Search Results (39)

Background: Despite the general interest in WPV against healthcare workers, there is evidence that this topic has comparatively fewer studies conducted in the context of community settings than in hospital settings. Given the current general transition of care from hospital to community, this study aims to analyze whether community settings present different characteristics in comparison with hospital settings on this topic in Italy. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from 2020 to 2024 on aggressions reported by HCWs in hospitals and community settings belonging to a Local Health Authority of Turin in Piedmont. For physical and non-physical aggressions, a monthly time trend series was constructed. A Mantel–Haenszel fixed-effect meta-analysis was performed to obtain the odds ratio (OR) in two settings. Variables relative to aggressions included the gender of victims, their professional category (medical doctors, nurses, other HCWs), the type and gender of perpetrators (relative, patient, or unknown person), age groups of perpetrators (under 30, 30–49, ≥50), the nature of aggression (physical, non-physical), recidivism, involvement of law enforcement, and time of occurrence (morning, afternoon, or evening/night). Events within hospitals were further classified into emergency department, psychiatric ward, and other wards, while events within community settings were classified as drug addiction service units (serDs), long-term care (including specialist outpatient services, home services, and nursing homes) (LTC), mental health centres, and penitentiary assistance. Results: The results highlighted that fewer WPV incidents were reported in community settings than in hospital settings, even though reported incidents showed a more pronounced increase over time. Differences were observed in a few characteristics of WPV (age classes of aggressors, recidivism, time of aggression, profession of the assaulted worker, and specific location). Only the gender of the assaulted (female workers) (OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.27–7.61; p = 0.013; OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.79; p = 0.013 for non-physical and physical violence, respectively, compared to male workers) was identified as a specific risk factor for community settings. Conclusions: Modern health systems are experiencing a transition from hospital-centred to community-centred care settings. This study suggested that WPV is a significant concern, even outside the hospital. Community-based services often involve direct interaction with frail and chronically ill patients and their caregivers, as well as care delivery in diverse and sometimes less controlled environments, which may influence exposure to aggressive behaviours. The identification of setting-specific risk patterns in both hospital and community contexts provides valuable insights into workplace violence and may support the planning and implementation of targeted interventions aimed at mitigating the frequency and burden of WPV. Full article

Background: Effective patient education is fundamental to promoting medication adherence following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the extent and nature of educational gaps in Middle Eastern cardiac care settings remain inadequately explored. This study examined medication-related communication quality, patient knowledge gaps, and their associations with antiplatelet adherence among Saudi adults post-PCI. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 236 Saudi adults who had undergone PCI within the preceding 12 months at two tertiary cardiac centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing clarity of medication information (side effects, dosing, purpose), medication knowledge, and adherence measured via the Arabic Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression examined associations between communication quality indicators, sociodemographic factors, and adherence outcomes. Results: Substantial educational deficits emerged: (1) 26.3% never received side-effect information, (2) 11.0% never learned medication purpose, and (3) 6.8% did not identify their antiplatelet medication type. Only 40.5% consistently received clear medication explanations during hospitalization. Understanding of medication instructions was inadequate, with 14.0% reporting that they never understood their instructions. Adherence was suboptimal, with 54.9% demonstrating low adherence (MMAS-8 score < 6). In adjusted logistic regression, never receiving side-effect information was associated with higher odds of low adherence (adjusted OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.18–3.89) after controlling for age, sex, education, time since PCI, diabetes, and home support. Conclusions: Significant gaps in medication education and patient–provider communication exist within Saudi cardiac care settings. These deficits represent potentially modifiable targets for nursing intervention. Structured, nurse-led educational protocols addressing medication purpose, side effects, and administration could be evaluated as strategies to enhance patient understanding and support antiplatelet adherence. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to describe changes in physical performance and nutritional status among frail adults at risk of falls receiving muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS) as part of routine clinical care. Methods: A prospective, open-label, single-centre, uncontrolled, descriptive study was conducted in a real-world clinical setting. Patients ≥ 70 years attending an outpatient fall clinic were consecutively recruited and assessed at baseline and after at least 90 days of MT-ONS (100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D), provided as part of a comprehensive care plan including exercise recommendations, medication review, and home adaptation advice. Sociodemographic, physical performance [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], nutritional status [Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, (MNA^®-SF)], walking ability [Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs)], number of falls, muscle strength (dynamometry), body composition (Tanita), health-related quality-of-life (SF-12), functional capacity (Barthel Index), and adherence data were collected. Statistics analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Results: Twenty-six participants were assessed (58% women, age: 82.1 ± 5.4 years). Mean SPPB score increased from 7.3 (±3.6) to 8.0 (±4.0) (p = 0.3). At baseline, 35% were malnourished, 42% at risk of malnutrition, and 23% well-nourished. After ≥90 days of MT-ONS, 4% were malnourished, 54% at risk, and 42% well-nourished. The number of falls decreased from 1.2 falls/month (±0.9) to 0.2 falls/month (±0.3, p < 0.0001). Favourable changes in physical performance were positively correlated with improvements in nutritional status (p = 0.03). Adherence was high (92%), largely attributed to pleasant taste (71%) and smell (58%) and positive health perceptions (58%). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, frail adults at risk of falls who received MT-ONS, 100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D for ≥90 days, as part of a comprehensive care plan improved their physical performance and nutritional status and reduced the number of falls. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Full article

