Explore the vast range of titles available.

Implementation studies are often poorly reported and indexed, reducing their potential to inform initiatives to improve healthcare services. The Standards for Reporting Implementation Studies (StaRI) initiative aimed to develop guidelines for transparent and accurate reporting of implementation studies. Informed by the findings of a systematic review and a consensus-building e-Delphi exercise, an international working group of implementation science experts discussed and agreed the StaRI Checklist comprising 27 items. It prompts researchers to describe both the implementation strategy (techniques used to promote implementation of an underused evidence-based intervention) and the effectiveness of the intervention that was being implemented. An accompanying Explanation and Elaboration document (published in BMJ Open, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013318) details each of the items, explains the rationale, and provides examples of good reporting practice. Adoption of StaRI will improve the reporting of implementation studies, potentially facilitating translation of research into practice and improving the health of individuals and populations.

Background Supported self-management has been recommended by asthma guidelines for three decades; improving current suboptimal implementation will require commitment from professionals, patients and healthcare organisations. The Practical Systematic Review of Self-Management Support (PRISMS) meta-review and Reducing Care Utilisation through Self-management Interventions (RECURSIVE) health economic review were commissioned to provide a systematic overview of supported self-management to inform implementation. We sought to investigate if supported asthma self-management reduces use of healthcare resources and improves asthma control; for which target groups it works; and which components and contextual factors contribute to effectiveness. Finally, we investigated the costs to healthcare services of providing supported self-management. Methods We undertook a meta-review (systematic overview) of systematic reviews updated with randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published since the review search dates, and health economic meta-analysis of RCTs. Twelve electronic databases were searched in 2012 (updated in 2015; pre-publication update January 2017) for systematic reviews reporting RCTs (and update RCTs) evaluating supported asthma self-management. We assessed the quality of included studies and undertook a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis. Results A total of 27 systematic reviews ( n  = 244 RCTs) and 13 update RCTs revealed that supported self-management can reduce hospitalisations, accident and emergency attendances and unscheduled consultations, and improve markers of control and quality of life for people with asthma across a range of cultural, demographic and healthcare settings. Core components are patient education, provision of an action plan and regular professional review. Self-management is most effective when delivered in the context of proactive long-term condition management. The total cost ( n  = 24 RCTs) of providing self-management support is offset by a reduction in hospitalisations and accident and emergency visits (standard mean difference 0.13, 95% confidence interval −0.09 to 0.34). Conclusions Evidence from a total of 270 RCTs confirms that supported self-management for asthma can reduce unscheduled care and improve asthma control, can be delivered effectively for diverse demographic and cultural groups, is applicable in a broad range of clinical settings, and does not significantly increase total healthcare costs. Informed by this comprehensive synthesis of the literature, clinicians, patient-interest groups, policy-makers and providers of healthcare services should prioritise provision of supported self-management for people with asthma as a core component of routine care. Systematic review registration RECURSIVE: PROSPERO CRD42012002694 ; PRISMS: PROSPERO does not register meta-reviews

