BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bladder cancer (BCa) imposes a substantial economic burden on health care systems and patients. Understanding these financial implications is crucial for effective resource allocation and optimization of treatment cost effectiveness. Here, we aim to systematically review and analyze the financial burden of BCa from the health care and patient perspectives. METHODS: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA)-compliant systematic review was conducted, searching PubMed/Medline, Embase, and public sources for studies evaluating the financial impact of BCa, encompassing costs, cost effectiveness, and financial toxicity (FT). KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: Non-muscle-invasive BCa (NMIBC) incurs significant costs for surveillance and treatment, with costs exceeding $200 000 after 5 yr for high-risk NMIBC patients progressing after bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment (including inpatient, outpatient, and physician service expenses). Muscle-invasive BCa generates substantial costs from radical cystectomy (RC) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, averaging $30 000-40 000 from surgical costs of RC, with additional expenses in case of complications. Trimodal therapy has higher costs (1-yr management cost >$200 000) than RC because of higher outpatient, radiology, and medication costs. Metastatic BCa incurs the highest financial burden, with systemic therapy costs ranging from $40 000 to over $100 000 per five-cycle course, increasing further with combination therapies (ie, enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab), treatment-related toxicity, and supportive care. FT is particularly prevalent among younger, less educated, and minority populations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: BCa treatment, particularly in advanced stages, imposes a substantial economic burden. Innovations in care, while improving oncologic outcomes, necessitate detailed cost-effectiveness assessments. Addressing these economic challenges is essential for optimizing BCa management, targeting patients at a higher risk of FT, and improving patient quality of life.
- MeSH
- Cost-Benefit Analysis MeSH
- Cystectomy economics adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neoplasm Metastasis MeSH
- Urinary Bladder Neoplasms * economics therapy pathology MeSH
- Health Care Costs * MeSH
- Cost of Illness * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Systematic Review MeSH
BACKGROUND: Widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has reduced vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We describe the serotype distribution of IPD after extensive use of ten-valent PCV (PCV10; Synflorix, GSK) and 13-valent PCV (PCV13; Prevenar 13, Pfizer) globally. METHODS: IPD data were obtained from surveillance sites participating in the WHO-commissioned Pneumococcal Serotype Replacement and Distribution Estimation (PSERENADE) project that exclusively used PCV10 or PCV13 (hereafter PCV10 and PCV13 sites, respectively) in their national immunisation programmes and had primary series uptake of at least 70%. Serotype distribution was estimated for IPD cases occurring 5 years or more after PCV10 or PCV13 introduction (ie, the mature period when the serotype distribution had stabilised) using multinomial Dirichlet regression, stratified by PCV product and age group (<5 years, 5-17 years, 18-49 years, and ≥50 years). FINDINGS: The analysis included cases occurring primarily between 2015 and 2018 from 42 PCV13 sites (63 362 cases) and 12 PCV10 sites (6806 cases) in 41 countries. Sites were mostly high income (36 [67%] of 54) and used three-dose or four-dose booster schedules (44 [81%]). At PCV10 sites, PCV10 serotypes caused 10·0% (95% CI 6·3-12·9) of IPD cases in children younger than 5 years and 15·5% (13·4-19·3) of cases in adults aged 50 years or older, while PCV13 serotypes caused 52·1% (49·2-65·4) and 45·6% (40·0-50·0), respectively. At PCV13 sites, PCV13 serotypes caused 26·4% (21·3-30·0) of IPD cases in children younger than 5 years and 29·5% (27·5-33·0) of cases in adults aged 50 years or older. The leading serotype at PCV10 sites was 19A in children younger than 5 years (30·6% [95% CI 18·2-43·1]) and adults aged 50 years or older (14·8% [11·9-17·8]). Serotype 3 was a top-ranked serotype, causing about 9% of cases in children younger than 5 years and 14% in adults aged 50 years or older at both PCV10 and PCV13 sites. Across all age and PCV10 or PCV13 strata, the proportion of IPD targeted by higher-valency PCVs beyond PCV13 was 4·1-9·7% for PCV15, 13·5-36·0% for PCV20, 29·9-53·8% for PCV21, 15·6-42·0% for PCV24, and 31·5-50·1% for PCV25. All top-ten ranked non-PCV13 serotypes are included in at least one higher-valency PCV. INTERPRETATION: The proportion of IPD due to serotypes included in PCVs in use was low in mature PCV10 and PCV13 settings. Serotype distribution differed between PCV10 and PCV13 sites and age groups. Higher-valency PCVs target most remaining IPD and are expected to extend impact. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the WHO Pneumococcal Vaccines Technical Coordination Project.