Background: Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but it requires high financial costs due to the need for continuous treatment and the associated expenses of medical supplies, equipment, and related care. Objective: This study aims to compare the out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure incurred by patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Methods: The data for this observational cross-sectional study were obtained through a survey at two public hospitals, comprising a sample of 220 ESRD patients. In order to compare the OOP health expenditure between two modalities, the Mann–Whitney U test and the chi-square test were employed. Multiple linear-regression analysis was then used to identify the contributing factors associated with the aforementioned OOP expenses. Results: The estimated median monthly OOP health expenditure for HD patients was MYR 388 (interquartile range [IQR: 224–519]), significantly higher than CAPD (MYR 160 [IQR: 100–231]; p < 0.001). Our findings confirm that the choice of dialysis modality significantly affects the OOP health expenditures for dialysis patients $\left(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{R} 145.73; 95\mathrm{\%} \mathrm{C}\mathrm{I}: 75.51–218.15; p < 0.05; 0.001\right).$ Additional determinants of OOP health expenditure identified in this study include the interaction between the modality choice and the distance from home to the dialysis centre (MYR 3.39; 95% CI: 0.27–6.66; p < 0.05; 0.022), comorbidity status (MYR 49.51; 95% CI: 9.09–90.77; p < 0.05; 0.031), duration of illness (MYR 4.01; 95% CI: 0.71–7.63; p < 0.05; 0.041), and household income MYR 67.43 (95% CI: 1.71–134.81; p < 0.05; 0.021). Conclusions: This study emphasises the need to improve the training and awareness of CAPD to increase its use, as it requires less travel and lowers OOP expenses. In addition, introducing a travel reimbursement scheme is also recommended to reduce the transportation costs for HD patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, in a hospital testing setting, it may produce the first-night effect, viz., prolonged sleep latency, lower sleep efficiency, and uncertain apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Here, we aim to determine the influences of hypnotic agents and gender. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the post-PSG questionnaires and electronic medical records of patients aged ≥20 years receiving overnight PSG for the diagnosis of SDB at Taichung Veterans General Hospital in a period between April 2024 and March 2025. Results: We studied a total of 1053 patients, aged 47.0 ± 14.7 years old. Compared to sleeping at home, 42.2% of patients reported worse perceived sleep quality (PSQ) with hypnotic agents, and 53.0%, without, before PSG testing in the hospital. For those without taking hypnotic agents, men had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.570 (95% CI: 1.127–2.189) for worsening PSQ compared to women (p = 0.008). Also, per increasing 1 Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score, the risk of worsening PSQ was reduced by OR of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.933–0.994) (p = 0.021). Once male patients had ESS < 10, as many as 57.3% of them reported the worse PSQ. Conclusions: Our study suggests a potentially more patient-centric approach to diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing. In some male patients with ESS scores < 10, short-acting hypnotics might be considered during in-lab PSG to improve subjective comfort, thereby potentially enhancing study reliability. Meanwhile, home sleep apnea testing can serve as a practical initial tool for selected patients—offering convenience, mitigating the first-night effect, and potentially reducing long wait times. However, its use in individuals with comorbid insomnia requires careful clinical judgment to avoid false-negative results, often making in-lab assessment the preferred option in such cases. Full article

