Emotional State Of Patients Research Articles

Сравнительная оценка воздействия различных физических факторов на качество жизни женщин с диагнозом недержание мочи при напряжении

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated application of pulsating low-frequency alternating electric and intense focused electromagnetic fields, as well as isolated exposure to intense focused electromagnetic fields in order to improve the quality of life of women with stress urinary incontinence. Design. Prospective randomized study. Key points. The study involved 105 menopausal and postmenopausal women aged 46-62 years (average age — 55.1 ± 4.4 years) with mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence, the duration of the disease was 5.8 ± 2.5 years. The patients were divided into three groups with comparable clinical and functional characteristics: the main group (n = 35) received complex treatment, including high-intensity focused electromagnetic (VIFEM) therapy and electrostatic massage using a pulsating low-frequency alternating electric field, the comparison group (n = 35) underwent VIFEM therapy, the control group (n = 35) included women who were prescribed conservative treatment, including a bladder training program and behavioral therapy. The psychoemotional state and overall quality of life of the patients before and after treatment were assessed based on data obtained using a short form of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the QOL (Quality of Life) scale. Results. After the therapy, there was an improvement in QOL scores in the main group by 65.7% (p < 0.01), in the comparison group by 40% (p < 0.05) and in the control group by 8-18% (p > 0.05), as well as a decrease in the IIQ-7 questionnaire, especially in the main group — an average of 3.23 times, which was confirmed by a significant decrease in the sum of points: from the initial 13.6 ± 0.2 to 4.2 ± 0.02 after treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The combined use of pulsating low-frequency alternating electric and high-intensity focused electromagnetic fields in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women, compared with single exposure, provides a significant improvement in both the physical and emotional state of patients and significantly improves their quality of life, which allows it to be recommended for use in a wide clinical practice. Key words: stress urinary incontinence in women, the condition of the pelvic floor muscles, electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles, pulsating low-frequency alternating electric field, intense focused electromagnetic field, improvement of quality of life.

A comparative study of the effectiveness of azoximer bromide and surgery on the quality of the life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of azoximer bromide and surgery on the quality of life of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) without polyps. We also wanted to examine changes in the patient's emotional state and the nature of their complaints. The results of using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) questionnaire in patients with CRS without severe or moderate-severe polyps, before treatment and 3 months after treatment, are presented. Patients, depending on their choice, were treated with functional endoscopic intervention or a course of 6 mg/ml azoximer bromide (1 ml per day, a course of at least 10 days). The median [interquartile range] score for VAS in patients before azoximer bromide treatment was 6.7 [6.3; 7.05] points, after treatment 4.2 [3.50; 4.70] points. The median [interquartile range] of VAS scores in patients before surgical treatment was 6.4 [6.1; 6.9] points, and after 4.8 [4.50; 5.30] points. The median [interquartile range] of the SNOT-22 score before azoximer bromide treatment was 33 [32; 36] points, after treatment - 24 [22; 25] points. The median [interquartile range] of the SNOT-22 score before surgery was 34 [32; 36] points, after treatment - 19 [18; 21.25] points. Azoximer bromide treatment and surgery improve the quality of life of patients with CRS (according to the visual analog scale and all SNOT-22 domains) during a control survey after 3 months (p<0.001). Surgical treatment has a stronger impact on the quality of life, which is more noticeable in the influence on the domains "Rhinological symptoms", "Extranasal symptoms", "Ear/facial symptoms" (p<0.05). According to the domains "Psychological dysfunction", "Sleep dysfunction", surgical intervention had no advantages in affecting the quality of life, compared with taking azoximer bromide (p<0.05).

Empathetic Communication in Telemedicine: A Pilot Study.

In health care, empathy is a clinician's ability to understand a patient's emotional state and convey that understanding in their care; and being culturally sensitive is communicating and respecting cultural differences. Providing health care on digital platforms introduces a new challenge of conveying empathy and cultural sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients who were seen in-person had different perceptions of clinicians' empathy and cultural sensitivity compared to those who were seen via telemedicine. In this cross-sectional pilot study, we recruited primary care clinicians (N=8) and their telemedicine (N=14) and in-person patients (N=20) from two clinics at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. We evaluated clinicians' empathy and cultural sensitivity by self-report and from patients' standpoints. Patient perception of clinician empathy scores were similar (P value=.31) for in-person appointments (mean=33.8) and telemedicine appointments (mean=31.3). Patient perception of culturally sensitive communication varied in the sensitivity domain and was consistently low for the domain of discrimination (suggesting low discrimination among the clinicians) regardless of the modality of the visit. This novel pilot study demonstrated comparable empathy and culturally sensitive communication scores in telemedicine and in-person visits, highlighting the potential for continued use of telemedicine in outpatient primary care. Delivery of care via telemedicine can enable an expansion of high-quality care to underserved communities. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings to enhance the experience of telemedicine visits for patients and clinicians.

