Annual epidemiologic trends of 6000 ENT cases in the Emergency Department in the post-pandemic era: a cross-sectional study from Crete, Greece.

<b>Introduction:</b> The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered healthcare-seeking trends, leading to reduced emergency department (ED) visits and changes in referral patterns. By temporally distancing from the pandemic, healthcare utilization trends might be re-explored.<b>Aim:</b> This study aims to analyze the epidemiologic trends of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cases at the ED of a tertiary hospital in Crete, Greece, after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blood Donation Attitudes and Knowledge of Medical School Students at the University of Crete, Greece: An Intra-Institutional Exploration.

In the last decade, demand for blood has been increased internationally, while there is a consistent shortage of regular blood donors. Medical students are a potential pool of regular blood donors. The present study investigated the attitudes and knowledge of undergraduate medical students, regarding blood donation.

Relating Biopsychosocial Meanings to Semi-Quantitative CRP Readings Among Primary Healthcare Users: Trends from a Cross-Sectional Study Analysis.

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been acknowledged to be associated with depression, loneliness, and stress, as well as physical health conditions. The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between CRP semi-quantitative readings and demographic, social, behavioral, and biomedical indices. : Group sampling took place between May and July 2023, and from the 120 non-obese participants initially registered in the study, a random selection of n = 80 was performed for blood sampling in order to measure plasma semi-quantitative CRP (higher levels or ≥10 mg/L and lower or <10) and plasma dopamine.

Unmasking the Hidden Morbidity of Ocular Diseases in Primary Care Through a Collaboration with Specialists in Remote Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study from Rural Crete, Greece.

: Ocular disorders are not frequently addressed in primary care, which is more visible in remote rural settings. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in a remote rural population of Crete and to explore whether they represent a hidden morbidity. : A community-based, cross-sectional study based on data collected through a comprehensive clinical investigation conducted by a mobile ophthalmological unit.

Quercetin Intake and Absolute Telomere Length in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Novel Findings from a Randomized Controlled Before-and-After Study.

Telomeres, the protective chromosomal ends, progressively shorten and potentially are implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), telomere shortening may play an important role, but the whole 'picture' remains limited. From a therapeutic perspective, the phytonutrient quercetin appears to be clinically effective and safe for patients with T2DM.

The Feasibility of an Educational Course for General Practitioners on Otolaryngologic Morbidity.

Objective To test feasibility by enhancing the knowledge and skills of general practitioners (GPs) in managing ear, nose, and throat (ENT) morbidity within primary care settings through a three-hour educational course. Methods A structured course focused on common ENT disorders was conducted. Case morbidity was selected based on appropriate criteria.

Assessment of Cognitive Function in European Adults Aged 50+in Relation to Their Handgrip Strength and Physical Inactivity: The SHARE Study During 2019-2020.

Background: Cognitive function is crucial during aging. This study assessed the cognitive function of European adults aged 50 and over in relation to handgrip strength and physical inactivity. This was a cross-sectional survey.

Benefits of Quercetin on Glycated Hemoglobin, Blood Pressure, PiKo-6 Readings, Night-Time Sleep, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Diabetes is a rapidly growing global morbidity issue with high prevalence, and the associated dysglycemia leads to complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often experience elevated anxiety levels, affecting their quality of life and diabetes management. This study investigated quercetin, a nutraceutical and potential senolytic with antioxidant activity, to detect its possible positive effect on the bio-clinical measurements and routine health of patients with T2DM.

Exploring Loneliness, Trust, and Psychosocial Meanings Among Primary Care Attendees: A Cross-Sectional Study From a General Practice Setting in Crete, Greece.

Introduction: Loneliness is often associated with behavioral, psychological, social, and mental and physical health aspects, while the relationship between trust and loneliness is still challenging in terms of research. The present study aimed to investigate to what extent loneliness and trust interact and if there is any association between loneliness and routine events or behaviors that affect overall well-being.

Methods: This cross-sectional sample of 120 participants, aged between 40 and 75 years, was collected from an urban Primary Health Care Unit, between May and July 2023, in a consecutive manner, after criteria application.

Health-Related Issues of Users of Social Care Services for Elderly and Their Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Day Care Center.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) Users of Day Care Center for Elderly (DCCE) would have frail health and multiple age-related care needs, and 2) caregivers would have to deal with some levels of anxiety due to the burden of care, and similar levels of quality of life to the users.

Materials And Methods: The current cross-sectional study was carried out at a DCCE of the regional unit of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between March-April 2022. The study sample comprised 29 DCCE social care services users and 51 caregivers.

The Impact of Three-Month Quercetin Intake on Quality of Life and Anxiety in Patients With Type II Diabetes Mellitus: An Early Data Analysis From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Diabetes is a high-prevalence, major chronic metabolic disease demanding effective interventions. Quercetin, a phytochemical with potential health benefits, has garnered interest for its therapeutic properties.

Aim: This study was designed to capture the early efficacy and clinical safety aspects following quercetin administration in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Utilization of Health Care Services and Accessibility Challenges among Adults Aged 50+ before and after Austerity Measures across 27 European Countries: Secular Trends in the SHARE Study from 2004/05 to 2019/20.

