Sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life in females with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can have several consequences on sexual function, which can lead to worsened quality of life. AIM: The study sought to assess sexual function and its association with health functionality and quality of life in females with PAH. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pulmonary circulation outpatient clinics from January 2022 to March 2023 in females diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Assessment was carried out through the application of the Female Sexual Function Index, the 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Survey. OUTCOMES: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and JASP, and Spearman's correlation tests were applied between the instruments, with a P value <.05 considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 91 females were assessed. It was identified that 90.1% of females had sexual dysfunction, with worse scores in females with sexual dysfunction in the domains of satisfaction, arousal, and desire, with average health functionality and quality of life. There were significant correlations between the domains of mobility, getting along, life activities, and the overall functionality score with some domains of sexual function, especially arousal and satisfaction. We found significant correlations between some domains of quality-of-life assessment with the domains of desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and with the overall score of sexual function assessment, as well as strong correlations between health functionality and quality of life. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The data reinforce the need for rehabilitation programs and social support for this population. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is one of the few studies to evaluate sexual function, quality of life, and health functionality in women with PAH. Due to limitations in data collection, we were unable to assess certain factors such as hormone levels and a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSION: We identified a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in females with PAH with mild functional impairment and a moderate quality-of-life score with correlations between sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life.

Stressors in intensive cardiac care units: Patients' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are often admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) to have their vital signs and ventricular function monitored. In most cases, they are conscious and bedbound, causing high stress and anxiety levels. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the stressors affecting patients admitted to ICCUs. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study performed in a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A sample of 100 patients with ACS admitted to an ICCU, after 24 hours of hospitalization, was recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and the Intensive Care Unit Stressor Assessment Scale (ICESS) was applied to investigate stressors. The ICESS' internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's alpha, and the stressors were analysed by descriptive statistics, association tests, and correlation tests. RESULTS: Most patients were male, married, and aged 51 to 60 years. The ICESS showed an excellent internal consistency. The mean score identified in patients pointed to a non-stressed to moderately stressed condition. The indicators considered to be more stressful were as follows: "Not knowing ICU length of stay," "Being unable to fulfil family roles," "Missing husband or wife," and "Loss of self-control." CONCLUSIONS: Stress levels were considered to be non-stressful to moderately stressful. The main stressors were related to psychological distress and physical discomfort dimensions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Mapping the main stressors of patients with coronary artery disease will allow health professionals to implement strategies to reduce them and consequently reduce their anxiety levels.

Decreasing length of limb immobilisation following nonelective transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomised clinical trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the intensity and frequency of pain, use of analgesic drugs, and the incidence of paraesthesia, urinary retention and vascular complications upon decreasing affected limb immobilisation from 4-2 hrs after sheath removal in patients submitted to transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: After sheath removal from the femoral artery following urgent or emergency PCI, patients are maintained with limb immobilisation for a mean period of 4 hr. DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial (RCT) based on the CONSORT guidelines. METHOD: Randomised clinical trial was performed in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome submitted to transfemoral PCI. The intervention group was submitted to a supine position with the head of the bed elevated (30-degree angle) with affected limb immobilisation for 2 hr after sheath removal and the control group for 4 hrs. The outcomes were pain complaints, need for analgesic drugs, incidence of paraesthesia, urinary retention and vascular complications. The outcomes were assessed immediately, 6, 12 and 24 hr after release from limb immobilisation before the patients were released from bed rest. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients (75 in each group) participated in the study. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the groups, except in relation to the haematoma formation that was higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: A reduced length of limb immobilisation after sheath removal following PCI does not change the frequency and intensity of pain, need of analgesic drugs, urinary retention and paraesthesia. The incidence of haematoma was higher in the intervention group, without significant clinical manifestations. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study can be considered for patients submitted to elective, urgent or emergency PCI, who have a lower risk of complications, thereby allowing for decreased periods of limb immobilisation.

