Psychometric Properties of the Brief Fatigue Inventory in Hemodialysis Patients during a Dialysis Day: A Preliminary Report.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) in hemodialysis patients. During a dialysis day, patients completed both 9-item BFI and 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the BFI were assessed in terms of reliability and validity. The BFI had an overall Cronbach's coefficient alpha of .92. Inter-item correlation coefficients between BFI items ranged from .38 to. 81 (all p < .0001). Exploratory factor analysis revealed bidimensional factor structure of the BFI-fatigue "severity" and fatigue "interference" explaining 11.0% and 62.0% of the total variance in the data set, respectively. In criterion validity analysis, BFI composite score correlated significantly with the total BDI-II score-Pearson correlation coefficient .40 (p < .0001). These preliminary results support the satisfactory psychometric properties of the BFI in assessing fatigue among hemodialysis patients during a dialysis day in a clinic setting.

Pilot Study Evaluating Physical Activity and Fatigue in Adolescent Oncology Patients and Survivors During Summer Camp.

Summer camps for adolescent cancer patients and survivors are popular. Little is known about the impact of camp attendance on physical activity (PA) and fatigue. This pilot study was conducted in 24 adolescents, 13-17 years of age, to measure objective PA (steps/day) along with self-reported PA and fatigue during camp. Findings demonstrate adolescents are willing to complete a PA research study during camp. On average, campers demonstrated 18,198 steps/day. Self-reported PA significantly increased with no significant change in self-reported fatigue. Summer camps offer a unique setting, in which to encourage and explore PA in adolescent oncology patients and survivors.

Calidad de control metabólico en pacientes ambulatorios con diabetes tipo 2 atendidos en una clínica privada / Quality of metabolic control in outpatients with type 2 diabetes seen in a private clinic

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de control metabólico en pacientes ambulatorios con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) de una clínica privada en Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en la consulta externa del Servicio de endocrinología de una clínica privada de Lima, Perú. Se recolectó información socio demográfica, historia de enfermedad, autorreporte de complicaciones y comorbilidades, medidas antropométricas y presión arterial. Además, se tomó muestras de sangre para análisis de prueba rápida de glucosa, hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c) y perfil lipídico. Se consideró pobre control metabólico si el participante tenía HbA1c >7%, colesterol LDL (LDL-c) =100 mg/dl, y presión arterial =130/80 mmHg. Se aplicaron cuestionarios adicionales, para medir la adherencia al tratamiento, actividad física, calidad de vida, autoeficacia y depresión. Resultados: Se incluyó a 60 participantes, 53,3% (32/60) fueron de sexo femenino y la media de edad fue 63,1 ±13,2 años. Se encontró pobre control metabólico en 85% (51/60) de los participantes; presión arterial controlada en 71,2% (42/60), LDL-c controlado en 10% (6/60) y HbA1c controlado en 48,3% (29/60) de los participantes respectivamente. Complicaciones crónicas como retinopatía se autorreportó en el 3,3% (2/60) participantes, neuropatía en 10% (6/60), nefropatía en 1,7% (1/60), presión arterial alta en 30% (18/60) y enfermedad cerebro vascular en 5% (3/60) de los participantes. Conclusión: La prevalencia de control metabólico no controlado es elevada, a pesar del contexto de atención en una clínica privada. Regulación y medidas para mejorar el control en centros privados es necesario

Objective: To assess the quality of metabolic control among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in a private clinic in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study in the outpatient endocrinology service of a private clinic in Lima, Peru. Socio-demographic information, history of diabetes, self-report of complications and comorbidities, anthropometric measures and blood pressure data were collected. Blood samples were taken for assessing fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. A poor metabolic control was considered if the participant had HbA1c >7%, LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) =100 mg/dl, and blood pressure =130/80 mmHg. Additional questionnaires were administered for measuring adherence to therapy, physical activity, quality of life, self-efficacy and depression. Results: Sixty participants were included; 53.3% (32/60) were female and their mean age was 63.1 ±13.2 years. Poor metabolic control was found in 85% (51/60) of all participants; controlled blood pressure in 71.2% (42/60), controlled LDL-C levels in 10% (6/60), and controlled HbA1c values in 48.3% (29/60) participants, respectively. Chronic complications such as retinopathy were found in 3.33% (2/60) participants, neuropathy in 10% (6/60), nephropathy in 1.7% (1/60), high blood pressure in 30% (18/60) and cerebrovascular disease in 5% (3/60) of all participants. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, despite being taken care of in a private clinic. It is necessary to take actions in order to improve the metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes attending the private health care sector

Metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a public hospital in Peru: a cross-sectional study in a low-middle income country.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess patients' achievement of ADA (American Diabetes Association) guideline recommendations for glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, and blood pressure in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatient clinic in a low-middle income country (LMIC) setting. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 123 ambulatory T2DM patients who are being treated at a public hospital in Lima, Peru. Data was gathered via standardized interviews, clinical surveys, and anthropomorphic measurements for each patient. Blood samples were drawn in fasting state for measures of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile. Laboratory parameters and blood pressure were evaluated according to ADA recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 81 were women and the mean age was 61.8 years. Glycemic control was abnormal in 82 (68.33%) participants, and 45 (37.50%) were unable to control their blood pressure. Lipid profile was abnormal in 73 (60.83%) participants. Only nine (7.50%) participants fulfilled ADA recommendations for glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst individuals with type 2 diabetes, there was poor attainment of the ADA recommendations (HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol) for ambulatory T2DM patients. Interventions are urgently needed in order to prevent long-term diabetic complications.