Factors affecting depressive symptoms in employed hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure.

Depressive symptoms are commonly experienced by hemodialysis patients, generally related to withdrawal from dialysis and compliance with dialysis prescription. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting depressive symptoms in employed hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure. A cross-sectional, correlational study design was utilized, consisting of 71 patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis treatment, all employed. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and fatigue by the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Psychosocial adaptation was measured by the Korean version of the Social Profile. In this study, 32.4% of the participants were depressed. Female patients had a higher score for depressive symptoms than males (25.78 ± 10.15 vs. 16.42 ± 10.25, p = .013). Mental fatigue (ß = .425, p < .001), psychosocial adaptation (ß = -.275, p < .001), and subjective health (ß = -.199, p < .05) were predictive variables of depressive symptoms in hemodialysis patients, with mental fatigue being the most important factor. Depressive symptoms can affect the self-management of hemodialysis patients; therefore, it is important that healthcare providers identify factors that affect depressive symptoms, particularly those associated with mental fatigue.

Relationships between depression, family function, physical symptoms, and illness uncertainty in female patients with chronic kidney disease.

This study investigated the relationship between depression, family function, physical symptoms, and illness uncertainty in women with chronic kidney disease. Data were collected through structured questionnaire that was completed by 120 women undergoing hemodialysis. Assessment instruments consisted of the Family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve Scale, Symptom Experience Scale, Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adults, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. The higher the uncertainty about illness and physical symptoms, the higher is the level of depression, and the better the family function, the lower is the level of depression. Greater uncertainty was associated with poorer family function and worsening physical symptoms. A regression model explained 41% of the variance in depression. Significant predictors of depression were physical symptoms, living alone, illness uncertainty, and "poor" subjective health status. To improve depression of women with chronic kidney disease, nurses need to reduce physical symptoms and illness uncertainty in these patients and improve their subjective health status. In addition, the establishment of a therapeutic support system considering living arrangement will help to reduce depression in women with chronic kidney disease.

Illness uncertainty and complementary and alternative medicine use in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

In this study, we identified the relationships between illness uncertainty, subjective health, and the use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients undergoing hemodialysis. In total, 138 participants who were diagnosed with stages 4-5 chronic kidney disease and currently receiving hemodialysis were included. A cross-sectional, correlational design was utilized. Illness uncertainty was associated with education, monthly income, employment, and subjective health. The use of complementary and alternative medicine was not related to illness uncertainty. Among the subdomains of illness uncertainty, ambiguity and unpredictability were related to subjective health; 24.6% of the participants were currently using complementary and alternative medicine and 19.6% had used it in the past. Such methods were mainly used for the effective treatment of diseases or relief of symptoms; 88.5% of those using complementary and alternative medicine consumed vitamins, specific foods, or dietary supplements. However, the proportion of participants who consulted with health-care providers was not high. When planning nursing interventions for patients treated with hemodialysis, assessments on illness uncertainty and complementary and alternative medicine use are needed.

Risk factors related to hazardous alcohol consumption among Korean men with hypertension.

The present study examines the alcohol consumption behaviors and risk factors related to hazardous alcohol consumption in men with hypertension in South Korea. The participants were 490 Korean hypertensive men > 20 years of age. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used to detect hazardous alcohol consumption. The majority of the participants were current drinkers, and 37.4% were hazardous drinkers. However, very few participants had received consultation about alcohol consumption. Of the participants, 37.7% were current smokers, and almost half of them smoked more than one pack of cigarettes daily. The hazardous drinkers smoked much more than the normal drinkers, and their stress levels were higher than that of normal drinkers. Participants aged 40-49 and 50-59 years (odds ratio = 7.91, 95% confidence interval = 1.50-41.70; odds ratio = 7.57, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-43.70), those without stroke (odds ratio = 4.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-17.77), and current smokers (odds ratio = 4.24, 95% confidence interval = 2.00-8.98) were more likely to be involved in hazardous alcohol consumption. Successful blood pressure management will necessitate the education of such hypertensive men with consideration of their risk factors.

Relations of drinking motives and alcohol consumption in Korean male office workers.

