Questionnaire Short Form Research Articles

Sociodemographic aspects, beliefs about lifestyles, and religiosity as predictors of life satisfaction in Peruvian university students: a cross-sectional study.

Beliefs and practices related to healthy lifestyles and religiosity can play an important role in overall well-being. However, few studies have explored the association between these factors and life satisfaction in the university context. This study examined the association between sociodemographic aspects, lifestyle beliefs, and religiosity with life satisfaction in university students. A cross-sectional predictive study was conducted during the months of March and May 2024 at a private university located in the northern region of Peru. Validated instruments were distributed that included a lifestyle beliefs scale, the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire-Short Form (SCSRFQ-SF), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and a sociodemographic data section. A total of 1,258 students participated in the study. Multiple linear regression models were used for predictive analysis. Being a student of foreign origin, compared to being Peruvian, is negatively and significantly associated with life satisfaction (β = -0.066, p = 0.003). In contrast, a positive association is observed between belonging to the Faculty of Health Sciences (β = 0.119, p = 0.048) and life satisfaction, compared to students from other faculties. Furthermore, lifestyle beliefs (β = 0.579; p < 0.001) and religiosity (β = 0.182; p < 0.001) are positively and significantly associated with life satisfaction. These findings suggest that universities and health professionals should consider promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting religious practices as important strategies to improve student life satisfaction, considering relevant sociodemographic aspects.

Impact of daily physical activity level on mental health and quality of life in substance use disorders patients

ABSTRACT Background Substance use disorders patients often exhibit low levels of physical activity. However, the daily level of physical activity appears to significantly impact the patient’s rehabilitation process. Methods This study analyses the daily level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) in a group of 125 patients undergoing rehabilitation, and its relationship with levels of mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey). Additionally, gender differences in all measured variables were analyzed. Results The results show a strong correlation between daily physical activity and levels of mental health (ρ>0.787), as well as a moderate correlation between physical activity levels and quality of life (ρ:0.406–0.586). Furthermore, when analyzing gender differences, women exhibited lower levels compared to men in physical activity (p < 0.001), mental health (p < 0.05), and different quality of life indicators (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the level of daily physical activity could influence the quality of life and mental health of patients during the rehabilitation process. Therefore, rehabilitation treatments should include strategies to increase patients’ daily physical activity levels. Furthermore, considering the gender disparities identified, additional studies are warranted in this field.

Childhood maltreatment and aggressive behavior among college students: a serial mediation model of authenticity and alexithymia.

Aggressive behavior among college students is a concerning issue that not only affects the mental health and personal development of those involved but also poses a threat to societal stability. Existing literature has consistently demonstrated a positive correlation between childhood maltreatment and aggressive behavior. However, the specific mechanisms through which childhood maltreatment leads to aggressive behavior remain unclear. This study aims to explore the impact of childhood maltreatment on aggressive behavior among college students and to examine the mediating roles of authenticity and alexithymia in this relationship. To investigate these relationships, we conducted an online survey among 1,148 Chinese college students. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Authenticity Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and 12-item Aggression Questionnaire (12-AQ). These instruments allowed us to measure the variables of interest and to analyze the potential mediating effects of authenticity and alexithymia. The findings of our study indicate that both authenticity and alexithymia mediate the positive relationship between childhood maltreatment and aggressive behavior. Specifically, the mediating effect of authenticity was 0.04 (95% CI [0.01, 0.06]), while that of alexithymia was 0.10 (95% CI [0.07, 0.13]). Moreover, we observed a chain-mediating effect involving both authenticity and alexithymia, with a chain-mediating effect of 0.03 (95% CI [0.02, 0.05]). This study demonstrates that childhood maltreatment can positively predict aggressive behavior in college students, and this relationship is mediated individually and sequentially by authenticity and alexithymia. Our findings contribute valuable insights to the existing research on aggressive behavior and provide a theoretical framework for developing interventions aimed at reducing aggressive behaviors among college students.

How Does Parental Early Maladaptive Schema Affect Adolescents' Social Adaptation? Based on the Perspective of Intergenerational Transmission.

