Effectiveness of double-layered compression therapy against crepe bandage for healing venous ulcers in primary care. Randomized clinical trial

Objetivo: Evaluar si el vendaje de 2 capas es más efectivo que el vendaje de crepé en la cicatrización de úlceras venosas tras 12 semanas de seguimiento. Diseño: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado multicéntrico. Emplazamiento: 22 Centros de Salud de Madrid. Participantes: Mayores de 18 años, con diagnóstico de úlceras venosas. Se aleatorizaron 93 pacientes, 56 en el grupo de doble capa y 37 en crepé. Retiradas: 16 en el grupo de doble capa y 7 en el de crepé. Intervenciones: Grupo control: práctica clínica habitual: tratamiento de la herida y vendaje con crepé. Grupo experimental: misma práctica habitual para tratamiento de la herida y vendaje con doble capa. Mediciones principales: Variable respuesta principal: cicatrización completa a las 12 semanas. Variables secundarias: severidad de las lesiones, calidad de vida, reacciones adversas. Evaluación ciega de la variable respuesta. Resultados: Cicatrización completa: 25 (67%) en el grupo crepé (IC al 95% 50,2-81,9) y 32 (57,1%) en doble capa (IC al 95% 43,2-70,3). Sin diferencias en ambos grupos, RR = 1,10 (IC al 95% 0,864-1,424). La severidad de las úlceras basales se asocia al tiempo de cicatrización, HR = 0,86 (IC al 95% 0,78-0,94). Se objetiva mejora significativa en la calidad de vida total y en las dimensiones cosmesis y estado emocional. No se encuentran diferencias según el vendaje utilizado. Sin reacciones adversas graves en ninguno de los grupos. Conclusiones: No encontramos diferencias significativas en la cicatrización entre los 2 tipos de vendaje. Ambos son apropiados para la cicatrización de las úlceras y para mejorar la calidad de vida.Objective: To evaluate if the two-layer bandage is more effective than the crepe bandage in the healing of venous ulcers after 12 weeks of follow-up. Design: Randomized multicentre controlled clinical trial. Location: 22 Primary Health Centers of Madrid. Participants: Over 18 years old, with diagnosis of venous ulcers. 93 patients were randomized, 56 in the double layer group and 37 in the crepe group. Withdrawals: 16 in double layer group, 7 in crepe group. Interventions: Control group: usual clinical practice: treatment of the wound and bandage with crepe. Experimental group: same usual clinical practice for wound treatment and bandage with double layer. Main measurements: Primary outcome: complete healing at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes: severity of ulceration, health-related quality of life, adverse events. Blind evaluation of the response variable. Results: Complete healing: in crepe group, 25, 67.5% (95% CI 50.2-81.9) and in double layer group, 32, 57.1% (95% CI 43.2-70.3). No evidence of a difference in both groups, RR = 1.10 (95% CI 0.864-1.424). The basal severity of the ulcers is associated with the healing time. HR = 0.86 (95% CI 0.78-0.94). Our data showed a significant improvement in health-related quality of life, total and in the of cosmesis and emotional dimensions. No evidence of a difference in both groups. We didn’t find serious adverse events in any of the groups. Conclusions: We didn’t find significant differences in the healing between the two bandages evaluated. Both are appropriate for ulcer healing and to improve the health-related quality of life.Financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, a través del Instituto de Salud Carlos III. PN de I+D+I 2008-2011 Cofinanciado con fondos FEDER (PI13/01975) y la Fundación para la Investigación e Innovación Biosanitaria de Atención Primaria de la Comunidad de Madrid (FIIBAP)

The attitude towards vaccination of health sciences students at a Spanish university improved over the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic

It is important to know the attitudes of students of health sciences (SHSs) towards vaccination since they will be tomorrow’s health professionals. Vaccination is a powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19. The aim of the present, cross-sectional study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the attitude of SHSs towards vaccination. Data were collected in the form of a questionnaire from all students of nursing, physiotherapy and chiropody matriculated at a Madrid University for the academic year 2019/2020 (i.e., before the start of the pandemic [Q1]), and from all those matriculated for the year 2021/22 (i.e., c18 months after the pandemic was declared [Q2]). A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the influence of sex, degree being studied, course year and the time of answering (Q1 or Q2), on the dimensions Beliefs, Behaviours and General Attitude. Overall, 1894 questionnaires were returned (934 [49.3%] for Q1, and 960 [50.7%] for Q2), of which 70.5% were completed by students of nursing, 14% by students of physiotherapy and 15.4% by those studying chiropody. In Q2, the results for all three dimensions were significantly better (p < 0.05). The most important influencing factors were being a student of nurs-ing, being in the final years of training (years 3 or 4), female gender and answering at the time of Q2. The results obtained are encouraging since student nurses (who showed Q1 and Q2 General Attitude scores of 3.34 and 3.47 (maximum possible 4), respectively [p < 0.05]) are the health professionals of tomorrow most likely to be involved in vaccination programmes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vaccine coverage against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in health sciences students during COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

