Publications

Background : The use of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods is very low in Pakistan with high discontinuation rates mainly attributed to method-related side effects. Mixed evidence is available on the effectiveness of different client follow-up approaches used to ensure method continuation. We compared the effectiveness of active and passive follow-p approaches in sustaining the use of LARC-and within 'active' follow-up, we ...

BACKGROUND: A paucity of evidence regarding the natural history of congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) and pulmonary sequestration (PS) has resulted in a divergence in management strategy of asymptomatic cases. METHODS: We describe the long-term clinical course of 119 children diagnosed with these lesions treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Cases were identified via the GOSH patient database. Study entry required the ...

OBJECTIVES: While several cross-sectional studies have investigated the acute effects of shoe drop on running biomechanics, the long-term consequences are currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate if the drop of standard cushioned shoes induces specific adaptations in running technique over a six-month period in leisure-time runners. DESIGN: Double-blinded randomised controlled trial. METHODS: The participants (n=59) received a pair of ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of individuals with early sustained recovery following first episode psychosis. METHODS: Individuals with a first episode psychosis were followed-up for ten years. Comparisons were made between those with Early Sustained Recovery and those with Other Course types. RESULTS: Of 345 individuals, n=43 (12.5%) had Early Sustained Recovery. They were more likely than those with Other Course types to be female ...

Background: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of multiple physical activity counseling strategies on subjective health among older adults. Methods: Sedentary older adults (n = 442) were randomized to three programs: (1) a one-contact referral to locally-organized physical activities, (2) a one-contact provision of a walking program, (3) a ten-week multiple-contact physical activity coaching based on the Self-Determination Theory. ...

In-depth understanding of factors perceived by young people with congenital heart disease (CHD) to affect continued follow-up care is needed to tailor preventive strategies for discontinuation of follow-up care. To identify facilitating factors, low-prevalence settings in terms of discontinuation should be investigated. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study describes factors affecting continued follow-up as perceived and experienced by young adults ...

In-depth understanding of factors perceived by young people with congenital heart disease (CHD) to affect continued follow-up care is needed to tailor preventive strategies for discontinuation of follow-up care. To identify facilitating factors, low-prevalence settings in terms of discontinuation should be investigated. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study describes factors affecting continued follow-up as perceived and experienced by young adults ...

We compared the predictive power for a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) of four home blood pressure (BP) indices (systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean BP, and pulse pressure (PP)) obtained at baseline before treatment and during the on-treatment follow-up period in 3147 patients with essential hypertension (women: 50.1%, mean age: 59.5 years). Associations between MACE and each index were determined using Cox proportional hazard models and ...

Aims: Studies reporting improved left ventricular (LV) function of percutaneous skeletal myoblast (SkM) injection in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy had follow-up not exceeding 12 months, and did not include a control group. Our group has reported evidence for myoblast efficacy in the first five out of the 14 treated patients. The objective of the present evaluation was to assess if these effects were sustained at long-term follow-up. We ...

Background: The psychological impact of COVID-19 can be substantial. However, knowledge about long-term psychological outcomes in patients with COVID-19 is scarce. Objective: In this longitudinal, observational study, we aimed to reveal symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of anxiety and depression up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19-related symptoms in patients with confirmed COVID-19 and persistent complaints. ...