Search Results (46)

In this study, I propose the need for a model of healthcare in Africa grounded in the healing mission of the Catholic Church understood as a “field hospital,” a pastoral image proposed by Pope Francis to describe the Church’s duty to accompany a wounded humanity. In the African context, where many communities face persistent challenges such as poverty and social inequalities, the Church’s healthcare and pastoral ministries play a critical role in promoting integral healing. Drawing on the model of Church-as-field-hospital, African communitarian values, and the lived experiences of grassroots communities, I argue that authentic healthcare needs to address not only physical illness but also the spiritual, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions of human well-being. The “field hospital” metaphor provides a theological and pastoral framework that prioritizes compassion, proximity to the suffering, and practical responses to human vulnerability in the realm of healthcare. By engaging the Church’s longstanding commitment to healthcare in Africa, this research demonstrates how Catholic institutions can contribute to a more integrated approach to healthcare, showing how ecclesiology and healthcare ethics can work together to produce positive outcomes for grassroots communities. Ultimately, the study envisions a model of healthcare that reflects the Church’s mission of mercy, promotes human dignity, and fosters communal solidarity in the pursuit of holistic healing. I propose that such a holistic healthcare mission of the Church must begin from below, that is, from the perspective of marginal grassroots communities. Since discussing the healthcare situation across the entire African continent is complex and practically impossible, I will focus on Kenya as a representative case study. Full article

This article addresses recent critiques of secularisation as a linear explanatory model for religious change in European societies, proposing that contemporary artistic creation is a fertile site for observing new interrelations between the secular and the religious. Focusing on João Madureira’s Missa de Pentecostes (2010), composed for the ensemble ‘Sete Lágrimas’ and part of a cultural project by the Roman Catholic community of ‘Capela do Rato’ (Lisbon), the study analyses how this work creatively reconfigures the traditional Mass form. By juxtaposing the Ordinary sections (e.g., Kyrie, Gloria) with the Proper sections (e.g., Introitus, Sequentia), which incorporate non-canonical Portuguese poetic texts, the composition creates a hybrid space in which ritual and artistic modes interact and mutually re-legitimise each other. Using a heterological interpretative framework inspired by Michel de Certeau, the article highlights the tensions and exchanges between ritual and aesthetic logics. The analysis draws on key theoretical concepts including Jean Rancière’s notions of consensus and dissensus, Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of ritual and habitus, Paul Ricoeur’s philosophy of translation as hospitality, and Pierre Lévy’s concept of universalism without totality. The findings suggest that Madureira’s work enacts a process of poetic re-signification of religious memory, opening new possibilities for hybrid ritual–artistic practices. These practices transform ritual time-space into an interface that fosters plural and non-totalising forms of spiritual belonging. Full article

Placental abruption (PA) without vaginal bleeding is known to be associated with severe outcomes when compared to symptomatic cases; the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is an additional negative prognostic factor. According to guidelines, severe HDP are indications for prompt delivery after maternal–fetal stabilization. Considering gestational age, parity and clinical obstetric examination, the induction of labor should be prioritized to avoid additional risks associated with cesarean section. However, since only a minority of cases of PA may be detected by ultrasonography (US), findings consistent with this suspicion should contribute to the establishment of an appropriate mode of delivery. We present two cases affected by severe HDP, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, admitted to St. Luke Catholic Hospital, Wolisso, Ethiopia. In both cases, obstetric point-of-care (POC) US revealed a live premature fetus and a solid heterogeneous placental mass, raising the suspicion of concealed placental abruption. To expedite delivery, cesarean section was promptly offered. PA was confirmed in both cases; the first had stillbirth and postpartum hemorrhage, while the second ended up with healthy mother and newborn. In conclusion, POC-US imaging could play a role in optimizing delivery mode and timing for patients with HDP in low-resourced settings. Additional research is warranted to determine the impact of this technique in the management of obstetric emergencies. Full article

For the 16th Anniversary this year, the ECN workshop is again held in downtown Paris. Every year the ECN workshop offers a unique opportunity for clinicians and researchers interested in crystals, inflammation, and crystal-induced diseases, including gout, to present their latest results and discuss novel concepts. Full article

