The effects of an integrated supportive programme on oral health in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study determines the effect of an integrated 12-month follow-up support programme on the oral health of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who received radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive programme, which included face-to-face education and telephone coaching. The control group received usual care. After a clinical dental examination, the prevalence of caries, gingival inflammation and plaque were registered. Oral health impact profile (OHIP)-14 and the WHO Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults were used to evaluate oral health in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 79 participants completed a 12-month follow-up. The intervention group had lower caries increment between baseline and the 12-month follow-up compared with controls, although this was not statistically significant. After 12 months, the intervention group had statistically significant better outcomes in the plaque index (p = 0.038) and the OHIP-14 (p = 0.002) than the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups concerning gingival index. However, the intervention group reported an overall better state of teeth (p = 0.034) and gums after 12 months (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The integrated supportive programme showed positive effects on improving oral health in patients with HNC regarding plaque control, the state of teeth and gums and oral health-related quality of life during the 12-month follow-up.

Women with heart failure and their experiences of sexuality and intimacy: A qualitative content analysis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore how women with heart failure experience intimacy and sexual activity. BACKGROUND: Knowledge about women diagnosed with heart failure and their sexual activity is scarce. By investigating the experience of sexual activity and intimacy of women diagnosed with heart failure, an alignment between current practice and patients' expectations and needs within this area might be obtained. DESIGN: A qualitative design was used. METHODS: Fifteen women diagnosed with heart failure were recruited from a heart failure outpatient clinic at a university hospital. The study was carried out from January to September 2018. The inclusion criteria were women >18 years, with estimated New York Heart Association Class II or III living together with a partner. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were undertaken at the hospital. The interviews were organised around a set of predetermined open-ended questions, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a qualitative content analysis. COREQ guidelines were used. RESULTS: The analysis revealed one overarching theme characterises how living with heart failure has an impact on women's sexual relationship. Furthermore, three sub-themes were identified: (1) redefining sexual activity, (2) reducing sexual activity and (3) maintaining sexual activity. CONCLUSION: Women need information about sexual activity and heart failure in order to prevent fear and anxiety. It is important to include partners in patient consultations at heart failure outpatient clinics and in sexual counselling. It is furthermore essential to educate patients about sexual activity in relation to medication and comorbidities. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Findings from this study support that information about sexuality and intimacy is a central part of the consultation in a heart failure outpatient clinic, and highlights the importance of not making assumptions about aging, frailty and interest in sexual expression. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews.

Women with lipoedema: a national survey on their health, health-related quality of life, and sense of coherence.

BACKGROUND: Lipoedema is a chronic disease in adipose tissue that almost exclusively affects women during periods of hormonal alterations. Its main symptoms include an abnormal accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the buttock, hips, and legs, which is associated with pain, swelling, and easy bruising. Herein, a grading in three stages is used to determine disease progression. Problematically, lipoedema manifestations are often confused with lifestyle-induced obesity, which is why the various health problems among affected women often remain unrecognized. Overall, research on lipoedema is scarce. As such, this study examined the health, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and sense of coherence (SOC) among women with lipoedema. METHODS: We conducted a national cross-sectional study using an online survey assessing sociodemographic data, lipoedema characteristics, symptom severity, comorbidities, HRQOL (RAND-36), and SOC (SOC-13). In total, 245 women with lipoedema, recruited from all Lipoedema Association groups in Sweden, participated. Data were compiled with descriptive statistics, and mean differences between groups were analysed by using parametric and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Moderate and severe leg heaviness, pain, numbness, cold skin, feeling cold, easy bruising, and sleep problems were found to occur in all lipoedema stages. Moreover, almost all participants reported having comorbidities. Worse physical health and most substantial limitations in daily life were reported among women with the most progressive lipoedema (i.e., stage 3). Social and emotional functioning and SOC were found to be, on the other hand, primarily related to respondents' sociodemographic data and their ages at lipoedema onset. Even though approximately 70% of the women had experienced lipoedema onset before age 30, only three (1.6%) had been diagnosed by a healthcare professional before that age. CONCLUSION: Having lipoedema is associated with several health problems and a lower HRQOL. In addition, the extent of delay in diagnosis within this sample indicates that many women with lipoedema are often underdiagnosed and are left without support from healthcare. These findings call for the need for greater attention on lipoedema. Moreover, further studies on how women with lipoedema manage their health and symptoms, as well as on their experiences of healthcare services and lipoedema treatments, are needed.

