Intake reminders are effective in enhancing adherence to direct oral anticoagulants in stroke patients: a randomised cross-over trial (MAAESTRO study).

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) effectively prevent recurrent ischaemic events in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with recent stroke. However, excellent adherence to DOAC is mandatory to guarantee sufficient anticoagulation as the effect quickly subsides.

Aim: To investigate the effect of intake reminders on adherence to DOAC.

Immediate postpartum assessment of the anal sphincter by endovaginal ultrasound: An experimental study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries are frequently missed and carry a significant risk for the development of anal incontinence. Immediate postpartum endoanal ultrasound increases identification of these injuries but is rarely employed. We hypothesize that endovaginal ultrasound could be a feasible and easily available alternative sonographic tool to improve early diagnosis of anal sphincter tears.

Immediate postpartum assessment of the anal sphincter by endovaginal ultrasound: a new technical approach.

Introduction And Hypothesis: In this study we described a new technical approach to adapt endovaginal ultrasound scanning of the anal sphincter complex to the immediate postpartum period.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical and ultrasonographic examinations of 18 primiparous women presenting deep perineal tears with potential or clearly identified lesions of the anal sphincter. Potential anal sphincter lesion was defined as a second degree perineal tear extending close to the anal sphincter with exposition of its capsule or muscular fibers.

How do elderly outpatients manage polypharmacy including DOAC - A qualitative analysis highlighting a need for counselling.

Background: Patients with polypharmacy are challenged with the management of their daily medication. Medication management strategies for direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are especially important to guarantee medication adherence and to prevent thromboembolic events. Patients are often left alone with finding an appropriate strategy.

The Quebec Questionnaire of Representations related to Work Disability (QRWoD): Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability in French chronic low back pain workers.

Background: Addressing chronic low back pain (cLBP) from the point of view of representation allows better understanding the behaviors associated with it and thus improve its medical and socio-occupational management. The Quebec Questionnaire of Representations related to Work Disability (QRWoD) proposes an evaluation of 9 dimensions of the cLBP-related representation.

Objective: To translate and adapt the QRoWD to French language and assess its validity and reliability in French cLBP workers on prolonged sick leave.

Insights Into Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy Implementation of Stroke Survivors with Atrial Fibrillation in an Ambulatory Setting.

Objectives: To describe how stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation implement direct oral anticoagulant treatment and propose appropriate metrics to describe adherence.

Materials And Methods: Stroke patients with atrial fibrillation electronically recorded their self-administered direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban) during a 6-month observation phase after hospitalisation for ischemic stroke. Taking and timing adherence, correct dosing days, drug holidays, time of the day and day of the week subsets, dose-to-dose intervals and longest intervals between two consecutive doses were calculated from electronic monitoring data to describe and discuss the implementation phase of adherence.

Patient Knowledge about Oral Anticoagulation Therapy Assessed during an Intermediate Medication Review in Swiss Community Pharmacies.

Background: Therapy with oral anticoagulation (OAC) can be challenging, especially in high risk groups such as chronic patients. Gaps in patient knowledge about OAC are linked to reduced effectiveness and safety of treatment. The objectives of this study were i) to assess OAC knowledge gathered during an intermediate medication review (MR) in patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC); ii) to assess OAC knowledge two weeks after the MR, and iii) to evaluate patient satisfaction with the MR service in community pharmacies.

Medication Discrepancies in Community Pharmacies in Switzerland: Identification, Classification, and Their Potential Clinical and Economic Impact.

: Transitions of care are high-risk situations for the manifestation of medication discrepancies and, therefore, present threats for potential patient harm. Medication discrepancies can occur at any transition within the healthcare system. : Fifth-year pharmacy students assessed a best possible medication list (BPML) during a medication review (based on medication history and patient interview) in community pharmacies.

Economic evaluation of a novel genetic screening test for risk of venous thromboembolism compared with standard of care in women considering combined hormonal contraception in Switzerland.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of the Pill Protect (PP) genetic screening test for venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk compared with standard of care (SoC), for women considering combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in Switzerland.

