Mean Total Score Research Articles

Government subsidy for infertility treatment: impact on quality of life for infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

Infertility and the economic burden of treatment can impose considerable psychosocial stress with negative consequences for the quality of life for all involved. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of government subsidies for infertility treatment on the quality of life among infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Infertile women undergoing in intro fertilization-embryo transfer were recruited from the Assisted Reproductive Technology Center at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, between 2019 and 2022. This study examined the issue of fertility using the FertiQoL survey, which measures the quality of life among individuals facing the struggles associated with infertility. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to examine the relationship between government subsidies and pregnancy outcomes and quality of life following infertility treatment. This study analyzed 497 infertile women with 727 embryo transfer cycles. The mean core domain and total FertiQoL scores of subsidy recipients were significantly higher (2.68 score increase, p=0.026 and 2.38 score increase, p=0.026, respectively) than those of women who did not receive a subsidy. We also observed a negative correlation between the provision of subsidies and the likelihood of clinical pregnancy (odds ratio=0.57, 95% confidence interval: [0.35, 0.93], p=0.03) and ongoing (odds ratio=0.56, 95% confidence interval: [0.33, 0.95], p=0.03). The government subsidy for infertility treatment was negatively correlated with clinical and live birth rates while positively correlated with quality of life.

Delineating resilience in children with cleft lip and palate (CL/P): a cross-sectional study

BackgroundResilience refers to an individual’s ability to thrive despite adversity. Children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) face numerous challenges during school age due to speech and aesthetic differences compared to typically developing (TD) children. This study aims to compare the resilience levels between Malaysian children with CL/P and TD children, utilizing the Malay-translated Resilience Scale-10 (RS-10)© ([Wagnild, Resilience scale for children (RS10) user’s guide 2015, n.d]).ResultsA total of 121 Malaysian children comprising 52 CL/P and 69 TD children between the ages of 7 to 12 years participated in this study. Among the children with CL/P, 49 exhibited intelligible speech with mild to moderate differences, while three had severely reduced intelligibility. Participants completed the RS-10 online with parental assistance. The total mean scores of resilience for TD and CL/P were 30.80 ± 4.28 and 33.15 ± 6.01 respectively. The t-test results showed no significant differences in resilience scores between groups and across genders. The analysis of variance showed no significant difference between age groups. Regression analysis revealed that age and group were marginally significant predictors of resilience scores. Specifically, each additional year of age was associated with a 0.47-point reduction in RS-10 scores highlighting coping difficulties associated with CL/P in older children.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the resilience of Malaysian children with CL/P, showing they can achieve resilience levels similar to their TD peers, particularly when speech outcomes are favourable.

AWARENESS, PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE AMONG STUDENTS OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSION – A MIXED METHOD APPROACH

Clinical interactions mostly consist of health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior around health and illness. A patient's lifestyle, symptom presentation, access to care, doctor-patient interactions, follow-through on medical advice and reaction to therapy are all influenced by these factors.1This study was conducted using concurrent triangulation mixed method design to gather qualitative and quantitative data concurrently in order to obtain the awareness, perspectives and attitude of students of health profession regarding key trends in the future of healthcare among students of health profession at selected institutions. 880 students were selected using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected from the students who had participated in the Kalaignar Centenary International Medical Conference -Future of Medicine organized by Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Tamilnadu & The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai. After obtaining consent data was collected using pretested, predetermined and validated tools which were found to be reliable. Data was coded and analyzed using appropriate descriptive and Inferential Statistics through SPSS- 20. The study findings reveal that, overall majority of participants (71.2%) had average level of awareness on trends in the future of healthcare. Among the different health care professions medicine (83.39%), dentistry (83.8%), nursing (60.5%), pharmacy (81.5%), physiotherapy (71.4%) and allied health sciences (58.9%). Regarding attitude overall majority of participants (67.7%) had positive attitude. In the areas of medicine (29.6%), (100%) in physiotherapy and nursing, (36.1%) pharmacy in allied health sciences (94.1%) had positive attitude. The percentage of the total mean scores of awareness was 54% with mean value of 5.40 +1.54. attitude score was 91 %with mean value of 54.60 +10.02. Significant correlation was found between awareness and attitude scores of students of health profession on future healthcare trends at p<0. 001. Awareness of future trends in healthcare will encourage students to engage in research and education initiatives that address emerging challenges and opportunities. Overall, fostering awareness, perception, and positive attitudes towards the future of healthcare among students of healthcare professions is essential for driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and addressing the complex challenges facing healthcare sector..

