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Swiss Emergency Research collection

2025

  • Schnetzler, N., Taramarcaz, V., Herren, T., Golay, E., Regard, S., Mach, F., Nasution, A., et al. “Recruiting Medical, Dental, And Biomedical Students As First Responders In The Immediate Aftermath Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Prospective Follow-Up Study”. Jmir Med Educ 11: e63018. doi:10.2196/63018.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Basic life support improves survival prognosis after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but is too rarely provided before the arrival of professional rescue services. First responder networks have been developed in many regions of the world to decrease the delay between collapse and initiation of resuscitation maneuvers. Their efficiency depends on the number of first responders available and many networks lack potential rescuers. Medical, dental, and biomedical students represent an almost untapped source of potential first responders, and a first study, carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, led to the recruitment of many of these future professionals even though many restrictions were still in effect. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an enhanced strategy on the recruitment of medical, dental, and biomedical students as first responders in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a prospective follow-up study, conducted between November 2021 and March 2022 at the University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland. A web-based study platform was used to manage consent, registrations, and certificates. A first motivational intervention was held early in the academic year and targeted all first-year medical, dental, and biomedical students. Participants first answered a questionnaire designed to assess their initial basic life support knowledge before following an e-learning module. Those who completed the module were able to register for a face-to-face training session held by senior medical students. A course certificate was awarded to those who completed these sessions, enabling them to register as first responders on the Save a Life first responder network. Since the number of students who had enlisted as first responders 2 months after the motivational intervention was markedly lower than expected, a second, unplanned motivational intervention was held in an attempt to recruit more students. RESULTS: Out of a total of 674 first-year students, 19 (2.5%) students had registered as first responders after the first motivational intervention. This was significantly less than the proportion achieved through the initial study (48/529, 9.1%; P<.001). The second motivational intervention led to the enrollment of 7 more students (26/674, 3.9%), a figure still significantly lower than that of the original study (P<.001). At the end of the study, 76 (11.3%) students had been awarded a certificate of competence. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expectations, an earlier presentation during the academic year outside the COVID restriction period did not increase the recruitment of medical, dental, and biomedical students as first responders in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons underlying this drop in motivation should be explored to enable the design of focused motivational interventions.
    Tags: *COVID-19/epidemiology, *Emergency Responders, *Students, Dental/statistics & numerical data, *Students, Medical/statistics & numerical data, Adult, basic life support, biomedical students, blended learning, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Covid-19, dental students, e-learning, Female, first responder, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, life support, Male, medical student, motivational interventions, motivational strategies, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, pandemic, Pandemics, Prospective Studies, SARS-CoV-2, student motivation, survival prognosis, Switzerland/epidemiology, undergraduate medical education.
  • Becker, C., Gross, S., Beck, K., Amacher, S. A., Vincent, A., Mueller, J., Loretz, N., et al. “A Randomized Trial Of Shared Decision-Making In Code Status Discussions”. Nejm Evidence 4, no. 5: EVIDoa2400422. doi:10.1056/EVIDOA2400422.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND The effect of a shared decision-making approach on patients’ code status decisions remains unknown. We compared an approach for shared decision-making with usual care to evaluate the effect on patients’ code status preferences and quality of decision-making. METHODS In a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in six teaching hospitals in Switzerland, we randomly assigned residents to conduct code status discussions based on either an approach incorporating didactic teaching, observation, and feedback and a shared decision-making checklist with a decision aid, or usual care. The primary end point was patients choosing a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) code status in the event of a cardiac arrest. The key secondary end point was patients’ decisional uncertainty, measured by the Decisional Conflict Scale (range 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating lower decisional uncertainty). RESULTS A total of 206 residents caring for 2663 medical patients were included in the trial. Compared with patients in the usual care group, patients in the intervention group had a significantly higher frequency of choosing DNR as their code status (685/1370 (50.0%) vs. 481/1293 (37.2%); adjusted risk ratio, 1.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 1.50); P<0.001). The intervention was associated with lower decisional uncertainty (Decisional Conflict Scale score, 14.4±15.3 vs. 21.8±20.2 points; adjusted difference, −7.06 (95% confidence interval, −9.43 to −4.68). CONCLUSIONS An approach for shared decision-making that included the discussion of expected outcomes had a significant influence on the code status of medical patients, with a higher preference for DNR code status, and was associated with less uncertainty around the decision. (Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03872154.) © 2025 Massachussetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.
    Tags: *Decision Making, Shared, *Heart Arrest/therapy, *Resuscitation Orders/psychology, Adult, Aged, Female, Humans, Internship and Residency, Male, Middle Aged, Switzerland, Uncertainty.
  • Tribolet, P., Wunderle, C., Kaegi-Braun, N., Buchmueller, L., Laager, R., Stanga, Z., Mueller, B., Wagner, K. H., and Schuetz, P. “Evaluating Repeated Handgrip Strength Measurements As Predictors Of Mortality In Malnourished Hospitalized Patients. Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Eur J Clin Nutr 79, no. 9: 897-903. doi:10.1038/s41430-025-01618-w.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple yet effective bed-side tool for assessing muscle strength, which plays an important role in clinical evaluation and monitoring. We hypothesize that repeated measurements of HGS during the hospital stay may serve as a reliable and robust indicator of clinical course and outcomes. METHODS: We re-analyzed data from 565 out of 2028 patients who had repeated handgrip measurement (on admission and on day 7) included in EFFORT, a Swiss-wide multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing individualized nutritional support with usual care nutrition in medical inpatients. The primary endpoint was 180-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mean change in HGS from baseline to day 7 was 0.6 kg (SD 4.2) in female and 0.7 kg (SD 3.7) in male patients. Patients with a positive HGS trend had a lower risk of dying within 180 days compared to patients without a positive trend (mortality 11.4% vs. 25.4%, adjusted HR 0.45 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.77], p = 0.003). The change in HGS was also associated with the nutritional intake during the hospitalization in male patients: those who met their energy and protein targets were twice as likely to have an increase in HGS during hospitalization (adjusted OR 2.05 [95% CI 1.23 to 3.42], p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Achieving nutritional targets was associated with a short-term increase in HGS during hospitalization, and a positive HGS trend was associated with a lower risk of mortality after 180 days. These data provide evidence that repeated HGS measurements are a robust bedside tool for assessing and monitoring patients receiving nutritional therapy in the hospital. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02517476.
    Tags: *Hand Strength/physiology, *Hospitalization, *Malnutrition/mortality/physiopathology/therapy, 2014_001). All participants provided, accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Competing interests: The, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, been published previously in whole or part, except in abstract form., Female, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02517476 ). All methods were performed in, Humans, Institution of P. Schuetz has previously received unrestricted grant money, institution of Z. Stanga received speaking honoraria and research support from, Male, Middle Aged, Nestle Health Science, Abbott Nutrition, and Fresenius Kabi. All other authors, Northwest and Central Switzerland (EKNZ, Nutrition Assessment, Nutritional Status, Nutritional Support, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (, report no conflicts of interest. The results presented in this paper have not, Switzerland, their written informed consent to participate in this study. The trial was, unrelated to this project from Nestle Health Science and Abbott Nutrition. The.
  • Stetsyk, V., Apostol, I., Belamaric, N., Panico, C., Grbic, M., Kenbaeva, Z., Tereshchenko, H., and Chumak, A. A. “Building While Responding: Moldova's Experience In Developing Clinical Surge Capacity For Radiation Emergency Response”. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 19: e95. doi:10.1017/dmp.2025.72.
    Abstract: To enhance radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness of hospitals while responding to the refugee crisis, the Government of the Republic of Moldova implemented an innovative approach supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). This initiative featured a comprehensive package that integrated health system assessment, analysis of existing plans and procedures, and novel medical training component. The training, based on relevant WHO and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidance, combined theory with contemporary adult learning solutions, such as practical skill stations, case reviews, and clinical simulation exercises.This method allowed participants to identify and address gaps in their emergency response capacities, enhancing their ability to ensure medical management of radiological and nuclear events. This course is both innovative and adaptable, offering a potential model for other countries seeking to strengthen radiological and nuclear emergency response capabilities of the acute care clinical providers.
    Tags: *Capacity Building/methods, *Civil Defense/methods, *Disaster Planning/methods/organization & administration, *Radioactive Hazard Release, *Surge Capacity/trends/standards, Clinical pathways, Hospital readiness, Humans, Moldova, Radiological and nuclear preparedness, Simulation, World Health Organization/organization & administration.
  • Unlu, L., Stephan, F. P., Riede, F. N., Mettler, A. C., Dutilh, G., Capoferri, G., Bosia, T., Sticherling, C., Bingisser, R., and Nickel, C. H. “Diagnostic Accuracy Of Emergency Department Ecgs In Hyperkalemia Detection: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Eur J Intern Med 136: 56-62. doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2025.03.038.
    Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ECG readings in detecting hyperkalemia and predicting outcome in the ED. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on ED patients, including patients with confirmed hyperkalemia (>/= 5 mmol/l) and a normokalemic control group. The predictive value of ECG readings for the detection of hyperkalemia was studied. For this purpose, the subjective probability of hyperkalemia was rated from 0-100 (Hyperkalemia Probability Scoring) by two attending acute care physicians. Logistic regression and ROC analysis were used to assess predictive power and sensitivity/specificity of Hyperkalemia Probability Scorings. Prediction of 7-day adverse outcomes (ICU admission, hemodialysis, in-hospital mortality) based on Hyperkalemia Probability Scorings was analyzed. RESULTS: We studied 1608 patients, thereof 805 served as normokalemic control patients. Sensitivity and specificity of ECG readings for hyperkalemia detection were 0.47 and 0.76 for cardiologist 1, and 0.39 and 0.81 for cardiologist 2. The AUC was 0.63 (95 % CI 0.60-0.65) and 0.61 (95 % CI 0.59-0.63) for the respective cardiologists. With a Hyperkalemia Probability Scoring of 100 compared to 0, the Odds Ratios (ORs) of diagnosing hyperkalemia were 8.2 (95 % CI 5.3-12.6) and 9.1 (95 % CI 5.8-14.7), while the ORs for 7-day adverse outcomes were 2.14 (95 % CI 1.34-3.38) and 2.22 (95 % CI 1.39-3.49) respectively. CONCLUSION: The ECG is not an accurate tool for ruling-in or ruling-out hyperkalemia in ED patients. Higher Hyperkalemia Probability Scorings are associated with 7-day adverse outcomes.
    Tags: *Electrocardiography, *Emergency Service, Hospital, *Hyperkalemia/diagnosis, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Arrhythmias, Cross-Sectional Studies, Electrocardiogram, Electrocardiography, Emergency department, Female, Hospital Mortality, Humans, Hyperkalemia, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Retrospective Studies, Risk Assessment, ROC Curve, Sensitivity and Specificity.
  • Healey, B., Schwitzguebel, A., and Spechbach, H. “Differential Diagnosis Assessment In Ambulatory Care With A Digital Health History Device: Pseudorandomized Study”. Jmir Form Res 9: e56384. doi:10.2196/56384.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Digital health history devices represent a promising wave of digital tools with the potential to enhance the quality and efficiency of medical consultations. They achieve this by providing physicians with standardized, high-quality patient history summaries and facilitating the development of differential diagnoses (DDs) before consultation, while also engaging patients in the diagnostic process. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the efficacy of one such digital health history device, diagnosis and anamnesis (DIANNA), in assisting with the formulation of appropriate DDs in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A pseudorandomized controlled trial was conducted with 101 patients seeking care at the University Hospital Geneva emergency outpatient department. Participants presented with various conditions affecting the limbs, back, and chest. The first 51 patients were assigned to the control group, while the subsequent 50 formed the intervention group. In the control group, physicians developed DD lists based on traditional history-taking and clinical examination. In the intervention group, physicians reviewed DIANNA-generated DD reports before interacting with the patient. In both groups, a senior physician independently formulated a DD list, serving as the gold standard for comparison. RESULTS: The study findings indicate that DIANNA use was associated with a notable improvement in DD accuracy (mean 79.3%, SD 24%) compared with the control group (mean 70.5%, SD 33%; P=.01). Subgroup analysis revealed variations in effectiveness based on case complexity: low-complexity cases (1-2 possible DDs) showed 8% improvement in the intervention group (P=.08), intermediate-complexity cases (3 possible DDs) showed 17% improvement (P=.03), and high-complexity cases (4-5 possible DDs) showed 15% improvement (P=.92). The intervention was not superior to the control in low-complexity cases (P=.08) or high-complexity cases (P=.92). Overall, DIANNA successfully determined appropriate DDs in 81.6% of cases, and physicians reported that it helped establish the correct DD in 26% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that DIANNA has the potential to support physicians in formulating more precise DDs, particularly in intermediate-complexity cases. However, its effectiveness varied by case complexity and further validation is needed to assess its full clinical impact. These findings highlight the potential role of digital health history devices such as DIANNA in improving clinical decision-making and diagnostic accuracy in medical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03901495; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03901495.
    Tags: *Ambulatory Care/methods, *Medical History Taking/methods, Adult, Aged, ambulatory care, artificial intelligence, clinical applications software, computer-assisted, decision support, decision-making, diagnosis, Diagnosis, Differential, differential diagnosis, digital assessments, digital diagnosis, Digital Health, digital technology, digital tools, emergency, Female, health informatics, hospital-outpatient clinics, Humans, machine learning, Male, medical consultation, Middle Aged, pseudorandomized study, the DIAANA DHHD..
  • Huwiler, V. V., Tribolet, P., Rimensberger, C., Roten, C., Schonenberger, K. A., Muhlebach, S., Schuetz, P., and Stanga, Z. “Implementation Of Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition: Usability Of The New Digital Platform Clinicalnutrition.science”. Swiss Med Wkly 155, no. 1: 3764. doi:10.57187/s.3764.
