Recommendations of good practice to prevent aspiration pneumonia in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia living in nursing homes: A modified e-Delphi study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is a subset of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of food and fluids to the lungs and is highly prevalent in the older population. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is one of the risk factors for AP and it is also associated with malnutrition, dehydration and poor functional outcomes. As pneumonia is the second most common infection in nursing homes (NHs) and OD represents a major concern to NH staff, good practices for the prevention of AP in older adults at risk of OD are needed. PURPOSE: The aim of this modified e-Delphi study is to build consensus among a panel of experts regarding a set of recommendations for NH staff on good practices to prevent AP in older adults at risk of OD living in NHs. The objective of this paper is to establish the methodology inherent to the Delphi study. METHODS: An online modified Delphi study will be developed in three rounds. Criteria for the Delphi panel participants include holding a master's or doctoral degree in OD or speech and language therapy; or having 10 or more years of experience in OD; or having at least one scientific publication related to OD. A previously described modified Delphi methodology will be used to achieve consensus (75% agreement). An additional round will be performed to collect the experts' perspectives regarding the priority for application of each recommendation previously validated. DISCUSSION: This protocol aimed to describe the methodology of a future Delphi study on the prevention of AP, seeking to fulfil the gap in the literature regarding this topic. The modified Delphi technique is a widely used method for collecting experts' opinion in health sciences, but the absence of standardised guidelines allows some heterogeneity between studies with the same aim. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is related to three main risk factors: impaired safety of swallow, impaired nutritional status and poor oral health. It is known that being dependent for feeding is one of the main risk factors for AP and around 50% of nursing home (NH) residents need feeding assistance. Thus, it is important to promote specialised intervention and care by the NH staff for preventing AP. What this paper adds to existing knowledge It is hypothesised that increasing the knowledge of NH staff regarding the best practices for preventing AP in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) will improve outcomes such as quality of life, incidence of AP and mortality. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The recommendations resulting from this study will address a current gap in healthcare practice of NH staff regarding older adults at increased risk for OD and, consequently, for AP.

Impact of Wound Dressing Changes on Nursing Workload in an Intensive Care Unit.

The objective of this study is to understand how the type of wound dressing changes (routine or frequent) in patients admitted to intensive care units influences nurses' workload. This study used a database of retrospective and analytical observational study from one Portuguese intensive care unit. The sample included 728 adult patients admitted between 2015 and 2019. The nursing workload was assessed by the TISS-28 scale, both at admission and at discharge. The linear regression results show that patients with frequent dressing changes are associated with a higher nursing workload, both at admission (Coef. 1.65; 95% CI [0.53; 2.77]) and discharge (Coef. 1.27; 95% CI [0.32; 2.22]). In addition, age influences the nursing workload; older people are associated with a higher nursing workload (at admission Coef. 0.07; 95% CI [0.04; 0.10]; at discharge Coef. 0.08; 95% CI [0.05; 0.10]). Additionally, an increase in nursing workload at admission would significantly increase the nursing workload at discharge (Coef. 0.27; 95% CI [0.21; 0.33]). The relative stability of the nursing workload over the studied years is also another important finding (the influence of studied years is non-significant). In conclusion, patients with frequent dressing changes presented higher TISS-28 scores when compared with patients with an exchange of routine dressings, which leads to a higher nursing workload.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Age and Gender Effects in European Portuguese Oral Vowels.

The knowledge about the age effects in speech acoustics is still disperse and incomplete. This study extends the analyses of the effects of age and gender on acoustics of European Portuguese (EP) oral vowels, in order to complement initial studies with limited sets of acoustic parameters, and to further investigate unclear or inconsistent results. A database of EP vowels produced by a group of 113 adults, aged between 35 and 97, was used. Duration, fundamental frequency (f0), formant frequencies (F1 to F3), and a selection of vowel space metrics (F1 and F2 range ratios, vowel articulation index [VAI] and formant centralization ratio [FCR]) were analyzed. To avoid the arguable division into age groups, the analyses considered age as a continuous variable. The most relevant age-related results included: vowel duration increase in both genders; a general tendency to formant frequencies decrease for females; changes that were consistent with vowel centralization for males, confirmed by the vowel space acoustic indexes; and no evidence of F3 decrease with age, in both genders. This study has contributed to knowledge on aging speech, providing new information for an additional language. The results corroborated that acoustic characteristics of speech change with age and present different patterns between genders.

