An SBM and TBSS Analysis in Early-stage Patients With Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementias, and Corticobasal Syndrome.

Objective: To compare gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body dementias (LBD), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Surface-based morphometry (SBM) was assessed on 3D T1-weighted images using FreeSurfer image analysis and WM microstructure was studied using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) in 12 AD, 15 LBD, 10 CBS patients, and 10 HC.

Results: Patients with AD, compared with HC, exhibited reduced cortical surface area and volume in the superior frontal, middle frontal, and medial orbitofrontal cortex.

Recruitment, data collection, participation rate, and representativeness of the international cross-sectional PRICOV-19 study across 38 countries.

Background: Recruitment for surveys has been a great challenge, especially in general practice.

Methods: Here, we reported recruitment strategies, data collection, participation rates (PR) and representativeness of the PRICOV-19 study, an international comparative, cross-sectional, online survey among general practices (GP practices) in 37 European countries and Israel.

Results: Nine (24%) countries reported a published invitation; 19 (50%) had direct contact with all GPs/GP practices; 19 (50%) contacted a sample of GPs /GP practices; and 7 (18%) used another invitation strategy.

Gestational Metabolic Risk: A Narrative Review of Pregnancy-Related Complications and of the Effectiveness of Dietary, Exercise and Lifestyle Interventions during Pregnancy on Reducing Gestational Weight Gain and Preventing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

This study is a Narrative Review that aims at investigating the implications of obesity, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Additionally, this Review seeks to explore the effectiveness of nutrition, and/or exercise interventions during pregnancy on reducing GWG and preventing GDM. The search in literature included studies that identified obesity, GWG, GDM and associated risks during pregnancy.

Measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in public primary health care in Greece: is there still a missing link to universal health coverage?

Background: The PRICOV-19 study aimed to assess the organization of primary health care (PHC) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 37 European countries and Israel; and its impact on different dimensions of quality of care. In this paper, we described measures taken by public PHC centers in Greece. Additionally, we explored potential differences between rural and non-rural settings.

Association between Levels of Loneliness, Laboratory Measurements, and Behavioral Aspects in a Primary Care Setting in Crete, Greece.

This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years.

Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions during Pregnancy on Preventing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in High-Risk Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Published RCTs.

Background: Until now, it is uncertain whether lifestyle interventions during pregnancy can prevent gestational diabetes mellites (GDM) in high-risk pregnant women.

Objective: This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of dietary interventions and/or exercise interventions during pregnancy for preventing GDM in high-risk pregnant women.

Materials And Methods: Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected after a search in CENTRAL, Scopus, and PubMed.

Underreporting contextual factors preclude the applicability appraisal in primary care randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To assess applicability reporting in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in primary care (PC).

Study Design And Setting: We used a random sample of PC RCTs published between 2000 and 2020 to assess applicability. We extracted data related to setting, population, intervention (including implementation), comparator, outcomes, and context.

Differences between Rural and Urban Practices in the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Outcomes from the PRICOV-19 Study in 38 Countries.

This paper explores the differences between rural and urban practices in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing aspects such as management of patient flow, infection prevention and control, information processing, communication and collaboration. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected through the online PRICOV-19 questionnaire sent to general practices in 38 countries. Rural practices in our sample were smaller than urban-based practices.

Screening for and Disclosure of Domestic Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the PRICOV-19 Cross-Sectional Study in 33 Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic left no one untouched, and reports of domestic violence (DV) increased during the crisis. DV victims rarely seek professional help, yet when they do so, they often disclose it to their general practitioner (GP), with whom they have a trusting relationship. GPs rarely screen and hence rarely take the initiative to discuss DV with patients, although victims indicate that offering this opportunity would facilitate their disclosure.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Led to Changes in the Tasks of the Primary Care Workforce? An International Survey among General Practices in 38 Countries (PRICOV-19).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large and varying impact on primary care. This paper studies changes in the tasks of general practitioners (GPs) and associated staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the PRICOV-19 study of 5093 GPs in 38 countries were used.

Generalizability of randomized controlled trials in primary health care: Applying the PRECIS-2 tool on published protocols.

Rationale: Pragmatic design may facilitate the generalizability of effectiveness of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in primary health care (PHC).