Metaverse Simulator for Emotional Understanding

Metaverse is a rapidly developing technology today. Our study aims to implement a new technique of communication between medical specialists and patients remotely in metaverse. The simulation of the virtual environment of patient and physician is done using avatars and then human emotions are identified through a simulator. To this end, image processing techniques are used to identify how particular states of the brain function with changes in emotions. In addition, an investigation has been conducted into how unusual actions and disorders impact us and how they can be controlled. Understanding these factors that have severe impact on our lives lead us to improve and control our emotions and can introduce new therapies to overcome mental disorders. Thus, this article aims to integrate metaverse and image processing techniques with blue-eye technology. The eye image is captured to determine the patient's emotional state and then compared with database eye images which helps psychiatrist understand current state of patient and consult accordingly to cure patients. A detailed description of basic parameters that are used to monitor functions and obtained results is discussed. Finally, the Metaverse's future and what has to be done to adapt to this technology is discussed. Since there are few studies in literature, this article aims to be a perspective article that increases academic studies.

Analyzing robotic surgery impact on recovery quality & emotions

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to investigate the postoperative recovery quality and emotional status of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent robot-assisted and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery using the 15-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) scale and to analyze the correlation. MethodsWe collected clinical data from 320 patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy using either robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) at our center from January 2021 to December 2022. We compared perioperative parameters and followed up after the operation using the QoR-15 scale to objectively assess the quality of postoperative recovery and physical and emotional status. ResultsApart from a notable distinction in anesthesia time, no significant differences were observed in other general data. Notably, the overall recovery rate for patients in the RATS group surpassed that of the VATS group (P < 0.05). Specifically, the recovery rates in the RATS group were significantly superior to those in the VATS group across nociceptive factors, emotional factors, activities of daily living, physiological factors, and cognitive ability (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis between surgical methods and various indicators of the QoR-15 scale showed significant correlations between surgical methods (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe QoR-15 scale is a valuable tool for assessing the postoperative recovery quality in lung cancer patients. The RATS plays a significant role in promoting the swift postoperative recovery of patients and demonstrates excellent efficacy, safety, and reliability.

Health-related quality of life among Spanish patients with diabetic foot ulcer according to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale – Short Form

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the health-related quality of life of Spanish outpatients with diabetic foot ulcer using the Diabetic Foot Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF). Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional observational study included 141 outpatients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The DFS-SF was applied in personal interviews conducted by a trained investigator to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). ResultsThe domain related to “worried about ulcers” had the lowest in score [50 (27.5–65.0)], and the highest score was in the physical health domain [76 (60.0–88.0)]. There was a statistically significant difference in the ulcer type and the physical health subscale, finding the lowest values in the physical health subscale in patients with ischaemic diabetic foot ulcers [58 (39.0–70.0), p = 0.007]. In the multivariable analysis the domains Leisure (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99) and worried about ulcers/feet (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99) were identified as significant independent domains in patients with the experience of a previous minor amputation. A significant negative correlation was observed between the SINBAD DFU score and leisure (r = -0.181, p = 0.032), physical health (r = -0.202, p = 0.016), dependence/daily life (r = -0.232, p = 0.006), and the “bothered by ulcer care” (r = -0.239, p = 0.004) domains of the DFS-SF. The ulcer duration had a significant negative correlation with all the domains of DFS-SF. ConclusionThe DFS-SF survey is a specific instrument that could be implemented in diabetic foot units as part of the management of patients with DFU to evaluate HRQoL. The domain of “worried about ulcers” had the lowest score in our population suggesting that clinicians should try to work on the emotional state of patients with DFU. The mean duration of DFU was the most influential factor related to worse scores followed by previous amputations. The SINBAD score had significant negative correlations suggesting that HRQoL may be related to the severity of DFU in this study population.

