Turkish Validation and Reliability of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 Quality of Life Scale for Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Colorectal Cancer Scale, and to evaluate the relationship between the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: 117 patients diagnosed with CRC and treated at the Training and Research Hospital were included. A Personal Information Form, questionnaires on the Quality of Life in Cancer Patients, Quality of Life in Patients with CRC, and the Adaptation Scale for Individuals with Ostomy were used. RESULTS: The validity and reliability of the KKHYK scale were found significant (P < .05). From the demographic data of the patients, the differences between 3 sub-dimensions, grouping according to gender, and 2 sub-dimensions were statistically significant. In the characteristics related to the disease, the differences between the groups were significant; for one for the diagnosis time of the disease, 2 dimensions in the adaptation parameter (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the scale is a measurement tool with validity and reliability indicators to measure the quality of life of patients with CRC. It was concluded that patients did not have sufficient knowledge about their disease, and that this increased the burden of nursing care.

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Health Care Needs in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Symptoms are decisive in the quality of life of patients. Progression of the underlying disease leads to many physical and psychological symptoms in patients. Increases in these symptoms often prevent patients from complying with treatment. Therefore, the symptoms must be recognized, evaluated, and controlled for the treatment to be effective. This study determined the unmet needs of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and the effects of these needs on the patients' quality of life. Four hundred fifty patients were studied. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Nightingale Symptom Assessment Scale (N-HAQ), the Supportive Care Requirements Questionnaire (DBGÖ), and the FACT-G (v4) Quality of Life Scale. The areas in which patients needed the most support were pain, weakness/fatigue, bad feelings, sadness, mood swings, difficulty in doing home-related tasks, fear of the cancer spreading, inability to control the situation, worries about the future, fear of death, worries about upsetting relatives, and being in need of information regarding their sexual lives. The results showed that for patients who had higher support requirements, higher incidences of symptoms led to a reduced quality of life. Consequently, frequently evaluating these symptoms to meet the needs identified, frequently measuring the quality and efficiency of care and advising these patients on their needs is recommended.

Patient satisfaction with the quality of nursing care.

AIM: To evaluate patients' satisfaction with the quality of nursing care and examine associated factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study. METHODS: The sample was composed of 635 patients discharged from a private hospital. Data were collected using "Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire" with a total of 19 items, and a questionnaire designed to record socio-demographic characteristics and medical histories between January 1-May 31, 2015. RESULTS: Patients were more satisfied with the "Concern and Caring by Nurses" and less satisfied with the "Information You Were Given." Patients (63.9%) described nursing care offered during hospitalization as excellent. Patients who were 18-35 years old, married, college or university graduates, treated at the surgery and obstetrics-gynaecology units, and patients who stated their health as excellent and hospitalized once or at least five times were more satisfied with the nursing care. According to this study, the nurses needed to show greater amount of interest to the information-giving process.

Validity and Reliability of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-10) For Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to test as a shortened form of the health-related quality of life for patients with epilepsy inventory (QOLIE). METHODS: A study of 148 adult epileptic patients admitted to the Neurology Outpatient Clinic at Cumhuriyet University Hospital in Sivas was used to derive a brief screening tool from a longer instrument (QOLIE-31). RESULTS: The 10-item questionnaire (QOLIE-10) contains general and epilepsy-specific dimensions grouped into three domains: Epilepsy Effects (memory, physical effects, and mental effects of medication), Mental Health (energy, depression, overall quality of life), and Role Functioning (seizure worry, work, driving, social limits). Cronbach's alpha (measure of internal consistency) was high, as were the associations between QOLIE-10 and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). High correlations between QOLIE-10 and NHP domains (emotional reactions, energy, physical mobility, and social isolation) were found. CONCLUSION: The QOLIE-10 questionnaire is considered to be a valid and reliable tool for use in Turkey. Health professionals are encouraged to use this questionnaire to routinely examine the influences of the disease process in epilepsy patients.

