cohort studies and 6 case-control studies (SSc 4, SLE 2). Four SSc cohort studies evaluated transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) only. Eight SSc cohort studies evaluated composite measures including ASIG, DETECT, and a combination of tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) and PFT variables. DETECT and ASIG had greater sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) compared to the 2009 ESC/ERS guidelines in different cohorts. The addition of PFT variables, such as DLCO or FVC/ DLCO ratio, to TRV, resulted in greater sensitivity and NPV compared to TRV alone. CONCLUSION: Current screening for PAH in CTDs is centered on SSc. Data continues to support the use of TTE and provides additional evidence for use of composite measures.

Medical Student- and Resident-Authored Publications in Academic Medicine From 2002 to 2016: A Growing Trend and Its Implications.

PURPOSE: The extent of medical trainees' engagement in scholarly medical education publication is not well described. This study sought to quantify the prevalence of medical student- and resident-authored medical education publications over 15 years, a benchmark essential for understanding current and future trends in trainee scholarship. METHOD: Of 91 identified journals, 16 met inclusion criteria as indexed general medical education journals. Only Academic Medicine provided complete author role information, allowing identification of medical student and resident authors. The authors retrospectively compiled and analyzed citation records from Academic Medicine from 2002 to 2016, tracking trainee authorship, author position, and publication type. RESULTS: A total of 6,280 publications were identified, of which 4,635 publications, by 16,068 authors, met inclusion criteria. Trainees were 6.0% (966/16,068) of all authors and authored 14.5% (673/4,635) of all publications. Trainee authorship rates varied by publication type: Trainees authored 33.3% (160/480) of medical humanities publications versus 6.9% (27/392) of commentaries. From 2002-2004 to 2014-2016, the proportion of authors who were trainees increased from 3.9% (73/1,853) to 7.1% (330/4,632) (P < .001 for trend). Over the same period, the percentage of trainee-authored publications increased: 9.4% (58/620) to 18.8% (225/1,199) (P < .001 for trend), driven primarily by increased trainee first authorship. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees constitute a small but growing proportion of authors and authored publications in Academic Medicine. Further work is needed to understand what trainee-, institutional-, and journal-level factors contribute to this trend, and whether similar increases in trainee authorship are occurring in other journals and fields.