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31 pages, 1127 KB  
Review
Rewiring Attention: Virtual Reality and Brain–Computer Interfaces in the Rehabilitation of Unilateral Spatial Neglect
by Alix Gouret, Alexandre Delaux, Solène Le Bars and Sylvie Chokron
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031036 - 28 Jan 2026
Abstract
Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a complex cognitive syndrome frequently observed after stroke. Characterized by a failure to attend, respond and orient to stimuli on the side opposite the brain lesion, USN significantly impairs patients’ functional independence and presents significant challenges for rehabilitation. [...] Read more.
Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a complex cognitive syndrome frequently observed after stroke. Characterized by a failure to attend, respond and orient to stimuli on the side opposite the brain lesion, USN significantly impairs patients’ functional independence and presents significant challenges for rehabilitation. Current rehabilitation strategies often fall short in addressing the heterogenous manifestations of USN across perceptual modalities due to limited ecological validity, patient engagement and adaptability to individual needs. Recent advances in neurotechnologies such as virtual reality (VR) and brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) offer promising avenues for overcoming these limitations. These tools enable top-down rehabilitation strategies that directly engage cognitive recovery mechanisms to promote neuroplasticity, and support adaptive interventions tailored to individual profiles. This narrative review explores recent developments and future prospects of VR and BCI technologies in the rehabilitation of USN, both individually and in combination. After outlining key features of USN to frame rehabilitation challenges, it examines VR, BCI, and their integrated applications in this context. While there is growing evidence supporting VR interventions efficacy in enhancing conventional strategies and alleviating USN symptoms, research on BCI applications in this context is still emerging. Nevertheless, insights from broader neurorehabilitation research suggest that combining VR and BCI holds significant promise for advancing cognitive rehabilitation and addressing USN-specific challenges. To illustrate the transformative value of advanced USN interventions, we present a concrete example of a VR-BCI integrated rehabilitation framework in the making, designed to provide a comprehensive and personalized therapeutic approach, bridging technological potential with clinical rehabilitation needs. Full article
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19 pages, 743 KB  
Review
Demographic Mix of Care Homes and Personalised Use of SGLT-2 Inhibitors and GLP-1RAs in Residents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
by Alan J. Sinclair, Fiza Waseem and Ahmed H. Abdelhafiz
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16020062 - 28 Jan 2026
Abstract
Diabetes prevalence in older people residing in care homes is rising. This cohort of patients is characterised by multiple morbidities, polypharmacy, and frailty. As a result, they are exposed to an increasing burden of hypoglycaemia, which leads to unnecessary hospital visits and negative [...] Read more.
Diabetes prevalence in older people residing in care homes is rising. This cohort of patients is characterised by multiple morbidities, polypharmacy, and frailty. As a result, they are exposed to an increasing burden of hypoglycaemia, which leads to unnecessary hospital visits and negative consequences. In addition, due to their high baseline morbidities, the risk of cardiovascular events increases. The newly introduced therapy of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1RA has a very low risk of hypoglycaemia and a significant cardiovascular protective effect. This makes it an appealing choice to be used in older people with complex morbidities, such as care home residents. So far, the current use of these agents is suboptimal in these settings because clinicians are cautious of side effects and tolerability, and also, clinical studies have not included this population. Furthermore, the guidelines in this area lack a personalised approach and are too general, with no clear specific description of which patients are suitable for such therapy. The currently available little evidence is indirect, which confirms the superior benefits of such therapy in frail compared with robust subjects, especially in those who are overweight or obese. The demographic mix of care homes is largely heterogeneous in terms of variations in body composition. In addition to malnourished, frail phenotype subjects, the prevalence of individuals with obesity living in these settings is increasing. Therefore, there is scope for increased use of these new agents in residents who have at least a normal or higher body weight. Because of the high baseline cardiovascular risk, these patients will benefit most from such therapy. Otherwise, these agents are better when less used for frail patients who are anorexic and malnourished because of the risk of inducing further weight loss, volume loss, low blood pressure, falls, and fractures. Full article
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14 pages, 984 KB  
Article
Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Intra-Articular Polynucleotide for Knee Osteoarthritis: Large Multicenter Observational Study with Repeated Treatment
by Wan-Ho Kim, Byung-Yoon Sung, Young-Sun Song, Jun-Seok Hong, Ho-Kwang Ryu, Kug-Jin Kim, Jong-Hoon Park and Jong-Soon Kim
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031020 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 45