Interpretation of symptoms as a cause of delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction, Istanbul, Turkey.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess interpretation of symptoms as a cause of delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It was conducted at a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample included 93 patients: 73 male, mean age 57.89 (12.13) years. Prehospital delay time ranged from 15 minutes to 10 days, with a median of 2 hours (interquartile range: 9.50). Patients waited for pain to go away (48.4%) and tried to calm down (39.8%). Most patients attributed AMI-related symptoms to a reason other than heart disease. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the type of AMI was classified based on electrocardiography findings (odds ratio 5.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.69-15.91, P=0.004) and was independently associated with a long prehospital delay time, indicating that patients with ST segment elevation MI would seek early medical care. Misinterpretation of symptoms and misconceptions about emergency treatment during AMI cause delays in admission and may affect treatment.

Interpretation of symptoms as a cause of delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction, Istanbul, Turkey

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess interpretation of symptoms as a cause of delays in patients with acute myocardial infarction [AMI]. It was conducted at a university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. The sample included 93 patients: 73 male, mean age 57.89 [12.13] years. Prehospital delay time ranged from 15 minutes to 10 days, with a median of 2 hours [interquartile range: 9.50]. Patients waited for pain to go away [48.4%] and tried to calm down [39.8%]. Most patients attributed AMI-related symptoms to a reason other than heart disease. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the type of AMI was classified based on electrocardiography findings [odds ratio 5.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.69-15.91, P=0.004] and was independently associated with a long prehospital delay time, indicating that patients with ST segment elevation MI would seek early medical care. Misinterpretation of symptoms and misconceptions about emergency treatment during AMI cause delays in admission and may affect treatment

La présente étude transversale visait à évaluer l'interprétation des symptômes comme cause de délais pour les patients victimes d'un infarctus du myocarde aigu. Elle a été conduite dans un centre hospitalier universitaire à Istanbul, en Turquie. L'échantillon incluait 93 patients, dont 73 hommes, d'un âge moyen de 57,89 ans [12,13]. Le temps d'attente avant de se rendre à l'hôpital était compris entre 15 minutes et 10 jours, avec une médiane de 2 heures [écart interquartile : 9,50]. Les patients attendaient que la douleur disparaisse [48,4%] et essayaient de se calmer [39,8%]. La majorité des patients attribuaient les symptômes de l'infarctus du myocarde aigu à une autre raison qu'une maladie cardiaque. A l'analyse de régression logistique multivariée, le type d'infarctus du myocarde aigu était classifié selon les résultats de l'électrocardiographie [odds ratio de 5,18, intervalle de confiance à 95% = 1,69-15,91, p=0,004] et avaient une association indépendante avec un temps d'attente préhospitalier long, ce qui indique que les patients subissant un infarctus du myocarde aigu avec élévation du segment ST recouraient rapidement à des soins médicaux. Une mauvaise interprétation des symptômes et des idées reçues sur les traitements d'urgence prodigués lors d'un infarctus du myocarde aigu étaient à l'origine de délais d'admission et peuvent affecter le traitement

Validity and Reliability of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) for Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the 31-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) in Turkish epileptic patients. METHODS: This study was performed methodologically. To standardize the inventory, using a standard "forward-backward" translation and cultural adaptation procedure the English version of the QOLIE-31 was translated to Turkish. Language equivalence of the scale was provided. The opinions of experts were considered regarding the content validity of the scale. Reliability of the scale was determined with the test-retest reliability, item-total correlation and internal consistency analysis. For the construct validity, QOLIE-31 was compared with Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scale and pre validity was determined. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight epileptic patients (62 females, 86 males), with a mean age of 32.5 (SD: 10.71) years were enrolled in the study. Content Validity Index of instrument was .85. Alpha reliability was .91. Item-total correlations were between .46 and .74 (p=.001). The mean score for the quality of life of epileptic patients was found to be moderate level (56.4; SD: 17.3). The mean score of Seizure Worry subscale was the lowest (48.9, SD: 29.82), while social function subscale (60.1, SD: 20.12) was found to be highest. As expected, correlations between QOLIE-31 and NHP subscales were fairly strong, particularly between those subscales with close or interdependent content. Thus, Emotional Well-Being correlated with NHP Emotional Reactions, Social Isolation and Pain; Social Function with NHP Social Isolation and Physical Mobility; Seizure Worry with NHP Social Isolation and Emotional Reactions; and Cognitive Function with NHP Energy, Emotional Reactions and Pain. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the QOLIE-31 questionnaire has good structural characteristics, is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used for measuring the effect of epilepsy on the quality of life.