The relation between alcohol consumption and drinking motives was investigated among male office workers, 270 adult Korean men (M age = 38.6 yr., SD = 9.2) who were current drinkers. Heavy alcohol drinking was reported by 30.7% of the participants. Social motives had the highest mean score on the drinking motive questionnaire. Participants ages 20 to 29 yr. were more likely to drink for social and enhancement motives than those ages 40 to 49 yr. Participants without spouses reported greater importance of social motives and enhancement motives than those with spouses. Social motives, coping motives, and age-predicted alcohol consumption were regressed on the Quantity-Frequency index. This index score explained 30.5% of the variance in social motives, coping motives, and age. These findings suggest that there is high prevalence of heavy alcohol consumption among Korean office workers, who were likely to drink alcohol to increase sociability and reduce tension.

Effects of medication adherence interventions for older adults with chronic illnesses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to understand the characteristics of medication adherence interventions for older adults with chronic illnesses, and to investigate the average effect size by combining the individual effects of these interventions. Data from studies meeting the inclusion criteria were systematically collected in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The results showed that the average effect size (Hedges' g) of the finally selected medication adherence interventions for older adults with chronic illnesses calculated using a random-effects model was 0.500 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.342-0.659). Of the medication adherence interventions, an implementation intention intervention (using face-to-face meetings and telephone monitoring with personalized behavioral strategies) and a health belief model-based educational program were found to be highly effective. Face-to-face counseling was a significantly effective method of implementing medication adherence interventions for older adults with chronic illnesses (Hedges' g=0.531, 95% CI, 0.186-0.877), while medication adherence interventions through education and telehealth counseling were not effective. This study verified the effectiveness of personalized behavioral change strategies and cognitive behavioral therapy based on the health belief model, as well as face-to-face meetings, as medication adherence interventions for older adults with chronic illnesses.

Depressive symptoms and menstrual distress according to the menstrual phase in nurses: the Korea Nurses' Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the level of menstrual distress among nurses during the premenstrual and menstrual phases and to investigate associations between depressive symptoms and menstrual distress. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted using data from the Korea Nurses' Health Study. We used data from December 2018 to September 2019. A total of 6878 nurses was selected for final analysis. Data on demographic characteristics, women's health-related variables, shift work, sleep quality, depressive symptoms and menstrual distress were collected. Descriptive statistics, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with menstrual distress in both premenstrual and menstrual phases (premenstrual phase B = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.49-1.71; menstrual phase B = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.54-1.76) after controlling for demographic characteristics, women's health-related variables, shift work and sleep quality. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate the importance of tailored care for menstrual distress based on the menstrual phase and the significance of depressive symptoms in the management of menstrual distress.

Relationship between obesity, alcohol consumption, and physical activity of male office workers in South Korea.

This study investigated the relationship between obesity, alcohol consumption, and physical activity of males in South Korea. A total of 141 middle-aged office workers were recruited from two companies in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire and body composition analyzer (Inbody 230). Based on body mass index, 30.5% of the study participants were overweight and 48.9% were obese. Based on the percentage of body fat and the waist-to-hip ratio, 21.3% and 47.5% were obese, respectively. Most of the participants drank alcohol, with a mean of 52.26 drinks in the preceding month. Among them, 38.8% were heavy drinkers. The prevalence of low and moderate physical activity was 73% and 22%, respectively. Significant differences were found for body mass index, percentage of body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio after controlling for physical activity as a covariate. Body mass index, percentage of body fat, and waist-to-hip ratio of light and heavy drinkers were higher than that of moderate drinkers. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and alcohol consumption was high in male office workers. Heavy alcohol consumption should be considered a relating factor of obesity in office workers.

Correlation of physical, psychological, and functional factors with independent medication adherence in Korean older adults with chronic illness: Using the 2017 national survey of older Koreans.