Evaluating the Utility of ChatGPT in Diagnosing and Managing Maxillofacial Trauma.

Maxillofacial trauma is a significant concern in emergency departments (EDs) due to its high prevalence and the complexity of its management. However, many ED physicians lack specialized training and confidence in handling these cases, leading to a high rate of facial trauma referrals and increased stress on consult services. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in large language models such as ChatGPT, have shown potential in aiding clinical decision-making. This study specifically examines the efficacy of ChatGPT in diagnosing and managing maxillofacial trauma. Ten clinical vignettes describing common facial trauma scenarios were presented to a group of plastic surgery residents from a tertiary care center and to ChatGPT. The chatbot and residents were asked to provide their diagnosis, ED management, and definitive management for each scenario. Responses were scored by attending plastic surgeons who were blinded to the response source. The study included 13 resident and ChatGPT responses. The mean total scores were similar between residents and ChatGPT (23.23 versus 22.77, P > 0.05). ChatGPT outperformed residents in diagnostic accuracy (9.85 versus 8.54, P < 0.001) but underperformed in definitive management (8.35 versus 6.35, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in ED management scores between ChatGPT and the residents. ChatGPT demonstrated high accuracy in diagnosing maxillofacial trauma. However, its ability to suggest appropriate ED management and definitive treatment plans was limited. These findings suggest that while ChatGPT may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in ED settings, further advancements are necessary before it can reliably contribute to treatment planning in emergent maxillofacial clinical scenarios.

Relationship between compassion fatigue, conscience stress, and perceived quality of care in emergency nurses

BackgroundExamining factors affecting nursing care is vital for enhancing practices, improving care quality, and achieving desired patient outcomes. AimTo explore emergency nurses’ perceptions of care quality, compassion fatigue and conscience stress levels; and evaluate the mediating role of conscience stress between compassion fatigue and perception of nursing care quality. MethodsThis cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between April 1 and September 1, 2022, with 384 nurses working in emergency departments across Turkey. “Sociodemographic Data Collection Form”, “Compassion Fatigue Scale”, “Stress of Conscience Scale” and “Caring Behaviors Scale” were used to collect data. ResultsThe mean total scores for the Caring Behaviors Scale, Compassion Fatigue Scale, and Conscience Stress Scale among emergency nurses were 5.16 ± 0.67, 71.28 ± 25.19, and 100.48 ± 41.97, respectively. The study revealed a positive correlation between Conscience Stress Scale and Compassion Fatigue Scale scores, and no correlation between Caring Behaviors Scale scores. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between Compassion Fatigue Scale and Caring Behaviors Scale scores. ConclusionIt was found that emergency nurses had high perceptions of care quality, moderate levels of compassion fatigue and stress of conscience, and that stress of conscience did not mediate the relationship between perception of care quality and compassion fatigue.

Assessment of practices and attitudes of undergraduate students toward family violence in the University of Baghdad

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess undergraduate student's practices and attitudes toward family violence in the University of Baghdad. Methods: This was a descriptive study on non-probability (purposive) sample of 100 undergraduate students from different colleges at the University of Baghdad from November 15, 2022 to May 20, 2023. A validated questionnaire was prepared with 43 questions, which consisted of three parts: eight items related to students’ demographic data, 13 items related to students’ attitudes, and 22 items related to students’ practices. Results: Positive attitudes toward family violence were used by the parents, and with respect to the total relative sufficiency (86.18%), the attitude level was moderate. Undergraduate students reported low levels of family violence practices from their parents with respect to the total mean scores (1.43) and the relative sufficiency (47.5). There was a significant relationship between students’ practices and their parents’ perception of family violence (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes that students in the University of Baghdad had positive, moderate attitudes toward parents’ violence. They also experienced a low level of practice toward family violence, as well as parents’ level of education has an impact on students’ violence practices. Recommendations: There is a need to raise community awareness about the consequences of family violence and mistreatment of the family members through mass media, and to establish family violence counseling centers for students.

