Effectiveness of Hydrocolloid Dressings for Treating Pressure Ulcers in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of hydrocolloid dressings in the treatment of grade I, II, III, and IV pressure ulcers in adult patients. We compared the therapeutic effects of hydrocolloids and alternative dressings in pressure ulcer treatment. We conducted a systematic review, using a literature search only in English, from database inception until 20 April 2020, to identify randomized trials comparing various types of dressings applied in the healing of pressure ulcers. The databases were PubMed, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). The study selection was performed independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted based on the guidelines included in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using a standardized critical appraisal instrument developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Random-effect meta-analysis of data from three or more studies was performed using meta-analysis software (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V3, Biostat, New Jersey, USA). A total of 1145 records were identified, of which 223 were qualified after further verification, of which eight were finally included in further analysis. Hydrocolloid dressings were not superior to control therapeutics (p = 0.839; Z = 0.203; CI 95%: 0.791-1.334). They were not associated with higher healing rates (p = 0.718; Z = 0.361; OR: 0.067; CI 95%: 0.297-0.431), nor did they decrease the incidence of adverse events compared with control therapeutics (p = 0.300; Z = -1.036; OR: 0.067; CI 95%: 0.394-1.333). In the above cases, Egger's test also did not indicate publication bias (t value = 0.779, p = 0.465; t value = 1.198, p = 0.442; t value = 0.834, p = 0.465, respectively). The present meta-analysis shows that hydrocolloid dressings are not significantly better than alternative ones in the healing of pressure ulcers in adult patients.

Socioeconomic Indicators Shaping Quality of Life and Illness Acceptance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Quality of life (QoL) combined with the acceptance of illness reflects the efficiency of therapy and the level of patients' satisfaction with medical care. Education, marital status, and place of residence were used as the socio-economic status indicators. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of QoL and acceptance of illness (AI) and the socio-demographic data in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 264 adult COPD patients. The average duration of COPD was 9 years (Q1-Q3: 3.0-12.0). The duration of the disease was significantly shorter in patients from rural areas. QoL correlated positively with AI (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001). The general QoL and AI were most strongly influenced by education, gender, and age. Education is a strong predictor of QoL and AI, and the latter correlate with the socioeconomic status of COPD patients. It is recommended that COPD patients with a low level of education have regular medical check-ups and are included in the preventive programs by general practitioners to improve their somatic status and QoL level.

[Sources of women's education about the puerperium and breast feeding]. / Zródla wiedzy kobiet na temat zagadnien dotyczacych pologu i karmienia naturalnego.

Future parents have a wide range of possibilities in gaining theoretical knowledge from books, magazines, relatives' advice, doctor or midwife' consultations in outpatient clinics. The most professional ways of getting skills in that matter are birth schools. The aim of this study was to analyze the sources of knowledge about puerperium and breast feeding at birth schools in comparison to mothers who did not attend such training. The study was undertaken in the Department of Obstetric and Perinatology in Szczecin. Group I (investigated) consisted of 129 women who finished birth school training course and group II (control) consisted of 165 women with no formalized prenatal education. A questionnaire and medical histories were used in our analysis. The results showed that the birth school attendants were more likely to use a lot of education sources in the field of breast feeding and that some law aspects in puerperium and puerperium pathology need more attention because books and magazines are the main source of knowledge in that matter instead of birth schools classes.

[Sources of women's knowledge relating pregnancy and childbirth]. / Zródla wiedzy kobiet na temat zagadnien dotyczacych ciazy i porodu.

Future parents have the huge range of possibility to afford theoretical knowledge from different sources: books, periodicals, advice of close, doctor's advice or the midwife in outpatient clinic and more. One of the most professional sources of knowledge preparing to parenthood is the delivery school. The aim of investigations is the analysis of sources of women's knowledge preparing to maternity at schools of childbirth and without such form of education. Investigations were conducted on Maternity Ward at the Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. Investigations were having taken over 129 women after delivery school. Control group was 165 women, who did not take any antenatal education. Investigations appeared that women participating in activities of the delivery school more often read professional magazines and books, watching films preparing to birth control. This is probably the result of significantly frequent higher education in this group as well as the projection of educational films in delivery school. Moreover woman without preparation in delivery school more often had to need the help of hospital staff during delivery.