The current issue of air pollution has pushed the development of the corresponding observational air pollution studies. The World Health Organization has developed a new risk of bias (RoB) assessment instrument and a related guideline for assessing the risk of potential bias in observational air pollution studies. This study introduced the background, methods, uses, advantages and disadvantages, precautions, and usage scenarios of the RoB instrument. It is expected to provide researchers with corresponding quality evaluation tools when writing related systematic review and meta-analysis, which will also help provide reporting standards for observational air pollution studies, thereby improving the quality of studies.
ObjectiveTo discuss the impact of health education for the patients with decompensated cirrhosis and their family members on patients' family life quality, psychological conditions, medication compliance, and re-admission rates. MethodsWe selected 100 decompensated cirrhosis patients between December 2012 and December 2013, and randomized them into two groups with 50 patients in each. One week prior to discharge, we conducted a comprehensive nursing assessment for the patients and developed hospital care regimen. Patients were followed up after discharge for six months. The control group underwent routine health education and extended care, while the experimental group had an addition of health education and extended care intervention on their family members. ResultsAnxiety and depression were alleviated in both the two groups. The psychological conditions of patients in the experimental group were significantly better than the control group (P<0.01). The total scores of quality of life was significantly different compared with the scores before intervention (P<0.01). Medication compliance improved more significantly in the experimental group after intervention (P<0.05). Re-admission rates decreased more significantly in the experimental group than the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionHealth education and extended care intervention for patients and their family members can improve patients' psychological conditions, promote medication compliance, reduce readmission rates, and improve patients' quality of family life.
Objective To assess the quality of the published randomized controlled trials published in Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JBUTCM), Acta Universitatis Traditionis Medicalis Sinensis Pharmacologiaeque Shanghai (AUTMSPS), Journal of Guangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JGUTCM), and Journal of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JCUTCM) from 2000 to 2005. Method Guided by the Cochrane Center hand-searching guidelines, we searched 24 volumes (111 issues) of the four journals. The data were extracted according to the principles of clinical epidemiology and consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT), as well as an evaluation scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The data were managed by descriptive analysis and uniformity test. Results There were 365 RCTs. The diagnostic criteria were reported in 297 trials (81.37%). The inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in 143 trials (39.18%) and 132 trials (36.16%), perspectively, None mentioned the estimation of sample size. The randomization and allocation concealment were reported in 70 trials (19.18%) and 9 trials, perspectively. The baseline data were described in 292 trials (80.00%). Blinding was mentioned in 35 trials (9.59%).Withdrawal occurred in 20 trials (5.48%). Informed consent was acquired in 2 trials. Adverse drug reactions were described in 97 trails (26.58%). Conclusion There are deficiencies in the reporting of these RCTs, Most of the trials do not describe the randomization, only a few trials use the allocation concealment and blinded method, no description of comparability of baseline data, most of the trials do not report the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and none estimate the sample size. These problems indicate that it is necessary to improve the quality of clinical research in Chinese medicine and pharmacology.
ObjectiveTo describe the status of quality of life (QOL) and self-management behavior in patients following mechanical heart valve replacement, and explore the relationship between QOL and self-management behavior. MethodsConvenient sampling was used to recruit 352 patients following mechanical heart valve replacement in a high-level hospital in Chengdu between January 2011 and June 2012. General information questionnaire, MOS SF-36 scales, and self-management behavior questionnaire were used to collect data. T-test was used to analyze the difference between patients and normal people. And correlation analysis was used to see the correlation between QOL and self-management. ResultsFor MOS SF-36 scale results in patients within one year after surgery, physical functioning (PF) score was 73.44±15.11, role-physical (RP) was 49.52±39.17, body pain (BP) was 63.13±17.93, general health (GH) was 58.85±14.88, vitality (VT) was 63.54±18.10, social functioning (SF) was 76.67±17.40, role-emotional (RE) was 64.96±41.37, and mental health (MH) was 72.76±17.40. All these scores of the patients were significantly lower than the norm of Sichuan Province (P<0.05) except the dimension of mental health. For patients one year or more after surgery, PF score was 76.53±14.41, RP 58.44±39.21, BP 68.16±18.26, GH 61.39±13.57, VT 68.47±16.37, SF 79.79±19.34, RE 72.94±37.29, and MH 75.87±14.70, among which PF, RE, BP and GH scores were lower than the norm (P<0.05). The average total score of self-management behavior was 143.21±20.63. QOL and self-management behavior were positively correlated. ConclusionThere is still a gap between patients following mechanical heart valve replacement and normal people in terms of quality of life. Patients' self-management behavior is positively correlated with the quality of life. Good self-management behavior contributes to the improvement of QOL.
Based on previous evidence-based researches and teaching experience, our team conducted literature and book review, and summarized 4 requirements, 1) effect measure calculation and conversion, 2) registration of evidence-based research, 3) evidence-based research database and 4) quality evaluation tools and reporting guidelines. We developed an online platform of evidence-based medicine research helper using the front-end and back-end technology, which can be accessed using www.ebm-helper.cn. Currently, the online tool has included 46 scenarios for effect measure calculation and conversion, introduction of 7 evidence-based research registration platforms, 26 commonly used databases for evidence-based research and 29 quality evaluation tools and reporting guidelines. This online tool can help researchers to solve specific problems encountered in different stages of evidence-based medicine research. Promoting the application of this platform in evidence-based medicine will help researchers to use the tool scientifically and improve research efficiency.
