Katsuya Kanda

Translation and validation of the Standard Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30

The majority of quality of life (QOL) questionnaires have been developed and used in English-speaking or Western European countries. The aims of this study were to provide the Standard Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30 version 2.0), and evaluate its psychometric properties. The translation process included independent translation, back translation, a pilot test with gynecological cancer patients, and a review and approval by the original developers. Participants in the major study included gestational trophoblastic disease patients (n = 68), ovarian cancer patients (n = 105), and other types of gynecological cancer patients (n = 18). The average completion time of the Standard Chinese version was 8.1 ± 2.9 min. All item-subscale correlation coefficients exceeded the criterion of item-convergent validity (r > 0.40) except item 1, 5, 20, and 25, and all items correlated significantly higher with their own subscale than with other subscales except item 1, 20, and 25. The correlation coefficients among all subscales were significant but modest (r = 0.40–0.70). Seven out of nine subscales met the minimal standards of reliability (Cronbachs α > 0.70). In conclusion, the Standard Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is a valid instrument overall in assessing the QOL of Chinese gynecological cancer patients.

An investigation of the risk factors for infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among patients in a neonatal intensive care unit

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to investigate the risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection among infants to establish effective infection control measures for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS Data were prospectively collected from 961 infants hospitalized in a teaching hospital in Japan, from July 2002 through December 2005. RESULTS Among all infants, 28 (2.9%) developed MRSA infections. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated the risk factors for developing MRSA infections to include a low birth weight (odds ratio [OR], 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-0.99), the presence of eye mucous (OR, 6.78; 95% CI: 2.87-16.01), the practice of kangaroo mother care (OR, 3.82; 95% CI: 1.11-13.13), and the MRSA colonization rate (OR, 11.12; 95% CI: 1.32-93.89). CONCLUSION The risk factors for developing a MRSA infection among infants in NICU were a low birth weight, the presence of eye mucous, the practice of kangaroo mother care, and a high MRSA colonization rate. Therefore, extra attention should be given to infants in high-risk groups demonstrating a low birth weight and the presence of eye mucous and who have undergone kangaroo mother care. As a result, the cohort isolation of infants with MRSA may therefore be an effective strategy to prevent MRSA infections.

Effect of procedure light on the physiological responses of preterm infants.

AIM Current recommendations for illumination in the NICU state that procedure light should be controlled with a rheostat to protect infants from high illumination. However, overhead fluorescent lights without a dimmer switch are still used in Japan. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of three different procedure lighting conditions (fluorescent with on/off switch rapidly increasing the level of light [FRL], incandescent with on/off switch rapidly increasing the level of light [IRL], and incandescent with dimmer switch slowly increasing the level of light [ISL]) on the respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) in preterm infants with or without oxygen therapy. METHODS Eight preterm infants, with a gestational age of 29-31 weeks, were included in a repeated randomized cross-over study. ANCOVAs, based on general linear mixed models, were used to examine physiological changes over time and across lighting conditions. In addition, the minimum SpO(2) values, after increasing the level of light, were classified into SpO(2) < or = 85%, SpO(2) = 86-91%, and SpO(2) > or = 92% for each lighting condition. RESULTS With and without oxygen therapy, the RR and SpO(2) under the ISL were higher than under the FRL and IRL. SpO(2) < or = 85% was only observed under the FRL and SpO(2) = 86-91% was observed under the FRL and IRL. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that differences in the light conditions influence physiological responses in preterm infants and slowly increasing the level of light might make it easier for them to slowly adapt to high illumination and prevent declining SpO(2) values in neonates.

Influence of repeated painful procedures on prefrontal cortical pain responses in newborns.

Aim:  We examined whether previous experience of repeated skin punctures altered the correlation between prefrontal cortical pain responses and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores, compared with infants who had no experience of skin puncture.

Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Victims of Tokyo Subway Sarin Gas Attack

Through the experience of providing care for Tokyo subway sarin gas victims in the aftermath of the March, 1995 attack, the authors observed various unexplained physical symptoms as well as psychological symptoms. Most of the physical symptoms in these victims seemed to have been related not to the sarin poisoning, but to psychological aftereffects.There are two aims to this study. The first aim is the development of the St. Luke’s questionnaire of posttraumatic stress symptoms: (SLQ-PTSS), to document the aftereffects of this traumatic sarin event with both psychological and physical indicators.The second is the study of the longitudinal course of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in victims (n = 1722) 5-8 years after the attack. Based on their Impact of Events (-R) (IES-R) score five years following the attack, victims were divided into three groups: a high impact group (IES-R total score >25), a medium group (12-24), and a normal group (≤ 11). Each group showed a different course on the SLQ-PTSS dur...

Glove Selection as Personal Protective Equipment and Occupational Dermatitis among Japanese Midwives

Glove Selection as Personal Protective Equipment and Occupational Dermatitis among Japanese Midwives: Minako Sasaki, et al. Department of Nursing Administration, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo—This study was conducted to 1) evaluate the personal selection and use of protective gloves against bloodborne pathogens and management of glove selection in the workplace, 2) survey the experience with occupational dermatitis and other allergic symptoms, 3) explore the relationships between occupational dermatitis experience and glove use, and 4) determine the impact of glove selection upon occupational dermatitis among midwives. Subjects were 1,150 midwives working in Japan. Participants were selected from the members of Japanese Nursing Association and 835 responded to the survey. More than 30% of respondents wore gloves only when clients had an infectious disease, 41% reported experience of occupational dermatitis, 26% associated the dermatitis with medical glove use, and 2% had a diagnosis of latex allergy. Demographic variables that were significantly associated with occupational dermatitis included history of allergic symptoms other than due to occupational exposure, age, tenure and type of working institution. Using latex gloves during administering enema, shaving, changing pads, washing perineum, receiving newborns, suctioning, and handling waste significantly increased the risk of occupational dermatitis experience compared to not using gloves. Logistic regression analysis with backward stepwise elimination revealed glove selection management, such as availability of alternative glove types, using latex gloves for washing perineum, and using latex gloves for handling waste were significant predictors of occupational dermatitis. Occupational dermatitis is a significant issue and glove use as personal protective equipment is not standardized. Some occupational dermatitis may be preventable by managing appropriate glove selection.

Reliability and validity of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index for Japanese hospital nurses

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES‐NWI) for hospital nurses in Japan.