Effects of Long COVID on Psycho-Physical Conditions in the Italian Population: A Statistical and Large Language Model Combined Description.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID refers to the persistence or development of signs and symptoms well after the acute phase of COVID-19. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: To investigate the long-term outcomes of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in terms of psychological, social, and relational consequences within the Italian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and multicenter study using an online questionnaire distributed to a sample of the Italian population. By utilizing the Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) and the Hikikomori scale, we assessed perceived quality of life and social isolation, respectively. The questionnaire also included an open-answer question: "What will you remember about the pandemic period?". We used generative artificial intelligence to analyze and summarize the corresponding answers. RESULTS: A total of 1097 people participated in this study. A total of 79.3% (n = 870) of participants declared that they had been hospitalized and 62.8% (n = 689) received home care. Physical symptoms included headaches (43%, n = 472) and asthma (30.4%, n = 334). Additionally, 29.2% (n = 320) developed an addiction during the pandemic and, among these, 224 claimed internet addiction while 73 declared an emotional addiction. Furthermore, 51.8% (n = 568) experienced limitations in carrying out daily life activities. According to the Hikikomori scale, participants with positive SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibited higher levels of isolation compared to the others (p < 0.001). Participants without COVID-19 showed higher levels of emotional support (p < 0.001). Our semiautomatic analysis of the open-ended responses, obtained by a procedure based on a free large language model, allowed us to deduce and summarize the main feelings expressed by the interviewees regarding the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The data collected emphasize the urgent need to investigate the consequences of long COVID in order to implement interventions to support psychological well-being.

Statistical analysis and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for assessing pain experience, pain-induced disability, and quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients.

The Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, which can significantly impact various aspects of daily life. Among these aspects, pain is a prominent element. Despite the widespread use of therapies aimed at improving symptoms and quality of life, effective pain management is essential to enhance the quality of life of individuals affected by this disease. However, a detailed understanding of the factors associated with pain in PD is still evolving. In this study, we examined the disability caused by pain and the pain experienced by PD patients using two validated questionnaires, namely the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) and the King's Parkinson's Disease Pain Questionnaire (KPPQ). Customized questions were also included to further explore the pain experience and management strategies adopted by PD patients. Through statistical analysis, we explored the relationships between questionnaire scores, socio-demographic data, and other relevant variables. Additionally, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) was employed to gain a deeper understanding of patient responses. The results indicate the extent and impact of pain in PD and provide valuable insights for more targeted and personalized management. This study lays the foundation for future research and the development of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.

Clinical Features of Takotsubo Syndrome and Its Differential Diagnostic Criteria in Clinical Nursing Practice: A Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a heart disease that mimics the symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI). The exact cause of TCM is unknown, but the main theory is that the syndrome is triggered by an excessive release of catecholamines, a consequence of factors related to stress or severe emotional distress. The aim of this review is to summarize the various scientific journal articles on the nursing differential diagnosis of TCM, on the specific nurse training (particularly the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse, APN), and on the nursing educational support for the patient after hospital discharge. RECENT FINDINGS: A literature review was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant indexed articles that investigated the elements characterizing TCM in nursing differential diagnosis and the role of the APN were identified. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included in the review; they highlighted the role of the nurse in identifying and educating patients with TCM. Nurses must have a thorough understanding of the syndrome, the onset symptoms, the unusual characteristics, and the probable etiology of TCM in order to recognize and promptly treat patients affected by this syndrome and have the opportunity to educate them after hospital discharge to reduce the possibility of recurrence.

How shift work influences anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia conditions in Italian nurses: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Evidence suggested that the nursing profession could be considered as a very complex profession also for nurses themselves. To investigate how shift work influence nurses' health also considering anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia conditions. METHODS: An on-line cohort observational study was conducted during May 2022 to 408 nurses. RESULTS: 408 nurses were on-line recruited. Most of the nurses recruited worked also during the night shift (73.3%) and were very young (p<0.001), as aged less than 30 years (29.2%) and also aged between 31-40 years (29), too. Significant difference was reported in smoking habit, as nurses who worked also during the night reported higher smoking habit then the others (p=0.020). None further significant differences according to sex, age, work experience, nursing education, nursing activity, BMI and shift work was found. Finally, none differences were assessed between anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia conditions according to shift work typologies. CONCLUSIONS: The present study discussed research results already highlighted in the current literature; however, it collected further information and assessed additional differences, so that a more complete picture of the nursing profession could be defined.

