ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care units frequently results in anxiety of the family members. This study was performed to investigate the effect of a family-centered clinical intervention on the anxiety of family members of the patients hospitalized in intensive care units
Methods: In this clinical trail study, eighty family members of the patients hospitalized in the intensive care units were randomly divided into interventional and control groups, respectively. In the interventional group, the family members were allowed to be present at the bedside from the second till the sixth day. The participant's level of anxiety was assessed in the second and the sixth day of patient's hospitalization using hospital anxiety and depression scale. Oral information about the equipment and the regulations and, a daily information card consisting of treatment and care activities, vital signs and patient's level of consciousness was delivered to the participants and their questions were answered
Results: In the sixth day, there was a significant difference between the mean anxiety scores in the intervention [11 +/- 3.22] and control group [7.05 +/- 3.44] [P<0.05]. Also, the frequency of anxiety in the interventional group [56%] was significantly higher than the control group with 15% [P<0.05]. The odds ratio for anxiety in sons/daughters was lower than other family members in the sixth day [P<0.05]
Conclusion: Providing information, presence at the bedside and participation in the care of their patient increase the anxiety of family members in the first week of patient hospitalization in the intensive care unit
ABSTRACT
Febrile convulsion is the most common neurological disease of childhood. Regarding the current hypotheses about possible effect of iron deficiency on prevention of febrile convulsion and its relationship to neuronal stimulation threshold, we conducted this study to evaluate the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and simple febrile convulsion. In this case-control study, 382 children who met our inclusion criteria and had been admitted in Arak Amirkabir Hospital were assigned to two groups: case [with febrile convulsion] and control [other febrile diseases]. After the fever subsided, a 5 cc sample of blood was taken from every patient for complete blood count and iron reserve profile. The results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Iron deficiency anemia was significantly less frequent in our case group compared to the control group [22.5% vs. 34.0%] [p<0.001]. CBC indices such as Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC were significantly [p<0.001] higher in the case group in comparison to the control group. Iron deficiency can prevent the febrile convulsion probably by increasing neuronal excitation threshold
ABSTRACT
Background and aim: Due to significant role of air pollutants on lung diseases this study aimed to examine the effects of concentration of air pollutants [CO¡SO[2]¡NO[2]] on Spirometric lung function
Methods: The sample cities, Arak [as an industrial contaminated city] and Khomain, [as a non-contaminated non-industrial city], were divided into Ira 10 and 5 regions, respectively. A sample of air pollutants [CO¡SO[2]¡NO[2]] was measured randomly by PSI [Pollution Standard Index] machine throughout the year from spring to winter. Random samples consisted of 522 non-smokers from Khomain and 547 from Arak were selected. Pulmonary function tests were completed on all participants. The mean concentration of air pollutants and distribution index of lung capacity were subjected to regression analysis
Results: Analysis of the results showed that PSI in Arak was 101.83+/-4.54 and in Khomain was 89.17+/-18.58 [P<0.05]. Measured values FVC and PEF in Arak were significant lower than Khomain [P<0.05]. The mean values for the concentration of CO, SO[2] and NO[2] in Arak were higher than Khomain, although the differences were significant only for CO and SO[2] [P<0.001]. The three pollutants [NO[2], SO[2] and CO] showed a significant correlation between mean VC [P<0. 001] FVC, [P<0.05] with concentrations of SO[2] and PEF with NO[2] [P<0.001]. In Arak, the correlation between the predicted FVC and concentration of CO was negative and significant
Conclusion: The mean value of concentration of SO[2], CO and NO[2] in Arak were higher than Khomain. In Arak, a significant negative correlation was also observed between FVC and the concentration of CO. These pollutants and their resources should be annually measured and monitored