Cutaneous phosphorylated-synuclein: an early diagnostic biomarker for pure autonomic failure

BackgroundPure autonomic failure (PAF) presents with progressive autonomic failure without other neurological features. Atypical presentations may lead to diagnostic uncertainty. We studied whether cutaneous phosphorylated-alpha-synuclein (p-syn) could distinguish between PAF,...

Assessment of erectile dysfunction prevalence and associated factors in hypertensive men.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and identify associated factors among male patients with hypertension. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. Data were gathered from 223 individuals aged 18 and above, solely diagnosed with hypertension. Information was collected through face-to-face questionnaires, personal identification forms, and the 5-question version of the International Sexual Function Index Scale. Among the participants, 81.6% exhibited erectile dysfunction, with a mean total score of 18.72 ± 3.60 on the 5-question version of the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire, indicating a mild level of dysfunction. Older age, smoking, lower educational attainment, and use of beta blockers were associated with higher levels of erectile dysfunction (p<0.05). To mitigate modifiable risk factors influencing erectile dysfunction severity in hypertensive males, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, physiotherapy, and psychosocial support, as well as educating patients and their partners, could prove beneficial as non-pharmacological interventions.

Clinical outcomes over 2 years following arthroscopic ankle lateral ligament repair with os subfibulare

BackgroundThere are reports indicating that between 10 and 38.5 % of patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) have an os subfibulare. In cases where CLAI accompanied by os subfibulare is resistant to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary; however, there is no consensus on the most appropriate surgical method. We report outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ligament repair for chronic lateral ankle instability with os subfibulare at our hospital, followed for over 2 years post-operatively. MethodsWe reviewed 33 patients (39 ankles) whom underwent arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair (ALLR) for CLAI and followed for at least 2 years post-operatively between November 2015 and May 2020. Patients were classified into two groups: a group with os subfibulare (ossicle group) and a group without os subfibulare (non-ossicle group), based on the presence of an os subfibulare on pre-operative plain radiographs. ALLR surgeries were performed without resection of the os subfibulare in ossicle group. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) scale and the Self-administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q). In addition, the bone-union rate was evaluated by using plain computer tomography in the ossicle group. ResultsThere were significant improvements in the mean total JSSF scale scores from pre-operative to post-operative measurements in both the ossicle and non-ossicle groups. The mean scores for pain and related symptoms, foot function and activities of daily living, social functioning, shoe-related, and general health and well-being subscales of the SAFE-Q also showed significant improvements in both groups. There were no significant differences between the post-operative ossicle and non-ossicle groups regarding the JSSF scale scores or the SAFE-Q subscale scores. In the ossicle group, the bone-union rate was 14.3 % (2 of 14 ankles), but no symptom recurrence was observed. ConclusionThe 2 years outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ligament repair for chronic lateral ankle instability with os subfibulare revealed good results and no symptom recurrence.

Examining Predictors of Post-Traumatic Changes Among Mothers in Turkey Following Earthquakes.

This study aims to assess the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in mothers affected by the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and to explore the influence of spiritual well-being and other factors on their Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) levels. The study's sample consisted of mothers invited to participate voluntarily through online social media platforms between October-December 2023. The Mother Information Form, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Control List, Post-Traumatic Growth Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) were used as data collection instruments. A total of 303 mothers participated in this study. The mean total PTSD score was 49.35 (SD: 19.76), and 83.5% of mothers were categorized under severe anxiety levels. There was a statistically significant weak and positive relationship between PTSD and PTG levels (r: 0.282, P:0.000). When the predictors of PTG are considered, the spiritual well-being of mothers significantly predicts PTG (F: 43.944, P: 0.000). It accounts for 12.7% (R Square = 0.127) of the variance in mothers' PTG. Mothers showed high PTSD levels 9 months after the earthquakes, but alongside these high levels, it has a positive relation with their PTG, which may show mothers becoming stronger after their traumatic experience. Study results showed the mothers' spiritual levels were a significant predictor for PTG.

