ABSTRACTBackground and AimsDepression is now a worldwide public health issue among elderly, with particularly high prevalence among those residing in old‐age homes. In Bangladesh, limited research has been conducted on this vulnerable population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and identify associated factors among elderly individuals living in old‐age homes in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted from September 22 to November 15, 2025, among 158 elderly individuals ( ≥ 60 years) residing in old‐age homes in Gazipur, Chattogram, and Noakhali. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle, social support, health, and institutional factors were collected, and depression was assessed using the short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while Chi‐square tests and binary logistic regression were used to identify associations and predictors of geriatric depression.ResultsThe study found that 82.3% of the elderly residents were experiencing depression and it increases with advancing age, particularly among those aged 70 years and above. Gender, type of illness, and satisfaction with services in old age homes were identified as significant predictors of depression among elderly residents. Females were considerably more likely to experience depression than males, and individuals with physical illnesses had higher odds of depression compared to those with mental health conditions. Moreover, participants reporting neutral satisfaction with old age home facilities were more prone to depression than those who were very satisfied.ConclusionThe findings indicate a high prevalence of depression among elderly residents of old‐age homes in Bangladesh, with several sociodemographic health‐related and institutional factors contributing to its severity. These results highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and improved care services, which may assist policymakers in developing effective strategies to address geriatric mental health issues in Bangladesh.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.72348.].

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsUrinary tract stones (kidney and ureter) are a common medical condition. Recently, advancements in minimally invasive endoscopic procedures have significantly transformed the surgical management of urolithiasis.MethodsThe study enrolled 123 patients with kidney stones who underwent FURS with laser lithotripsy in the period between January 2021 and January 2023. The patients were divided into two groups, first one includes patients who underwent FURS with UAS and the second group include those who underwent FURS without UAS. The patients who underwent FURS with UAS and without UAS were compared based on operative time, complications, and stone‐free rate. The patients underwent CT scan of the urinary tract after two to 4 weeks.ResultsA total of 123 patients who underwent FURS with laser lithotripsy between January 2021 and January 2023 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them, 58 patients (47%) underwent FURS with UAS, while 65 patients (53%) underwent FURS without UAS. The use of UAS is associated with a significant reduction in operative time and a higher stone‐free rate compared to patients who underwent FURS without UAS. The complications were comparable between patients who underwent FURS with UAS and without UAS.ConclusionThe use of UAS is associated with a significant reduction in operative time and a higher stone‐free rate compared to patients who underwent FURS without UAS.

ABSTRACTBackgroundForeseeing how policy impacts pregnant women and infants is limited by ethical challenges of experimental research within these groups. The COVID‐19 pandemic generated natural experiments, offering rare opportunities to explore associations between specific policy responses and maternal‐infant health outcomes. These insights are useful for informing policy design aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.AimsTo systematically review evidence of associations between COVID‐19 policies, OxCGRT Stringency Index (a University of Oxford tool for comparing the stringency of policies) and maternal‐infant health outcomes during pregnancy, birth, and the first 12 months postpartum from 2020‐2022 in high‐income countries.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched (January 1 2020‐July 9 2022) using subject headings, keywords, and variants for “COVID‐19”, “policies”, “perinatal”, and “randomized”, and “non‐randomized” study designs. Eligible studies were from high‐income countries, published in English, and used comparison groups. Two reviewers independently extracted and analyzed data. Heterogeneity and risk of bias made meta‐analysis inappropriate. Outcomes were instead reported using tables and visuals of effect sizes, ratio estimates, and 95% confidence intervals.ResultsOf 3143 citations, 35 studies met inclusion criteria. All reported high OxCGRT Stringency Index during exposure, validating the fidelity of adhering to defined policy exposure periods. Lockdown was associated with reductions in preterm and low birthweight births, infant emergency admissions, and breast feeding women, and increases in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. Telehealth was associated with earlier gestational age at antenatal visits and less breast feeding women. Maternal mental health and stillbirth results were mixed.ConclusionHigh stringency policies, including lockdowns and telehealth, were associated with both favorable and adverse maternal‐infant outcomes. Findings inform avenues for future causal inference research and areas for mitigation planning should high stringency policies be reintroduced, supporting progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, particularly predominant in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Pharmacists play a crucial role in combating AMR, especially through antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives. In Ghana, the training of pharmacists includes a mandatory 1‐year internship before licensure, aimed at ensuring that graduates are well‐prepared to deliver high‐quality pharmaceutical care. However, the extent to which this training equips interns to address AMR, especially through AMS, remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and perceptions of pharmacy interns in Ghana on antimicrobial use (AMU), AMR, and AMS to identify gaps or deficiencies in their training.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 195 pharmacy interns who had just sat for the Ghana Pharmacy Professional Qualifying Examination (GPPQE). A questionnaire adapted from previously published studies was used to collect data. Data were analyzed descriptively using Google Sheets. Knowledge scores were categorized using Bloom's cut‐off criteria: a score of ≥ 80% was considered “good,” while < 80% was classified as “moderate to poor.”ResultsMost interns had received training on AMU (92.3%), AMR (90.3%), and AMS (81.5%). Good knowledge levels were observed for AMU (65.6%) and AMR (58.9%); however, only 43.1% demonstrated good AMS knowledge. Despite 92.3% of interns perceiving the quantity and quality of their knowledge to be good, only 58.0% strongly agreed they had received sufficient training, and 64.6% expressed a desire for further education on AMU, AMR, and AMS, reflecting awareness of training gaps.ConclusionAlthough most interns received training, there were critical knowledge gaps present, particularly in AMS. While interns held positive perceptions of their stewardship roles, a gap exists between their self‐assessed knowledge and objective knowledge performance, especially regarding AMS. Reviewing internship training objectives and harmonizing AMS education across training institutions is recommended to ensure that pharmacy graduates are well prepared for their stewardship roles in practice.

