Articles publicats (IRBLleida)
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L'IRBLleida és un centre de recerca conjunt entre la Universitat i el Departament de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Té com a funció potenciar les sinergies de recerca biomèdica entre ambdós institucions i està compromès en avançar en la recerca biomèdica com a mitja per millorar la salut de la població i facilitar una activitat assistencial òptima en situacions de malaltia. [Més informació].
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- ItemOpen AccessTranslation, cross-cultural adaptation and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Victoria Respiratory Congestion Scale into Spanish(Springer Nature, 2026-07-09) Canal-Sotelo, Jaume; Martin-Marco, Antonio; Bottaro-Parra, David; Blasi-Martínez, Rosa; Nitola-Mendoza, Lina; Oller-Bonache, Adrià; Camí Garanto, Carla; Barallat Gimeno, EvaBackground: Death rattles are a frequent clinical sign in patients in an end-of-life situation, despite the lack of consensus on how to address them. The Victoria Respiratory Congestion Scale (VRCS) is an internationally utilized scale, but it has yet to be translated to Spanish. The aim of the present study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VRCS into Spanish and to assess selected psychometric properties, namely criterion validity and inter-rater reliability, in patients at the end-of-life. Methods: A systematic translation and cross‑cultural adaptation methodology was applied to ensure semantic, conceptual, and cultural equivalence of the instrument for Spanish‑speaking patients at the end-of-life. A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2024 in home-care patients and patients in the palliative care unit at Hestia Balaguer Hospital and Hospital de la Ribera, to assess the criterion validity and inter-rater reliability of the Spanish version of the VRCS. Criterion validity was evaluated by calculating the correlation between the sound level measurements obtained using a smartphone sound level meter app and the VRCS scores using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using weighted Cohen’s kappa by comparing the VRCS scores independently assigned by two observers. Results: The first outcome of the study was the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Spanish VRCS (Sp-VRCS). The validity and reliability were assessed in a sample of 47 patients aged between 54 and 98 years old, with 82.98% being men. In addition, 76.60% of them had a primary diagnosis of cancer. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were ρ = 0.758 (maximum dB), ρ = 0.649 (mean dB), and ρ = 0.569 (minimum dB), indicating moderate to acceptable correlations. All correlations were statistically significant (p < 0.01, two-tailed). The inter-rater reliability analysis revealed that the weighted Cohen’s kappa coefficient was 1.00, indicating a perfect inter-rater agreement in this sample. Conclusions: The Sp‑VRCS demonstrated good criterion validity and high inter-rater reliability agreement. The present study provides preliminary psychometric evidence for the Spanish version of the VRCS. The results support its use as a feasible and clinically useful scale for assessing respiratory congestion in palliative care patients at the end-of-life. Further multicentre validation studies addressing additional psychometric properties are recommended before broader implementation.
- ItemOpen AccessAutomated Rapid Organic-Solvent-Free Metabolomics via Arrow–GC–MS: An Optimized Green Workflow for Human Plasma Profiling(Elsevier, 2026) Lisa-Molina, Julia; Sanchéz Milán, Jose Antonio; Font Alberich, Maria; Pico, Silvia; Yuguero, Oriol; Serra Maqueda, Aida; Gallart-Palau, XavierPlasma metabolomics holds strong potential for translational and clinical research, yet its routine implementa-tion is limited by solvent-intensive workflows, extensive sample preparation, and poor scalability. Conventional GC–MS protocols, while analytically robust, rely on large sample volumes, solvent-intensive preparation, and manual handling, limiting throughput, reproducibility and scalability. Here, we introduce AROMA-GC-MS, an automated, solvent-free gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolomics workflow based on headspace PAL SPME Arrow, specifically optimized for human plasma profiling under green analytical chemistry principles. Using a systematic one-factor-at-a-time optimization strategy, we established robust con-ditions for plasma input volume, headspace composition, incubation temperature, extraction time, and desorption parameters. The optimized AROMA-GC-MS protocol enables reproducible detection of over 100 plasma metabolites per run from only 50 μL of plasma, without organic solvent extraction or derivatization, while remaining fully compatible with routine laboratory automation. An optional Arrow-compatible MeOx–TMS derivatization step further expands the accessible chemical space, providing complementary coverage when required. By combining analytical robustness, minimal sample consumption, and a markedly reduced environmental footprint, AROMA-GC-MS offers a scalable and clinically adaptable platform that facil-itates the integration of GC-MS–based metabolomics into biomedical research and future diagnostic and prog-nostic applications.
