Aims and Objectives: This review aims to analyze the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in enhancing therapeutic adherence and compliance in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially considering the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: IBD, which includes conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, affects over 10 million people globally. It significantly impacts both physical and psychological well-being, leading to challenges in therapeutic adherence. Only 25–47% of patients with IBD adequately follow prescribed treatments. Design and Methods: An integrative methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative research was utilized, following a 7-step framework. This framework encompasses identifying the research question, devising a search strategy, performing a critical appraisal, summarizing findings, extracting data, conducting an analysis, and drawing conclusions. Results: Poor adherence to therapy among patients with IBD can exacerbate disease progression and result in complications. MI has been identified as a promising approach to improving both adherence and treatment outcomes. Studies, including those predating the COVID-19 pandemic, have demonstrated MI’s effectiveness in enhancing adherence among patients with IBD. Conclusions: MI shows promise in enhancing adherence among adult patients with IBD. Although initial results are promising, additional research is needed to thoroughly understand its effectiveness across various clinical contexts. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The findings underscore the potential of MI as an integral component of IBD treatment strategies, suggesting that its implementation could enhance patient–provider interactions and lead to better overall health outcomes.

Barriers to accessing care and misinterpretations of ischemic heart disease symptoms due to lack of awareness contribute to women’s delay in seeking care. Women may delay seeking treatment for up to 3 h or even up to 5 days. They often perceive themselves to be at low risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and prioritize family responsibilities or household chores. The causes of this delay are multifactorial and influence the decision-making process, particularly in the pre-hospital phase. The objective of this study protocol is to evaluate prodromal symptoms and identify risk behaviors in women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This is a protocol for a multicenter study that will be conducted using the mixed-method methodology using the McSweeney Acute and Prodromal Myocardial Infarction Symptom Survey (MAPMISS) to evaluate symptoms and semi-structured interviews to investigate behaviors. This study protocol is intended to fill an important knowledge gap on premonitory and acute symptoms of AMI in women in Italy, as well as to understand the causes and mechanisms underlying delays in accessing healthcare services during an acute event such as AMI. The investigation of this issue will facilitate the removal of gender-related inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction while also fostering dialogue on the barriers to behavior change.

Background: eHealth literacy (eHL) is the ability to seek, find, understand, and apply digital health information. Adolescents often overestimate their eHL skills, potentially leading to poor health decisions and posing a public health concern. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward eHL and seeking health information online among a sample of Italian adolescents aged 10–19 to identify the sociodemographic characteristics and other variables that are associated with the outcomes of interest. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire, including the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Results: A total of 793 Italian adolescents from seven public schools in Naples, southern Italy, participated in the survey. Among the participants, 58.6% had an eHEALS score below 27. A higher eHL was associated with being male, perceiving the Internet as useful for health decisions, the use of electronic devices for seeking health information, consulting institutional/scientific sources, having a mother with lower education, and having parents without underlying chronic conditions. Additionally, a higher eHL, male sex, younger age, and Internet use for seeking health information in the last three months were linked to perceiving the Internet as a helpful tool for health decision making. Conclusions: Overall, Italian adolescents reported suboptimal eHL with sex, attitudes, and parental factors playing significant roles. Targeted educational interventions are needed to enhance eHL in this specific age group.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that occurs during intensive care unit (ICU) admission. There is a lack of knowledge about POD and cognitive functions in cardiac surgery (CS) patients. Objectives: To describe the impact of POD on cognitive function in patients undergoing CS after discharge from the ICU. Methods: A systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria were studies explaining the relationship between POD and cognitive functions, while we excluded secondary studies, studies on dementia, and studies using languages other than English. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (ID: CRD42024560306). Results: A total of 2540 records were screened. We included 10 studies. Eight studies reported evidence of level 3 (OCEBM level), and 4 had high methodological quality (JBI score). Four studies reported POD as a significant independent risk factor for cognitive impairment after CS. Four studies reported a positive association between POD and cognitive function 1 month after discharge, 3 studies reported it at 6 and 12 months after discharge, and 2 studies showed the effects on cognitive function at 36 months. The cognitive functions most affected in the patients who developed POD were memory, orientation, concentration, visual construction, language, and attention. Conclusions: POD in patients with CS is a widespread problem that negatively affects cognitive function after ICU discharge. Patients undergoing CS and caregivers shared vital data on cognitive impairments after ICU admission. Their long-term participation highlighted postoperative delirium’s impact, stressing the need for improved care.

Background/Objectives: Delirium is a frequent and clinically significant complication in cardiac surgery patients and is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, longer Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, increased mortality, and long-term cognitive impairment. However, evidence regarding perioperative factors associated with delirium occurrence in cardiac surgery ICU patients remains limited. This study aims to investigate clinical factors associated with postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients admitted to the ICU. Methods: A single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted in a 14-bed cardiothoracic ICU in central Italy. Consecutively enrolled adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were assessed for delirium using the Italian-validated Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) every eight hours for five days. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify factors associated with delirium occurrence. Results: A total of 175 patients were included, and delirium occurred in 44.6%. In the univariate analysis, patients with delirium presented significantly longer mechanical ventilation (10.5 vs. 8.0 h; p = 0.04) and higher APACHE II scores (p = 0.01). In the multivariable analysis, lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were independently associated with delirium occurrence (OR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71–0.99; p = 0.04). Urgent admission (OR = 2.02; p = 0.06) and mean arterial pressure (OR = 0.97; p = 0.08) did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable model. Conclusions: Delirium is highly prevalent after cardiac surgery. Lower postoperative GCS scores may represent an early marker of postoperative neurological vulnerability associated with delirium occurrence. Further multicenter studies are warranted to improve delirium risk stratification and clarify the mechanisms underlying postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Arts-based research (ABR) is a qualitative methodology that uses artistic media such as narrative, poetry, music, photography, drawing, theater, or dance to explore, understand, and communicate human experiences. ABR represents a comprehensive way of understanding the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of human beings, as it reveals truths that are not evident1 and gives voice to those who have been silenced throughout history.2 In particular, the technique called “Photovoice” is characterized by the creation of photographs by participants (photo-documentation), with the aim of narrating their own story or that of their community, expressing needs, values and beliefs through the subsequent incorporation of reflections (photo-elicitation).3,4 Arts-based research (ABR) is a qualitative methodology that uses artistic media such as narrative, poetry, music, photography, drawing, theater, or dance to explore, understand, and communicate human experiences. ABR represents a comprehensive way of understanding the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of human beings, as it reveals truths that are not evident1 and gives voice to those who have been silenced throughout history.2