    Abstract: AIM OF THE STUDY: Malnutrition is a common and complex challenge in inpatient and outpatient settings, associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Its management is often neglected, despite strong evidence of the benefits of adequate nutritional therapy. We introduced clinicalnutrition.science (https://clinicalnutrition.science/en/), a digital platform that provides healthcare professionals with easy online access to evidence and streamlines the nutritional care process. The aim of this study was to assess the usability and to validate improvements in nutritional management when the digital platform is used by healthcare professionals. METHODS: The usability study, conducted from 28 September to 16 November 2023, involved 56 healthcare professionals from the University Hospital of Bern and the Cantonal Hospital of Aarau. In an adapted cross-over study design, participants completed key steps of nutritional management for a simulated hepatology and oncology case both with and without the clinicalnutrition.science platform. Usability was assessed using the validated Healthcare Systems Usability Scale questionnaire, supplemented by collection of demographic data. Subgroup analysis was performed for recommended protein and energy intakes by different professional representatives. RESULTS: Clinicalnutrition.science achieved a good overall usability score of 71.8%. Use of the platform significantly improved the protein intake recommendation (p = 0.03; median 96.5 and 80.0 g/d) and the basal metabolic rate estimate (p <0.01; median 1420.8 and 1755.5 kcal/d) of the simulated oncology case. The variance in protein and energy intake recommendations, basal metabolic rate estimation and energy deficit estimation was reduced by using the digital platform. These improvements were achieved without increasing the time required to complete key steps in nutritional management for the two patient cases (median between 10.5 and 15.0 minutes; p = 0.09 and p = 0.67) and without prior training on the platform. There was no effect on the malnutrition detection rate, the selection of an appropriate nutritional product or the identification of the most appropriate guideline. CONCLUSIONS: The use of clinicalnutrition.science improved evidence-based clinical practice in prescribing personalised nutritional therapy and increased the accuracy of both protein and energy intake recommendations, without increasing the time taken to complete key steps in the nutritional management process.
    Tags: *Health Personnel, *Malnutrition/diet therapy, *Nutrition Therapy/methods, Adult, Cross-Over Studies, Energy Intake, Evidence-Based Medicine, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nutrition Assessment, Surveys and Questionnaires, Switzerland.
  • van Oppen, J. D., Mooijaart, S., Nickel, C. H., and Conroy, S. “Considering Frailty And Meaningful Outcomes In Geriatric Emergency Care”. Intern Emerg Med 20, no. 6: 1973-1975. doi:10.1007/s11739-025-03940-4.
    Tags: applicable., conflict of interest. Human and animal rights statement and informed consent:, Emergency department, Frailty, Health services research, Patient-reported outcome measure, Person-centered care, This paper does not present primary data and ethics or consent were not.
  • Knapp, J., Hoftmann, D., Albrecht, R., Straumann, S., Pasquier, M., and Pietsch, U. “Management And Outcome Of Patients With Cardiac Arrest After Avalanche Accidents In The Swiss Alps: A Retrospective Analysis”. Resusc Plus 22: 100922. doi:10.1016/j.resplu.2025.100922.
    Abstract: AIM: Our aim is to evaluate the management and outcome of avalanche victims in cardiac arrest (CA), focusing on the adherence to international management guidelines and to identify ways to improve the future care of avalanche victims through retrospective evaluation of the missions. METHODS: We analysed a retrospective cohort of all avalanche victims in CA treated by Swiss Air-Rescue Rega between 2010 and 2024. Data regarding the avalanche burial (type of burial, burial duration, presence of a patent airway) were evaluated, as were helicopter operational data, data on prehospital medical care [cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts, airway management, core temperature], transport destination, data from further in-hospital treatment if applicable [core temperature, type of rewarming, serum potassium levels, extracorporeal life support (ECLS)] as well as patient outcome. RESULTS: 147 patients could be evaluated. 50 (34%) were declared dead without CPR efforts. CPR was started in 97 patients (66%), of whom 19 achieved ROSC (13%). Only 4 of these patients survived to hospital discharge (3%), 3 of whom had a good neurological outcome (2%). 34 patients (23%) were transported to hospital while CPR was ongoing, of whom in 11 (7%) ECLS was tried to initiate. None of these patients survived to hospital discharge. 27 patients (18%) were not treated in accordance with the guidelines. 22 of these (15%) were (potentially) undertreated (mainly in the sense of transport to a non-ECLS centre, although an ECLS centre would have been correct), 5 (3%) were overtreated (mainly in the sense of transport under ongoing CPR, although not indicated). 61% were tracheally intubated. On admission, core temperature was 1.9 degrees C (95% confidence interval 1.1-2.7) lower than the temperature measured on scene. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who suffer a CA in avalanche accidents have a very poor outcome. A high proportion of patients were not tracheally intubated during transport, cooled down further during resuscitation and transport or were not transported to ECLS centres although indicated. On the other hand, the outcome of ECLS patients is extremely poor.
    Tags: Accidental, Asphyxia, Avalanche, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Extracorporeal life support, Helicopter emergency medical service, Hypothermia, Outcome, personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in, this paper..
  • Raven, W., Candel, B. G. J., Wali, N., Gaakeer, M. I., Avest, E. T., Sir, O., Lameijer, H., et al. “Comparison Of Standardized Mortality Ratios In Seven Dutch Eds Based On Presenting Complaints”. Bmc Emerg Med 25, no. 1: 49. doi:10.1186/s12873-025-01200-4.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Comparison of emergency departments (EDs) becomes more important, but differences are difficult to interpret because of the heterogeneity of the ED population regarding reason for ED presentation. The aim of this study was two-fold: First to compare patient characteristics (including diagnoses) across 7 EDs. Secondly, to compare Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) across 7 EDs and in subgroups of ED patients categorized by presenting complaints (PCs). METHODS: Observational multicenter study including all consecutive visits of 7 Dutch (two tertiary care centre and 5 teaching hospitals) EDs. Patient characteristics, including PCs as part of triage systems, and SMRs (observed divided by expected in-hospital mortality) per ED and for the most common PCs (PC-SMRs) were compared across EDs and presented as funnel plots. The expected mortality was calculated with a prediction model, which was developed using multivariable logistic regression in the overall population and for PCs separately. Demographics, disease severity, diagnoses, proxies for comorbidity and complexity, and PCs (overall population only) were incorporated as covariates. RESULTS: We included 693,289 ED visits from January 1, 2017 to June 31, 2023, with a median age of 56 years, of which 47.9% were women and 1.9% died. Patient characteristics varied markedly among EDs. Expected mortality was similar in prediction models with or without diagnoses as covariate. SMRs differed across EDs, ranging from 0.80 to 1.44. All EDs had SMRs within the 95%-Confidence Intervals of the funnel plot apart from one ED, which had an higher than expected SMR. However, PC-SMRs showed more variation and more EDs had SMRs falling outside the funnel, either higher or lower than expected. The ranking of SMRs across EDs was PC-dependent and differences across EDs are present only for specific PC-SMRs, such as in "dyspnea" and "feeling unwell". CONCLUSION: In summary, patient characteristics and mortality varied largely across Dutch EDs, and expected mortality across EDs is well assessed in PC subgroups without adjustment for final diagnoses. Differences in SMRs across EDs are PC-dependent. Future studies should investigate reasons of the differences in PC-SMRs across EDs and whether PC-targeted quality improvement programs can improve outcomes.
    Tags: *Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data, *Hospital Mortality, Adult, Aged, competing interests., Emergency department, Female, Humans, In-hospital mortality, individual informed consent as this was a pure observational study. Consent for, Male, Middle Aged, Netherlands/epidemiology, Presenting complaints, publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no, Risk stratification, Standardized mortality ratio, Symptom-based, Symptom-oriented research, Triage, was approved by the medical ethics committee of the LUMC, who waived the need for.
  • G. B. D. Asthma,, and Allergic Diseases, Collaborators. “Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Asthma And Atopic Dermatitis, 1990-2021, And Projections To 2050: A Systematic Analysis Of The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021”. Lancet Respir Med 13, no. 5: 425-446. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(25)00003-7.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Asthma and atopic dermatitis are common allergic conditions that contribute to substantial health loss, economic burden, and pain across individuals of all ages worldwide. Therefore, as a component of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we present updated estimates of the prevalence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), incidence, and deaths due to asthma and atopic dermatitis and the burden attributable to modifiable risk factors, with forecasted prevalence up to 2050. METHODS: Asthma and atopic dermatitis prevalence, incidence, DALYs, and mortality, with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), were estimated for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. A systematic review identified data from 389 sources for asthma and 316 for atopic dermatitis, which were further pooled using the Bayesian meta-regression tool. We also described the age-standardised DALY rates of asthma attributable to four modifiable risk factors: high BMI, occupational asthmagens, smoking, and nitrogen dioxide pollution. Furthermore, as a secondary analysis, prevalence was forecasted to 2050 using the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), air pollution, and smoking as predictors for asthma and atopic dermatitis. To assess trends in the burden of asthma and atopic dermatitis before (2010-19) and during (2019-21) the COVID-19 pandemic, we compared their average annual percentage changes (AAPCs). FINDINGS: In 2021, there were an estimated 260 million (95% UI 227-298) individuals with asthma and 129 million (124-134) individuals with atopic dermatitis worldwide. Asthma cases declined from 287 million (250-331) in 1990 to 238 million (209-272) in 2005 but increased to 260 million in 2021. Atopic dermatitis cases consistently rose from 107 million (103-112) in 1990 to 129 million (124-134) in 2021. However, age-standardised prevalence rates decreased-by 40.0% (from 5568.3 per 100 000 to 3340.1 per 100 000) for asthma and 8.3% (from 1885.4 per 100 000 to 1728.5 per 100 000) for atopic dermatitis. In 2021, there were substantial variations in the burden of asthma and atopic dermatitis across different SDI groups, with the highest age-standardised DALY rate found in south Asia for asthma (465.0 [357.2-648.9] per 100 000) and the high-income super-region for atopic dermatitis (3552.5 [3407.2-3706.1] per 100 000). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline in asthma prevalence had stagnated (AAPC pre-pandemic -1.39% [-2.07 to -0.71] and during the pandemic 0.47% [-1.86 to 2.79]; p=0.020); however, there was no significant difference in atopic dermatitis prevalence in the same period (pre-pandemic -0.28% [-0.33 to -0.22] and during the pandemic -0.35% [-0.78 to 0.08]; p=0.20). Modifiable risk factors were responsible for 29.9% of the global asthma DALY burden; among them, high BMI was the greatest contributor (39.4 [19.6-60.2] per 100 000), followed by occupational asthmagens (20.8 [16.7-26.5] per 100 000) across all regions. The age-standardised DALY rate of asthma attributable to high BMI was highest in high-SDI settings, whereas the contribution of occupational asthmagens was highest in low-SDI settings. According to our forecasting models, we expect 275 million (224-330) asthma cases and 148 million (140-158) atopic dermatitis cases in 2050, with population growth driving this increase. However, age-standardised prevalence rates are expected to remain stable (-23.2% [-44.4 to 5.3] for asthma and -1.4% [-9.1 to 7.0] for atopic dermatitis) from 2021 to 2050. INTERPRETATION: Although the increases in the total number of asthma and atopic dermatitis cases will probably continue until 2050, age-standardised prevalence rates are expected to remain stable. A considerable portion of the global burden could be managed through efforts to address modifiable risk factors. Additionally, the contribution of risk factors to the burden substantially varied by SDI, which suggests the need for tailored initiatives for specific SDI settings. The growing number of individuals expected to be affected by asthma and atopic dermatitis in the future suggests that it is essential to improve our understanding of risk factors for asthma and atopic dermatitis and collect disease prevalence data that are globally generalisable. FUNDING: Gates Foundation.