This paper will analyze the life of Servant of God Dorothy Day through the hermeneutical lens of liberation theology. Although Day was not an explicit liberation theologian, her work through the Catholic Worker Movement exemplifies liberative qualities. I will first reflect on Day’s interior life and her dissatisfaction with social injustices, claiming this as the starting point of liberative theological practices; then, I will turn to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a saint whom Day came to greatly admire, and Thérèse’s method of “the little way,” paralleling it with mujerista theologian Ada María Isasi-Díaz’s epistemological concept of lo cotidiano as an important method in spiritual praxis; and finally, I will parallel the liberation between Base Ecclesial Communities in Latin America and the houses of hospitality in the Catholic Worker Movement, ultimately arguing that liberation for those on the margins stems from first offering safe places for the creativity of the marginalized to flourish. It is safety that thus leads to creativity—to a restoration of one’s agency and an affirmation of one’s voice and dignity—that can then lead to a stable and sustainable type of liberation. Day and the Catholic Worker movement serve as exemplars in this liberative method. Full article

Background: Undernutrition is a major public health concern, accounting for nearly half of global under-five mortalities and leading to serious long-term consequences for those who survive. Most nutritional screening programs give priority to acute undernutrition (wasting). The co-presence of chronic undernutrition (stunting) has been shown to have the highest risk of mortality. To date, few studies have assessed outpatient treatment outcomes of children with wasting + stunting (WaSt), with some inconsistencies in results and only one study having investigated the outcome of patients requiring hospitalization. The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of stunting on the outcomes of severely wasted children admitted for inpatient treatment in an Ethiopian referral hospital. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to compare treatment outcomes (length of hospital stay, weight gain, recovery rate, readmission rate) of wasted and WaSt children admitted to “St. Luke Catholic Hospital and College of Nursing and Midwifery” between January 2018 and February 2023. Results: The analysis comprised 616 children aged 6–60 months and stunting was diagnosed in 559 children (90.7%). Children with stunting had a longer length of stay (median difference 3 days, 95% confidence interval 0 to 5; p = 0.03) and improved weight gain (median difference 4 g/kg/day, 95% confidence interval 0 to 4; p = 0.002) compared to children without stunting. Discharge rate (p = 0.99) and readmission rate (p = 0.25) were not statistically different between children with or without stunting. Conclusions: Stunting was found to be present in most children admitted for severe wasting to the Stabilization Centers in a sub-Saharan setting. Stunting was associated with longer hospitalization and greater weight gain, but discharge and readmission rate were comparable between children with or without stunting. Full article

Urogenital infections contribute greatly to both hospital- and community-acquired infections. In Ghana, the prevalence of resistance to commonly used antibiotics is relatively high. This study sought to evaluate the antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial urogenital pathogens from patient samples in a regional and district hospital in the Volta Region of Ghana. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained between January and December 2023 from Volta Regional Hospital and Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital. Bacteria were isolated from urine, urethral swabs, and vaginal swabs from 204 patients. Data on culture and sensitivity assays performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method were extracted and analyzed using WHONET. The most prevalent organisms isolated from the samples from both facilities were Escherichia coli (24.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (21.5%), and Klebsiella oxytoca (8.8%). The isolates were mostly resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (n = 75, 95% CI [91.8–99.9]), meropenem (n = 61, 95% CI [87.6–99.4]), cefuroxime (n = 54, 95% CI [78.9–96.5]), ampicillin (n = 124, 95% CI [61.2–77.9]), and piperacillin (n = 43, 95% CI [82.9–99.2]). Multidrug-resistant (MDR, 70 (34.1%)), extensively drug-resistant (XDR, 63 (30.7%)), and pandrug-resistant (PDR, 9 (4.3%)) strains of S. aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified from the patient samples. The study highlights the presence of high-priority resistant urogenital pathogens of public health significance to varied antibiotic groups. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate digital markers and establish quantitative diagnostic criteria for spinal malpositions in Chuna manual therapy using lumbar X-rays. Methods: A total of 2000 X-ray images were collected from adult patients at the International St. Mary’s Hospital of Catholic Kwandong University. Five Chuna manual medicine experts annotated anatomical landmarks using a digital marker labeling program and diagnosed three types of spinal malpositions: flexion/extension, lateral bending, and rotation. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using weighted F1 (F1_W) scores, and the optimal threshold values for each malposition type were determined based on maximum F1_W performance. Results: The results showed high diagnostic performance, with average maximum F1_W scores of 0.76 for flexion/extension, 0.85 for lateral bending, and 0.71 for rotation. Based on this analysis, threshold angles for each type of spinal malposition in Chuna manual diagnosis were determined. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the diagnostic validity of digital marker-based X-ray analysis in Chuna manual therapy and is the first to propose quantitative diagnostic thresholds for spinal malpositions. These findings may serve as a foundation for clinical application in spinal assessment and treatment planning, with further validation studies warranted. Full article