An individual's social adaptation is affected by their early maladaptive schemas. Previous studies have shown that early maladaptive schemas may be intergenerationally transmitted in families. It is important to explore the intergenerational effect of early maladaptive schemas on adolescents' social adaptation, as they are in a critical period of growth and development. In this study, a cross-sectional design and questionnaire survey were used to collect data to explore the intergenerational influence of early maladaptive schemas in families and their relationship with adolescents' social adaptation. The participants were 201 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years and their primary caregivers (father or mother), of whom 125 (62.2%) were boys and 76 (37.8%) were girls. There were 70 fathers (34.8%) and 131 mothers (65.2%). Chinese adolescents and their primary caregivers were surveyed using paired questionnaires, and the Young Schema Questionnaire (short form) and Adolescent Social Adaptation Scale were completed. The results show that adolescents' early maladaptive schema plays an intermediary role between parents' early maladaptive schema and adolescents' social adaptation. Parental mistrust/abuse and insufficient self-control schemas affected adolescents' social adaptation through the mediating effect of their corresponding schemas. Our results reveal the negative impact path of parents' early maladaptive schemas on adolescents' social adaptation and provide a new direction for the clinical practice of adolescent family therapy.

The Role of Disease Severity, Affected Joints, and Physical Activity Levels on Functional Impairment in Osteoarthritis after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common among Chilean adults over 60, impacting their functionality. This study aimed to determine how health factors such as disease severity, type of OA, medication use, and physical activity levels relate to functionality in individuals with OA. The sample size included 67 women and 13 men aged 38 to 92 (66.6 ± 11.2) with diagnosed knee or hip OA. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to estimate physical activity, the Lequesne Index for functional impairment, and the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) for pain. Data were collected from December 2022 to March 2023. We performed bivariate analyses, which indicated that greater OA severity and bilateral OA are associated with increased functional impairment and pain. Medication use was correlated with higher pain levels, and physical activity was correlated with functionality; there was no correlation with age. Here, 65.4% of the variance in functionality problems was explained by OA severity, bilateral involvement, and pain level, highlighting their impact on functionality. Functionality problems were higher in individuals who suffered higher levels of severity when they performed lower levels of physical activity. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity to improve the quality of life for individuals with OA.

Effects of an acute maximal exercise bout on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in adults with MDD

Exercise has acute, positive effects on mood and can lead to antidepressant effects over time when repeated regularly. The mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of exercise training are not well known, limiting the prescription of exercise training for depression. Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) appears dysregulated in those with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), suggesting MDD could inhibit or alter the IGF-1 response to exercise. In healthy individuals, exercise has been shown to acutely increase serum IGF-1, which may act positively on the dysregulated IGF-1 system in MDD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the sensitivity of serum IGF-1 levels to an acute maximal exercise bout in adults with MDD and healthy controls. Additionally, clinical and behavioral factors of MDD are likely to affect this system, such as depression severity, antidepressant usage and physical activity habits. Baseline data were used from a larger trial in Germany (SPeED Study) collected from individuals with mild to moderate MDD (n=113) and healthy controls (n=34) that were matched for age, sex, and education. Demographics, depression severity (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17), self-reported antidepressant usage, MVPA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), and blood draws before and after a maximal exercise test were collected. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to determine relationships between depression severity, antidepressant usage, and physical activity with peripheral IGF-1 levels following acute exercise. Covariates included demographic factors and IGF-1 pre-exercise (baseline levels). Acute IGF-1 changes occurred similarly in depression (mean ± SD; 11.3 ± 12.9) as well as healthy adults (11.3 ± 20.4: p>0.05). Neither depression severity, antidepressant use, nor regular physical activity were significant predictors of peripheral IGF-1 levels at baseline or following exercise. Individuals with MDD are likely to have favorable exercise-induced IGF-1 changes regardless of clinical and behavioral differences. Acute exercise increases peripheral IGF-1 briefly, and in response to repeated exercise bouts, the IGF-1 system could normalize over time. The normalization of the IGF-1 system might be a possible mechanism underlying mood increases that occur during exercise with exercise training research warranted.

