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BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common invasive cancers and is responsible for physical and psychosocial morbidity. Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome for these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors of QOL in patients with CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional design was used to assess 110 patients with CRC who referred to Oncology Department of Razi Hospital, Guilan. Data were collected by structured interview with patients and review of medical records. Generic and specific QOL were evaluated by short form‑36 and functional assessment of cancer therapy‑colorectal, respectively. Generalized linear models identified variables significantly associated with QOL. RESULTS: Out of 110 patients with CRC, 58.2% were men. Mean age of patients was 58.33 ± 12.39 years. Mean of Generic and specific QOL were 70.92 ± 15.56 and 95.72 ± 19.18, respectively. In regression analysis, age, sex, living condition, health insurance, hospitalization frequency, Karnofsky performance status, and co‑morbidity were predictors of generic QOL and age, sex, living condition, health insurance, monthly income, family history of CRC, Karnofsky performance status, and co‑morbidity were predictors of specific QOL in patients. CONCLUSION: There are nine socio‑demographic and clinical factors that are significant predictors of QOL in patients with CRC which should be considered in treatment and care of patients. The findings of this study should be the target of future research, emphasizing the need for interventional studies that minimize the adverse impact of the disease symptoms on the QOL in patients with CRC.
ABSTRACT
Perception of body-weight status is an important determinant of weight-related behaviours and may affect the burden of weight disturbances as a public-health problem. No study has assessed self-perception of the weight status regarding body-fat distribution among health workers to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the perception of weight and health status among 542 women working at health centres of Tehran. We assessed their perceived body-weight and health status and measured waist- and hip-circumference, weight, and height to calculate waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as a measure of fat distribution and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2). Women reported their sociodemographic information, and the perceived weight and health status were compared with their actual fatness status, defined based on WHR and BMI, to determine misperception of weight status. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to assess the predictive effects of various sociodemographic factors and actual fatness on the perception of weight and health status. The results showed that more than 40% of women with normal BMI overestimated their body-weight status while only 15.8% of these women had central obesity. BMI was the most important variable associated with misperceived weight status as normal-weight women had significantly more misperception (OR 8.16, 95% CI 4.82-13.82) than overweight/obese women. WHR did not show any significant relationships with perceived weight status. In addition, perception of health status was not associated with actual fatness indices. It is concluded, BMI was the main predictor of the perception of weight status in female employees. The importance of using body-fat distribution in the perceptions of weight and health status should be emphasized.
ABSTRACT
In strategic planning, there are several procedures to perform internal assessment or strength and weakness of organizations. Among other methods created for this purpose, Wiseboard model is the one in which the following six internal dimensions are considered: Organizational Structure, Leadership, Coordination, Reward System and Communication. This study measures three of these variables in hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences [TUMS]. This survey is a descriptive, analytical and crosssectional study conducted during 2010 and 2011. The research population comprised all those working at TUMS hospitals from which a random sample of about 580 people was selected. The questionnaire's reliability was estimated to be 91% and the data were analyzed by the SPSS software. Of the subjects, 75.4% were below diploma level, 13% above diploma, 7.8% higher diploma, 66.4 bachelor holders, 2.6% master holders, and 5.4% had a doctoral degree or higher. Some 72.6% of the subjects were in Clinical and 19.8% in Nonclinical fields. The mean values of Goal Setting, Organizational Structure, and Leadership came out to be 24.47, 20.37, and 22.06, respectively. Based on the findings of this research study, TUMS hospitals have weaknesses in some aspects and they need improvement in some areas in the following order: Organizational Structure, Leadership, and Goal Setting
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Background: lIealth needs prngamming of the rising elderly population is an incvilablc racl [hat I should be senuus cunsidcraion by hcalth policy makcrs. Thjs study was carried nut to determine the patterns of inpatient services utilization in aged people hospilalizcd in rcitching hospitals of Kashan. Universily uC Mcdical Scitnccs. [Kay MS]. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study: arnung patients agcd -60 ycarv old whu had k e n hospitalized in !caching hospilals QKIa UMS during one-year [Stp Zfl119-Sep2nlO]. ?Oh7 I participanrs wcrc sclcctcd by using stratified random sainplinp method. Haw related to inpatient services utilization by elder! y WEE ublaincd from mcdical rccords. Mmn-Urlritncy atld Knrskal-Wallis I tests were used for anal ysis nf collected data. Results: The mean lcnglh uT stay in lht sludy was 4-67 days. F, lderly patients with tnental health pblern had the highest and ophthalmic old patients had thc luwcsl lcngrh uC slay in hospilals. Thc greatcut s;hfiros f day-patients wcrc kloiiging to internal diseas? and cardnhgyw ards. Aged Patients in different wards, 5 p e s nf diseases, and co morbidities had statistically significant differen1 LOS. Conclusion: More attention should be paid to discascs wilh rhc highcst LOS. Prcvcnlivc mcasurcs, predicting appropriate number of hospital beds and alternative inexpensiw care services such as hume care senriccs md LTC ccnbcrs shvildb c suggcstcd as well.