Pulmonary Embolism Management Audit and Machine Learning Analysis of Delayed Anticoagulation in a Swiss Teaching Hospital.

Diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is challenging due to its wide range of symptoms and numerous differential diagnoses. Medical professionals must balance performing all essential examinations and avoiding unnecessary testing. This study aimed to retrospectively audit the diagnosis and treatment of acute PE at a Swiss public teaching hospital to determine the adherence to current guidelines and to identify the factors associated with the delayed initiation of anticoagulation in PE patients.

Effects of serial NT-proBNP measurements in patients with acute decompensated heart failure: Results of the POC-HF pilot trial.

Introduction: Serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements have proven to be useful for therapy monitoring in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The POC-HF pilot study investigated whether serial NT-proBNP measurements influenced treatment decisions in these patients.

Methods: Patients hospitalized for ADHF were randomly assigned to an intervention group (serial NT-proBNP measurements made available to treating physicians) or a control group (care as usual).

Risk Factors for Recurrent Exacerbations in the General-Practitioner-Based Swiss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Cohort.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from acute exacerbations. Our objective was to describe recurrent exacerbations in a GP-based Swiss COPD cohort and develop a statistical model for predicting exacerbation.

Methods: COPD cohort demographic and medical data were recorded for 24 months, by means of a questionnaire-based COPD cohort.

Predictors of Length of Stay, Rehospitalization and Mortality in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) represents one of the leading causes of hospitalization and has a substantial impact on the financial burden of healthcare. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the length of hospital stay (LOHS), rehospitalization and mortality of patients admitted for CAP.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with patients presenting to a Swiss public hospital between January 2019 and December 2019.

Is Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Associated with Severity of COVID-19? A Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: SARS-COV2 infection has a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although vitamin D deficiency is often found in patients with ARDS, its role in COVID-19 is not clear. The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients.

Effect of Single High Dose Vitamin D Substitution in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency on Length of Hospital Stay.

Vitamin D and its role in the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been controversially discussed, with inconclusive evidence about vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation in COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D metabolites play an important role in the initiation of the immune response and can be an easily modifiable risk factor in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)-deficient patients. This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial to compare the effect of a single high dose of vitamin D followed by treatment as usual (TAU) of daily vitamin D daily until discharge versus placebo plus TAU in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and 25(OH)D-deficiency on length hospital stay.

Risk factors for hospital outcomes in pulmonary embolism: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is not only a life-threatening disease but also a public health issue with significant economic burden. The aim of the study was to identify factors-including the role of primary care-that predict length of hospital stay (LOHS), mortality and re-hospitalization within 6 months of patients admitted for PE.

Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with patients presenting to a Swiss public hospital with PE diagnosed at the hospital between November 2018 and October 2020.

Intermediate care in caring for dementia, the point of view of general practitioners: A key informant survey across Europe.

Background: Intermediate care is often defined as healthcare occurring somewhere between traditional primary (community) and secondary (hospital) care settings. High quality intermediate care is important in dementia, may prevent caregiver burnout and also lead to optimal care for people with dementia. However, very little is known about the point of intermediate care for persons with dementia in Europe.

Inhaled aviptadil for the possible treatment of COVID-19 in patients at high risk for ARDS: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, and multicenter trial.

Background: Despite the fast establishment of new therapeutic agents in the management of COVID-19 and large-scale vaccination campaigns since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in early 2020, severe disease courses still represent a threat, especially to patients with risk factors. This indicates the need for alternative strategies to prevent respiratory complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19. Aviptadil, a synthetic form of human vasoactive intestinal peptide, might be beneficial for COVID-19 patients at high risk of developing ARDS because of its ability to influence the regulation of exaggerated pro-inflammatory proteins and orchestrate the lung homeostasis.

Measuring workload of Swiss general practice: a five-yearly questionnaire-based survey on general practitioners' self-reported working activities (2005-2020).

Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the delivery of health care in Switzerland. Assessing GPs' workload over time is essential to meet the population's health service demand and for future health care planning.

Methods: The study involved four questionnaire-based cross-sectional studies among a representative sample of Swiss GPs on a five-yearly basis since 2005.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Testing in the Swiss General Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

We estimated the incidence of COVID-19-compatible symptoms, COVID-19 testing, and GP consultations during the first lockdown period in Switzerland (March-April 2020). A representative sample of the adult Swiss population completed an online survey. Of the 1022 respondents, 74 % reported at least one symptom, 5 % were tested for COVID-19, and 8 % contacted their GP regarding COVID-19.

Adding a liquid test meal to a standardized lactulose hydrogen breath test significantly influences abdominal symptom generation and hydrogen values.

Objective: While single sugar tests are controversially discussed, combination tests with meals are gaining more attention. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of adding a test meal to lactulose hydrogen breath tests (LHBT) on hydrogen values and abdominal symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

Methods: Data of 81 FGID patients between 2014-2018 were analyzed.