Symptoms after hospital discharge following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

AIMS: The purposes of this study were to assess the symptoms of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients after hospital discharge, and to determine the needs of transplant patients for symptom management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study adopted a descriptive design. The study sample comprised of 66 hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. The study was conducted in Istanbul. Data were collected using Patient Information Form and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). RESULTS: The frequency of psychological symptoms in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients after discharge period (PSYCH subscale score 2.11 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.69, range: 0.93-3.80)) was higher in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients than frequency of physical symptoms (PHYS subscale score: 1.59 (SD = 0.49, range: 1.00-3.38)). Symptom distress caused by psychological and physical symptoms were at moderate level (mean = 1.91, SD = 0.60, range: 0.95-3.63) and most distressing symptoms were problems with sexual interest or activity, difficulty sleeping, and diarrhea. Patients who did not have an additional chronic disease obtained higher MSAS scores. University graduates obtained higher Global Distress Index (GDI) subscale and total MSAS scores with comparison to primary school graduates. Total MSAS, MSAS-PHYS subscale, and MSAS-PSYCH subscale scores were higher in patients with low level of income (P < 0.05). The patients (98.5%) reported to receive education about symptom management after hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients continue to experience many distressing physical or psychological symptoms after discharge and need to be supported and educated for the symptom management.

Assessment of relationship between self-care and fatigue and loneliness in haemodialysis patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of fatigue, self-care abilities and level of loneliness in Turkish haemodialysis patients and to determine the relationship between the level of fatigue, self-care and loneliness. BACKGROUND: Dialysis patients experience difficulties such as deterioration in physical performance and self-care abilities, fatigue and social isolation due to the disease and the treatment. DESIGN: This is a descriptive study and was conducted at two dialysis treatment centres. METHODS: The sample included 325 haemodialysis patients. Patients were selected via convenience sampling. Criteria for inclusion of patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment were those who volunteered to take part in the study, who were literate and who were over 18 years of age. Data were gathered using Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Fatigue Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale and Self-Care Ability Scale. RESULTS: Haemodialysis patients reported high level of fatigue, low level of self-care and moderate level of loneliness. The correlation values indicated that as the levels of loneliness and fatigue increased, the self-care abilities decreased. The self-care abilities of the female patients were worse. Patients over the age of 60 years, those with low education level or patients on a low income and those with other chronic diseases had higher levels of loneliness and fatigue, and lower level of self-care. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the level of fatigue of haemodialysis patients was high, their self-care ability was very low and their level of perceived loneliness was moderate. Furthermore, fatigue negatively affects patients' self-care; the higher the patients' level of fatigue was, the lower their level of self-care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In order for haemodialysis patients to manage their fatigue successfully, to improve their self-care abilities and to decrease their levels of loneliness and social isolation, nurses should provide physical, social and emotional support.

