Effectiveness of patient-targeted interventions to increase cancer screening participation in rural areas: A systematic review

Background Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. The GLOBOCAN estimated 18.1 million new cases of cancer and 9.6 million deaths from cancer in 2018. In some of the more frequent cancers, mortality can be significantly reduced through cancer screening programs. Nevertheless, socially disadvantaged groups have difficulties in benefitting from these screening programs, especially…

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis for HTA across four EU Member States: Piloting the Advance Value Framework

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) has emerged as a likely methodology for Health Technology Assessment (HTA). However limited empirical evidence is available on its use by decision-makers and only as part of single-setting exercises, without cross-county studies available. This pilot study applies the Advance Value Framework (AVF), an MCDA methodology for HTA based on multi-attribute…

Adipose tissue concentrations of non-persistent environmental phenols and local redox balance in adults from Southern Spain

The aim was to evaluate the associations of environmental phenol and paraben concentrations with the oxidative microenvironment in adipose tissue. This study was conducted in a subsample (n = 144) of the GraMo cohort (Southern Spain). Concentrations of 9 phenols and 7 parabens, and levels of oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified in adipose tissue. Associations were estimated…

Reproductive and Lifestyle Factors and Circulating sRANKL and OPG Concentrations in Women: Results from the EPIC Cohort

Background: Except for a documented increase in osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentrations with older age, data on determinants of soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB (sRANKL) and OPG concentrations in women are limited. We evaluated reproductive and lifestyle factors as potential sources of variation in circulating sRANKL and OPG concentrations in pre- and postmenopausal women. Methods:…

Economic evaluation of the treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSIs) from the national payer perspective: introduction of a new treatment to the patient journey. A simulation of three European countries

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a spending predictor model to evaluate the direct costs associated with the management of ABSSSIs from the National health-care provider’s perspective of Italy, Romania, and Spain. Methodology: A decision-analytic model was developed to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical pathways of hospitalized ABSSSI patients based on scientific…

Plasma polyphenols associated with lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations: a cross-sectional study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort

Experimental studies have reported on the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols. However, results from epidemiological investigations have been inconsistent, and especially studies using biomarkers for assessment of polyphenol intake have been scant. We aimed to characterize the association between plasma concentrations of 35 polyphenol compounds and low-grade systemic inflammation state as measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein…

Healthy lifestyle and the risk of pancreatic cancer in the EPIC study

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal cancer with currently limited opportunities for early detection and effective treatment. Modifiable factors may offer pathways for primary prevention. In this study, the association between the Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI) and PC risk was examined. Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort, 1113 incident PC…

Compliance with Supportive Periodontal/Peri‐Implant Therapy: A Systematic Review

Aim The present systematic review aimed at assessing the degree of compliance with supportive periodontal/peri‐implant therapy as well as identifying patient‐related factors that could potentially play a role on patient compliance. Methods Electronic and manual literature searches were carried out to assess patient compliance during maintenance. Main outcomes were compliance definition, degree of compliance and…

How Do Women Interpret the NHS Information Leaflet about Cervical Cancer Screening?

Background. Organized screening programs often rely on written materials to inform the public. In the United Kingdom, women invited for cervical cancer screening receive a leaflet from the National Health Service (NHS) to support screening decisions. However, information about screening may be too complex for people to understand, potentially hindering informed decision making. Objectives. We…

Prospective analysis of circulating metabolites and breast cancer in EPIC

Background Metabolomics is a promising molecular tool to identify novel etiologic pathways leading to cancer. Using a targeted approach, we prospectively investigated the associations between metabolite concentrations in plasma and breast cancer risk. Methods A nested case-control study was established within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer cohort, which included 1624 first primary incident invasive…