Needs of family members caring for stroke survivors in china: A deductive qualitative content analysis study by using the caregiver task inventory-25.

BACKGROUND: In China, family caregivers are usually the main carers of relatives after stroke due to traditional Chinese culture and the limited development of the primary healthcare system. This responsibility often results in burdens and negative health outcomes. However, family caregivers seldom receive support. To improve informal care, as well as the health and well-being of family caregivers, it is important to identify their needs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to deductively explore the needs of family members caring for stroke survivors in China. METHODS: Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were performed with family caregivers of stroke survivors who were selected from one city and three communities by purposive sampling. A deductive qualitative content analysis method was performed by using the Caregiver Task Inventory-25 (CTI-25), an instrument measuring the needs of family caregivers, as a framework. RESULTS: All subscales, as well as all belonging items in the CTI-25, were identified in the present study, meaning that the family caregivers had needs related to learning to cope with new role, providing care according to care-receiver's needs, managing own emotional needs, appraising supportive resources, and balancing caregiving needs and one's own needs. Moreover, needs related to financial support, both direct and indirect, were identified but not part of the CTI-25. CONCLUSION: These findings identified that family caregivers of stroke survivors in China had various needs, which is important knowledge when assessing needs and improving health care for family caregivers. Cultural adjustments and modifications should be made if CTI-25 is used in mainland China. This study also indicated a comprehensive and holistic perspective (individual, community, and social level) when identifying, assessing needs or implementing interventions to support family caregivers.

Effects of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics in patients with head and neck cancer radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia and changes in saliva characteristics are common side-effects in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy, which negatively impact their oral health. However, there are no consensus standards for intervention to manage these problems. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an integrated supportive program on xerostomia and saliva characteristics at a 1-year follow-up of patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands. METHODS: The CONSORT guidelines for a randomized controlled trial were used. Participants with a low overall dose to major salivary glands were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 47) or a control group (n = 45). The intervention group received usual care and an integrated supportive program, which included three steps: face-to-face education; face-to-face coaching at 1 month post-radiotherapy; and four telephone coaching sessions at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months post-radiotherapy. The face-to-face education consisted of oral hygiene instruction, oral self-care strategies, facial and tongue muscle exercises, and salivary gland massage. Adherence to the intervention was evaluated using a questionnaire completed during the 9 months follow-up. The control group received usual care. The unstimulated saliva flow rate and xerostomia were assessed in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 79 participants (40 in the intervention group and 39 in the control group) completed the 12 months follow-up. The intervention group achieved significantly greater relief from xerostomia than the control group after 3 months (intervention group: 35.1 ± 5.9 versus control group: 38.0 ± 5.9, P = 0.027) and 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 18.5 ± 4.1 versus control group: 22.8 ± 4.3, P < 0.001). A higher unstimulated saliva flow rate was observed in the intervention group than the control group at 12 months follow-up (intervention group: 0.16 ± 0.08 versus control group: 0.12 ± 0.07, P = 0.035). Adherence to the intervention was generally good. CONCLUSION: This integrated supportive program with good adherence relieved xerostomia and had a positive effect on unstimulated saliva flow rate among patients with HNC radiated with a low dose to the major salivary glands during the 12 months of follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100051876 (08/10/2021), retrospectively registered.