Background/Objectives: In many parts of the world, pharmacists hold the primary responsibility for providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy. A key aspect is the availability of appropriate medicines for each individual patient. When industrially manufactured medicines are unsuitable or unavailable, pharmacists can prepare tailor-made medicines. While this principle applies globally, practices vary between countries. In the Netherlands, the preparation of medicines in pharmacies is well-established and integrated into routine healthcare. This narrative review explores the role and significance of extemporaneous compounding, pharmacy preparations and related product care in the Netherlands. Methods: Pharmacists involved in pharmacy preparations across various professional sectors, including community and hospital pharmacies, central compounding facilities, academia, and the professional pharmacists’ organisation, provided detailed and expert insights based on the literature and policy documents while also sharing their critical perspectives. Results: We present arguments supporting the need for pharmacy preparations and examine their position and role in community and hospital pharmacies in the Netherlands. Additional topics are discussed, including the regulatory and legal framework, outsourcing, quality assurance, standardisation, education, and international context. Specific pharmacy preparation topics, often with a research component and a strong focus on product care, are highlighted, including paediatric dosage forms, swallowing difficulties and feeding tubes, hospital-at-home care, reconstitution of oncolytic drugs and biologicals, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), radiopharmaceuticals and optical tracers, clinical trial medication, robotisation in reconstitution, and patient-centric solid oral dosage forms. Conclusions: The widespread acceptance of pharmacy preparations in the Netherlands is the result of a unique combination of strict adherence to tailored regulations that ensure quality and safety, and patient-oriented flexibility in design, formulation, and production. This approach is further reinforced by the standardisation of a broad range of formulations and procedures across primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as by continuous research-driven innovation to develop new medicines, formulations, and production methods. Full article

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is the medical term used to describe a focus of infection involving a valvular substitute within the heart. It is a significant concern in the field of cardiology, and the epidemiology of PVE has seen notable developments over the last five decades. The disease currently affects an older demographic and is becoming increasingly prevalent in patients with transcatheter-implanted valves. It is imperative that we urgently address the significant challenges posed by PVE. It is a disease that has a wide range of potential aetiologies, clinical presentations, and courses. In developed countries, Staphylococcus aureus is now the predominant causative organism, resulting in an aggressive form of disease that frequently afflicts vulnerable or elderly populations. However, it is clear that Enterococcus species present a significant challenge in the context of PVE following TAVR procedures, given their elevated prevalence. The 2023 Duke/International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases infective endocarditis diagnostic criteria now include significant developments in microbiological and image-based techniques for diagnostic purposes, specifically the incorporation of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography. These developments unequivocally enhance the diagnostic sensitivity for PVE, while maintaining the specificity. They do so in accordance with the results of studies conducted specifically for the purpose of validation. The lack of rigorous scientific studies and a shortage of funding and resources for research have led to a significant gap in our understanding. Randomized controlled trials could provide invaluable insight and guidance for clinical practice, but they are missing, which represents a major gap. It is clear that there is an urgent need for more research. PVE is a life-threatening condition that must be handled by a multidisciplinary endocarditis team at a cardiac centre in order to improve outcomes. The emergence of innovative surgical techniques has empowered clinicians to steer more patients away from surgical procedures, despite the presence of clear indications for them. A select group of patients can now complete parenteral or oral antimicrobial treatment at home. Additionally, antibiotic prophylaxis is the best option for individuals with prosthetic valves who are going to have invasive dental procedures. These individuals should be given antibiotics beforehand. Full article