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Emotional Disturbances in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema with vision-related quality of life, as well as the potential association between the disease's severity, emotional status of patients and the manifestation of anxiety and psychological features. Patients with fundoscopic findings had significantly lower scores in all VFQ-25 subscales, indicating worse quality of life in comparison to patients without DR. Severity of DR, greater levels of anxiety, daily sitting time, unemployment and lower education level, were all found to be significantly, negatively associated with a worse quality of life. Regarding emotional status, more years of suffering from diabetes, treatment with insulin and the hours being idle per day were associated with an increased burden of anxiety. In addition, the presence of a concomitant disease, findings in fundoscopy, diabetic macular edema and treatment with anti-VEFG injections, as well as the number of doses, were significantly associated with greater anxiety. Multivariate analysis showed that having Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy or having Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and receiving insulin therapy (alone or in combination with another treatment), were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety. The well-established impact of DR on the patients' well-being, quality of life and emotional status render DR and CME prevention, stabilization or delaying progression as a necessity in order to protect patients from developing psychiatric symptoms. On the other hand, the speculated bi-directional association between emotional problems and DR progression highlights the importance of acknowledging and dealing with psychological issues with the aim of delaying DR progression.

CN72 Symptom burden, quality of life and emotional status of patients with advanced lung cancer seen at the functional lung unit

CN72 Symptom burden, quality of life and emotional status of patients with advanced lung cancer seen at the functional lung unit

Intervention effect of Marxist spiritual education on patients with borderline personality disorder

Background Borderline personality disorder is a subtype of pathological personality. Some studies believe that pathological personality will affect the treatment of depression, and borderline personality is the most obvious one. Borderline personality disorder has a certain impact on the repair of psychosocial function. Ringing can even increase the risk of suicide. The emotional state of patients with this disease is quite similar to the emotional symptoms of patients with depression, which is easy to be missed or misdiagnosed, and there is a long continuity of borderline personality disorder. Therefore, the choice of treatment for patients with this disease is very critical.Subjects and Methods In the perspective of Marxism, spiritual life is the inner need and important content of the all-round development of human beings. Marxist spiritual education provides correct values and spiritual connotation. The effect of Marxist spiritual education on the intervention of patients with borderline personality disorder was discussed. In this experiment, 60 patients with borderline personality disorder were randomly selected from a hospital. SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to process the data of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) before and after the experiment.ResultsBefore intervention, there was no statistical significance in patients’ SAS scale scores (P&gt;0.05). After intervention, the score of SAS scale was higher than that before intervention, and the difference was statistically significant (P&lt;0.05).ConclusionsMarxist spiritual education has obvious improvement effect on borderline personality disorder, and can promote the physical and mental health development of patients.

ChatGPT encounters multiple opportunities and challenges in neurosurgery.

ChatGPT, powered by the GPT model and Transformer architecture, has demonstrated remarkable performance in the domains of medicine and healthcare, providing customized and informative responses. In our study, we investigated the potential of ChatGPT in the field of neurosurgery, focusing on its applications at the patient, neurosurgery student/resident, and neurosurgeon levels. The authors conducted inquiries with ChatGPT from the viewpoints of patients, neurosurgery students/residents, and neurosurgeons, covering a range of topics, such as disease diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, rehabilitation, and patient care. The authors also explored concepts related to neurosurgery, including fundamental principles and clinical aspects, as well as tools and techniques to enhance the skills of neurosurgery students/residents. Additionally, the authors examined disease-specific medical interventions and the decision-making processes involved in clinical practice. The authors received individual responses from ChatGPT, but they tended to be shallow and repetitive, lacking depth and personalization. Furthermore, ChatGPT may struggle to discern a patient's emotional state, hindering the establishment of rapport and the delivery of appropriate care. The language used in the medical field is influenced by technical and cultural factors, and biases in the training data can result in skewed or inaccurate responses. Additionally, ChatGPT's limitations include the inability to conduct physical examinations or interpret diagnostic images, potentially overlooking complex details and individual nuances in each patient's case. Moreover, its absence in the surgical setting limits its practical utility. Although ChatGPT is a powerful language model, it cannot substitute for the expertise and experience of trained medical professionals. It lacks the capability to perform physical examinations, make diagnoses, administer treatments, establish trust, provide emotional support, and assist in the recovery process. Moreover, the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare necessitates careful consideration of legal and ethical concerns. While recognizing the potential of ChatGPT, additional training with comprehensive data is necessary to fully maximize its capabilities.

