ABSTRACT
Studies and initiatives such as the "Choosing wisely" (CW) campaign emphasise evidence-based investigations and treatment to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The perception of the extent of medical overactivity among professionals and drivers behind are not well studied in the paediatric field. Aim: We aimed to investigate the physicians' opinion and clarify the main drivers regarding medical overactivity in member countries of the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP). Methods: In this study, paediatricians, paediatric residents, primary care paediatricians, and family doctors treating children were surveyed in Norway, Lithuania, Ukraine, Italy, and Switzerland. Over-investigation was defined as "diagnostic work-up or referral that is unlikely to provide information which is relevant for a patient" and overtreatment was defined as "treatment that does not benefit or can harm more than benefit the patient." The original questionnaire was developed in 2018 by a working group from the Norwegian Paediatric Association. Results: Overall, 1,416 medical doctors participated in the survey, ranging from 144 in Lithuania to 337 in Switzerland. 83% stated that they experienced over-investigation/overtreatment, and 81% perceived this as a problem. The majority (83%) perceived expectations from family and patients as the most important driver for overtreatment in their country. Other drivers for overuse were use of national guidelines/recommendations, worry for reactions, and reduction of uncertainty. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating knowledge and attitude toward medical overactivity in European countries. Despite different cultural and economic environments, the patterns and drivers of increased investigations and medicalisation are similar.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Psychosocial factors have been associated with both a prothrombotic state and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the relation of depressive symptoms and social support with D-dimer, an integrative measure of enhanced coagulation activity, and several additional prothrombotic measures in patients with VTE. METHODS: We studied 173 patients with a previous deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism (mean age ± SD 45 ± 14 years, 55% men). Clinical and lab assessments took place ≥ 3 months after VTE and ≥ 1 month after discontinuation of oral anticoagulants. The patients rated depressive symptoms and social support by validated questionnaires. RESULTS: After adjusting for sociodemographic and medical covariates, interactions emerged between depressive symptoms and social support for D-dimer (p=0.012) and aPTT (p=0.002). As opposed to patients with high levels of social support, those with low levels of social support showed a direct association of depressive symptoms with D-dimer (r=0.19, p=0.014) and an inverse relationship with aPTT (r=-0.14, p<0.09). Depressive symptoms were associated with levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (r=0.19, p=0.016). Greater social support was associated with prolonged aPTT (r=0.16, p=0.046). There were no significant associations of depressive symptoms and social support with D-dimer, fibrinogen, FII:C, FV:C, FVII:C, FVIII:C, FX:C, INR, and thrombin time. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are associated with enhanced coagulation activity in patients with VTE, particularly so in those who perceive low levels of social support. Conversely, high levels of social support may contribute directly and through buffering the effect of depressive symptoms to attenuated clotting activity in VTE patients.