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This questionnaire-based cross-sectional analysis with 2037 Swiss general practitioners (GPs) focused on young GPs (≤40 years) and investigated which preconditions would allow them high satisfaction and low stress levels in their work. Young GPs (n = 206) are more often female (57 %, p <0.001), 46 % are employed, have a lower workload (38.

The effect of COVID-19 on mental well-being in Switzerland: a cross-sectional survey of the adult Swiss general population.

Background: In addition to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to physical health, mental health is challenged by the emotional response to the situation and the official measures taken to stop the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of impaired mental well-being due to COVID-19 and explore associated factors.

Methods: The study was an observational, population-based, nationwide, cross-sectional online survey of a representative sample of the general Swiss population performed between March and April 2020.

Expectations about check-up examinations among Swiss residents: A nationwide population-based cross-sectional survey.

Introduction: General health check-up examinations in asymptomatic adults have not been shown to be beneficial. Instead, opportunistic prevention during regular primary care consultations is most cost-effective and recommended. The study aimed to elucidate the expectations about check-ups of the general Swiss population.

Better response to low FODMAP diet in disorders of gut-brain interaction patients with pronounced hydrogen response to a nutrient challenge test.

Background And Aim: Previous studies have shown a reduction of gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients following a low FODMAP diet (LFD). It remains unknown which disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) patients would benefit most from LFD. We aimed to analyze LFD response regarding a preceding nutrient challenge test (NCT).

The use of health care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: repeated cross-sectional survey of the adult Swiss general population.

Background: The distribution of health care resources during a pandemic is challenging. The aim of the study was to describe the use of health care in a representative sample of the Swiss population during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, and to compare it to data from a survey conducted in 2018.

Methods: We conducted an observational, population-based, nationwide, repeated cross-sectional survey of the adult Swiss general population in 2018 and in March and April 2020 during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

[Geriatric Psychiatry in Nursing Homes in the Canton Basel-Stadt - The View of General Practitioners].

Geriatric Psychiatry in Nursing Homes in the Canton Basel-Stadt - The View of General Practitioners Background: This cross-sectional study intends to examine the potential need for an outpatient geronto-psychiatric service and evaluates GPs' views of the frequency of psychiatric symptoms among residents of nursing homes in the canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland. Results: Nine out of ten (89 %) see a need for a geronto-psychiatric service. Two thirds (58,9 %) of them prefer a service available during office hours.

[Early recognition or screening of dementia in general practice].

Early recognition or screening of dementia in general practice General practitioners play a key role in timely dementia diagnosis. In view that there are currently no drugs to prevent the progression of dementia or are effective in patients with mild cognitive impairment, a general screening of older people to recognize pre-symptomatic stages of dementia is not recommended. Crucial for a timely diagnosis is the GP's perception of warning signs, so-called "red flags".

Risk factors for peritonsillar abscess in streptococcus A-negative tonsillitis: a case control study.

Aims: The Centor criteria and the FeverPAIN score are recommended for guiding antibiotic prescription for tonsillitis, but they are not validated for this purpose. We aimed to identify risk factors for peritonsillar abscess in group A haemolytic streptococcus-negative tonsillitis and to test the performance of clinical scores and laboratory tests.

Methods: In a retrospective case-control study at two regional hospitals from January 2015 to June 2018, we identified all cases of peritonsillar abscess and used propensity score matching utilising age and gender to select two controls per case from all patients who had a rapid group A haemolytic streptococcus antigen test in the emergency department.

Effect of guideline revisions by the Swiss Society of Hypertension on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients from primary care.

Unlabelled:   BACKGROUND: Recommendations for blood pressure goals have considerably changed across time, in particular for high-risk patients with diabetes mellitus and/or renal dysfunction. Before 2009, Swiss Society of Hypertension (SSH) guidelines recommended lowering blood pressure to <135/85 mm Hg and after 2009 to <130/80 mm Hg in high-risk patients. It remains unclear whether guideline changes for blood pressure targets are associated with reductions in blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated in primary care.

The ecology of medical care in Switzerland: prevalence of illness in the community and healthcare utilisation in Switzerland.

Introduction: The allocation and equal distribution of healthcare resources is one of the major challenges of today. Therefore, a framework to analyse the prevalence of illness in the community and the use of various sources of healthcare is crucial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the health-seeking behaviour of 1025 individuals in Switzerland in a 2-month period in 2018.

[Imaging for Non-Specific Low Back Pain According to 'Smarter Medicine' - a Survey from Three General Practices].

Unlabelled: Imaging for Non-Specific Low Back Pain According to 'Smarter Medicine' - a Survey from Three General Practices We examined how the recommendation of "smarter medicine"/Switzerland for diagnostic imaging of nonspecific lumbar back pain is implemented in three general practices.

Method: Retrospective analysis of 228 conventional X-ray images of the lumbar spine from three general practices.

Results: Overall, about 75 % of the X-rays performed within six weeks after onset of pain were consistent with "smarter medicine" recommendations.