Body Image and Emotional Status in Patients with Acquired Brain Injury.

Emotional experiences can lead to a real or distorted self-representation. After brain damage, altered self-perception of one's own body image is frequent. This study evaluates the relationship of mood disorders and lesion sites on body image in a cohort of ABI patients. A total of 46 patients (26 men, 20 women) without severe physical impairments were found eligible for this study. Patients underwent Beck's Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety to assess mood disorders, whereas the Body Image Scale and Human Figure Drawing were used to evaluate body dissatisfaction and implicit body image. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to assess patients' cognitive condition. We found a moderate correlation between depression and body image (r = 0.48), as well as between anxiety and body image (r = 0.52), and the regression model also reported the right lesion site as a predictive variable for body image score. In addition, the regression model built by Human Figure Drawing scores showed anxiety, cognitive functioning, and a marital status of single to be significant predictors. The study confirmed that participants with acquired brain injury have deficits in body representation associated with mood disorders, regardless of the side of the lesions. A neuropsychological intervention could be useful for these patients to improve their cognitive performance and learn to manage emotional dysfunction in order to increase their self-perception of body image and improve their quality of life.

The Incidence and Severity of Patient-Reported Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Routine Clinical Care: A Prospective Observational Study.

Understanding patients' self-reported chemotherapy side effects is significant because it affects patients' quality of life (QOL) and compliance with treatment. Our current knowledge of chemotherapy side effects comes from available literature, whose external validity is questionable. Moreover, there are very few studies available in the literature that focus on various cancers and their associated side effects. A single-center, prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center from July 2019 to July 2021. After deriving the sample size, we interviewed 76 consecutive study patients with gastric, periampullary, colorectal, and breast cancer for six months after chemotherapy initiation with a structured patient-reported outcome tool adapted in Englishand Tamil to record the side effects like diarrhea, vomiting, chest pain, constipation, dyspnea, fatigue, mucositis, and rash. The grading of symptoms was done according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Eventsversion 5.0. The frequency and prevalence of side effects were calculated as the number of patients who reported the side effect of any grade at least once during the follow-up period. The incidence rate of side effects was calculated in terms of person-time.The association between each side effect and cancer type was calculated using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Of the 77 patients in the study, 51.9% were male, 63.6% were between 40 and 60 years of age, 45.5% had stage-3 disease, and 44.2% received neoadjuvant treatment. During the six-month follow-up period, 97.4% of patients experienced at least one side effect. Fatigue was the most common side effect (87%), followed by loss of appetite (71.4%) and diarrhea (49.4%). Approximately 66.7% of patients experienced six or more side effects. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of side effects between cancer types. However, age, socioeconomic status, BMI, comorbidity, chemo-intent, and stage of disease did not affect the frequency of side effects. This study highlights the need to integrate patient-reported side effects into routine clinical practice. Identifying these side effects, even if they are mild in intensity, and managing them in a timely manner may improve the patient's emotional state, QOL, and compliance with chemotherapy.

Evolution of Quality of Life and Treatment Adherence after One Year of Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation in Functional Urology Unit Patients.

To determine patient difficulties and concerns when performing IBC (Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation), as well as the evolution of adherence, quality of life, and emotional state of patients one year after starting IBC. A prospective, observational, multicentre study conducted in 20 Spanish hospitals with a one-year follow-up. Data sources were patient records and the King's Health Questionnaire on quality of life, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Perceived adherence was measured using the ICAS (Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Scale) and perceived difficulties with IBC were assessed using the ICDQ (Intermittent Catheterization Difficulty Questionnaire). For data analysis, descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed for paired data at three points in time (T1: one month, T2: three months, T3: one year). A total of 134 subjects initially participated in the study (T0), becoming 104 subjects at T1, 91 at T2, and 88 at T3, with a mean age of 39 years (standard deviation = 22.16 years). Actual IBC adherence ranged from 84.8% at T1 to 84.1% at T3. After one year of follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in all dimensions with the exception of personal relationships. However, there were no changes in the levels of anxiety (p = 0.190) or depression (p = 0.682) at T3 compared to T0. Patients requiring IBC exhibit good treatment adherence, with a significant proportion of them performing self-catheterisation. After one year of IBC, a significant improvement in quality of life was noted, albeit with a significant impact on their daily lives and their personal and social relationships. Patient support programmes could be implemented to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and thus enhance both their quality of life and the maintenance of their adherence.

