The effect of frailty levels of older individuals on their mental well-being and depression levels.

BACKGROUND: Frailty has become an important public health issue. This study was conducted to determine the effect of frailty levels of older individuals on their mental well-being and depression levels. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 325 older individuals aged 60 years and over. A demographic questionnaire form, the FRAIL Frailty Scale, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form were used to collect data. Data were evaluated using the SPSS 25.0 package program. Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the older individuals was 69.56 ± 7.75 years, and the variables of age, education level, income status, the person they were living with, regular medication use, forgetting to take medication, urinary incontinence, hospitalisation, and accidents were found to affect both frailty and depression (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between frailty and depression (r: 0.460, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between mental frailty and well-being (r: -0.391, P < 0.001). Socio-demographic variables, depression, and mental well-being had a 40% effect on frailty (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Depression status and mental well-being level are related to frailty, so negativity in one of them negatively affects the other. In line with these results, it is recommended to determine the level of depression and mental well-being of older individuals with high risk of frailty, and according to the results of the research, to provide care and support regarding the predictors affecting frailty.

Challenges experienced by nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the challenges faced by nursing students during the pandemic and to examine the factors affecting these challenges. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative study involved 344 nursing students at a university in eastern Turkey. FINDINGS: Five main themes, each with its own subthemes, indicated the psychological difficulties experienced by students, insufficiencies and uncertainties regarding education, restrictions regarding social life, family conflicts, and the possibility to turn crises into opportunities. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The themes emphasizing the lives of nursing students showed that there was a need for important measures, such as psychosocial support, determination of best practices for online education, supporting students with telemental applications by university counseling centres, and organization of action courses.

Altered kynurenine pathway metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Various studies reported that increased proinflammatory cytokines in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Proinflammatory cytokines can affect the expression of various kynurenine pathway enzymes and therefore lead to metabolic changes that can affect the inflammatory response and immunity. Our aim was to measure serum levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites in patients with AS. METHODS: The study included 85 patients with AS and 50 healthy volunteers. Serum tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, quinolinic acid concentrations were measured with tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, participants were divided into four groups according to the treatment regimen: TNF-α inhibitor group, conventional therapy group, control group and newly diagnosed AS group. These groups were compared in terms of kynurenine pathways metabolites, interleukin 6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. RESULTS: Serum tryptophan, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in both AS groups compared to the control group, while the levels of kynurenine, quinolinic acid, CRP, ESR, and IL-6 were higher (p < 0.05). The Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio and CRP levels of the conventional therapy and anti-TNF therapy group were significantly lower than the newly diagnosed AS patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result of our study, we found that altered kynurenine pathway metabolism in patients with AS. Conventional therapy and anti-TNF-α therapy are effective in reducing the Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio and CRP levels, although the effect of both treatments on other metabolites appears to be limited.

Behaviours and experiences of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A mixed methods study.

AIM: The aim of this work is to present behaviours and experiences of nurses in Turkey during the current coronavirus pandemic. BACKGROUND: The coronavirus pandemic leads to difficulties for most health care workers, especially for nurses who mostly accompany patients and are on the front line. METHODS: In the study, a parallel mixed pattern converging quantitative and qualitative research methods was used. RESULTS: The model revealed that 41 years old or older, diabetic, female, single professionals, working in the pandemic department took more personal measures. Five main themes appeared regarding the experiences of the nurses during the pandemic period: (1) psychological and mental strain; (2) personal protective equipment; (3) organizational, physical, and social strains; (4) change in professional values; (5) turning the crisis into an opportunity. CONCLUSIONS: Personal measures are associated with the risk status. There is a need to protect nurses with significant measures by providing psychosocial support, meeting their basic needs, and preventing all complications likely to occur due to increasing workload. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: More efforts should be made to ensure good work, fair treatment, no tolerance for discrimination, and equal compensation conditions.

Determination of serum methylarginine levels by tandem mass spectrometric method in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Our aim in this study was to measure serum levels of methylarginines and related metabolites in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), moreover, to investigate the relationship between these parameters and various clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with AS. The study included 60 patients with AS and 60 healthy volunteers. Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), L-N monomethylarginine (L-NMMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), arginine (Arg), homoarginine (hArg), ornithine, and citrulline concentrations were measured with tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, participants were divided into three groups according to the treatment regimen: TNF-α inhibitor group (n = 25), conventional therapy group (n = 35), and control group (n = 60). These groups were compared in terms of serum levels of methylarginine pathway metabolites and various biochemical parameters. It was found that total methylated arginine load significantly increased in patients with AS (p < 0.001), and the Arg/ADMA ratio was positively correlated with HDL levels and negatively correlated with glucose, ESR, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels. In addition, serum ADMA, SDMA, total methylated arginine load, and CRP levels were lower (p < 0.05) in the TNF-α group compared to the conventional treatment group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively investigate serum methylarginine levels in patients with AS. Elevated total methylated arginine load and decreased global arginine bioavailability ratio (GABR) indicate that NO metabolism is impaired in patients with AS. Therefore, the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with AS may be related to the decreased NO production or bioavailability due to the elevated total methylarginine load.

