Quality of life in patients with malignant pleural effusion treated with an indwelling pleural catheter in an emerging country

Abstract Background: The use of Indwelling Pleural Catheter (IPC) in the care of patients with Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) is well established, however studies involving public health systems of low and middle-income countries are still lacking. This study aimed to determine the effect of IPC on the respiratory symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with MPE in the setting of a Brazilian public health system. Methods: From August 2015 to November 2019, patients with MPE underwent IPC placement and were prospectively followed. QoL and respiratory symptoms were assessed by the EORTC questionnaires (QLQ-30; LC13) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), respectively, at pre-treatment, 30 , and 60 days after IPC placement. Results: 56 patients were enrolled with 57 catheters inserted. The mean age was 63 (23‒88) years, of which 17 (30%) were men and 39 (70%) were women. Breast 24 (42%) and lung 21 (37%) were the main primary neoplasms. Cellulitis was the most common complication and all patients recovered with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. QoL did not change significantly over time, however, the VAS showed a significant improvement in dyspnea (+1.2: -0.5; p = 0.001). Conclusion: IPC relieves respiratory symptoms without compromising the QoL, with a low complication rate. It represents a suitable option for patients with MPE and short LE in an emerging country. HIGHLIGHTS Indwelling pleural catheter represents a suitable option for patients with malignant pleural effusion and short life expectancy. It relieves respiratory symptoms without compromising the quality of life, and the complication rate is low, even in an emerging country, with a low socioeconomic and under-educated patient population. The rate of spontaneous pleurodesis was 45%. The analysis of the visual analog scale showed significant control of dyspnea (p = 0.001), but pain and quality of life did not change significantly.

Fluência digital e uso de ambientes virtuais: caracterização de alunos de enfermagem / Digital fluency and the use of virtual environments: the characterization of nursing students / Fluidez digital y uso de ambientes virtuales: caracterización de estudiantes de enfermería

O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar o perfil de licenciandos de enfermagem, identificar a fluência digital, o conhecimento, a habilidade e o interesse no uso de ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva realizada com 51 licenciandos de enfermagem por meio de questionário. Dos participantes do estudo 51 (100 por cento) afirmam ter conhecimento em informática, sendo que 26 (49 por cento) indicam um nível intermediário; 47 (92 por cento) fazem uso diário da Internet; 51 (100 por cento) navegam em redes sociais e possuem e-mail; 51(100 por cento) utilizam MSN e 32 (62,7 por cento) Skype; 41 (82 por cento) acessam Chats, 33 (64,7 por cento) Fóruns de discussão e 22 (43 por cento) Blogs; 33 (64,7 por cento) utilizam frequentemente o Moodle e 26 (51 por cento) o COL; e a grande maioria (45- 88,2 por cento) relatou interesse no uso de ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem. Os alunos foram considerados fluentes digitais e apresentaram conhecimento, habilidade e expressivo interesse no uso de ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem em sua formação acadêmica.

The objective of this study was to characterize the profile of nursing undergraduate students, identify their digital fluency, knowledge, ability and interest in using virtual learning environments. This quantitative, exploratory-descriptive study, was performed with 51 nursing undergraduate students. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire. All 51 subjects (100 percent) reported having some knowledge in informatics, 26 (49 percent) of which reported having an intermediate knowledge; 47 (92 percent) use the Internet everyday; 51 (100 percent) surf the social networks and have e-mail; 51 (100 percent) are MSN users; 32 (62.7 percent) use Skype; 41 (82 percent) use Chat applications; 33 (64.7 percent) use discussion forums; 22 (43 percent) use blogs; 33 (64.7 percent) frequently use Moodle and 26 (51 percent) use COL; 45 (88.2 percent) reported interest in using virtual learning environments. The students are digitally fluent and show knowledge, ability and significant interest regarding the use of virtual learning environments in their academic studies.

Este estudio objetivó caracterizar el perfil de alumnos de enfermería, identificar su fluidez digital, conocimiento, habilidad e interés en uso de ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje. Investigación cuantitativa, exploratorio-descriptiva, realizada con 51 alumnos de Enfermería mediante cuestionario. De los participantes, 51 (100 por ciento) afirman tener conocimientos de informática, 26 (49 por ciento) refieren nivel intermedio; 47 (92 por ciento) utilizan Internet diariamente; 51 (100 por ciento) participan en redes sociales y poseen e-mail; 51 (100 por ciento) utilizan MSN y 32 (62,7 por ciento) Skype; 41 (82 por ciento) acceden a Chats; 33 (64,7 por ciento) escriben en foros de discusión y 22 (43 por ciento) en Blogs; 33 (64,7 por ciento) utilizan frecuentemente Moodle y 26 (51 por ciento) COL; y la gran mayoría (45, 88,2 por ciento) expresaron interés en utilización de ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje. Se consideró a los alumnos con fluidez digital, demostraron conocimientos, habilidad y expreso interés en utilización de ambientes virtuales de aprendizaje en su formación académica.