The associations between dairy product intake, fatigue status, and physical activity among postpartum women in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFatigue is a major issue that affects women during the postpartum period. A healthy dietary pattern and increased physical activity (PA) are commonly recommended lifestyle modifications to promote health during this time. However, little is known about the interrelationship between dairy product intake, PA level, and postpartum fatigue (PPF) among women. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PPF is associated with dairy product intake in relation to PA level.MethodsA total of 242 women were included in this cross-sectional study. Data related to dairy product intake and PA were collected using a food frequency questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form, respectively. PPF was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between the intake of dairy products and PPF among women engaged in low, moderate, and high levels of PA while controlling for potential confounders.ResultsHigher consumption rates of yogurt and total dairy predicted lower odds of PPF in women engaged in moderate levels of PA (aOR = 0.24 [95% CI = 0.07, 0.86] and 0.70 [95% CI = 0.53, 0.93], respectively). In women engaged in high levels of PA, lower odds of experiencing PPF were predicted by higher consumption rates of milk (aOR = 0.24 [95% CI = 0.07, 0.89]), yogurt (aOR = 0.21 [95% CI = 0.05, 0.83]), laban (aOR = 0.16 [95% CI = 0.03, 0.86]), and total dairy (aOR = 0.66 [95% CI = 0.47, 0.92]). However, no association was observed between dairy product intake and PPF in women with low levels of PA.ConclusionsHigher consumption rates of dairy products were associated with lower odds for experiencing PPF, particularly for women engaged in moderate to high levels of PA. These findings support nutritional and PA promotion programs to moderate issues with PPF. However, the cross-sectional design of this study could limit the ability to infer causality between dairy intake, PA, and PPF. Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and explore the mechanisms underlying these associations.

The moderating effect of maternal childhood maltreatment on the association between social support and parenting outcomes

Although social support is generally expected to improve parenting issues, previous findings on its efficacy among parents who have experienced childhood maltreatment are inconsistent. However, the reasons for this inconsistency have not yet been clarified. To address this, the present study examined the possibility that experiencing specific subtypes of childhood maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect) impairs the subsequent function of social support in parenting. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with Japanese mothers of children aged one to three years. In the survey, participants completed four scales: the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Parenting Skills Scales for Mothers of Toddlers, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, and the Brief Inventory of the Social Support Exchange Network. A total of 360 datasets were analyzed (mean age = 33.73, SD = 4.73). The results indicated that physical abuse diminished the effect of social support on the prevention of negative parenting. However, social support alleviated parenting stress regardless of childhood maltreatment subtype. The effects of social support on increased positive parenting and decreased negative parenting were unclear compared to its effect on parenting stress. These findings have important implications for supporting parenting among parents who have experienced childhood maltreatment and preventing. intergenerational transmission.

The Therapeutic Effect of Monopolar Radiofrequency Therapy on Urinary Symptoms and Sexual Function.

Objectives: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) negatively affects the quality of life and sexual function in women. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) therapy in reducing SUI symptoms and its impact on sexual function. Methods: Thirty-four women with SUI were enrolled and underwent a single RF treatment session using the Viveve® System (Viveve Medical Inc., USA) with parameters of 90 J/cm2 and 220 pulses per hour. Assessments at baseline and 6 months post treatment included perineal ultrasound and personal interviews to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual function. Urodynamic studies, voiding diaries, and questionnaires such as the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) measured outcomes. Results: RF therapy significantly improved sexual function, with higher FSFI scores in all domains except pain at 6 months. SUI symptoms were significantly reduced, as indicated by improved scores on OABSS, UDI-6, IIQ-7, and ICIQ-SF, alongside better voiding diary results. Anatomical changes included reduced bladder neck mobility, decreased vaginal width, and a reduced rotation angle of the proximal urethra. Conclusions: RF therapy is effective and safe for treating mild to moderate SUI and enhances sexual function, potentially due to changes in vaginal topography. These results suggest RF therapy as a viable non-surgical option for managing SUI and improving sexual health.