Anti-Algics in the Therapeutic Response of Breast and Urological Cancers.

The effect of anti-algics on tumor progression and the overall survival of patients is controversial and remains unclear. Herein, we disclose the in vitro effects of the local anesthetics lidocaine, ropivacaine, and levobupivacaine on breast (MCF7), prostate (PC3, LNCaP), and bladder (TCCSUP, HT1376) cancer cell lines, both as monotherapy and in combination with standard-of-care therapeutics. Assays for cell proliferation, viability, death profile, and migration were performed. Additionally, we explored the clinical outcomes of opioid use through a cross-sectional study involving 200 metastatic prostate cancer patients. The main clinical data collected included the type of opioid therapy administered, dosage, treatment duration, disease progression, and overall survival. Results obtained demonstrate that treatment with local anesthetics has a promising selective anti-tumor effect on these types of cancer, with higher effects when associated with docetaxel. This points out the use of local anesthetics as an added value in the treatment of prostate carcinoma patients. Alternatively, chronic opioid use was correlated with reduced overall survival (p < 0.05) and progression-free survival (p < 0.05) at each treatment line in the observational study. While these results provide valuable insights, larger prospective studies are imperative to comprehensively evaluate the clinical impact of opioid analgesics in prostate cancer patients.

The Volume-Viscosity Swallowing Test – Portuguese Version: Validation and prevalence of safety and efficacy clinical signs in acute stroke patients / La prueba de deglución volumen-viscosidad - versión portuguesa: validación y prevalencia de seguridad y signos clínicos de eficacia en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular agudo

Purpose:The early identification of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in patients after an acute stroke using non-invasive and easily administered instruments can minimize its consequences and reduce comorbidity and mortality. The Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) is a screening test that makes it possible. The goal of this study is to contribute to the validation of the V-VST European Portuguese (V-VST: EP) version and study the prevalence of safety and efficacy signs in acute stroke patients. Method: The V-VST: EP, its instructions manual and algorithm, was presented to a panel of experts, to assess its content validity. It was applied to 33 acute stroke patients, with signs of OD, to analyze its psychometric properties. Finally, the prevalence of impaired signs of safety and efficacy was analyzed. Results: The V-VST: EP and its instruction manual (content) demonstrate very good agreement values. Most of the results for inter and intra-evaluator reliability presented Cohen's kappa values higher than 0.60 or 0.80 (75.0%). The concurrent validity (against the 3 OZ wst) presented a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 57.1%. For evaluator 1, the results presented are for the nectar, liquid and pudding consistencies, the prevalence values for the 5 ml, 10 ml and 20 ml volume capacity was: impaired lip closure (36%, 39%, 18%), piecemeal deglutition (50%, 50%, 50%), oral residue (7%, 0%, 9%), pharyngeal residue (25%, 17%, 9%) and safe swallowing (89%, 33%, 94%), respectively.(AU)