Prenatal distress in Turkish pregnant women and factors associated with maternal prenatal distress.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess: (1) the prenatal distress level in Turkish pregnant women and (2) to examine the association between prenatal maternal distress and personal and pregnancy-specific factors. BACKGROUND: Pregnant women experience stress originating from a variety of pregnancy-specific issues, including physical symptoms and changes, changes in body image, physiological, social and emotional changes, parenting concerns, changes in relationships with significant others, medical problems, anxiety about labour and delivery, concerns about birth and the baby's health. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted at a gynaecology clinic of a private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey within a 12-month period. The study sample comprised 522 pregnant women continuing their regular visits for prenatal care. Pregnancy Description Form and Turkish Version of Revised Version of Prenatal Distress Questionnaire [(NUPDQ)-17 Item Version] were used for data collection. RESULTS: Study sample was moderately distressed. Turkish pregnant women were mostly distressed and concerned about premature delivery, having an unhealthy baby, labour and delivery, feeling tired and having low energy during pregnancy. Prenatal distress in Turkish pregnant women was associated with personal and pregnancy-related characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that pregnant women need to be supported emotionally, physically and socially. A better understanding of prenatal maternal distress could assist in informing healthcare professionals about the provision of physically, emotionally, socially and behaviourally appropriate support for achieving a healthy pregnancy. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is crucial for pregnant women to be regularly assessed and educated for dealing successfully with concerns and fears about prenatal period, birth and postnatal period and about difficulties that women may encounter during their pregnancy.

Turkish nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess nursing students' knowledge of and attitudes towards such patients and to determine the variables associated with students' knowledge and attitudes towards them. BACKGROUND: Improving nurses' and nursing students' knowledge and attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS is vital for providing quality care for such patients. DESIGN: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at three nursing schools located in two different cities in Turkey. The inclusion criteria for the nursing students were as follows: being at least 18 years old; being a first-, second-, third- or fourth-year nursing student; and giving consent to participate in the research. METHODS: The sample comprised 580 nursing students. The study used three data collection tools: (1) the Student Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, (2) the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Questionnaire and (3) the HIV/AIDS Attitude Questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants' knowledge was found to be insufficient, particularly with regard to HIV transmission routes. They generally had positive attitudes towards patients with HIV/AIDS. However, they expressed some concerns and were hesitant about working with AIDS and HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current results reveal that nursing students still have misconceptions and a lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS and that their attitudes need to be improved. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Improving education programmes about HIV/AIDS and using information sources effectively may contribute to better knowledge and more desirable attitudes towards HIV/AIDS.

Assessment of oral care needs of patients treated at the intensive care unit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the oral hygiene needs and the status of the oral mucus membranes of patients being treated in an intensive care unit and to determine the personal- or treatment-related variables associated with oral hygiene and the status of the oral mucus membranes of patients. BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene has an impact on the clinical outcomes and well-being of critically ill patients. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. METHOD: The study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a private hospital located in Istanbul. The study sample consisted of 60 patients treated in the intensive care unit for five consecutive days. Oral assessments were conducted once per day every morning for five days. The oral assessments were performed using the Oral Assessment Tool and Oral Assessment Checklist. RESULTS: The oral hygiene status and the health of the oral mucus membranes improved over the consecutive five-day assessments, and the routine oral care provided by nurses in the intensive care unit was effective in preventing oral mucus membrane-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of oral care and oral moistening should be determined according to the patient's condition and the presence of risk factors for oral complications. Oral mucus membranes should be assessed closely and systematically in all critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated, are receiving oxygen therapy, are undergoing invasive procedures, have a history of chronic health problems or are receiving enteral or parenteral nutrition. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To prevent infections or complications during intensive care treatment, it is important for nurses working in critical care units to develop and implement oral care assessments and evidence-based oral care protocols.

A comparative descriptive study examining the perceptions of cancer patients, family caregivers, and nurses on patient symptom severity in Turkey.