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Intra-articular polynucleotide (PN) has emerged as an alternative to hyaluronic acid (HA) for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA), with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting similar or greater pain reduction. Real-world evidence on both single- and repeated-cycle outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Intra-articular polynucleotide (PN) has emerged as an alternative to hyaluronic acid (HA) for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA), with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting similar or greater pain reduction. Real-world evidence on both single- and repeated-cycle outcomes remains limited. This study evaluated PN’s real-world effectiveness and safety and whether its pain reduction falls within ranges reported in previous PN–HA RCTs, and evaluated repeated-cycle outcomes. Methods: Clinical data from 1048 PN-treated OA patients were retrospectively reviewed. The safety set comprised 1024 patients with follow-up visits. The efficacy set included 975 patients who completed 3–5 weekly PN injections with evaluable VAS, CGI, and PGI data at baseline, 3, and 6 months. A repeated-treatment subgroup (n = 45) received a second PN cycle 6 months later. First-cycle outcomes were compared with PN–HA RCTs. Results: In the first-cycle (n = 975), VAS decreased from 50.30 mm to 23.02 and 22.43 mm at 3 and 6 months (−27.28 and −27.87 mm; p < 0.0001), showing a comparable magnitude to RCT-reported ranges (~27–41 mm). CGI improvement was 81.0% and 79.6%, and PGI improvement 78.8% and 78.1% at 3 and 6 months. In the repeated-treatment subgroup (n = 45), despite a lower second-cycle baseline VAS of 31.00 mm (vs. 50.30 mm at first-cycle baseline), VAS decreased to 14.07 mm and 17.33 mm at 3 and 6 months (−16.93 and −13.67 mm; p < 0.001), achieving comparable absolute post-treatment pain levels. Among 1024 patients, three mild-to-moderate arthralgia events (0.29%) occurred, with no serious device-related adverse events in either cycle. Conclusions: PN provided meaningful 6-month pain reduction in a comparable magnitude to previous RCTs and showed consistent benefit with repeated administration without new safety concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Orthopedics)
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13 pages, 258 KB  
Article
Assessment of Fall Risk in Neurological Disorders and Technology: Relationship Between Silver Index and Gait Analysis
by Letizia Castelli, Chiara Iacovelli, Anna Maria Malizia, Claudia Loreti, Lorenzo Biscotti, Pietro Caliandro, Anna Rita Bentivoglio, Paolo Calabresi and Silvia Giovannini
Sensors 2026, 26(3), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26030840 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 38
Abstract
Falls are one of the most common and devastating effects of neurological diseases, especially in patients with stroke outcomes, Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). To prevent negative outcomes and guide tailored rehabilitation, it is necessary to identify risk factors early. The [...] Read more.
Falls are one of the most common and devastating effects of neurological diseases, especially in patients with stroke outcomes, Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). To prevent negative outcomes and guide tailored rehabilitation, it is necessary to identify risk factors early. The current study aims to assess whether and how the risk of falling is related to spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters in stroke, PD, and MS. It also seeks to determine how these factors can help manage patients and identify more personalized and appropriate rehabilitation treatments. Ninety patients with neurological disorders (stroke, PD, and MS) underwent eight weeks of home-based rehabilitation using the ARC Intellicare device or following a paper-based protocol. At baseline (T0) and at the end of the protocol (T2), they were assessed using the Silver Index of the hunova® robotic platform to evaluate fall risk, and instrumental gait analysis to record spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of walking. Statistical analysis showed moderate and significant correlations between the Silver Index and gait spatiotemporal parameters such as stance and swing phase, both in affected (T0, p = 0.007; T2, p = 0.017) and unaffected side (T0, p = 0.022; T2, p = 0.008), double support in affected side (T0, p = 0.002; T2, p = 0.005), cycle length in affected (T0, p = 0.007; T2, p = 0.003) and unaffected side (T0, p = 0.008; T2, p = 0.003), and cadence (T0, p = 0.025; T2, p = 0.003) in stroke patients. No significant results emerged in the PD and MS. No population showed significant correlations between the Silver Index and gait kinematic parameters. The Silver Index may reflect distinct patterns of instability in post-stroke gait, but in PD and MS, multiple factors influence the risk of falling that instrumental gait analysis cannot fully capture, requiring a more extensive and multidimensional approach that includes cognitive aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wearables)
12 pages, 1222 KB  
Review
Enterocyte Autoantibodies (GECAs) and HLA: Their Relationship with HIV Infection Pathogenesis
by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena, Tomas Lledo, Christian Vaquero-Yuste, Ignacio Juarez and Jose Manuel Martin-Villa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031254 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 51
Abstract
The significance of gut epithelial cell autoantibodies (GECAs), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and other scientifically relevant factors has been largely overlooked, despite their potential importance in the medical management of HIV-infected individuals, in understanding the pathogenesis of AIDS, and in improving epidemiological [...] Read more.