- MeSH
- Global Health MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Immunization Programs MeSH
- Pneumococcal Infections * prevention & control epidemiology microbiology MeSH
- Pneumococcal Vaccines * administration & dosage MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Serogroup * MeSH
- Streptococcus pneumoniae * classification immunology MeSH
- Vaccines, Conjugate administration & dosage MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: A multicomponent meningococcal serogroups ABCWY vaccine (MenABCWY) could provide broad protection against disease-causing meningococcal strains and simplify the immunisation schedule. The aim of this trial was to confirm the effect of the licensed meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, against diverse MenB strains, and to assess the breadth of immune response against a panel of 110 MenB strains for MenABCWY containing the antigenic components of 4CMenB and licensed serogroups ACWY vaccine, MenACWY-CRM, the non-inferiority of the immune response with MenABCWY versus 4CMenB and MenACWY-CRM, safety, and MenABCWY lot-to-lot consistency. METHODS: We conducted a phase 3 randomised, controlled, observer-blinded trial of healthy adolescents and young adults (age 10-25 years) across 114 centres in Australia, Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Türkiye, and the USA. Exclusion criteria included previous vaccination with a MenB vaccine or (within the last 4 years) MenACWY vaccine. Participants were randomly allocated (5:5:3:3:3:1 ratio) via a central randomisation system using a minimisation procedure to receive 4CMenB at months 0, 2, and 6 (referred to as 4CMenB 0-2-6 hereafter); or 4CMenB at months 0 and 6 (referred to as 4CMenB 0-6 hereafter); or MenABCWY (three groups, each receiving one production lot of the MenACWY-CRM component) at months 0 and 6; or MenACWY-CRM at month 0. Demonstration in the per-protocol set of the consistency of three MenACWY-CRM component lots of the MenABCWY vaccine was a primary objective (demonstrated with two-sided 95% CIs for the ratio of human serum bactericidal antibody [hSBA] geometric mean titres against each serogroup within predefined criteria [0·5-2·0]). The primary endpoints (breadth of immune response) for the MenB component of MenABCWY and 4CMenB were measured using the endogenous complement hSBA (enc-hSBA) assay against a panel of 110 diverse MenB invasive disease strains. For each serum sample, 35 strains from the 110 MenB strain panel were randomly selected for testing. The 4CMenB breadth of immune response data have been published separately. For MenABCWY, breadth of immune response was assessed in two analyses: a test-based analysis of the percentage of samples (tests) without bactericidal serum activity against MenB strains 1 month after two MenABCWY doses versus the percentage after one MenACWY-CRM dose in the per-protocol set, and a responder-based analysis of the percentage of participants (responders) whose sera killed 70% or more strains at 1 month after two MenABCWY doses in the full analysis set. A lower limit of two-sided 95% CI above 65% would demonstrate breadth of immune response. Other primary outcomes included non-inferiority (5% margin) of two MenABCWY doses versus two 4CMenB doses by enc-hSBA assay in the per-protocol set, non-inferiority (10% margin) of two MenABCWY doses versus one MenACWY-CRM dose in MenACWY vaccine-naive participants by traditional hSBA assay in the per-protocol set, and safety in all vaccinated participants. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04502693, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between Aug 14, 2020, and Sept 3, 2021, 3651 participants were enrolled and randomly allocated (900 in the 4CMenB 0-2-6 group and 908 in the 4CMenB 0-6 group, 1666 in the three MenABCWY groups combined, and 177 in the MenACWY-CRM group). All primary objectives for MenABCWY were met. Consistency of immune responses against the three production lots of the MenACWY component of MenABCWY was demonstrated since two-sided 95% CIs for the ratios of hSBA geometric mean titres against serogroups A, C, W, and Y for each pair of lots were within the predefined equivalence criteria. The lot data were pooled for the remainder of MenABCWY endpoints. By enc-hSBA assay, breadth of immune response against the MenB strain panel was 77·9% (95% CI 76·6 to 79·2) in the test-based analysis and 84·1% (81·4 to 86·5; 687 of 817 participants) in the responder-based analysis. Non-inferiority of MenABCWY to 4CMenB was demonstrated by enc-hSBA assay: the difference in percentage of samples with bactericidal serum activity between the MenABCWY group (82·5% [95% CI 82·1 to 83·0]; 21 222 of 25 715) and 4CMenB 0-2 group (83·1% [82·7 to 83·6]; 22 921 of 27 569) was -0·61% (-1·25 to 0·03). Non-inferiority of two-dose MenABCWY to one-dose MenACWY-CRM was demonstrated by traditional hSBA assay, with differences between the MenABCWY group and MenACWY group in percentages of participants with a four-fold rise in hSBA titres of 11·3% (5·9 to 19·0) for serogroup A, 47·2% (38·1 to 56·3) for