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsTeledentistry is a subset of telehealth that uses live audio and video calls, plus data sharing, to deliver dental care remotely. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the scope, methods, and effectiveness of teledentistry in the diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of oral and dental diseases.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on June 27, 2023, without time restrictions. Reference lists of included studies were also checked for additional records. Eligible studies included original observational and interventional research examining the use, application, benefits, or challenges of teledentistry in oral and dental healthcare. Only English‐language articles were included. Excluded items were reviews, conference abstracts, editorials, letters, books, and studies lacking empirical or outcome data. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Descriptive synthesis was performed using SPSS version 19.ResultsOut of 1352 retrieved records, 402 duplicates were removed, and 34 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross‐sectional (79%), conducted mainly in India (21%), and focused on tele‐diagnosis (52%). The majority employed asynchronous communication (53%) and mobile‐based platforms (44%). Oral cavity‐focused studies constituted 62% of the sample. The evidence demonstrated that teledentistry can facilitate accurate, cost‐effective, and timely diagnosis and consultation, expanding access to dental care, especially in underserved regions.ConclusionTeledentistry has proven to be an effective supplementary approach for diagnosing, consulting, and treating oral and dental diseases, strengthening remote access to specialized care and bridging inequalities in dental health services. The included studies exhibited methodological heterogeneity, limited geographic representation, and a predominance of cross‐sectional designs, which restricted comparative analysis and generalizability.

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn women, breast cancer (BC) occurs more often than any other cancer worldwide and in Bangladesh. Genetic susceptibility, including functional polymorphisms affecting microRNA binding, may contribute to BC risk. This study aims to investigate the association between KRAS 3' UTR gene polymorphisms (rs712 and rs61764370) and BC risk in the Bangladeshi population.MethodsA hospital‐based case‐control study was conducted involving histopathologically confirmed 112 BC patients and 124 age‐matched healthy controls (HCs). Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP). Genotype distributions were evaluated for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression under multiple genetic models. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with adjustment for age and BMI.ResultsGenotype distributions of both rs712 and rs61764370 complied with Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE). The rs712 TT genotype was associated with reduced BC risk (aOR = 0.065, 95% CI: 0.009–0.504; p = 0.009), whereas the rs61764370 TG genotype was associated with increased risk (aOR = 2.566, 95% CI: 1.461–4.506; p = 0.001). However, after considering multiple testing and limited covariate adjustment, these associations should be interpreted cautiously.ConclusionKRAS rs712 and rs61764370 polymorphisms may influence BC susceptibility in Bangladeshi women. Larger studies with comprehensive confounder adjustment and multiple testing correction are required to validate these findings.

