Association of part-time clinical work with well-being and mental health in General Internal Medicine: A survey among Swiss hospitalists.

Introduction: Burnout and low job satisfaction are increasing among the General Internal Medicine (GIM) workforce. Whether part-time compared to full-time clinical employment is associated with better wellbeing, job satisfaction and health among hospitalists remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: We conducted an anonymized cross-sectional survey among board-certified general internists (i.

MEDPass versus conventional administration of oral nutritional supplements - A randomized controlled trial comparing coverage of energy and protein requirements.

Background & Aims: The use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in the hospital setting is important to reach individual protein and energy goals in patients at risk for malnutrition. Compliance with ONS can be challenging but may be improved by prescribing ONS in smaller portions with medication rounds (MEDPass). We compared the likelihood of meeting energy and protein requirements in patients receiving ONS with MEDPass versus conventional ONS administration.

Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Arterial Stiffness in a Countryside Area of Switzerland: Insights from the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Besides traditional cardiovascular risk factors, arterial stiffness is a recognized predictor of cardiovascular risk.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between traditional cardiovascular risk factors, sex, and aortic pulse wave velocity in subjects living in a countryside area of Southern Switzerland.

Prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health in a community-based population - results from the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS).

Aims Of The Study: The American Heart Association (AHA) developed a concept to measure cardiovascular health in populations. We aimed to analyse participants in the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS) according to the AHA concept.

Methods: We analysed cardiovascular health according to the AHA concept in all 474 participants of the prospective, population-based SWICOS study who were 18 years or older.

SARS-CoV-2 Ig G among Healthcare Workers and the General Population.

It is assumed that healthcare workers are at the highest risk to be infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, few data from healthcare workers who do not primarily take care of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection support this assumption. We investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (Ig G) against SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers who do not primarily take care of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the general population in a well-defined geographical area.

Age-Dependency of Cardiometabolic Risk and Protective Factors in Females Living in a Countryside Area of Switzerland.

We investigated the effect of age on cardiometabolic risk and protective factors in females living in a countryside area of Switzerland. For this cross-sectional analysis, data from 268 female adults, who live in two neighboring countryside villages in Italian-speaking Switzerland were retained. 89 study participants were premenopausal, 82 climacteric and 97 postmenopausal.

Energy and protein intake in medical and geriatric inpatients with MEDPass versus conventional administration of oral nutritional supplements: study protocol for the randomized controlled MEDPass Trial.

Background: Disease-related malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized medical and geriatric inpatients. It is associated with negative outcomes such as muscle wasting, decline of functional status, and increased morbidity and mortality. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are frequently used in nutritional therapy to increase intake.

Evolution of Basic Activities of Daily Living Function in Older Patients One Year After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background/objectives: To assess the course and prediction of basic activities of daily living (ADL) function in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Design: This was a prospective cohort study.

Setting: The setting was a single academic center in Switzerland.

Evaluation of comprehensive geriatric assessment in older patients undergoing pacemaker implantation.

Background: This study evaluated the use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in older patients undergoing pacemaker implantation.

Methods: In this prospective cohort, CGA was performed in 197 patients ≥75 years at pacemaker implantation and yearly thereafter. CGA embraced the following domains: cognition, mobility, nutrition, activities of daily living (ADLs), and falls (with or without loss of consciousness).

Baseline frailty status and outcomes important for shared decision-making in older adults receiving transcatheter aortic valve implantation, a prospective observational study.

Aims: The objective of this study was to examine baseline frailty status (including cognitive deficits) and important clinical outcomes, to inform shared decision-making in older adults receiving transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods And Results: We conducted a prospective, observational study of 82 TAVI patients, recruited 2013 to 2015, with 2-year follow-up. Mean age was 83 years (standard deviation (SD) 4.

Value of a comprehensive geriatric assessment for predicting one-year outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results from the CGA-TAVI multicentre registry.

