Geel

This research evaluates the impact of a newly enhanced digital platform called the "Get Ready" smartphone application on patient compliance after bariatric surgery. The study aims to measure how this intensified and interactive version compares to the standard app in supporting patients. Key goals include assessing the exact weight loss achieved before surgery through a preparatory diet, tracking dumping syndrome symptoms, evaluating quality of life, and monitoring supplement intake adherence. The study addresses important questions about how improved digital support can optimize patient education and care in bariatric surgery, which is increasingly common for treating obesity and related conditions such as hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and diabetes. Participants will be divided into groups using either the standard "Get Ready" app or the intensified, interactive version after their bariatric surgery. Both applications are used postoperatively to assist patients in managing their recovery and compliance with treatment protocols. The intensified version offers enhanced features aimed at improving patient engagement and support during the recovery period. During the study, participants will be monitored over 12 months with assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months. Measurements include weight tracking, questionnaires on quality of life using the Rand-36 Health Survey, bloodwork at 6 and 12 months, and evaluation of dumping symptoms using the Sigstad score at 3, 6, and 12 months. Researchers will use these data to understand how different levels of digital support affect patient outcomes and adherence to recommended care after bariatric surgery.

This research investigates the Suicidal Crisis Intervention (SCI), a new short-term treatment designed to reduce suicidality in people who have experienced a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis. The study also aims to explore the effect of SCI on related factors such as hopelessness, defeat, entrapment, and interpersonal needs. The SCI was developed in Flanders to address the lack of specific evidence-based short-term treatments for this high-risk group. The SCI consists of four structured sessions that focus on understanding the suicidal crisis by relating it to the person's life history. It seeks to increase motivation for ongoing specialized care and involves the participation of close relatives to strengthen social support. Key elements of the intervention include a safety plan, person-centered care, and continuity of care, all delivered by care providers within a short time frame. Participants will be monitored for changes in suicidality using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation at multiple points: 42, 132, and 222 days after randomization. The study includes assessments of related psychological factors and emphasizes the involvement of relatives. Participants must have internet access and be Dutch-speaking. The total duration and detailed follow-up procedures support evaluating both immediate and longer-term effects of the SCI.

This research focuses on patients who have both glaucoma and cataracts. It aims to gather data on the safety of a new generation of cataract surgery devices in these patients, who are more sensitive to increases in eye pressure during and after surgery. The study looks at how the new device may help maintain lower eye pressure during cataract surgery, which could be beneficial for glaucoma patients. The study involves cataract surgery using a new phacoemulsification system called "Quatera 700" developed by Carl Zeiss Meditec. This system uses a patented QUATTRO Pump that controls fluid flow and maintains a pre-set low intraocular pressure, keeping the eye stable throughout surgery. The device can operate with pressure levels four times lower than average, potentially reducing nerve damage linked to high pressure during surgery in glaucoma patients. Participants will have their cataract surgery performed with this new device while researchers collect data on the procedure before, during, and after surgery. The main outcome being measured is the rate of complications during cataract surgery within one month. The study does not change the treatment patients receive but monitors safety and effectiveness of the surgical device in this patient group.

Knee replacement surgeries are commonly performed elective procedures, with about 29,000 conducted annually in Belgium. Although surgical techniques have improved, there is still a need to enhance pre-surgical biopsychosocial preparation for patients. This preparation helps inform patients about their surgery and prepares them for rehabilitation and returning to activities afterward. The study aims to assess the added value and feasibility of multimodal biopsychosocial teleprehabilitation (BPS-teleprehab) for people undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study compares two approaches: the multimodal BPS-teleprehabilitation, which includes education on pain science and lifestyle, stress management, and physical activity promotion delivered through four preoperative and one postoperative one-on-one teleconferencing sessions with a physical therapist, supported by an informational booklet; and best-evidence prehabilitation advice following national guidelines, provided via an informational booklet. These interventions are designed to prepare patients before surgery and support recovery. Participants will be assessed on various measures including participation rate during recruitment, satisfaction with the intervention six weeks after surgery, incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events throughout the study, and compliance with teleprehab sessions and home exercises shortly after intervention completion. Researchers will also evaluate the feasibility of BPS-teleprehab in clinical settings. Outcome measures cover activity, functioning, pain, quality of life, cognitive-emotional factors, joint awareness, satisfaction with surgery, healthcare and medication use, and productivity loss.