    Tags: (CASAC), Johns Hopkins EHE Advisory Board, Harvard external advisory committee, (published), A method to transform cow dung into the wall paint by using natural, (published), A system for disposed personal protection equipment (PPE) into, *Asthma/epidemiology/mortality, *Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology/mortality, *Global Burden of Disease/trends, 113-2314-B-003-002), Adult, advocacy group, paid or unpaid as a past steering committee member of the, advocacy group, unpaid as The Bursar and Council Member of Malaysian Academy of, aid for formulation of gel and method thereof (Published), Herbal drug, and previous ownership of stock, and the National Academies Panels and Committees, outside the submitted work. T C, ANI/Exeltis USA, Frictionless Solutions, Schipher, Crealta/Horizon, Medisys,, Assessment, Lancet Countdown, US EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, Associates, Focus Forward, Navigant Consulting, Spherix, MedIQ, Jupiter Life, attending meetings or travel from OMERACT, Bayes Theorem, biofuel through pyrolysis and method (published), A novel herbal pharmaceutical, BioPharma, Adaptimmune Therapeutics, GeoVax Labs, Pieris Pharmaceuticals,, board, society, committee or advocacy group, paid or unpaid as the Executive, College of Rheumatology, Yale University, Hulio, Horizon Pharmaceuticals, DINORA,, Committee, committee or advocacy group, paid or unpaid as the Technical Editor, Journal of, committee or advocacy group, paid or unpaid with Fifth National Climate, consulting fees, consulting fees from ROMTech, Atheneum, ClearView Healthcare Partners, American, Corrente 34/2017), payments made to the Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Cost of Illness, Council Member, Indian Meteorological Society, Jaipur Chapter (India) and as, development, Republic of Serbia (project No 175042, 2011-2023). J J Jozwiak, Disability-Adjusted Life Years, Education Chapter Committee, outside the submitted work. L Ronfani reports, Effects Institute, Yale Women Faculty Forum, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Yale, Ekundayo reports grants or contracts from PDF Research Fellowship, University of, electricity generation through crop stubble by using microbial fuel cells, Enzolytics, Seres Therapeutics, Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp, Aebona, Female, Fidia, PK Med, Two Labs, Adept Field Solutions, Clinical Care Options, Putnam, fiduciary role in other board, society, committee, or advocacy group, paid or, for attending meetings or travel from Colorado School of Public Health,, for training grant, WHO Global Air Pollution and Health Technical Advisory Group,, Forecasting, formulation for treating lung tissue degenerated by particulate matter exposure, from Clinique and ToxiMap, from the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC, Fund Fellowship, Harvard University, University of Montana, and SciQuest, Global Health, Humans, Incidence, Institute for Biospheric Studies, and Wellcome Trust Foundation, Intelligent Biosolutions, Acumen Pharmaceutical, TPT Global Tech, Vaxart, Atyu, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo. B Oancea reports grants or contracts from, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo. Y L Samodra and J H V Ticoalu report a leadership or, leadership or fiduciary role in other, leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society,, leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society, committee or, Male, manuscript writing or educational events from Novartis, Adamed, and Amgen,, manuscript writing or educational events from Simply Speaking, materials and composition thereof (filed), Member Secretary of DSTPURSE Program, outside the submitted work. M Zielinska, Monitoring Board or Advisory Board as a member of the FDA Arthritis Advisory, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Hutchinson Postdoctoral Fellowship, Health, Nature Conference, of Public Health, Duke University, University of Texas, Data4Justice, Korea, of reusable filters for anti-pollution mask (published), A system and method for, OMERACT, options in Amarin, Viking, and Moderna Pharmaceuticals, outside the submitted, outside the submitted work. All other authors declare no competing interests., outside the submitted work. M-C Li reports support for the present manuscript, participation on a Data Safety, payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations,, payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus,, Pharmaceuticals, and Charlotte's Web Holdingss, Pharmacy (Malaysia) and as Committee Member of Malaysian Pharmacists Society, PNRR/2022/C9/MCID/I8 project 760096, outside the submitted work. N E Ismail, present manuscript from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological, Prevalence, Public Health, Columbia University, Harvard University, CMAS Conference, and, reports leadership or fiduciary role in other board, society, committee, or, reports other financial or non-financial interests as an Alexion employee,, reports payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus,, Risk Factors, Science, UBM, Trio Health, Medscape, WebMD, Practice Point Communications, and, South Africa, outside the submitted work. I M Ilic reports support for the, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from Colorado School, stock or stock options in atai Life Sciences, Kintara Therapeutics,, submitted work. J I Shin reports other financial or non-financial interests from, support, support for, support for the present manuscript from the Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca, the American Heart Association, outside the submitted work. L Monasta reports, the NIH, the Yonsei Fellowship, funded by Lee Youn Jae (to J I Shin). J A Singh reports, University of Texas, Duke University, Harvard University, American Journal of, University, IOP Publishing, NIH, Health Canada, EHS, PAC-10, UKRI, AXA Research, University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Northeastern, unpaid as the co-founders of Benang Merah Research Center, Indonesia, outside the, work. E Upadhyay reports patents planned, issued, or pending: A system and method.
  • Ivanova, S., Hilverdink, E. F., Bastian, J. D., Jakob, D. A., Exadaktylos, A. K., Keel, M. J. B., Schefold, J. C., Anwander, H., and Lustenberger, T. “Short- And Long-Term Mortality In Severely Injured Older Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis”. J Clin Med 14, no. 6. doi:10.3390/jcm14062064.
    Abstract: Background/Objectives: Older trauma patients experience increased in-hospital mortality due to the physiological challenges associated with aging and injury severity. However, limited data exist on long-term mortality rates beyond hospital discharge, particularly among severely injured elderly trauma patients. Understanding these outcomes is essential for improving clinical management and rehabilitation strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate cumulative mortality rates (in-hospital, 28-day, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year) in older trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) >/= 16. Independent risk factors for 1-year mortality were also identified. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all trauma patients aged >/= 65 years with ISS >/= 16 admitted to the Emergency Department of our level 1 trauma center between January 2017 and December 2022. Demographic characteristics, injury patterns (Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores, ISS), and mortality rates were collected from electronic health records. Patients were stratified into two age groups: 65-80 years and >80 years. Mortality rates were compared with those in the corresponding age groups in the general Swiss population. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival curves and logistic regression for identifying risk factors associated with 1-year mortality. Results: A total of 1189 older trauma patients with a mean ISS of 24.3 +/- 7.9 were included. The most common injury was severe head trauma (AIS head >/= 3: 70.6%), followed by chest trauma (AIS chest >/= 3: 28.2%) and extremity injuries (AIS extremity >/= 3: 17.4%). The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 10.3%. Mortality rates at 28 days, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 15.8%, 26.5%, 31.5%, and 36.3%, respectively. Age-stratified analysis showed significantly higher mortality rates in patients aged > 80 years compared to the 65- to 80-year group at all post-discharge time points (28-day: 22.6% vs. 11.9%, p < 0.001; 1-year: 39.9% vs. 18.8%, p < 0.001; 2-year: 46.5% vs. 22.8%, p < 0.001; 3-year: 56.4% vs. 24.9%, p < 0.001). Compared to the general Swiss population, we observed significantly higher mortality rates at all measured time points in elderly trauma patients, particularly in those aged over 80 years, with 1-year mortality rates of 39.9% vs. 10% in the general population and 3-year mortality rates of 56.4% vs. 30% in the general population. Independent risk factors for 1-year mortality included advanced age and severe head injury (AIS head >/= 3, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Severely injured elderly trauma patients face high long-term mortality risks, with 1-year mortality rates reaching 26.5% overall and nearly 40% in patients aged > 80 years. These findings highlight the need for research on tailored, holistic management strategies, including comprehensive in-hospital care, specialized neurorehabilitation, and post-discharge follow-up programs to improve survival and functional recovery in this vulnerable population.
    Tags: mortality, older patients, orthogeriatrics, polytrauma.
  • Jachmann, A., Brandenberger, J., and Schick, M. “Equitable Health Care In The Context Of Migration”. Swiss Med Wkly 155, no. 3: 4245. doi:10.57187/s.4245.
    Abstract: The health policy guiding principle of equitable access to healthcare faces barriers in the context of migration, on the part of both those affected and the health system. The operationalised measurement of health inequity, the training and sensitisation of healthcare professionals regarding needs-based care, diversity, transcultural and socio-medical aspects, and ensuring high-quality communication are among the measures that can contribute to reducing inequitable care (e.g. underuse) in this population.
    Tags: *Health Equity, *Health Services Accessibility, *Healthcare Disparities, Health Policy, Humans.
  • Degen, B., Szczesna, A., Nickel, C. H., Bingisser, R., Gaab, J., and Minotti, B. “Open-Label Placebo For Non-Specific Pain In The Emergency Department (Olp Em): Study Protocol For A Mixed-Method Randomised Control Feasibility Study In Switzerland”. Bmj Open 15, no. 3: e090508. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-090508.
    Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Non-specific pain (NSP), defined as pain without a clear pathological cause, is a common presentation in the emergency department (ED). There is no universally accepted analgesic strategy, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are often prescribed. However, the established efficacy of NSAIDs for NSP is limited. Additionally, NSAIDs are associated with an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, acute kidney injury and cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. There is increasing evidence supporting the analgesic effects of open-label placebo (OLP), defined as placebo administered to patients without deception, in a broad variety of settings. Accordingly, OLP could be a safer, effective analgesic treatment option for NSP. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the feasibility of OLP for NSP in the ED. Therefore, our primary objective is to assess whether OLP is a feasible treatment option in this setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Patients diagnosed with acute NSP will be prospectively recruited at discharge in the ED at the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland. Patients treated with pain medication for >7 days prior to ED visit or with chronic pain will be excluded. Patients will be randomised to receive either OLP (intervention) or ibuprofen (control). Rescue medication will be ibuprofen in both groups. Daily online self-assessment will take place during the first 7 days after the baseline visit as well as on day 30. A qualitative interview will be conducted on day 30. The primary outcome is feasibility, consisting of acceptability, adherence to the protocol and patient satisfaction. Clinical outcomes will focus on pain intensity and interference according to the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form as well as adverse events. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has received approval from the ethics committee for Northwestern and central Switzerland (EKNZ; project ID 2024-00089). The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (SNCTP000005852); Clinicaltrial.gov (NCT06408519).
    Tags: *Analgesics/therapeutic use, *Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use, *Emergency Service, Hospital, *Pain Management/methods, Accident & emergency medicine, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Pain management, Pain Measurement, Placebos, Prospective Studies, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Switzerland.
  • Troxler, D. “Short-Term Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Administration In The Pediatric Emergency Department”. Pediatr Emerg Care 41, no. 7: e48. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000003367.
    Tags: Antimicrobial Therapy, Article, Child, Drug Administration, Emergency Ward, Human, Male, Outpatient.
  • Scotti, B., Szczesna, A., Nickel, C. H., Degen, B., Hugli, O., Jean-Scherb, S., Rovati, L., et al. “Defining The Need For Analgesia In The Emergency Department: Protocol For An International Delphi Process”. Bmj Open 15, no. 3: e089396. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089396.
    Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The high prevalence of pain in the emergency department (ED) highlights the importance of accurate assessments to provide effective interventions. However, common pain scales such as the Numerical Pain Rating Scale have shown limitations in assessing analgesic requirements and adequacy. The ideal outcome for evaluating a pain scale predicting analgesic requirements would be the 'need for analgesia', for which there is no universally accepted definition. Accordingly, the primary aim of this study is to define the 'need for analgesia' using an interdisciplinary approach. The secondary aim is to define the 'adequacy of analgesia'. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A two-stage modified Delphi process will be conducted by a core study group chosen for its expertise in ED pain management. A larger expert panel, identified through a comprehensive search in Scopus and CINAHL databases, will be invited to participate in the study and will be supplemented by patients recruited via international patient organisations or snowballing. In stage 1, the expert panel will complete a written survey to collect potential clinical variables for defining the 'need for analgesia' and 'adequacy of analgesia'. The core study group will elaborate on these variables. In stage 2, the same participants will use a five-point Likert scale to achieve consensus defined as >/=80% of combined agreement on the proposed variables, over a maximum of three rounds. The same process will be used to define the 'adequacy of analgesia'. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Ethics Committee of Northwestern and Central Switzerland exempted the project from committee approval under the Human Research Act. Written consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
    Tags: *Analgesia, *Analgesics/therapeutic use, *Emergency Service, Hospital, *Pain Management/methods, *Pain/drug therapy, Consensus, Delphi Technique, Emergency Departments, Humans, Pain management, Pain Measurement/methods, Patient Participation, Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Research Design.
  • Goldman, R. D., Hart, R. J., Bone, J. N., Seiler, M., Olson, P. G., Keitel, K., Manzano, S., et al. “Adverse Events Among Early Caregivers' Covid-19 Vaccination Correlated Inversely With Intention To Vaccinate Their Children”. Vaccine 55: 127001. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127001.
    Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Vaccine hesitancy increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated if manifestation of adverse events when caregivers received their vaccine was associated with their willingness to vaccinate their children. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional, multi-lingual survey of caregivers presenting to 19 pediatric Emergency Departments in the USA, Canada, Israel, and Switzerland early during the early stage of the pandemic, before vaccines for children were available. We asked caregivers if they were vaccinated against COVID-19, to report any side effects and if they would give vaccine to their child. We categorized all reported side effects and report the most common ones. We report willingness to vaccinate based on child's age. RESULTS: Of 4261 caregivers, mean caregiver age was 38.3 years, 2893 (68.3 %) mothers, 3108 (73.3 %) greater than high school education. 43.6 % reported side effects, 35.7 % reported no side effects and 20.7 % were unvaccinated. The lowest rate of caregivers planning to vaccinate their children was the unvaccinated (6.9 %) and the highest was among caregivers who did not report any side effects (74.4 %). Caregivers with no reported side effects after vaccination were more likely to vaccinate their children compared to those that had some side effects (aOR of 1.34, 1.52 and 2.14 for ages <5, 5-11 and >/=12 years, respectively). Reporting general illness/feeling unwell, experiencing weakness, and breathing difficulty were associated with caregivers unlikely to plan to vaccinate their children. The OR to vaccinate children for each additional side effect was 0.86, 95 %CI = 0.78-0.95, p = 0.004, representing a decrease of 14 % in the odds of planning to vaccinate for each additional side effect. CONCLUSIONS: Side effects experienced by caregivers are associated with their intention to vaccinate their children. Building of trust in vaccines, including communicating risks and benefits in the context of caregiver's experience, is important and may help enhance rate of vaccination of children.
    Tags: *Caregivers/psychology, *COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects/administration & dosage, *COVID-19/prevention & control/epidemiology, *Vaccination Hesitancy/psychology/statistics & numerical data, *Vaccination/adverse effects/psychology, Adolescent, Adult, Article, Canada, Caregivers, Child, Child, Preschool, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines.