Vaccination against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 is recommended in health sciences students to reduce the risk of acquiring these diseases and transmitting them to patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate how the pandemic influenced the modification of influenza vaccination coverage during the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 campaigns and to analyze the vaccination coverage against SARS-CoV-2 in health sciences students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry of the Complutense University of Madrid. A questionnaire was administered in two stages, the first, Q1, before the start of the pandemic, where we analyzed influenza coverage during the 2019/2020 campaign and a second, Q2, 18 months after the start of the pandemic where we analyzed influenza coverage during the 2021/2022 campaign and coverage against SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1894 students (58.78% of the total of those enrolled) participated. Flu vaccination coverage increased from 26.7% in Q1 to 35.0% in Q2 (p < 0.05), being higher in the age group older than 21 years, who studied nursing, were in their fourth year and lived with people at risk. Vaccination coverage against SARS-CoV-2 was very high (97.8%), especially in students vaccinated against influenza. Coverage of the influenza vaccine in health sciences students increased from 2019–2020 to 2021–2022, being higher in the age group older than 21 years, who studied nursing, were in their first and fourth year and lived with people at risk. Coverage of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in health sciences students was very high, especially in those vaccinated against influenza.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effectiveness of a group educational intervention - prolact - in primary care to promote exclusive breastfeeding: a cluster randomized clinical trial

Background: The rates of exclusive breastfeeding at 6months in Spain are far from recommended by the World Health Organization, which is 50% by 2025. Evidence of the efectiveness of group interventions in late postpartum is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efectiveness of the PROLACT group educational intervention for increasing the proportion of mother-child dyads with exclusive breastfeeding at 6months compared to the usual practice in primary care. Method: Multicentre cluster randomized clinical trial. A total of 434 mother-child dyads who breastfed exclusively in the frst 4weeks of the children’s life and agreed to participate were included. The main outcome was exclusive breast‑feeding at 6months. Secondary variables were type of breastfeeding, reasons for abandonment, degree of adherence and satisfaction with the intervention. To study the efectiveness, the diference in the proportions of dyads with exclusive breastfeeding at 6months was calculated, and the relative risk (RR) and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated with their 95% CIs. To study the factors associated with the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding at 6months, a multilevel logistic regression model was ftted. All analyses were performed to intention to treat. Results: The percentage of dyads with exclusive breastfeeding at 6months was 22.4% in the intervention group and 8.8% in the control group. PROLACT intervention obtained an RR =2.53 (95% CI: 1.54–4.15) and an NNT=7 (95%CI: 5–14). The factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6months were the PROLACT intervention, OR=3.51 (95%CI: 1.55–7.93); age>39 years, OR=2.79 (95%CI: 1.02–7.6); previous breastfeeding experience, OR=2.61 (95%CI: 1.29–5.29); income between 500 and 833.33 €, OR=3.52 (95%CI 1.47–8.47).); planning to start work before the infant was 6months old, OR=0.35 (0.19–0.63). Conclusions: The PROLACT intervention in primary care is more efective than the usual practice for maintaining exclusive breastfeeding at 6months, and can therefore be considered evidence-based practice for implementation in standard practice. Trial registration: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under code number NCT01869920 (03/06/2013).This study was funded by the Projects PI12/02609 and PI12/02020 as a part of the Plan Nacional de I+D+I (National Plan for R+D+I) and co-funded by the ISCIII Subdirectorate General for Evaluation and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The primary researcher received a grant for publication from the Fundación para la Investigación e Innovacion en Atención Primaria (Foundation for Research and Innovation in Primary Care) in its 2019 call. The funding source had no role in the design of this study and did not have any role in its execution, analyses, interpretation of the data or the decision to submit the results.S

Flu Vaccination Coverage and Predictors of Non-Vaccination in Military Health Corps Personnel 2016–2017 and 2019–2021

