A scale development study: Primary Caregiver Burden Scale Individuals Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: As hemodialysis is a long-term treatment method requiring significant self-management skills, it affects both the patient and the caregiver in many ways. It is inevitable that changes in the burden perceived by the caregiver over time will not affect the patient's health care outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop an up-to-date scale by examining the psychometric properties of items created specifically for the care burden perceived by individuals who provide care for patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. METHODS: This study is a methodological study with the use of the COSMIN Checklist. The sample of the study included 404 individuals who were the primary caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Data were collected using descriptive characteristics form and the draft form of the Primary Caregiver Burden Scale Individuals Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and predictive validity were used to evaluate validity. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient, item analysis, and test-retest method were employed to evaluate reliability. RESULTS: According to exploratory factor analysis, a scale structure with four subdimensions was determined, and goodness of fit was achieved using confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the final form of the scale consisting of 34 items was found to be 0.95 for the total scale, 0.93 for the self-management support subscale, 0.91 for the psychological support subscale, 0.91 for the caregiver symptom subscale, and 0.93 for the caregiver individual coping subscale. CONCLUSION: The Primary Caregiver Burden Scale Individuals Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment, which was found to meet the validity and reliability criteria, has a four-point Likert-type scoring structure, 34 items, and four subdimensions. It is thought that the scale can make significant contributions to the international literature if its validity and reliability are established with nursing practices and research.

Coping strategies and its relationship with sexual dysfunction in adults receiving haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To explore relationship coping strategies and sexual dysfunction, and the predictive factors of sexual dysfunction in adults receiving haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in adults receiving haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. This problem may be related to psychological and physiological conditions. However, the association between psychological conditions such as coping strategies and sexual dysfunction is not clearly understood. DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: The data were collected from November 2021 to July 2022 using the General Information Form, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale: Female and Male Versions, and the Ways of Coping Inventory. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and sexual dysfunction. REPORTING METHOD: STROBE checklist. RESULTS: A total of 110 adults, 67 on haemodialysis and 43 on peritoneal dialysis, who met the eligibility criteria were included in this study. The optimistic, helpless and submissive approach sub-dimensions of coping strategies had positive correlation with sexual dysfunction in adults receiving haemodialysis. Among the sub-dimensions of the ways of coping inventory, helpless approach was positive predictor and seeking social support was negative predictor of sexual dysfunction in adults receiving haemodialysis. The coping strategies were not predictors of sexual dysfunction for adults receiving peritoneal dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that helpless coping strategy increases sexual dysfunction, and seeking social support decreases sexual dysfunction in haemodialysis. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: According to this study, social support is effective coping strategy for reducing sexual dysfunction. Education and support for effective coping strategies should be provided to dialysis patients by healthcare professionals at the start of dialysis treatment. Effective coping strategies should be integrated into routine care standards and nursing or hospital policies. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Adults receiving haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis were involved in this study.

Structural Changes in the Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Corpus Callosum in Migraine Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship among the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum in migraine patients. METHODS: This work was conducted with cooperation of the Turgut Özal Medical Faculty, Department of Anatomy and Neurology. Migraine patients were divided into four groups: new patients; 1-5 years; 5-10 years; and, more than 10 years. All patients (n=75) and control subjects (n=20) underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and brain images were processed by ONIS and Image J. Data were analyzed using the planimetric method. RESULTS: Cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum volume were calculated for all subjects. The footprints of the callosum were as follows: healthy control subjects, new patients and 1-year patients: 12.8%, 5 years: 11.7% and more than 10 years: 10.7%. The cerebrum volume was as follows: healthy control subjects: 1152 cm3, 5-10 years: 1102 cm3 and more than 10 years: 1002 cm3. DISCUSSION: The results of our study showed atrophy in the cerebrum, cerebellum and corpus callosum of chronic migraine patients. This atrophy was greater in the patients with aura migraines. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that a migraine is an episodic disease that seriously affects the CNS.