serogroup C, 35·3% (26·9 to 44·5) for serogroup W, and 27·0% (19·4 to 35·8) for serogroup Y. MenABCWY reactogenicity was mostly of mild or moderate severity and transient, with similar frequencies of adverse events in the MenABCWY and 4CMenB groups and no safety concerns were identified. INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrates breadth of immune response against a panel of 110 MenB strains for the MenB component of the investigational MenABCWY vaccine, when administered as a 0-6 months schedule to the target population of adolescents and young adults, with predefined criteria for success met for both breadth of immune response endpoints and for non-inferiority versus 4CMenB. This investigational vaccine could provide broad meningococcal serogroup coverage in a simplified immunisation schedule, thus aiding the public health attempt in preventing invasive meningococcal disease due to five Neisseria meningitidis serogroups in adolescents and young adults. FUNDING: GSK.
- MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine * MeSH
- Single-Blind Method MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Meningococcal Infections * prevention & control immunology MeSH
- Meningococcal Vaccines * immunology adverse effects administration & dosage MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B immunology MeSH
- Neisseria meningitidis immunology MeSH
- Antibodies, Bacterial blood MeSH
- Healthy Volunteers MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Equivalence Trial MeSH
- Clinical Trial, Phase III MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) exhibits significant variation in auricular surface morphology. This variation influences the mechanics of the SIJ, a central node for transmitting mechanical energy from upper body to lower limbs and vice versa. The impact of the auricular surface morphology on stress and deformation in the SIJ remains poorly understood to date. Computed tomography scans obtained from 281 individuals were included to extract the geometry of the pelvic ring. Then, the auricular surface area, SIJ cartilage thickness, and total SIJ cartilage volume were identified. Based on these reconstructions, 281 finite element models were created to simulate SIJ mechanical loading. It was found that SIJ cartilage thickness only weakly depended on age or laterality, while being strongly sex sensitive. Auricular surface area and SIJ cartilage volume depended weakly and non-linearly on age, peaking around menopause in females, but without significant laterality effect. Larger SIJs, characterized by greater auricular area and cartilage volume, exhibited reduced stress and deformation under loading. These findings highlight the significant role of SIJ morphology in its biomechanical response, suggesting a potential link between morphological variations and the risk of SIJ dysfunction. Understanding this relationship could improve diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies for SIJ-related conditions.
- MeSH
- Finite Element Analysis MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena physiology MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Stress, Mechanical MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed * MeSH
- Sacroiliac Joint * anatomy & histology physiology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3 lesions, identified through multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), present a clinical challenge due to their equivocal nature in predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Aim of the study is to improve risk stratification of patients with PI-RADS 3 lesions and candidates for prostate biopsy. METHODS: A cohort of 4841 consecutive patients who underwent MRI and subsequent MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies between January 2016 and April 2023 were retrospectively identified from independent prospectively maintained database. Only patients who have PI-RADS 3 lesions were included in the final analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify covariables associated with csPCa defined as International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group ≥2. Performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration, and net benefit. Significant predictors were then selected for further exploration using a Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 790 patients had PI-RADS 3 lesions and 151 (19%) had csPCa. Significant associations were observed for age (OR: 1.1 [1.0-1.1]; p = 0.01) and PSA density (OR: 1643 [2717-41,997]; p < 0.01). The CHAID analysis identified PSAd as the sole significant factor influencing the decision tree. Cut-offs for PSAd were 0.13 ng/ml/cc (csPCa detection rate of 1% vs. 18%) for the two-nodes model and 0.09 ng/ml/cc and 0.16 ng/ml/cc for the three-nodes model (csPCa detection rate of 0.5% vs. 2% vs. 17%). CONCLUSIONS: For individuals with PI-RADS 3 lesions on prostate mpMRI and a PSAd below 0.13, especially below 0.09, prostate biopsy can be omitted, in order to avoid unnecessary biopsy and overdiagnosis of non-csPCa.