Evidence of content validity of the nursing outcome "sexual functioning" from the nursing outcome classification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the content validity evidence of the nursing outcome "sexual functioning" from the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). METHODS: A multi-method study, including a methodological study analyzing the content validity evidence of the NOC outcome and sexual functioning, and a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. In the first phase, a literature review was conducted to map and identify clinical indicators associated with sexual functioning to construct the conceptual (CD) and operational definitions (ODs) of each outcome indicator. In the second phase, experts assessed the CD and OD for clarity, theoretical relevance, and theoretical pertinence. The critical validity ratio (CVR) was calculated for each indicator. In the third phase, a pilot test of sexual functioning measurement was conducted with 33 patients hospitalized for coronary artery disease. Internal consistency was calculated through Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The CD and OD were constructed based on 120 articles and analyzed by 13 experts; four rounds were required to achieve the critical CVR in each phase. In the pilot test, the nursing outcome achieved a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95, and the mean assessment time was 26 min. Indicators with the highest mean scores were related to knowledge of personal needs and capabilities and comfort with one's own body. CONCLUSION: The CD and OD developed for the NOC outcome, sexual functioning, had adequate evidence of content validity. The outcome content has high internal consistency. Further studies on the validity of the nursing outcome should be conducted to increase its validity. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The nursing outcome, sexual functioning, can be a tool used by nurses to evaluate the effect of nursing education and interventions on sexual functioning in the adult population.

PURPOSE: Desenvolver e avaliar as evidências de validade de conteúdo das definições conceituais e operacionais dos indicadores do resultado de Enfermagem "Funcionamento Sexual" da Classificação dos Resultados de Enfermagem (NOC). METHODS: Estudo metodológico dividido em três fases. Na primeira fase foi realizada uma revisão de literatura para mapear e identificar os indicadores clínicos associados ao funcionamento sexual para a construção das definições conceituais (DC) e operacionais (DO) de cada indicador do resultado de enfermagem em estudo. Na segunda fase foi realizada a análise das evidências de validade de conteúdo das DC e DO dos indicadores por meio da avaliação pelos especialistas. Na terceira fase foi realizada um pré­teste do resultado de enfermagem em 33 pacientes hospitalizados por doença arterial coronariana. RESULTS: Foram selecionados 120 artigos que serviram de base para a construção das definições conceituais e operacionais analisadas por 13 especialistas, necessário quatro rodadas para alcançar o coeficiente de validade de conteúdo crítico estabelecido para o número de juízes respondentes. pré­testeo resultado de enfermagem estudado um alfa de Cronbach de 0,95 e o tempo médio de aplicação foi de 26 minutos. Os indicadores com maiores médias estavam relacionados ao conhecimento das necessidades e capacidade pessoais e conforto com o próprio corpo. CONCLUSION: As DC e DO dos indicadores do resultado "Funcionamento Sexual" da NOC desenvolvidas apresentaram adequadas evidências de validade de conteúdo. O pré­teste o apresentou elevado nível de consistência interna. Outros estudos de evidências de validade do resultado estudado devem ser realizados visando o aumento no nível de validade do resultado. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: O resultado estudado pode ser uma ferramenta utilizada pelo enfermeiro para avaliação do funcionamento sexual na população adulta visando a individualização das orientações e intervenções de enfermagem.

Evidence of validity of the Smoking Cessation Counseling scale - Brazilian version.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the evidence of validity of the internal structure and reliability of the Brazilian version of the Smoking Cessation Counseling instrument. METHOD: psychometric study of confirmatory factor analysis and reliability carried out on 250 nurses in clinical practice. For the analysis of the convergent validity of the factor model, Average Variance Extracted values were calculated, and discriminant analysis was carried out using the Fornell-Larcker criterion. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and composite reliability. RESULTS: it was necessary to exclude seven items from the Advanced Counseling domain and one item from the Basic Counseling domain in order to properly obtain the Average Variance Extracted values and the Fornell-Larcker criterion. The composite reliability ranged from 0.76 to 0.86 and the overall Cronbach`s alpha coefficient was 0.86, ranging from 0.53 to 0.84 depending on the domain assessed. The final version of the instrument was made up of 16 items divided into 4 domains. CONCLUSION: the Brazilian version of Smoking Cessation Counseling obtained adequate psychometric evidence of validity and reliability. Further studies are needed to refine the instrument. BACKGROUND: (1) Instrument shows adequate internal consistency and validity. BACKGROUND: (2) Evaluate counseling practices and their impact on patient care. BACKGROUND: (3) Instrument for evaluating smoking cessation counseling. BACKGROUND: (4) Provides important information for planning nursing care.

Sexual counseling for people with acute coronary syndrome: educational video development.