Propósito: La identificación temprana de la disfagia orofaríngea (DO) en pacientes después de un accidente cerebrovascular, utilizando instrumentos no invasivos y de fácil administración, puede minimizar sus consecuencias y reducir la comorbilidad y la mortalidad. El examen Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST) es una prueba de detección que lo hace posible. El objetivo de este estudio es contribuir para la validación del V-VST Versión en portugués europeo (V-VST: EP) y estudio de prevalencia de signos de seguridad y eficacia en pacientes con ictus agudo. Método: Se presentó el V-VST: EP, su manual de instrucciones y algoritmo, a un panel de expertos, para evaluar su validez de contenido. Se aplicó a 33 pacientes con ictus agudo, con signos de DO, para analizar sus propiedades psicométricas. Finalmentese analizó la prevalencia de señales de deterioro de seguridad y eficacia. Resultados: El V-VST: EP y su manual de instrucciones (contenido) demuestran valores demuy buenaconcordancia. La mayoría de los resultados de confiabilidad inter e intra evaluador presentaron valoreskappa de Cohen superiores a 0,60 o 0,80 (75,0%). La validez concurrente (contra el peso de 3 OZ) presentada una sensibilidad del 100% y una especificidad del 57,1%. Para el evaluador 1, los resultados presentados son para las consistencias de néctar, líquido y budín, los valores de prevalencia para los 5 ml, 10 ml y 20 ml capacidad de volumen fue: deterioro del cierre de los labios (36%, 39%, 18%), deglución fragmentaria (50%, 50%, 50%), residuo oral (7%, 0%, 9%), residuo faríngeo (25%, 17%, 9%) y deglución segura (89%, 33%, 94%), respectivamente.(AU)

Development of the European Portuguese version of the oral health assessment tool: Content validity and reliability study in an elderly population.

AIMS: Poor oral health is a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia (AP), especially in elderly patients at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). In Portugal, available tools to screen oral problems in nursing homes are scarce. The oral health assessment tool (OHAT) is a screening tool that assesses elderly residents' oral health. This study aims to translate and validate the tool for the European Portuguese (EP) context. METHODS: The original version was translated into EP throughout a forward-backward translation process. An instruction manual was created. Content of both documents were assessed by a panel of eight experts. The content validity Index was calculated. A reliability study was conducted in three nursing homes by two speech and language therapists in two different moments, separated by 48 h. RESULTS: A sample of 30 institutionalized elderly with a mean age of 77 years was analyzed. The EP version and its instruction manual presented a content validity Index greater than 0.88 in all its items. Total scores showed excellent inter-rater and good intra-rater results. CONCLUSION: The EP version showed to be a reliable and valid tool for the screening of oral health conditions of institutionalized older adults at risk of OD.

Blended-Learning Pain Neuroscience Education and Exercise in High School Students With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Pain neuroscience education (PNE) and exercise have emerged as potential interventions in adolescents with chronic pain; however, very few studies have explored their effectiveness. Blended-learning approaches combining face-to-face and online educational sessions have also emerged as facilitating methods of health education. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercises and PNE versus exercise alone in adolescents with chronic neck pain (NP). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up was conducted in 2 high schools. Over 8 weeks, a total of 127 adolescents with chronic NP were randomly allocated to either (1) perform functional and region-specific exercises, including generalized neuromuscular control, endurance, and strength exercises, as well as exercises targeting the deep neck flexor and extensor muscles and scapular stabilizer muscles; or (2) perform the same exercise-based intervention plus PNE. Pain intensity (primary outcome), disability, sleep, catastrophizing, fear of movement, self-efficacy, and knowledge of pain neuroscience were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Neck and scapular muscle endurance and pressure pain thresholds were assessed at baseline and postintervention. Patient's Global Impression of Change was assessed postintervention and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in pain intensity from baseline to postintervention and from baseline to follow-up in both groups, but there were no between-group differences or interactions between time and groups. These results were similar for the secondary outcomes, except for knowledge of pain neuroscience, for which a significant group and time interaction was found. CONCLUSION: Exercise and exercise plus PNE were similarly effective in treating adolescents with chronic NP, and the results were maintained for up to 6 months. Further studies are needed to explore the effect of these interventions for longer follow-ups.

