Health and care research cafe

Validation of a patient-reported outcome measure for giant cell arteritis

We discuss about the validation of a new patient-reported outcome measure specifically for individuals with giant cell arteritis (GCA). It involved reducing an initial set of questionnaire items through rigorous statistical analyses to create a concise 30-item instrument called GCA-PRO. The study provides evidence for the GCA-PRO validity and reliability in assessing the impact of GCA on patients health-related quality of life. https://tinyurl.com/w6bp7ex9 

Faustine Ndugulile: A Visionary Leader for Health Equity

This Journal of Public Health in Africa article serves as an obituary for Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile (1969-2024), a respected Tanzanian global health leader. It outlines his impressive career, spanning clinical practice, public service as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Health Minister, and his recent election as WHO Regional Director for Africa.
https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/1316/html

Nurse-led care in early rheumatoid arthritis

These two research articles explore nurse-led care for individuals with early rheumatoid arthritis. Perspectives of patients and rheumatology nurse specialists in England.
Anne-Marie Tetsche Sweeney et al (2021) https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15531
Anne-Marie Tetsche Sweeney et al (2023) https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1844 
 

Steroid PRO Validity in Inflammatory Conditions

This is an international study of patients from the UK and USA with a range of different demographics and inflammatory respiratory, gastroenterological and dermatological conditions treated with oral glucocorticoids. The aim was to assess face validity, content validity and feasibility of the Steroid PRO

Butter vs seed oils - intake and mortality

Associations of butter and plant-based oil intakes with risk of total and cause-specific mortality among US adults.
Based on 3 cohort studies: Nurses' Health Study (1990-2023), the Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2023), and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1990-2023).

Patient perspectives on the impact of appearance and weight changes attributed to systemic glucocorticoid treatment of rheumatic diseases

This research article explores how appearance and weight changes due to systemic glucocorticoid treatment for rheumatic diseases impact patients' lives, based on interviews with individuals in the UK, USA, and Australia.
Lax SJ, Dures E, Bridgewater S, Silverthorne C, et al (2025). Rheumatology (Oxford). 2025 Mar 3:keaf121. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keaf121

Observational studies - intermediate level

This resource is a presentation on observational studies within health and care research, covering their types, strengths, and limitations. It begins by defining cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies, providing examples and contrasting their advantages and disadvantages.

Observational studies (simpler explanations)

This source provides an overview of observational studies, highlighting their purpose, characteristics, and limitations. It begins by outlining three types of observational studies including cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies, detailing their respective strengths and weaknesses with specific examples. 
M Ndosi - UWE Bristol

Disconnect - Smartphones in secondary schools

This "Disconnect" study, published by Policy Exchange, investigates the impact of smartphone bans in UK schools. It addresses the growing concern over declining youth mental health and explores the link between smartphone use and academic performance.

Geographical differences in the perspective of osteoarthritis care management: A cross‐sectional study in Italy, Sweden and Russia

This study uncovered variations in awareness, treatment preferences, and beliefs among the three countries, underscoring the necessity for tailored education on OA management that accounts for regional differences across Europe.
Battista et al (2024) Differences in osteoarthritis care - a study in Italy, Sweden and Russia. Musculoskeletal Care https://dx.doi.org10.1002/msc.1934