- ItemOpen AccessSystematic Hydration Rounds Versus a Socially Assistive Robot to Promote Fluid Intake in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study(MDPI, 2026) Vallés Carvaja, Cristina; Selva Pareja, Laia; Masot, Olga; Falcón-Villaitodo, Maria; Camí Garanto, Carla; Botigué, TeresaBackground: Several strategies have been proposed to promote hydration among institutionalized older adults, including systematic hydration rounds and, more recently, the use of Socially Assistive Robots (SAR). However, their implementation in nursing homes remains limited. Objective: To compare changes in fluid intake over a one-month period among residents exposed to two hydration-promotion strategies and to identify baseline characteristics associated with fluid intake. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a nursing home. Residents were assigned to either a systematic hydration rounds intervention with manual recording or a SAR-supported multicomponent educational intervention including reminders, positive reinforcement, and digital intake monitoring. Fluid intake was monitored for one month and analyzed using adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models. Results: Residents in the systematic hydration rounds group showed higher fluid intake throughout follow-up. In the longitudinal analysis, assignment to the SAR-supported group was independently associated with lower fluid intake during follow-up (β = -354.24 mL/day; p < 0.001), after adjustment for baseline fluid intake and functional dependence. No significant differences were observed in intake trajectories between strategies. Dysphagia was independently associated with lower fluid intake, whereas diabetes was associated with higher fluid intake. Conclusions: Residents assigned to the systematic hydration rounds group showed higher fluid intake during follow-up. Dysphagia was associated with lower fluid intake, highlighting the need to adapt hydration-promotion strategies to residents' swallowing-related needs. Although the SAR-supported intervention was not associated with higher fluid intake, the findings suggest that technological tools for hydration promotion and monitoring require adequate integration into routine clinical practice.
- ItemOpen AccessDetection of dating violence among university students in health sciences: a multicentric cross-sectional study in Spain and Colombia(Frontiers, 2026-07-14) Puig, Montserrat; Sánchez-Ortega, Maria Aurelia; Prats-Arimon, Marta; Agüera, Zaida; Rodríguez-Martín, Dolors; Moreno Arroyo, Carmen; Maestre-González, Elena; Lluch Canut, Maria Teresa; Roldán Merino, Juan F.; Moreno Poyato, Antonio Rafael; Saz Roy, María Ángeles; Mantas-Jiménez, Susana; Giménez-Bonafé, Pepita; Vergés Bosch, Núria; Ferran Ferrer, Núria; Faure-Carvallo, Adrien; Manzanares Cespedes, Cristina; Astudillo-Rozas, Wilson; Rodríguez Ávila, Núria; Casanovas-Cuellar, Cristina; Huertas-Zurriaga, Ariadna; Torrubia-Pérez, Elisabet; Mora-López, Gerard; Vives-Espelta, Judit; Sanromà Ortíz, Montserrat; Roca Llobet, Judith; Cogollo, Zuleima; Tuesca-Molina, Rafael; Sanchez-Balcells, SaraIntroduction: Dating violence (DV) represents a critical public health challenge that disproportionately affects adolescents and young people. Among Health Sciences students, early detection is doubly important, both for their personal wellbeing and for their future role as frontline professionals in the identification of victims. The aim is to determine the prevalence and dynamics of dating violence (DV) among Health Sciences university students in Spain and Colombia, analyzing patterns of victimization and perpetration. Material and methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 511 Health Sciences students from eight universities in Spain and Colombia. DV was assessed using the Multidimensional Dating Violence Scale (EMVN) developed by García-Carpintero et al. (2018). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committees of all participating institutions. Results: The findings reveal that control and surveillance, together with sexual violence, are the predominant dimensions, far exceeding physical violence. Digital control behaviors (“persistently sending messages through social media”) and subtle grooming behaviors (“giving unsolicited gifts or favors”) emerged as the most frequently reported indicators. The bivariate analysis revealed critical gaps: men reported significantly higher levels of perpetration of physical and sexual violence. In addition, the geographical context proved to be a determining factor, showing significant cultural variations in how the phenomenon manifests. Conclusions: The results highlight that dating violence in this population is predominantly psychological and related to control. It is imperative to integrate education on equality and awareness of “warning signs” into the academic curriculum to transform these students into professionals capable of breaking the cycle of violence. Implications: This pioneering study provides an international perspective on the vulnerability and perceptions of future health professionals. Its multicenter nature makes it possible to design intervention strategies adapted to specific sociocultural contexts, thereby strengthening the response capacity of health systems to gender-based violence.
- ItemOpen AccessOffice workers’ perspectives on implementing active breaks supported by a digital intervention to alleviate spinal pain: a qualitative study(Elsevier España, S.L.U., 2026-08-11) Tersa-Miralles, Carlos; Bravo Navarro, Cristina; Masbernat-Almenara, Maria; Bellon, Filip; Rubí Carnacea, Francesc; Rubinat, EstherBackground: Work-related spinal pain is highly prevalent among office workers and contributes to disability and reduced productivity. Active breaks have shown benefits, but their integration into daily routines remains challenging. Objective: To explore office workers’ beliefs, expectations, and perceived barriers regarding a digital intervention designed to support active breaks at work for the management of work-related spinal pain. Methods: Seventeen office workers from the University of Lleida, all experiencing work-related spinal pain, participated in semi-structured interviews between June 2023 and February 2024. Data were analysed using Malterud’s systematic text condensation framework. Results: Three main themes emerged: work-related spinal pain, implementation of active breaks at work, and feasibility of a digital intervention in the workplace. Participants reported persistent spinal pain due to static postures and job stress, often leading to passive coping strategies. Although they perceived stretching and mobility exercises at work as beneficial, integrating them into daily routines was challenging due to heavy workloads and concerns about managerial perceptions. Employees preferred shorter, flexible breaks over longer interruptions. Digital interventions were viewed favourably for their convenience and accessibility, but personalised guidance from health professionals was considered crucial for adherence. Conclusion: Office workers expressed confidence in adopting a digital intervention for active breaks, supported by self-management strategies and physiotherapist guidance, to alleviate spinal pain. These findings highlight the importance of involving workers in designing workplace health programs tailored to their needs and preferences.