  • Diethelm, J., Wunderle, C., van Zanten, A. R. H., Tribolet, P., Stanga, Z., Mueller, B., and Schuetz, P. “Urea-To-Creatinine Ratio As A Biomarker For Clinical Outcome And Response To Nutritional Support In Non-Critically Ill Patients: A Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial”. Clin Nutr Espen 67: 242-249. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.03.042.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Assessing a patient's catabolism in clinical practice is challenging but could help guide nutritional interventions. The urea-to-creatinine ratio (UCR) reflects muscle breakdown and protein metabolism and has been associated with risk for overfeeding and adverse outcomes in the critical care setting. We validated this concept in a well-characterized population of medical ward patients from a previous nutritional trial. METHODS: This secondary analysis of the Effect of Early Nutritional Support on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of Malnourished Medical Inpatients Trial (EFFORT) examined baseline UCR and changes during follow-up in medical inpatients at risk for malnutrition. A catabolic state was defined as a high baseline UCR or an increase in UCR over 7 days. The primary endpoint was mortality at 30 days. RESULTS: We included 1595 of 2028 EFFORT patients with baseline UCR measurements and 870 who also had UCR measurements on day 7. A high baseline UCR, as well as an increase in UCR over 7 days, were associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR for 30-day mortality 2.05 (1.47-2.87) p < 0.001 and 2.02 (1.34-3.06) p = 0.001). There was no difference in treatment response when stratifying patients based on baseline or follow-up UCR. CONCLUSION: Assessment of catabolism through UCR measurement at baseline and changes during follow-up was associated with increased mortality and adverse outcomes in medical inpatients at nutritional risk. However, this stratification was not associated with response to nutritional therapy in our sample. Further studies into the dynamic changes in UCR are needed to better understand the clinical implications for medical ward patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02517476 (registered 7 August 2015).
    Tags: *Creatinine/blood, *Malnutrition/therapy/mortality/blood, *Nutritional Support/methods, *Urea/blood, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, and Fresenius Kabi. No other disclosures are reported., Biomarker, Biomarkers/blood, Diagnostics, not related to this project. Arthur van Zanten reports receiving, Female, from AOP Pharma, Abbott, Baxter, Cardinal Health, Danone-Nutricia, DIM3, Dutch, from Nestle Health Science, Thermo Fisher, bioMerieux, Abbott Nutrition and Roche, honoraria for advisory board meetings, lectures, research, and travel expenses, Humans, Lyric. Zeno Stanga reports grants to the institution from Nestle Health Science, Male, Medical Food, Fresenius Kabi, GE Healthcare, InBody, Mermaid, Rousselot, and, Middle Aged, Mortality, Nutritional risk, Nutritional Status, Nutritional support, Treatment Outcome, Urea-to-creatinine ratio.
  • Damke, K., Lowinski, A., Friederich, M., Grosse, G. M., and Nickel, C. H. “Woman With Unilateral Facial Paleness”. Ann Emerg Med 85, no. 4: 364-365. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2024.10.009.
  • Bennitt, F. B., Wozniak, S., Causey, K., Spearman, S., Okereke, C., Garcia, V., Hashmeh, N., et al. “Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Household Air Pollution, 1990–2021: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021”. The Lancet 405, no. 10485: 1167-1181. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02840-X.
    Abstract: Background: Despite a substantial reduction in the use of solid fuels for cooking worldwide, exposure to household air pollution (HAP) remains a leading global risk factor, contributing considerably to the burden of disease. We present a comprehensive analysis of spatial patterns and temporal trends in exposure and attributable disease from 1990 to 2021, featuring substantial methodological updates compared with previous iterations of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, including improved exposure estimations accounting for specific fuel types. Methods: We estimated HAP exposure and trends and attributable burden for cataract, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, lower respiratory infections, tracheal cancer, bronchus cancer, lung cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and causes mediated via adverse reproductive outcomes for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. We first estimated the mean fuel type-specific concentrations (in μg/m3) of fine particulate matter (PM<inf>2·5</inf>) pollution to which individuals using solid fuels for cooking were exposed, categorised by fuel type, location, year, age, and sex. Using a systematic review of the epidemiological literature and a newly developed meta-regression tool (meta-regression: Bayesian, regularised, trimmed), we derived disease-specific, non-parametric exposure–response curves to estimate relative risk as a function of PM<inf>2·5</inf> concentration. We combined our exposure estimates and relative risks to estimate population attributable fractions and attributable burden for each cause by sex, age, location, and year. Findings: In 2021, 2·67 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2·63–2·71) people, 33·8% (95% UI 33·2–34·3) of the global population, were exposed to HAP from all sources at a mean concentration of 84·2 μg/m3. Although these figures show a notable reduction in the percentage of the global population exposed in 1990 (56·7%, 56·4–57·1), in absolute terms, there has been only a decline of 0·35 billion (10%) from the 3·02 billion people exposed to HAP in 1990. In 2021, 111 million (95% UI 75·1–164) global disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were attributable to HAP, accounting for 3·9% (95% UI 2·6–5·7) of all DALYs. The rate of global, HAP-attributable DALYs in 2021 was 1500·3 (95% UI 1028·4–2195·6) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population, a decline of 63·8% since 1990, when HAP-attributable DALYs comprised 4147·7 (3101·4–5104·6) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population. HAP-attributable burden remained highest in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, with 4044·1 (3103·4–5219·7) and 3213·5 (2165·4–4409·4) age-standardised DALYs per 100 000 population, respectively. The rate of HAP-attributable DALYs was higher for males (1530·5, 1023·4–2263·6) than for females (1318·5, 866·1–1977·2). Approximately one-third of the HAP-attributable burden (518·1, 410·1–641·7) was mediated via short gestation and low birthweight. Decomposition of trends and drivers behind changes in the HAP-attributable burden highlighted that declines in exposures were counteracted by population growth in most regions of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation: Although the burden attributable to HAP has decreased considerably, HAP remains a substantial risk factor, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Our comprehensive estimates of HAP exposure and attributable burden offer a robust and reliable resource for health policy makers and practitioners to precisely target and tailor health interventions. Given the persistent and substantial impact of HAP in many regions and countries, it is imperative to accelerate efforts to transition under-resourced communities to cleaner household energy sources. Such initiatives are crucial for mitigating health risks and promoting sustainable development, ultimately improving the quality of life and health outcomes for millions of people. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2025 T e Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY license
    Tags: *Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects/statistics & numerical data/analysis, *Environmental Exposure/adverse effects, *Global Burden of Disease/trends, adverse event, air pollution, Air Pollution, Indoor, Article, bronchus cancer, cerebrovascular accident, chronic obstructive lung disease, concentration (parameter), Cooking, Female, Global Burden of Disease, Global Health, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Particulate Matter/analysis/adverse effects, PM2.5 exposure, Quality-Adjusted Life Years, Risk Factors.
  • Perera Molligoda Arachchige, A. S., and Stomeo, N. “The Diagnostic Performance Of Automatic B-Lines Detection For Evaluating Pulmonary Edema In The Er Among Novice Pocus Practitioners”. Emerg Radiol 32, no. 3: 483-484. doi:10.1007/s10140-025-02335-4.
  • Berger-von Orelli, F. G., Hertzog, R. A., Sauter, T. C., Seiler, M., Spigariol, F., Tomaske, M., Gualco, G., et al. “How Are Fast Tracks Organized In Adult And Pediatric Emergency Departments In Switzerland? A Cross-Sectional Survey”. Bmc Health Serv Res 25, no. 1: 395. doi:10.1186/s12913-025-12570-7.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: In response to the challenges faced by emergency departments (ED), including overcrowding and high patient volumes, Fast Track (FT) systems are designed to optimize patient flow, yet their implementation and impact in Switzerland remain understudied. Our study provides a comprehensive description of Fast Track (FT) processes across both pediatric and adult settings in Switzerland and compares challenges. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of ED leadership in Switzerland from May to September 2023, using the WHO SARA framework to explore FT processes. The survey included 28 pediatric EDs and their corresponding adult EDs, with questions addressing FT availability, staffing, infrastructure, and operational challenges. Results were analyzed descriptively, providing insights into FT organization and highlighting barriers to implementation and expansion. RESULTS: The survey achieved a response rate of 93% (52/56 EDs). Overall, 68% of surveyed hospitals have implemented a FT system, with a higher prevalence in adult EDs (88%) than in pediatric EDs (59%). The absence of FTs in certain pediatric departments was primarily due to structural and personnel constraints. Most FTs are managed internally by hospitals, employing emergency team members, and occasionally general practitioners, reflecting a tailored approach to staffing based on departmental needs. Despite the strategic organization of FTs, operational challenges persist; 45% of respondents identified staff shortages as a major challenge, particularly in pediatric FTs (63%) compared to adult FTs (32%). Financial barriers, including disparities in external physician compensation, remain significant obstacles to FT expansion. Satisfaction levels among EDs with their FT systems were generally high, with improvements in personnel resource allocation and patient flow frequently reported. CONCLUSION: While FT systems in Swiss EDs have enhanced patient care and operational efficiency, their expansion and effectiveness are hampered by staffing and financial limitations. Addressing these barriers requires a collaborative effort to reform health system policies and financial frameworks, ensuring the sustainable implementation of FTs to meet the growing demands of emergency care.
    Tags: *Efficiency, Organizational, *Emergency Service, Hospital/organization & administration, Adult, approval from the Bern cantonal ethics committee ("Ethikkommission fur die, authors declare no competing interests., Child, consent was waived according to national regulations (Swiss Federal Human, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cross-sectional survey, Emergency department, Fast track, Forschung am Menschen Bern", REF Req-2022-01237). The need for participant, Helsinki. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The, Humans, Low triage, Non-urgent visits, Overcrowding, Pediatric, Research Act). Furthermore, our study is in compliance with the Declaration of, Self-referred patients, Staff organization, Surveys and Questionnaires, Switzerland.
  • Truong, P., and Ageron, F. X. “Trip(Cast) Score And Thrombosis Risk For Lower Limb Immobilisation”. Lancet 405, no. 10482: 894-895. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00058-3.
  • Pluta, M. P., Darocha, T., Pasternak, M., Pasquier, M., Mendrala, K., Gocol, R., and Kosinski, S. “Eligibility For Ecpr Warming In Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest: Lack Of Guidelines And The Current Constraints Of Artificial Intelligence In Clinical Decision-Making”. Artif Organs 49, no. 7: 1192-1196. doi:10.1111/aor.14993.
    Abstract: AIM OF THE STUDY: Artificial intelligence (AI) such as large language models (LLMs) tools are potential sources of information on hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA). The aim of our study was to determine whether, for patients with HCA, LLMs provide information consistent with expert consensus on criteria that would usually contraindicate extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCRP) in patients with normothermic cardiac arrest (NCA), but not HCA. METHODS: Based on Extracorporeal Life Support Organization guidelines, selected factors were identified that may be contraindications to eCPR in NCA but not in HCA. Four questions were created and entered into AI software (GPT-3.5 turbo, GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Haiku, Mistral Large, Mistral Small, Gemini Pro and Gemini Flash). The responses obtained and citations returned were assessed by an international panel of experts for consistency with current knowledge. RESULTS: Complete agreement of responses with expert consensus was obtained for 5/10 AI tools. In total, all AI tools presented 101 items in the literature. No reference was rated as "correct"; 45 citations (45%) "existed but did not answer the question"; and 56 citations (55%) were considered "hallucinatory". CONCLUSION: Use of artificial intelligence in decision-making for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with hypothermic cardiac arrest risks unjustifiably withdrawing treatment from patients who have a chance of survival with a good neurological outcome. Large language models should not be used as the only tool for decision-making.
    Tags: *Artificial Intelligence, *Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods/standards, *Clinical Decision-Making/methods, *Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods, *Heart Arrest/therapy, artificial intelligence, cardiac arrest, Consensus, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Humans, hypothermia, Hypothermia, Induced, Practice Guidelines as Topic.
  • Pfundstein, I., Mauthner, O., Gschwind, C. O., Muser, O., Nickel, C. H., Trutschel, D., and Brunkert, T. “A Multi-Method Study To Develop And Pilot Test An Interprofessional Transitional Care Model For Frail Older Adults - Advantage”. J Adv Nurs. doi:10.1111/jan.16822.
    Abstract: AIM(S): To develop and pilot test the AdvantAGE transitional care model at a Swiss geriatric hospital. DESIGN: Multi-method design. METHODS: The study progressed in three stages from January 2021 to December 2023: (1) contextual analysis using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, incorporating qualitative interviews, (2) development and pilot testing of transitional care interventions on three acute geriatric wards using a descriptive explorative study design and (3) development and validation of a logic model using an iterative approach involving project interest groups and researchers. RESULTS: We identified central challenges and needs related to transitions from hospital to home, including insufficient information flow, patient and caregiver insecurities and lacking adherence to recommended treatment. The newly developed transitional care model comprised five core elements: continuous support for patients and caregivers, care coordination with primary care providers, comprehensive health management at home, medication- and self-management with patients and caregivers and advance care planning. Of 137 eligible patients, 62 participated in the 10-month pilot test of the preliminary transitional care intervention, with an average participation duration of 69 days. Findings from the pilot informed the refinement of the intervention elements and the development of a preliminary logic model. CONCLUSION: Employing an implementation science approach facilitated the development and refinement of the AdvantAGE model, ensuring alignment with the needs of project interest groups and the specific implementation context. IMPACT: This study demonstrates the development of a transitional care model tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the local healthcare context. Findings provide valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, researchers and policymakers, offering implications for developing transitional care practices and policies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Limited patient and public involvement was incorporated, focusing on the interpretation of the findings of the first step of this study. Further contributions included providing feedback on the development of the elements of the AdvantAGE transitional care model, ensuring the research addressed priorities relevant to patients and primary health care providers in Basel-Stadt.
    Tags: advanced practice nurses, implementation science, intervention development, logic model, transitional care.