Optimizing of a question prompt list to improve communication about the heart failure trajectory in patients, families, and health care professionals.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to optimize a Question Prompt List which is designed to improve communication about the heart failure trajectory among patients, family members, and health care professionals. METHODS: Data were collected in a two-round Delphi survey and a cross-sectional survey, including patients with heart failure, their family members, and health care professionals working in heart failure care in Sweden and the Netherlands. Acceptability for and demand of the Question Prompt List were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients, 63 family members and 26 health care professionals participated in the study. Regarding acceptability, most of the original questions were found to be relevant by the participants for inclusion in the Question Prompt List but some cultural differences exist, which resulted in two versions of the list: a Swedish version including 33 questions and a Dutch version including 38 questions. Concerning demand, participants reported that they were interested in discussing the questions in the revised Question Prompt List with a physician or a nurse. Few patients and family members reported that they were worried by the questions in the Question Prompt List and hence did not want to discuss the questions. CONCLUSIONS: This Question Prompt List has successfully been adapted into a Swedish version and a Dutch version and includes questions about the HF trajectory which patients, their families, and health care professionals perceived to be relevant for discussion in clinical practice. Overall, patients and family members were not worried about the content in the Question Prompt List and if used in accordance with patients' and family members' preferences, the Question Prompt List can help to improve communication about the heart failure trajectory.

Effectiveness of Enhanced External Counterpulsation Treatment on Symptom Burden, Medication Profile, Physical Capacity, Cardiac Anxiety, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Refractory Angina Pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Patients with refractory angina pectoris experience recurrent symptoms that limit their functional capacity, including psychological distress and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), despite optimized medical therapy. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an evidence-based alternative noninvasive treatment. Although physical well-being and mental well-being are equally important components of health, few studies have investigated the psychological effects of EECP in patients with refractory angina pectoris. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EECP treatment in patients with refractory angina pectoris regarding medication profile, physical capacity, cardiac anxiety, and HRQoL. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study with 1-group pretest-posttest design includes a 6-month follow-up of 50 patients (men, n = 37; mean age, 65.8 years) who had undergone 1 EECP course. The following pretreatment and posttreatment data were collected: medication use, 6-minute walk test results, functional class according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and self-reported (ie, questionnaire data) cardiac anxiety and HRQoL. In addition, the questionnaires were also completed at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: After EECP treatment, patients used significantly less nitrates (P < .001), walking distance increased on average by 46 m (P < .001), and Canadian Cardiovascular Society class improved (P < .001). In addition, all but 1 subscale of cardiac anxiety and all HRQoL components improved significantly (P < .05). The positive effects for cardiac anxiety and HRQoL were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced external counterpulsation treatment resulted in reduced symptom burden, improved physical capacity, and less cardiac anxiety, leading to increased physical activity and enhanced life satisfaction for patients with refractory angina pectoris. Enhanced external counterpulsation treatment should be considered to improve the life situation for these patients.

Experiences of Undergoing Enhanced External Counterpulsation in Patients With Refractory Angina Pectoris: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment recommended for patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP), which generally includes 35 one-hour sessions over 7 weeks. No study has described how patients experience the time before, during, and between sessions, as well as the time after EECP treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe how patients with RAP experience EECP treatment. METHODS: Semistructured interviews took place with 15 strategically selected patients (11 men, 58-91 years old) who had finished 7 weeks of EECP at the 2 existing EECP clinics in Sweden. Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results were divided into 4 content areas, each comprising 3 categories: (1) experiences before EECP was initiated comprised uncharted territory, being given a new opportunity, and gain insight; (2) experiences during EECP sessions comprised physical discomfort, need of distraction, and sense of security; (3) experiences between EECP sessions comprised physical changes, socializing, and coordinating everyday life; and (4) experiences after 1 course of EECP treatment comprised improved physical well-being, improved mental well-being, and maintaining angina in check. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced external counterpulsation was perceived as an unknown treatment option among these patients with RAP. Nurses should emphasize education before and during treatment based on individualized care needs to improve knowledge and treatment experience, as well as prevent discomfort. There is a great need to increase the awareness of EECP among healthcare professionals because it can improve the life situation for patients with RAP.

Continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes: A balance between benefits and barriers: A critical incident study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe positively and negatively perceived situations experienced by adults with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring and the actions they take to deal with these situations. BACKGROUND: Real-time continuous glucose monitoring has been shown to improve glycaemic control and reduce hypoglycaemia. Although many patients with type 1 diabetes report great benefits when using continuous glucose monitoring, a substantial number discontinue using the device. Little is known about the different situations and experiences with the daily use of continuous glucose monitoring that contribute to such differences. DESIGN: A descriptive design based on the critical incident technique was used. The study complied with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) (see File S1). METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 23 adults with type 1 diabetes, including current and former users of continuous glucose monitoring from four different outpatient clinics. RESULTS: The participants described that they felt that the use of continuous glucose monitoring was a balance between benefits and barriers, and how, through their actions, they tried to adapt their use of continuous glucose monitoring to fit their lifestyles. Various life events affected and altered the balance between benefits and barriers and thus affected their use of continuous glucose monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous glucose monitoring is perceived as an effective and important tool in the self-management of diabetes type 1. It enables a better everyday life and increased satisfaction with treatment. At the same time, the use of continuous glucose monitoring can be both demanding and challenging. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Understanding the complex interplay between perceived benefits, treatment burden and adherence to continuous glucose monitoring use is important for nurses engaged in diabetes care. Education and support regarding the use of continuous glucose monitoring must be based on the understanding and perspectives of the patient to alleviate stress and barriers and enhance self-efficacy. As the use of continuous glucose monitoring can change over time, this must be a continuous process beyond initial training.

Transition from paediatric to adult care: a qualitative study of the experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to explore how young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experienced the transition from paediatric to adult health care services. DESIGN: A qualitative, explorative design was used. METHODS: Eleven young adults with T1D receiving adult diabetes care at a hospital in western Norway participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Interpretive Description, an inductive approach inspired by grounded theory, ethnography and phenomenology, and specifically designed to explore phenomena in clinical practice aiming to generate new knowledge and skills. RESULTS: Four main themes regarding the adolescents' experiences of the transfer from paediatric to adult care emerged: (i) limited information about the transition; (ii) transition from frequent, thorough and personal follow-up to a less comprehensive and less personal follow-up; (iii) the importance of being seen as a whole person; (iv) limited expectations of how the health care services were organised. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the existing routines for transfer between paediatric and adult care are not optimal. The participants expressed that they were not prepared for the dissimilarities in follow-up and were predominantly less pleased with the adult care follow-up. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings support a need for structured transition programmes, that is programmes that contribute to young adults with T1D receiving a safe and positive transition at an otherwise demanding life phase. Young peoples' individual needs for the transition to and follow-up in adult care may be promoted by an approach based on person-centred care.

Using co-design to develop an intervention to improve communication about the heart failure trajectory and end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to describe the development of an intervention that is developed to improve communication about the heart failure (HF) trajectory and end-of-life care. We also present data that provides a first insight in specific areas of feasibility of the intervention. METHODS: Co-design was used and patients, family members and health care professionals were constructive participants in the design process of the intervention. Feasibility of the intervention was tested in two areas; acceptability and limited efficacy. RESULTS: Two communication tools were designed and evaluated; 1) a Question Prompt List (QPL) for patients and family members and 2) a communication course for professionals which was web -based with one face-to-face training day with simulation. Data on feasibility was collected with questionnaires that were developed for this study, from the 13 participants who completed the course (all nurses). They reported improved knowledge, confidence and skills to discuss the HF trajectory and end-of-life care. The QPL was evaluated to be a useful tool in communication with patients and family members. CONCLUSIONS: In a co-design process, future users identified the need for a QPL and a communication course. These communication tools can be used as a dual intervention to improve communication about the HF trajectory and end-of-life care. The QPL can help patients and families to ask questions about the HF trajectory and end-of-life care. The communication course can prepare the professionals to be knowledgeable, confident and skilled to discuss the questions in the QPL. Before the tools are ready for implementation in clinical practice, further studies testing the feasibility of the intervention are needed, including also patients and their families.

