Mindfulness-based program to support lifestyle modification and weight loss in infertile women: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the short-term effects of a mindfulness-based program (MBP) on weight loss through lifestyle modification in infertile women who were overweight or obese. METHODS: The participants were randomly assigned to 8 consecutive weekly sessions of MBP plus diet or diet alone. Both groups received a customized dietary plan. Body measures were taken and a questionnaire was applied to evaluate dietary habits at baseline and three months later. RESULTS: The study was completed by 28 women in the MBP group and 24 in the control group. Body weight decreased 1.8 kg (2.1%) in the MBP group (p = 0.001, follow-up vs. baseline) and 1.7 kg (1.9%) in the control group (p = 0.035). There was an average reduction of 2.9 cm of waist circumference in the MBP group (p = 0.008) and 0.3 cm in the control group (p = 0.633). There was a significant reduction in the daily energy intake of the women attending the MBP (mean difference -430 Kcal/day, p=0.010) whereas no significant change was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: In the short term, this MBP did not affect weight loss in infertile women, but the MBP intervention contributed to reduce waist circumference, possibly due to a significant decrease in food energy intake. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-7by76r.

Association Between Standardized Phase Angle, Nutrition Status, and Clinical Outcomes in Surgical Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Different nutrition assessment tools in surgical cancer patients are used in clinical practice, which results in different prevalence rates of malnutrition. This may impact the interpretation of the association between nutrition status and clinical outcomes. Reduced standardized phase angle (SPA) values are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with cancer. Thus, it is important to assess the association of SPA with nutrition status and relate it to postoperative clinical outcomes. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 121 surgical cancer patients. Bioelectrical impedance analysis, subjective global assessment (SGA), anthropometric measurements, and assessment of muscle strength were used to provide nutrition diagnosis 1 day before surgery. The patients were followed for infectious and noninfectious postoperative complications from the first day after the operation until discharge or death. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition was higher according to SGA (63.6%). Patients with an SPA < -1.65 had a greater chance of being diagnosed as malnourished according to the SGA (3.66 [1.35-9.90]), midarm circumference (OR 4.24; CI95%; 1.72-10.43), midarm muscle area (OR 4.38; CI95%; 1.68-11.42), and low handgrip strength (3.84 [1.31-11.25]). Patients with an SPA < -1.65 presented with more infectious complications (OR 4.19; CI95%; 1.52-11.53), but there was no association between SPA and other outcomes or death. SPA was the only significant predictor of infectious complications (AUC, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.51-0.71). CONCLUSION: SPA was associated with different nutrition status parameters, and it was able to predict postoperative infectious complications.

Percepções dos pacientes em relação à Unidade Terapia Intensiva / Patients’ Perceptions in Relation to An ICU

Introdução: Os fatores estressantes presentes em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), provocam freqüentemente nos pacientes reações psicológicas como o medo, a ansiedade, a insegurança, a angústia e complicações das mais indesejáveis. Essas reações podem atenuar ou mesmo anular os efeitos benéficos do tratamento intensivo. Alguns pacientes internados em uma UTI conseguem aceitar a condição de internação, relacionando UTI com possibilidade de cura e de vida, porém percebemos que alguns pacientes demonstram medo, angústia e ansiedade ao retornarem para esse setor. Assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivo identificar as percepções de 50 pacientes que já estiveram em uma UTI Coronária de um Hospital Ensino. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, sendo a coleta de dados realizada por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada. As entrevistas foram posteriormente transcritas, seguidas da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: O termo “UTI” ainda traz medo e gera ansiedade para alguns pacientes (16%), pois relacionam esse setor com o medo de morrer e à falta de autonomia, caracterizando-o como um ambiente angustiante. No entanto, a maioria dos pacientes (84%) não relatou medo de voltar para uma UTI e associaram esta unidade como local de tratamento para dar a vida, pois durante a internação tiveram bom atendimento, atenção daequipe e tratamento de qualidade, o que caracteriza a assistência humanizada. Conclusão: A humanização nesse setor tem extrema importância para a ausência do sentimento de medo, pois minimiza os fatores estressantes de uma UTI e o próprio estado de doença dos pacientes, permitindo relacionarem UTI com a possibilidade de vida e cura, além de contribuir para que o paciente apresente sucesso na resposta à sua terapia.