Ethical issues in palliative care: nursing and quality of life

BackgroundNurses occupy a pivotal role in the provision of palliative care, acting as frontline providers who address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients. The complexities inherent in palliative care frequently give rise to ethical dilemmas that significantly impact nurses’ decision-making and patient interactions. It is therefore essential to gain an understanding of nurses’ perceptions of ethical issues, quality of life, and adherence to patient rights in order to enhance the care delivered in these settings.AimThis study aims to assess the ethical issues encountered by nurses in palliative care, evaluate their quality of life, and measure their understanding and adherence to patient rights.MethodsA quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 85 nurses working in palliative care settings, specifically within the Oncology Department and Pain Clinic at a Specialized Hospital in Egypt. A stratified random sampling technique was employed. The data were collected using standardised questionnaires, including the Ethical Issues Scale (EIS), the Nursing Quality of Life Scale (NQOLS), and the Patient Rights Questionnaire (PRQ). The validity and reliability of these instruments were established prior to the commencement of the study. The collected data were subjected to mean and standard deviation (SD) calculations. Statistical analyses, including the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients, were conducted.ResultsThe study sample comprised a diverse cohort of nurses, with a mean age of 40 years. The ethical issues were evaluated, yielding a mean score of 4.03 (SD = 0.74) on the EIS, with the highest score for “Patient Care” (M = 4.2, SD = 0.7). The overall quality of life mean score was 6.75, with the working dimension exhibiting the highest mean score at 7.1. The PRQ results indicated a high level of awareness regarding patient rights, with a total mean score of 49.5 (SD = 6.8). The results of the correlation analysis indicated a moderate positive correlation between ethical issues and patient rights (r = 0.52, p < 0.01), and ethical issues and quality of life (r = 0.45, p < 0.01). Conversely, a weaker correlation was found between quality of life and patient rights (r = 0.40, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings elucidate the ethical challenges confronted by nurses in palliative care and their ramifications for the quality of life and adherence to patient rights. It is imperative that nurses engaged in palliative care undergo continuous education and training in order to enhance their ethical decision-making abilities and thereby improve the quality of care they provide.RecommendationsIt is imperative that strategies be developed to support nurses in addressing ethical dilemmas, to promote awareness of patient rights, and to enhance their overall quality of life through targeted interventions and resources.Clinical trialNo clinical Trial.

Beyond the Drill: Understanding Empathy Among Undergraduate Dental Students.

Compassionate care and empathy are fundamental components of health care which contribute to the social construction of physician-patient relationship to meet the expectations of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical empathy among undergraduate dental students at a University in the Middle East. It was a cross-sectional study which used purposive sampling to recruit undergraduate dental students from five academic years. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Profession Students was used, a reliable 20-item tool with a total score ranging from 20 to 140. Data collection was done online using Google Forms. All data were analysed and visualised using RStudio (version 2023.06.2) incorporating R version 4.0.5. Descriptive statistics including confidence intervals were calculated for each item and for the combined data set. Analysis of variance was used to determine any significant variation between the results by demographic factors. Estimated marginal means were calculated from the ANOVA outcomes. Responses were received from 150 participants including 75 males and 75 females. The overall response rate was 90.36%. The overall mean total score was 96.01 (95% CI 93.73-98.30). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified significant variation by gender only with female participants achieving statistically significant higher overall scores than male participants (f = 6.502, p = 0.012). The study evaluated empathy among dental undergraduate students. The total mean scores of the participants appeared to be comparable to those reported in the literature findings. Higher mean empathy scores were observed for female participants in the current study. These findings emphasise the need for targeted interventions to promote empathy among dental students to boost patient-centred care.