Objective To explore the effects on quality of life (QOL), the targeted rates of metabolic parameters and cost-effectiveness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients who underwent multifactorial intensive intervention. Methods One hundred and twenty seven cases in an intensive intervention and 125 cases in a conventional intervention group were investigated by using the SF-36 questionnaire. The comparison of QOL and the targeted rates of metabolic parameters between the two groups were made. We assessed the influence factors of QOL by stepwise regression analysis and evaluated the efficiency by pharmacoeconomic cost-effectiveness analysis. Results The targeted rates of blood glucose, blood lipid and blood pressure with intensive policies were significantly higher than those with conventional policy (P＜0.05). The intensive group’s role limitations due to physical problems (RP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), role limitation due to emotional problems (RE) and total scores after 6 months intervention were significantly higher than those of baseline (P＜0.05). The vitality scores and health transition (HT) of the intensive group were better than those of the conventional group after 6 months intervention. But the QOL scores of the conventional group were not improved after intervention. The difference of QOL’s total scores after intervention was related to that of HbA1c. The total cost-effectiveness rate of blood glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure control and the total cost-effectiveness rate of QOL with intensive policy were higher than those with the conventional policy. Conclusions Quality of life and the targeted rates of blood glucose, blood lipid and blood pressure in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with multifactorial intensive intervention policy are better and more economic than those with conventional policy.
Objective To assess the quality of randomised controlled trials on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for coronary heart disease (CHD) angina published from 1977 to 2002. Method We did electronic search in Medline, Embase and hand searched 83 journals of traditional Chinese medicine (the earliest published in 1977 and the latest in June 2002). We assessed the quality of obstained studies. Results Four hundred and forty articles met the criteria,of which 33 (7.5%) described randomization. None of them mentioned allocation concealment; 94.77% (417 studies) mentioned diagnosis criteria; only one mentioned the calculation basement of sample size; 84.09% (370 studies) mentioned comparability of baseline. Fifty three studies (12.05%) noted double-blind; 28 studies used single blind. Twenty-five studies used double-blind. Drop-outs were described in 7 cases without intention-to-treat (ITT); 159 studies applied statistical methods properly, while 4 did not. Ten studies never mentioned statistical methods; 73.18％ (322 studies) used forms to express their results. Conclusions Till now, the quantity and quality of RCTs of traditional Chinese medicine for coronary heart disease angina were inadequate. Some well designed scientific methods were not adequately applied.
ObjectiveTo explore the application effect of standardized management on video-electroencephalogram (VEEG) monitoring.MethodsIn January 2018, a multidisciplinary standardized management team composed with doctors, technicians, and nurses was established. The standardized management plan for VEEG monitoring from outpatient, pre-hospital appointment, hospitalization and post-discharge follow-up was developed; the special quilt for epilepsy patients was designed and customized, braided for the patient instead of shaving head, standardized the work flow of the staff, standardized the health education of the patients and their families, and standardized the quality control of the implementation process. The standardized managemen effect carried out from January to December 2018 (after standardized managemen) was compared with the management effect from January to December 2017 (before standardized managemen).ResultsAfter standardized management, the average waiting time of patients decreased from (2.08±1.13) hours to (0.53±0.21) hours, and the average hospitalization days decreased from (6.63±2.54) days to (6.14±2.17) days. The pass rate of patient preparation increased from 63.14% to 90.09%. The capture rate of seizure onset increased from 73.37% to 97.08%. The accuracy of the record increased from 33.12% to 94.10%, the doctor’s satisfaction increased from 76.34±29.53 to 97.99±9.27, and the patient’s satisfaction increased from 90.04±18.97 to 99.03±6.51. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionStandardization management is conducive to ensuring the homogeneity of clinical medical care, reducing the average waiting time and the average hospitalization days, improving the capture rate and accuracy of seizures, ensuring the quality of medical care and improving patient’s satisfaction.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake, so as to explore the main influential factors such as gender, age, ethnic group, marriage status and the extent affected by the earthquake. MethodsUsing WHOQOL-BREF, 500 residents from Hanyuan county in Sichuan province were assessed in order to analyze their life quality and related factors. ResultsThe score on the overall WHOQOL-BREF and the level of each factor were significantly lower than the score on the normal people (P < 0.001). Male score in the factor of social relations significantly higher than female (t=3.963, P < 0.001). The overall score and the score of social factor were significantly lower in the minor than in the adults (t=-2.667, P < 0.01; t=-19.287, P < 0.001). And the quality score of social relationship was significantly lower in the single than in the married and cohabiting couples (P < 0.001; P < 0.01). ConclusionThe quality of life of residents in stricken area five years after Wenchuan earthquake was significantly lower than the national norm. There are significant differences in terms of gender, age, marriage status and earthquake damage on social relations. Steady intimate relationships with others help improve the quality of life of residents in stricken area. Besides, compared those with average damage or no damage, the residents with serious damage are relatively worse in the overall quality of life as well as environmental conditions.
ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life (QOL) and its influencing factors of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer returning to social life after treatment.MethodsFunctional assessment of cancer therapy-breast scale (FACT-B Scale) was adopted to investigate the QOL of the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors, who were admitted and treated during January 2015 and October 2019 in Fujian Provincial Hospital. The demographic, social and economic data, as well as the clinical information of the responded survivors were collected. Logistic regression model was adopted to analyze factors associated with the QOL of the responded survivors.ResultsA total of 117 responded survivors were included. The median of the FACT-B scale was 106.0 (91.0, 121.3) points out of 148 points (71.6%). With the control of the demographic, social and economic status of the responded survivors, as well as the time from diagnosis and treatment to responding to the follow-up, we found that "having other chronic conditions" was the risk factor for the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors to have higher QOL in the social life after treatment (OR=4.17, 95%CI 1.33 to 15.37, P=0.01).ConclusionsThe overall QOL of the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors in the social life after treatment was low. "Having other chronic conditions" was the risk factor for the HER2 positive breast cancer survivors to have higher QOL in the social life after treatment.