Medicina
-
Background and objectives: early reports showed a decrease in admission rates and an increase in mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown had an impact on the ischemia time and prognosis of patients suffering from AMI in the settings of low COVID-19 burden. Materials and Methods: we conducted a retrospective data analysis from a tertiary center in Lithuania of 818 patients with AMI. ⋯ There was an increase of door-to-PCI time (54.0 [42.0-86.0] in 2019; 63.5 [48.3-97.5] in 2020, p = 0.018) and first medical contact (FMC)-to-PCI time (101.0 [82.5-120.8] in 2019; 115 [97.0-154.5] in 2020, p = 0.01) during the pandemic period. Conclusions: There was a 14.7% reduction of admissions for AMI during the first wave of COVID-19. FMC-to-PCI time increased during the peri-lockdown period, however, it did not translate into worse survival during follow-up.
-
Background and objectives: Hypertension is a global health problem and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is closely related to high blood pressure and the development of hypertension. This study investigated the relationship between the vitamin D and blood pressure status in healthy adults, and their 8-year follow-up was added. ⋯ During a median follow-up of 8 years, higher hypertension development rates were seen in NOBP group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The low levels of vitamin D were significantly associated with NBP and HNBP. The low levels of vitamin D were also associated with the development of hypertension in an 8-year follow-up.
-
Background and Objectives: Nursing students require appropriate education to improve their person-centered care competence. Therefore, research on the various factors that influence person-centered care competence is necessary. This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing professional values, satisfaction with major, and perception of the nursing profession on person-centered care competence. ⋯ Results: Nursing professional values (p < 0.001) were found to be an influencing factor on person-centered care competence (Adjusted R2 = 0.244). However, the perception of the nursing profession, and the satisfaction with the major were not found to be significant influencing factors on person-centered care competence. Conclusions: The findings suggest that fostering nursing professional values in nursing students and developing educational interventions for the same are essential to improve person-centered care competence.
-
Background and Objectives: This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between gout and Parkinson's disease (PD) in Korea. Materials and Methods: Overall, 327,160 patients with gout and 327,160 age- and sex-matched controls were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. PD incidence was evaluated by reviewing NHIS records during the period from 2002 to 2019. ⋯ Dyslipidemia exhibited an inverse result for PD (HR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.52-0.68, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This population-based study did not identify an association between gout and PD. Age, female sex, stroke, and hypertension were identified as independent risk factors for PD, and dyslipidemia demonstrated an inverse result for PD.
-
Background and Objectives: As medical service employees, physiotherapists are prone to suffer from job-related stress and are at great risk of experiencing occupational burnout. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the level of generalized stress, occupational burnout syndrome and occupational stress in a group of professionally active physiotherapists and to answer the question: which psychosocial and physical factors (work characteristics) present at the given workplace were perceived as the most stress-inducing in the study group and in various subgroups? Materials and Methods: This study included 70 physiotherapists, mean age 40.1 ± 11.6, employed in sanatoria and outpatient clinics. ⋯ The most common stressors reported by the participants included the lack of rewards at work, the sense of uncertainty resulting from workplace organization, the sense of threat, social interaction, and the lack of control. Conclusions: The knowledge of the level of occupational stress among health care professionals (including physiotherapists) and, most importantly, the assessment of stress-inducing psychosocial and physical factors present at the given workplace may prove useful while designing a prevention and health protection strategy.