Aims And Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether published protocols in PHC were designed pragmatically and to explore whether specific trial characteristics may be related to a pragmatic design.

Methods: Using the Pragmatic Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary-2 (PRECIS-2), we assessed pragmatism for 123 published RCT protocols.

Effectiveness of exercise intervention during pregnancy on high-risk women for gestational diabetes mellitus prevention: A meta-analysis of published RCTs.

Objective: We aimed at investigating the preventive role of exercise intervention during pregnancy, in high-risk women for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Materials And Methods: We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated exercise interventions during pregnancy on women at high risk for GDM. Data were combined with random effects models.

Health outcomes in primary care: a 20-year evidence map of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To quantify the different types of health outcomes assessed as primary outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the primary care (PC) setting during the last 20 years and identify whether potential gaps exist in specific types of health care and types of intervention.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from January 2000 to September 2020 for published RCTs in PC. We recorded characteristics of eligible studies and mapped evidence by health outcome category (patient health outcomes, health services outcomes); and for each outcome category, by types of health care (preventive, acute, chronic, palliative), and by types of intervention (drug, behavioural, on structure, and on process).

Prothrombotic state in patients with stable COPD: an observational study.

Background: COPD patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate whether patients with stable COPD have a prothrombotic state compared to COPD-free smokers. We conducted an observational study comparing levels of: D-dimers, INR, aPTT, coagulation factors; fibrinogen, FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX and coagulation inhibitors; protein S, proteins C and antithrombin between stable COPD patients and control subjects.

Under-Vaccination in Adults: Qualitative Insights Into Perceived Barriers Reported by Vaccine Supporters, Undecided and Refuters.

Although vaccination is one of the most cost-effective ways of preventing disease, vaccine hesitancy has been included among the ten threats of global health. Addressing low adult vaccination rates requires an adequate understanding of people's views. We explored perceived barriers to immunization among under-vaccinated adults to identify potential differences among vaccine supporters, refuters, and those who are undecided.

Investigation of Quality of Life Determinants in Children with Food Allergies.

Background: Food allergy (FA) in children impacts their own and their family quality of life (QoL). The association of specific FA factors with the various domains of health-related QoL (HRQL) in children is unclear.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate FA characteristics in primary school children as determinants of components of HRQL.

Satisfaction and Perceived Barriers of General Practice Residents in Relation to Their Educational Needs Coverage During Residency in Greece.

This study aimed to assess satisfaction and report on perceptions of General Practice (GP) residents during residency in Greece, through an online questionnaire at a national level. A mixed type method study was shaped. Both quantitative analysis and a quasiqualitative approach were used, while information from an open-ended question was processed.

Identifying patient-related barriers in hypertension control: a multi-centered, mixed-method study in Greek rural practices.

Introduction: Treated but uncontrolled hypertension is a worldwide challenge. Exploring patient perspectives in different cultures and contexts could contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of poor blood pressure (BP) control. This study aimed to investigate patients' knowledge and attitudes towards BP management in order to identify possible barriers to achieving effective control.

Exploring primary care physician experiences conducting practice-based research on adult vaccination: a qualitative evaluation study in Greece.

Background: Research in primary care is necessary to empower its role in health systems and improve population health.

Objective: The aim of this evaluation study was to assess the experiences of primary care physicians who participated as researchers in a multi-centre, mixed-methodology study on adult vaccination supported by a newly established practice-based research network.

Methods: Twenty-three physicians participated as researchers, operating in their own practices in 10 different prefectures of Greece.

Unburdening dementia - a basic social process grounded theory based on a primary care physician survey from 25 countries.

Objective: To explore dementia management from a primary care physician perspective.

Design: One-page seven-item multiple choice questionnaire; free text space for every item; final narrative question of a dementia case story. Inductive explorative grounded theory analysis.

Managing hypertension in frail oldest-old-The role of guideline use by general practitioners from 29 countries.

Background: The best management of hypertension in frail oldest-old (≥80 years of age) remains unclear and we still lack guidelines that provide specific recommendations. Our study aims to investigate guideline use in general practitioners (GPs) and to examine if guideline use relates to different decisions when managing hypertension in frail oldest-old.

Design/setting: Cross-sectional study among currently active GPs from 29 countries using a case-vignettes survey.