Predictors of frailty in older people users of Primary Health Care.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the prevalence and predictors of frailty in older people in Primary Health Care. METHOD: this is a descriptive and correlational study, carried out in a convenience sample of 136 older people in the community. Data were collected through a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and frailty phenotype. Student's t test or U-Mann-Whitney test, chi-square and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: the prevalence of frailty was 26.5% (n=36). Frail individuals had older age (p=0.011), worse self-rated health (p=0.001) and lower physical capacity (p<0.001). In the multivariable regression, it was observed that frail individuals had older age (Odds Ratio=1.111; 95% confidence interval=1.026-1.203) and worse physical capacity (Odds Ratio=0.673; 95% confidence interval=0.508-0.893). CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence of frailty in older people in Primary Health Care was considerable. Advanced age and worse physical capacity were the most relevant predictors of frailty in the elderly.

Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk among Employees at a Portuguese Higher Education Institution.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to assess the CVD risk (CVDRisk) in a sample of workers at a specific workplace: a higher education institution in Portugal. Data were collected using a questionnaire (e.cuidHaMUs.QueST®) with 345 HEI workers from June 2017-June 2018 with a high response rate (93.3%). Two constructs of risks for CVD were considered: (i) metabolic risk and hypertension (CVDRisk1); and (ii) modifiable behavioural risk (CVDRisk2). Logistic regression analyses were used to establish a relationship between risk indexes/constructs (CVDRisk1 and CVDRisk2) and groups of selected variables. The most prevalent CVD risk factor was hypercholesterolaemia (43.2%). Sixty-eight percent of participants were in the construct CVDRisk1 while almost half of the respondents were in CVDRisk2 (45.2%). The consumption of soft drinks twice a week or more contributed to a significantly increased risk of CVD in CVDRisk1. Lack of regular exercise and lack of daily fruit consumption significantly increased the risk of CVD in CVDRisk2. The challenge to decision makers and the occupational medical community is to incorporate this information into the daily practices of health surveillance with an urgent need for health promotional education campaigns in the workplace.

Description of an integrated e-health monitoring system in a Portuguese higher education institution: the e.cuidHaMUstm program.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization recognize that workplace health is not only affected by occupational hazards, but is mainly affected by social determinants and individual factors. An accelerated rise in noncommunicable diseases has fostered the importance of creating supportive environments and encouraging healthy behaviours. Therefore, an operational approach to making workplaces healthy and sustainable is needed. This paper describes the development of an e-Health monitoring program entitled 'Integrated eHealth Monitoring System for Health Management in Universities' (e.cuidHaMUsTM) as a possible solution to that operational approach. METHODS: We developed the program e.cuidHaMUsTM that proposes to detect risk behaviours related to noncommunicable diseases and to implement problem-solving measures by establishing a health-promoting workspace in a Portuguese higher education institution. Based on the 'I-Change' conceptual model, our program provides personalized feedback; improves health-related knowledge, attitude and good practices; and encourages actions to promote healthy lifestyles through individual health capacitation. Focusing on evaluation as an activity that generates knowledge, the e.cuidHaMUsTM program aggregates all the relevant health information, shares the results with decision-makers and evaluates health-related policy changes in the workplace. DISCUSSION: This paper presents the design of the e.cuidHaMUsTM program, the development of an eHealth web platform to share information between the different stakeholders, and a questionnaire to evaluate the health status of higher education institution workers (e.cuidHaMUs.QueST®). Also, the procedures for data collection and analysis are outlined. The e.cuidHaMUsTM program can enhance health surveillance through cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and provide scientific evidence to support the envisioned interventions and promotions of healthy lifestyles. This program is an effort to incorporate a holistic culture of health-promoting workspace in higher education institution policies.