OBJECTIVE: to assess validity evidence of an educational video on safe sexual activity after acute coronary syndrome. METHOD: study in three phases: video development; content validity analysis by 11 experts; and analysis of validity based on response processes by seven people with coronary disease. The content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated with critical values for the second phase of 0.63 and for the third of 1.0. RESULTS: the video addressed the importance of resuming sexual activity and positions that consume less energy, clinical warning signs, the importance of adhering to treatment and a welcoming environment for sexual practice. A CVR above the critical value was obtained with a total of 4 minutes and 41 seconds. CONCLUSION: the educational video brings together adequate content validity evidence and can be used as a tool for patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Nursing diagnoses for people hospitalized with heart failure: an integrative review.

OBJECTIVES: to identify in the literature the main nursing diagnoses according to the NANDA-I diagnostic classification for people hospitalized with heart failure. METHODS: an integrative literature review, carried out in February 2019 and updated in July 2023, in the MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and CINAHL databases. Given the use of acronym PEO, studies without a time cut in Portuguese, English and Spanish were included. Descriptive analysis was carried out to present the identified information. RESULTS: analysis of 27 articles identified 24 nursing diagnoses, with emphasis on Decreased Cardiac Output, Excessive Fluid Volume, Decreased Activity Tolerance and Fatigue. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: evidence can contribute to better diagnostic decisions centered on people with heart failure in search of more assertive health results and have the potential to support future studies on a possible syndromic pattern in this population.

Content analysis of NOC outcomes related to mechanical ventilation in people with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evidence of content validity of the Nursing Outcomes "Mechanical Ventilation Response: Adult" and "Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Response: Adult", for patients with severe COVID-19. METHOD: Methodological study developed in two stages: literature review to construct the definitions of the indicators and analysis of the evidence of content validity of the nursing outcomes by a focus group. RESULTS: All the conceptual and operational definitions developed for the 56 indicators were considered clear and precise. However, 17 indicators were excluded because they were deemed not to be relevant. The definitions of the magnitudes for 17 indicators of the Nursing Outcome "Mechanical Ventilation Response: Adult" and 22 indicators "Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Response: Adult" were thus constructed. CONCLUSION: The development of definitions and validation by experts makes the use of these outcomes and their indicators more understandable and precise, favoring their use in clinical practice and providing greater detail in assessment and recording.

Relationship Between Frailty, Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics, and Disease Severity of Older Adults With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between frailty, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and disease severity of older adults with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 57 hospitalized patients ≥60 years with ACS were assessed for frailty through the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. Disease severity was assessed by the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events, by the maximum troponin level, and by the number of severely obstructed coronary arteries. The relationship between variables was assessed by Mann Whitney's test, Pearson's chi-square test, likelihood-ratio test, Fisher's exact test, or Student's t test. Analyses were bootstrapped to 1,000 to reduce potential sample bias. About 54.4% were frail. Frailty was associated with ethnicity (p = .02), marital status (p = .05), ischemic equivalents (p = .01), self-perceived health (p = .002), arthritis/rheumatism/arthrosis (p = .002), and number of severely obstructed coronary arteries (p = .05). These relationships can support intensified surveillance planning for the elderly at greatest risk, structuring of transitional care, appropriate nurse-coordinated secondary prevention delivery in primary care, and cardiac rehabilitation following ACS.

Development and content validity of a website for patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: to develop and analyze content validity evidence of a website for patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: a methodological study, carried out in the phases: Definition - determined contents for inclusion in the website, architecture and design; Implementation - subjects included in the website; Assessment - website submitted to analysis by 13 experts and eight laypersons regarding organization, content and design, on a scale of 1 (no agreement) to 4 (complete agreement). Items that reached Content Validity Ratio (CVR) higher than the established critical values and Content Validity Index greater than 0.80 were considered valid. RESULTS: eight domains related to secondary prevention in coronary heart disease were included on the website. Critical CVR and adequate CVI were obtained according to professional and lay experts. CONCLUSIONS: the website was developed, achieving adequate content validity evidence, and can be used as an educational tool for this population.

Telephone messages regarding preventive measures against COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evidence of content validity of telephone messages regarding preventive measures against COVID-19. METHOD: Methodological study, in which messages containing text and image were developed through a narrative literature review and whose content was evaluated by eight judges in terms of clarity, practical relevance, theoretical relevance and vocabulary. The content validity index (CVI) was calculated, and messages that reached levels above 90% were considered to have adequate evidence of validity. RESULTS: Eighteen text messages/images were developed containing information about COVID-19, hand hygiene, use and handling of masks and the importance of social distancing. After second round of evaluation, a content validity index above 90% was obtained in all evaluated indicators. CONCLUSION: The telephone messages were developed and showedadequate evidence of content validity.