Background: In the COVID-19 pandemic, novel regional services and communication channels emerged across all sectors of the German healthcare system. To contribute to pandemic preparedness, this study aims to describe newly established services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic from a stakeholder perspective and to examine the interprofessional communication channels, applying a nationwide cross-sectional approach. Methods: A nationwide sample of German healthcare stakeholders comprising general practitioners, associations of statutory health insurance physicians, hospital medical directors, local health departments, rescue coordination centres, medical directors of emergency services, outpatient nursing services, nursing homes, community care access centres, and hospital nursing managers was surveyed. A web-based questionnaire asked for their level of participation in newly implemented regional COVID-19 services and communication channels. Stakeholders’ level of recommendation was measured using the Net Promotor Score (NPS), a metric that assesses their satisfaction towards the services surveyed. Results: In total, 1312 healthcare stakeholders participated in the survey. Diagnostic centres (23.0–90.9%), COVID-19 wards in hospitals (40.5–92.1%), emergency medical vehicles designated solely for COVID-19 patients (16.5–68.4%), and crisis intervention teams (11.6–30.6%) exhibited the highest rates of engagement. The services receiving the highest recommendation for future use were COVID-19 focus practices (NPS: 33.4–43.7), COVID-19 wards in hospitals (NPS: 47.6–84.4), transportation of COVID-19 patients exclusively by predefined professional groups (NPS: 12.5–36.4), and newly implemented digitally supported nursing services (NPS: 58.3–100.0). Telephones emerged as the most frequently used communication channel (58.0–96.7%), while email was the primary digital channel (23.7–81.5%). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany experienced significant variation in the implementation of pandemic-related services across healthcare sectors, with stakeholders prioritising services built on existing healthcare structures. Developing a proactive digital infrastructure to connect healthcare professionals from different sectors is crucial for better future pandemic management. Full article

Background: Although patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically have complex treatment needs, the effect of medication regimen complexity on patient outcomes has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and evaluate patient-centred outcomes including medication adherence and its determinants in patients undergoing PD. Methods: This study combined a retrospective audit of baseline data with a prospective evaluation of patient-related outcomes among patients undergoing PD at a large metropolitan dialysis centre in Australia. Medication regimen complexity was assessed using the 65-item Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI), while patient outcomes were evaluated with validated self-reported questionnaires, including the 4-item Morisky–Green–Levine Scale (MGLS), EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS. Results: A total of 131 patients participated [median age 67 (IQR 57–74) years]. Patients on PD were found to have complex medication regimens with an average MRCI score of 28.6 ± 11.4. Over half of the participants were deemed to be adherent to their prescribed medications as measured by the MGLS (n = 79; 60.3%). Male participants were more likely to be non-adherent to medications compared to female participants (OR 2.465; 95% CI 1.055–5.759). Participants with higher serum phosphate levels were 2.5 times more likely to report non-adherence to their medications (OR 2.523; 95% CI 1.247–5.104), while a higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was associated with medication adherence (OR 0.151, 95% CI 0.031–0.732). Conclusions: Patients on PD are prescribed complex medication regimens in addition to PD treatments that they perform at home. Patients on PD who were adherent to their medications had significantly better outcomes in terms of HRQoL and serum phosphate levels compared to non-adherent patients. Full article

Background: The aim of this study was to see if the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (Cardiac failure or dysfunction, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]—Vascular disease, Age 65–74 and Sex category [Female] score) could have potential clinical relevance in predicting the outcome of hospitalization time, need for ICU hospitalization, survival time, in-hospital mortality, and mortality at 3 and 6 months after discharge home. Materials: A retrospective analysis of 2183 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at the COVID-19 Centre of the University Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, between February 2020 and June 2021, was performed. All medical records were collected as part of the COronavirus in LOwer Silesia—the COLOS registry project. The CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was applied for all subjects, and the patients were observed from admission to hospital until the day of discharge or death. Further information on patient deaths was prospectively collected following the 90 and 180 days after admission. The new risk stratification derived from differences in survival curves and long-term follow-up of our patients was obtained. Primary outcomes measured included in-hospital mortality and 3-month and 6-month all-cause mortality, whereas secondary outcomes included termination of hospitalization from causes other than death (home discharges/transfer to another facility or deterioration/referral to rehabilitation) and non-fatal adverse events during hospitalization. Results: It was shown that gender had no effect on mortality. Significantly shorter hospitalization time was observed in the group of patients with low CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Among secondary outcomes, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score revealed predictive value in both genders for cardiogenic (5.79% vs. 0.69%; p < 0.0001), stroke/TIA (0.48% vs. 9.92%; p < 0.0001), acute heart failure (0.97% vs. 18.18%; p < 0.0001), pneumonia (43% vs. 63.64%; p < 0.0001), and acute renal failure (7.04% vs. 23.97%; p < 0.0001). This study points at the usefulness of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score in predicting the severity of the course of COVID-19. Conclusions: Routine use of this scale in clinical practice may suggest the legitimacy of extending its application to the assessment of not only the risk of thromboembolic events in the COVID-19 cohort. Full article