The effect of anxiety levels of elderly people in quarantine on depression during covid-19 pandemic.

This study aims to determine the effect on depression of elderly people's anxiety levels in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a descriptive study, in which data were collected using the online survey method, an introductory information form, a semistructured data form for COVID-19, the Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were collected during the period when a curfew was imposed for the elderly. Data were analyzed using a structural equation model. According to the structural equation model, anxiety was determined as a predictor of depression. The anxiety levels of the elderly who were 65-74 years old, female, single; had insufficient knowledge about the pandemic; and had not encountered a similar outbreak before considered that family relationships were affected negatively so they became lonely and reported that they became bored, exhausted, and distressed during the pandemic, which increased their depression levels. Anxiety affects depression in the elderly. Therefore, it is recommended to provide them with appropriate psychological support interventions and understandable information about the pandemic so that their anxiety and depression levels can be reduced during the pandemic.

The relationship between perceived loneliness and depression in the elderly and influencing factors.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between perceived loneliness and depression in the elderly and influencing factors DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 501 elderly. Data were collected with the questionnaire form, the elderly loneliness scale and the geriatric depression scale. FINDINGS: A positive relationship was found between depression and loneliness. Loneliness, applying to a family health center/hospitalization, educational level, social loneliness, and age were found to be the predictors of depression. Depression, applying to a family health center/hospitalization, and marital status were found to be the predictors of loneliness. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Loneliness is the major factor affecting depression in elderly. It is recommended that attempts should be made to enable the elderly to live more actively.

The effect of sociodemographic characteristics of university students on emotional eating behavior.

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of sociodemographic characteristics of university students on emotional eating behavior. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was completed with a total of 537 students. A descriptive questionnaire and the Emotional Eating Scale were used. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were used. FINDING: It was found that emotional eating was positively correlated with body mass index and weight. It was determined that variables such as will, anger, body mass index, and weight were predictors of emotional eating. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Emotional eating is a coping response with negative emotions. It is suggested that will is the most important factor affecting emotional eating. Thus, psychological dimension of wrong eating habit should definitely be addressed.

The effect of nurses' compassion on burnout: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the effect of nurses' compassion on burnout. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 177 nurses. An introductory information form, the compassion scale and the Maslach burnout inventory were used as the data collection tools. Frequency, percentage, t test, analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, correlation, and regression were used in the analysis of the data. FINDINGS: The majority of the participants were determined to be female, married and university graduates. It was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between the nurses' sense of compassion and burnout levels, and burnout decreased as compassion increased. PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Burnout and compassion fatigue may lead to inadequate care for the patient. This situation will negatively influence nurses' care quality.

Psychometric evaluation of the Hospitalisation-Related Stressors Questionnaire for Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: Stress can threaten the health and recovery of patients, and determining the level of stress can be an important factor in curing illnesses. The aim was to adapt the Hospitalisation-Related Stressors Questionnaire for Elderly Patients (HRSQ-EP) and perform its psychometric evaluation. METHODS: In the study, the method of developing a scale and determining the construct validity and reliability of this scale was used. The research was carried out with elderly patients who were hospitalised. The research was conducted in two main phases; in the first phase, after providing expert opinion for the language validity of the scale, the content and face validity were confirmed and then confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were applied for content validity and reliability in the second phase. RESULTS: The new scale, which was formed as a result of evaluating the construct validity, consisted of three factors and 15 items, and all factors explained 67.1% of the total variance. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin, which determined the suitability of the measurement tool for factor analysis, was determined as 0.901 and Bartlett test 0.000. The adapted short form is a simple and easy-to-understand tool for determining the stress levels of hospitalised elderly individuals. HRSQ-EP provided evidence that it demonstrates adequate internal consistency, reliability and construct validity. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the adapted measurement tool will be useful. The scale is recommended to be evaluated in different populations to determine cultural differences.

The Relationship Between Self-Care Agency and Depression in Older Adults and Influencing Factors.

