Prospective cohort study to investigate the burden and transmission of acute gastroenteritis in care homes: a study protocol

IntroductionNoroviruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups, but illness is more severe and causes excess mortality in the elderly, particularly those in long-term care. The total burden of norovirus disease in the elderly in the UK is poorly defined; no current surveillance programmes systematically or accurately quantify norovirus infection in those living in care homes. The aim of this study is to evaluate an enhanced surveillance system for acute gastroenteritis among the elderly in care homes.Methods and analysisWe will conduct this prospective cohort study in care homes in North West England; residents and staff at study care homes will be asked to participate. We will prospectively enrol a cohort of participants in an enhanced surveillance system to capture the incidence of acute gastroenteritis and use multiplex PCR to detect pathogens. We will sample symptomatic and non-symptomatic participants to understand characteristics of norovirus disease and susceptibility to infection. We will generate novel data on transmission dynamics by collecting data on the pattern of interactions within care homes using electronic proximity sensors. Comparisons of outbreak and non-outbreak periods will be used to quantify the impact of norovirus outbreaks on care homes.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the North West–Greater Manchester South NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC Reference: 16/NW/0541). Study outputs will be disseminated through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed publications. This study will provide detailed insight on the burden and aetiology of acute gastroenteritis in care homes, in addition to generating novel data on transmission dynamics and risks. The study will identify areas for improving infection control practice and allow more accurate modelling of the introduction of interventions such as vaccination.

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Frailty and functional decline after emergency abdominal surgery in the elderly: a prospective cohort study

World Journal of Emergency Surgery ◽

10.1186/s13017-019-0280-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hwee Leong Tan ◽

Shermain Theng Xin Chia ◽

Nivedita Vikas Nadkarni ◽

Shin Yuh Ang ◽

Dennis Chuen Chai Seow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Abdominal Surgery ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

The Elderly ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Surgery In The Elderly ◽

The Impact ◽

Emergency Abdominal Surgery

Abstract Background Frailty has been associated with an increased risk of adverse postoperative outcomes in elderly patients. We examined the impact of preoperative frailty on loss of functional independence following emergency abdominal surgery in the elderly. Methods This prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary hospital, enrolling patients 65 years of age and above who underwent emergency abdominal surgery from June 2016 to February 2018. Premorbid variables, perioperative characteristics and outcomes were collected. Two frailty measures were compared in this study—the Modified Fried’s Frailty Criteria (mFFC) and Modified Frailty Index-11 (mFI-11). Patients were followed-up for 1 year. Results A total of 109 patients were prospectively recruited. At baseline, 101 (92.7%) were functionally independent, of whom seven (6.9%) had loss of independence at 1 year; 28 (25.7%) and 81 (74.3%) patients were frail and non-frail (by mFFC) respectively. On univariate analysis, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index and frailty (mFFC) (univariate OR 13.00, 95% CI 2.21–76.63, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with loss of functional independence at 1 year. However, frailty, as assessed by mFI-11, showed a weaker correlation than mFFC (univariate OR 4.42, 95% CI 0.84–23.12, p = 0.06). On multivariable analysis, only premorbid frailty (by mFFC) remained statistically significant (OR 15.63, 95% CI 2.12–111.11, p < 0.01). Conclusions The mFFC is useful for frailty screening amongst elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery and is a predictor for loss of functional independence at 1 year. Including the risk of loss of functional independence in perioperative discussions with patients and caregivers is important for patient-centric emergency surgical care. Early recognition of this at-risk group could help with discharge planning and priority for post-discharge support should be considered.

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The impact of postpartum depressive symptoms on self-reported infant health and analgesic consumption at the age of 12 months: A prospective cohort study

Journal of Psychiatric Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.036 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 136 ◽

pp. 388-397

Author(s):

Aleksi Ruohomäki ◽

Elena Toffol ◽

Ville Airaksinen ◽

Katri Backman ◽

Raimo Voutilainen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Infant Health ◽

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms ◽

Analgesic Consumption ◽

The Impact

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Health literacy, health status and health behaviors of German students– study protocol for the “Healthy Habits” cohort study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11542-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martin Lange ◽

Alexandra Löwe ◽

Gerrit Stassen ◽

Andrea Schaller

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

The State ◽

The Impact ◽

Study Format

Abstract Background The emerging adulthood is traditionally viewed as a time of optimal health, but also as a critical life span, characterized by changing life circumstances and the establishment of an individual lifestyle. Especially university life seems to hold several challenges impeding the manifestation of a health supporting manner, as many students tend to show a poorer health behavior and a higher amount of health-related problems than comparable age groups. This, along with a steady growth of the higher education sector, brings increased attention to the university setting in the context of prevention. To date, there are few empirical longitudinal and coherent cross-sectional data on the status of students’ health literacy, health status, and health behaviors, and on the impact of the study format on students’ health. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to reduce this research gap. Methods Starting during winter semester 2020/21, the prospective cohort study collects data on health literacy, health status and health behavior on a semester-by-semester basis. All enrolled students of the IST University of Applied Sciences, regardless of study format and discipline, can participate in the study at the beginning of their first semester. The data are collected digitally via a specifically programmed app. A total of 103 items assess the subjectively perceived health status, life and study satisfaction, sleep quality, perceived stress, physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug addiction and health literacy. Statistical analysis uses (1) multivariate methods to look at changes within the three health dimensions over time and (2) the association between the three health dimensions using multiple regression methods and correlations. Discussion This cohort study collects comprehensive health data from students on the course of study. It is assumed that gathered data will provide information on how the state of health develops over the study period. Also, different degrees of correlations of health behavior and health literacy will reveal different impacts on the state of students’ health. Furthermore, this study will contribute to empirically justified development of target group-specific interventions. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00023397 (registered on October 26, 2020).

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