Geel

Researchers are evaluating the impact of a newly intensified digital platform called the Get Ready smartphone application for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The study aims to measure weight loss before and after surgery, the occurrence of dumping symptoms, quality of life, and how well patients follow supplement intake instructions. This research addresses how improved digital support might enhance patient education and care after bariatric surgery, which is increasingly common for treating obesity and related conditions like hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes. Participants will be randomly assigned to use either the standard version or a more intensified and interactive version of the Get Ready application after surgery. Both groups will use the app to support their postoperative care. The study measures outcomes at multiple time points weight at 3, 6, and 12 months health survey results at 12 months blood tests at 6 and 12 months and dumping symptom scores at 3, 6, and 12 months. The study also tracks unplanned clinical visits during the 12-month period. During the study, participants will complete various questionnaires and undergo bloodwork to assess health progress and quality of life. Researchers will monitor patient compliance with supplement intake and overall weight changes. This involvement lasts for 12 months after surgery, providing ongoing data to evaluate the effectiveness of the intensified digital platform in supporting recovery and health management after bariatric surgery.

Researchers are evaluating the addition of bleximenib to standard chemotherapy for adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia AML who have specific genetic mutations in the NPM1 or KMT2A genes. This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to see if bleximenib can improve treatment outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone. The study includes patients eligible for intensive chemotherapy and focuses on those with DNA changes in their leukemia cells. Participants will receive standard chemotherapy combined with either bleximenib or a placebo. Treatment includes remission induction and consolidation therapy, followed by maintenance therapy with either bleximenib or placebo depending on the group. Treatment will continue until disease progression, unacceptable side effects, or other criteria require stopping. The study involves three groups one receiving bleximenib throughout, one receiving bleximenib during initial therapy and placebo for maintenance, and one receiving placebo throughout. Participants will be monitored for up to 4 years and 5 months to assess event-free survival, with additional follow-up up to nearly 8 years to evaluate overall survival and remission rates. Researchers will collect data on treatment response, remission duration, and the number of participants undergoing stem cell transplants. Safety and long-term outcomes will be observed to understand the effects of adding bleximenib to standard therapy.

Researchers are evaluating the Suicidal Crisis Intervention SCI as a new short-term treatment method for people after a suicidal crisis or suicide attempt. This study aims to determine if SCI can reduce suicidality and also explore its effect on related factors such as hopelessness, defeat, entrapment, and interpersonal needs. The SCI was developed to provide evidence-based care in Flanders, addressing the limited interventions currently available for this high-risk group. The study compares two groups one receiving the SCI alongside their usual treatment, and the other receiving only their usual treatment. The SCI includes four sessions focusing on providing insight into suicidal crises, involving loved ones, creating a safety plan, and ensuring continuity of care. It emphasizes a structured, person-centered approach and aims to motivate participants toward specialized care. Participants will be followed for approximately 222 days after randomization. Researchers will assess changes in suicidality using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation at multiple points, along with secondary measures such as suicidal behavior, hopelessness, defeat, entrapment, isolation, follow-up care readiness, and treatment satisfaction. Assessments are conducted at baseline, 42 days, 132 days, and 222 days to monitor progress and outcomes throughout the study period.

Researchers are studying patients who have both glaucoma and cataracts to collect information about cataract surgeries using a new surgical device. This study aims to show the safety of the Zeiss Quatera 700 cataract surgery system in glaucoma patients, who are sensitive to eye pressure changes during and after surgery. The device is designed to keep eye pressure low during surgery, which may reduce the risk of further damage to the optic nerve in these patients. The study focuses on the use of the Quatera 700 phacoemulsification system, which includes a unique QUATTRO Pump that controls the fluid flow and maintains stable, low pressure in the eye during cataract surgery. This system operates at pressures four times lower than typical devices, helping protect the optic nerve in glaucoma patients. Participants will undergo standard cataract surgery with this device, and the study will observe the procedure without changing their treatment. Participants will be monitored for complications during surgery, vision clarity after surgery, eye pressure, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and visual field changes over time. Data will be collected before, during, and after the surgery to assess these outcomes. The study will also track eye health up to one year after surgery to understand long-term effects. Participation involves usual cataract surgery with extra data collection for research purposes.