Long-term Gastrointestinal Sequelae in Children who Underwent Pyloromyotomy for Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

AimPyloromyotomy, the treatment for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS), is a procedure with a low risk of short-term complications and quick recovery. However, at a later age, some children report gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and recently we described a fatal case of adhesive small bowel obstruction years after pyloromyotomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate long-term gastrointestinal sequelae of pyloromyotomy. MethodsAll children who underwent open or laparoscopic pyloromyotomy between 2007 and 2017 (n = 450), were invited to complete a questionnaire, which included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Gastrointestinal symptoms module (PedsQL™ GI Module). Outcomes were compared to published healthy controls (n = 587) and between surgical approach by using an unpaired t-test. ResultsIn total, 199 respondents completed the questionnaire. The majority (n = 172, 86.4 %) was male with a mean age of 11.4 (±3.1) years. Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy was performed in 104 children (52.3 %) and open pyloromyotomy in 95 (47.7 %). The PedsQL™ GI Module mean total score of all children who underwent pyloromyotomy was 88.6 (±11.0), which is comparable to healthy controls (88.6 (±12.9)). All subtopics were similar for children who underwent pyloromyotomy compared to healthy controls. There were no differences in scores of the PedsQL™ GI module between the open and laparoscopic subgroup. ConclusionsThe scores of the PedsQL™ GI module do not differ between children who underwent pyloromyotomy during infancy and healthy controls. Therefore long-term gastrointestinal sequelae of pyloromyotomy appear to be an exception. This evidence can be used during parental counseling. It also suggests that there is no need for long-term follow-up.

Laparotomy Versus Laparoscopy Cholecystectomy for Surgical Treatment in Patients with Gallstone Disease: A Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background: Due to the increasing costs of the healthcare system and limited financial resources, healthcare policymakers should adopt more cost-effective strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of laparotomy cholecystectomy with laparoscopy. Methods: This economic evaluation was conducted on patients with cholecystitis who were candidates for surgery in a private hospital in Ahvaz in 2021. Data collection tools consisted of four parts: (1) demographic information checklist; (2) clinical information checklist; (3) cost checklist; and (4) effectiveness assessment tool. SPSS22 and STATA14.2 were used for data analysis. One-way sensitivity analysis and Tornado diagrams were performed using Tree Age software. Results: The mean total effectiveness score in patients treated with laparoscopy was 83.44 (SD = 11.34), which was higher than those treated with laparotomy at 68.39 (SD = 13.61). This difference was statistically significant in all effectiveness criteria, except for postoperative infection rates and length of operation (P &lt; 0.001). The mean cost for patients undergoing laparoscopy was significantly higher than for those undergoing laparotomy ($481.43 vs. $459.49). However, overall, laparoscopic treatment (5.77) was more cost-effective than laparotomy (6.71). The laparoscopic procedure was approximately $1.47 per effectiveness unit cheaper than laparotomy, according to the ICER. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the laparoscopic method remained more cost-effective, even when adjusting for cost and effectiveness components. Conclusions: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy was more expensive than laparotomy cholecystectomy, it was generally more cost- effective. The results of this research may assist Iran’s healthcare policymakers and managers in promoting laparoscopic cholecystectomy in hospitals.

Comparison of different surgical strategies for cervical dystonia: Evidence from Bayesian network analysis.

Several surgical techniques have been used to treat cervical dystonia (CD), however, to date, the optimal surgical technique for CD remains controversial. We therefore conducted the first network meta-analysis to compare different surgical strategies for CD to inform clinical practice. Electronic databases were searched for surgical strategies for treating CD. The primary outcome was improvement in total Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) score. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare short-term (< 1 year) and long-term (≥ 1 year) outcomes. Safety outcomes included surgery-related adverse events (AEs). A total of 55 trials with 2032 patients employing five surgical strategies were identified, including globus pallidus internus (GPi)/subthalamic nucleus (STN)-deep brain stimulation (DBS), selective peripheral denervation (SPD), microvascular decompression (MVD) and pallidotomy. All strategies led to significant improvement in total TWSTRS score (mean improvement range 18.65-28.22). GPi-DBS showed significantly greater enhancement than SPD for the whole dataset (mean difference [MD] 7.03, 95% credible interval [Crl] 1.53-12.56), while both GPi-DBS (MD 8.05, 95% Crl 2.35-13.80) and STN-DBS (MD 10.71, 95% Crl 2.22-19.20) exhibited more long-term improvement than SPD. Regarding safety outcomes, GPi/STN-DBS and MVD were associated with fewer surgery-related AEs than SPD (ln odds ratio range -1.68 to -1.41). We conclude that DBS should be the preferred surgical option for CD, and the STN is a promising alternative target choice due to its comparable efficacy with the GPi. However, more direct evidence is still required.

