Evaluation of health related quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

To evaluate the socio-demographic and clinical feature of patients with Parkinson's disease, their health-related quality of life [HRQoL], and the relationship between these. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Hospital, and Ministry of Health, Taksim and Haseki Education and Research Hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample consisted of 80 Parkinson's disease patients who attended the Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinics between March and July 2006. Data were collected using the questionnaire form, which included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, the Hoehn and Yahr clinical staging scale, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS], and the Nottingham Health Profile. The mean age of the patients was 67.5 +/- 8.76 years, 62.5% were males, and approximately 47.5% were in stage one of Parkinson's disease. The highest mean score on the UPDRS was for the "motor function" part [11.62 +/- 7.45]; the quality of life dimensions of, in particular, "energy" [69.79 +/- 21.17], "physical movement" [44.95 +/- 24.23], "sleep" [36.36 +/- 31.96], and "emotional reactions" [35.01 +/- 31.55] were affected. This study indicates that patients with Parkinson's disease who experienced the most problems in mobilizing, had an increase in their scores on the UPDRS with the advancing stage of the disease, and their HRQoL was also negatively affected. Studies such as this one have the potential to improve the quality of individualized care

Levels of anxiety and ways of coping of family members of patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit

To evaluate the levels of anxiety and ways of coping of family members of patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit [NICU]. The descriptive study was carried out with the families of 120 patients hospitalized in the NICU of a University Hospital in Turkey, between November 2005 and July 2006. Data were collected using a questionnaire for demographical information, The State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Ways of Coping Inventory. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out with SPSS software, using arithmetic mean and standard deviation, percentage, t test, Kruskall Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and correlation analyses. Of the family members evaluated, 56.7% were males and the mean age of the family members was 34.7 +/- 11.13. The average score for the State Anxiety was 47.03 +/- 9.55, and Trait Anxiety was 44.11 +/- 7.62. Financial problems were the main source of anxiety, being experienced by 56.7% of the participants due to hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit. Submissive and helpless coping styles were observed more frequently, as the level of anxiety increased. In light of these findings, it has been found that members of the families of the patients hospitalized in the NICU experienced a significant amount of anxiety, and that they faced difficulties in coping with anxiety, indicating that they require help and support

Evaluation of quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized neurosurgical patients

To evaluate the quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized patients in a neurosurgery clinic. This research was conducted as a descriptive study in a neurosurgery clinic of a University Hospital, in Turkey, between November 2005 and June 2006. The study sample consisted of 102 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the "Questionnaire Form," which included socio-demographic, illness, sleep, and hospital characteristics, and the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" [PSQI]. The data obtained were assessed by SPSS 10.00 Program, using number, percentage, arithmetic mean, t-test, variance, and correlation analysis. The mean age of the patients was 43.22 +/- 16.72 years, 54.9% were females, and 72.5% were married. Hospitalization duration of the patients was 14.31 +/- 8.97 days on average, 84.3% had previous hospital experience, and 72.5% had knowledge about their illnesses. Of them, 51% expressed a sleep problem. Pain [41.2%] and noise [31.4%] was found to affect the sleep quality of hospitalized patients. Of the patients hospitalized in the neurosurgery ward, 64.7% were found to have poor quality of sleep prior to admission, while poor quality of sleep was determined for 49% before being discharged from the hospital. However, a better sleep quality was noted prior to discharge, compared to that at their admission to the hospital. Varied degrees of quality of sleep have been reported by the patients and influences of personal and environmental factors on sleep quality have been noted. Strategies to enhance physical and mental comfort, and to minimize disruptions should positively enhance sleep quality