  • Koechlin, L., Boeddinghaus, J., Lopez-Ayala, P., Bianchi, C. L., Nestelberger, T., Wildi, K., Miro, O., et al. “Impact Of Food And Drug Administration Regulations On The Performance Of Guideline-Recommended Pathways With An Approved Point-Of-Care High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Assay”. J Am Heart Assoc 14, no. 6: e039164. doi:10.1161/JAHA.124.039164.
    Tags: Abbott, Polymedco, Dr Risch, and Siemens, all outside of the submitted work and, Akademische Gesellschaft Basel" and speaker honoraria from Roche Diagnostics,, and a PhD scholarship from the University of Queensland, Brisbane,, and FF21103) and speaker's honoraria from Quidel, paid to the institution,, Australia. Dr Mahfoud is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Kardiologie,, Basel, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Inari, Medtronic, Merck, ReCor Medical, Servier, and, biomarker, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Idorsia, Novartis, Osler, Roche, Sanofi, Singulex, and, Coulter, Bayer, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Orion Pharma, outside the, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219, Project-ID 322900939), and Deutsche, disclosures to report., Foundation, the Margarete und Walter Lichtenstein-Stiftung (3MS1038), and the, Foundation, the Swiss Heart Foundation, the University Hospital Basel, the, Foundation, the University of Basel, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences, and, Herzstiftung. Saarland University has received scientific support from Ablative, honoraria/consulting honoraria from Abbott, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bayer,, Hospital Foundation, Lopez-Ayala has received research grants from the Swiss Heart Foundation (FF20079, Medical Sciences, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation, and, myocardial infarction, Novartis, LSI Medience Corporation, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Quidel, Roche,, outside the submitted work. Dr Nestelberger has received research support from, paid to the institution. Dr Boeddinghaus received research grants from the, Siemens, Singulex, Sphingotec, and SpinChip Diagnostics, as well as speaker, Solutions, Medtronic, and ReCor Medical. Until May 2024, Dr Mahfoud has received, speaker honoraria/consulting fees from Ablative Solutions, Amgen, AstraZeneca,, speaker honoraria/consulting honoraria from Siemens and Roche Diagnostics. Dr, SpinChip Diagnostics, all paid to the institution. The remaining authors have no, submitted work. Dr Wildi received a research funding from the Prince Charles, support from Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Abbott, Beckman, Terumo. Dr Mueller has received research support from the Swiss National Science, the Gottfried and Julia Bangerter-Rhyner Foundation, as well as the "Freiwillige, the Swiss National Science Foundation (P400PM_191037/1), the Prof. Dr Max Cloetta, the University of, the Wesley Medical Research Foundation, triage, troponin, University Hospital Basel, as well as speaker/consulting honoraria or research, University of Basel and the Division of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Academy of, University of Basel, Abbott, Astra Zeneca, Beckman Coulter, Brahms, Idorsia,.
  • Mohajer-Bastami, A., Moin, S., Sweetman, B., Ahmed, A. R., Head, M., Gelber, E., Ahmad, S. J. S., and Exadaktylos, A. K. “A Comparison Of The United Kingdom's And Switzerland's Healthcare Financing Systems For Achieving Equity And Efficiency Goals”. Swiss Med Wkly 155, no. 3: 4101. doi:10.57187/s.4101.
    Abstract: Healthcare financing systems in the United Kingdom and Switzerland were compared with a focus on efficiency and equity. The United Kingdom's National Health Service employs the Beveridge model. It is predominantly funded through taxation and aims to provide free healthcare at the point of use. Switzerland's healthcare financing system is based on the Bismarck model. This social health insurance model is structured around compulsory health plans for all residents. METHODS: Healthcare financing systems were compared using World Health Organization reports, national health statistics and peer-reviewed literature. Efficiency was evaluated using metrics including cost-effectiveness ratios and healthcare outcomes. Equity was assessed by examining disparities in access to healthcare and socioeconomic health outcomes. RESULTS: The National Health Service excels at administrative efficiency and providing equitable access to care. It faces challenges such as geographical disparities in service availability and perceptions of underfunding. Switzerland spends comparatively more on healthcare but delivers superior health outcomes. Issues arise with providing equitable care to all citizens, particularly affecting low-income and undocumented populations. CONCLUSION: The National Health Service is a leader in providing equitable healthcare but must address falling health outcomes while working within financial constraints. Switzerland demonstrates excellent healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction but requires measures to ensure equitable service delivery. Ongoing policy adjustments are necessary to balance equity and efficiency while meeting meet new healthcare demands.
    Tags: *Delivery of Health Care/economics, *Efficiency, Organizational, *Health Equity/economics, *Healthcare Financing, *National Health Programs/economics, *State Medicine/economics, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Health Services Accessibility/economics, Healthcare Disparities/economics, Humans, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
  • Simma, L., Kammerl, A., and Ramantani, G. “Point-Of-Care Eeg In The Pediatric Emergency Department: A Systematic Review”. Eur J Pediatr 184, no. 3: 231. doi:10.1007/s00431-025-06059-y.
    Abstract: Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including seizures, status epilepticus (SE), and altered mental status, constitute a significant proportion of cases presenting in the pediatric emergency department. EEG is essential for diagnosing nonconvulsive SE, but standard EEG is often unavailable due to resource constraints. Point-of-care EEG (pocEEG) has emerged as a viable alternative, offering rapid bedside assessment. This systematic review synthesizes existing data on the use of pocEEG in pediatric emergencies and highlights research gaps. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE identified six studies on pediatric populations using simplified EEG montages, with cohort sizes ranging from 20 to 242 patients. The findings indicate that pocEEG is feasible in acute pediatric care, effectively aiding in the detection of nonconvulsive SE and other critical neurological conditions. The studies varied in electrode placement strategies, ranging from neonatal to subhairline montages. CONCLUSION: Despite some implementation challenges, pocEEG has shown sufficient accuracy for clinical use. Further research should focus on optimizing EEG montages, refining interpretation, and assessing its impact on patient outcomes. This review underscores the potential of pocEEG to address critical care needs in pediatric emergency departments and calls for larger, standardized studies. WHAT IS KNOWN: * Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as seizures and altered mental status, are common and critical conditions encountered in pediatric emergency resuscitation bays. * EEG is essential for diagnosing nonconvulsive status epilepticus, but standard EEG is often unavailable in emergency departments due to logistical challenges, limited resources, and the need for specialized interpretation. WHAT IS NEW: * Reduced-lead, point-of-care EEG (pocEEG) is a feasible alternative for real-time bedside CNS monitoring in pediatric emergency settings, aiding in the diagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus and guiding the management of convulsive status epilepticus. * This systematic review highlights the feasibility and clinical potential of pocEEG in pediatric emergency departments and identifies key areas for further research, including the development of standardized pocEEG protocols and the integration of automated EEG analysis.
    Tags: *Central Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis, *Electroencephalography/methods, *Emergency Service, Hospital, *Point-of-Care Systems, *Status Epilepticus/diagnosis, approval as it involved only the analysis of publicly available data from, Child, competing interests., Electroencephalography, Emergency service, Hospital, Humans, Pediatric emergency medicine, Point-of-care systems, previously published studies. Competing interests: The authors declare no, Rapid response EEG, Reduced lead EEG, Seizures, Seizures/diagnosis, Status epilepticus.
  • Oussalah, A., Haghnejad, V., Silva Rodriguez, M., Lagneaux, A. S., Alix, T., Filhine-Tresarrieu, P., Ferrand, J., et al. “Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin: A Rapid Sepsis Biomarker For Diagnosing Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis In Cirrhosis”. Eur J Clin Invest 55, no. 6: e70021. doi:10.1111/eci.70021.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and life-threatening complication of cirrhosis, contributing to considerable morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A cross-sectional derivation study was conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of two sepsis-related calcitonin peptide family biomarkers, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-pro-ADM) and procalcitonin, in ascitic fluid for identifying bacteriologically confirmed SBP (BC-SBP). In a subsequent validation study, the diagnostic performance of the 'SBP score' was evaluated in an independent patient cohort using an absolute polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte count threshold of >/=250 cells/mm(3) as the diagnostic benchmark for diagnosing SBP. RESULTS: In the derivation study, the concentration of MR-pro-ADM in ascitic fluid was significantly higher in patients with BC-SBP compared to those without BC-SBP (3.14 nmol/L [IQR, 2.39-6.74] vs. 1.91 nmol/L [IQR, 1.33-2.80]; p = .0002). Bayesian ANOVA indicated that MR-pro-ADM was highly discriminative for diagnosing BC-SBP, with a substantial Bayes factor (BFM = 2505), whereas procalcitonin exhibited poor discriminatory performance. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified an optimal MR-pro-ADM cut-off of >/=2.50 nmol/L for diagnosing BC-SBP, with an area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of 0.746 (95% CI, 0.685-0.801; p < .0001). Multivariable logistic regression identified three independent predictors of BC-SBP, which were subsequently incorporated into the 'SBP score' (MR-pro-ADM >/=2.5 nmol/L, absolute PMN count >/=250 cells/mm(3) and Child-Pugh score). In the validation study, the 'SBP score' demonstrated an AUROC of 0.993 (95% CI, 0.929-1.000; p < .0001) for diagnosing SBP. CONCLUSION: MR-pro-ADM in ascitic fluid emerges as a promising biomarker for SBP diagnosis. Combining MR-pro-ADM with absolute PMN count and Child-Pugh score in the 'SBP score' greatly improves the diagnostic accuracy of SBP.
    Tags: *Adrenomedullin/metabolism, *Ascitic Fluid/metabolism, *Bacterial Infections/diagnosis/metabolism, *Liver Cirrhosis/complications, *Peritonitis/diagnosis/microbiology/metabolism, *Procalcitonin/metabolism, *Protein Precursors/metabolism, *Sepsis/diagnosis/metabolism, Aged, Bayes Theorem, Biomarkers/metabolism, cirrhosis, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Male, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, Middle Aged, of interest concerning this manuscript to disclose., Peptide Fragments, rapid assay biomarker, ROC Curve, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
  • Brabrand, M., Flojstrup, M., Bogh, S. B., Cooksley, T., and Nickel, C. H. “Utilizing D-Dimer Levels For Predicting Survival Probability In Unplanned Hospital Admissions: Insights From A 5-Year Nationwide Population-Based Register Study”. Eur J Intern Med 137: 149-151. doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2025.02.026.
    Tags: Admission, D-dimer, Emergency medicine, Mortality, Prognosis, Survival.
  • Randegger, S., Wunderle, C., Johansen, O. E., Tribolet, P., Pavlicek, V., Braendle, M., Henzen, C., et al. “Low Plasma Pancreatic Lipase As A Novel Predictor Of Nutritional Target Achievement And Response To Nutritional Interventions In Malnourished Inpatients: Secondary Analysis Of A Randomized Clinical Trial”. Clin Nutr 47: 196-203. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2025.02.029.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic lipase plays an essential role in digesting dietary fats in the intestine, facilitating nutrient absorption. Plasma lipase serves as a surrogate for pancreatic exocrine function, which decreases with age and potentially leads to inadequate nutrient digestion and gastrointestinal symptoms. We investigated clinical implications of plasma lipase among medical inpatients at nutritional risk. METHODS: This secondary analysis investigated admission plasma lipase concentrations among patients at risk for malnutrition regarding clinical outcomes and treatment response in patients included in the Effect of Early Nutritional Support on Frailty Outcomes, and Recovery of Malnourished Medical Inpatients Trial (EFFORT), a randomized controlled trial comparing individualized nutritional support to usual care. RESULTS: Of 810 patients with available admission plasma lipase concentrations, 158 (19.5 %) had concentrations below the reference range. Patients with low concentrations had a 1.6-fold higher risk of not reaching energy or protein targets during hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio 1.62 [95 % confidence interval 1.07 to 2.45], p = 0.022 and 1.61 [95 % confidence interval 1.07 to 2.44], p = 0.023, respectively). They also tended to have a more pronounced benefit from nutritional interventions in terms of reduced mortality (adjusted hazard ratio for patients with low lipase 0.48 [95 % confidence interval 0.18 to 1.26] compared to 0.99 [95 % confidence interval 0.60 to 1.63] in patients with normal lipase concentrations, p for interaction = 0.224). CONCLUSION: Findings from this multicenter trial indicate that around 20 % of polymorbid older patients had plasma lipase concentrations below the reference range, suggesting exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which placed them at a greater risk for failing to meet nutritional targets; however, they also demonstrated a pronounced improvement from nutritional support. Further studies should assess the impact of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02517476.
    Tags: *Lipase/blood, *Malnutrition/blood/therapy/diet therapy, *Nutritional Support/methods, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Biomarkers/blood, Diagnostics, not related to this project. Zeno Stanga reports consulting fees, Disease-related malnutrition, Female, from Nestle Health Science, Abbott Nutrition, Fresenius Kabi and B. Braun, not, Health Science, Thermo Fisher, bioMerieux, Abbott Nutrition and Roche, Hospitalization, Humans, Inpatients, Lipase, Male, Middle Aged, Nutritional Status, Nutritional support, Pancreas/enzymology, Pancreatic insufficiency, Polymorbid medical inpatient, related to this project. Odd Erik Johansen reports employment by Nestle Health, Science. No other disclosures are reported., Treatment Outcome, Treatment response.
  • Wespi, R., Neher, A. N., Birrenbach, T., Schauber, S. K., Frenkel, M. O., Schrom-Feiertag, H., Sauter, T. C., and Kammer, J. E. “Physiological Team Dynamics Explored: Physiological Synchrony In Medical Simulation Training”. Adv Simul (Lond) 10, no. 1: 5. doi:10.1186/s41077-025-00335-5.