There is considerable policy interest in promoting self-management in patients with long-term conditions, but it remains uncertain whether these interventions are effective in stroke patients. Systematic meta-review of the evidence for self-management support interventions with stroke survivors to inform provision of healthcare services. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, AMED, BNI, Database of Abstracts of Reviews for Effectiveness, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for systematic reviews of self-management support interventions for stroke survivors. Quality was assessed using the R-AMSTAR tool, and data extracted using a customised data extraction form. We undertook a narrative synthesis of the reviews' findings. From 12,400 titles we selected 13 systematic reviews (published 2003-2012) representing 101 individual trials. Although the term 'self-management' was rarely used, key elements of self-management support such as goal setting, action planning, and problem solving were core components of therapy rehabilitation interventions. We found high quality evidence that supported self-management in the context of therapy rehabilitation delivered soon after the stroke event resulted in short-term (< 1 year) improvements in basic and extended activities of daily living, and a reduction in poor outcomes (dependence/death). There is some evidence that rehabilitation and problem solving interventions facilitated reintegration into the community. Self-management terminology is rarely used in the context of stroke. However, therapy rehabilitation currently successfully delivers elements of self-management support to stroke survivors and their caregivers with improved outcomes. Future research should focus on managing the emotional, medical and social tasks of long-term survivorship.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is highly prevalent in British South Asians, yet they are underrepresented in research. Genes & Health (G&H) is a large, population study of British Pakistanis and Bangladeshis (BPB) comprising genomic and routine health data. We assessed the extent to which genetic risk for T2D is shared between BPB and European populations (EUR). We then investigated whether the integration of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for T2D with an existing risk tool (QDiabetes) could improve prediction of incident disease and the characterisation of disease subtypes. In this observational cohort study, we assessed whether common genetic loci associated with T2D in EUR individuals were replicated in 22,490 BPB individuals in G&H. We replicated fewer loci in G&H (n = 76/338, 22%) than would be expected given power if all EUR-ascertained loci were transferable (n = 101, 30%; p = 0.001). Of the 27 transferable loci that were powered to interrogate this, only 9 showed evidence of shared causal variants. We constructed a T2D PRS and combined it with a clinical risk instrument (QDiabetes) in a novel, integrated risk tool (IRT) to assess risk of incident diabetes. To assess model performance, we compared categorical net reclassification index (NRI) versus QDiabetes alone. In 13,648 patients free from T2D followed up for 10 years, NRI was 3.2% for IRT versus QDiabetes (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0% to 4.4%). IRT performed best in reclassification of individuals aged less than 40 years deemed low risk by QDiabetes alone (NRI 5.6%, 95% CI 3.6% to 7.6%), who tended to be free from comorbidities and slim. After adjustment for QDiabetes score, PRS was independently associated with progression to T2D after gestational diabetes (hazard ratio (HR) per SD of PRS 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.42, p = 0.028). Using cluster analysis of clinical features at diabetes diagnosis, we replicated previously reported disease subgroups, including Mild Age-Related, Mild Obesity-related, and Insulin-Resistant Diabetes, and showed that PRS distribution differs between subgroups (p = 0.002). Integrating PRS in this cluster analysis revealed a Probable Severe Insulin Deficient Diabetes (pSIDD) subgroup, despite the absence of clinical measures of insulin secretion or resistance. We also observed differences in rates of progression to micro- and macrovascular complications between subgroups after adjustment for confounders. Study limitations include the absence of an external replication cohort and the potential biases arising from missing or incorrect routine health data. Our analysis of the transferability of T2D loci between EUR and BPB indicates the need for larger, multiancestry studies to better characterise the genetic contribution to disease and its varied aetiology. We show that a T2D PRS optimised for this high-risk BPB population has potential clinical application in BPB, improving the identification of T2D risk (especially in the young) on top of an established clinical risk algorithm and aiding identification of subgroups at diagnosis, which may help future efforts to stratify care and treatment of the disease.

Observational studies suggest high prenatal vitamin D intake may be associated with reduced childhood wheezing. We examined the effect of prenatal vitamin D on childhood wheezing in an interventional study. We randomised 180 pregnant women at 27 weeks gestation to either no vitamin D, 800 IU ergocalciferol daily until delivery or single oral bolus of 200,000 IU cholecalciferol, in an ethnically stratified, randomised controlled trial. Supplementation improved but did not optimise vitamin D status. Researchers blind to allocation assessed offspring at 3 years. Primary outcome was any history of wheeze assessed by validated questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included atopy, respiratory infection, impulse oscillometry and exhaled nitric oxide. Primary analyses used logistic and linear regression. We evaluated 158 of 180 (88%) offspring at age 3 years for the primary outcome. Atopy was assessed by skin test for 95 children (53%), serum IgE for 86 (48%), exhaled nitric oxide for 62 (34%) and impulse oscillometry of acceptable quality for 51 (28%). We found no difference between supplemented and control groups in risk of wheeze [no vitamin D: 14/50 (28%); any vitamin D: 26/108 (24%) (risk ratio 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.49, 1.50; P = 0.69)]. There was no significant difference in atopy, eczema risk, lung function or exhaled nitric oxide between supplemented groups and controls. Prenatal vitamin D supplementation in late pregnancy that had a modest effect on cord blood vitamin D level, was not associated with decreased wheezing in offspring at age three years. Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN68645785.