Researchers are evaluating the use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to optimize dosing of biologic drugs for moderate to severe psoriasis. The study compares standard fixed dosing with dosing adjusted based on drug concentrations in the patient's blood. The goal is to maintain effective disease control while avoiding under- or overdosing, which can cause inadequate response, side effects, or increased healthcare costs. This pragmatic, multicenter, randomized Phase 4 trial is conducted in 14 Belgian hospitals with patients already receiving biologics for at least six months. Participants are randomized into two groups: one group receives dosing advice based on measured drug levels (proactive TDM), and the other continues usual care with fixed dosing. The biologics studied include secukinumab, ixekizumab, and guselkumab. Dose adjustments involve lengthening or shortening injection intervals stepwise by weeks depending on drug concentration to reach the target level. Dose reductions and escalations occur in predefined steps specific to each biologic, and adjustments continue at each study visit if targets are not met. During the 76-week study, patients have regular visits every three months to assess disease control using PASI scores and quality of life measures. Researchers track sustained disease control, treatment satisfaction, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Blood drug levels guide dose changes in the intervention group, while usual care patients maintain standard dosing schedules. The study aims to show TDM-based dosing is not inferior to standard care in maintaining disease control over 18 months, potentially improving safety and reducing costs.

Researchers are evaluating a structured rehabilitation pathway called the R³ pathway for patients undergoing lumbar surgery due to radicular pain, such as lumbar radiculopathy and radicular low back pain. This multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial compares the R³ pathway to usual care, aiming to see if this approach can reduce the time it takes for patients to return to work after surgery. The study focuses on a person-centered rehabilitation that supports patients through pre-, peri-, and postoperative phases while promoting early activity and work resumption. The R³ rehabilitation pathway involves a case manager guiding patients from before surgery up to one year after surgery. It includes prehabilitation, perioperative care, and postoperative rehabilitation emphasizing minimal activity restrictions, eliminating the use of braces, and active encouragement to resume work early. Hospitals participating in the trial are randomly assigned to either implement this pathway or continue with their usual care methods. The pathway specifically targets fear reduction and structured support to improve recovery. Participants will be monitored from surgery through 15 months postoperatively, with the main outcome being the time it takes to return to work. This involves regular assessments throughout the year following surgery to evaluate recovery progress and work reintegration. The study includes ongoing follow-up to understand the impact of the rehabilitation pathway compared to standard care on patient outcomes related to work and recovery.

Researchers are collecting data in Flanders on how often suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts occur across various healthcare settings like hospitals, psychiatric centers, crisis teams, and general practitioners. The study aims to understand the methods used in suicidal behavior and see how many people receive proper aftercare following a suicide attempt. It uses a detailed tool called the Guideline for Suicide Care and Evaluation (LOES) to gather comprehensive information about individuals with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The study includes a two-part semi-structured interview conducted by trained healthcare professionals such as nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists. The first part happens shortly after admission to a healthcare facility following a suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts and collects demographic data, history, social support, hopelessness levels, and current suicidal ideation. The second part explores psychological factors more deeply, including motives, personal and interpersonal problems, and current thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Participants undergo detailed assessments on the first day covering demographics, clinical details, suicidal behavior methods, emotional state, suicidal intent and planning, past self-harm, social support, mental health history, substance use, coping strategies, and care needs. The study tracks participants’ openness to help and care pathways to formulate well-supported risk assessments. This comprehensive evaluation helps understand suicidal processes and needs in the Flanders region.