PURPOSE: Perform a comparative descriptive study that aims to describe the symptom severity of patients receiving chemotherapy and to compare patient self-reports of symptom severity with inferences made by nurses and family caregivers. METHODS AND SAMPLE: The study was performed in the chemotherapy unit of a university hospital. The study was conducted on 119 patients undergoing chemotherapy that had a family caregiver and a nurse (n = 7) primarily responsible for their care. Symptom assessments were completed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Symptoms were rated independently by the patient, caregiver and nurse. RESULTS: The patients reported severe tiredness, loss of well-being, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite changes, depression, pain and nausea. The patients and caregivers showed a strong agreement of the patients' symptoms (P < .001). Patients and nurses showed poor to fair agreement of the symptoms of pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, drowsiness, appetite, loss of well-being, skin and nail changes, mouth sores, and hand numbness (P < .05). The patients' mean scores of symptoms such as pain, depression, anxiety, drowsiness and loss of well-being were lower than those of the caregivers. The patients' mean scores of symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, skin and nail changes and mouth sores were higher than scores of nurses (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Perceptions of formal or informal caregivers about symptoms in patients with cancer will help clinicians to develop strategies or approaches to improve the caregiver symptom assessment.

Knowledge of and attitudes toward tuberculosis of Turkish nursing and midwifery students.

AIM: The aim of the study was to describe the level of knowledge and the attitudes of Turkish nursing and midwifery students toward tuberculosis in an attempt to understand and determine whether there is a need for improvement in nursing and midwifery education regarding tuberculosis. METHOD: The research is a descriptive study conducted at four nursing or midwifery schools in Turkey. The sample was composed of 615 students who were first-, second-, third-, or fourth-year nursing and midwifery students. Data were collected using the Knowledge and Attitudes toward Treatment and Control of Tuberculosis Questionnaire. RESULTS: The level of tuberculosis knowledge was poor [7.22±1.92 (range: 2-9)]. The attitudes of nursing and midwifery students toward tuberculosis were generally negative. Only 5.9% of the sample would prefer to care for patients with tuberculosis. Students who received tuberculosis lectures/education had higher levels of knowledge and more positive attitudes toward tuberculosis than their peers who did not receive such education. CONCLUSION: In order to fight effectively against tuberculosis, positive attitudes toward tuberculosis must be developed among health care teams, and awareness of tuberculosis via theoretical and practical education, starting from the initial semesters of the professional education, must be increased.

A psychometric validation study of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish cancer family caregivers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales in Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients. METHODS: This is a descriptive study involving 100 family caregivers of cancer patients. The validity and reliability study of the scales was performed in two phases. Phase I focused on the construction of the Turkish version of the instruments and pilot testing. Phase II was the psychometric assessment of the scales. RESULTS: The caregivers stated that the two questionnaires were easy to read and to understand. However, the psychometric validation performed afterwards revealed that both the ordering of the factor loadings and content of the scales were influenced by prevailing characteristics of Turkish society. Caregivers were satisfied with the care their patients received, and family concerns were the most negatively affected quality-of-life (QOL) dimensions. Factors affecting the QOL and satisfaction with care were age, co-residence, relationship to patient, gender of the patients and caregivers, stage of the disease of the patient and marital status of the caregivers. CONCLUSION: Psychometric validation of the Quality of Life and FAMCARE scales demonstrates that these culturally adapted scales are valid and reliable tools to assess the QOL and satisfaction of Turkish family caregivers of cancer patients.

The validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Quality of Life Index [QLI] (Cancer version).

PURPOSE: Quality of life always has become an important concern in the health care of cancer patients. This descriptive study was planned to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Quality of Life Index - Cancer version in the assessment of the quality of life of lung cancer patients. METHOD: The validity and reliability of the scale was performed in two phases. Phase I focused on construction of the Turkish version of the instrument and pilot testing. The scale was translated using the back-translation technique. Five nursing experts reviewed the translation for inconsistencies with the original English form. The comprehensiveness and clarity of the scale was assessed with 20 patients. Phase II included factor analysis and psychometric assessment of the scale. The final version of the scale was pretested with 154 cancer patients. RESULTS: According to the recommendations of the expert panel, some items were revised and modified, and the Turkish version of the scale was created. The content validity index (CVI) was 97%. Patients cited that this questionnaire was easy to read and understood. Differently from the original QLI scale, factor analysis was changed the domain of some items. Test-retest coefficients for items were between 0.63 and 0.95 (p < 0.05). The scale showed high internal reliability, Cronbach's alpha values for domain varied between 0.63 and 0.85 and was 0.89 for the tool. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the QLI was sufficient and suitable tool in evaluating the quality of life of lung cancer patients in Turkey.