King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire: reliability and convergent construct validity.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the evidence of reliability and convergent construct validity of the King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire. METHODS: psychometric study of 75 older adults with Parkinson's disease. The instrument was applied by two researchers separately and reapplied by one researcher 15 days later. In terms of reliability, internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha test and stability using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Scores of the King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire were compared to those of the Geriatric Pain Measure in the assessment of construct validity. RESULTS: the mean Cronbach's alpha obtained between the three assessments was above 0.60, the intraclass correlation between the three assessments was above 0.90, and there was a weak but significant correlation between the two applied scales. CONCLUSIONS: the instrument showed adequate evidence of convergent construct validity and reliability, and can be used in clinical practice.

Relationships between Depressive Symptoms, Appetite, and Quality of Life in Heart Failure.

This analytical, cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms, appetite, and quality of life (QoL) in 86 patients hospitalized with heart failure. Patients were assessed for depressive symptoms, appetite, and QoL using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, respectively. Relationships between sociodemographic and clinical variables, depressive symptoms, appetite, and QoL were analyzed using bivariate tests and linear regression models, with p < .05 considered significant. The factors associated with QoL were dependence for four activities of daily living (ADLs) (estimate = 15.4, 95% CI = 0.23 to 30.64, p = .046), minor depressive symptoms (estimate = -20.0, 95% CI = -28.3 to -11.73, p < .001), and appetite (estimate = -11.08, 95% CI = -20.5 to -1.62, p = .022). These results can support multi-professional assessment and development of interventions to promote better QoL, including addressing impaired appetite and food intake, the presence or increased intensity of depressive symptoms, especially in patients dependent for ADLs.

Secondary prevention in coronary artery disease: development and content validity of educational messages for mobile phones.

OBJECTIVE: To identify information needs of patients with coronary artery disease and develop and validate the content of educational messages for mobile phones for these patients. METHOD: The study was carried out in three phases: 1) Identification of information needs in relation to coronary artery disease of patients hospitalized for an acute coronary event; 2) Development of templates containing text and pictures about the disease and treatment; 3) Content validity analysis of template evidence through the assessment of 10 experts. Templates were considered validated when the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was equal to or greater than 0.80. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included, and all the information that emerged about the disease was classified as important to very important. Thirty templates were developed (heart function, recommendations on nutrition and exercise, treatments and medications, and clinical signs related to the disease and risk factor control), and the CVR obtained was greater than 0.80. CONCLUSION: All information needs were categorized by patients as important or very important. The templates were developed and validated considering content and design.

Predictors of self-care behaviors in individuals with heart failure in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictors of self-care behaviors in individuals with heart failure. METHOD: A cross-sectional study including 405 patients with heart failure. Self-care behaviors were assessed by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were investigated as predictors of self-care maintenance, management and confidence through logistic regressions. RESULTS: The predictors of self-care maintenance were number of children (p<0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.01), positive feeling about disease (p=0.03), obesity (p=0.02) and dialytic chronic kidney disease (p<0.01). The predictors of self-care management were having married children (p<0.01) and sleep apnea (p<0.01). The predictors of self-care confidence were family income (p<0.01), number of hospitalizations in the previous 12 months (p=0.01), number of daily medication doses (p<0.01) and sedentarism (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Some predictors related to the self-care behaviors were found, so some intensified education and social aid should be aimed at patients with these specific characteristics.

Effect of a Supervised Exercise Program on Overweight and Obese Adolescents in the School Environment: A Pretest-Posttest Design.

This study is taken up to evaluate the effect of an exercise program on adolescents' obesity and overweight profile. For this purpose, a 1-group pretest-posttest study was conducted with 72 adolescents who underwent a physical activity program supervised by one health professional 5 times a week; the sessions were distributed over 12 weeks and lasted from 50 to 60 minutes. The primary outcomes were anthropometric measurements, whereas the secondary outcomes were lipid profile, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Outcomes were assessed before the intervention and 1 day after the program ended; significance was established at P < .05. As a result, a significant improvement was verified in all the primary outcomes (P< .001) and in most secondary outcomes (capillary blood glucose, P = .0001; triglycerides, P = .0001; and systolic blood pressure, P = .005). In conclusion, the supervised exercise program significantly reduced anthropometric measurements and blood glucose, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure levels.

