Survey on HIA implementation across countries of the WHO European Region

A variety of scientific publications, journal articles and books, as well as grey literature on HIA exist, either attaining the development of HIA methodology or giving specific examples on different HIAs, but up to now there is no consolidated review on HIA practice and institutionalization across Europe. WHO Regional Office for Europe, in collaboration with…

Surgical Treatment in Post-Stroke Spastic Hands: A Systematic Review

Background: For more than two decades, the surgical treatment of post-stroke spastic hands has been displaced by botulinum toxin therapy and is currently underutilized. Objectives: This article aimed to assess the potential of surgery for treating a post-stroke spastic upper extremity through a systematic review of the literature on surgical approaches that are adopted in…

Subtypes of fruit and vegetables, variety in consumption and risk of colon and rectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

Previously, a lower risk of colorectal cancer was observed with fruit and vegetable consumption in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition within a follow-up period of 9 years which was not fully supported by a recent meta-analysis. Therefore, we were interested in the relation with extended follow-up, also focusing on single subtypes and…

Strengthening patients’ triage in community pharmacies: A cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical impact of a minor ailment service

Background Self-perceived minor ailments might conceal other health conditions if patients are not appropriately assisted by health care professionals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the patient-related outcomes of a community pharmacy Minor Ailment Service (MAS) compared to usual pharmacist care (UC). Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted over six months…

Standardizing effect size from linear regression models with log-transformed variables for meta-analysis

Background Meta-analysis is very useful to summarize the effect of a treatment or a risk factor for a given disease. Often studies report results based on log-transformed variables in order to achieve the principal assumptions of a linear regression model. If this is the case for some, but not all studies, the effects need to…

Stabilization and reversal of child obesity in Andalusia using objective anthropometric measures by socioeconomic status

Childhood obesity continues to be a significant public health issue worldwide. Recent national studies in Spain show a stable picture. However, prevalence and trends differ by socio-economic status, age, and region. We present the trend in childhood excess weight prevalence, aged 8–15 years, in Andalusia from 2011-2012 to 2015–2016 by socio-economic status. Methods Using the cross-sectional…

Spatial and temporal variations in Spain in the standardised ratio of in-hospital mortality due to colorectal cancer, 2008–2014

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of tumour mortality in Spain and Europe. To date, no studies have been conducted in Spain to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of the excess risk of death during hospitalisation for CRC. Methods A cohort was constructed of all episodes of hospitalisation in Spain due to…

Soft drink and juice consumption and renal cell carcinoma incidence and mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for more than 80% of kidney cancers in adults and obesity is a known risk factor. Regular consumption of sweetened beverages has been linked to obesity and several chronic diseases including some types of cancer. It is uncertain whether soft drink and juice consumption is associated with risk of…

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Colorectal Cancer Survival in Southern Spain: A Multilevel Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Spain. Socioeconomic inequalities in cancer survival are not documented in Spain. We aim to study the association of socioeconomic inequalities with overall mortality and survival among CRC patients in southern Spain. Methods: We conducted a multilevel population-based cohort study, including CRC cases for the period 2011–…

Socioeconomic Inequalities and Ethnicity Are Associated with a Positive COVID-19 Test among Cancer Patients in the UK Biobank Cohort

We explored the role of socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 incidence among cancer patients during the first wave of the pandemic. We conducted a case-control study within the UK Biobank cohort linked to the COVID-19 tests results available from 16 March 2020 until 23 August 2020. The main exposure variable was socioeconomic status, assessed using the…