The significance of gut epithelial cell autoantibodies (GECAs), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and other scientifically relevant factors has been largely overlooked, despite their potential importance in the medical management of HIV-infected individuals, in understanding the pathogenesis of AIDS, and in improving epidemiological and diagnostic approaches. This review may be considered as a hypothesis-driven narrative paper mostly considering GECAs and some easily detectable genetic markers. Thus, the aim is to highlight these neglected medical and scientific issues. Addressing them may contribute to a deeper understanding of HIV pathology at both the individual and population levels. Autoantibodies against enterocytes (GECAs) are present in the majority of HIV-positive patients. These intestinal epithelial cells are crucial for nutrient absorption and because of their role as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) within the immune system. Furthermore, the number of CD4-positive lymphocytes depends largely on daily antigenic stimulation rather than on thymic function, which becomes residual or inactive after puberty. The fall of CD4+ lymphocyte counts observed in HIV-infected patients may therefore be exacerbated by enterocyte dysfunction/damage, as indicated by the presence of GECAs. These autoantibodies either cause or reflect damage to these important antigen-presenting cells, which may impair intestinal antigen presentation by their surface HLA proteins to the clonotypic T-cell receptor of lymphocytes. Additionally, the association between specific HLA alleles and a CCR5 variant affects HIV disease progression or transmission and should be considered in both adults and mother–infant pairs. In particular, HLA-B35 and HLA-B57 allelic groups have been implicated in influencing both the transmission and progression of HIV infection. Moreover, several aspects of the natural history of HIV infection remain unresolved and controversial, and these issues warrant urgent clarification. For instance, diagnostic tests are not yet standardised globally, and viral abundance in HIV-infected individuals or AIDS patients’ cells may be relatively low. In summary, the neglected facets of HIV infection demand renewed investigation, particularly now that an HIV diagnosis is no longer the devastating prognosis it once was. The objective of this work is to emphasise additional factors that may influence the course of AIDS, such as enterocyte injury reflected by presence of GECAs. Ultimately, we propose that GECAs may impair enterocytes’ HLA (MHC II)-mediated antigen presentation by enterocytes to CD4+ T lymphocytes (through T-cell receptors), thereby diminishing T-cell proliferation, reducing CD4+ cell numbers, and impairing immune function. Full article
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15 pages, 590 KB  
Article
Epidemiology of Short-Stay Unit Emergency Calls in a Tertiary Emergency Department: A TECOR Study
by Giles Barrington, Toni Dunbabin, Simone Page, Lauren Thurlow, Lizette Tredoux and Viet Tran
Emerg. Care Med. 2026, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecm3010004 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 34
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emergency department short-stay units (ED SSUs) manage patients requiring short-term observation and treatment. For a small number of patients, a longer hospital admission is required. Care for these patients is provided by an inpatient team and the responsibility for managing acute [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Emergency department short-stay units (ED SSUs) manage patients requiring short-term observation and treatment. For a small number of patients, a longer hospital admission is required. Care for these patients is provided by an inpatient team and the responsibility for managing acute clinical deterioration falls to a rapid response team, activated by an emergency call. While emergency calls have primarily been a feature of the inpatient setting, admitted patients are increasingly boarding within ED SSUs and the occurrence and impact of emergency calls in this setting remains largely unreported. This study aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of emergency calls within an ED SSU, describing patient demographics, clinical triggers, and outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study utilised the Tasmanian Emergency Care Outcomes Registry (TECOR) to analyse emergency calls in the ED SSU of a tertiary emergency department between 1 February 2024 and 28 February 2025. Inclusion criteria were defined as adult patients (≥14 years) admitted to an inpatient service who had emergency calls whilst in the ED SSU. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise this cohort. Results: Of 83,238 ED presentations, 11,775 adult patients were transferred to the ED SSU. 1464 (12.4%) of these patients were subsequently admitted under an inpatient service but remained boarding in the ED SSU, with 54 emergency calls occurring in 38 unique patients (2.6%). The median age was 81.5 years (IQR 65–86), older than both the main ED cohort with a median age of 71 years, and median ages of 65 to 69.5 years reported in ward-based cohorts. Most calls were medical emergency team (MET) activations (52, 96.30%) with only 2 (3.7%) code blues. The most common triggers were hypotension (20, 37.04%), reduced level of consciousness (7, 12.96%) and serious concern (7, 12.96%). Delays occurred in 18.52% of calls (mean 82 min). The median ED SSU length of stay for patients having an emergency call was 40.15 h, substantially exceeding the intended ED SSU admission criteria threshold of 24 h. Goals of care remained incomplete in 33.33% of calls, even after emergency team review. Conclusions: ED SSU emergency calls are infrequent but clinically significant, involving an elderly, vulnerable population with late sign triggers and prolonged boarding. These findings highlight fundamental mismatches between patient acuity and ED SSU environment capabilities, emphasising the need for improved monitoring, more selective admission criteria, and enhanced systems for recognising deterioration for patients boarding in ED SSUs. Full article
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19 pages, 908 KB  
Perspective
Translational Potential: Kidney Tubuloids in Precision Medicine and Regenerative Nephrology
by Muhammad Kamal Hossain, Hwa-Young Lee and Hyung-Ryong Kim
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020147 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Advances in kidney organoid technologies have expanded opportunities to model human renal development, disease, and therapeutic response. Yet pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids remain limited by cellular heterogeneity, incomplete tubular maturation and low scalability, restricting their translational relevance. Tubular-specific organoids, derived from adult kidney [...] Read more.
Advances in kidney organoid technologies have expanded opportunities to model human renal development, disease, and therapeutic response. Yet pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids remain limited by cellular heterogeneity, incomplete tubular maturation and low scalability, restricting their translational relevance. Tubular-specific organoids, derived from adult kidney epithelium, address many of these constraints by providing stable, reproducible cultures enriched for functional proximal and distal tubular cells. Their polarized transport, metabolic activity and patient-specific phenotypes enable high-fidelity modeling of acute and chronic tubular disorders, nephrotoxicity, and inherited tubulopathies—areas where conventional animal and cell-line models often fall short. In this Perspective, we outline recent advances that position tubuloids as a versatile platform for drug screening, toxicity testing and personalized disease modeling. We highlight emerging integration with microfluidics, biomaterials, and gene-editing strategies that promise greater physiological realism and precision therapeutics. We also discuss persistent barriers that impede broader adoption and clinical translation. We propose a roadmap for advancing tubuloid technologies toward precision nephrology and their future incorporation into diagnostic, pharmacological and regenerative pipelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biopharmaceutics)
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10 pages, 966 KB  
Article
Recognizing ALBI Grade in Child-Pugh A Patients at a Glance: Mathematical Simulation and Large-Scale Clinical Validation
by Po-Heng Chuang, Yuan-Jie Ding, Chih-Yun Lin and Sheng-Nan Lu
Diagnostics 2026, 16(3), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16030370 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 153
Abstract
Background: The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade provides an objective assessment of hepatic reserve, but the need for calculation by means of a formula has hampered its use at the bedside. This study aimed to develop simple cut-off values for ALBI grade and validate its [...] Read more.