Keratoconus and Personality Traits: A Case-Control Study.

The aim of this study was to delineate the personality traits of patients affected by keratoconus (KC) compared with a group of nonkeratoconic controls matched in age and sex. In this prospective interventional case-control study, 60 consecutive subjects (30 KC cases and 30 healthy controls), aged 18 to 30, were enrolled at the time of their first encounter at the ophthalmology unit of the Fondazione Policlinico "Tor Vergata", Roma. After completing the ophthalmic evaluation, participants were asked to respond to the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25). A complete psychiatric assessment was performed, including the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (SCID-5); the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90); the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Modified (TEMPS-M); and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Cases had lower quality of life than controls, as demonstrated by lower scores in all NEI VFQ-25 subdomains. Nine patients with KC (30.0%) were diagnosed by the SCID-5 with at least 1 cluster C personality disorder, resulting in a 9-fold increased risk compared with controls. Moreover, keratoconic patients showed a more pronounced psychosomatic symptomatology (SCL-90) and a characteristic neurotic temperament (TEMPS-M and NEO-FFI). Our results support the hypothesis that subjects with KC feature dysfunctional coping mechanisms and personality traits, which might already be present at the first clinical encounter. Ophthalmologists should question the mental and emotional status of patients with KC and be especially careful in managing these patients.

Effect of combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy on the emotional state of patients with vulvar craurosis

Objective: studying of the effect of combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the emotional state of patients with vulvar kraurosis. Materials and methods: the study involved 90 women with vulvar kraurosis who were randomized into three groups of 30 participants. In the first group, treatment included photodynamic therapy (PDT) followed by administration of the antioxidant Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate for one month. Participants in the second group received only PDT. Patients of the third group underwent a course of laser therapy on the perineal region. The emotional state of the participants was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and at the end of treatment, 1, 6 and 12 months after the end of therapy. Results: before treatment, participants from the three groups scored a similar number of HADS scores. In the course of observations, the best result on the scales of anxiety and depression was recorded in patients who received combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy. After a month of taking Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, the HADS score in these women was significantly lower than in the comparison groups. Further, these patients continued to show better scores on the depression scale. The total scores on the anxiety scale in this group were comparable to those in patients who received only PDT. Conclusion: combined antioxidant and photodynamic therapy, including Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, has a more pronounced positive effect on the emotional background of patients with vulvar kraurosis in comparison with PDT and laser therapy.

Rhodojaponin VI indirectly targets Cav2.2 channels via N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein to alleviate neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is a chronic disease that severely afflicts the life and emotional status of patients, but currently available treatments are often ineffective. Novel therapeutic targets for the alleviation of neuropathic pain are urgently needed. Rhodojaponin VI, a grayanotoxin from Rhododendron molle, showed remarkable antinociceptive efficacy in models of neuropathic pain, but its biotargets and mechanisms are unknown. Given the reversible action of rhodojaponin VI and the narrow range over which its structure can be modified, we perforwmed thermal proteome profiling of the rat dorsal root ganglion to determine the protein target of rhodojaponin VI. N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion (NSF) was confirmed as the key target of rhodojaponin VI through biological and biophysical experiments. Functional validation showed for the first time that NSF facilitated trafficking of the Cav2.2 channel to induce an increase in Ca2+ current intensity, whereas rhodojaponin VI reversed the effects of NSF. In conclusion, rhodojaponin VI represents a unique class of analgesic natural products targeting Cav2.2 channels via NSF.

Virtual Rejection and Overinclusion in Eating Disorders: An Experimental Investigation of the Impact on Emotions, Stress Perception, and Food Attitudes