Among 5.4 million people receiving treatment for asthma in the United Kingdom, more than 2 million experience suboptimal control, leading to the use of health care services and resulting costs as well as poorer quality of life. Online health communities (OHCs) are increasingly used as a source of lay health advice, providing opportunities for learning and mutual support and complementing information from \"official\" health sources. While engagement with OHCs has the potential to improve self-management, concerns remain about the reliability and usefulness of the information posted. Professional moderation of such communities is essential for supporting sensitive patients, ensuring adherence to forum guidelines, and maintaining clinical safety. This study aims to examine the experiences of moderators in an asthma OHC, identifying challenges and possible areas to optimize the safety and effectiveness of patient engagement. All 6 current moderators of a nationwide charity-hosted OHC participated in in-depth, semistructured, audio-recorded, remote interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and qualitatively analyzed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. The 6 moderators interviewed comprised 4 (67%) specialist respiratory nurses, 1 (17%) volunteer patient ambassador, and 1 (17%) customer support manager (all female, with average age 45, SD 10.5 y). In total, 5 (83%) moderators had at least a year's experience of OHC moderation. Three main themes were generated from data analysis: moderation processes, challenges to effective moderation, and OHC effectiveness. The first theme focused on the different moderator roles and tasks undertaken, including the application of OHC guidelines in dealing with inappropriate content. The second theme covered difficult issues, such as mental health, and practical challenges, including lack of time and concerns about missing problematic posts. The third theme focused on the factors that made the OHC effective and increased its effectiveness, including keeping users safe, generating more OHC activity, encouraging discussion, and raising awareness of the OHC. We found a contradiction in how the moderators perceived the OHC's effectiveness and their role in moderating it. While they expressed concerns about having insufficient time to moderate the OHC, they also felt that it was underused and would be more effective if it were busier or more active. Building on the challenges experienced by the moderators, several recommendations were put forward to optimize the safety and effectiveness of the asthma OHC. Moderators often work in isolation without external training or interaction with others. More research into OHC moderation is needed. A continuous professional development framework could improve moderation quality and user support, aligning with the evolving needs of these communities. These results can be relevant to national and international policy, attempting to enhance the safety of patients' engagement with OHCs.

A cornerstone of asthma management is maintaining physical activity (PA), but this may lead to increased exposure to, and deeper inhalation of, pollutants. Furthermore, children and adolescents may be more susceptible to the deleterious impacts of such exposures. Despite the recent air quality campaigns and media coverage surrounding the dangers of air pollution to respiratory health, few target children and their understanding of such issues. Using semi structured interviews, understanding of PA, air pollution and their interaction was explored with 25 youth aged 7—17 years. Utilising NVIVO 12 software, an atheoretical, inductive thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes which were subsequently presented as pen profiles with the number of common responses within a theme indicative of its strength. The majority (88%) of youth’s indicated traffic-related air pollution and global manufacturing as key sources of air pollution. Whilst all youths were aware of outdoor pollution, only 52% were aware of indoor air pollutants, of which 62% had asthma. Despite some uncertainty, all youths described pollution in a negative fashion, with 52% linking air pollution to undesirable effects on health, specifically respiratory health. PA in a polluted area was thought to be more dangerous than beneficial by 44%, although 24% suggested the benefits of PA would outweigh any detriment from pollution. Youth are aware of, and potentially compensate for, the interaction between air pollution and PA. Strategies are needed to allow youth to make more informed decisions regarding how to promote PA whilst minimising exposure to air pollution.