Variables Related to Communication About Prognosis Between Nurses and Patients at Heart Failure Clinics in Sweden and the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to recommendations in recent guidelines, prognosis is not optimally discussed with patients with heart failure (HF). Reasons for not doing so can be related to both patient and provider characteristics. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore which patient- and nurse-related variables influence discussing prognosis with patients at an HF clinic. METHOD: Data from a previous survey on attitudes and clinical practice of HF nurses on discussing prognosis that was conducted in Sweden and the Netherlands were combined with data from a registration on topics that nurses discussed with their patients during a prespecified week at the HF clinic. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess which variables are related to discussing prognosis. RESULTS: A total of 275 HF nurses (mean age, 49 years) and data of 1633 patients with HF (mean age, 71 years) were included in the study. Prognosis was discussed with 42% of all patients during the visit at the HF clinic. Patients with whom prognosis was discussed were more often in New York Heart Association classes III to IV (odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44-2.26). Nurses discussing prognosis reported more knowledge on the topic (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.36-2.16) and discussed more topics with the patient (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.21-1.32). Dutch HF nurses were more likely to discuss prognosis compared with their Swedish colleagues (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.43-2.33). CONCLUSIONS: Discussing prognosis with patients with HF by nurses at the HF clinic is related to the characteristics of patients and HF nurses. Future interventions to improve communications about prognosis therefore should have a broad approach.

Psychometric Properties of the 9-item European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Among Iranian Patients.

BACKGROUND: The 9-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior scale (EHFScB-9) is a self-reported questionnaire commonly used to capture the self-care behavior of people with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the EHFScB-9's factorial structure and categorical functioning of the response scale and differential item functioning (DIF) across subpopulations in Iran. METHODS: Patients with HF (n = 380; 60.5% male; mean [SD] age, 61.7 [9.1] years) participated in this study. The median (interquartile range) of the duration of their HF was 6.0 (2.4-8.8) months. Most of the participants were in New York Heart Association classification II (NYHA II, 61.8%); few of them had left ventricular ejection fraction assessment (11.3%). All participants completed the EHFScB-9. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factorial structure of the EHFScB-9; Rasch analysis was used to analyze categorical functioning and DIF items across 2 characteristics (gender and NYHA). RESULTS: The 2-factor structure ("adherence to regimen" and "consulting behavior") of the EHFScB-9 was confirmed, and the unidimensionality of each factor was found. Categorical functioning was supported for all items. No items displayed substantial DIF across gender (DIF contrast, -0.25-0.31). Except for item 3 ("Contact doctor or nurse if legs/feet are swollen"; DIF contrast, -0.69), no items displayed substantial DIF across NYHA classes (DIF contrast, -0.40 to 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the DIF displayed in 1 item across the NYHA classes, the EHFScB-9 demonstrated sound psychometric properties in patients with HF.

Experiences of xerostomia after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer: A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the experiences of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer. BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is the most commonly occurring complication during and following radiotherapy. It can persist for several months or years and can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. DESIGN: This was a qualitative descriptive study. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 participants. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. RESULTS: Analysis of the manifest content identified five categories: communication problems, physical problems, psychosocial problems, treatment problems and relief strategies. The latent content was formulated into a theme: due to lack of information from professionals, the patients had to find their own solutions for their problems. CONCLUSIONS: Xerostomia is not only a biophysical symptom but also has a profound effect on the emotional, intellectual and sociocultural dimensions of life. The majority of patients continued to suffer from xerostomia and its associated symptoms after radiotherapy, in part, because of a lack of professional support, including the inability of nurses to provide oral health care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses need to be knowledgeable about the effects of radiotherapy on oral mucosa and about appropriate interventions. The healthcare system requires a symptom management platform for radiation-induced complications, to help patients, their families and healthcare professionals obtain information about self-care, treatments and relief strategies.