Methods: A two-part microsimulation model was developed to estimate VTE events, costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with the PP and SoC strategies. In the first portion of the model, a cohort of 1 million Swiss first-time seekers of a CHC were simulated.

Protocol for MAAESTRO: Electronic Monitoring and Improvement of Adherence to Direct Oral Anticoagulant Treatment-A Randomized Crossover Study of an Educational and Reminder-Based Intervention in Ischemic STROke Patients Under Polypharmacy.

Non-adherence to direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) remains a matter of concern, especially for patients with a recent stroke. However, data on electronically monitored adherence and adherence-improving interventions are scarce. We aim to use electronic monitoring in DOAC-treated stroke patients to (i) evaluate the effect of an educational, reminder-based adherence-improving intervention, (ii) investigate predictors of non-adherence, (iii) identify reliable self-report measures of adherence, and (iv) explore the association of non-adherence with clinical outcomes.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to self-assess patient knowledge of direct oral anticoagulants (KODOA-test).

Objective: Few studies have examined associations between patient knowledge of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) and clinical outcomes, mostly because of the lack of validated questionnaires for assessing knowledge. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to self-assess knowledge of DOAC.

Methods: Twelve anticoagulation experts participated in the questionnaire development process to ensure content validity.

Stability of medicines after repackaging into multicompartment compliance aids: eight criteria for detection of visual alteration.

Introduction: Multicompartment compliance aids (MCA) are widely used by patients. They support the management of medication and reduce unintentional nonadherence. MCA are filled with medicines unpacked from their original packaging.

Factors Associated With Presenteeism and Psychological Distress Using a Theory-Driven Approach.

Objective: To test a model of presenteeism on the basis of established and emerging theories separated into organizational and individual factors that could be mediated by psychological distress.

Methods: This was a Web survey of 2371 employees (response rate of 48%) of a provincial government agency. We assessed theories with validated measures for organizational and individual factors.

A review of best work-absence management and return-to-work practices for workers with musculoskeletal or common mental disorders.

Background: Workplace absenteeism is still a curse for developed countries, and more systematic practices need to be adopted to address this issue.

Objective: To review the literature on best practices for managing work absences related to musculoskeletal or common mental disorders.

Methods: A review was conducted by performing a search in bibliographic databases and on work-disability research institute websites.

Internal consistency and construct validity of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for work disability following a musculoskeletal disorder.

Purpose: To assess internal consistency and construct validity of the French version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for Work Disability (IPQR-WD).

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in rehabilitation centers and private clinics in the Montreal region of Canada, involving 43 men and women, French speaking, absent from work between 3 months and a year due to musculoskeletal disorders. The 9 dimension IPQR-WD and the following eight-related instruments for construct validity were administered: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Psychological Distress Index (PDI-14), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Self-Efficacy for Return to Work Scale (SERWS), Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI), Implicit Models of Illness Questionnaire (IMIQ) and a Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity (VAS).

[Psychometrics of the Eschelle questionnaire to measure self efficacy in work capacity].

Introduction: Self-efficacy with regard to work capacity is one of the determinants of return to work among workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). To our knowledge, the self-administered questionnaire named Echelle de mesure du sentiment d'efficacité personnelle is the only work-specific scale available in French; however its psychometric properties have not been extensively studied.

Purpose: To estimate the internal consistency and factorial structure of the scale.

Genital schistosomiasis in European women.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is an isolated chronic form of schistosomiasis. Although most infections occur in residents of endemic areas, it has been clearly documented that brief freshwater exposure is sufficient to establish infection; thus, travellers may also be infected. The clinical manifestations of FGS are nonspecific, and lesions may mimic any neoplastic or infectious process in the female genital tract.

Genes expressed in specific areas of the human fetal cerebral cortex display distinct patterns of evolution.

The developmental mechanisms through which the cerebral cortex increased in size and complexity during primate evolution are essentially unknown. To uncover genetic networks active in the developing cerebral cortex, we combined three-dimensional reconstruction of human fetal brains at midgestation and whole genome expression profiling. This novel approach enabled transcriptional characterization of neurons from accurately defined cortical regions containing presumptive Broca and Wernicke language areas, as well as surrounding associative areas.