Depression is a significant mental health problem in older adults. There is a decrease in self-care agency and an increase in the prevalence of depression with aging. The current study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-care agency and depression in Turkish older adults aged ≥65 years (N = 473) and the influencing factors. Data were collected using a demographics questionnaire, the Self-Care Agency Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Self-care agency was related to age, marital status, level of education, economic status, and persons lived with, and depression was related to gender, marital status, level of education, economic status, chronic disease, and persons lived with. A negative correlation was found between the scales. As the score of self-care agency increased, depression decreased. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(10), 39-47.].

Determining the Correlation Between Social Support and Hopelessness of Syrian Refugees Living in Turkey.

The current descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the correlation between perceived social support and hopelessness of 609 Syrian refugees age ≥16 residing in Gaziantep City, Turkey. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Beck Hopelessness Scale were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and regression and correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. Syrian refugees had high levels of hopelessness, particularly motivation loss, and moderate levels of perceived social support. As perceived social support increased, hopelessness, feelings, expectations about the future, and motivation loss decreased. In accordance with these results, hopes of Syrian refugees for the future can be increased by improving their social support system. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(7), 27-33.].

The effect of home care based on the Neuman systems model on symptomatic relief and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is an important common health problem with high morbidity and mortality rate in the world and in Turkey. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the effect of home care based on the Neuman Systems Model on relief of physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: This study was conducted as a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial. The sample of the study was composed of 160 hemodialysis patients. The patients were randomly and sequentially assigned to experimental and control groups as 80 hemodialysis patients. RESULTS: After the intervention, it was determined that the symptoms levels of the patients in the experimental group reduced and their quality of life increased. CONCLUSION: The care provided based on the Neuman Systems Model reduced the symptoms of the patients having hemodialysis treatment and enhanced their quality of life. Care given using a model is important in improving the quality of life of hemodialysis patients.

The correlation of depression with neglect and abuse in individuals over 65 years of age.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation of neglect and abuse with depression in individuals over 65 years of age. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study included 290 elderly people who were registered at 10 family health centers in Turkey. FINDINGS: It was determined that mental health problems were present in the sample, and elderly individuals were exposed to abuse and neglect. The levels of depression were found to be high in elderly individuals with no spouses, low level of education, low income, living with their children and unable to access personalized care. The depression levels were also found to be high in the elderly individuals who were subjected to abuse and neglect. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Awareness of healthcare professionals is of great importance in preventing abuse and neglect experienced by elderly individuals.

Psychometric evaluation of the patient perspective on care and rehabilitation scale in geriatric patients.

OBJECTIVES: This methodological study was conducted to psychometrically evaluate the Patient Perspective on Care and Rehabilitation Scale in geriatric patients. METHODS: This study was conducted with 209 elderly individuals aged 65 years or older who were hospitalized in a hospital in Turkey between March and September 2017. The data were collected by using the Elderly Information Questionnaire prepared by the researcher and the Turkish version of the Patient Perspective on Care and Rehabilitation Scale. Cronbach's Alpha and item-total correlation for the internal consistency, reliability and intraclass correlation coefficients for the test-retest reliability, and Bartlett's test and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) were used for the validity of the scale. RESULTS: that the result of the KMO test was significant at .87, and the result of the Bartlett's test was significant on the level of p: .001. The Cronbach's Alpha value was found as 0.89 for the overall PaPeR scale and between .84 and .87 for the subscales of PaPeR. In factor analysis, the eigenvalue was above 1, the scale covered 2 factors and accounted for 53.7% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability analysis conducted in this study provided evidence for the acceptability of the scale. The Turkish version of the scale is easy to understand and allows evaluation of patient perspectives on quality of care and rehabilitation in geriatric patients. It is recommended to reach larger populations and apply the scale in different regions.

Relationship between social support and fatigue in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the east of Turkey.

AIM: This study was planned to assess the levels of fatigue and social support in patients with diabetes and to determine the relationship between fatigue and social support in these patients. METHODS: A descriptive design was used in this research. The study was conducted between March and June 2013 with 300 sampled patients from 1657 studied participants with type 2 diabetes who presented to the diabetes polyclinics of Malatya State Hospital and Inonu University, Turgut Ozal Medical Center. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Fatigue Severity Scale were used in the study. RESULTS: When the correlation analysis carried out between fatigue severity and social support in patients with diabetes was examined, a significant relationship was found in the negative direction between fatigue severity and family support (r = -0.145, P < 0.05) as well as overall support (r = -0.132, P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the Fatigue Severity Scale score and sex, education status, occupation, cohabitation, presence of complications, and hemoglobin A1c (P < 0.05). Family support was significant only with respect to marital status, occupation, and being employed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was seen at the end of this research that social support reduced the level of fatigue in a number of patients with type 2 diabetes. Nurses of diabetes patients should carry out fatigue assessments routinely and reflect these in nursing care plans by also associating them with the social support sources of the patient.