"I was told that I would not die from heart failure": Patient perceptions of prognosis communication.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To describe patients' experiences of communication about their heart failure prognosis and explore how these experiences affected their preferences for future communication about the prognosis. BACKGROUND: Professionals need to discuss about the heart failure prognosis with patients in order to improve their understanding of their illness and address palliative care needs. METHODS: An inductive and exploratory design was used. A total of 24 patients (75% men, 52-87 years of age) in New York Heart Association class I-III from primary outpatient care participated in focus group-, or individual semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret patterns in the data. FINDINGS: Two overarching themes, "The message sent" and "Hoping for the best or preparing for the worst", each with three sub-themes, were discovered during the thematic analysis. Many patients described that professionals had not provided them with any prognosis information at all. Other patients described professional information about prognosis that was given in an either very optimistic or very negative way. However, patients also described situations where professionals had given information in a way that they thought was perfect for them to handle, and in accordance with their preferences. CONCLUSION: This study shows that patients have different experiences and preferences for communication about prognosis and uses different approaches in order to cope living with a chronic illness such as heart failure.

Do Self-Management Interventions Work in Patients With Heart Failure? An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Self-management interventions are widely implemented in the care for patients with heart failure (HF). However, trials show inconsistent results, and whether specific patient groups respond differently is unknown. This individual patient data meta-analysis assessed the effectiveness of self-management interventions in patients with HF and whether subgroups of patients respond differently. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic literature search identified randomized trials of self-management interventions. Data from 20 studies, representing 5624 patients, were included and analyzed with the use of mixed-effects models and Cox proportional-hazard models, including interaction terms. Self-management interventions reduced the risk of time to the combined end point of HF-related hospitalization or all-cause death (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.89), time to HF-related hospitalization (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.92), and improved 12-month HF-related quality of life (standardized mean difference, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.00-0.30). Subgroup analysis revealed a protective effect of self-management on the number of HF-related hospital days in patients <65 years of age (mean, 0.70 versus 5.35 days; interaction P=0.03). Patients without depression did not show an effect of self-management on survival (hazard ratio for all-cause mortality, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.69-1.06), whereas in patients with moderate/severe depression, self-management reduced survival (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.06-1.83, interaction P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that self-management interventions had a beneficial effect on time to HF-related hospitalization or all-cause death and HF-related hospitalization alone and elicited a small increase in HF-related quality of life. The findings do not endorse limiting self-management interventions to subgroups of patients with HF, but increased mortality in depressed patients warrants caution in applying self-management strategies in these patients.

What Are Effective Program Characteristics of Self-Management Interventions in Patients With Heart Failure? An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To identify those characteristics of self-management interventions in patients with heart failure (HF) that are effective in influencing health-related quality of life, mortality, and hospitalizations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Randomized trials on self-management interventions conducted between January 1985 and June 2013 were identified and individual patient data were requested for meta-analysis. Generalized mixed effects models and Cox proportional hazard models including frailty terms were used to assess the relation between characteristics of interventions and health-related outcomes. Twenty randomized trials (5624 patients) were included. Longer intervention duration reduced mortality risk (hazard ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-0.999 per month increase in duration), risk of HF-related hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99), and HF-related hospitalization at 6 months (risk ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.995). Although results were not consistent across outcomes, interventions comprising standardized training of interventionists, peer contact, log keeping, or goal-setting skills appeared less effective than interventions without these characteristics. CONCLUSION: No specific program characteristics were consistently associated with better effects of self-management interventions, but longer duration seemed to improve the effect of self-management interventions on several outcomes. Future research using factorial trial designs and process evaluations is needed to understand the working mechanism of specific program characteristics of self-management interventions in HF patients.