(1) Background: Vaccination is the most effective intervention to control seasonal influenza morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to determine the influenza vaccination coverage in the Military Health Corps personnel in the 2020–2021 season, as well as the time trend and the possible influence of the pandemic on coverage, in order to study the reasons that led to the non-vaccination of health professionals and to analyze adverse drug reactions (ADRs). (2) Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2021. All FAS CMS personnel were included. A self-administered questionnaire was sent by e-mail to the selected personnel. (3) Results: Vaccination coverage in the 2016–2017 season was 15.8% (n = 276), in the 2019–2020 season it was 17.41% (n = 424), and in the 2020–2021 season it was 24.22% (n = 590). The percentage of vaccinated men was higher than the percentage of women. In 2019 and 2020 the most vaccinated group was 31–40 years old. Lieutenants had the highest vaccination uptake in 2019 and 2020. The personnel with the highest uptake of vaccines were those in the specialty of nursing in each of 2016, 2019 and 2020, with >30 years of time worked in 2016. In terms of factors leading to refusal of vaccination, the most reported was “not considered a risk group” (23.0%), and the least reported was “avoidance of vaccine administration” (2.2%). Eighty individuals presented adverse reactions after vaccine administration (9.6%). (4) Conclusions: The rate of influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals was lower during the 2020 season compared to the previous season, but was expected to increase in the upcoming 2021 season

A primary healthcare information intervention for communicating cardiovascular risk to patients with poorly controlled hypertension: The Education and Coronary Risk Evaluation (Educore) study-A pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial

PURPOSE: Uncertainty exists regarding the best way to communicate cardiovascular risk (CVR) to patients, and it is unclear whether the comprehension and perception of CVR varies according to the format used. The aim of the present work was to determine whether a strategy designed for communicating CVR information to patients with poorly controlled high blood pressure (HBP), but with no background of cardiovascular disease, was more effective than usual care in the control of blood pressure (BP) over the course of a year. METHODS: A pragmatic, two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial was performed. Consecutive patients aged 40-65 years, all diagnosed with HBP in the last 12 months, and all of whom showed poor control of their condition (systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg), were recruited at 22 primary healthcare centres. Eleven centres were randomly assigned to the usual care arm, and 11 to the informative intervention arm (Educore arm). At the start of the study, the Educore arm subjects were shown the "low risk SCORE table", along with impacting images and information pamphlets encouraging the maintenance of good cardiovascular health. The main outcome variable measured was the control of HBP; the secondary outcome variables were SCORE table score, total plasma cholesterol concentration, use of tobacco, adherence to prescribed treatment, and quality of life. RESULTS: The study participants were 411 patients (185 in the Educore arm and 226 in the usual care arm). Multilevel logistic regression showed that, at 12 months, the Educore intervention achieved better control of HBP (OR = 1.57; 1.02 to 2.41). No statistically significant differences were seen between the two arms at 12 months with respect to the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to usual care, the Educore intervention was associated with better control of HBP after adjusting for age, baseline SBP and plasma cholesterol, at 12 months.This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation via the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subprograma de Proyectos de Investigación en Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias y Servicios de Salud (PI 09/90354), and the Fundación de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica en Atención Primaria (FIIBAP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscriptS

ECAMulticapa: Effectiveness of double-layered compression therapy for healing venous ulcers in primary care: a Study Protocol

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency, in its final stage can cause venous ulcers. Venous ulcers have a prevalence of 0.5 % to 0.8 % in the general population, and increases starting at 60 years of age. This condition often causes increased dependency in affected individuals, as well as a perceived reduced quality of life and family overload. Local Treating chronic venous ulcers has 2 components: topically healing the ulcer and controlling the venous insufficiency. There is evidence that compressive therapy favours the healing process of venous ulcers. The studies we have found suggest that the use of multilayer bandage systems is more effective than the use of bandages with a single component, these are mostly using in Spain. Multilayer compression bandages with 2 layers are equally effective in the healing process of chronic venous ulcers as 4-layer bandages and are better tolerated and preferenced by patients. More studies are needed to specifically compare the 2-layer bandages systems in the settings where these patients are usually treated. Method/design: Randomised, controlled, parallel, multicentre clinical trial, with 12 weeks of follow-up and blind evaluation of the response variable. The objective is to assess the efficacy of multilayer compression bandages (2 layers) compared with crepe bandages, based on the incidence of healed venous ulcers in individuals treated in primary care nursing consultations, at 12 weeks of follow-up. The study will include 216 individuals (108 per branch) with venous ulcers treated in primary care nursing consultations. The primary endpoint is complete healing at 12 weeks of follow-up. The secondary endpoints are the degree of healing (Resvech.2), quality of life (CCVUQ-e), adverse reactions related to the healing process. Prognosis and demographic variables are also recorder. Effectiveness analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves, a log-rank test and a Cox regression analysis. The analysis was performed by intention to treat. Discussion: The study results can contribute to improving the care and quality of life of patients with venous ulcers, decreasing healing times and healthcare expenditure and contributing to the consistent treatment of these lesions. Trial registration: This study has been recorded in the Clinical Trials.gov site with the code NCT02364921. 17 February 2015.This study was funded by PN of I + D + I 2013–2016 and the ISCIII – Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación and FEDER funds (PI13/01975). Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad

