The impact of physical pain and depression on sleep quality in older adults with chronic disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study's purpose was to identify the correlates of sleep quality in older adults with chronic disease. BACKGROUND: Sleep quality is a common problem in older adults that may be affected by physical and mental status. DESIGN: A cross-sectional correlational design was employed. METHODS: The study was conducted between July 2019 and April 2020 in a teaching hospital of southern Taiwan. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Numerical Rating Scale were used to assess depression, sleep quality and physical pain respectively. RESULTS: Of the 120 older adults (age >65 years) with chronic disease, the average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 5.67. A total of 45.8% subjects had sleep disturbance. Older adults who were living with a partner and those who urinated at night were significantly more likely to report sleep disturbance. The presence of sleep disturbance was associated with greater levels of depression and higher levels of physical pain. CONCLUSION: Living with a partner, nocturia, physical pain and depression were associated with the presence of sleep disturbance in older adults with chronic disease. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study can help healthcare providers understand the factors associated with sleep disturbance in older adults with chronic disease, thereby facilitating the early resolution of sleep disturbance issues in this population.

Effects of Bee Venom Injections at Acupoints on Neurologic Dysfunction Induced by Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Disorders in Canines: A Randomized, Controlled Prospective Study.

Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is a major spine disorder in canines that causes neurological dysfunction, particularly in the thoracolumbar area. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to reduce nociceptive signals to decrease canine suffering. Bee venom (BV) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Injection of BV at acupoints has been widely used to treat clinical disorders including inflammation, pain, and arthritis. The current study was intended to determine whether BV injections at acupoints can enhance treatment of canine neurological dysfunction caused by IVDD. A single-blind controlled trial involving 40 adult canines with neurological dysfunction induced by IVDD subdivided into 2 groups was designed, and 36 canines finished the study. The myelopathy scoring system (MSS) grade and functional numeric scale (FNS) scores improved further after BV treatment than after control treatment. BV injection exerted a particularly strong effect on canines with moderate to severe IVDD and dramatically reduced clinical rehabilitation time. The results indicate that BV injections at acupoints are more effective at protecting canines from IVDD-induced neurological dysfunction and pain than is treatment alone.

Hourly oral misoprostol administration for terminating midtrimester pregnancies: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of medical induction of termination of midtrimester pregnancies with hourly oral misoprostol administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen women with living fetuses, who had undergone pregnancy termination at 12-25 weeks of gestational age, were reviewed. The method of induction was hourly oral administration of misoprostol, given at doses of 200 µg/hr for the first 12 hours and 400 µg/hr after 12 hours until delivery. Data including the induction-to-delivery interval and total dosage of misoprostol were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All 16 women successfully underwent vaginal termination within 36 hours. The median induction-to-delivery interval was 12.0 hours (range, 6.3-30.9 hours), with 13 women (81.3%) undergoing vaginal delivery within 24 hours. The median total dosage of misoprostol was 2,600 µg. The most common side effect was diarrhea, which was easily relieved by medication. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results show that oral administration of misoprostol at hourly intervals is a promising method for terminating midtrimester pregnancies.

[Job satisfaction and quality of life among hospital nurses in the Yunlin-Chiayi area].

The purpose of this study was to explore job satisfaction and quality of life and their inter-relationships among nurses. A cross-sectional research design was applied. Participants were 1,020 nurses who had worked for over six months at seven hospitals in Yunlin and Chiayi counties. Nine hundred and eleven questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 89.3%. The questionnaire comprised three parts: demographic characteristics and work environment, quality of life, and job satisfaction. The Cronbach's alphas were .87-.94. Data were analyzed by SPSS/PC 13.0. The results showed: (1) Factors affecting job satisfaction were support managers, number of patients cared for during day time, health status, stress from changing units, religion, work stress, and working unit's suitability to one's interests (R(2) = 53.5%). (2) Factors affecting quality of life were job satisfaction, happiness of life, health status, work stress, and age (R(2) = 51.0%). (3) There was a positive correlation between job satisfaction and quality of life. Nursing managers should create better work environments to improve nurses' job satisfaction and facilitate their retention in the nursing profession.