Background: The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade provides an objective assessment of hepatic reserve, but the need for calculation by means of a formula has hampered its use at the bedside. This study aimed to develop simple cut-off values for ALBI grade and validate its performance in a large multi-center real-world cohort. Methods: A mathematical simulation evaluated every possible ALBI pair that falls within the Child–Pugh classification (CP) A range, discretized to 0.1 increments. Cut points for patient stratification without equation-based calculation were derived. Validation was conducted with the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD), which contains data from 10 hospitals in Taiwan. Patients with same-day albumin and bilirubin measurements in 2024 were included. Results: Mathematical modeling identified clinically applicable cutoffs—albumin ≥ 4.4 g/dL or ≤3.5 g/dL and bilirubin ≥ 2.4 mg/dL—with further refinement at albumin 4.0 g/dL and bilirubin ≥ 1.0 mg/dL. Among 7583 CP-A patients, 82% were directly classifiable without computation, with consistent applicability across chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subgroups. Equation dependence increased only slightly in the HCC group, confirming robustness across disease severities. Conclusions: Simplified cutoff rules derived from mathematical modeling and validated in a multi-center cohort enable rapid recognition of ALBI grade in most CP-A patients. This approach enhances the clinical usability of ALBI and supports its integration into patient care, clinical trials, and treatment allocation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Diagnosis and Management of Liver Diseases)
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15 pages, 913 KB  
Article
Oral Nutritional Supplementation in Routine Clinical Practice to Improve Physical Performance and Nutrition in Frail Adults at Risk of Falls: Preliminary Evidence
by Ivon Y. Rivera Deras, Ana Esther Callejón Martin, Miguel Ángel Espuelas Vázquez, Lilia Alejandrina Ruiz Ávila and Jesús María López Arrieta
J. Ageing Longev. 2026, 6(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal6010015 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 67
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to describe changes in physical performance and nutritional status among frail adults at risk of falls receiving muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS) as part of routine clinical care. Methods: A prospective, open-label, single-centre, uncontrolled, descriptive study was conducted [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to describe changes in physical performance and nutritional status among frail adults at risk of falls receiving muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS) as part of routine clinical care. Methods: A prospective, open-label, single-centre, uncontrolled, descriptive study was conducted in a real-world clinical setting. Patients ≥ 70 years attending an outpatient fall clinic were consecutively recruited and assessed at baseline and after at least 90 days of MT-ONS (100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D), provided as part of a comprehensive care plan including exercise recommendations, medication review, and home adaptation advice. Sociodemographic, physical performance [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], nutritional status [Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, (MNA®-SF)], walking ability [Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs)], number of falls, muscle strength (dynamometry), body composition (Tanita), health-related quality-of-life (SF-12), functional capacity (Barthel Index), and adherence data were collected. Statistics analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Results: Twenty-six participants were assessed (58% women, age: 82.1 ± 5.4 years). Mean SPPB score increased from 7.3 (±3.6) to 8.0 (±4.0) (p = 0.3). At baseline, 35% were malnourished, 42% at risk of malnutrition, and 23% well-nourished. After ≥90 days of MT-ONS, 4% were malnourished, 54% at risk, and 42% well-nourished. The number of falls decreased from 1.2 falls/month (±0.9) to 0.2 falls/month (±0.3, p < 0.0001). Favourable changes in physical performance were positively correlated with improvements in nutritional status (p = 0.03). Adherence was high (92%), largely attributed to pleasant taste (71%) and smell (58%) and positive health perceptions (58%). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, frail adults at risk of falls who received MT-ONS, 100% whey protein enriched with leucine and vitamin D for ≥90 days, as part of a comprehensive care plan improved their physical performance and nutritional status and reduced the number of falls. These findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Full article
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16 pages, 632 KB  
Article
Impact of Predischarge NT-proBNP on Treatment Optimisation in Acute Heart Failure
by Marija Polovina, Milenko Tomić, Milica Janković, Danka Civrić, Andrea Stojićević, Stefan Stanković, Teodora Pejović, Mihajlo Viduljević, Gordana Krljanac, Milika Ašanin, Sanja Stanković and Petar M. Seferović
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27021028 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 150
Abstract
Residual congestion (RC) at discharge predicts adverse outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Its impact on the implementation of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) remains unclear. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) trajectory during hospitalisation reflects RC and may be associated with [...] Read more.