Comparison of capsule and posterior lumbar interbody fusion in cauda equina syndrome with retention: a 24-month follow-up study

Background and objectivesCauda equina syndrome with retention (CESR) is a severe lumbar condition characterized by painless urine retention due to cauda equina nerve injury. The standard treatment, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), often yields suboptimal results. This study aims to compare the clinical safety and efficacy of a novel technique, capsule lumbar interbody fusion (CLIF), with PLIF in CESR patients, hypothesizing that CLIF can enhance neurological recovery by reducing nerve tension.MethodsA single-center, retrospective study was conducted on 83 patients with CESR due to lumbar disc herniation, who underwent either PLIF (n = 44) or CLIF (n = 39). Patients were assessed preoperatively and at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICI-Q-SF), and Rintala score. Urodynamic studies and nerve tension measurements were also performed. Statistical analysis included t tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman’s correlation.ResultsBoth groups showed significant postoperative improvements, but the CLIF group had superior outcomes. At 12 months, the CLIF group had lower VAS scores (1.15 ± 0.84 vs. 1.68 ± 0.60, p = 0.001) and ODI scores (23.31 ± 7.51 vs. 28.30 ± 8.26, p = 0.005). At 24 months, the CLIF group continued to show better results with ODI scores (15.97 ± 6.43 vs. 22.11 ± 6.41, p < 0.001) and higher ODI recovery rates (60.41 ± 17.6% vs. 44.71 ± 18.99%, p < 0.001). The CLIF group also had better ICI-Q-SF scores (2.13 ± 1.23 vs. 3.02 ± 1.45, p = 0.004) and Rintala scores (17.97 ± 1.43 vs. 16.59 ± 1.54, p < 0.001). Lower postoperative nerve tension in the CLIF group correlated with these improved outcomes.ConclusionsCLIF demonstrated superior efficacy over PLIF in treating CESR, with significant improvements in pain relief, functional recovery, and bladder and bowel function. This study highlights the potential of CLIF as a more effective surgical option for CESR, emphasizing its importance in improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of CESR on patients and society.

Impact of psychological resilience and social support on psycho-social adjustment in postoperative patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma: mediating effects of fear of progression.

Postoperative patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confront not only physiological challenges but also psychological and social adaptation issues. It is imperative to enhance psycho-social adjustment (PSA) levels and further improve the quality of life among this population. However, research on PSA levels in postoperative HCC patients is lacking, and investigations into its associations with psychological resilience, social support, and fear of progression (FoP) remain unexplored currently. This study aims to: (1) investigate the current status of PSA and analyze its influencing factors among postoperative HCC patients; (2) explore the interrelationships among psychological resilience, social support, FoP and PSA based on the Chronic Illness Adaptation Model employing a structural equation model. Convenience sampling methods were employed to recruit participants from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery at a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, and a total of 399 patients completed the surveys. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-report (PAIS-SR). Data entry was conducted using Epidata 3.1 with dual verification, followed by statistical analyses performed using SPSS 27.0 and Amos 28.0. The structural equation model revealed two paths. In Path 1 (psychological resilience → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.383 (95% CI [-0.589, -0.112]), with an indirect effect of -0.075 (95% CI [-0.170, -0.018]). In Path 2 (social support → FoP → PSA), the direct effect was -0.297 (95% CI [-0.587, -0.063]), with an indirect effect of -0.069 (95% CI [-0.156, -0.019]). Postoperative patients with primary HCC exhibit lower levels of PSA. Higher levels of psychological resilience and social support correspond to elevated PSA levels. Conversely, advanced age, greater financial burden, and increased FoP are associated with lower PSA levels. FoP serves as a partial mediator between psychological resilience and PSA, as well as between social support and PSA. Future research would benefit from longitudinal designs to elucidate the developmental trajectories and causal links among these variables.

