Nimet Ovayolu

Health-related quality of life in ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis: a comparison with a selected sample of healthy individuals

In this study, we compared health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with those of a selected sample of healthy individuals. The study group comprised 530 patients (264 with RA, 149 with FS, and 117 with AS). Three hundred fifteen healthy controls were used for comparison. HRQoL scores were obtained using the Short-Form (SF)-36 Health Survey. Frequency, mean, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were performed; in addition to the Students t test, one-way ANOVA test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and chi-square test. The average physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of patients in the RA, FS, and AS groups were much lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In all three patient groups, the lowest PCS score was found in the RA group, and the lowest MCS score was found in the FS group. The PCS scores of RA patients with disease-related changes in daily activities and the MCS scores of FS patients were lower (p < 0.05). In the three patient groups, the quality of life (QoL) of university graduates and those with a high level of income was good, whereas the QoL of patients who lacked information about the disease was poor. This study shows that AS, FS, and RA have a negative impact on HRQoL. Evaluating the HRQoL of patients with these conditions may provide guidance on their treatment and care.

Relationship between diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity, and health-related quality of life in Gaziantep, a central south-eastern city in Turkey

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The main goal of nursing care should be to increase health-related quality of life as well as improve the medical status of patients with chronic disease. For this reason, this study aims to evaluate and compare the health-related quality of life of patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity in Gaziantep, a south-eastern city in Turkey. BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity are the most decisive factors in terms of adversely affecting health-related quality of life. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. METHOD In this study, the research population included a total of 1601 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity patients. To evaluate health-related quality of life of patients, Short Form-36 (SF-36) was used. Students t-test, one-way anova and chi-square analyses were used for comparisons between groups. RESULTS In total, 18·1% of patients had combined obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus; 16·1% had hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Approximately 16·1% had only hypertension; 15·4% had obesity and hypertension; 13·3% had diabetes mellitus; 12·7% had obesity and diabetes mellitus; and 8·4% had obesity. The health-related quality of life physical component mean scores of patients with combined obesity and hypertension were lower than that of the other groups (p < 0·05). Health-related quality of life physical component mean scores were determined as 34·5 (SD 0·4), and mental component mean scores were determined as 43·9 (SD 4·4). Health-related quality of life physical component mean scores of moderately active patients were higher, while older age and lower educational and income levels had a negative effect on health-related quality of life (p < 0·05). CONCLUSION Diabetes, hypertension and obesity decrease patient health-related quality of life while physical activity increases it. The coexistence of obesity and hypertension, in particular, has a more negative effect on health-related quality of life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Patients with hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus need professional support from nurse. Frequent health-related quality of life evaluation and support is required for chronic patients, especially for those who are older, have lower educational and income levels and those with more than one chronic disease.

The Use of Complementary Therapies in Cancer Patients : A Questionnaire-Based Descriptive Survey From Southeastern Turkey

Objectives:A study was designed to measure the frequency of complementary therapy (CT) usage in cancer patients in southeastern Turkey. The demographic characteristics associated with the use of CT are sought in patients undergoing or following conventional treatment. Methods:A descriptive survey was performed in a total of 560 cancer patients. Questionnaire-based measures of demographics, expectations, and effects of using different types of CT and perceived benefits were recorded. Result:Demographic characteristics (age, gender, education status, etc.) did not differ among CT users and non-CT users. Three hundred ten patients (55.4%) had used at least one type of CT since the time of the initial diagnosis of cancer. The most frequently used CT method was herbal therapy, and the most commonly used herb was the stinging nettle. The source of information about CT was mainly from friends/family, whereas physicians and nurses played a small part in providing CT-related information. The majority of the patients used CT to benefit more from medical treatment. Only 20.7% of the patients considered themselves not benefiting from using CT. Conclusions:Currently more than half of Turkish patients with cancer use CT in addition to the standard medical approaches. CT usage is not associated with any specific demographic variables. Health professionals should not disregard the reality of CT usage in cancer patients. Because the majority of cancer patients use CT regardless of the medical advice, randomized clinical trials are needed to explore risks and benefits associated with CT modalities in cancer.

The effect of reflexology applied on haemodialysis patients with fatigue, pain and cramps

The research was conducted to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain and cramps in haemodialysis patients. The sample consisted of 80 patients in total, 40 intervention and 40 control patients, receiving treatment in the haemodialysis units of two institutions. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, Piper Fatigue Scale and visual analogue scale for measuring the severity of cramp and pain. The intervention group received reflexology treatment for 1 week in three sessions following haemodialysis, each session lasting approximately 30 min. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in data analysis. It was determined that reflexology reduced the fatigue subscale scores and total scale scores as well as pain and cramp mean scores in the intervention group. The research results revealed that the severity of fatigue, pain and cramp decreased in patients receiving reflexology.

Effect of Turkish classical music on blood pressure: A randomized controlled trial in hypertensive elderly patients

BACKGROUND Existing studies suggest that music therapy can have favorable effects on hypertension and anxiety. We therefore set out to investigate the effect of Turkish classical music. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether Turkish classical music has positive effects on blood pressures and anxiety levels in elderly patients. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS This was a randomized controlled trial performed on 60 hypertensive patients living in a local elderly home in Adana, Turkey. METHODS Following the completion of a socio-demographic form for each patient, Hamilton anxiety scale was applied. Thereafter, the subjects were randomly divided into two equal-size groups and were allowed to either listen to Turkish classical music (music therapy group) or have a resting period (control group) for 25 min. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary and secondary outcome measures were blood pressure and Hamilton anxiety scale scores, respectively. RESULTS The mean reduction in systolic blood pressure was 13.00 mmHg in the music therapy group and 6.50 mmHg in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 6.80-9.36). The median reductions in diastolic blood pressures were 10 mmHg both in the music therapy and control groups. The between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.839). The mean reduction in HAMA-A was 1.63 in the music therapy group and 0.77 in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.82-1.92). CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that both Turkish classical music and resting alone have positive effects on blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

The efficacy and applicability of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme for patients with COPD in a secondary-care community hospital

Background and objective:  Pulmonary rehabilitation is known to have beneficial effects in COPD patients. This study aimed to assess the applicability and efficacy of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in a community hospital lacking specialist pulmonary rehabilitation services.

The effect of aromatherapy and massage administered in different ways to women with breast cancer on their symptoms and quality of life.

The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of aromatherapy and classic massage administered in various ways to breast cancer patients on their symptoms and quality of life. The sampling consisted of 280 patients. Quality of life and symptoms of the patients were evaluated once at baseline and then at week 6 and week 10 following the intervention. After intervention, the control group was observed to have lower total quality of life score and subdomain scores, whereas fragrance, massage and aromatherapy massage groups had higher scores, and the increase was more obvious particularly in the patients in the aromatherapy massage group. Similarly, whereas psychological and physical symptoms were experienced more intensely in the control group, the severity of all the symptoms experienced by the other patients decreased at week 6 and week 10 as compared with baseline especially in the group that was administered massage with aromatherapy.

Does Ramadan Fasting Affect Fatigue in Nurses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fatigue in nurses. The study was conducted between June 19 and July 27, 2014, with a descriptive design. This study was completed with 99 nurses working in a public hospital in the city of Gaziantep located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and the Piper Fatigue Scale. The Piper Fatigue Scale includes 4 subscale/dimensional scores and total fatigue scores. Higher scores indicate more fatigue. Statistical significance levels were set at P < .05. It was determined that the fatigue subscale and total mean scores of nurses increased in a statistically significant manner except for the affective subscale after the month of Ramadan (P < .05). In addition, it was found that the fatigue mean scores of those, who were working for 0 to 4 years, were employed in surgery units, and evaluated their health as bad, were higher (P > .05). The Ramadan fasting increased fatigue levels of nurses. Therefore, it is of vital importance to evaluate fatigue levels of nurses especially in the month of Ramadan and take the necessary precautions in terms of patient and personnel safety.

Effect of Acupressure on Nausea-Vomiting in Patients With Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupressure, applied at P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point, on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia. This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on patients with myeloblastic leukemia. A total of 90 patients, who received the same chemotherapy regimen and antiemetic therapy, were included in the study as 30 patients in the control group, 30 patients in the band group, and 30 patients in the pressure group. Although acupressure was applied by placing wristbands at P6 acupuncture point of both wrists in patients of the band group for totally 4 days, acupressure was applied with the use of finger pressure in patients of the pressure group for totally 4 days. No intervention was made in patients of the control group other than the routine antiemetic therapy. The data of the study were collected by using a questionnaire and nausea-vomiting chart. Severity of nausea-vomiting was assessed by using the visual analog scale on this chart. It was determined that the acupressure band applied to the patients included in the study reduced number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P < .05); however, the acupressure applied with pressure did not affect number and severity of nausea-vomiting (P > .05). It was found that the acupressure band was effective for reducing the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Frequency and severity of low back pain in nurses working in intensive care units and influential factors

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the frequency and severity of low back pain and influencing factors in nurses working in intensive care units. Methods: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study with 114 nurses working in the intensive care units in the province of Gaziantep, Turkey. Study data were collected using a questionnaire form and visual analogue scale. Results: It was found that 84.2% of the nurses experienced low back pain, and 66.7% of the nurses evaluated this pain as “a pain with moderate severity”. It was determined that nurses who had not received any education on low back pain, who remained standing for long periods of time, who performed interventions that required bending forward, who lifted and repositioned patients, and who did not use any aiding equipment during interventions, experienced more pain and had higher average pain scores. In addition, average pain scores were higher among nurses with master’s and doctorate degrees, and those working in internal medicine and pediatric intensive care units and working in shifts. Conclusion: It was observed that many of the nurses working in intensive care units experienced low back pain, and especially those working in internal medicine and pediatric intensive care units and working in shifts had higher average pain scores.