Publications by authors named "L Smits"
Introduction: Relative or absolute safety of heated tobacco products (HTP) remains unknown, while independent literature suggests that these products do not favour tobacco control. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate HTP usage patterns and the effect of HTP use on conventional tobacco smoking (use transitions).
Methods: We used Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify all articles published up to February 2022 on HTP use.
Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of calcium supplementation as a preventive measure for pregnant women with insufficient calcium intake, examining adherence to the recommended 1000 mg daily intake and identifying influencing factors.
Methods: A survey (Expect cohort II, n = 823) evaluated calcium adherence among pregnant women, followed by interviews with sixteen purposefully selected participants. Verbatim transcripts were independently analyzed to identify key themes.
Article Synopsis
- The COVID-19 lockdowns significantly altered alcohol consumption habits in Italy, showing a shift from 26.4% at-risk drinkers before the pandemic to around 30% in the years following the initial lockdown.
- A study involving over 6,000 adults utilized an online questionnaire and focused on demographic factors, revealing higher at-risk drinking rates among younger individuals, those experiencing anxiety or depression, and users of nicotine products.
- Ultimately, the findings suggest concern as long-term alcohol consumption trends worsened, highlighting a greater risk among specific populations, including younger adults and married individuals, with mental health issues playing a significant role.
Most published prediction models for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were poorly reported, at high risk of bias, and heterogeneous in model performance. To tackle methodological challenges faced in previous prediction studies, we investigated whether model updating and extending improves mortality prediction, using the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a proxy. All COVID-19 patients admitted to seven ICUs in the Euregio-Meuse Rhine during the first pandemic wave were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a relatively rare yet aggressive malignancy, primarily affecting regions of East and Southeast Asia. This study aims at providing an up-to-date quantification of the association between cigarette smoking and NPC risk, overall and by histological subsites.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies on the association between cigarette smoking and NPC risk published up to May 2023.