Measuring the quality of life among elderly with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by a low bone mass and bone architectural derangements, leading to an increased fracture risk. The quality of live of osteoporotic elderly is extremely complex; while better identification of risk factors can reduce morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the quality of life among elderly with osteoporosis. Medical hospital outpatient clink of El-Mansoura University and two family health care centers were chosen as the study settings. The study sample comprised 57 elder males and 123 females aged 60 years and over with osteoporosis. Two validated questionnaires of ECOS-16 for quality of life in elders with osteoporosis were used. The study confirms that prevalence of osteoporosis is likely to be associated with lower Ecos-16 score. Physical function, emotional status, and overall QOL were significantly and negatively associated with the prevalence of osteoporosis. Moreover the study results revealed that elderly women with osteoporosis had a low quality of life such as chronic pain, reduce physical and emotional activity. Elder men manifested emotional changes more than elder women. The study recommended to develop strategies to improve the QOL of osteoporotic elders, emphasizing the importance of well balanced diet, physical, social and recreational activities. Helping those with osteoporosis to maintain or improve their enjoyment activities may help to improve their quality of lift

BCG vaccination coverage and its adverse events on child health at dakahlia governorate

Tuberculosis is an important public health problem in developing countries. This study was conducted on 454 children during their second year of life [20-24] months. The study aimed to assess BCG vaccination coverage, its adverse events on child1 health as well as to determine the nurses knowledge and practices of BCG administration in the outreach population at Dakahlia Governorate, An interview questionnaire was designed to collect the needed data from children' mothers at their homes. Assessment sheet and Observation check list were used to assess the nursing staff knowledge and practice. Indirect Elisa assay was used to test the lymphocytic count and function, and serum immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, and IgA levels. The study results revealed low BCG vaccination coverage in the remote areas [87.4%]. Mothers' age education and information were found to be a predominant factors for unvaccination of their children while their occupation and social class contributed to its delay. The duration of work gave nurses more experience in administering the correct dose and site of BCG injection, pearly all nurses did not wash their hands before injection. Amazingly, non of them gave post BCG instruction to' the mothers. Unvaccinated children exhibited a highly significant reduction in IgM level and T- cell function. In spite of the variation in the recorded percentages between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, insignificant differences was found in relation to the adverse events of BCG on child weight, length and complaints. The study recommended that nurses in the primary health care center should receive training on vaccination protocol and be closely supervised. Mobile care should reach those children and families in the remote areas. Arab Nomad should be followed and educated about the child vaccination schedule

comparative clinical and radiographic study between mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol as medicaments for pulpotomized primary molars

This study aimed to compare clinically and radiographically between mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] and formocresol [FC] as pulp dressing agents for pulpotomized primary molars. A total of 60 primary molars were pulpotomized in 30 healthy children. Of these, 46 molars in 23 [14 males and 9 females] children were available for clinical and radiographic evaluation 3, 6 and 12 months respectively. Every child has MTA pulpotomy in one side and FC pulpotomy on the other contralateral side. The results showed two failures in FC treated molars. One failure was shown by external root resorption in mandibular first primary molar at 6 months postoperatively. The second failure was presented by internal resorption of one lower second primary molar which was confined to the pulp chamber. Non of the MTA treated molars showed any clinical or radiographic pathology. Pulp canal obliteration which is not considered a failure in the present study was found in 2 of 23 MTA treated molars in comparison to one of 23 FC treated molars at 12 months after treatment. The overall success rate of MTA treated molars was found to be 100% in comparison to 91.3% success rate FC treated molars. This was found to be statistically insignificant [P > 0.05]

Ongoing impact of nursing interventions to ostomic patient self-care

A longitudinal study was conducted to identify the effect of nursing interventions provided by community health nurses through home visits to ostomic patients after hospital discharge from Mansaura University and Talkha hospitals [in both Oncology and Gastroenterology department] at Dakahlia governorate. The sample comprised 50 ostomic patients for both study and control groups. Patient knowledge about ostomy as well as self-care performance was assessed before discharge and after six months of individual training and follow up at their homes. Data were analysed by using Spss v. 10 software. Findings revealed a high significant differences among study compared to control group. The study group became knowledgeable about definition, reason of ostomy performance, function of ostomy, basic anatomy and physiology and types of ostomy. The rate of complaints and complications was found lower in study group than the control one. Consequently, individual training of ostomy patients showed significant effect of Community Health Nurse as a primary care provider. The study suggested that ostomic patients should receive as part of their health care, adequate education, training and counseling regarding ostomy self care during hospitalization, as well the follow up at home by community health nurses is highly recommended

Study of the effect of losartan and atorvastatin on nitric oxide end products, lipid profile and vascular changes in cholesterol fed rabbits

Functional and structural integrity of the endothelium are fundamental for maintenance of vessel wall homeostasis, and circulatory function. It is now well accepted that endothelial injury is critical for initiation of atherosclerosis, vascular effects of hypertension, and other disorders. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by defect in its protective actions mainly nitric oxide [NO] production. So, drugs which enhance nitric oxide production like angiotensin-II subtype-I [AT 1] receptor antagonist [losartanpotassium], 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Co-A [HMG-Co-A] reductase inhibitor [atorvastatin-calcium] may be important for high risk individuals like those with hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension which commonly occur together, and each of them predispose to the other. The objective of the current study is to determine the role of NO in the antiatherosclerotic effect of atorvastatin, and losartan. Thirty male rabbits were divided into 5 groups and fed the following diet for 6 weeks: group 1, normal rabbit diet; group II, normal rabbit diet plus [1% cholesterol + 3% coconut oil] this diet is high cholesterol diet [HCD]; group III, HCD] with 10 mg/kg losartan; group IV, HCD and 3 mg/kg atorvastatin; group V, HCD and combining atorvastatin and losartan by the same doses as above. Lipid profile, serum nitric oxide metabolites [nitrate and nitrite], and atherosclerotic vascular lesions were investigated. Lipid profile is improved by atorvastatin but no significant difference is produced by losartan in lipid profile, but atherosclerotic lesions were improved by both. Serum nitrate and nitrite were increased by both atorvastatin and losartan but their combination showed better effects. It can be concluded that statins and AT 1 receptor antagonists can improve atherosclerosis through NO other than their well known hypolipidimic and antihypertensive effect, also the combination of these drugs has additive effect on NO production. Abbreviations: Nitric oxide [NO], angiotensin-II subtype 1 [AT [1]], 3- hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA [HMG-CoA], high cholesterol diet [HCD]