Diagnostic accuracy of ultra-low-dose chest CT vs chest X-ray for acute non-traumatic pulmonary diseases.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of ULDCT to CXR for detecting non-traumatic pulmonary diseases at the emergency department (ED) and to study diagnostic confidence levels.

Methods: Secondary analysis of the prospective OPTIMACT trial (2418 ED participants randomly allocated to ULDCT or CXR). Diagnoses at imaging at the ED were compared to the reference diagnosis on day 28.

Precision in Liver Diagnosis: Varied Accuracy Across Subgroups and the Need for Variable Thresholds in Diagnosis of MASLD.

Background And Aims: The performance of non-invasive liver tests (NITs) is known to vary across settings and subgroups. We systematically evaluated whether the performance of three NITs in detecting advanced fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) varies with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) status or liver enzymes.

Methods: Data from 586 adult LITMUS Metacohort participants with histologically characterised MASLD were included.

Development of 3D-Formed Textile-Based Electrodes with Flexible Interconnect Ribbon.

The integration of electronics into textiles has gained considerable attention in recent years, due to the development and high demand of wearable and flexible electronics. One of the promising fields is healthcare, which often involves the utilization of textile-based electrodes. These electrodes often offer advantages such as conformability, breathability, and comfort.

Prenatal exposure to chemotherapy increases the mutation burden in human neonatal hematopoietic stem cells.

Chemotherapy is included in the standard of care for cancer treatment during pregnancy. However, whether prenatal exposure to maternal chemotherapy treatment has a mutagenic impact on the fetal genome, remains unexplored. Therefore, we investigated mutation accumulation in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from neonates born to pregnant cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, as well as healthy pregnant women and untreated pregnant cancer patients.

Evaluating the Performance of Non-invasive Tests for Colorectal Cancer: Statistical Considerations.

Like all interventions in health care, novel non-invasive tests for colorectal cancer should be properly evaluated before they can be recommended. Such evaluations should be performed in well-designed studies, of which the results can serve as the evidence base for recommendations. While the methods for evaluating novel tests have been slower to develop, there is now a solid base for developing suggestions and even strong recommendations for their assessment.

Change in fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease initiating biologic therapy.

Background: Fatigue is common among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL).

Aims: Describe fatigue evolution and identify factors associated with fatigue outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) initiating biologic treatment.

Methods: Data from adult Belgian patients with UC or CD enrolled in a prospective real-world study were utilized.

Risk of Cancer and Reoperation After Ileorectal Anastomosis and Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.

Introduction: To prevent colorectal cancer, most patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) undergo (procto)colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). After surgery, these patients remain at risk of developing cancer in the remnant rectum or rectal cuff/pouch. We aimed to compare the long-term risk of cancer after IRA or IPAA in FAP.

Assessing Adherence to the PRISMA-DTA Guideline in Diagnostic Test Accuracy Systematic Reviews: A Five-Year Follow-up Analysis.

Background: We evaluated reporting of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) systematic reviews using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-DTA and PRISMA-DTA for abstracts.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE for recent DTA systematic reviews (September 2023-Mar 2024) to achieve a sample size of 100. Analyses evaluated adherence to PRISMA-DTA (and abstracts), on a per-item basis.

Design-related bias in studies investigating diagnostic tests for venous thromboembolic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Early detection and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism are vital for effective treatment. To what extent methodological shortcomings exist in studies of diagnostic tests and whether this affects published test performance is unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the methodological quality of studies evaluating diagnostic tests for venous thromboembolic diseases and quantify the direction and impact of design characteristics on diagnostic performance.

A unified framework for diagnostic test development and evaluation during outbreaks of emerging infections.

Evaluating diagnostic test accuracy during epidemics is difficult due to an urgent need for test availability, changing disease prevalence and pathogen characteristics, and constantly evolving testing aims and applications. Based on lessons learned during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we introduce a framework for rapid diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation during outbreaks of emerging infections. The framework is based on the feedback loop between test accuracy evaluation, modelling studies for public health decision-making, and impact of public health interventions.

A commissioning protocol for portal imaging-based radiotherapy in vivo dosimetry systems.

Background And Purpose: With the availability of commercial electronic portal imaging detector-based in vivo dosimetry (EPID-based IVD) solutions, many radiotherapy departments are adopting this technology. However, comprehensive commissioning guidance is lacking. This study aims to provide a protocol for testing the accuracy and sensitivity of EPID-based IVD systems.

Development of an automated tool for the estimation of histological remission in ulcerative colitis using single wavelength endoscopy technology.

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) management employs a strategy targeting histological and endoscopic remission. Correlation of white-light endoscopy (WLE) scores with histological activity is limited. Single-wavelength endoscopy (SWE) addressing microvascular changes reflecting histological disease activity, may better assess histological remission.

Interprofessional collaboration between hospital-based palliative care teams and general healthcare workers: A realist review protocol.

Background: Palliative care, vital for patients with advanced, life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses, faces an increasing global demand due to aging populations and rising non-communicable diseases. Specialized palliative care teams (PCTs) within hospitals significantly impact patient outcomes, which requires effective interprofessional collaboration with general healthcare workers. Therefore, We will conduct a realist review to explore the contextual factors, mechanisms and outcomes related to the interprofessional collaboration between PCTs and general healthcare workers.

Framework of IBD Care Delivery Across Ages.

IBD care has gone through a real transformation over the last century, moving from the mere unidirectional interaction between the physician and the patient to a stronger framework with multiple stakeholders who interconnect and strengthen each other. The patient has evolved from a passive subject to the central pole in the care pathway. Key elements of the future framework include patient self-care and empowerment, and remote monitoring [eHealth].

Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines in Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury and the Association With Shoulder Pain.

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the association between adherence to spinal cord injury-specific physical activity guidelines in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and shoulder pain prevalence.

Design: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the SwiSCI Community Survey 2022 data, assessing aerobic activity and muscle strength training adherence in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and shoulder pain prevalence. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between meeting the physical activity guidelines and shoulder pain.

Co-creation of a step-by-step guide for specifying the test-management pathway to formulate focused guideline questions about healthcare related tests.

Background: Guideline development on testing is known to be difficult for guideline developers. It requires consideration of various aspects, such as accuracy, purpose of testing, and consequences on management and people-important outcomes. This can be outlined in a test-management pathway.

[Evidence for cancer screening programs; what is a fitting metric?].

The introduction of cancer screening programs requires solid evidence of a proper balance between health benefits, harms and resources needed. The primary outcome measure in most randomized cancer screening trails so far has been cancer-related mortality. Collecting data on this outcome requires large study groups and adequate follow-up.