Sexual counselling for sexual problems in patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Sexual problems are common among people with cardiovascular disease. Although clinical guidelines recommend sexual counselling for patients and their partners, there is little evidence on its effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of sexual counselling interventions (in comparison to usual care) on sexuality-related outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease and their partners. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and three other databases up to 2 March 2015 and two trials registers up to 3 February 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs, including individual and cluster RCTs. We included studies that compared any intervention to counsel adult cardiac patients about sexual problems with usual care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We included three trials with 381 participants. We were unable to pool the data from the included studies due to the differences in interventions used; therefore we synthesised the trial findings narratively.Two trials were conducted in the USA and one was undertaken in Israel. All trials included participants who were admitted to hospital with myocardial infarction (MI), and one trial also included participants who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. All trials followed up participants for a minimum of three months post-intervention; the longest follow-up timepoint was five months.One trial (N = 92) tested an intensive (total five hours) psychotherapeutic sexual counselling intervention delivered by a sexual therapist. One trial (N = 115) used a 15-minute educational video plus written material on resuming sexual activity following a MI. One trial (N = 174) tested the addition of a component that focused on resumption of sexual activity following a MI within a hospital cardiac rehabilitation programme.The quality of the evidence for all outcomes was very low.None of the included studies reported any outcomes from partners.Two trials reported sexual function. One trial compared intervention and control groups on 12 separate sexual function subscales and used a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. They reported statistically significant differences in favour of the intervention. One trial compared intervention and control groups using a repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and concluded: "There were no significant differences between the two groups [for sexual function] at any of the time points".Two trials reported sexual satisfaction. In one trial, the authors compared sexual satisfaction between intervention and control and used a repeated measured ANOVA; they reported "differences were reported in favour of the intervention". One trial compared intervention and control with a repeated measures ANCOVA and reported: "There were no significant differences between the two groups [for sexual satisfaction] at any of the timepoints".All three included trials reported the number of patients returning to sexual activity following MI. One trial found some evidence of an effect of sexual counselling on reported rate of return to sexual activity (yes/no) at four months after completion of the intervention (relative risk (RR) 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26 to 2.32; one trial, 92 participants, very low quality of evidence). Two trials found no evidence of an effect of sexual counselling on rate of return to sexual activity at 12 week (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.09; one trial, 127 participants, very low quality of evidence) and three month follow-up (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.10; one trial, 115 participants, very low quality of evidence).Two trials reported psychological well-being. In one trial, no scores were reported, but the trial authors stated: "No treatment effects were observed on state anxiety as measured in three points in time". In the other trial no scores were reported but, based on results of a repeated measures ANCOVA to compare intervention and control groups, the trial authors stated: "The experimental group had significantly greater anxiety at one month post MI". They also reported: "There were no significant differences between the two groups [for anxiety] at any other time points".One trial reporting relationship satisfaction and one trial reporting quality of life found no differences between intervention and control.No trial reported on satisfaction in how sexual issues were addressed in cardiac rehabilitation services. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found no high quality evidence to support the effectiveness of sexual counselling for sexual problems in patients with cardiovascular disease. There is a clear need for robust, methodologically rigorous, adequately powered RCTs to test the effectiveness of sexual counselling interventions for people with cardiovascular disease and their partners.

Self-management among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China and its association with sociodemographic and clinical variables.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the status of self-management in patients with COPD and its associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 154 patients with COPD (mean age, 73 years) at four hospitals in Tianjin, China. The COPD Self-Management Scale was used to describe the level of self-management, and its associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables were examined with multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: More than half of the patients with COPD had a low (30%) or moderate (27%) level of self-management. Self-management was rated highest in management of daily life and lowest in information management. Higher physical activity, higher salary, and lower age affected self-management the most positively. CONCLUSION: The overall burden of COPD in China is greater than that found in other countries. Healthcare professionals need to improve their understanding of the importance of self-management and specifically focus on increased physical activity targeting patients with poor literacy skills.

Weaning from mechanical ventilation: factors that influence intensive care nurses' decision-making.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the factors that influence intensive care nurses' decision-making when weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. BACKGROUND: Patients with failing vital function may require respiratory support. Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a process in which the intensive care nurse participates in both planning and implementation. DESIGN AND METHOD: A qualitative approach was used. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 22 intensive care nurses. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: One theme emerged: 'A complex nursing situation where the patient receives attention and which is influenced by the current care culture'. There was consensus that the overall assessment of the patient made by the intensive care nurse was the main factor that influenced the decision-making process. This assessment was a continuous process consisting of three factors: the patient's perspective as well as her/his physical and mental state. On the other hand, there was a lack of consensus about what other factors influenced the decision-making process. These factors included the care culture constituted by the characteristics of the team, the intensive care nurses' professional skills, personalities and ability to be present. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The individual overall assessment of the patient enabled nursing care from a holistic perspective. Furthermore, the weaning process can be more effective and potential suffering reduced by creating awareness of the care culture's impact on the decision-making process.