Effectiveness of educational intervention with manual for anxiety and stress reduction: controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the educational intervention through an informative manual in reducing anxiety, stress, and changes in vital signs in patients awaiting cardiac catheterization. METHODS: Parallel, randomized, controlled, blind clinical trial. The study excluded patients waiting for cardiac catheterization; those who received the information manual were randomized to the intervention group, and those who received routine information from the unit went to the control group. The study used the State Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale and the ANOVA test to analyze the outcomes between the groups. Clinical Trials NCT03369873. RESULTS: There was no change concerning time, first and second moment (anxiety, P=0.225; and stress, P=0.696), interaction (anxiety, P=0.183; and stress, P=0.444), or groups, control, and intervention (anxiety, P=0.341; and stress, p=0.624). CONCLUSION: Although the educational intervention performed did not have an impact on the reduction of anxiety and stress, this type of intervention should be maintained for greater comfort and safety of patients and family members.

Needs of family members of patients in a coronary care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the need of family members of patients hospitalized in a coronary intensive care unit and their degree of satisfaction with the care provided. METHODS: An observational and cross-sectional study including family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit for acute coronary syndrome in Killip I or II. After the second visit of the same family member to the patient in the unit, a 43-item inventory of needs and stressors of family members was applied. Family members assessed each need for its importance and satisfaction using a four-point Likert scale. The scores in each dimension of importance and satisfaction were compared using the Wilcoxon test, considering a value of p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: One hundred family members were interviewed. The most important needs were related to assurance and information. Family members had satisfaction scores corresponding to be very satisfied or totally satisfied, but with lower scores when compared to the needs scores (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The most important needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit were related to assurance and information. Multiprofessional interventions involving better communication of patient information to family members should be incorporated into the coronary intensive care unit.

Cross-cultural adaptation for Brazil and validity of a guide to assist nursing students' clinical reasoning.

PURPOSE: To assess the validity of a Written Clinical Reasoning Prompt (WCRP) to help nursing students' clinical reasoning (CR). METHOD: This is a methodological study of translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese of instruments that aim to promote CR improvement, composed of (1) WCRP; (2) two case studies; (3) a questionnaire about students' perceptions during decision-making in case studies; (4) a scoring rubric for correcting case studies. For translation and cross-cultural adaptation, stages 1-8 of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Consortium Network were adopted. Agreement values among experts >80% and content validity coefficient (CVC) > 0.8 were considered satisfactory. For the pretest, a randomized clinical trial was carried out with 24 nursing students (intervention group, n = 14, using the WCRP to solve case studies; control group, n = 10, without using the WCRP). FINDINGS: The WCRP was translated and adapted into Brazilian Portuguese, requiring minimal adjustments to obtain agreement among the judges above 80% and CVC above 0.80. Regarding face validation, an adequate agreement was obtained in the assessment by students. There was no difference in the accuracy of nursing diagnoses between the intervention and control groups in the pretest. CONCLUSION: The WCRP was translated and adapted into Brazilian Portuguese and had adequate face and content validity estimates; however, there was no association with improving nursing students' diagnostic accuracy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The translated and adapted versions of all instruments into Brazilian Portuguese had adequate evidence of content and face validity. The use of WCRP was not associated with a significant improvement in nursing students' diagnostic accuracy. New studies with larger samples, a sample power of at least 80%, and a level of significance of 5% are needed.

Prevalence of pharmacological adherence in patients with coronary artery disease and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the prevalence of pharmacological adherence in patients with coronary artery disease and to identify factors associated with adherence. METHOD: a crosssectional, correlational study, including 198 patients with a previous diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Pharmacological adherence was assessed by the four-item Morisky Green test, and the factors that potentially interfere with adherence were considered independent variables. The association between the variables was determined by the Cox model, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: 43% of the patients adhered to the treatment. Fatigue and palpitation, never having consumed alcohol and being served by medical insurance were associated with adherence. Lack of adherence was associated with considering the treatment complex, consumption of alcohol and being served by the public health care system. In the multiple analysis, the patients with fatigue and palpitations had a prevalence of adherence around three times higher and alcohol consumption was associated with a 2.88 times greater chance of non-adherence. CONCLUSION: more than half of the patients were classified as non-adherent. Interventions can be directed to some factors associated with lack of adherence.