Frailty Syndromes in Persons With Cerebrovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Frailty can change the prognosis and treatment approach of chronic diseases. Among others, frailty has been associated with cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. However, the extent to which the two conditions are related is unclear, and no systematic review of the literature has been conducted.

[Professional societies and conflict of interests governance.].

The complexity of health systems often implies a condition of conflict of interests for many of the players involved: health professionals, managers of the NHS, pharmaceutical, medical devices or food industries, publishers and communication agencies, conference event organizers. Conflict of interests is a condition of risk, not a sentence of guilt: for this reason, conflict of interests should be managed through information and training of health personnel. Scientific societies play an important role being active in updating their members (conferences, meetings, e-learning and residential training courses) and influencing healthcare with the production of clinical practice guidelines.

[The risk for illegal behaviour and corruption in the healthcare sector: what preventive measures can be taken?].

In the healthcare sector risk factors for illegal behavior and corruption are peculiar and greater than in other social areas, as it plays a crucial role in the community's economical, political and cultural life. The healthcare services is a complex network that require interaction between may people, constant contacts with the industry, safety and adequate facilities that require regular maintenance, upgrade and replacement of medical technology, connection with local and regional policy makers. This provides the opportunity of being exposed to improper influence.

Specialist palliative care improves the quality of life in advanced neurodegenerative disorders: NE-PAL, a pilot randomised controlled study.

Background: This study analysed the impact on palliative care outcomes of a new specialist palliative care service for patients severely affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/MND), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and related disorders (multiple system atrophy progressive supranuclear palsy, MSA-PSP).

Methods: The design followed the Medical Research Council Framework for the evaluation of complex interventions. A phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken comparing an immediate referral to the service (FT, fast track) to a 16-week wait (standard track (ST), standard best practice) using a parallel arm design.