Telerehabilitation Program Impact on Overactive Bladder Symptoms and Metabolic Health in Obese Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION. Overactive bladder syndrome is caused by many factors including obesity, insulin resistance and poor dietary habits. Since it is a chronic disease and needs time to be treated, introducing telepilates in addition to Mediterranean diet would encourage better adherence and results to the treatment program. AIM. To assess the impact of a virtual group-based telerehabilitation program on overactive bladder symptoms and metabolic health in women with obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Eighty obese women (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2) between the ages of 35 and 45 were allocated into two equal groups, 40 for each: (A) supervised telepilates and (B) unsupervised telepilates. The supervised group participated in a 12-week Pilates workout program over videoconference platforms three times a week. Meanwhile, the unsupervised group only received four online meetings. The groups’ diet was the Mediterranean style. The Hemostatic Model of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), Patient Perception of Urgency Scale (PPIUS), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF), and Telehealth Usability Scale (TUS) were measured. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The supervised telepilates group exhibited statistically significant amelioration of overactive bladder symptoms and a reduction in HOMA-IR (p 0.001), while the unsupervised telepilates group showed insignificant changes in these measures (p 0.05). Furthermore, the supervised telepilates group showed significantly greater reductions in BMI and WC (p 0.001) than the unsupervised telepilates group (p 0.05). Additionally, the supervised telegroup outperformed the unsupervised telegroup on all parameters of TUS (p 0.001) CONCLUSION. Women with obesity experienced decrease in overactive bladder symptoms and improved metabolic health after completing a 12-week telepilates training program.

Psychometric evaluation of the study interest questionnaire-short form among Chinese nursing students based on classical test theory and item response theory

BackgroundThere is currently no dedicated measurement for assessing nursing students’ study interest in China. Considering the good reliability, validity, and widespread applicability of the Study Interest Questionnaire-Short Form (SIQ-SF), the objective of this study was to validate its usage among Chinese nursing students.MethodsThe translation and cross-cultural adaptation rigorously followed the modified Brislin model. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Chinese version of the SIQ-SF and convenience sampling was employed to select nursing students. The Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the SIQ-SF was conducted based on Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory.ResultsA total of 1158 participants were included in the analysis. The item-level content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.9 to 1.0, and the scale-level CVI was 0.98. In the Exploratory factor analysis, three factors with eigenvalues above 1 were identified, accounting for 62.554% of the cumulative variance. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the CMIN\\DF was 5.639, the GFI was 0.953, the CFI was 0.902, and the IFI was 0.904. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the Chinese version of the SIQ-SF was 0.70. Thirty-one participants were invited to sign the scale after two weeks. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.784, and that of items ranged from 0.70 to 0.819. The infit MnSQ values ranged between 0.76 and 1.51, and the outfit MnSQ values ranged between 0.72 and 1.76. The point-measure correlation value ranged between 0.30 and 0.68. The item difficulty measures ranged from − 0.66 to 1.44 logit and the individual learning interest estimations ranged from − 4.22 to 4.97 logit. DIF contrast ranged from 0.00 to 0.33 logits, with all p values greater than 0.05.ConclusionsThe Chinese version of the SIQ-SF demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity among Chinese nursing students and could be used to assess nursing students’ study interest in China. With the aid of this scale, teachers can gain a better understanding of nursing students’ study interests, thereby maximizing their learning effects through appropriate content and methods.

Validity of the international physical activity questionnaire short form for assessing physical activity in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes

Validity of the international physical activity questionnaire short form for assessing physical activity in Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of female urinary incontinence: A retrospective analysis.