Background: In a three-month report from the CGA-TAVI registry, we found the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) to be of value for predicting short-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the present analysis, we examined the association of these tools with outcomes up to one year post-TAVI.

Methods: CGA-TAVI is an international, observational registry of geriatric patients undergoing TAVI.

Analysis of fragmented oxidized phosphatidylcholines in human plasma using mass spectrometry: Comparison with immune assays.

Circulating oxidized phospholipids are increasingly recognized as biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Clinical association studies have been mainly performed using an immune assay based on monoclonal antibody E06, which recognizes a variety of molecular species of oxidized phosphatidylcholine (OxPC) in lipoproteins, cell membranes or covalently bound to plasma proteins. Accumulating evidence shows that individual molecular species of OxPC demonstrate different biological activities and have different half-life times.

A novel geriatric assessment frailty score predicts 2-year mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Established surgical scores have limitations in delineating risk among candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Assessment of frailty might help to estimate the mortality risk and identify patients likely to benefit from treatment. The aim of the study was to develop a frailty score to guide the decision for TAVI.

Improvement of Risk Prediction After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement by Combining Frailty With Conventional Risk Scores.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate whether frailty improves mortality prediction in combination with the conventional scores.

Background: European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) or Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score have not been evaluated in combined models with frailty for mortality prediction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: This prospective cohort comprised 330 consecutive TAVR patients ≥70 years of age.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation - results from the CGA-TAVI multicentre registry.

Background: In older patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI, the potential role of prior CGA is not well established. To explore the value of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for predicting mortality and/or hospitalisation within the first 3 months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: An international, multi-centre, prospective registry (CGA-TAVI) was established to gather data on CGA results and medium-term outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing TAVI.

Protocol of the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS) in rural Switzerland.

Introduction: Increased longevity and consequent major changes in demographics and population lifestyles necessitate new approaches to reduce the burden of ageing-related diseases (including cardiovascular disease) and maintain an optimal quality of life. This study aims to examine and longitudinally follow health status and disease risk factors in a Swiss rural cohort, evaluating all health-related research and practice disciplines to assure development of new implementable and successful preventive strategies for healthy ageing.

Methods And Objectives: Small Swiss villages with low migration rates will be selected for this study.

Evolution of Cognitive Function After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: This study aimed to assess the evolution of cognitive function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Previous smaller studies reported conflicting results on the evolution of cognitive function after TAVI.

Methods And Results: In this prospective cohort, cognitive function was measured in 229 patients ≥70 years using the Mini Mental State Examination before and 6 months after TAVI.

Novel immune assay for quantification of plasma protective capacity against oxidized phospholipids.

Aim: Oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) are the major pathogenic component of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (OxLDL). Endogenous anti-OxPL activity, defined as the ability to neutralize adverse effects of oxidized lipids, may have biomarker potential.

Methods & Results: Using two anti-OxPL monoclonal antibodies (commercial mAB-E06 and custom mAB-509) we developed a novel ELISA that measures the global capacity of plasma to inactivate OxPL.

Prognostic value of an abnormal response to acetylcholine in patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease: Long-term follow-up of the Heart Quest cohort.

Background: This study aims to determine whether small vessel disease (SVD) or vasospastic disease (VSD) has an impact on prognosis.

Methods: The prospective cohort embraced 718 patients with angina equivalent symptoms and no coronary stenosis ≥50% recruited between 1997 and 2008. At baseline, patients were classified as having SVD, VSD, other cardiac disease or non-cardiac problem based on intracoronary acetylcholine application and fast atrial pacing during coronary angiography.

Incremental value of copeptin in suspected acute myocardial infarction very early after symptom onset.

Background: Patients presenting very early after chest pain onset may provide a diagnostic challenge even when using a high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnT). We hypothesized that in these patients the incremental value of copeptin in the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be substantial.

Methods: We aimed to investigate the incremental value of copeptin in a pre-specified subgroup analysis of patients presenting with suspected AMI to the emergency department within 2 hours of symptom onset in a multicenter study.