Background: The project ‘Multicenter Renal Pharmacist Group—Implementation of Pharmaceutical Care for Patients with Renal Impairment at four Non-University Hospitals in Germany’ started in the beginning of 2020 with the goal to establish high-quality pharmaceutical care to improve patient safety for hospitalized patients with renal impairment at German non-university hospitals. Pharmaceutical service quality should be optimized by intense and effective intraprofessional collaboration within the network. Methods: Over a period of two years (2020–2022), we implemented renal pharmacists (RPs) for patients with renal impairment (RI) at four non-university hospitals in Germany (Starnberg Hospital, Rudolf Virchow Hospital Glauchau, Catholic Hospital in the Märkisch District (KKiMK), and Hospital Sindelfingen-Boeblingen). The RPs conducted medication analyses identifying renal-drug-related problems (rDRPs) two to five days a week. The rDRPs, including recommendations to solve them, were forwarded to the attending physicians via written consultations or personally during ward rounds. The RPs were mentored by a renal pharmacist expert from LMU Munich and formed a multicentered team with close collaboration. Data about the RP service were collected and were retrospectively evaluated. Results: During the two-year project period, a total of 3924 patients from various disciplines were visited across all four locations. In total, 1425 patients (36.3%; with a range from 22.7 to 56.4% between hospitals) received one or more interventions by RPs concerning 2454 rDRPs (a median of one to three rDRPs per patient). In cooperation with the physicians, 77.6 to 88.2% of the rDRPs were solved. The most common causes were ‘dosage too high’ and ‘contraindication’. Conclusion: The implementation of pharmaceutical care for patients with renal impairment at four non-university hospitals in Germany increased appropriate prescribing by physicians. The multicenter team proved to be an excellent support for the newly established services. Full article

Background: The predictive value of muscle-related indicators in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the skeletal muscle density (SMD) and clinical variables related to the physical reserve with respect to its impact on the pathologic complete response (pCR). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed TNBC patients who underwent NAC at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic University of Korea, from March 2021 to March 2024, via receiving paclitaxel/carboplatin followed by doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide, with or without pembrolizumab. Muscle indices were assessed from CT measurements of the entire cross-sectional muscle area at the L3 level using commercial deep learning software (ClariMetabo version 1.03). Results: A total of 144 patients were included, where 102 received chemoimmunotherapy (NACIT) and 42 received chemotherapy alone (NACT). A higher SMD was significantly associated with a younger age, lower BMI, and fewer comorbidities. In the NACIT group, patients in the high-SMD group (n = 68) demonstrated a higher relative dose intensity (p = 0.003) and improved pCR rates (63.2% vs. 44.1%, p = 0.066) compared with the low-SMD group (n = 34). The multivariable regression analysis identified a higher SMD (per 5-unit increment: OR = 1.67, p = 0.003) and increased PD-L1 combined positive score (per 10-unit increment: OR = 1.38, p = 0.019) as independent predictors of a pCR. The event-free survival was significantly longer in the high-SMD group (p = 0.017) and among patients that achieved a pCR (p < 0.001). In the NACT group, the SMD was not associated with a pCR or survival. Conclusions: The CT-measured SMD reflected the physical reserve in the TNBC patients that received NAC. Alongside the CPS, SMD may serve as a predictive marker for NACIT efficacy. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Republic of Korea is undergoing a significant demographic shift toward a population with a high proportion of older adults. In response, the Act on Integrated Support for Community Care was enacted. This study explores the role of tertiary hospitals in integrated care, aiming to enhance healthcare systems that support older individuals by facilitating the transition from hospital- to community-based care. Methods: Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, operating under the Catholic Foundation, provides care grounded in healing and spirituality. As part of its mission, a multidisciplinary task force (TF) was formed to examine the hospital’s role in integrated care for an aging society. The TF, composed of eight experts from various departments, engaged in open discussions from September 2024 to January 2025. Results: The Integrated Care Act, which seeks to integrate medical care and caregiving within communities, requires the development of a digital system, the establishment of a governance framework for multidisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of institutions for training professionals in integrated care. Tertiary hospitals must develop department-specific models for transitional care and establish policy research institutes focused on holistic, patient-centered care. Family medicine departments can play a central role in coordinating between tertiary hospitals and local communities. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of collaboration between medical, caregiving, and social welfare professionals as key enablers of “aging in place”. The findings underscore the evolving role of tertiary hospitals and contribute to fostering a more sustainable healthcare model for Korea’s aging population. Full article