Quality of life, symptom experience and distress of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

UNLABELLED: The diagnosis of lung cancer in the advanced stage of illness, the poor prognosis associated with the disease, and the side effects of chemotherapy all have an impact on various dimensions of quality of life (QoL). THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: The current study was designed to describe the QoL and symptom distress of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to explore the relationships between demographic/treatment-related characteristics and QoL. METHODS AND SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 154 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The symptom experiences and QoL of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were evaluated using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale and Quality of Life Index - Cancer Version. RESULTS: The lung cancer patients had low QoL scores. The scores on the Health and Functioning subscale were the lowest (20.33 ± 5.59), while those of the Family subscale were the highest (27.66 ± 2.77). The most common physical symptoms experienced by lung cancer patients were lack of energy, coughing, pain, lack of appetite, and nausea, while the psychological symptoms were feeling nervous, difficulty sleeping, feeling sad, and worrying. There was a negative relationship between the symptom distress and quality of life scores (r=-0.45; p<0.000). Females and those with low income levels and performance status experienced greater symptom distress. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy suffer many limitations due to the symptoms and disruptions to their QoL, arising from both the disease process and its treatment. Lung cancer patients need to be assessed regularly and supported.

Effect of kefir on the quality of life of patients being treated for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine kefir's effect on the prevention of gastrointestinal complaints and quality of life (QOL) in patients being treated for colorectal cancer. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, prospective, interventional study. SETTING: Istanbul University Oncology Institute in Turkey. SAMPLE: 40 patients, 20 of whom were randomized to the experimental (kefir) arm and 20 who were randomized to the control arm. METHODS: Informed consent to participate in the study was obtained. Before treatment began, demographics, illness-related characteristics, complaints, and QOL of participants were evaluated. During treatment, side effects were evaluated one week after every cycle of therapy. QOL was evaluated after the third and sixth cycles of treatment. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: The effect of kefir on the prevention of gastrointestinal complaints and QOL in patients being treated for colorectal cancer. FINDINGS: Following chemotherapy, the experimental (kefir) group had more treatment-related gastrointestinal complaints but a decrease in sleep disturbance. No difference was found between the two groups for QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Kefir does not prevent or decrease gastrointestinal complaints in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Kefir did decrease sleep disturbances in the experimental group. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Many patients use complementary and alternative medicine during cancer therapy. This study may provide information about the effectiveness of kefir in patients with cancer.

The quality of life and self-efficacy of Turkish breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Self-efficacy has a positive effect on health behaviors, symptom control, compliance with cancer treatment, and quality of life. This study aims to describe the quality of life and self-efficacy of Turkish breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The sample consisted of 141 patients. Data was gathered using a Patient Information Form, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B), a scale about Strategies Used by Patients to Promote Health and the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. All quality of life dimensions were negatively affected at a significant level. Following commencement of chemotherapy, there was an increase in the negative effect on physical well-being, emotional well-being and additional concerns subscales and total FACT-B and their self-efficacy was negatively affected to a moderate degree. However, a significant degree of change did not occur in the self-efficacy. During treatment the physical symptoms and psychological distress increased and the activity level was negatively affected. The quality of life and self-efficacy were influenced by personal and medical characteristics, showing consistency with similar studies. Because there are negative effects of cancer and chemotherapy on patients' quality of life and self-efficacy, nurses need to focus on designing psychosocial interventions to improve their self-efficacy and quality of life.