Factors Predicting Pressure Injury Incidence in Older Adults Following Elective Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with pressure injury (PI) development in older adult patients who underwent elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: A nonexperimental longitudinal prospective study was conducted with a sample of 40 patients undergoing elective THA. Patients were evaluated for PI at hospital admission, 24 hours postsurgery, at discharge, and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of PIs (category 1 or category 2) in this study was 7.9% 24 hours after surgery and 24.3% at discharge. The most common PI location was the sacrum/coccyx or the ischial tuberosity. This study found significant relationships between PIs and female sex (odds ratio [OR], 8.75), body fat mass percentage (OR, 1.15), and the motor score from a Functional Independence Measure scale (OR, 0.89). Finally, the following variables were also associated with PIs (P < .1): skeletal muscle mass (OR, 0.82), lower limb with osteoarthritis weight (OR, 0.61), lower limb without osteoarthritis weight (OR, 0.62), and geriatric depression scale (OR, 1.12). CONCLUSIONS: This work identifies those patients at higher risk of PI, enabling targeted prevention and treatment in the population of patients undergoing elective THA. The findings of this study are in line with extant literature and suggest that women with a higher percentage of body fat and less mobility had a higher risk of PI.

Predictors of frailty in older people users of Primary Health Care / Predictores de fragilidad en usuarios mayores de Atención Primaria de Salud / Preditores da fragilidade no idoso usuário da Atenção Primária à Saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the prevalence and predictors of frailty in older people in Primary Health Care. Method: this is a descriptive and correlational study, carried out in a convenience sample of 136 older people in the community. Data were collected through a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and frailty phenotype. Student's t test or U-Mann-Whitney test, chi-square and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: the prevalence of frailty was 26.5% (n=36). Frail individuals had older age (p=0.011), worse self-rated health (p=0.001) and lower physical capacity (p<0.001). In the multivariable regression, it was observed that frail individuals had older age (Odds Ratio=1.111; 95% confidence interval=1.026-1.203) and worse physical capacity (Odds Ratio=0.673; 95% confidence interval=0.508-0.893). Conclusions: the prevalence of frailty in older people in Primary Health Care was considerable. Advanced age and worse physical capacity were the most relevant predictors of frailty in the elderly.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia y predictores de fragilidad en ancianos en Atención Primaria de Salud. Método: estudio descriptivo y correlacional, realizado en una muestra de conveniencia con 136 ancianos de la comunidad. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de un cuestionario sociodemográfico, clínico y de fenotipo de fragilidad. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizaron la prueba t de Student o la prueba U-Mann-Whitney, chi-cuadrado y regresión logística binaria. Resultados: la prevalencia de fragilidad fue del 26,5% (n=36). Los ancianos frágiles eran mayores (p=0,011), peor autoevaluación de la salud (p=0,001) y menos capaces físicamente (p <0,001). En la regresión multivariante, se observó que los ancianos frágiles eran mayores (Odds Ratio=1,111; Intervalo de confianza del 95%=1,026-1,203) y peor capacidad física (Odds Ratio=0,673; Intervalo de confianza del 95%=0,508-0,893). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de fragilidad en ancianos en Atención Primaria de Salud fue considerable. La edad avanzada y la peor capacidad física fueron los predictores más relevantes de fragilidad en el anciano

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a prevalência e preditores da fragilidade de idosos na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: estudo descritivo e correlacional, realizado em amostra de conveniência com 136 idosos na comunidade. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário sociodemográfico, clínico e pelo fenótipo de fragilidade. Utilizaram-se o teste t de Student ou U-Mann-Whitney, o Qui-Quadrado e a regressão logística binária na análise dos dados. Resultados: a prevalência da fragilidade foi de 26,5% (n=36). Os idosos frágeis apresentaram idade mais avançada (p=0,011), pior autoavaliação de saúde (p=0,001) e menor capacidade física (p<0,001). Na regressão multivariável, observou-se que os idosos frágeis apresentavam idade mais avançada (Odds Ratio=1,111; Intervalo de Confiança 95%=1,026-1,203) e pior capacidade física (Odds Ratio=0,673; Intervalo de Confiança 95%=0,508-0,893). Conclusões: a prevalência da fragilidade nos idosos na Atenção Primária à Saúde foi considerável. A idade avançada e a pior capacidade física foram os preditores mais relevantes da fragilidade nos idosos.

The Role of Frailty in Predicting 3 and 6 Months Functional Decline in Hospitalized Older Adults: Findings from a Secondary Analysis.