(1) Background: the investigation of how interpersonal functioning affects eating psychopathology has been receiving increasing attention in the last decade. This study evaluates the impact of virtual social inclusion or ostracism on emotions, perceived stress, eating psychopathology, and the drive to binge or restrict in patients across the eating disorder spectrum. (2) Methods: a group of 122 adolescent and adult females with different eating disorder diagnoses were compared to 50 healthy peers with regards to their performance on, and responses to the Cyberball task, a virtual ball-tossing game. Each participant was randomly assigned to playing a social inclusion or a social exclusion block of the Cyberball task and completed self-report assessments of emotions, perceived stress and urge to restrict/binge before and after the task. (3) Results: patients with anorexia nervosa showed a more negative impact on psychological well-being evaluated with the need threat scale after the excluding block, while patients with bulimia nervosa reported more negative effects after the overincluding condition. Patients with binge eating disorder showed a reduction in specific negative emotions after the overincluding block, unlike all other participants. (4) Conclusions: findings show significant correlations between restraint thoughts in patients with bulimia nervosa and binge thoughts in patients with binge eating disorder after being exposed to the inclusion condition. Different reactions in cognitive and emotional states of patients with eating disorders after different interpersonal scenarios confirm the impact of inclusive or exclusive relationships on eating psychopathology, with specific and different responses across the eating disorder spectrum, that have been discussed, linked to their eating behavioral cognition.

Sleep Quality as a Predictor of Quality-of-Life and Emotional Status Impairment in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) leads to a decreased quality of life in patients because of pruritus and skin lesions. However, there is still little evidence on the impact that a worse sleep quality could have on the quality of life and emotional disorders in these patients. The aims of the present study are to analyze the potential impact of sleep quality on the quality-of-life and emotional status of patients with CSU. A cross-sectional study of 75 CSU patients was performed. Socio-demographic variables and disease activity, quality of life, sleep, sexual disfunction, anxiety, depression and personality traits were collected. A majority of 59 of the patients suffered from poor sleep quality. Sleep quality impairment was associated with worse disease control, greater pruritus and swelling and poorer general and urticaria-related quality-of-life (p < 0.05). Patients with poor sleep quality showed an increased prevalence of anxiety (1.62-fold) and depression risk (3.93-fold). Female sexual dysfunction, but not male, was found to be linked to poorer sleep quality (p = 0.04). To conclude, sleep quality impairment in patients with CSU is related to poor quality-of-life, worse disease control and higher rates of anxiety and depression. Global management of the disease should take sleep quality into account to improve the care of CSU patients.

Teaching students how to interpret animal emotions part 1: in the classroom and on placement

Identifying the patient's emotional state enables veterinary nurses to tailor care, provide better advice on animal training and behaviour problems, and stay safe during human–animal interactions. However, the ability to interpret animal emotions is not instinctive and must be learnt. This article refers to Herrington and Oliver's ‘authentic learning framework’, which may be used in the classroom and during clinical placements to structure teaching and learning. For example, classroom-based teaching could transmit appropriate knowledge (‘scaffolding’), demonstrate the interpretation process (provide ‘access to expert performance’ and ‘modelling’) and task students with identifying animal emotions in images and YouTube videos (‘authentic activities’). Within clinical placement, supervisors could activate their students' knowledge by using questioning, model their own process of identifying animal emotions (‘access to expert performance’), and set authentic learning activities such as an audit of animals' emotions. Within both contexts, reflection and discussion should be encouraged, coaching provided as necessary, and authentic assessment used to gauge student ability. Placement supervisors can build their formal knowledge of animal emotions by reviewing their students' learning materials, attending animal behaviour conferences or webinars, accessing reliable websites and reading academic journal articles. This would also count towards their annual continuing veterinary education requirements. Part 2 of this article will discuss putting into practice what has been learned.

Perspectives of Indonesian Muslim patients with advanced lung cancer on good death: A qualitative study

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Patients with advanced lung cancer may experience burdensome distress at the end of life. The concept of good death has been shown to be complex, and continues to be expanded by gaining a better understanding of the cultural views of different populations. This study aimed to explore the perspective of Indonesian Muslims patients with advanced cancer on the concept of good death. A qualitative design comprising in-depth interviews was employed. Seven male and 3 female Muslim patients between ages 36 and 68 and diagnosed with advanced lung cancer were recruited from a teaching hospital in Central Java, Indonesia. Content analysis of the interviews revealed five themes: dying without physical discomfort, dying in religious ways and in a desirable place, dying without emotional discomfort, receiving help and support, and having a good relationship with medical staff. Indonesian Muslim patient with advanced lung cancer have unique perspectives on good death, especially based on the themes of religious ways of dying and support from family. Health care providers should be aware that good death is not an individual concern and should thus adopt highly sensitive observation skills to assess the physical and emotional state of patients. These providers must also understand their patients' preferences and respect their needs, regardless of their own beliefs.