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound, a noninvasive treatment, for managing urinary incontinence (UI) in women. This is a single-center, retrospective study involving 28 women. Patients, aged between 32 and 65, were included. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, neurological disease, active urinary tract infection, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, who had incontinence surgery, and receiving estrogen therapy were excluded from the study. Incontinence severity was evaluated with the International Incontinence Consultation Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Patients were evaluated before treatment and 6 months after treatment using the ICIQ-SF and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Assessment short form. In the analysis of numerical variables independent or paired t test or linear mixed effects models were used. Least square means were used in post hoc comparisons. Mean age of the patients was 45.50 ± 7.59 years. There were 18 (64%) stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and 10 (36%) mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Six months after treatment, mean ICIQ-SF and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Short Form Questionnaire scores showed a significant positive change. After the procedure, UI completely disappeared in 43% of the patients. The rate of severe UI decreased from 39% to 8%, and very severe UI decreased from 8% to 0%. Incontinence severity was significantly different in the MUI and SUI groups before and after the procedure. After the procedure, UI completely disappeared in 67% of the patients in the SUI group, while it remained at a mild level in 33%. The decrease in ICIQ-SF score in the SUI group was significantly higher than that in the MUI group. There were no severe adverse events, in 4 patients there was mild vaginal discharge which resolved in 1 week. This study showed that high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment, can be effective and safe even in a single session. Selection and recall biases are potential biases in retrospective studies. Lacking a control group is another limitation. Although advances in technology are very important for medical treatments, their effectiveness and safety need to be proven. Future research in this area with a larger sample size and a prospective design will offer further evidence supporting effectiveness of this treatment model.

Prevalence, bother, and impact on pelvic floor muscles of vaginal noise among middle-aged women

BackgroundVaginal noise (VN) is a natural phenomenon that arises when air is forced into the vagina and then expelled as the vaginal wall muscles naturally contract. It has been described as involuntarily passing gas from the vagina. VN is a symptom of pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and can cause social and psychological issues. Data on it is limited, and women rarely voluntarily report it. So, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, bother, and relation between VN and PF muscle dysfunction.Material and methodsIt was a cross-sectional study that included females with age ranges from 30 to 60 years old, body mass index (BMI) ranges from 18 to 30 kg/m2, married, single, virgin, nulliparous, and multiparous women; those with previous one or more vaginal deliveries or cesarean sections (CS) or history of anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapses; and those who had undergone medical interventions such as vaginal surgeries (e.g., pelvic floor reconstruction, hysterectomy), stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, and fecal incontinence. The Vaginal Wind Questionnaire, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7), and Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire were used as methods of evaluating the VN prevalence and bother and its relation to PF dysfunction.ResultsIt was noted that there was a 76.3% prevalence of VN and 75% bother among the study population. Eighty-eight percent of them did not seek any treatment, and VN occurred in 84.3% of females with pelvic floor muscle weakness.ConclusionVN is common in middle-aged Egyptian women, most frequently occurring with sexual intercourse, vaginal delivery, and pelvic floor muscle weakness.

Job satisfaction of multidisciplinary staff working in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study in Qatar

Background/Aims Job satisfaction is an important contributor to the efficacy and success of organisations. An intensive care unit is a highly skilled area of healthcare that can be a physically and mentally challenging environment for staff, potentially impacting job satisfaction. This study aimed to assess job satisfaction levels among multidisciplinary staff members working in the intensive care units of a hospital in Qatar and evaluate how this is affected by sociodemographic and employment factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study that used a survey method. A total of 142 intensive care unit nurses, physicians and allied health professionals were recruited via random sampling from a tertiary hospital in Qatar. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (short form) was used to collect data on respondents' intrinsic, extrinsic and overall job satisfaction levels, using statements scored with 5-point Likert scales. The survey also collected data on respondents' gender, age, job category and years of experience working in intensive care. Data were analysed using Shapiro-Wilk tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests and analysis of variance. Mean overall job satisfaction scores were classified as low (&lt;3.00), moderate (3.00–3.99) or high (&gt;4.00). A P value of &lt;0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results The mean overall job satisfaction score was 3.82 out of 5.00, indicating moderate satisfaction. There were strong correlations between job satisfaction and both intrinsic (0.940) and extrinsic (0.894) satisfaction. There was a significant difference in job satisfaction levels depending on respondents' years of experience working in intensive care units (P=0.0477), with those who had less than 10 years of experience having the highest job satisfaction levels and those with 20–24 years' experience having the lowest job satisfaction levels. There were no significant differences between the job satisfaction levels of participants in different gender, age and job categories. Conclusions This study suggests that intensive care unit staff with more years of experience may have lower job satisfaction than those with fewer years of experience. Healthcare organisations should consider implementing targeted interventions to enhance job satisfaction, such as opportunities for professional development, recognition programmes, mentorship programmes, stress management workshops and efforts to improve work-life balance.