How knowledge time influenced anxiety, depression, stress and quality of life levels in patients suffering from Crohn disease: a cross-sectional multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: The diagnosis of Crohn Disease (CD) represents a turning point in the life of patients, which inevitably marks them. The present study represents a direct "feed-back" from patients suffering from Crohn disease, in order to reveal how the diagnosis of CD changed lifestyles and psychological conditions in their patients. METHODS: An observational, cross sectional, online, snowball sampling study was conducted through participants suffered from CD and belonged to social networks and Facebook groups. For each participant, sampling characteristics, a series of lifestyle habits Before to After the diagnosis of CD and anxiety, depression, and stress conditions were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 785 participants agreed to participate. As Participants underwent significant challenges in their lifestyles after the CD diagnosis (p<0.001), specifically their reduced their smoking habits, alcohol and drugs intakes and also their diets both in high sugar and fatty compositions. Anxiety and stress levels were not statistical different among participants according to years of the knowledge of their CDs. Meanwhile, as regards depression condition, significantly higher levels were recorded among participants who knew their CD until 5 and 25 years, respectively (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: From the study emerges several aspects of quality of life compromised, a fact supported by the analysis of psychophysical sequelae, which allowed to lay the groundwork for further studies, studying the comorbidity of this disease with other factors. Future randomized controlled trials should deepen the correlation between eating disorders and CD, a link little explored in the literature.

Transcultural health: attitudes, perceptions, knowledge of Italian nurses. An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: The Italian health profile of foreigners depends from several factors and events, such as: environmental, microbiological, cultural and / or behavioral. Healthcare professionals might to have greater and better basic and post-basic training in approaching foreign users. Listening and empathy, with complementary training can help to reduce distances and better understand the patient's socio-cultural background. The aim of the study is to explore the basic intercultural knowledge of the Italian nurses, the perception of the problems encountered during the interaction with foreign users and any solution strategies. METHODS: From December 2020 to March 2021 a national observational study was conducted by involving 327 nurses. RESULTS: 85.5% among participants were females and most of them aged between 20 and 30 years (20.20%) and were employed in medical wards (22.60%). Among the hindering barriers explored, linguistic ones are highlighted (41.30%), specifically for the description of hospital rules (34.90%) and of social and health regulations (34.90%). CONCLUSIONS: From the present findings, it emerges that the cultural competence of nurses could be developed by offering a multicultural education through basic and post-basic courses. (www.actabiomedica.it).

The Prephase Nursing in Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel Therapy.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Parkinson disease (PD) affects approximately 1% of women and men worldwide, particularly older than 60 years. It is a multisystem and neurodegenerative disease with genetics and environmental factors that result in deficits in the production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. The levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) system delivers a continuous infusion of levodopa directly into the proximal small intestine via percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy, largely bypassing gastric emptying and absorption problems and producing more stable plasma concentrations of levodopa, eliminating the development of motor complications (dyskinesias). The aim of this review was to summarize scientific evidence on the nursing role that, together with the multidisciplinary team, made the patient's choice in this therapeutic path (pre-LCIG phase). METHODS: A literature review was carried out, conducted on the MEDLINE databases (through PubMed), The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and CINAHL (through EBSCO). Relevant articles for the topic were found to identify indexed primary studies that investigated the relationship between the nurse and the patient/caregiver with PD who undertakes treatment with LCIG according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included in the review. The selected studies suggested how the pre-LCIG phase of patient choice and the subsequent education and training could avoid selection errors for these therapeutic paths. CONCLUSION: Trained and specialized nursing staff who carry out an adequate pre-LCIG phase associated to the multidisciplinary team improved the choice of the patient and the start of treatment and, consequently, the quality of life of PD patients.