- MeSH
- Risk Assessment methods MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging * methods MeSH
- Prostatic Neoplasms * pathology diagnostic imaging diagnosis blood MeSH
- Prostate pathology diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Prostate-Specific Antigen * blood MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- ROC Curve MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Neoplasm Grading MeSH
- Image-Guided Biopsy methods MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is correlated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICB) targeting programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) or its cognate receptor (PD-1) on cancer cells or infiltrating immune cells. Analysis of PD-L1/PD-1 expression in tumor tissue represents a crucial step before PD-L1/PD-1 blocker usage. METHODS: We used directed evolution of protein variants derived from a 13 kDa Myomedin loop-type combinatorial library with 12 randomized amino acid residues to select high-affinity binders of human PD-L1 (hPD-L1). After the ribosome display, individual clones were screened by ELISA. Detailed analysis of binding affinity and kinetics was performed using LigandTracer. The specificity of Myomedins was assessed using fluorescent microscopy on HEK293T-transfected cells and cultured cancer cells in vitro, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections of human tonsils, and FFPE tumor samples of NSCLC patients. RESULTS: Seven identified PD-L1 binders, called MLE, showed positive staining for hPD-L1 on transfected HEK293T cells and cultured MCF-7 cells. MLE031, MLE105, MLE249, and MLE309 exhibited high affinity to both human and mouse PD-L1-transfected HEK293T cells measured with LigandTracer. The diagnostic potential of MLE variants was tested on human tonsillitis tissue and compared with diagnostic anti-PD-L1 antibody DAKO 28-8 and PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx antibody. MLE249 and MLE309 exhibited an excellent overlap with diagnostic DAKO 28-8 (Pearson ́s coefficient (r) = 0.836 and 0.731, respectively) on human tonsils on which MLE309 exhibited also excellent overlap with diagnostic 22C3 antibody (r = 0.876). Using three NSCLC tissues, MLE249 staining overlaps with 28-8 antibody (r = 0.455-0.883), and MLE309 exhibited overlap with 22C3 antibody (r = 0.534-0.619). Three MLE proteins fused with Fc fragments of rabbit IgG, MLE249-rFc, MLE309-rFc and MLE031-rFc, exhibited very good overlap with anti-PD-L1 antibody 28-8 on tonsil tissue (r = 0.691, 0.610, and 0.667, respectively). Finally, MLE249-rFc, MLE309-rFc and MLE031-rFc exhibited higher sensitivity in comparison to IHC 22C3 antibody using routine immunohistochemistry staining system Ventana, which is one of gold standards for PD-L1 diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the development of MLE Myomedins specifically recognizing hPD-L1 that may serve as a refinement tool for clinical PD-L1 detection.
Growing evidence suggests that specific volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles may reflect key pathophysiological processes in Parkinson's disease (PD), including alterations in the microbiome, metabolism, and oxidative stress. Identifying reliable VOC biomarkers could enable non-invasive tests for early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapy evaluation. This review examines VOC analysis in biological matrices such as breath, skin, and stool, outlining current research and future applications in PD. We evaluate analytical techniques based on sensitivity, specificity, and clinical applicability. Additionally, we classify VOCs identified in previous studies alongside their proposed biological origins. Special attention is given to short-chain fatty acids, produced by the gut microbiome, a novel target in PD research. Our findings highlight the need for larger cohort studies and standardized protocols to advance VOC-based diagnostics in PD. Understanding the interplay between VOCs and PD may facilitate biomarker discovery, enhancing non-invasive diagnostic strategies and personalized disease management.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Many ulcerative colitis (UC) patients require the use of second-line agents after the failure of anti-TNF therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study including 683 chronically active, moderate-to-severe UC patients who failed first-line anti-TNFs. The rate of treatment persistence and colectomy-free survival was assessed up to 3 years after the initiation of second-line therapy. Predictors for colectomy and persistence were investigated. RESULTS: After the failure of the first-line anti-TNF, ustekinumab had superior persistence and colectomy-free survival rates compared to tofacitinib (p = 0.05; p = 0.001) and vedolizumab (p = 0.02; p = 0.05), but significant difference was only found in persistence rates in comparison with anti-TNFs (p < 0.001). Regardless of the number of prior anti-TNFs, significantly higher persistence (p = 0.05) and colectomy-free survival rates (p = 0.01) were observed over 2 years with ustekinumab than with vedolizumab or tofacitinib, whereas ustekinumab's superiority over tofacitinib seemed to disappear by the third year. Hypoalbuminaemia (p = 0.002) and shorter disease duration at second-line initiation (p = 0.03) increased, while concomitant immunomodulators (p = 0.05) reduced the risk for colectomy. Shorter disease duration (p = 0.01) and primary non-response to the previously used anti-TNF (p < 0.001) negatively influenced persistence with second-line non-TNF-targeted agents. CONCLUSION: After first-line anti-TNF failure, switching to a non-anti-TNF agent is worth considering in moderate-to-severe UC.