Frailty represents one of the most relevant geriatric syndromes in the 21st century and is a predictor of adverse outcomes in hospitalized older adult, such as, functional decline (FD). This study aimed to examine if frailty, evaluated with the Frailty Index (FI), can predict FD during and after hospitalization (3 and 6 months). Secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study of 101 hospitalized older adults was performed. The primary outcome was FD at discharge, 3 and 6 months. The FI was created from an original database using 40 health deficits. Functional decline models for each time-point were examined using a binary logistic regression. The prevalence of frailty was 57.4% with an average score of 0.25 (±0.11). Frail patients had significant and higher values for functional decline and social support for all time periods and more hospital readmission in the 3 month period. Multivariable regression analysis showed that FI was a predictor of functional decline at discharge (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02-1.14) and 3-month (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.09) but not 6-month (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.99-1.09) follow-up. Findings suggest that frailty at admission of hospitalized older adults can predict functional decline at discharge and 3 months post-discharge.

Association between acoustic speech features and non-severe levels of anxiety and depression symptoms across lifespan.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have investigated the acoustic effects of diagnosed anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are not characteristics of the typical aging process, but minimal or mild symptoms can appear and evolve with age. However, the knowledge about the association between speech and anxiety or depression is scarce for minimal/mild symptoms, typical of healthy aging. As longevity and aging are still a new phenomenon worldwide, posing also several clinical challenges, it is important to improve our understanding of non-severe mood symptoms' impact on acoustic features across lifetime. The purpose of this study was to determine if variations in acoustic measures of voice are associated with non-severe anxiety or depression symptoms in adult population across lifetime. METHODS: Two different speech tasks (reading vowels in disyllabic words and describing a picture) were produced by 112 individuals aged 35-97. To assess anxiety and depression symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) was used. The association between the segmental and suprasegmental acoustic parameters and HADS scores were analyzed using the linear multiple regression technique. RESULTS: The number of participants with presence of anxiety or depression symptoms is low (>7: 26.8% and 10.7%, respectively) and non-severe (HADS-A: 5.4 ± 2.9 and HADS-D: 4.2 ± 2.7, respectively). Adults with higher anxiety symptoms did not present significant relationships associated with the acoustic parameters studied. Adults with increased depressive symptoms presented higher vowel duration, longer total pause duration and short total speech duration. Finally, age presented a positive and significant effect only for depressive symptoms, showing that older participants tend to have more depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Non-severe depression symptoms can be related to some acoustic parameters and age. Depression symptoms can be explained by acoustic parameters even among individuals without severe symptom levels.

Effect of an Educational Nursing Intervention on the Mental Adjustment of Patients with Chronic Arterial Hypertension: An Interventional Study.

The objective of this analytical and interventional prospective quantitative study was to assess the effect of an educational intervention performed by nurses for mental adjustment to chronic disease in patients with hypertension. A convenience sample was studied, composed of 329 participants with chronic hypertension, followed in a primary healthcare unit in the Central Region of Portugal. Data collection was carried out by applying the Mental Adjustment to Disease Scale (MADS) before and 1 month after the educational nursing intervention between September 2017 and February 2018. Prior to the application of the educational intervention, 43.5% of the participants were classified as "unadjusted" in at least one of the subscales of MADS. After the educational intervention, 21.3% of the participants classified as "unadjusted" became "adjusted" in all MADS subscales. The success rate of the intervention varied from 26.9% (in the fatalism subscale) to 44.6% (for the anxious concern subscale). Participants were more likely to be mentally "unadjusted" to hypertension if they lived with other family members, had an active professional situation before the diagnosis of hypertension, still had an active professional situation now, were under 65 years old, had a shorter time to diagnosis (1-2 years), and measured blood pressure less regularly. The educational intervention performed by nurses is relevant for the mental adjustment of hypertensive patients, contributing to increased knowledge, as well as improvement in preventive and self-care practices, facilitating the experience of the health/disease transition process.

