Grażyna Cepuch

Quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis depending on the severity of the disease and method of its treatment.

INTRODUCTION Quality of life is a measure not only of disease severity and its functional impact (physical, psychological, and social functioning) but also the efficacy of novel therapies. The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients depending on the severity of the disease and methods of its treatment. MATERIAL/METHODS The study included groups of cystic fibrosis patients: 1) after lung transplantation, 2) requiring chronic oxygen therapy, and 3) in stable clinical status. Forty-five men and women older than 18 years were enrolled. The participants were examined with the Polish version of the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (CFQoL) adapted by Dębska & Mazurek. RESULTS Patients from analyzed groups differed significantly in terms of their quality of life in most of the subscales included in CFQoL, but not in Future Concerns and Interpersonal Relationships. DISCUSSION Although lung transplantation markedly improves the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis, they still experience problems with social functioning and future concerns.

Evaluation of selected insomnia predictors in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis

AIMS AND BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to assess the incidence of insomnia in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis and its impact on the quality of life, and to examine whether demographic and clinical factors and negative emotional states are predictors of insomnia in these patients. METHODS The study was conducted among 95 cystic fibrosis patients aged 14-25 years. The study used a personal questionnaire survey, the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Numeric Rating Scale. RESULTS Insomnia was diagnosed in 38% of cystic fibrosis patients. In patients with insomnia, the level of anxiety (Me: 10 vs. 4; P=0.000) and depression (Me: 6.5 vs. 2; P=0.000) was significantly higher than in the good sleep quality group. The risk of insomnia increases as anxiety (OR: 4.31; 95% CI: 2.20 to 8.41) and depressive symptoms exacerbate (OR: 4.98; 95% CI: 1.84 to 13.43). Insomnia significantly worsens the quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients (ß=-0.5, P=0.000). CONCLUSION Insomnia affects a large percentage of cystic fibrosis patients, and anxiety and depression are factors that increase the risk of insomnia. Insomnia decreases the quality of life in cystic fibrosis patients.

Evaluation of quality of life predictors in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic disease that has an impact on Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Objectives: To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL in adolescents and young adults with CF. Methods: The sample comprised adolescent and young adult patients with CF. They completed the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life (CFQoL) questionnaire, which includes Physical, Social, Treatment, Chest Symptoms, Emotional Functioning, Future Concerns, Relationships, Body Image, and Career dimensions. We examined the relationships between gender, age, body weight, FEV1, pain, sleep, anxiety, depression and HRQoL. Results: The sample comprised 95 patients (aged 14–25 years; female/male: 43.1/56.8%). The lowest CFQoL score was observed in Future Concerns. FEV1 and body weight were positively associated with Physical Functioning (ß = 0.21; P < 0.01) and Body Image (ß = 0.30; P< 0.01), respectively. Females perceived themselves more negatively in Future Concerns (ß = −0.26; P< 0.01), Relationships (ß = −0.17; P< 0.01) and Career Concerns (ß = −0.20; P < 0.01) than males. Pain intensity (ß = −0.37), anxiety (ß = −0.39) and poor sleep quality (ß = −0.21) were negatively associated with global CFQoL (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Pain intensity, anxiety and quality of sleep have the broadest impact on HRQoL. Regular assessment of psycho‐emotional functioning, quality of sleep and pain intensity may improve a patients well‐being.

Przygotowanie pielęgniarek do udzielania wsparcia pacjentom z chorobą nowotworową — doniesienia wstępne

Introduction. Social support provided by a nursing team to cancer patients together with the team competence plays an important role in the process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Aim of the paper. The aim of this study was the assessment of the extent of social support provided by nurses to cancer patients and their emotional burdens and expectations in terms of expanding the competence in this area. Material and methods. The study used the Berlin Social Support Scale and a questionnaire to assess the support provided by nurses. The study was conducted among 192 nurses working on oncology wards. For statistical calculations chi2 test or Fisher’s, Kruskala-Wallis’s, Manna-Whitney’s test was used. Results. Working with the oncological patients causes a considerable psycho-emotional burden — 95% nurses. The nurses (68%) feel competent to provide support, despite the deficits of knowledge in this area. Age and experience are factors determining the scope of support (informative support — p = 0.024; buffering-protective p = 0.045). Nurses (88%) recognize the need for further training. Conclusions. Competent support should be base in a good theoretical and practical knowledge of the nursing team. Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (4): 433–438