Clinical Research Directory

CRP and Patient Information Leaflets to Optimise Antibiotic Treatments for Adults With Respiratory Tract Infections in Primary Care in Kyrgyzstan

This study aims to determine how CRP levels and Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) affect antibiotic prescribing in adults with acute respiratory symptoms in Kyrgyz primary care. It will evaluate the effectiveness of PILs in reducing antibiotic use and ensuring safety and assess the effectiveness and safety of three CRP thresholds (20, 40, 60 mg/L) for adults with acute respiratory tract infections. Conducted as a multicentre, open label, individually randomized controlled clinical trial with 21 days of blinded follow-up, the study will compare PIL to no PIL in a 1:1 ratio and assess antibiotic use and safety across the three CRP cut-offs in a 1:1:1 ratio, resulting in six groups. The trial will take place in 14 district primary healthcare centres in rural Kyrgyzstan and one urban primary healthcare centre in Bishkek.

Pulses: Optimizing Pulse Consumption for Cardiometabolic Health

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of consuming two different doses of pulses (1.5 cups/week or 3 cups/week) in individuals with baseline intake below 1.5 cups/week, compared to a control group receiving standard nutrition education based on the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) My Plate guidelines. The main question the Pulses study aims to answer is: • What is the effect of increasing pulse consumption (in a dose-response manner) on specific cardiometabolic risk factors, including LDL-C, CRP, HBA1C, and blood pressure compared to standard nutrition education? For secondary outcomes, this study aims to answer the following: • Does increased pulse consumption improve the following: overall serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, Triglycerides (TG), diet quality (measured by the Healthy Eating Index), and participants self-reported satisfaction with life (SWLS) and Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWFoL). All participants will attend biweekly classes and food demonstrations. The pulses groups will learn to prepare various pulse-based recipes, while the control group will receive guidance on preparing healthy meals following the USDA MyPlate recommendations.

Is the CRP-Albumin-Lymphocyte (CALLY) Index Effective in Predicting Postoperative Delirium in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery

Introduction: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication in elderly surgical patients and is significantly associated with prolonged hospital stays, cognitive impairment, functional decline, and increased mortality rates within 6 to 12 months. Its incidence has been reported to range between 10% and 70%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used, the population studied, and the type of surgical procedure performed. The incidence is particularly higher following vascular, cardiac, and hip fracture surgeries. According to the 2024 updated guidelines by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC), POD should be screened at least once daily for a minimum of three days, beginning in the post-anesthesia recovery unit, based on the DSM-5 criteria. POD is a complex syndrome associated with various phenotypes and is likely the result of a combination of neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress processes. Candidate biomarkers for POD include inflammatory parameters (such as interleukins, C-reactive protein \[CRP\], erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CD68), dopamine receptors, norepinephrine levels, cortisol levels, genetic biomarkers (e.g., apolipoprotein E4), acetylcholinesterase levels, and albumin levels. However, systemic stress can lead to nonspecific activation of the immune system, resulting in a decrease in lymphocyte count. Although the relationships between CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte count with POD have been individually investigated in the literature, no study has examined the combined effect of these three parameters. Based on this, we aimed to investigate whether the CRP-Albumin-Lymphocyte (CALLY) Index, a novel index not previously reported in the literature, is effective in predicting POD in geriatric patients with hip fractures. The CALLY Index is calculated using the formula: (Albumin × Lymphocyte) / (CRP × 10⁴). Aim/Hypothesis: H₀: The CALLY Index cannot predict the risk of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. H₁: The CALLY Index can predict the risk of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Material-Methods: The following data will be recorded for each patient: * Demographic variables: age, sex, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification * Comorbidities and medication use * Smoking and alcohol consumption history * Preoperative laboratory parameters: obtained from the hospital information system for CALLY Index calculation * Perioperative variables: type and duration of anesthesia, duration of surgery, type of surgical procedure, estimated blood loss, blood product transfusion status, and occurrence of intraoperative adverse events * Postoperative data: * Ward of admission after surgery (orthopedic ward/intensive care unit) * Presence of delirium, assessed twice daily (morning and evening) for three days using DSM-5 criteria, starting in the post-anesthesia recovery unit * Occurrence of postoperative complications * Length of stay in the intensive care unit * Total hospital length of stay * Mortality status Patients aged 65 years and older who undergo surgery for femoral neck or intertrochanteric fractures will be included in the study. Patients with preoperative delirium, preoperative dementia, pathological or open fractures, systemic or localized infections in the fracture region during the preoperative period, or multiple trauma will be excluded. Additionally, those with a BMI \<18.5 or ≥35 chronic organ failure, or advanced-stage cancer will be excluded from the study.