Identification of learning needs of patients hospitalized at a University Hospital.

OBJECTIVES:  This study was designed as a descriptive trial aimed at identifying learning needs of patients hospitalized at a university hospital and understanding whether these learning needs vary depending on certain patient characteristics. METHODS:  The study sample consisted of 1190 patients/caregivers hospitalized at all departments except for the psychiatry clinic, who were planned to be discharged from the hospital. Data were collected using Patient Information Form and the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS). RESULTS:  The evaluation of responses to the PLNS and its subscales revealed that the mean scores were 26.93±10.62 for drugs; 26.15±11.43 for activities of living; 19.78±5.54 for community and follow up; 16.86± 5.47 for feelings related to condition; 34.3±6.99 for treatment and complications; 28.20±7.40 for enhancing quality of life; and 13.64±6.54 for skin care. The PLNS total mean score was 165.95±45.44. Conclusion : According to the evaluation of the PLNS total score, patient learning needs vary depending on age, gender, occupation, level of education, the departments at which the respondent is treated, and whether the respondent is the patient him/herself or the caregiver.

Randomized trial of graft materials in transobturator tape operation: biological versus synthetic.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of outside-in biological and synthetic transobturator tape (TOT) operation, including subjective and objective success rates, urodynamics, and quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients suffering from clinical and/or urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were randomized into biological material TOT (PELVILACE® TO) or synthetic material TOT (ALIGN®TO Urethral Support System) groups. Preoperative and at 1 year postoperative urogynecological symptom assessment, 1-h pad test, 4-day bladder diary, stress test, Q-tip test, and urodynamics were performed. For the evaluation of quality of life, the King's Health Questionnaire, Urogenital Distress Inventory-6, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, and Prolapse Quality of Life were used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding objective and subjective cure rates and quality of life. At 1-year follow-up, the subjective cure rate was 68 % in the biological material TOT and 70 % in the synthetic material TOT group. No perioperative complications developed. Groin pain developed in 2 patients in the biological TOT group and 1 patient had dehiscence in the periurethral incision, which healed with local estrogen. Two patients had transient urinary retention in the synthetic TOT group, 1 patient developed groin pain, and 1 patient had mesh erosion observed at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Transobturator tape with biological material in the management of SUI has a rate of success and patient satisfaction similar to those of synthetic material at 1-year follow-up. Studies with longer follow-up and larger cohorts are necessary to evaluate possible autolysis and degradation of biological slings and a possible reduction in efficacy over time.

Overview of the social impact of urinary incontinence with a focus on Turkish women.

Although urinary incontinence is a common problem among women and can seriously affect their quality of life, more than half of women report no discomfort with the disorder, and most do not seek medical help. In Turkey, women traditionally prefer not to seek medical advice for a urinary incontinence problem. Except for treatment-seeking behaviors, women practice coping methods for the management of urinary incontinence. The problem of urinary incontinence has been gaining more importance in recent years, and nurses' roles and responsibilities have been increased in this area. Consequently, there have been developments in Turkey related to the education of nurses.

Urinary incontinence (UI) and quality of life (QoL) of the elderly residing in residential homes in Turkey.

The objective of this study was to evaluate urinary incontinence (UI) and its effect on the quality of life (QoL) of older people dwelling in residential homes in Turkey. A cross-sectional study was applied in residential homes. A total of 1110 people older than 60 years residing in five selected residential homes were studied. An interview was conducted with the residents who had sufficient cognitive function and agreed to participate. The QoL and the mental and the functional state of the residents were analyzed using the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Rankin Scale, respectively: Of the total pool, 694 residents were included in the study of which 56.48% (n=392) were female and 43.52% (n=302) were male. UI was present in 170 women and 63 men. Pad usage was more common in women (88%) than that in men (29.1%). The QoL subdimensions showed that women had higher scores than men. Urge UI (UUI) had more impact on the QoL than that on functional, mixed or stress incontinence. We concluded that UI negatively affects the QoL of older people living in residential homes. In particular, women and patients suffering from UUI are more severely affected.

The effect of pelvic floor training on sexual function of treated patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of improvements in urinary incontinence resulting from pelvic floor rehabilitation on the sexual function of patients. The study involved 42 clinic patients who received pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment. Their sexual histories were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Pelvic muscle strength was measured with a perineometer. Improvement in incontinence was measured with the pad test. Seventeen women reported decreased sexual desire before the treatment; 5 of these indicated improvement after treatment. Nine of 17 women who experienced dyspareunia prior to treatment reported an improvement afterwards, and four women reported complete relief from pain. Five of 15 women who complained of difficulty in reaching climax before the treatment experienced improvement in this area. In conclusion, an improvement in sexual desire, performance during coitus and achievement of orgasm were observed in women who received pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation. No change was seen in the arousal and resolution stages of sexual activity.