European journal of clinical investigation
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2023
Prehospital seizures: Short-term outcomes and risk stratification based in point-of-care testing.
Information for treatment or hospital derivation of prehospital seizures is limited, impairing patient condition and hindering patients risk assessment by the emergency medical services (EMS). This study aimed to determine the associated factors to clinical impairment, and secondarily, to determine risk factors associated to cumulative in-hospital mortality at 2, 7 and 30 days, in patients presenting prehospital seizures. ⋯ Our study shows that prehospital variables could reflect the clinical impairment and mortality of patients suffering from seizures. The incorporation of such variables in the prehospital decision-making process could improve patient outcomes.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2023
ReviewSocial isolation and loneliness: Undervalued risk factors for disease states and mortality.
Social isolation and loneliness are two common but undervalued conditions associated with a poor quality of life, decreased overall health and mortality. In this review, we aim to discuss the health consequences of social isolation and loneliness. We first provide the potential causes of these two conditions. ⋯ Healthcare professionals who attend to socially isolated and/or lonely patients should be fully competent in these conditions and assess their patients thoroughly to detect and properly understand the effects of isolation and loneliness. Patients should be offered education and treatment alternatives through shared decision-making. Future studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms better and to improve the treatment strategies for both social isolation and loneliness.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2023
Compensating patients in trials: Perspectives from an ethical committee versus sponsor.
According to European clinical research legislation, no undue influence, including financial incentives, should be used to encourage participation in clinical trials. Financial compensation should be based on the inconvenience experienced by patients and is determined by the sponsor. ⋯ Patients are rarely compensated despite the perceived inconvenience. Both sponsors and ethics members struggle to determine the need for financial compensation, indicating a need for more precise recommendations for both parties.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2023
ReviewSmall interference (RNAi) technique: Exploring its clinical applications, benefits and limitations.
Small interference RNA (siRNA) has emerged as the most desired method for researchers and clinicians who wish to silence a specific gene of interest and has been extensively developed as a therapeutic agent. This review points to collecting all clinical trials on siRNA and understanding its benefits, pharmacokinetics and safety by reading articles published in the last 5 years. ⋯ The siRNA or RNAi method will be one of the most critical and influential techniques to fight against many different diseases. Although the RNAi approach has certain advantages, it also has limitations concerning clinical applications. Overcoming these limitations remains a daunting challenge.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Oct 2023
Metabolomics reveals serum metabolic signatures in H-type hypertension based on mass spectrometry multi-platform.
H-type hypertension (HHT) is a disease combined with hyperhomocysteinaemia and hypertension (HT). This study aims to find specific metabolic changes and reveal the pathophysiological mechanism of HHT, which provide the theoretical basis for the early prevention and treatment of HHT. ⋯ Metabolomics analysis by mass spectrometry multi-platform revealed the differences of metabolic profiles between HHT and HT subjects. This work laid the groundwork for understanding the aetiology of HHT, and these findings may provide the useful information for explaining the HHT metabolic alterations and try to prevent HHT.