A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

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Low autopsy acceptance after stillbirth in a disadvantaged French district: a mixed methods study

International audienceIn this study, we aimed to describe the autopsy acceptance rate and to understand the factors associated with declining an autopsy after stillbirth in a disadvantaged French district with a high migrant population. Between 1992 and 2015, the costs of autopsies for fetal and neonatal deaths in this district were completely covered by the local council (Conseil Général) and there was therefore no financial burden associated with an autopsy for families or for hospitals. We used a mixed-method approach using data from medical records and interviews with women experiencing a stillbirth collected as part of a population-based audit in the district in 2014

Development and Validation of a New Tool to Assess Burden of Dietary Sodium Restriction in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: The BIRD Questionnaire

(1) Background: Burden scales are useful in estimating the impact of interventions from patients’ perspectives. This is overlooked in sodium diet/heart failure (HF). The aim of this study is to develop and validate a specific tool to assess the burden associated with low-sodium diets in HF: the Burden scale In Restricted Diets (BIRD). (2) Methods: Based on the literature and reports from patients, 14 candidate items were identified for the following dietary-related domains: organization, pleasure, leisure, social life, vitality, and self-rated health. The validation study was conducted prospectively. The questionnaire was refined via item reduction according to inter-item correlations and exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) and convergent validity by assessing correlations between BIRD and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) Minnesota Living with HF questionnaire (MLHF). (3) Results: Of the 152 invited patients, 96 (63%) returned the questionnaire. The median score was 6.5 (IQR 2.0–14.0). The results showed good acceptability (non-response rates/item from 2.0% to 12.1%), an excellent internal consistency (Cα = 0.903) and a good convergent validity (rhos = 0.37 (physical), 0.4 (mental), and 0.45 (global); all p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: BIRD demonstrates good psychometric properties and is useful to quantify the burden associated with sodium restriction. It may help optimize dietary interventions and improve the overall management of patients with HF