    Abstract: INTRODUCTION: For researchers and medical simulation trainers, measuring team dynamics is vital for providing targeted feedback that can lead to improved patient outcomes. It is also valuable for research, such as investigating which dynamics benefit team performance. Traditional assessment methods, such as questionnaires and observations, are often subjective and static, lacking the ability to capture team dynamics. To address these shortcomings, this study explores the use of physiological synchrony (PS) measured through electrocardiogram (ECG) data to evaluate team dynamics automated and in high-resolution. METHODS: A multicentre observational field study was conducted involving 214 medical first responders during mixed reality (MR) mass casualty training sessions. Participants were equipped with electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors and MR gear. The study measured dyadic PS using heart rate (HR), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN). Data were collected at high frequency and analysed using dynamic time warping (dtw) to assess fluctuations in PS. RESULTS: Findings indicate that PS varies significantly by task nature, with higher synchrony during cooperative tasks compared to baseline. Different ECG metrics offered unique insights into team dynamics. Proximity and scenario conditions influenced PS, with closer teamwork leading to higher PS. Smaller sampling intervals (e.g. 5 s) provided a detailed view of PS fluctuations over time. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate the potential of PS as an indicator of team performance and cohesion. High-resolution monitoring provides detailed insights into team dynamics, offering high-resolution feedback that traditional methods cannot provide. The integration of physiological measures into training programmes can enhance team performance by providing objective, high-resolution data. CONCLUSION: This study shows that PS, measured by ECG data, is sensitive to medical team activities, offering insights into team dynamics. Different ECG metrics highlight various aspects of team performance, and high-resolution monitoring captures detailed dynamics. Further research is needed to validate these findings across diverse scenarios. This approach could improve training methodologies, resulting in better-prepared medical teams and improved patient care outcomes.
  • Jachmann, A., Loser, A., Mettler, A., Exadaktylos, A., Muller, M., and Klingberg, K. “Burnout, Depression, And Stress In Emergency Department Nurses And Physicians And The Impact On Private And Work Life: A Systematic Review”. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 6, no. 2: 100046. doi:10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100046.
    Abstract: OBJECTIVES: In today's fast-paced world, work-related stress is a prevalent problem, particularly among health care professionals in high-pressure environments such as emergency departments (EDs). This stress can lead to mental health disorders, such as depression and burnout, affecting job performance, patient care, and the quality of professional and private life. This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout, depression, and stress among ED nurses and physicians and the impact of these conditions on personal and professional quality of life (QoL). METHODS: The systematic literature search covered PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and grey literature databases. Articles were included if they were published in English or German by 31 January 2020, focused on ED physicians or nurses, and examined burnout, depression, or stress and its impact on professional or personal QoL. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: The systematic search resulted in 893 articles, of which 11 met the inclusion criteria. All reviewed studies had a cross-sectional study design and were of low to moderate quality. Depression, burnout, and stress were prevalent among ED physicians, ranging from 15.5% to 19.3%, 18% to 71.4%, and 19.5% to 22.7%, respectively. These were associated with lower job satisfaction in ED physicians, while findings in ED nurses also showed a considerable rate of burnout with an inverse association with compassion satisfaction. Burnout and stress were significantly associated with intentions to quit emergency medicine in ED physicians, whereas no association was found for depression. In addition, burnout showed a negative relationship to work-life balance and QoL, while higher stress levels were associated with lower life satisfaction in ED physicians. CONCLUSION: Our review underlines the high prevalence of stress, depression, and burnout among ED health care professionals and their potential negative impact on private and professional life, emphasizing the need for targeted support and interventions to enhance resilience, reduce stress, and prevent the onset or deterioration of mental health diseases. This, in turn, can contribute to maintaining and strengthening the already limited human resources in EDs, ensuring the quality of patient care, and strengthening health care systems.
    Tags: burnout, depression, emergency service, health personnel, mental health, quality of life, stress.
  • von During, S., Chevalley, B., Wozniak, H., Desmettre, T., Quintard, H., Suppan, L., and Fehlmann, C. A. “Clinical Factors Associated With The Use Of Niv In The Pre-Hospital Setting In Adult Patients Treated For Acute Copd Exacerbation: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study”. Bmc Emerg Med 25, no. 1: 32. doi:10.1186/s12873-025-01193-0.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a cornerstone in the management of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations with respiratory failure. While extensively studied in hospital settings, limited data exist on its use in the pre-hospital setting and clinical factors influencing its application. This study aimed to identify predictors of NIV use in the pre-hospital setting and to assess its association with patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed data from a pre-hospital emergency medical service registry in Geneva, Switzerland. Adult patients with a presumptive diagnosis of acute COPD exacerbation were included, spanning a control period (2007-2010, before NIV implementation) and an intervention period (2013-2017, after NIV implementation). For the primary analysis, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of NIV use during the intervention period. For the secondary analysis, coarsened exact matching balanced patients treated with NIV during the intervention period with those from the control period, followed by conditional regression analyses to assess patient-centered outcomes. RESULTS: Among 270 included patients, 84 (46%) received NIV during the intervention period. Age >/= 70 years (aOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.11, 5.76), female sex (aOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.13, 5.60), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) >/= 140 mmHg (aOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.19, 6.62) were independent predictors associated with receiving NIV in the pre-hospital setting. In the matched cohort, pre-hospital NIV use was significantly associated with increased ICU admission rates, but was not associated with transport time, emergency department length of stay, hospital length of stay, or 28-day mortality. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated consistent results across different modeling approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Age >/= 70 years, female sex, and SBP >/= 140 mmHg were independent predictors associated with receiving NIV in the pre-hospital management of acute COPD exacerbation. The association between NIV use and increased ICU admissions may reflect its application in more severely ill patients. Pre-hospital NIV was not associated with short- or long-term outcomes beyond ICU admission. These findings underscore the need for prospective studies to clarify the role of pre-hospital NIV in patient outcomes.
    Tags: *Emergency Medical Services/methods, *Noninvasive Ventilation/statistics & numerical data, *Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy, Acute disease, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, All data were collected without personal identity information. Consent for, approval from the Research Ethics Board of the Geneva University Hospitals in, Chronic obstructive, competing interests., Disease Progression, Emergency medical services, Female, Humans, January 2019 (Project ID 2018-22-45), with a waiver of written informed consent., Male, Middle Aged, Noninvasive, Prehospital care, publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no, Pulmonary disease, Respiratory insufficiency, Retrospective Studies, Switzerland, Ventilation.
  • Collaborators, G. B. D. Epilepsy. “Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Epilepsy, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021”. Lancet Public Health 10, no. 3: e203-e227. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00302-5.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common serious neurological disorders and affects individuals of all ages across the globe. The aim of this study is to provide estimates of the epilepsy burden on the global, regional, and national levels for 1990-2021. METHODS: Using well established Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) methodology, we quantified the prevalence of active idiopathic (epilepsy of genetic or unknown origin) and secondary epilepsy (epilepsy due to an underlying abnormality of the brain structure or chemistry), as well as incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, and location (globally, 21 GBD regions and seven super-regions, World Bank country income levels, Socio-demographic Index [SDI], and 204 countries) and their trends from 1990 to 2021. Vital registrations and verbal autopsies provided information about deaths, and data on the prevalence and severity of epilepsy, largely came from population representative surveys. All estimates were calculated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). FINDINGS: In 2021, there were 51.7 million (95% UI 44.9-58.9) people with epilepsy (idiopathic and secondary combined) globally, with an age-standardised prevalence of 658 per 100 000 (569-748). Idiopathic epilepsy had an age-standardised prevalence of 307 per 100 000 (235-389) globally, with 24.2 million (18.5-30.7) prevalent cases, and secondary epilepsy had a global age-standardised prevalence of 350 per 100 000 (322-380). In 2021, 0.7% of the population had active epilepsy (0.3% attributed to idiopathic epilepsy and 0.4% to secondary epilepsy), and the age-standardised global prevalence of epilepsy from idiopathic and secondary epilepsy combined increased from 1990 to 2021 by 10.8% (1.1-21.3), mainly due to corresponding changes in secondary epilepsy. However, age-standardised death and DALY rates of idiopathic epilepsy reduced from 1990 to 2021 (decline of 15.8% [8.8-22.8] and 14.5% [4.2-24.2], respectively). There were three-fold to four-fold geographical differences in the burden of active idiopathic epilepsy, with the bulk of the burden residing in low-income to middle-income countries: 82.1% (81.1-83.4) of incident, 80.4% prevalent (79.7-82.7), 84.7% (83.7-85.1) fatal epilepsy, and 87.9% (86.2-89.2) epilepsy DALYs. INTERPRETATION: Although the global trends in idiopathic epilepsy deaths and DALY rates have improved in the preceding decades, in 2021 there were almost 52 million people with active epilepsy (24 million from idiopathic epilepsy and 28 million from secondary epilepsy), with the bulk of the burden (>80%) residing in low-income to middle-income countries. Better treatment and prevention of epilepsy are required, along with further research on risk factors of idiopathic epilepsy, good-quality long-term epilepsy surveillance studies, and exploration of the possible effect of stigma and cultural differences in seeking medical attention for epilepsy. FUNDING: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
    Tags: *Epilepsy/epidemiology/mortality, *Global Burden of Disease/trends, *Global Health/statistics & numerical data, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Disability-Adjusted Life Years, Female, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Young Adult.
  • Espejo, T., Nieves-Ortega, R., Amsler, L., Riedel, H. B., Balestra, G., Rosin, C., Becker, C., Lippay, K., Nickel, C. H., and Bingisser, R. “Clinical Gestalt To Predict Bacterial Infection And Mortality In Emergency Department Patients: A Prospective Observational Study”. J Gen Intern Med. doi:10.1007/s11606-025-09440-7.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Time to treatment is a significant predictor of mortality in emergency department (ED) patients with bacterial sepsis. Strategies for the early detection of bacterial infection and sepsis are lacking. Clinical gestalt is a tool for assessing and synthesizing the entire clinical picture, focusing on the first clinical impression at presentation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess ED physicians' clinical gestalt for the prediction of bacterial infection and mortality in ED patients presenting with signs and symptoms of infection. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study with a 30-day follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 18 or older presenting to the ED with signs and symptoms compatible with an infection and abnormal vital signs were included. MAIN MEASURES: ED physicians recorded their clinical gestalt using a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the likelihood of bacterial infection and responded to a dichotomous question regarding the probability of a patient's death. The main outcome was the confirmed diagnosis of an acute bacterial infection. Final diagnoses, based on laboratory and follow-up information, were adjudicated by an expert panel. KEY RESULTS: In total, 444 patients were included. Median age was 68 years [IQR 51, 80] and median National Early Warning Score (NEWS) was 5 [IQR 3, 7]. Median VAS for physicians' clinical gestalt regarding bacterial infection likelihood was 8.2 [IQR 6.7, 9.0] of 10 in patients with bacterial infection, 2.3 [IQR 1.2, 4.3] in patients with viral infection, 4.6 [IQR 4.0, 7.3] in patients with an infection due to another pathogen, and 2.3 [IQR 1.1 6.2] in patients with no acute infection (p-value = <0.001). Clinical gestalt's sensitivity regarding 30-day mortality was 57.1% [95%CI 37.2 to 75.5] with a specificity of 83.4% [95%CI 79.7 to 86.9]. CONCLUSION: In this study of ED patients presenting with signs and symptoms of infection, clinical gestalt was shown to be useful differentiating between bacterial and infections of other causes. Antibiotic prescription rate increased with the likelihood of bacterial infection according to physician gestalt. Lastly, simple heuristic prognostication of mortality (likely vs. unlikely) carried some, but limited, prognostic value.
    Tags: Antibiotics, Clinical gestalt, conflict of interest., Emergency department, Infection, Sepsis.
  • Schoenmaekers, B., Derraz, I., Tahhan, N., and Metrailler, P. “Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma Under Rivaroxaban And Clopidogrel: A Case Report And Literature Review”. Open Access Emerg Med 17: 129-135. doi:10.2147/OAEM.S489072.
    Abstract: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare pathology with potentially severe consequences for the patient. Given its uncommon incidence and frequent atypical presentation, SSEH can easily be misdiagnosed. The association between anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy and SSEH has been described in multiple case reports and literature reviews. We present a case of a 61-year-old man on anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy (Rivaroxaban and Clopidogrel respectively), diagnosed with spinal SSEH with good recovery after laminectomy and hematoma evacuation. However, treatment guidelines for SSEH are difficult to find and there is no clear strategy about management of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of rapid diagnosis and surgical therapy in selected cases and to give an insight on the anticoagulation and antiplatelet management in these patients and their prognosis.
    Tags: anticoagulation, neurosurgery, platelet inhibitors, prognosis, treatment.
  • Ryser, B., Merz, S., Flueckiger, S., Exadaktylos, A., and Lindner, G. “Gender Disparities In Diagnostic Procedures Of Primary Hyperventilation”. Eur J Emerg Med 32, no. 2: 147-148. doi:10.1097/MEJ.0000000000001201.
    Tags: article, diagnosis, diagnostic procedure, gender inequality, human, hyperventilation, male.
  • Roth, E., Cattaneo, M., Hollenstein, Y., Weisser, M., Bassetti, S., Tschudin Sutter, S., Bingisser, R., Nickel, C. H., and Egli, A. “The Impact Of Rapid Molecular Diagnostics For Influenza On Antibiotic Stewardship In The Emergency Department-An Observational Retrospective Study”. Antibiotics (Basel) 14, no. 2. doi:10.3390/antibiotics14020120.
    Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The clinical diagnosis of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) may result in unnecessary antibiotic treatment due to clinical exams' low sensitivity and specificity to differentiate viral from bacterial infections and costly diagnostic work-ups. Unnecessary antibiotic consumption drives antibiotic resistance. We explored whether a rapid influenza-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay reduced antibiotic use in an emergency room before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective study of patients with RTI symptoms treated in the ER of the University Hospital Basel from September 2014 to June 2015. We evaluated the impact of rapid diagnostic results, such as an influenza-specific PCR, blood sample results, and radiological imaging, on antibiotic prescription rates. Patient-related confounding factors were included since a patient's clinical condition affects doctors' clinical decision-making. RESULTS: We included 607 patients with RTIs, tested with PCR for influenza A or B. Logistic regression showed that the odds ratio (OR) of being treated with antibiotics was significantly reduced by more than two-thirds in patients with a positive influenza PCR result (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22-0.59; p < 0.001). Increasing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by tenfold (OR = 5.14; 95% CI, 3.34-8.12; p < 0.001) or suspected chest infection on a radiograph (OR = 5.81; 95% CI, 3.23-10.89; p < 0.001) increased the OR of antibiotic treatment by fivefold. The highest OR for antibiotic prescription was due to increased procalcitonin level by tenfold (OR = 10.13; 95% CI, 4.79-23.4; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides real-world evidence from a pre-COVID-19 ER setting of diagnostic tools used for RTI evaluation and their impact on antibiotic prescriptions. Rapid influenza-specific PCR results may affect the prescription rate of antibiotics but should be seen as part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach to guide clinical decision-making.
    Tags: antibiotic stewardship, diagnostics, influenza, management, molecular diagnostics, rapid PCR, respiratory tract infection.
  • Klukowska-Rotzler, J., Graber, F., Exadaktylos, A. K., Ziaka, M., and Jakob, D. A. “Gender-Specific Patterns Of Injury In Older Adults After A Fall From A Four-Wheeled Walker (Rollator): Retrospective Study From A Swiss Level 1 Trauma Centre”. Int J Environ Res Public Health 22, no. 2. doi:10.3390/ijerph22020143.
    Abstract: AIM: As the population is aging, falls by older people, in particular falls from four-wheeled walkers ("rollators"), are a growing problem. These falls must be examined by targeted research and interventions that incorporate gender differences. Therefore, this study examined the injury patterns of elderly patients admitted to a tertiary trauma centre in Switzerland after falls from rollators and focussed on gender differences. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-centre study for the period from May 2012 to December 2019 which included elderly patients (>/=65 years) who had suffered a fall from a rollator. Injury history, patient data, demographic information, and patient outcomes were compared between males and females, with the data sourced from the Ecare patient database, which contains all information related to patient visits and treatment procedures. RESULTS: A total of 152 eligible patients were included in the analysis, with 56.6% hospitalised at our facility and 14.5% transferred to another hospital. The cohort comprised 50 (32.9%) males and 102 (67.1%) females. Males were more prevalent in the 75-84 age group, while females predominated in the 85 and older group, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.043). Osteoporosis was significantly more common in females (37.3% vs. 10%, p </= 0.001). Consequently, treatment with vitamin D and/or calcium was also significantly more prevalent among women (29.4% vs. 8%, p = 0.003). Most falls occurred at home (22.4%) or in nursing care facilities and rehabilitation centres (22.4%), without gender-based differences (p = 0.570). Men were six times more likely than women to sustain injuries when under the influence of alcohol (p = 0.002). Fractures to the lower extremities were the most common injuries, accounting for 34.2% of all injuries, with no statistically significant differences between groups (p = 0.063). Head injuries occurred in 34.9% of patients, with a trend towards more injuries in males (44% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.098). The cumulative rates of fractures to the pelvis, upper extremities, and lower extremities were significantly higher in females (59.8%) than in males (38%), p = 0.011. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in men than in women (12.9% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.026). Operative procedures were significantly more common in women (33% vs. 16.3%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Women were more frequently affected by falls related to rollators than men. Most falls occurred at home, in nursing care facilities, or rehabilitation centres, with no significant gender-based differences. There was a trend toward more head injuries in males, while the cumulative fracture rate of the pelvis, upper extremities, and lower extremities was significantly higher in females. In-hospital mortality was more than four times higher in men. These findings may guide the development of gender-specific interventions to reduce rollator-related injuries in the vulnerable elderly population.
    Tags: *Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data, *Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology/etiology, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, falls, Female, four-wheeled walker, geriatric patients, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, rollator, Sex Factors, Switzerland/epidemiology, trauma, Trauma Centers/statistics & numerical data.
  • Moeckel, J., Wenzel, V., Angerer, V., Albrecht, R., and Pietsch, U. “Droplet Formation In Drugs During Extreme Temperature Conditions In The Emergency Medical Service, A Problem?”. Air Med J 44, no. 1: 114-116. doi:10.1016/j.amj.2024.10.007.
    Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Because of high-altitude operations, cold exposure is common for helicopter emergency medical services. However, drug emulsions such as propofol and etomidate are prone to degradation and the formation of lipid droplets, possibly large enough to cause pulmonary embolism, when frozen. Amiodarone may be prone to crystallization, possibly causing phlebitis, when exposed to cold temperatures. The aim of this study was to microscopically identify physical changes in common emergency drugs under cold exposure. METHODS: Exposure time frames and temperature ranges were chosen according to real-world data collected on a rescue helicopter in Switzerland. Samples were stored in a laboratory freezer with a temperature range of -2.3 degrees C (27.7 degrees F) for 1 hour, 0.6 degrees C to -3.6 degrees C (33.1 degrees F-25.5 degrees F) for 12 hours, and -22 degrees C (-7.6 degrees F) for 1 hour and 12 hours. Analysis was performed under a light microscope. RESULTS: No physical changes in the form of large lipid droplets or crystallization were found in the samples stored at -2.3 degrees C (27.7 degrees F). Lipid droplets were found in the propofol samples stored at 0.6 degrees C to -3.4 degrees C (33.1 degrees F-25.5 degrees F) and -22 degrees C (-7.6 degrees F) over 12 hours. CONCLUSION: There was no observation of physical changes under temperature conditions commonly found in helicopter emergency medical services. However, lipid droplets could be observed in the propofol samples with long exposure times or under deep frozen temperature conditions. These findings highlight the need to establish a safe threshold for cold exposure of medications in the prehospital environment.
    Tags: *Air Ambulances, *Cold Temperature, *Emergency Medical Services, *Lipid Droplets, Amiodarone/chemistry, Humans, Propofol/chemistry, Switzerland, There was no grant funding or financial support for this manuscript..
  • Makowska, A., Ananthakrishnan, G., Christ, M., and Dehmer, M. “Screening For Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Using Artificial Intelligence Algorithms Based On 12 Leads Of The Electrocardiogram-Applicable In Clinical Practice?-Critical Literature Review With Meta-Analysis”. Healthcare (Basel) 13, no. 4. doi:10.3390/healthcare13040408.
    Abstract: Background/Objectives: The increasing utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field holds the potential to address the global shortage of doctors. However, various challenges, such as usability, privacy, inequality, and misdiagnosis, complicate its application. This literature review focuses on AI's role in cardiology, specifically its impact on the diagnostic accuracy of AI algorithms analyzing 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) to detect left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and case-control studies across various settings. This review is registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number 531468). Results: Seven significant studies were selected and included in our review. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan. Co-CNN (with incorporated demographic data and clinical variables) demonstrated the highest weighted average sensitivity at 0.84. 2D-CNN models (with demographic features) showed a balanced performance with good sensitivity (0.62) and high specificity (0.82); Co-CNN models excelled in sensitivity (0.84) but had lower specificity (0.71). Traditional ECG criteria (SLV and CV) maintained high specificities but low sensitivities. Scatter plots revealed trends between demographic factors and performance metrics. Conclusions: AI algorithms can rapidly analyze ECG data with high sensitivity. The diagnostic accuracy of AI models is variable but generally comparable to classical criteria. Clinical data and the training population of AI algorithms play a critical role in their efficacy. Future research should focus on collecting diverse ECG data across different populations to improve the generalizability of AI algorithms.
    Tags: artificial intelligence, deep learning, electrocardiogram, left ventricle hypertrophy, machine learning.
  • Ageron, F. X., Evain, J. N., Chifflet, J., Vallot, C., Greze, J., Mortamet, G., Bouzat, P., Gauss, T., and Group, Trenau. “Improving Paediatric Undertriage In A Regional Trauma Network - A Registry Cohort Study”. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med 44, no. 2: 101497. doi:10.1016/j.accpm.2025.101497.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trauma remains a leading cause of death in children worldwide. Management in dedicated paediatric trauma centres is beneficial, making accurate prehospital triage crucial. We assessed undertriage in a regional trauma system after implementing a revised paediatric triage rule. METHODS: This retrospective, multicentre registry study included all injured children <15 years admitted to hospitals in the Northern French Alps with suspected major trauma and/or an Abbreviated Injury Scale >/=3. Triage performance was assessed before and after implementation of a revised paediatric triage rule. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of undertriage defined as a child with major trauma (need for trauma intervention) not directly transported to the paediatric trauma centre. RESULTS: All 1524 injured children from January 2009 to December 2020 were included. Of these, 725/1524 (47.6%) presented with major trauma; 593/1524 (38.9%) were referred to a non-paediatric trauma centre, and 220/1524 (15%) were considered undertriaged. Over the years, undertriage decreased from 15% to 9%, after the implementation of a revised triage rule. After adjustment, revised paediatric triage rules decreased undertriage, OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9; P < 0.02. The multivariate regression model identified the following risk factors of undertriage: children >10 years, two-wheel vehicle road traffic accident, girls after a fall, for boys after a winter ski accident, and infants with severe limb and pelvic injuries. CONCLUSION: The implementation of regional revised triage rule contributed to a reduction in the paediatric undertriage rate to 9%; several clinical factors were associated with undertriage.
    Tags: *Trauma Centers/statistics & numerical data, *Triage/standards/methods/statistics & numerical data, *Wounds and Injuries/therapy/diagnosis, Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Cohort Studies, Female, France, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Paediatric trauma, Registries, Retrospective Studies, Trauma system, Triage, Undertriage.
  • Neher, A. N., Buhlmann, F., Muller, M., Berendonk, C., Sauter, T. C., and Birrenbach, T. “Virtual Reality For Assessment In Undergraduate Nursing And Medical Education - A Systematic Review”. Bmc Med Educ 25, no. 1: 292. doi:10.1186/s12909-025-06867-8.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used in healthcare education, offering immersive training experiences that are as effective as conventional methods, with benefits like cost-effectiveness, replicating complex scenarios, and reduced need for physical resources. However, the use of VR as an assessment tool is still emerging, particularly in nursing and medical education. The aim of this systematic review was to examine how immersive VR is used as an assessment tool for nursing and medical students. METHODS: Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL, and ERIC were searched for articles that assessed nursing and/or medical students using immersive/HMD VR. The data was extracted, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, investigating VR assessments in various settings mostly emergencies. Assessments focused on core competencies Patient Care such as first triage, Interpersonal and Communication Skills (e.g., interprofessional communication), and Medical Knowledge (e.g., about coma), utilizing a range of assessment methods from knowledge to performance levels. VR was used either as an automated or supporting assessment tool. Practical considerations in VR implementation were also examined, such as hardware and software. CONCLUSION: The use of VR in medical education assessment shows promise, particularly for emergency scenarios and performance-based tasks related to core competencies such as Patient Care, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Medical Knowledge. While this technology offers opportunities to automate assessments and reduce examiner workload, challenges related to software, costs, and feasibility must be addressed. Additionally, aligning learning objectives, teaching methods, and VR assessments through constructive alignment is essential to ensure effective implementation as both a teaching and evaluation tool.
    Tags: *Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods, *Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/methods, *Education, Nursing/methods, *Educational Measurement/methods, *Virtual Reality, and utilized the MERSQI Tool instead of the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias-Tool (as, applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: TCS, Bern sponsored by the Touring Club Switzerland. The sponsor has no influence on, Clinical Competence, holds the endowed professorship of emergency telemedicine at the University of, Humans, initially registered) for assessing data quality due to the inclusion of a wide, Medical education, Nursing, Performance assessment, range of study designs. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not, Students, Medical, the research or decision to publish. All other authors have nothing to disclose., Virtual reality.
  • Weaver, N. D., Bertolacci, G. J., Rosenblad, E., Ghoba, S., Cunningham, M., Ikuta, K. S., Moberg, M. E., et al. “Global, Regional, And National Burden Of Suicide, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021”. The Lancet Public Health 10, no. 3: e189-e202. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00006-4.