This study aimed to assess and compare the utilization of preventive and other health services and the cost or availability in different regions of Europe, before and during the economic crisis. The data used in the study were obtained from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2019/2020) and Wave 1 data (2004/5), with a sample size of 46,106 individuals aged ≥50 across 27 countries, adjusted to represent a population of N = 180,886,962. Composite scores were derived for preventive health services utilization (PHSU), health care services utilization (HCSU), and lack of accessibility/availability in health care services (LAAHCS).

Association between Levels of Loneliness, Laboratory Measurements, and Behavioral Aspects in a Primary Care Setting in Crete, Greece.

This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years.

Multiple Behavioral Risk Factors As Assets for Chronic Disease Prevention: Observations From Urban Primary Care Settings in Crete, Greece.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the health profile of patient-attendees visiting primary healthcare (PHC) practice settings in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the relationships between multiple behavioral risk factors (MBRFs) and consultation-driven health information. Multiple behavioral risk factors involve a variety of unhealthy behaviors that are associated with an increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Subjects And Methods: The study design was based on a dataset analysis, afterward exploring the feasibility and diagnostic capacity of respiratory morbidity aspects from a study previously conducted.

Evaluating Critical Thinking Disposition, Emotional Intelligence, and Learning Environment of Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may have inhibited the development of critical thinking and emotional intelligence of nursing students due to the transition from traditional to online learning environments.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the development of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the perceived learning environment of nursing students during the pandemic from their first to second year.

Methods: This was a longitudinal study of 82 nursing students from 2 universities in Greece.

Investigation of Perception of Quality of Life and Psychological Burden of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis-Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a significant impact on the life of patients undergoing chronic periodic hemodialysis. It negatively affects their social, economic and family status, and particularly their psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of the quality of life (QoL) and psychological burden of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Promoting Self-Management and Independent Living of Older Individuals with Chronic Diseases through Technology: A Study of Self-Reported Needs, Priorities, and Preferences.

: Older patients' needs are rarely examined beforehand, and thus, although technology-based tools can enhance self-management, acceptability rates are still low. This study aimed to examine and compare self-reported needs, priorities, and preferences of older patients with heart failure (HF), diabetes mellitus type II (DM2), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) toward technology use to enhance self-management. : A convenience sample of 473 participants over 60 s (60.

Features of ENT Cases in the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Greece: A Prospectively Driven Data Collection Study.

Primary healthcare is the pillar of a well-functioning healthcare system. General practitioners (GPs) should have a broad skillset to cope with the various conditions they encounter in everyday practice. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) cases are some of the most common reasons for seeking care.

Assessing feasibility of targeted primary care referrals for patients with clinical suspicion of interstitial lung disease using lung ultrasound: a prospective case finding study. The potential benefits of LUS utilization.

Background: In Primary Health Care (PHC) many interstitial lung disease (ILD) cases may remain at diagnostic delay, due to their challenging presentation and the limited experience of general practitioners (GPs) in recognizing their early symptoms.

Objective: We have designed a feasibility study to investigate early ILD case-finding competency between PHC and tertiary care.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective case-finding study was launched at two private health care centers of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, during nine months (2021-2022).

Emotional intelligence is more important than the learning environment in improving critical thinking.

Purpose: To examine the association of critical thinking (CT) and emotional intelligence (EI) versus CT and learning environment (LE) in order to investigate which has the greatest influence EI or LE.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 s-year healthcare university students in two nursing and one medical schools from three universities in Greece, between October and December 2020. Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure, and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form were administered.

Evaluation of the Quality of Life and the Quality of Sleep of postmenopausal osteoporotic women, without evidence of an osteoporotic fracture, who attended an outpatient DXA scan service.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate whether impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and possibly, the quality of sleep (Sleep Quality - SQ), of osteoporotic women, may occur, even before the onset of an osteoporotic fracture.

Methods: The study included 109 women, divided (DXA) into two groups (age-matched): the Control Group (n=68; normal and osteopenic) and the Patient Group (n=41; osteoporotic). Review of medical history of the participants, was followed by evaluation of HRQOL and SQ with the EQ-5D-3L and the PSQI questionnaires, respectively.

Development and Assessment of the Scale of Personal Trust and Connections (PerTC): Preliminary Data from a Hospital Employee Group.

Trust and empathy constitute basic elements of healthcare delivery. In recent years, the quest for greater efficiency in healthcare has also indicated the necessity of these values. The study aims to develop and assess a 10-item tool, namely, the Personal Trust and Connections (PerTC) scale.

Quality of Life and Psychological Burden of Parents of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study during the Lockdown Period of COVID-19.

The current study aimed to investigate how parents of children, adolescents, and young adults with DM1 perceived quality of life and psychological burden during the lockdown period of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 110 parents in Greece in spring 2021. Perceived quality of life was measured using the Parent Diabetes Distress Scale, and psychological burden was measured using the Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory, and both were assessed with correlational analysis.

Prevalence of dysphagia symptoms in Cretan children and adolescents with neurological disorders.

Objectives: Dysphagia is defined as any feeding or swallowing dysfunction at one or more stages of digestion. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia symptoms in children and adolescents with neurological disorders and its relationship with the specific characteristics of the subjects.

Methods: Using data from general hospital/paediatric department visits in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, a cross-sectional study design was implemented over a seven-month period (2017-18), and a total of 268 children and adolescents were recruited.