Residual congestion (RC) at discharge predicts adverse outcomes in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Its impact on the implementation of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) remains unclear. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) trajectory during hospitalisation reflects RC and may be associated with GDMT implementation. The aim was to assess whether discharge NT-proBNP and a fall in NT-proBNP < 30% during hospitalisation (ΔNT-proBNP < 30%) predict GDMT underuse in acute HFrEF. In this prospective observational study, NT-proBNP was measured at hospital admission and 48–72 h before discharge. Provision of individual GDMT drug classes was assessed and GDMT underuse was defined as prescription of <3 key GDMT drug classes at discharge. 391 HFrEF patients (mean age, 69.9 ± 13.1years, 67.3% male) were included. ΔNT-proBNP < 30% was identified in 108 (27.6%). Higher discharge NT-proBNP was independently associated with lower likelihood of prescribing ACE-inhibitors, sacubitril/valsartan, eplerenone/spironolactone, or empagliflozin/dapagliflozin. ΔNT-proBNP < 30% was associated with 17% higher odds of GDMT underuse (95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.31, p < 0.001), regardless of clinical characteristics or in-hospital management. Patients with ΔNT-proBNP < 30% were discharged on lower doses of titratable GDMT medications. In-hospital NT-proBNP burden and trajectory, as markers of RC, are associated with GDMT underutilisation at discharge in acute HFrEF. Addressing RC may impact treatment quality in acute HFrEF. Full article
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21 pages, 298 KB  
Article
Barriers and Facilitators to Self-Care Behaviors in People Living with Osteoporosis: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
by Vicente Bernalte-Martí, Chiara Tedesco, Mara Tormen, Angela Cuoco, Gianluca Pucciarelli, Ercole Vellone, Maddalena De Maria, Emanuela Basilici Zannetti, Noemi Cittadini, Annalisa Pennini and Rosaria Alvaro
Nurs. Rep. 2026, 16(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16010033 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 126
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Self-care is central to chronic illness management and is particularly relevant in osteoporosis to prevent complications and improve quality of life. Grounded in Riegel’s middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness, the study sought to understand the contextual, emotional, and structural [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Self-care is central to chronic illness management and is particularly relevant in osteoporosis to prevent complications and improve quality of life. Grounded in Riegel’s middle-range theory of self-care of chronic illness, the study sought to understand the contextual, emotional, and structural influences shaping self-care in people living with osteoporosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore patient-reported barriers and facilitators to self-care behaviors among individuals living with osteoporosis. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was conducted using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 patients with osteoporosis recruited via convenience sampling. Data were coded deductively and analyzed using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis with a deductive approach. Results: Participants identified several factors related to both barriers and facilitators of self-care behaviors. Four barrier sub-themes emerged: ineffective coping strategies, difficulties in osteoporosis management, inadequate physical activity, and ineffective self-efficacy. Six facilitator sub-themes were identified: self-care management strategies, osteoporosis management after a fracture, osteoporosis control, osteoporosis treatment, exercise, and confidence in one’s ability. Main barriers included fear of falling, ineffective self-efficacy, and poor care continuity, whereas key facilitators included support networks, motivation, and tailored care. Conclusions: Self-care behaviors in individuals with osteoporosis are influenced by emotional, contextual, and structural factors. Person-centered interventions integrating emotional and educational components may strengthen patients’ engagement and enhance self-care behaviors in osteoporosis. Identifying barriers and facilitators enables nurses to design empathetic, tailored strategies that enhance empowerment and disease management. Understanding these factors can improve autonomy for patients and adherence, promoting long-term health outcomes across clinical and community settings. Full article
18 pages, 312 KB  
Article
Nurses’ Perspectives on Unmet Social, Psychological, and Spiritual Needs of Palliative Patients in Croatia: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Ana Ćurković, Matea Dolić and Linda Lušić Kalcina
Nurs. Rep. 2026, 16(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16010029 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 147
Abstract
Background: Palliative care addresses not only physical symptoms but also the social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients. Nurses play a key role in identifying and responding to these needs, yet their perceptions and preparedness may vary. Objectives: This study aimed to explore [...] Read more.