    Abstract: Background: Deaths from suicide are a tragic yet preventable cause of mortality. Quantifying the burden of suicide to understand its geographical distribution, temporal trends, and variation by age and sex is an essential step in suicide prevention. We aimed to present a comprehensive set of global, regional, and national estimates of suicide burden. Methods: We produced estimates of the number of deaths and age-standardised mortality rates of suicide globally, regionally, and for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021, and disaggregated these results by age and sex. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 estimates of deaths attributable to suicide were broken down into two comprehensive categories: those by firearms and those by other specified means. For this analysis, we also produced estimates of mean age at the time of death from suicide, incidence of suicide attempts compared with deaths, and age-standardised rates of suicide by firearm. We acquired data from vital registration, verbal autopsy, and mortality surveillance that included 23 782 study-location-years of data from GBD 2021. Point estimates were calculated from the average of 1000 randomly selected possible values of deaths from suicide by age, sex, and geographical location. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were derived from the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution. Findings: Globally, 746 000 deaths (95% UI 692 000-800 000) from suicide occurred in 2021, including 519 000 deaths (485 000-556 000) among males and 227 000 (200 000-255 000) among females. The age-standardised mortality rate has declined over time, from 14·9 deaths (12·8-15·7) per 100 000 population in 1990 to 9·0 (8·3-9·6) per 100 000 in 2021. Regionally, mortality rates due to suicide were highest in eastern Europe (19·2 [17·5-20·8] per 100 000), southern sub-Saharan Africa (16·1 [14·0-18·3] per 100 000), and central sub-Saharan Africa (14·4 [11·0-19·1] per 100 000). The mean age at which individuals died from suicide progressively increased during the study period. For males, the mean age at death by suicide in 1990 was 43·0 years (38·0-45·8), increasing to 47·0 years (43·5-50·6) in 2021. For females, it was 41·9 years (30·9-46·7) in 1990 and 46·9 years (41·2-52·8) in 2021. The incidence of suicide attempts requiring medical care was consistently higher at the regional level for females than for males. The number of deaths by suicide using firearms was higher for males than for females, and substantially varied by country and region. The countries with the highest age-standardised rate of suicides attributable to firearms in 2021 were the USA, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Interpretation: Deaths from suicide remain variable by age and sex and across geographical locations, although population mortality rates have continued to improve globally since the 1990s. This study presents, for the first time in GBD, a quantification of the mean age at the time of suicide death, alongside comprehensive estimates of the burden of suicide throughout the world. These analyses will help guide future approaches to reduce suicide mortality that consider a public health framework for prevention. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license
    Tags: *Global Burden of Disease/trends, *Global Health/statistics & numerical data, *Suicide/statistics & numerical data/trends, Adolescent, Adult, Africa south of the Sahara, Aged, Article, Child, Eastern Europe, Female, Global Burden of Disease, Humans, ICD-10, Male, Middle Aged, Uruguay, Venezuela, Young Adult.
  • G. B. D. Europe Life Expectancy Collaborators,. “Changing Life Expectancy In European Countries 1990-2021: A Subanalysis Of Causes And Risk Factors From The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021”. Lancet Public Health 10, no. 3: e172-e188. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00009-X.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Decades of steady improvements in life expectancy in Europe slowed down from around 2011, well before the COVID-19 pandemic, for reasons which remain disputed. We aimed to assess how changes in risk factors and cause-specific death rates in different European countries related to changes in life expectancy in those countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We used data and methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to compare changes in life expectancy at birth, causes of death, and population exposure to risk factors in 16 European Economic Area countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden) and the four UK nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) for three time periods: 1990-2011, 2011-19, and 2019-21. Changes in life expectancy and causes of death were estimated with an established life expectancy cause-specific decomposition method, and compared with summary exposure values of risk factors for the major causes of death influencing life expectancy. FINDINGS: All countries showed mean annual improvements in life expectancy in both 1990-2011 (overall mean 0.23 years [95% uncertainty interval [UI] 0.23 to 0.24]) and 2011-19 (overall mean 0.15 years [0.13 to 0.16]). The rate of improvement was lower in 2011-19 than in 1990-2011 in all countries except for Norway, where the mean annual increase in life expectancy rose from 0.21 years (95% UI 0.20 to 0.22) in 1990-2011 to 0.23 years (0.21 to 0.26) in 2011-19 (difference of 0.03 years). In other countries, the difference in mean annual improvement between these periods ranged from -0.01 years in Iceland (0.19 years [95% UI 0.16 to 0.21] vs 0.18 years [0.09 to 0.26]), to -0.18 years in England (0.25 years [0.24 to 0.25] vs 0.07 years [0.06 to 0.08]). In 2019-21, there was an overall decrease in mean annual life expectancy across all countries (overall mean -0.18 years [95% UI -0.22 to -0.13]), with all countries having an absolute fall in life expectancy except for Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, which showed marginal improvement in life expectancy, and Belgium, which showed no change in life expectancy. Across countries, the causes of death responsible for the largest improvements in life expectancy from 1990 to 2011 were cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases were the primary driver of reductions in life expectancy improvements during 2011-19, and deaths from respiratory infections and other COVID-19 pandemic-related outcomes were responsible for the decreases in life expectancy during 2019-21. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms in 2019 were attributable to high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, tobacco smoke, high LDL cholesterol, high BMI, occupational risks, high alcohol use, and other risks including low physical activity. Exposure to these major risk factors differed by country, with trends of increasing exposure to high BMI and decreasing exposure to tobacco smoke observed in all countries during 1990-2021. INTERPRETATION: The countries that best maintained improvements in life expectancy after 2011 (Norway, Iceland, Belgium, Denmark, and Sweden) did so through better maintenance of reductions in mortality from cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms, underpinned by decreased exposures to major risks, possibly mitigated by government policies. The continued improvements in life expectancy in five countries during 2019-21 indicate that these countries were better prepared to withstand the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, countries with the greatest slowdown in life expectancy improvements after 2011 went on to have some of the largest decreases in life expectancy in 2019-21. These findings suggest that government policies that improve population health also build resilience to future shocks. Such policies include reducing population exposure to major upstream risks for cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms, such as harmful diets and low physical activity, tackling the commercial determinants of poor health, and ensuring access to affordable health services. FUNDING: Gates Foundation.
    Tags: *COVID-19/epidemiology, *Global Burden of Disease/trends, *Life Expectancy/trends, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cause of Death/trends, Europe/epidemiology, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors.
  • Raess, L., Staubli, G., and Seiler, M. “Assessing Guideline Adherence And Child Abuse Evaluation In Infants With Fractures: A Retrospective Quality Control Study”. Swiss Med Wkly 154, no. 9: 3781. doi:10.57187/s.3781.
    Abstract: AIMS OF THE STUDY: To standardise the assessment of infants with fractures at University Children's Hospital Zurich, a guideline was implemented in February 2021. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to this guideline and to assess changes in management before and after guideline implementation. The primary outcome was the overall adherence rate to the guideline. Additionally, we evaluated specific omissions of guideline steps by clinicians and investigated differences in adherence for infants younger vs older than six months, as well as variations between in- and outpatient care. Secondary outcomes focused on changes in the frequency of involvement of the child protection team, skeletal survey rates and child abuse detection, comparing these rates before and after guideline implementation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-centre quality control study. We included infants younger than 12 months diagnosed with fractures at the emergency department between 1 February 2021 and 31 August 2022. We excluded children with prior bone disease diagnoses and those whose parents did not consent to their children's data being used for research. RESULTS: A total of 61 emergency department visits of infants with fractures were included in the study. The overall adherence rate to the guideline was 39%. Notably, in 68% of cases where clinicians deviated from the guideline, the primary reason was a missing consultation of the paediatrician or family doctor. Adherence levels were consistent across age groups (under and over six months), but there was a notable discrepancy between inpatient (53%) and outpatient (26%) care settings. Child protection team involvement increased to 54%, twice the rate observed before guideline implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall adherence to the guideline was poor, emphasising the necessity for continuous training of clinicians to raise awareness regarding the differential diagnosis of child abuse. Despite the guideline's implementation leading to a doubled rate of child protection team involvement, there remains a need for improvement. Notably, outpatient care exhibited lower guideline adherence, signalling an area requiring focused attention.
    Tags: *Child Abuse/diagnosis/statistics & numerical data, *Fractures, Bone/diagnosis, *Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data, Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Quality Control, Retrospective Studies, Switzerland.
  • Dirren, E., Escribano Paredes, J. B., Klug, J., Barthoulot, M., Fluss, J., Fracasso, T., Kurian, G. K., et al. “Stroke Incidence, Case Fatality, And Mortality Using The Who International Classification Of Diseases 11: The Geneva Stroke Study”. Neurology 104, no. 5: e213353. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000213353.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the field of stroke epidemiology, one of the major advances in the recently implemented International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision (ICD-11) relates to the definition of ischemic stroke, which now includes events shorter than 24 hours when ischemia can be proven on brain imaging. However, data are scarce to ascertain the incidence of strokes of short duration with tissue evidence of ischemia. In this study, we determined the incidence, 30-day case fatality, and mortality rate of stroke in the Geneva population using the new ICD-11 criteria, taking advantage of the organization of stroke service in the area. METHODS: In this population-based observational cohort study, we used data from the Swiss Stroke Registry, supplemented by hospital records, outpatient medical files, and autopsy, to identify residents of the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, meeting the ICD-11 criteria for first-ever stroke, including ischemic strokes, nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019. RESULTS: We identified 1,186 first-ever strokes (75.8 years [interquartile range 63.4-84.5]; 571 women [48.1%]). MRI was performed in 90.9% of patients with ischemic strokes. The annual incidence of first-ever stroke, age-adjusted to the European Standard Population, was 127.0/100,000 (95% CI 119.8-134.3) (107.3 [100.7-114.0] for ischemic stroke, 13.2 [10.9-15.5] for ICH, and 6.0 [4.4-7.5] for SAH [3.1 2.0-4.2 for aneurysmal SAH]). Overall, the 30-day case fatality was higher in ICH (32.5% [95% CI 19.7-38.8], compared with SAH (17.2% [6.6-27.9] and ischemic strokes 10.8% [8.4-12.4]). The incidence of ischemic stroke was 107.3 (100.7-114.0) according to ICD-11 and 90.4 (84.3-96.5) according to ICD-10 (excluding patients with radiologic infarct and symptoms lasting <24 hours). Compared with ICD-10, ICD-11 increased the number of ischemic stroke cases by 18.3%. Patients with ischemic strokes identified with ICD-11 but not under ICD-10 (i.e., patients with symptoms lasting <24 hours and a brain lesion) were younger and presented with a lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission compared with those identified by ICD-10 and ICD-11. DISCUSSION: The new ICD-11 clinicoradiologic definition of ischemic stroke increased the number of ischemic stroke cases by 18.3% in our Western European population. Future studies will evaluate the impact of ICD-11 on the human, organizational, and economic needs allocated to the management of the disease.
    Tags: *International Classification of Diseases, *Ischemic Stroke/mortality/epidemiology, *Registries/statistics & numerical data, *Stroke/mortality/epidemiology, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/mortality/epidemiology, Switzerland/epidemiology, World Health Organization.
  • Beil, M., Alberto, L., Bourne, R. S., Brummel, N. E., de Groot, B., de Lange, D. W., Elbers, P., et al. “Esicm Consensus-Based Recommendations For The Management Of Very Old Patients In Intensive Care”. Intensive Care Med 51, no. 2: 287-301. doi:10.1007/s00134-025-07794-4.
    Abstract: PURPOSE: The heterogeneity of very old patients (age >/= 80 years) and the prevalence of complex geriatric syndromes in this cohort constitute major challenges for the classical methods of evidence-based medicine to inform clinical practice. The lack of robust guidance for the management of critical conditions in these patients contributes to considerable uncertainty among practitioners and unwarranted variations of care. The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) initiated a Delphi study to translate the empirical knowledge of experts in this field into consensus-based recommendations for clinical practice. METHODS: A multi-national group of specialists in intensive care, emergency, and geriatric medicine provided opinions on managing very old patients with critical conditions. Strong or moderate consensus was defined as having at least 90% or 80% of experts, respectively, expressing agreement or disagreement on the three highest or lowest levels of a 9-points Likert scale. RESULTS: Twenty-eight members of the expert steering group and 82 additional experts completed two Delphi rounds. After discussing the results, the steering group issued recommendations for 48 statements and 2 checklists for which consensus was achieved. In addition to determining fundamental principles, they include advice on goals of care and the decision-making about admission to and treatment of patients in intensive care and the management after discharge. CONCLUSION: A multi-disciplinary group of experts achieved consensus on recommendations concerning intensive care for very old patients, which were approved and endorsed by ESICM. The implementation requires a careful analysis of available healthcare resources and should proceed in a stepwise fashion.
    Tags: *Critical Care/standards/methods, *Geriatrics/standards, Aged, 80 and over, BD, and Integra. ML received fees as consultants from Edwards, AOP Pharma, and, Consensus, Critical care, Delphi study, Delphi Technique, Emergency medicine, Europe, Geriatric medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University in Dusseldorf, Germany, granted ethical approval for, Humans, Intensive care, the study (No. 2023-2680)., Viatris. Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee at the Medical School of the.
  • Zagalioti, S. C., Ziaka, M., Exadaktylos, A., and Fyntanidou, B. “An Effective Triage Education Method For Triage Nurses: An Overview And Update”. Open Access Emerg Med 17: 105-112. doi:10.2147/OAEM.S498085.
    Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accurate decision-making in triage largely determines the amount of time required for a patient to be evaluated and treated while in the emergency department. Nursing staff worldwide have similar learning characteristics with similar working hours and common goals, despite the fact that different triage scales are used globally. The aim of this mini review is to present the different educational methods and identify the most effective for triage training of triage nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened studies concerning triage education for nurses in Emergency Department, in databases including PubMed, CENTRAL and CINAHL. From November 12, 2023 to February 15, 2024, databases were searched for relevant literature. "Triage education" OR "triage training" AND "emergency nurses" OR "triage nurses" were the MeSH terms. RESULTS: There are various educational methods, including traditional, web-based, audiovisual, simulation-based, blended learning, and other specialized approaches. Almost all of the studies that are currently available demonstrate how effectively an educational intervention might improve nurses' comprehension of triage. Except for one, every study concluded that the educational intervention significantly improved nurses' triage knowledge. Comparing the included studies is challenging due to their heterogeneity, and applying the results in practice requires caution. CONCLUSION: The majority of studies reported that educational interventions effectively increased nurses' triage knowledge. Blended learning in conjunction with refresher courses enhanced triage-related knowledge and decision-making; however, additional research is required to ascertain whether this approach is superior to the others and whether these improvements will last.
    Tags: educational method, emergency department, triage education.
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