The Influence of Loneliness and Anxiety Levels on MG-Specific Quality of Life in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and can occur at any age. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of loneliness and anxiety levels on MG-specific quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis during the COVID-19. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study and the population consisted of patients with MG throughout Turkey between August 1 and October 31, 2021. The study was completed with 149 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the research. RESULTS: The mean MG-specific quality of life score was 44.15 ± 13.77, the mean UCLA loneliness scale was 56.13 ± 11.55, and the mean Beck Anxiety Inventory score was 24.63 ± 13.78. There was a moderately positive linear relationship between the participants' MG-specific quality of life (r = 0.589; p < 0.001) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and there was a weak negative linear relationship with the UCLA loneliness scale (r = 0.323; p < 0.001). The variables affecting the MG-specific quality of life were the following: anxiety, loneliness, employment status, income level, symptom levels, and having another chronic disease; a multiple regression model was created with these variables, and it was observed that anxiety and loneliness affected participants' MG-specific quality of life. The variables in the model explained 52.9% of the MG-specific quality of life, and the model was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study determined that the participants had intense loneliness, moderate anxiety, and a moderate MG-specific quality of life. The participants' MG-specific quality of life has decreased as their anxiety has increased, and the participants' MG-specific quality of life has increased as their loneliness has increased.

Use of Virtual Reality for Reducing Pain and Anxiety After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of virtual reality on pain and anxiety in patients who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHOD: The study was conducted between September 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, in the surgical intensive care unit at a government hospital. The participants were 110 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. According to the study procedure, while the control group received standard care, the intervention group watched a virtual reality video. Data were collected with a personal information form, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the Faces Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: The mean post-test Numeric Pain Rating Scale score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < .001). However, the mean Faces Anxiety Scale scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p = .087). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality can effectively reduce pain and anxiety in patients who have undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in intensive care units.

The Role of Sex and Other Personal Characteristics in the Effects of Symptoms Severity on Self-Care Agency in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. AIMS: The study was conducted to determine the role of sex and other personal characteristics in the impact of symptom severity on self-care in individuals with MS. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and was completed with 200 participants throughout Turkey. The data were collected through random and snowball sampling using the MS-related symptom checklist (MS-RS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) form. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 21. Statistical significance was evaluated at the level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 37.97 ± 10.6 years. The mean scores were 47.4 ± 22.41 for MS-RS, 4.58 ± 2.2 for FSS, and 94.65 ± 24.76 for ESCA in females. The mean MS-RS score in males was 45 ± 25.89, FSS was 4.33 ± 2.5, and ESCA was 83.43 ± 23.95. There were no significant differences between the sexes except that the ESCA scores were higher in females (p < 0.05). According to a multiple linear regression analysis, the duration of diagnosis and sensory subdimension of MS-RS negatively affected the ESCA score in females, and this statistically significant model explained 22.6% of ESCA scores. CONCLUSION: The study found that both sexes had clinically significant fatigue, mildly severe symptoms, and moderate self-care agency. While being a female positively affected self-care agency, disease duration, and sensory symptoms negatively affected females' self-care agency.

The role of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity on nursing students' depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

AIM: This study assessed the role of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity on nursing students' depression, anxiety, and stress levels. BACKGROUND: Stress is widespread among nursing students who struggle with moderate mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. A priori prediction of the factors affecting nursing students' mental health status should be considered. DESIGN: A descriptive study was carried out between 1 June and 15 July 2021. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 366 Turkish nursing students in a city located south of Turkey. METHODS: Data were collected with socio-demographic forms-the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21-through web-based records. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were performed with the obtained data. RESULTS: The students' mean age was 21.63 ± 2.41. The mean score of the depression sub-dimension of DASS-21 was 8.33 ± 4.29 and that of the anxiety sub-dimension and stress sub-dimension was 6.70 ± 3.98 and 8.73 ± 3.81, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the Intolerance of unceratinity scale-12 prospective anxiety sub-dimension and Intolerance of unceratinity scale-12 inhibitory anxiety sub-dimension, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and social symptoms sub-dimensions explained 31.6% of depression, 38.9% of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 anxiety, and 36.4% of Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 stress sub-dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The nursing students' depression and anxiety levels were moderate, and their stress level was mild. The study results revealed that anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty play an essential role in predicting students' mental health status.

Grief and ruminative thought after perinatal loss among Turkish women: one-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Among women who have suffered loss of pregnancy, the level of grief decreases gradually. Age, mental health status and childlessness are the factors known to mostly affect women's levels of grief. OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of grief among women who experienced perinatal loss and the changes in their ruminative thought styles over the first year after their loss. DESIGN AND SETTING: One-year follow-up study carried out in a university hospital in Turkey. METHODS: The study population included 70 women who experienced loss of pregnancy in the hospital. The sample size was calculated using G*Power V3.1. Data were collected at 48 hours, at the third month, at the sixth month and at one year after pregnancy loss, between June 2018 and June 2019. A personal information form, the Perinatal Grief Scale and the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. RESULTS: The women's highest levels of grief and ruminative thought style were in the first 48 hours. Their tendency towards grief and ruminative thought styles decreased over the repeated measurements during the follow-up. Women aged 20-29 years had the highest levels of grief at the third month after perinatal loss. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing assessments regarding grief and ruminative thought style over the first 48 hours after perinatal loss should be integrated into nursing care for these women. Grief follow-up programs for these women can be developed through nursing research.

Grief and ruminative thought after perinatal loss among Turkish women: one-year cohort study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Among women who have suffered loss of pregnancy, the level of grief decreases gradually. Age, mental health status and childlessness are the factors known to mostly affect women's levels of grief. OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of grief among women who experienced perinatal loss and the changes in their ruminative thought styles over the first year after their loss. DESIGN AND SETTING: One-year follow-up study carried out in a university hospital in Turkey. METHODS: The study population included 70 women who experienced loss of pregnancy in the hospital. The sample size was calculated using G*Power V3.1. Data were collected at 48 hours, at the third month, at the sixth month and at one year after pregnancy loss, between June 2018 and June 2019. A personal information form, the Perinatal Grief Scale and the Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire were used for data collection. RESULTS: The women's highest levels of grief and ruminative thought style were in the first 48 hours. Their tendency towards grief and ruminative thought styles decreased over the repeated measurements during the follow-up. Women aged 20-29 years had the highest levels of grief at the third month after perinatal loss. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing assessments regarding grief and ruminative thought style over the first 48 hours after perinatal loss should be integrated into nursing care for these women. Grief follow-up programs for these women can be developed through nursing research.