Pulmonary aspiration and foreign body in the airway (PAFBA) is one of the medical emergencies, which can mostly affect children and geriatrics. Reporting the epidemiology of this condition is necessary to plan preventive and controlling measures. Our objective was to investigate the burden of PAFBA in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its 21 countries from 1990 to 2021, with age and sex patterns. Moreover, the relationship with the socio-demographic index (SDI) and the PAFBA burden was evaluated. We extracted incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and death counts and rates of PAFBA for MENA and countries from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. The association with SDI was investigated using the smoothing spline model. The raw frequencies and age-standardized rates were represented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). In 2021, age-standardized PAFBA rates per 100,000 in the MENA region were as follows: incidence at 15.0 (11.8, 19.1), prevalence at 23.8 (19.7, 28.6), DALYs at 38.5 (23.0, 47.5), and mortality at 0.6 (0.4, 0.8), all showing declines since 1990. Lebanon and Afghanistan reported the highest age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates, while Afghanistan and Sudan had the highest DALY and mortality rates. The under-five age group showed the greatest burden in incidence, DALYs, and deaths, with males more affected than females. A negative association with SDI was observed. Despite a decline in PAFBA burden over the past 32 years in the MENA region, mortality rates and DALYs remain high. Prioritizing public awareness programs and improving diagnostic and treatment methods are essential to further reduce this burden.

Standard protocols for the direct anterior approach (DAA) typically employ a longitudinal incision, which violates Langer's lines and may compromise scar esthetics. The oblique "bikini" incision aims to improve cosmesis by following natural skin tension lines, but it raises anatomical concerns regarding iatrogenic lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the safety, functional, and esthetic outcomes of the bikini incision versus the traditional longitudinal incision in DAA total hip arthroplasty (THA). Adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched major databases for comparative studies (both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohorts) of bikini versus longitudinal incisions in DAA-THA. Primary outcomes were scar cosmesis and LFCN injury incidence. Secondary outcomes included operative time and wound complications. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity based on study design. Eight studies comprising 2017 hips were included. The bikini incision demonstrated significantly superior scar cosmesis (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI [-1.00, -0.24]; p = 0.001) without increasing operative time (MD = -0.52 min; 95% CI [-2.62, 1.58]; p = 0.63). The pooled analysis showed no significant difference in overall LFCN injury risk (OR = 1.19; 95% CI [0.60, 2.36]; p = 0.61); however, subgroup analysis of high-quality RCTs indicated a higher risk in the bikini group (OR = 2.15; 95% CI [1.26, 3.68]; p = 0.005). Additionally, the bikini group exhibited a potential trend toward reduced wound complications, though this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.42; 95% CI [0.15, 1.15]; p = 0.09). The bikini incision offers superior scar esthetics without prolonging operative time and demonstrates a potential trend toward minimizing wound complications. However, surgeons must remain vigilant regarding LFCN anatomy, as rigorous RCTs suggest a higher anatomical risk of nerve injury. This approach is recommended primarily for experienced surgeons who have surpassed the standard DAA learning curve.

The global rise in obesity, a major driver of metabolic diseases, has prompted scrutiny of distinct obesity phenotypes. While overall obesity is concerning, abdominal obesity demonstrates a stronger association with metabolic dysfunction, type 2 diabetes (DM2), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review examines the risk of DM2, CVD, and mortality in adults with a metabolically healthy abdominal obese phenotype. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest was conducted on April 7, 2025, to identify prospective cohort studies in adults. Eligible studies compared MHAO individuals to metabolically healthy, non-abdominally obese (MHNAO) controls, focusing on outcomes including incident T2DM, fatal and non-fatal CVD events, and all-cause mortality. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Six prospective cohort studies (n = 98,329) were included. Metabolically unhealthy individuals, regardless of abdominal obesity status, had significantly increased risks of T2DM (RR 9.00, 95% CI 7.51-10.50 for MUHAO; RR 5.03, 95% CI 4.11-5.94 for MUHNAO), CVD, and all-cause mortality (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.42-1.93 for MUHAO; HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.36-1.79 for MUHNAO). In contrast, MHAO individuals did not show significantly elevated risks of T2DM (RR 2.44, 95% CI 0.95-3.94), CVD, or all-cause mortality (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.88-1.27) compared to MHNAO controls. Substantial heterogeneity (I² > 50%) was observed, partly explained by differences in outcome definitions and metabolic classifications. While metabolically unhealthy phenotypes are strongly associated with adverse health outcomes, individuals with MHAO appear to have risk profiles comparable to their metabolically healthy, non-abdominally obese counterparts. Nevertheless, abdominal adiposity and metabolic status remain critical determinants of long-term health, and the MHAO phenotype may not be entirely benign. Trial Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42019111056).