PURPOSE: To identify the differences in sight, hearing, cognitive function, depression, and activities of daily living and the relationships between the research variables according to the independent medication adherence of Korean older adults with chronic illness. METHODS: Data were taken from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans. The sample comprised 8333 household-dwelling participants aged 65 and older, who had one or more chronic diseases. RESULTS: Korean older adults were, on average, diagnosed with 3.21 chronic illnesses and taking 4.55 doctor-prescribed medications. There were significant differences in age, education level, living arrangement, perceived subjective health states, number of diagnosed chronic diseases, number of prescription medications being taken, level of discomfort with daily living due to decline in sight and hearing, cognitive function, depression, and levels of activities of daily living according to independent medication adherence. For Korean older adults with independent medication adherence, cognitive function had significant correlations with perceived subjective health states, depression, and daily living activities. For those with partially-dependent or dependent medication adherence, lower cognitive function was associated with greater discomfort due to hearing, and depression had significant correlations with perceived subjective health states, number of prescription medications being taken, and discomfort due to decline in sight and hearing, but significant correlation with level of cognitive function. CONCLUSION: Nursing intervention should be planned to enhance the medication adherence of Korean older adults. Specifically, cognitive function, depression, and activities of daily living must be considered along with the patient's health.

[A Structural Model for Premenstrual Coping in University Students: Based on Biopsychosocial Model].

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to construct a hypothetical structural model which explains premenstrual coping in university students and to test the fitness with collected data. METHODS: Participants were 206 unmarried women university students from 3 universities in A and B cities. Data were collected from March 29 until April 30, 2016 using self-report structured questionnaires and were analyzed using IBM SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 18.0. RESULTS: Physiological factor was identified as a significant predictor of premenstrual syndrome (t=6.45, p<.001). This model explained 22.1% of the variance in premenstrual syndrome. Psychological factors (t=-2.49, p=.013) and premenstrual syndrome (t=8.17, p<.001) were identified as significant predictors of premenstrual coping. Also this model explained 30.9% of the variance in premenstrual coping in university students. A physiological factors directly influenced premenstrual syndrome (ß=.41, p=.012). Premenstrual syndrome (ß=.55, p=.005) and physiological factor (ß=.23, p=.015) had significant total effects on premenstrual coping. Physiological factor did not have a direct influence on premenstrual coping, but indirectly affected it (ß=.22, p=.007). Psychological factors did not have an indirect or total effect on premenstrual coping, but directly affected it (ß=-.17, p=.036). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that strategies to control physiological factors such as menstrual pain should be helpful to improve premenstrual syndrome symptoms. When developing a program to improve premenstrual coping ability and quality of menstrual related health, it is important to consider psychological factors including perceived stress and menstrual attitude and premenstrual syndrome.

Gender differences in factors influencing sexual satisfaction in Korean older adults.

This study investigates the sex lives of Korean older adults (i.e., those over 60 years) and attempts to identify gender-related factors influencing sexual satisfaction. It used data from the 2008 Korean National Survey on Older Adults conducted by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Families. Of the 15,146 individuals who had taken part in the 2008 study, secondary analysis was conducted with data from 3360 persons who had spouses and were willing to respond to sex-related questions in a face-to-face interview. The mean age of male and female subjects was 67.34 and 66.86 years respectively. In the male subjects, sexual frequency, followed by marital satisfaction and cognitive function, had the greatest effect on sexual satisfaction. These three variables together accounted for 21% of the male subjects' sexual satisfaction. In the female subjects, marital satisfaction, followed by frequency of sexual activity, absence of depressive symptoms, age, and length of cohabitation with spouse, had the greatest effect on sexual satisfaction. These five variables together explained 11% of their sexual satisfaction. This study indicates that sexual frequency and physical factors have the most important effects on the sex lives of older men, while older women value psychosocial and relational factors more highly. Therefore, interventions aiming to improve sexual satisfaction in older adults should take gender differences into account.

[Effects of perceived health status, self-esteem and family function on expectations regarding aging among middle-aged women].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate expectations regarding aging by middle-aged women in the community, and identify factors contributing to their expectations about aging. METHODS: Participants in the survey for this study were 303 middle-aged women from community health centers and religious facilities in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Chungcheongbuk Province. Data were collected from March 2 to April 17, 2012 using self-report structured questionnaires. The instruments were the Health Perceptions, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES), Family APGAR, Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA-12). The data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regression with IBM SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Perceived health status (ß=0.16, p=.009) and self-esteem (ß=0.20, p=.001) of middle-aged women were identified as significant predictors of expectations regarding aging, after adjusting for age, education, occupation, monthly income and menstrual status. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that nurses should make an effort to improve expectations about aging among middle-aged women. Ultimately, community health programs for middle aged women need to be developed to achieve successful aging.