Medicine
-
Observational Study
Association between financial hardship and psychological burden and the role of social and mental health support: An observational study.
We aimed to assess the association between medical financial hardship and psychological burden and the moderating role of social and mental health support. 2021 United States National Health Interview Survey was used. Financial hardship was defined as having financial worry, material hardship, or cost-related care nonadherence. Psychological burden was measured using perceived general health status, satisfaction with life, and serious psychological distress (SPD). ⋯ Previous mental health support was associated with higher financial hardship (OR,1.40; 95% CI, 1.28-1.54) and psychological burden (OR, 9.75; 95% CI, 6.97-13.94 for SPD). Those experiencing financial hardship had lower odds of SPD if they received mental health support in the last 12 months (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.85). Future interventions should also focus on improving social support and mental health for patients as a way of mitigating medical financial hardship.
-
Observational Study
Association between serum selenium and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Results from NHANES: An observational study.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases and stands as the second most prevalent liver disorder in the 21st century. Advanced hepatic fibrosis (AHF) is a crucial indicator of the progression of NAFLD. Selenium (Se) is an indispensable trace element for human physiology; however, excessive intake can lead to poisoning and detrimental effects. ⋯ Through descriptive analysis, multivariable logistic regression, subgroup analysis, interaction, and restricted cubic spline regression analysis, the relationship between serum Se levels and the prevalence of NAFLD and AHF was investigated. serum Se levels were significantly higher in both male and female NAFLD groups compared to the non-NAFLD groups (Males: 187.570 vs 183.300, Z = -16.169, P < .001; Females: 184.780 vs 180.130, Z = -4.102, P < .001). After adjusting for confounders, an increase in one quartile of serum Se was associated with a 17.60% increase in NAFLD prevalence in males (OR, 1.176; 95% CI: 1.052-1.315) and a 38.50% decrease in AHF prevalence (OR, 0.615; 95% CI: 0.479-0.789). In females, each quartile increase in serum Se was associated with a 29.10% increase in NAFLD prevalence (OR,1.291;95%CI: 1.155-1.442) and a 51.60% decrease in AHF prevalence (OR, 0.484; 95% CI: 0.344-0.682). serum Se levels are positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD and negatively correlated with the prevalence of AHF in both males and females.
-
Observational Study
Efficacy of corticosteroid therapy for oxygen-free coronavirus disease 2019-derived pneumonia.
Corticosteroid therapy for oxygen-free coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not recommended due to its negative prognostic impact, but the efficacy of corticosteroids when limited to COVID-19 pneumonia is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid monotherapy for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia without supplemental oxygen. We retrospectively reviewed patients with oxygen-free COVID-19 pneumonia at our institute between September 2020 and August 2021 and assessed the use of corticosteroids and the timing of initiation. ⋯ After adjusted by the IPW method, 10 (16.0%) and 32 (40.1%) patients in the early steroid and SOC groups, respectively, required supplemental oxygen (P = .004). The logistic regression analysis indicated that early corticosteroid use was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of respiratory failure (odds ratio; 0.17, 95% confidence intervals; 0.06-0.46, P < .001). Corticosteroid monotherapy may suppress the development of exacerbation requiring oxygen supply in patients with oxygen-free COVID-19 pneumonia.
-
This study aimed to explore the clinical effectiveness of nursing methods that incorporate health belief models on the self-care practices of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The objective was to enhance patients' health beliefs, strengthen their healthy behaviors and habits, improve their unhealthy daily behaviors, and provide robust theoretical and practical foundations for future nursing practices in this area. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 hemodialysis patients from our hospital, from January 2019 to February 2023. ⋯ Data collection tools included a general information questionnaire and a self-care ability scale, and clinical effectiveness was measured through specific indicators such as parathyroid hormone, blood phosphorus, urea, potassium, calcium, and IWGR%. Post-intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in self-care capabilities across various dimensions and most clinical indicators compared to the control group, with the exception of parathyroid hormone and blood urea levels. The study concludes that integrating health belief models into nursing practices significantly enhances the self-care abilities of maintenance hemodialysis patients, improves several clinical parameters, and holds promise for fostering better patient outcomes and guiding future clinical nursing practices.
-
Observational Study
Using Trastuzumab Deruxtecan to treat advanced metastatic breast cancer in patients with varying HER2 expression levels: A single-center experience in Taiwan.
To observe the clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer undergoing Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) therapy in a real-world setting. The study retrospectively reviewed and collected medical data from 13 patients at Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital who underwent T-DXd treatment over a period from April 2022 to June 2023. Demographics, pathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes were descriptively analyzed. ⋯ In this study, the majority of patients experienced positive therapeutic effects. However, this evaluation relied on a limited sample size and short-term observations. Additional studies involving larger and more diverse patient groups and long follow-up durations are required.