EDUCORE project: a clinical trial, randomised by clusters, to assess the effect of a visual learning method on blood pressure control in the primary healthcare setting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High blood pressure (HBP) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). European hypertension and cardiology societies as well as expert committees on CVD prevention recommend stratifying cardiovascular risk using the SCORE method, the modification of lifestyles to prevent CVD, and achieving good control over risk factors. The EDUCORE (Education and Coronary Risk Evaluation) project aims to determine whether the use of a cardiovascular risk visual learning method - the EDUCORE method - is more effective than normal clinical practice in improving the control of blood pressure within one year in patients with poorly controlled hypertension but no background of CVD;</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This work describes a protocol for a clinical trial, randomised by clusters and involving 22 primary healthcare clinics, to test the effectiveness of the EDUCORE method. The number of patients required was 736, all between 40 and 65 years of age (n = 368 in the EDUCORE and control groups), all of whom had been diagnosed with HBP at least one year ago, and all of whom had poorly controlled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg). All personnel taking part were explained the trial and trained in its methodology. The EDUCORE method contemplates the visualisation of low risk SCORE scores using images embodying different stages of a high risk action, plus the receipt of a pamphlet explaining how to better maintain cardiac health. The main outcome variable was the control of blood pressure; secondary outcome variables included the SCORE score, therapeutic compliance, quality of life, and total cholesterol level. All outcome variables were measured at the beginning of the experimental period and again at 6 and 12 months. Information on sex, age, educational level, physical activity, body mass index, consumption of medications, change of treatment and blood analysis results was also recorded;</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The EDUCORE method could provide a simple, inexpensive means of improving blood pressure control, and perhaps other health problems, in the primary healthcare setting;</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01155973 [<url>http://ClinicalTrials.gov</url>].</p

Effectiveness of a strategy that uses educational games to implement clinical practice guidelines among Spanish residents of family and community medicine (e-EDUCAGUIA project):A clinical trial by clusters

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias FIS Grant Number PI11/0477 ISCIII.-REDISSEC Proyecto RD12/0001/0012 AND FEDER Funding.Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed with the aim of helping health professionals, patients, and caregivers make decisions about their health care, using the best available evidence. In many cases, incorporation of these recommendations into clinical practice also implies a need for changes in routine clinical practice. Using educational games as a strategy for implementing recommendations among health professionals has been demonstrated to be effective in some studies; however, evidence is still scarce. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a teaching strategy for the implementation of CPGs using educational games (e-learning EDUCAGUIA) to improve knowledge and skills related to clinical decision-making by residents in family medicine. The primary objective will be evaluated at 1 and 6months after the intervention. The secondary objectives are to identify barriers and facilitators for the use of guidelines by residents of family medicine and to describe the educational strategies used by Spanish teaching units of family and community medicine to encourage implementation of CPGs. Methods/design: We propose a multicenter clinical trial with randomized allocation by clusters of family and community medicine teaching units in Spain. The sample size will be 394 residents (197 in each group), with the teaching units as the randomization unit and the residents comprising the analysis unit. For the intervention, both groups will receive an initial 1-h session on clinical practice guideline use and the usual dissemination strategy by e-mail. The intervention group (e-learning EDUCAGUIA) strategy will consist of educational games with hypothetical clinical scenarios in a virtual environment. The primary outcome will be the score obtained by the residents on evaluation questionnaires for each clinical practice guideline. Other included variables will be the sociodemographic and training variables of the residents and the teaching unit characteristics. The statistical analysis will consist of a descriptive analysis of variables and a baseline comparison of both groups. For the primary outcome analysis, an average score comparison of hypothetical scenario questionnaires between the EDUCAGUIA intervention group and the control group will be performed at 1 and 6months post-intervention, using 95% confidence intervals. A linear multilevel regression will be used to adjust the model. Discussion: The identification of effective teaching strategies will facilitate the incorporation of available knowledge into clinical practice that could eventually improve patient outcomes. The inclusion of information technologies as teaching tools permits greater learning autonomy and allows deeper instructor participation in the monitoring and supervision of residents. The long-term impact of this strategy is unknown; however, because it is aimed at professionals undergoing training and it addresses prevalent health problems, a small effect can be of great relevance. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02210442.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe