Rukiye Pinar

The relation of the subjective dyspnoea perception with objective dyspnoea indicators, quality of life and functional capacity in patients with COPD

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The study was conducted to determine the relationship between the subjective dyspnoea perception and objective dyspnoea indicators, quality of life and functional capacity. BACKGROUND Even though dyspnoea severity is generally assessed through objective parameters such as respiratory functions and arterial blood gases, studies indicate that subjectively perceived dyspnoea is not always consistent with objective dyspnoea indicators. For that reason, it is necessary to assess the changes caused by dyspnoea on quality of life and on functional capacity in addition to objective dyspnoea indicators to assess subjective dyspnoea in the most accurate way in patients with COPD. DESIGN A correlational study. METHODS The subjective dyspnoea was evaluated via the Basal Dyspnea Index and Visual Analog Scale, whereas objective dyspnoea was evaluated through respiratory function tests and arterial blood gases, which are physiological measurements. The quality of life was assessed with SF-36 and St. Georges Respiratory Diseases Questionnaire. Functional capacity was evaluated with the six-minute walking distance test. RESULTS Basal Dyspnea Index score was associated with respiratory functions (FEV1 , FVC, FEV1 /FVC), arterial blood gases (SaO2 , PaO2 , pH), the quality of life and functional capacity, while Visual Analog Scale score was not associated with these measurements. CONCLUSIONS Subjective dyspnoea severity assessed by Basal Dyspnea Index is related to the objective dyspnoea indicators, quality of life and functional capacity. In the assessment of dyspnoea, Basal Dyspnea Index is an appropriate measure, whereas Visual Analog Scale is not. In the light of these results, we recommend that Basal Dyspnea Index should be used in the assessment of dyspnoea in patients with COPD. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE We conclude that dyspnoea will be evaluated in the most accurate and short way with the Basal Dyspnea Index. In addition, the effects of dyspnoea on quality of life and functional capacity will be predicted by Basal Dyspnea Index.

Validity and reliability of Turkish Caregiver Burden Scale among family caregivers of haemodialysis patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the validity and reliability of the Caregiver Burden Scale in family members who provide primary care for haemodialysis patients. BACKGROUND In Turkey, there is a need for a multi-dimensional instrument to evaluate the caregiver burden in people who provide care for patients with chronic diseases. DESIGN A methodological study. METHODS The study sample consisted of 161 family members who provide primary care for haemodialysis patients. The forward-backward translation method was used to develop the Turkish Caregiver Burden Scale. The reliability was based on internal consistency investigated by Cronbachs alpha and item-total correlation. The factorial construct validity of the scale was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. By means of convergent and divergent validity, correlation between Caregiver Burden Scale and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and correlation between Caregiver Burden Scale and the Maslach Burnout Scale were investigated. RESULTS Cronbachs alpha and item-total correlations results suggested that there was good internal reliability. We found five underlying factors similar to original Scales five-factor solution. The confirmatory factor analysis five-factor model represented an acceptable fit. Factor loadings were significant, with standardised loadings ranging from 0·43-0·81. By means of divergent validity, all sub-dimension scores and the total score of the Caregiver Burden Scale were negatively correlated with the SF-36, whereas there was a positive correlation with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation subscales of the Maslach Burnout Scale as expected. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the Caregiver Burden Scale is a reliable and valid instrument which can be used with confidence in Turkish caregivers for haemodialysis patients to screen caregiver burden. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The burden experienced by people who provide care for patients with chronic diseases can be evaluated with the Caregiver Burden Scale. Additionally, the Caregiver Burden Scale can be used in the evaluation of the effectiveness of attempts to decrease caregiver burden.

The effect of crossing legs on blood pressure in hypertensive patients

AIMS The aim of this study was to examine whether there is any difference between BP readings with patients crossing a leg at the knee level and uncrossing during BP measurement. BACKGROUND It is clear that numerous factors influence an individuals blood pressure (BP) measurement. However, guidelines for accurately measuring BP inconsistently specify that the patient should keep feet flat on the floor. DESIGN Repeated measures. METHOD Using a mercury-filled column sphygmomanometer, BP was measured at uncrossed leg position, crossed leg position and again at uncrossed leg position in 283 unmedicated or medicated patients. Three experienced nurses specially trained for the study performed BP measurements. RESULTS The results indicated that BP increased significantly with the crossed leg position. Systolic and diastolic BP significantly increased approximately 10 and 8 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSION Crossing the leg at knee results in a significant increase in BP. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Leg position during measurement of BP should be standardised and mentioned in publications.

Reliability and validity of the continence self-efficacy scale in Turkish women with urinary incontinence

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale. Data was collected from 128 women who had urinary incontinence using the following instruments: the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale, the Broome Pelvic Muscle Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The validity of the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis and convergent and divergent validity analyses. The reliability of the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale was examined in terms of internal consistency and test-retest correlations. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a three -factor model that had acceptable goodness-of-fit indices. The convergent validity of the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale was supported by a positive correlation between the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale and the Broome Pelvic Muscle Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. The divergent validity of the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale was supported by negative relationships between the Continence Self-Efficacy Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The Cronbachs alpha values regarding internal consistency were 0.94 for the overall scale and 0.92-0.93 for the subscales. Test-retest correlations were 0.75 for the overall scale and 0.52-0.74 for the subscales. The Continence Self-Efficacy Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for use in Turkish women with urinary incontinence.