Abstract 4138491: Association of histologic findings with long-term outcomes in symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing surgical myectomy

Background: In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), histologic findings like myocyte hypertrophy&amp;disarray, interstitial fibrosis (IF)&amp;small intramural coronary arteriole dysplasia (SICAD) account for the left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmogenicity&amp;microvascular ischemia. Objectives: To evaluate the association between histology&amp;outcomes in obstructive HCM (oHCM) patients undergoing surgical myectomy (SM). Methods: This was an observational study of 1722 symptomatic oHCM patients (mean age 56±14 years, 948 [55%] men) who underwent SM at a tertiary care center between 2005-18. Baseline clinical data was collected. The SM specimen was analyzed for presence&amp;severity of a) myocyte hypertrophy b) myocyte disarray c) IF&amp;d) SICAD. Histologic findings were graded as 0-3 (none, mild, moderate,&amp;severe)&amp;a score from 0-12 was calculated. Primary endpoint was a composite of death, appropriate defibrillator discharge or cardiac transplantation during follow-up. Results: 896 (52%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV, 457 (21%) had exertional syncope, 727 (42%) had ≥1 sudden death risk factor&amp;409 (24%) had atrial fibrillation (AF). Moderate&amp;severe histologic findings were distributed as follows: myocyte hypertrophy (1341 [78%]), disarray (237 [14%]), IF (448 [26%])&amp;SICAD (258 [15%]). The mean total histologic score was 5.1±1.4. At 5.1±5.2 years, there were 352 (20%) primary events (317 [18%] deaths). On spline analysis (Figure 1A), a total histology score of ≥ 6 was associated with primary events. On Kaplan-Meier analysis (Figure 1B), patients with a histology score ≥ 6 had greater events vs. those with a score &lt;6 (147/598 [25%] vs. 205/1124 [18%], log-rank p-value 0.002). On multivariable Cox analysis, age (for 10-year increase, Hazard ratio or HR 1.49 [95% confidence interval or CI 1.35-1.65], p&lt;0.001), NYHA Class III/IV (HR 1.58 [95% CI -1.25-2.01], p&lt;0.001), AF (HR 1.65 [95% CI 1.30-2.10], p&lt;0.001)&amp;histology score ≥6 (HR 1.24 [95% CI 1.03-1.54], p=0.03) were independently associated with higher primary events. Conclusions: In symptomatic oHCM patients undergoing SM, a higher histologic score was independently associated with long-term outcomes.

Features of management of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Introduction. Seasonal allergic rhinitis continues to be one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting up to 24% of the adult population of the Russian Federation.Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the drug mometasone furoate (Nozefrin Allergy) in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in outpatient practice.Materials and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 42 patients aged 18 to 73 years (average age 39.0 ± 15.5 years) diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis. All patients received monotherapy with Nozefrin Allergy, 2 injections (50 mcg of mometasone furoate each) into each nostril once a day for 30 days. The effectiveness of the treatment was determined on the 7th, 14th, 30th day of treatment and on the 60th day.Results and discussion. During the use of the drug Nozefrin Allergy, by the 7th day there was a significant decrease in complaints of impaired smell by 3.6 times, sneezing by 2.4 times, discharge from the nasal cavity decreased by 2.3 times, and nasal congestion by 2.3 times. 2.1 times. After 14 days, nasal congestion disappeared in 64.3%, nasal discharge and itching in the nasal cavity were absent in 69.0% and 88.1% of patients. According to the SST-12 test, already by the 7th day of using the drug Nozefrin Allergy, there was an increase in the average total score to 10.1 ± 1.9 points, which corresponds to normosmia. At days 14, 30, and 60, the mean total SST-12 score remained stable at 10.6 ± 0.9 points, 10.9 ± 1.1 points, and 11.1 ± 0.5 points, respectively. The dynamics of respiratory function at the end of the course of treatment was characterized by an improvementin the total volumetric flow to 783.4 ± 162.7 cm3/s and a decrease in nasal resistance to 0.2 ± 0.1 cPa/ml. The total rTNSS scale score by the 7th day decreased to 9.1 ± 0.4 points, the severity of the assessed complaints was moderate.Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the effectiveness of using the drug Nozefrin Allergy in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in outpatient clinical practice.

