Impact of sound levels on physiological and consciousness state of cardiovascular patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs) experience life-threatening medical conditions but some external factors in ICUs do not help or even adversely affect and complicate their evolution. Among others, such factors include noise pollution due to alarms and medical clinical equipment, as well as the activities of the health care personnel themselves. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of elevated sound levels on physiological variables and the consciousness state of patients treated in a cardiovascular area in an ICU. DESIGN: A longitudinal study with several observations was carried out during 1 month in the cardiovascular area of an ICU of a third-level hospital in southern Spain. METHODS: Sound levels were monitored in different work shifts and patients' physiological data and consciousness status were recorded. Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were developed to detect the variability of the sound levels together with the vital parameters of the patients in the ICU. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included. The mean sound level was 54.09 dBA. The GAMM sound levels analysis showed a significant increase in sound levels from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (1.83 dBA; P < .001) and 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (3.06 dBA; P < .001). An increase in heart rate (3.66 bpm; P < .001), respiratory rate (2.62 rpm; P < .001) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (0.50 units; P = .002) was detected during the 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated sound levels in cardiovascular ICUs seem to influence positively the physiological and consciousness status of patients. Given the importance of the findings for patient safety, future intervention studies are recommended. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The finding of this study could translate into structural changes in ICU facilities, as well as the development of clinical practice guidelines that influence the behaviour of health care professionals.

Association between Physical Activity, Food Consumption and Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults in Spain: Findings of a National Survey.

Young adults have a significant prevalence of mental disorders, which could lead to dysfunctional quality of life. Records of 1,645 Spanish adolescents were examined and multiple logistic regressions were performed. Being a woman, being older and having a sedentary life were all associated with a higher psychological vulnerability, whereas a low frequency of fresh fruit and bread/cereals consumption, as well as regular intense physical activity, were considered protective against such susceptibility. Regular physical activity and a diet with a high consumption of fruit and cereals may help reduce depressive symptoms, but sociodemographic features are as much as important as lifestyle habits.

Chronotype, general health and quality of sleep in a population of Spanish nurses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronotype, general health status and sleep quality in a sample of Spanish nurses. METHOD: An observational study assessing morningness-eveningness predisposition, general health status and quality of sleep was conducted between January and April 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A linear regression model was carried out to determine the influence of the variables on the morningness-eveningness type. RESULTS: Morning-type was associated with aging (ß = 0.249, p = 0.005), being married (ß = 3.970, p = 0.033), and with a self-assessed low daily sleepiness (ß = -0.311, p = 0.152). Good quality of sleep was moderately correlated with high values of general health (r = 0.337) and perceived quality of life (r = 0.426). CONCLUSION: Anomalies of the circadian rhythm together with the features of shift workers may play an important role in predicting self-assessed general health status or the quality of sleep in nurses.

Chronotype, general health and quality of sleep in a population of Spanish nurses / Cronotipo, salud general y calidad del sueño en una población de enfermeros españoles / Cronótipo, saúde geral e qualidade do sono em uma população de enfermeiros espanhóis

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronotype, general health status and sleep quality in a sample of Spanish nurses. Method An observational study assessing morningness-eveningness predisposition, general health status and quality of sleep was conducted between January and April 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A linear regression model was carried out to determine the influence of the variables on the morningness-eveningness type. Results Morning-type was associated with aging (β = 0.249, p = 0.005), being married (β = 3.970, p = 0.033), and with a self-assessed low daily sleepiness (β = -0.311, p = 0.152). Good quality of sleep was moderately correlated with high values of general health (r = 0.337) and perceived quality of life (r = 0.426). Conclusion Anomalies of the circadian rhythm together with the features of shift workers may play an important role in predicting self-assessed general health status or the quality of sleep in nurses.

RESUMEN Objetivo Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la asociación entre el cronotipo, el estado general de salud y la calidad del sueño en una muestra de enfermeras españolas. Método Desde enero a abril de 2018, se realizó un estudio observacional para evaluar la predisposición matutina-vespertina, el estado de salud general y la calidad del sueño. Se realizaron análisis univariante y multivariante. Se efectuó un modelo de regresión lineal para determinar la influencia de las variables en el tipo matutino-vespertino. Resultados El tipo matutino se asoció con el envejecimiento (β = 0,249; p = 0,005), estar casado (β = 3,970; p = 0,033) y con un bajo nivel de somnolencia diaria autoevaluada (β = -0,311; p = 0,152). La buena calidad del sueño se correlacionó moderadamente con valores altos de salud general (r = 0,337) y de calidad de vida percibida (r = 0,426). Conclusión Las anomalías del ritmo circadiano junto con las características de los trabajadores por turnos pueden desempeñar un papel importante en la predicción del estado de salud general autoevaluado o la calidad del sueño de las enfermeras.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre cronótipo, estado geral de saúde e qualidade do sono em uma amostra de enfermeiras espanholas. Método Foi realizado um estudo observacional entre janeiro e abril de 2018 que avaliou a predisposição matutina-vespertina, o estado geral de saúde e a qualidade do sono. Foram realizadas análises univariadas e multivariadas. Um modelo de regressão linear foi realizado para determinar a influência das variáveis sobre o tipo matutino-vespertino. Resultados O tipo matinal foi associado ao envelhecimento (β = 0,249, p = 0,005), ser casado (β = 3,970, p = 0,033) e com baixa sonolência diária autoavaliada (β = -0,311, p = 0,152). Boa qualidade de sono foi moderadamente correlacionada com altos valores de saúde geral (r = 0,337) e qualidade de vida percebida (r = 0,426). Conclusão Anomalias do ritmo circadiano em conjunto com as características dos trabalhadores em turnos podem desempenhar um papel importante na previsão do estado geral de saúde autoavaliado ou da qualidade do sono em enfermeiras.