International journal of clinical practice
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewPersonal protective equipment (PPE) and infection among healthcare workers - what is the evidence?
The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has already put healthcare workers (HCWs) at a high risk of infection. The question of how to give HCWs the best protection against infection is a priority. ⋯ Covering more of the body, and a higher-level specification of masks and respirators could provide better protection for HCWs. Community mask usecould be beneficial. High quality studies still need to examine the protection of PPE against COVID-19.
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Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) is a rare disease of the lower genital tract, strongly associated with HPV infection, which may progress to vaginal carcinoma. ⋯ The choice of treatment depends upon many factors. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment and should be performed if invasion cannot be excluded. Topical agents are useful for persistent, multifocal lesions or for women that cannot undergo surgical treatment. Brachytherapy is associated with high morbidity rates and should be reserved for women who have multifocal disease, are poor surgical candidates and/or have failed other treatments. CO2 laser ablation achieves minimal scarring and sexual dysfunction; however, invasive disease should be ruled out with biopsies before the initiation of the treatment.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewAre patient expectations associated with treatment outcomes in individuals with chronic low back pain? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
The importance of patient expectations (PEs) on treatment outcomes is poorly understood in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to investigate the evidence behind association between pre-treatment PEs and treatment outcomes such as pain intensity (PI), level of function (LF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ PEs is associated with PI at short and long terms. Also, evidence suggests association between PEs and LF at medium and long terms. Currently, there is no evidence of association between PEs and HRQoL. Further studies with valid tools to measure PE are warranted among individuals with CLBP.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewAre patient expectations associated with treatment outcomes in individuals with chronic low back pain? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
The importance of patient expectations (PEs) on treatment outcomes is poorly understood in clinical practice. The aim of this review is to investigate the evidence behind association between pre-treatment PEs and treatment outcomes such as pain intensity (PI), level of function (LF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). ⋯ PEs is associated with PI at short and long terms. Also, evidence suggests association between PEs and LF at medium and long terms. Currently, there is no evidence of association between PEs and HRQoL. Further studies with valid tools to measure PE are warranted among individuals with CLBP.
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Int. J. Clin. Pract. · Nov 2020
ReviewInstruments to assess self-efficacy among people with cardiovascular disease: A COSMIN systematic review.
Self-efficacy plays an important role in recovery. There is a need for valid tools that can assess self-efficacy in cardiovascular diseases to provide evidence-based practices. ⋯ The Self-Efficacy Expectations After Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation Scale is categorised as A and is recommended as the most suitable instrument. All other the four instruments categorised as B with potential to be recommended should be evaluated with further psychometric studies.