Investigating the organizational commitment and its associated factors among the staff of the health sector: a cross-sectional research

IntroductionOrganizational commitment (OC) significantly impacts the quality of care provided by healthcare staff. It reflects employees’ connection to and engagement with their organization, affecting job satisfaction, employee turnover, and the overall success of the healthcare organization. This research seeks to assess OC levels and identify its influencing factors among health sector staff in Shiraz, southwestern Iran.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the staff of the health sector including physicians/family physician (FP), midwives, healthcare workers, psychologists, dentists, and nutritionists were selected through a multi-stage sampling; they filled out an online 36-item questionnaire (12 demographic items and 24-item Allen and Mayer OC questionnaire). The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 25). Descriptive statistics of OC scores were provided. Also, independent samples t-test and analysis of variance were used as statistical tests, and P-value < 0.05 was considered the significant level.ResultsOverall, 289 staff with a mean age of 32 ± 7.6 years participated in this study. The OC total mean score was higher in the public sector compared with the private sector and higher in the non-FP team compared with the FP team. The mean score of all types of OC among all job positions was low. Moreover, education level, workplace, job experience in current job, engagement in other jobs for making money, and FP staff showed a significant association with the total mean score of OC.ConclusionAccording to the results, OC among health sector staff is low. Therefore, policymakers in the health sector are strongly recommended to implement immediate measures to enhance this critical factor among their workforce.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Arabic Version of the Student Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (S-EBPQ)”

BackgroundEvidence-based practice (EBP) lowers costs, guarantees staying current with new technology and abilities, and enables the provision of high-quality care. Evidence-based practice (EBP) considered the foundation for safe patient care.Aimis to validate and carry out the linguistic-cultural adaptation of the S-EBPQ for the Arabic language.DesignA methodological study design was used.MethodThere were two primary stages: translation and validation. Three experts reviewed the contents during the translation and validation in order to ensure their relevancy. 15 nursing students conducted face validation to confirm the produced items' clarity and understandability. Reliability assessment was achieved by conducting a pilot study on 72 nursing students. Ethical approval was taken. For statistical analysis, SPSS software was used. The internal reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha. The Pearson Correlation was used to test the relationship between the student's score on the questionnaire and their age and gender.ResultsThe Scale-Content Validity Index was 0.90; Cronbach's Alpha value was 0.963. Students in face validation phase confirmed that wording, clarity, and understandable language of the items were achieved. The Mean of students total score was 80.2 (SD = 21.5). Pearson test revealed that there was a weak positive correlation between students’ scores and age R = 0.320 (p = 0.001). Also, it demonstrated that there was no correlation between the students’ scores and the gender R =—0,028 (p = 0.817).ConclusionThe Arabic version of the S-EBPQ generally had a solid structure and it demonstrated high validity and reliability. The questionnaire could be used in future studies.

Dementia and Its Profound Impact on Family Members and Partners: A Large UK Cross-Sectional Study.

Dementia can adversely affect the quality of life (QoL) of family members/partners of those affected. Measuring this often-neglected burden is critical to planning and providing appropriate support services. This study measures this impact using the Family-Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16). A large UK cross-sectional online study through patient research platforms, recruited family members/partners of people with dementia, to complete the FROM-16. Totally, 711 family members/partners (mean age=58.7y, SD=12.5; females=81.3%) of patients (mean age=81.6, SD=9.6; females=66.9) with dementia completed the FROM-16. The FROM-16 mean total score was 17.5 (SD=6.8), meaning "a very large effect" on QoL of family members, with females being more adversely impacted. Dementia profoundly impacts the QoL of family members/partners of patients. Routine use of FROM-16 could signpost provision of care support, reducing family members' burnout. Such routine data could be used in economic analysis of the burden of dementia as well as in predicting institutionalization.