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus. Recent research suggests a link between systemic inflammation and insulin–glucose dysregulation in HS. This study investigates the relationship between insulin–glucose homeostasis, diabetes mellitus and the haptoglobin concentration in HS patients. Methods: We assessed 95 HS patients and 49 controls using validated fasting-based function tests, including the Structural Parameter Inference Approach (SPINA), Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). Results: The HS patients had a significantly higher fasting insulin concentration (97.2 vs. 69.0 pmol/L, p = 0.035), increased insulin resistance (HOMA-IR: 3.47 vs. 2.57, p = 0.016) and impaired insulin sensitivity (SPINA-GR: 1.34 vs. 1.76 mol/s, p = 0.017). In diabetes, the insulin sensitivity was more strongly reduced (SPINA-GR: 0.61 vs. 1.41 mol/s, p = 0.0057) and the insulin resistance increased (HOMA-IR: 7.3 vs. 3.2, p = 0.017). Higher haptoglobin concentrations were accompanied by worse glycaemic control, demonstrating a significantly elevated fasting glucose (5.77 vs. 5.11 mmol/L, p = 0.043) concentration and HbA1c (5.7% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.0081) fraction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that chronic inflammation in HS contributes to metabolic dysregulation, worsening insulin resistance and glycaemic control, particularly in those with elevated haptoglobin or diabetes. Full article

At the turn of the 20th century, Christian and Catholic churches in Western nations established numerous mission hospitals in non-European regions. In China, mission hospitals represent a significant category of modern architectural heritage, symbolising advancements in healthcare and medical education while also serving as historical artifacts of early cultural interactions between China and the West. With ongoing developments in medical technology, these mission hospital structures no longer meet contemporary healthcare demands; many have been repurposed or temporarily abandoned. Preserving and effectively repurposing mission hospital heritage has thus emerged as a critical issue. In the present study, the Shantung Christian University Union Medical College was examined as a case study in addressing this challenge. The site retains the original Outpatient Building, Inpatient Building, Medical Teaching Building, and other architectural heritage and has preserved the original mixed Chinese and Western architectural styles. A combination of historical research, field investigation, and historic layering was adopted in the present study, drawing primarily on data from historical maps, satellite images from different periods, aerial photography from drones, architectural drawings, and other relevant historical data. Through case studies, methods for characterising and identifying the landscape and architectural heritage of mission hospitals were explored. Principles for the preservation and regeneration of the heritage of church hospitals were also proposed, with a view to providing a reference for the study and preservation of this type of heritage. Full article

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children, associated with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery, potentially exacerbating seizure control among pediatric epilepsy patients. This study aimed to evaluate the pandemic’s impact on seizure characteristics and identify risk factors contributing to seizure exacerbation in children with epilepsy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of 84 pediatric epilepsy patients at The Catholic University of Korea Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital from July 2019 to July 2022. Data were collected on demographics, epilepsy characteristics, and healthcare accessibility. Changes in seizure outcomes were analyzed alongside potential risk factors, including infections and socioeconomic variables. Statistical analyses assessed correlations between these factors and seizure exacerbations. Results: Among the 84 pediatric epilepsy patients, 25% experienced significant seizure exacerbations during the COVID-19 pandemic. These included increased seizure frequency (18%), prolonged duration (13%), emergence of new seizure types (4%), and status epilepticus requiring hospitalization (5%). Multivariate analysis identified recent epilepsy diagnosis (<1 year) and low socioeconomic status as independent predictors of seizure worsening (p < 0.05). Infections with non-COVID-19 respiratory viruses, such as RSV and influenza, were strongly associated with exacerbated seizure activity (p < 0.001). Dissatisfaction with access to epilepsy care further increased the risk of poor seizure control, reflecting the challenges posed by disrupted healthcare systems. Notably, no significant relationship was observed between SARS-CoV-2 infection and seizure outcomes, suggesting that indirect factors, rather than direct viral effects, were primary contributors to seizure exacerbation. Conclusions: This study highlights the compounded impact of disrupted healthcare access, socioeconomic challenges, and respiratory viral infections on seizure control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies such as telehealth expansion, regular monitoring, and vaccination against respiratory pathogens are essential to optimize seizure management in future health crises. Full article

15th Anniversary this year: the ECN workshop is set up in Paris, down town. Every year ECN workshop offers a unique opportunity for clinicians and researchers interested in crystals, inflammation, crystal-induced diseases including gout, to present their latest results and discuss novel concepts. Twenty nine out of 52 accepted abstracts are reported here. Full article