The Effect of an Exercise Intervention Program on Bone Health After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Exercise has been suggested as a therapeutic approach to attenuate bone loss induced by bariatric surgery (BS), but its effectiveness remains unclear. Our aim was to determine if an exercise-training program could induce benefits on bone mass after BS. Eighty-four patients, submitted to gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, were randomized to either exercise (EG) or control group (CG). One month post-BS, EG underwent a 11-month supervised multicomponent exercise program, while CG received only standard medical care. Patients were assessed before BS and at 1, 6, and 12 months post-BS for body composition, areal bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, calciotropic hormones, sclerostin, bone material strength index, muscle strength, and daily physical activity. A primary analysis was conducted according to intention-to-treat principles and the primary outcome was the between-group difference on lumbar spine BMD at 12 months post-BS. A secondary analysis was also performed to analyze if the exercise effect depended on training attendance. Twelve months post-BS, primary analysis results revealed that EG had a higher BMD at lumbar spine (+0.024 g∙cm-2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.004, 0.044]; p = .015) compared with CG. Among total hip, femoral neck, and 1/3 radius secondary outcomes, only 1/3 radius BMD improved in EG compared with CG (+0.013 g∙cm-2 [95% CI 0.003, 0.023]; p = .020). No significant exercise effects were observed on bone biochemical markers or bone material strength index. EG also had a higher lean mass (+1.5 kg [95% CI 0.1, 2.9]; p = .037) and higher number of high impacts (+51.4 [95% CI 6.6, 96.1]; p = .026) compared with CG. In addition, secondary analysis results suggest that exercise-induced benefits may be obtained on femoral neck BMD but only on those participants with ≥50% exercise attendance compared with CG (+5.3% [95% CI 2.0, 8.6]; p = .006). Our findings suggest that an exercise program is an effective strategy to ameliorate bone health in post-BS patients. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Nursing workload assessment in an intensive care unit: A 5-year retrospective analysis.

AIMS: To study the correlation between the workload of intensive care nursing teams and the sociodemographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics of patients in critical condition in a Portuguese Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during a 5-year period. BACKGROUND: Currently, indices of nursing workload quantification are one of the resources used for planning and evaluating ICUs. Evidence shows that there are several factors related to critical patients and their hospitalisation which potentially influence the nursing workload. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis of a health record database from adult patients admitted to a Portuguese ICU between 1 January 2015-31 December 2019. METHODS: Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS-28) scores of 730 adult patients. Three TISS-28 assessments were considered: first assessment, last assessment and average. The STROBE guidelines were used in reporting this study. RESULTS: The TISS-28 has an average of 34.2 ± 6.9 points at admission, which is considered a high nursing workload. A somewhat lower result was found for the discharge and average assessments. It shows that basic activities accounted for the highest percentage of time spent (38.0%), followed by the cardiovascular support category (26.5%). The TISS-28 shows consistent results throughout the study period, despite a small trend reduction in the last 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Lower workloads were found for age ≤44 years and with a shorter length of stay. Higher workload was more probable in patients classified in Cullen Class IV (OR = 2.5) and with a normal to higher weight percentile (OR = 1.9 and 1.5, respectively). RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Knowledge of the factors influencing the nursing workload facilitates the implementation of rules to improve performance in nursing interventions, based on the redefinition of care priorities, increased productivity, human resources management and reduction of additional costs to the organisation, related to possible adverse events, among others.

