Re-Ulceration Is Common in Persons with Diabetes and Healed Foot Ulcer After Participant-Driven Education in Group: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the number of ulcer-free days during 24 months in persons with diabetes and a healed foot ulcer below the ankle provided with adjusted therapeutic shoes who were given standard information and participated in participant-driven group education compared with standard information alone. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the number of ulcer-free days after participant-driven group education in addition to standard information compared with standard information alone. The number needed to treat (N = 174) was not met, as only 138 persons with diabetes and previously healed foot ulcer were recruited (age median 63 years [34-79], 101 men/37 women). Results: A total of 138 persons were recruited, of whom 107 (77.5%) completed the study, 7 (5%) dropped out, and 12 (9%) deceased. No statistically significant difference was found between the intervention group compared with the control group after 6, 18, or 24 months. After 12 months, more patients in the intervention group had developed ulcers. Seventy-seven participants (56%) developed new foot ulcers, irrespective of side and site. Development of one ulcer appeared in 36 participants, two ulcers in 19, and 22 participants developed three ulcers. Forty-eight participants remained ulcer-free (35%) during the 24-month follow-up. Median ulcer-free days until first ulceration were 368 (4-720); until second ulceration, 404 (206-631); and until third ulceration, 660 (505-701). The participants wore prescribed therapeutic shoes during 88% of the follow-up visits. Conclusions: One-third of the participants remained ulcer-free for 24 months. Patient-driven education in groups did not give better results than standard information in this underpowered study. This study illustrates the challenges to perform comparative preventive studies in this group of patients with extensive comorbidity. Further studies are needed to evaluate interventions on ulceration in persons with a healed foot ulcer.

Patients´ experiences of pain in the intensive care - The delicate balance of control.

AIM: To explore the patients´ experiences of pain when being cared for in the intensive care. DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative design was chosen. METHOD: Interviews were performed with patients (October 2015-March 2017) within a week of post-intensive care (N = 16). Thematic analysis was used as method for analysis. RESULTS: The findings generated two themes - a lack of control and to struggle for control. Pain was described as overwhelming, both in body and mind and generating the experience of a lack of control, with feelings of incapacitation, isolation, and having their needs unmet. Feeling in control of the pain and thus in control of the situation was experienced as a constant struggle. Well-planned care, finding ways to handle the pain and good communication were all helpful in this struggle. CONCLUSION: The participants recalled their experience of pain in the ICU and control seems to be crucial for how pain is experienced. They experienced a lack of control due to not only the pain but also the treatment, which can be avoided by the nurse continuously evaluating and individualising the care. Balanced care, meeting the patients' needs and good communication helps the patient feel more in control when experiencing pain. IMPACT: The experience of pain is dependent on control for the intensive care patient. The nurse may help them gain control and thereby handle the experience of pain through including the patient, striving for better communication and implementing individualised care that continuously assesses and treats pain.

To assess patients pain in intensive care: developing and testing the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale.

OBJECTIVES: The Behavioural Pain Scale has previously been translated into Swedish and psychometrically tested. One of the domains- 'compliance with ventilation'- did not show equally as good psychometric proprieties as the other domains, which led to the question whether a development of that domain would be beneficial. This study aimed to develop the domain of 'breathing pattern' in the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale and then test the instrument for discriminant validity, inter-rater reliability and criterion validity. METHOD: The domain 'breathing pattern' was developed and included when the Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale was psychometrically tested in 360 paired assessments. RESULTS: The instrument showed discriminant validity through a significant positive change on the scale before and during turning and inter-rater reliability with an absence of significant disagreement on the scale between the paired assessments. The developed domain had a better result in discriminant validity than the original domain. The instrument also showed higher sensitivity in discriminating pain compared to assessment without an instrument. CONCLUSION: The Swedish version of the Behavioural Pain Scale, with a developed domain for 'breathing pattern' showed to be a reliable instrument for pain assessment in the adult intensive-care patient.

The desire for involvement in healthcare, anxiety and coping in patients and their partners after a myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data about the information preferences of patients and their partners after a myocardial infarction. AIM: This paper explores anxiety, depression, coping and the desire to be actively involved in care in relation to age, gender and education level in myocardial infarction patients and partners. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients and their partners answered the Swedish version of the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Mastery Scale one year after the patient's myocardial infarction. RESULTS: More active roles in decision-making during care were desired by females, younger patients and partners, and patients and partners with higher education levels. Female partners reported more anxiety than male partners, and female patients reported more depression than male patients. No differences between groups were detected in coping; overall coping was rated high. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary prevention should consist of person-centred support to both the patients and their partners, since factors such as age, gender and education level can influence information preferences during patient care.

Sex knowledge in males and females recovering from a myocardial infarction: a brief communication.

The purpose of this article was to explore sexual knowledge in persons who had suffered from myocardial infarction (MI). Seventy-six Swedish persons completed the "Sex after MI Knowledge Test" questionnaire. Overall, 53% of the men and 45% of the women scored maximum in the test. In a comparison between sexes, the men scored significantly more often a correct answer compared to the women for two out of the 25 items. The levels of correct answers were less then 50% for 14 out of the 25 items in both sexes. In conclusion we found that people who had suffered MI had poor levels of knowledge about sex and that there were some differences concerning lesser knowledge among the females in comparison to males. In regard to application, using a validated instrument facilitates an interactive communication between the patient and health care professionals, and opens up for a tailored education in line with the patient's and his or her partner's needs.

Knowing your risk factors for coronary heart disease improves adherence to advice on lifestyle changes and medication.

Implementation of guidelines for coronary heart disease prevention is less optimal in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate if specific knowledge (patients' knowledge about their own coronary heart disease risk factors) would correlate to their adherence as measured by self-reported lifestyle changes, reaching defined treatment goals and adhering to treatment with prescribed drugs. The consecutive medical records of 509 men and women younger than 71 years, hospitalized for a cardiac event, were screened. Of these, 392 patients came for an interview and were subjected to a clinical examination. All patients received a questionnaire regarding their specific knowledge of risk factors and their adherence to lifestyle changes, which was completed by 347 patients. In addition, data were collected and analyzed on how their treatment goals were attained in 8 domains and their adherence to drug treatment. There were significant correlations between specific knowledge and self-reported lifestyle changes, the ability to reach treatment goals in all 8 domains, and adherence to prescribed drugs. Patients with coronary heart disease will benefit from increased specific knowledge of risk factors to adhere with lifestyle changes and prescribed medication after a cardiac event.

Better knowledge improves adherence to lifestyle changes and medication in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are not managed adequately, and we often fail to reach treatment targets. AIM: To investigate if knowledge of risk factors for CHD, measured by a questionnaire, would show any relation to advice to compliance to lifestyle changes to attain treatment goals and adherence to drug therapy. METHOD: Men and women <71 years who had had a cardiac event were screened consecutively (509) from the medical records. Responders (392) were interviewed, examined and received a questionnaire. Three hundred and forty-seven patients answered the questionnaire regarding their general knowledge of risk factors for CHD, compliance to lifestyle changes to attain treatment goals and adherence to drug therapy. RESULTS: There were statistically significant correlations between general knowledge about risk factors for CHD and compliance to certain lifestyle changes: weight, physical activity, stress management, diet, attainment of lipid level goals and the likelihood of taking prescribed blood pressure-lowering drugs. General knowledge of risk factors had no correlation to blood glucose or blood pressure levels nor on smoking habits or treatment patterns for prescribed lipid- and blood glucose-lowering drugs. CONCLUSION: Knowledge correlates to patient behaviour with respect to some risk factors, which should be recognised in preventive programs.