Knee replacement surgeries are common elective procedures performed frequently, including about 29,000 annually in Belgium. While surgical techniques have improved, there remains a need to enhance patient preparation before surgery to better inform them and prepare for rehabilitation and returning to daily activities. This trial aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a multimodal biopsychosocial teleprehabilitation program for people undergoing total knee arthroplasty TKA. The study compares two groups one receives the biopsychosocial teleprehabilitation involving education on pain science and lifestyle, stress management, and physical activity promotion delivered through four preoperative and one postoperative teleconferencing sessions with a physical therapist plus an informational booklet. The other group receives best-evidence prehabilitation advice via an informational booklet based on established guidelines. This pilot trial will also help design a larger future trial to evaluate the programs effectiveness. Participants will be assessed through various measures before surgery, shortly after intervention, and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery. These include physical activity levels, knee pain and function, quality of life, symptoms related to central sensitization, cognitive-emotional factors, joint awareness, surgery satisfaction, healthcare use, and productivity loss. Safety, compliance with sessions and exercises, and patient satisfaction will be monitored throughout the study period, which runs until August 2027.

Researchers are evaluating the use of therapeutic drug monitoring TDM to optimize dosing of biologics in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris. The study compares the standard fixed dosing of new biologics that block interleukin 17 and 23 with a dosing approach guided by measured drug concentrations in the blood. The goal is to improve clinical response, safety, patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs by adjusting doses to achieve target drug levels. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups in 14 Belgian hospitals one receiving standard care with fixed doses of secukinumab, ixekizumab, or guselkumab, and the other undergoing proactive TDM-based dose adjustments. Dose modifications will be made stepwise by shortening or lengthening the interval between injections based on drug levels, with changes initially by 33% then 50%, and further weekly adjustments until the target concentration is reached. During the 18-month study, participants will have clinical visits every 12 weeks to monitor disease activity, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and safety. Researchers will measure psoriasis severity using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index PASI and collect questionnaires on quality of life and health status. Drug pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and healthcare use will also be tracked. The study monitors adverse events and aims to confirm sustained disease control over 76 weeks.

Researchers are evaluating a structured, evidence-based rehabilitation pathway called the R pathway for patients undergoing lumbar surgery due to radicular pain. This multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial compares the R pathway against usual care to see if it can reduce the time it takes for patients to return to work after surgery. The study focuses on patients aged 18 to 65 scheduled for lumbar spinal surgery with radicular pain lasting at least six weeks. The R rehabilitation pathway involves coordinated care guided by a case manager, starting before surgery and continuing up to one year afterward. It includes prehabilitation, perioperative rehabilitation, and postoperative rehabilitation, aiming to reduce fear by minimizing unnecessary activity restrictions, eliminating bracing, and actively encouraging return to work. Hospitals are randomized to either implement the R pathway or continue with their usual variable rehabilitation care, which may include no rehabilitation or various types of therapy. Participants will be monitored from surgery through 15 months postoperatively. Researchers will assess the time to return to work as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include disability, percentage of patients returned to work, functional status, back and leg pain, health-related quality of life, work productivity, analgesic use, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing at multiple time points. The study requires written consent and involves follow-up assessments to evaluate recovery and work reintegration.

Researchers are collecting detailed data about suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts among people who come to healthcare services in Flanders. The study aims to understand how often these behaviors occur, the methods used, and how many receive proper follow-up care after a suicide attempt. This observational study uses a structured interview tool called the Guideline for Suicide Care and Evaluation LOES to gather comprehensive information. Participants undergo a two-part semi-structured interview administered by trained nurses, psychologists, or psychiatrists. The first part happens soon after admission to a healthcare facility and collects information on emotional state, mental health history, social support, hopelessness, and suicidal behavior. The second part provides a deeper evaluation of risk factors, treatment needs, motivations, planning, and coping strategies related to suicidality. Throughout the study, participants provide demographic, clinical, and psychological information through interviews. Researchers assess suicidal intent, planning, past behavior, substance use risk, and care needs. The study tracks treatment agreements and care pathways after assessment. Data collection occurs at the initial presentation, with no drug or medical treatment being tested. The total participation time varies depending on the individuals healthcare encounters and follow-up.