Clinical features of elderly chronic urticaria

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic urticaria (CU) is defined as itchy wheals lasting 6 weeks or more. As the aged population increases worldwide, it is essential to identify the specific features of this disease in the elderly population. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence and clinical features of CU in elderly patients. Medical records of 837 CU patients from the outpatient Allergy Clinic of Ajou University Hospital, Korea were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria according to the EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines were included. Patients older than 60 years were defined as elderly. RESULTS: Of the 837 patients, 37 (4.5%) were elderly. In elderly versus nonelderly CU patients, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) was significantly higher (37.8% vs. 21.7%, respectively; p = 0.022), while that of aspirin intolerance was lower (18.9% vs. 43.6%, respectively; p = 0.003) in terms of comorbid conditions. The prevalences of serum specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to staphylococcal enterotoxin A and staphylococcal enterotoxin B were considerably higher in elderly CU patients with AD than in those without AD (37.5% vs. 0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with CU had a higher prevalence of AD. Therefore, there is a need to recognize the existence of AD in elderly CU patients.

Relationships between Family Support, Perceived Health Status, and Self-esteem in Korean Women with Breast Cancer / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was to identify relationships between the family support, perceived health status and self esteem in Korean women with breast cancer. METHODS: Data were collected by questionnaires from 214 women with breast cancer in inpatient and outpatient settings at three different university hospitals and one cancer hospital in B city, Korea. The instruments included Family Support Scale, Perceived Health Status Scale, and Self Esteem Scale. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients by SPSS WIN 15.0 program. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the family support by age, education, and cost burden. There were significant differences in the perceived health status by education, occupation, economic status, pain, fatigue, and cancer insurance. There were significant differences in the self esteem by age, occupation, economic status, type of religion, pain, fatigue, and cancer insurance. Self-esteem was significantly correlated with family support and perceived health status. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that promoting perceived health status and enhancing family support would increase self-esteem effectively among Korean women with breast cancer.

Influencing Factors on Hope Among Patients with Breast Cancer / 종양간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to identify the influencing factors on hope in the patients suffering with breast cancers. METHODS: The subjects were 150 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer at three university hospitals and a general hospital. Data collection was conducted by hope scale, family support scale, self esteem scale, depression scale, pain scale, and fatigue scale. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Level of hope in the participants was high. There were a significant correlation among hope, family support, effects of religion, self esteem, depression, pain and fatigue. There were significant differences in hope by the age, education level, and cost burden. The most powerful predictor of hope was self esteem (38.2%). Altogether family support, effects of religion, depression, and fatigue explained 50.4% of hope of the participants. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggested that the concepts of self esteem, family support, effects of religion, depression and fatigue should be considered important factors in developing hope promoting program for breast cancer patients.

Influencing Factors on Spiritual Health in Women Cancer Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify the influencing factors of spiritual health in patients suffering from women cancers. METHODS: The subjects were 130 in woman patients who were diagnosed with women cancer(breast Ca & uterine Ca) at three university hospitals and one general hospital. Data collection was conducted by using 4 questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Spiritual health score was middle. There were a significant correlation between spiritual health and depression, pain, fatigue and effects of religion. There were significant differences in spiritual health according to the education level, monthly income, meaning of religion or god, Frequency of attendance at worship. The most powerful predictor of spiritual health was depression(27.2%). Altogether depression, effects of religion, pain, and education level explained 46.1% of spiritual health of women cancer patients. CONCLUSION: It suggested that concepts of depression, effects of religion, pain, and education level should be considered in developing spiritual health promoting program for women cancer patients.