- MeSH
- Chronic Disease MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Gastrointestinal Agents * therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Cohort Studies MeSH
- Colectomy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Treatment Failure MeSH
- Piperidines therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Pyrimidines therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Pyrrolidines therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Severity of Illness Index MeSH
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha * antagonists & inhibitors MeSH
- Colitis, Ulcerative * drug therapy surgery MeSH
- Ustekinumab therapeutic use administration & dosage MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: Diagnosing primary or secondary CNS lymphoma (CNSL) is a clinical challenge due to the limitations of standard biopsy and imaging procedures despite established guidelines. Therefore, accurate biomarkers and analytical methods that are convenient for practical routine use are needed to diagnose and manage these aggressive lymphomas effectively. We evaluated the utility of minimally invasive circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in a prospective real-world scenario, moving this approach closer to clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 164 plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tumor samples from 56 CNSL patients were collected to analyze tumor DNA by the diagnostic next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel LYNX, enabling simultaneous analysis of gene variants, chromosomal aberrations, and antigen receptor rearrangements in targeted regions. RESULTS: The well-known genetic heterogeneity of CNSL was refined with integrative molecular data, showing the most frequent MYD88, PIM1, and KMT2D mutations and a broad spectrum of chromosomal aberrations, reflecting high genomic complexity. The multi-target approach achieved a substantially higher detection rate of CNS infiltration (90%) than tracking a single variant in gene MYD88 (46%). CSF clearly surpasses plasma if applying a routine (non-ultrasensitive) NGS approach and allows for more reliable evidence of CNS involvement than conventional flow cytometry (91% vs. 21%, p < 0.001). Parallel analysis of tumor DNA in both cell-free and cellular DNA from CSF makes the probability of primary or secondary CNS malignancy detection even higher. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective, tissue-agnostic approach highlights the feasibility of ctDNA sequencing by a commonplace and affordable method, offering higher sensitivity to detect CNS infiltration with lymphoma than standard cell-analyzing techniques. We accentuate the benefit of a multi-target NGS approach and adequate CSF sampling to obtain satisfactory diagnostic yield. Less invasive liquid biopsy testing by comprehensive NGS complements standard procedures in the diagnostics and management of CNSL patients, especially when encountering limitations.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the beliefs about third-hand tobacco smoke (THS) among administrative and academic staff at a university. THS is a residual pollutant from tobacco smoke that lingers on surfaces and poses health risks, particularly to children. The study also aimed to understand these beliefs in relation to socio-demographic factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 332 university employees aged 18 and over. Data were collected between September and December 2023 through face-to-face and online questionnaires. The survey included the Beliefs About Third-hand Smoke (BATHS-T) Scale and questions on socio-demographic characteristics, second-hand smoke exposure, and attitudes towards a smoke-free campus. Beliefs About Third-hand Smoke Scale total and sub-dimension scores increase, it is understood that the participant's belief in the negative effects of third-hand tobacco exposure on persistence and health increases. RESULTS: The average age of participants was 36.1 years, with 38.3% being administrative personnel and 61.7% academic personnel. About 40.5% of the participants used tobacco products. The mean total BATHS-T score was 35.6, with health and persistence subscale scores averaging 19.9 and 15.7, respectively. Non-smokers had significantly higher BATHS-T scores than smokers. The participants with children scored higher on the health sub-dimension. Additionally, 78.9% supported a smoke-free campus, and those supporting it had higher BATHS-T scores. Awareness of the harms of second-hand smoke correlated with higher BATHS-T scores. CONCLUSION: The study highlights that non-smokers and those with children are more aware of THS risks. There is strong support for a smoke-free campus among university staff. The findings suggest a need for increased education on THS, especially targeted at smokers and those without children. Universities can play a crucial role in promoting smoke-free environments and raising awareness about the health risks associated with THS.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Universities MeSH
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice * MeSH
- Tobacco Smoke Pollution * adverse effects statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