Background: Palliative care addresses not only physical symptoms but also the social, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients. Nurses play a key role in identifying and responding to these needs, yet their perceptions and preparedness may vary. Objectives: This study aimed to explore nurses’ perspectives on the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of palliative patients, assess how well these needs are being met, and examine the influence of nurses’ self-assessed education levels on their evaluations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 237 registered nurses with palliative care experience in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. Two validated questionnaires were used to assess the perceived importance of 53 patient needs and the extent to which these needs were satisfied. Results: Findings revealed significant discrepancies between the perceived importance and satisfaction of nearly all psychological, social, and spiritual needs (p < 0.001), particularly regarding fear of death, suffering, and future uncertainty. Only 38.4% of nurses considered themselves adequately trained in palliative care, though most had some educational exposure to it. No statistical differences were found in need assessment based on nurses’ self-rated education. Most nurses reported emotional exhaustion (72.6%) and supported interdisciplinary care (95.8%), while 90.3% noted that responsibility for care often falls on families. Conclusions: Nurses recognize critical unmet needs in palliative patients and feel insufficiently prepared to address them. These findings underscore the need to improve palliative care education, provide emotional support for nurses, and implement systemic healthcare reforms to ensure comprehensive, dignified care. Full article
18 pages, 771 KB  
Article
IFRA: A Machine Learning-Based Instrumented Fall Risk Assessment Scale Derived from an Instrumented Timed Up and Go Test in Stroke Patients
by Simone Macciò, Alessandro Carfì, Alessio Capitanelli, Peppino Tropea, Massimo Corbo, Fulvio Mastrogiovanni and Michela Picardi
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020228 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 222
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Falls represent a major health concern for stroke survivors, necessitating effective risk assessment tools. This study proposes the Instrumented Fall Risk Assessment (IFRA) scale, a novel screening tool derived from Instrumented Timed Up and Go (ITUG) test data, designed to capture mobility [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Falls represent a major health concern for stroke survivors, necessitating effective risk assessment tools. This study proposes the Instrumented Fall Risk Assessment (IFRA) scale, a novel screening tool derived from Instrumented Timed Up and Go (ITUG) test data, designed to capture mobility measures often missed by traditional scales. Methods: We employed a two-step machine learning approach to develop the IFRA scale: first, identifying predictive mobility features from ITUG data and, second, creating a stratification strategy to classify patients into low-, medium-, or high-fall-risk categories. This study included 142 participants, who were divided into training (including synthetic cases), validation, and testing sets (comprising 22 non-fallers and 10 fallers). IFRA’s performance was compared against traditional clinical scales (e.g., standard TUG and Mini-BESTest) using Fisher’s Exact test. Results: Machine learning analysis identified specific features as key predictors, namely vertical and medio-lateral acceleration, and angular velocity during walking and sit-to-walk transitions. IFRA demonstrated a statistically significant association with fall status (Fisher’s Exact test p = 0.004) and was the only scale to assign more than half of the actual fallers to the high-risk category, outperforming the comparative clinical scales in this dataset. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates IFRA’s potential as an automated, complementary approach for fall risk stratification in post-stroke patients. While IFRA shows promising discriminative capability, particularly for identifying high-risk individuals, these preliminary findings require validation in larger cohorts before clinical implementation. Full article
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15 pages, 1087 KB  
Article
Development of a Performance Measurement Framework for European Health Technology Assessment: Stakeholder-Centric Key Performance Indicators Identified in a Delphi Approach by the European Access Academy
by Elaine Julian, Nicolas S. H. Xander, Konstantina Boumaki, Maria João Garcia, Evelina Jahimovica, Joséphine Mosset-Keane, Monica Hildegard Otto, Mira Pavlovic, Giovanna Scroccaro, Valentina Strammiello, Renato Bernardini, Stefano Capri, Ruben Casado-Arroyo, Thomas Desmet, Walter Van Dyck, Frank-Ulrich Fricke, Fabrizio Gianfrate, Oriol Solà-Morales, Jürgen Wasem, Bernhard J. Wörmann and Jörg Ruofadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
J. Mark. Access Health Policy 2026, 14(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmahp14010005 - 15 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Background: The objective of this work was to support the implementation of the European Health Technology Assessment Regulation (EU HTAR) and optimize performance of the evolving EU HTA system. Therefore, an inclusive multi-stakeholder framework of key performance indicators (KPI) for success measurement was [...] Read more.