Overprescribing of short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhalers is a worldwide problem. To evaluate the impact of a system-wide quality improvement programme on SABA overprescribing, and to identify the most effective strategies. All general practices within one East London borough received the intervention between October 2020 and March 2023. Practices in two neighbouring boroughs acted as comparators. Intervention practices engaged in quality improvement activities including: electronic alerts flagging patients prescribed ≥12 SABA inhalers/year; generating lists of patients overprescribed SABA to call for review; a summary guideline for clinicians; electronic patient information leaflets. All practices were offered webinar coaching. Prescribing data were collected from electronic health records, and SABA overprescription evaluated through interrupted times series analysis. Content analysis was applied to survey data and conversations with staff. During the three-year study period all localities introduced programmes to reduce SABA prescribing. We observed a significant decrease in the proportion of asthma patients prescribed more than 6 SABA/year in the study practices. The COVID pandemic triggered a temporary increase in patients on asthma registers, which persisted for 6 months. When implemented by practices the electronic prescribing alerts were effective: 50% of patients who received an active response reduced to <12 SABA in the following year. This quality improvement programme was associated with a reduction in SABA overuse, which could also decrease hospital admissions. Practices required individual coaching to use the electronic tools effectively. Integrated prescribing alerts reduced overprescribing, and collaborative practice cultures supported faster implementation of improvement strategies.

Promoting online peer support beyond the informal sector to statutory health services requires ethical considerations and evidence-based knowledge about its impact on patients, health care professionals, and the wider health care system. Evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions in primary care is sparse, and definitive guidance is lacking on the ethical concerns arising from the use of social media as a means for health-related interventions and research. Existing literature examining ethical issues with digital interventions in health care mainly focuses on apps, electronic health records, wearables, and telephone or video consultations, without necessarily covering digital social interventions, and does not always account for primary care settings specifically. Here we address the ethical and information governance aspects of undertaking research on the promotion of online peer support to patients by primary care clinicians, related to medical and public health ethics.

Background Diagnosing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in general population settings is challenging. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prediction tools designed to help identify individuals at risk of these blood-borne viruses. Methods We included studies on individuals of any age at risk of blood-borne viruses from healthcare, community settings, and national databases. We searched the Web of Science, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases (from database inception to 2023) and used the Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) to evaluate the quality and systematic risk of bias of these studies. We extracted model accuracy using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. A mixed-effects model (for AUC) and bivariate random-effects model (for sensitivity/specificity) were used to generate pooled values for these studies. Results Of the 41,585 records, 71 were included, covering over 31 million participants and more than 65,000 cases of blood-borne viruses. We examined 67 models: 47 for HIV, 13 for HCV, 5 for HBV, and 2 from studies that assessed multiple viruses separately. The studies were conducted in 41 low- and middle-income and 30 high-income countries. They covered 11 different populations (including men who have sex with men, the general population, and women), 8 types of settings (including sexual health, secondary care, and primary care) and 7 types of risk factors (behavioural, clinical, and demographic). The methods comprised traditional regression ( n  = 50), machine-learning models ( n  = 17), and others ( n  = 4). The risk of bias was high in 64 studies and low in seven. Among 33 studies reporting mean and 95% CI, pooled AUC values were 0.73 (95% CI:0.67–0.80,  = 74%) across HIV studies (including 8 machine-learning models), 0.80 (0.73–0.86,  = 86%) for HCV (including 2 machine-learning models) and 0.79 (0.76–0.81,  = 93%) for HBV (including 3 machine-learning models). Conclusions Significant heterogeneity exists in blood-borne virus prediction accuracy across diverse settings and populations, with a high risk of bias. Contributions from primary care were limited, and evaluation and reporting were inconsistent. Developing and evaluating effective models for the combined risk assessment of HIV, HBV, and HCV in general population settings remains a priority.