Background: Oral disorders (ODs) in palliative care (PC) are highly prevalent and significantly impact patients' quality of life (QoL). Nevertheless, evidence-based management recommendations are lacking. Several natural products are safe, well-accepted, and effective for mucosal conditions. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a propolis-based product combined with basic oral hygiene in preventing and treating ODs. Design: A prospective, open-label, single-center phase II study was performed. Adult patients in PC with cancer or noncancer diagnoses, who were conscious, able to swallow, with a life expectancy of more than one week, were recruited. Results: ODs' improvement or maintenance of oral health was observed in 89.6% of cases. Severity of ODs significantly decreased (p < 0.001), along with reductions in oropharyngeal pain (p = 0.002) and dysgeusia (p < 0.001). Meal comfort, completion, and QoL improved; acceptability was excellent. Conclusions: The protocol was safe, well-accepted, and effective for ODs in adult patients in PC. Study registration: The study protocol was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04911335.

In the landscape of modern medicine, the ability to accurately diagnose various clinical conditions is paramount. As new diagnostic tools continue to emerge, their accuracy must be rigorously assessed before clinical implementation. This paper introduces a systematic review protocol tailored for diagnostic accuracy studies, drawing inspiration from a review on dysphagia screening in post-stroke patients. The protocol, designed with precision and transparency at its core, facilitates a thorough synthesis of evidence, employing tools such as the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) and the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) checklist for robust evaluation. The protocol emphasizes registration with the PROSPERO database and adherence to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic search approach encompasses a comprehensive exploration of databases and precise keyword combinations. Distinctive inclusion and exclusion criteria, coupled with a dual-reviewer methodology, ensure the selection of high-quality studies. This framework has the potential to serve as a benchmark for systematic reviews in diagnostic accuracy, highlighting the importance of standardization, transparency, and adaptability in clinical research. This approach paves the way for a research methodology that delves deeper into diagnostic tools across various clinical scenarios, promoting evidence-based advancements in patient care.

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary healthcare, the imperative for advancing the frontiers of knowledge and improving patient outcomes necessitates a paradigm shift towards a multidisciplinary approach. This background great enhances a nurse's ability to interface with technology and create technical solutions such as robots, patient care devices, or computer simulation for patient care needs and nursing care delivery. This study aims to describe, through a narrative review of evidence, a methodology to develop and manager Nursing-Engineering interdisciplinary project, clarify the key points and facilitate professionals who are not very familiar with this topic. The methodology employed highlights the importance of this kind of research that allows to achieve highest standards of practice leading to improved patient care, innovative solutions and a global contribution to healthcare excellence.