In recent years, the landscape of diagnostic imaging has undergone a significant transformation with the emergence of home radiology, challenging the traditional paradigm. This shift, bringing diagnostic imaging directly to patients, has gained momentum and has been further accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the increasing importance and convenience of decentralized healthcare services. This study aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the attitudes and experiences influencing the integration of in-home radiography into contemporary healthcare practices. The research methodology involves a survey administered through Computer-Aided Web Interviewing (CAWI) tools, enabling real-time engagement with a diverse cohort of medical radiology technicians in the health domain. A second CAWI tool is submitted to experts to assess their feedback on the methodology. The survey explores key themes, including perceived advantages and challenges associated with domiciliary imaging, its impact on patient care, and the technological intricacies specific to conducting radiologic procedures outside the conventional clinical environment. Findings from a sample of 26 medical radiology technicians (drawn from a larger pool of 186 respondents) highlight a spectrum of opinions and constructive feedback. Enthusiasm is evident for the potential of domiciliary imaging to enhance patient convenience and provide a more patient-centric approach to healthcare. Simultaneously, this study suggests areas of intervention to improve the diffusion of home-based radiology. The methodology based on CAWI tools proves instrumental in the efficiency and depth of data collection, as evaluated by 16 experts from diverse professional backgrounds. The dynamic and responsive nature of this approach allows for a more allocated exploration of technicians’ opinions, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of medical imaging services. Emphasis is placed on the need for national and international initiatives in the field, supported by scientific societies, to further explore the evolving landscape of teleradiology and the integration of artificial intelligence in radiology. This study encourages expansion involving other key figures in this practice, including, naturally, medical radiologists, general practitioners, medical physicists, and other stakeholders. Full article

The global ageing population is associated with increased health service use. The PCMH care model integrates primary care and home-based care management to deliver comprehensive and personalised healthcare to community-dwelling older adults with bio-psycho-social needs. We examined if an integrated PCMH reduced healthcare utilisation burden of older persons in Singapore. We compared the healthcare utilisation between the intervention group and coarsened exact matched controls for a follow-up of 15 months. Baseline matching covariates included socio-demographics, health status, and past healthcare use. We accounted for COVID-19 social distancing effects on health-seeking behaviour. The intervention group consisted of 165 older adults with complex needs. We analysed national administrative healthcare utilisation data from 2017 to 2020. We applied multivariable zero-inflated regression modelling and presented findings stratified by high (CCI ≥ 5) and low disease burden (CCI < 5). Compared to controls, there were significant reductions in emergency department (β = −0.85; 95%CI = −1.55 to −0.14) and primary care visits (β = −1.70; 95%CI = −2.17 to −1.22) and a decrease in specialist outpatient visits (β = −0.29; 95%CI = −0.64 to 0.07) in the 3-month period immediately after one-year enrolment. The number of acute hospitalisations remained stable. Compared to controls, the intervention group with high and low comorbidity burden had significant decreases in primary care use, while only those with lower comorbidity burden had significant reductions in utilisation of other service types. An integrated PCMH appears beneficial in reducing healthcare utilisation for older persons with complex needs after 1 year in the programme. Future research can explore longer-term utilisation and scalability of the care model. Full article