Background: The objective of this work was to support the implementation of the European Health Technology Assessment Regulation (EU HTAR) and optimize performance of the evolving EU HTA system. Therefore, an inclusive multi-stakeholder framework of key performance indicators (KPI) for success measurement was developed. Methods: A modified Delphi-procedure was applied as follows: (1) development of a generic KPI pool at the Fall Convention 2024 of the European Access Academy (EAA); (2) review of initial pool and identification of additional KPIs; (3) development of prioritized KPIs covering patient, clinician, Health Technology Developer (HTD), and System/Member State (MS) perspectives, and (4) consolidation of the stakeholder-centric KPIs after EAA’s Spring Convention 2025. Results: Steps 1 and 2 of the Delphi procedure revealed 14 generic KPI domains. Steps 3 and 4 resulted in four prioritized KPIs for patients (patient input; utilization of patient-centric outcome measures; time to access; equity); six for clinicians (population/intervention/comparator/outcomes (PICO); addressing uncertainty; clinician involvement; transparency; equity and time to access); four for HTDs (PICO; joint scientific consultation (JSC) process; joint clinical assessment (JCA) process; time to national decision making); five from a system/MS perspective (PICO; learning and training the health system; reducing duplication; equity and time to access). The scope of, e.g., the PICO-related KPI, differed between stakeholder groups. Also, several KPIs intentionally reached beyond the remit of EU HTA as they are also dependent on MS-specific factors including national health systems and budgets. Discussion and Conclusions: The KPI framework developed here presents a step towards the generation of systematic multi-stakeholder evidence to support a successful implementation of the EU HTAR. The relevance of the identified stakeholder-centric KPIs is confirmed by their alignment with the Health System Goals suggested in the context of “Performance measurement for health improvement” by the World Health Organisation. Implementation of the framework, i.e., measurement of KPIs, is envisioned to provide evidence to inform the 2028 revision of the EU HTAR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection European Health Technology Assessment (EU HTA))
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13 pages, 639 KB  
Article
Fracture Occurrence Within FRAX-Defined High-Risk Myasthenia Gravis: An Exploratory Stratification by Age and Activities of Daily Living
by Takafumi Uchi and Shingo Konno
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(2), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020672 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 139
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures due to long-term oral corticosteroid use and disease-related muscle weakness. FRAX® estimates 10-year fracture probability but does not incorporate falls or MG-specific functional impairment. To explore heterogeneity of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) are at increased risk of osteoporotic fractures due to long-term oral corticosteroid use and disease-related muscle weakness. FRAX® estimates 10-year fracture probability but does not incorporate falls or MG-specific functional impairment. To explore heterogeneity of fracture occurrence within MG patients classified as high risk by FRAX major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) probability. Methods: In a single-center retrospective cohort of 68 MG patients assessed in 2012, FRAX MOF with femoral neck BMD was calculable in 54 patients; the 29 patients with FRAX MOF ≥ 9.0% (the median of these 54 patients) comprised the high-FRAX cohort. Patients were stratified by the cohort medians of age (67 years) and MG-ADL (2 points) into four strata (HH, HL, LH, LL). This median-based stratification was exploratory and not intended as a clinically meaningful threshold. The primary outcome was time to first MOF (up to 10 years). We compared fracture occurrence using both proportions and Kaplan–Meier analyses (log-rank test) and performed exploratory univariable Cox models for selected predictors. No multivariable confounder adjustment was performed. Results: Eight of twenty-nine patients (27.6%) experienced an MOF. The proportions with MOF were HH 25.0%, HL 40.0%, LH 57.1%, and LL 0.0% (global p = 0.068). Kaplan–Meier curves differed across strata (log-rank p = 0.03), with separation most evident between LH and LL. For univariable Cox analyses, age was associated with shorter time to MOF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per year, p = 0.041), and baseline difficulty rising from a chair (MG-ADL item) was associated with higher hazard rates (HR 3.45, p = 0.048). Conclusions: In this small, selected high-FRAX MG cohort, fracture events appeared to cluster in patients with impaired ADL and fall-related MG-ADL abnormalities, whereas FRAX values remained strongly age-driven. These findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating and should not be interpreted as evidence of FRAX miscalibration; confirmation in larger, prospectively followed cohorts is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)
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