Effects of a short health education intervention on physical activity, arterial stiffness and cardiac autonomic function in individuals with moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of a short health education and counseling intervention program, in a primary healthcare setting, on daily physical activity (PA), arterial stiffness, and cardiac autonomic function in individuals with moderate-to-high risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: This was a parallel-group study with a 4-month-long intervention, plus 8 months of follow-up. 164 individuals with moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk were allocated to either an intervention (n = 87) or a control group (n = 77). The intervention consisted of 3 walking and face-to-face group sessions plus text messages. Primary outcome was daily PA (sedentary time, light and moderate-to-vigorous PA, all in min/day); secondary outcomes were arterial stiffness i.e., carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV, m/s)] and cardiac autonomic function [(i.e., standard deviation of all N-N intervals (SDNN, ms) and absolute high frequency (HF, ms2)]. RESULTS: There were not significant group*time interactions for sedentary time [-7.4 (7.6); p = 0.331)], light PA [4.4 (6.4); p = 0.491] or moderate-to-vigorous PA [0.1 (2.6); p = 0.938]. Considering secondary outcomes, there were not significant group*time interactions for cfPWV [0.09 (0.18); p = 0.592], Ln_SDNN [0.09 (0.06); p = 0.148], or Ln_HF [0.16 (0.14); p = 0.263]. CONCLUSION: The program did not improve daily PA, arterial stiffness, or the autonomic cardiac function. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Primary care staff should consider longer or other types of intervention to improve daily PA.

Simulation of Image-Guided Intervention in Medical Imaging Education.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Medical imaging education programs across Europe, despite their variability, include clinical practice as a guarantee of quality because learning in a clinical context is more effective and allows for constructive qualification of students. Learning in a clinical simulation context is a strategy to promote simulated clinical experience and assure patient safety. In this work, a learning experience, consisting of simulating a pacemaker implantation, implemented over 3 years with students pursuing the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy degree at the University of Aveiro was evaluated. METHODS: A pacemaker implantation simulation with fluoroscopic support was performed with students (third year) pursuing the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy degree at the Simulation Centre of our institution over 3 years (2016, 2017-2018), addressing all the simulation phases. An operating theater, video recording system, high-fidelity full-body manikin with remote control and monitoring, anesthesia, and fluoroscopic C-arm imaging equipment were used for the simulation. After the simulation activity, students completed a questionnaire evaluated the importance of this learning experience for their educational process. RESULTS: Overall, the mean score results were consistent, even considering the three independent groups (one for each academic year). Students considered this experience valuable for their education, strongly agreeing that the simulation environment helped their learning process and allowed them to acquire, consolidate, and deepen knowledge. Furthermore, they considered that it impressed on them the necessity to continue to improve their learning, and that they would like to participate in other simulation scenarios. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This simulation activity was a valuable experience for the learning process of the students because it facilitated the acquisition and consolidation of knowledge. It also allowed the students to be aware of the importance of being engaged in their own education. The results were highly consistent over the 3 years, reinforcing the positive feedback from this experience.

Disability and its clinical correlates in pulmonary hypertension measured through the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0: a prospective, observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the degree of disability in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients based on the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). METHOD: A prospective and observational study of patients with documented PH (N = 46). Patients completed the WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire during a scheduled routine clinical visit, and their demographic and clinical characteristics were retrieved from electronic medical records (EMR). In subsequent visits, selected clinical variables were registered to assess disease progression. RESULTS: WHODAS 2.0 scores were indicative of mild to moderate disability for the domains of mobility (22.0 ± 23.2), life activities (23.7 ± 25.5), and participation in society (17.2 ± 15.9), as well as total WHODAS 2.0 score (15.3 ± 15.2). For the domains of cognition (9.1 ± 14.1), self-care (8.3 ± 14.4), and interpersonal relationships (11.7 ± 15.7), scores were lower. Disability scores were, generally, proportional to the PH severity. The main baseline correlates of disability were World Health Organisation (WHO) functional class, fatigue, dyspnoea, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP). Baseline WHODAS 2.0 scores showed significant associations with disease progression. However, this effect was not transversal to all domains, with only a few domains significantly associated with disease progression variables. CONCLUSIONS: This PH population shows mild disability, with higher degree of disability in the domains of mobility and life activities. This study is the first one to assess disability in PH using WHODAS 2.0. Further studies should apply this scale to larger PH populations with suitable representations of more severe PH forms.