Utility of a Questionnaire Short Form for Adolescents with Listening Difficulties in Japan.

A short and easy questionnaire is needed to identify symptoms of listening difficulties (LiD) at an early stage. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of such a questionnaire for adolescents with and without LiD. We included adolescents with and without LiD and adults without LiD in this study. We utilized a questionnaire designed for individuals with LiD, which combined the Speech, Spatial, and Quality of Hearing scales (SSQ)-12 and four additional psychological items. From this, we selected three items that exhibited the largest differences between adolescents with and without LiD. We subsequently examined the relationship between the total scores of all items and the three selected items to develop the short questionnaire. The responses of adolescents to the questionnaire were consistent with those of adults. The total scores from the three selected items exhibited a strong correlation with the overall questionnaire score for adolescents both with and without LiD, indicating their potential for identifying LiD symptoms. The wide implementation of the short questionnaire developed in this study could lead to the early detection of potential LiD symptoms and timely intervention.

Single-component artificial urinary sphincter: Outcomes from one centre in Portugal.

Radical prostate cancer treatment is the predominant cause of iatrogenic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in men, significantly impacting their quality of life (QoL). This prospective single-center study in Portugal aimed to evaluate the outcomes of men with moderate-to-severe SUI treated with a single-component artificial urinary sphincter (AUS). Male patients with iatrogenic moderate-to-severe SUI, determined by a 24-hour pad weight test, were included. The single-component device comprises a cuff linked to a pump unit through a kink-resistant tube. The implantation involved perineal incision for cuff placement and an inguinal incision for pump and tank positioning within the scrotum. Complications, pad usage, perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), and quality of life assessment using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) questionnaire were documented. Between May 2021 and March 2023, 20 consecutive single-component AUS insertions were conducted at a Portuguese urology department. Follow-up concluded in July 2023, with a mean follow-up duration of 15 months (range: 5-27). Four patients experienced complications necessitating device revision or removal (erosion = 2, infection = 1, mechanical failure = 1). Social continence (0/1 pad/day) was achieved in 70% (14/20 patients), while 30% (6/20 patients) experienced incontinence. Perioperatively, one patient was classified as grade 2, while the remaining were grade 0/1 in the Clavien-Dindo classification. The mean ICIQ-SF score reduction was 10.5 points. The single-component AUS shows promising efficacy in managing moderate-to-severe male SUI, offering a good success rate, acceptable complications, improved QoL, and a straightforward surgical procedure.

Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for urinary incontinence among women attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Bahrain, 2023

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common health concern of women that often goes untreated owing to a lack of awareness and social stigma. It is associated with a lower quality of life and negative bio-psycho-social consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose UI and manage it in its early stages. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors in females attending Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) in Bahrain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 8 PHCCs in Bahrain in April 2023. Females aged 18 and above were included. A multistage sampling technique was adopted. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form was used. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 875 adult females were enrolled in the study with an average age of 37.5 (standard deviation = 12.3) years. Of the cohort, 24.8% patients had UI with stress incontinence as the most common type (71%), followed by urgency UI (21.2%). However, only 21.7% women had sought medical attention. Being a widow (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.49, P=0.007), retired (OR = 1.98, P=0.016), having had multiple pregnancies (95% CI: 0.82, 0.98; P = 0.016), having urogenital infection (OR = 2.50, P=0.001), having undergone surgery other than C-section (OR = 1.60, P=0.017), and constipation (OR = 1.62, P=0.038) were associated with increased risk for UI. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of UI in females attending PHCCs. Since most patients with incontinence did not seek medical care, primary care physicians should address UI in patients using a well-structured screening tool and provide relevant health education.