Background: Haemorrhagic stroke, accounting for 10–20% of all strokes, often requires decompressive surgery as a life-saving measure for cases with massive oedema and raised intracranial pressure. This study was conducted to compare the demographics, characteristics and rehabilitation profiles of patients with severe haemorrhagic stroke who were managed surgically versus those who were managed non-surgically. Methods: A single-centre retrospective study of electronic medical records was conducted over a 3-year period from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020. The inclusion criteria were first haemorrhagic stroke, age of >18 years and an admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM™) score of 18–40 upon admission to the rehabilitation centre. The primary outcome measure was discharge FIM™. Secondary outcome measures included modified Rankin Scale (mRS), rehabilitation length of stay (RLOS) and complication rates. Results: A total of 107 patients’ records were analysed; 45 (42.1%) received surgical intervention and 62 (57.9%) patients underwent non-surgical management. Surgically managed patients were significantly younger than non-surgical patients, with a mean age of [surgical 53.1 (SD 12) vs. non-surgical 61.6 (SD 12.3), p = 0.001]. Admission FIM was significantly lower in the surgical vs. non-surgical group [23.7 (SD6.7) vs. 26.71 (SD 7.4), p = 0.031). However, discharge FIM was similar between both groups [surgical 53.91 (SD23.0) vs. non-surgical 57.0 (SD23.6), p = 0.625). Similarly, FIM gain (surgical 30.1 (SD 21.1) vs. non-surgical 30.3 (SD 21.1), p = 0.094) and RLOS [surgical 56.2 days (SD 21.5) vs. non-surgical 52.0 days (SD 23.4), p = 0.134) were not significantly different between groups. The majority of patients were discharged home (surgical 73.3% vs. non-surgical 74.2%, p = 0.920) despite a high level of dependency. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with surgically managed haemorrhagic stroke, while older and more dependent on admission to rehabilitation, achieved comparable FIM gains, discharge FIM and discharge home rates after ~8 weeks of rehabilitation. This highlights the importance of rehabilitation, especially for surgically managed haemorrhagic stroke patients. Full article

Parental perspective on the health, safety, and quality of life in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). Aim of the study: Assessment of the impact of a chronic disease such as cystic fibrosis (CF) on the quality of life and safety of children and adolescents as perceived by parents/caretakers. Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Lung Diseases of the Institute of Mother and Child, a branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Centre Children of Warsaw SZPZOZ in Dziekanów Leśny, the largest pediatric CF center in Poland, and in the Rodzinamuko group on Facebook. A total of 139 parents participated in the study. The study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method with the use of the Kid- & Kiddo-KINDLR questionnaire for examining the quality of life of children and adolescents and a demographic questionnaire. Results: The perception of cystic fibrosis (CF) as a chronic disease varies based on parental residence and professional status. The well-being of children and adolescents with CF is tied to their parents’ employment, particularly regarding schooling. Social interactions are influenced by the level of parental education. The quality of life in children and adolescents with CF is age-dependent, with younger children exhibiting higher quality of life. This age–quality of life relationship extends to physical well-being, emotional well-being, and school-related aspects. Furthermore, the emotional dimension of quality of life is affected by the child’s age at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: The Kid- & Kiddo-KINDLR QoL Questionnaire for children with cystic fibrosis is a good tool to measure parental knowledge. The study shows the need for the whole family to understand and be aware of the impact of CF on family life. Parents may be tired or may misunderstand or miscommunicate the medical team’s instructions, which may affect both family life and patient safety. To ensure patient safety, parents should work with healthcare professionals at hospitals or clinics but also at home. They should also account for the family as a whole, not just for the problems of the child with CF. Full article

This study aims to determine the test–retest reliability and to confirm the domain structures of the Dutch version of the modified polycystic ovary syndrome questionnaire (mPCOSQ) and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Quality of Life Scale (PCOSQOL) in Dutch and Flemish women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients were contacted with a request to complete both questionnaires (including additional demographic questions) online in their home environment on T0 and on T1. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Erasmus Medical Centre and of Ghent University Hospital. In this study, 245 participants were included between January and December 2021. The mPCOSQ has excellent internal consistency (α: 0.95) and a high to excellent Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for all six domains (ICC: 0.88–0.96). The PCOSQOL demonstrates excellent internal consistency (α: 0.96) and ICC (ICC: 0.91–0.96) for all four domains. The original six-factor structure of the mPCOSQ is partly confirmed. An extra domain is added to the PCOSQOL which included coping items. Most women have no preference for one of the two questionnaires (55.9%). In conclusion, The Dutch mPCOSQ and PCOSQOL are reliable and disease-specific QoL measures for women with PCOS. Both questionnaires are recommended for clinical practice. Full article