In January, 5 new articles entered our top ten most read list. The Top 10 is compiled based on full text views, including downloads of the full article PDFs.
Frequency, demographics, diagnoses and consultation patterns associated with low-acuity attendances in German emergency departments: a retrospective routine healthcare data analysis from the INDEED project
Our most read new entry is a multicenter study by Fischer-Rosinský and colleagues who examined the prevalence and characteristics of low-acuity emergency department visits in Germany. Analyzing 370,756 emergency department visits from 2016, they found that 27.3% were classified as low acuity. Younger patients were more likely to have low-acuity presentations, with the likelihood decreasing with age. Low-acuity visits peaked on weekends compared to weekdays, and common diagnoses, such as back pain and abdominal pain, were similar across both acuity levels.
Trajectories of functional limitations, health-related quality of life and societal costs in individuals with long COVID: a population-based longitudinal cohort study
A second new entry and sixth most read paper of the month is a population-based longitudinal study by Wang et al., assessing the functional recovery, health-related quality of life, and societal costs of individuals seeking care for long COVID in the UK. Over six months in the Living With Covid Recovery (LWCR) programme, patients reported minimal improvements in functional limitations, fatigue, and quality of life, regardless of how long they remained engaged. Persistent impairment significantly affected work capacity, leading to substantial economic burdens for individuals and society. Authors conclude that factors such as gender and deprivation should be considered when devising health policy recommendations for the treatment and management of long COVID.
Effects of nurse-home visiting on intimate partner violence and maternal income, mental health and self-efficacy by 24 months postpartum: a randomised controlled trial (British Columbia Healthy Connections Project)
This study by Catherine and colleagues evaluated the impact of the Nurse-Family Partnership, a home-visiting program, on maternal outcomes in British Columbia, Canada. At 24 months postpartum, young, first-time mothers experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage who participated in the program reported lower exposure to intimate partner violence, higher incomes, and reduced psychological distress. However, initial gains in self-efficacy were not sustained. The authors suggest that further long-term follow-up could provide valuable insights to guide policy and program development in Canada.
*Most read figures are based on pdf downloads and full text views. Abstract views are excluded.