Stress and burnout in health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: validation of a questionnaire.

Aim: To validate a questionnaire to assess stress and burnout in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects and methods: In this study, content validity, Cronbach's alpha, and test-retest reliability method were utilized among 60 HCWs to evaluate the validity, internal consistency, and reliability of the questionnaire respectively. The final questionnaire was composed of four parts asking for the background information, questions about the stress caused by the COVID-19, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21), and six questions from the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Results: The CVR of 46 questions was equal to 1, making them acceptably valid (CVR > 0.78), so that the items could be arranged into a final questionnaire. Moreover, all items could successfully attain CVI values above 0.79, confirming the content validity of the questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha was between 0.80-0.95 for different sections of questionaire, confirming the stable reliability and high repeatability of the questionnaire. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the DASS-21 offers adequate levels of validity and reliability for assessing the stress, anxiety, and depression among the HCWs engaged with the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the six items adapted from the Copenhagen burnout inventory (CBI) were found to provide a good instrument for investigating the job burnout among the HCWs at Masih Daneshvari Hospital during the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of ICU Patients with COVID-19 Infection in Tehran, Iran: a Single-Centered Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were diverse and unspecific. Here, we identified the associated factors with surviving of COVID-19 ICU patients based on the clinical characteristics of patients admitted to one of the Corona Centre Hospitals of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study was performed retrospectively from February to June 2020 on 133 COVID-19 patients admitted to 4 intensive care units of Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Demographic, medical, clinical manifestation at admission, laboratory parameters and outcome data were obtained from medical records. Also the SOFA and APACHE II scores were calculated. All data were analyzed using SPSS (version 23, IBM Corp.) software. RESULTS: The median (IQR) age of the patients was 62.0 (54.0-72.0) years in total. RT-PCR of throat swab SARS-CoV-2 in 80 patients (60.2%) was positive. Total mortality rate was 57.9 percent (77 patients). Dyspnea, hypertension and chronic pulmonary diseases were significantly common in non-survivors than survivors (p<0.05). Both SOFA and APACHE II scores were significantly higher in the non-survivors (p<0.05). Also other significant differences were observed in other parameters of the study. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU is generally high. Dyspnea as initial presentation and comorbidity, especially hypertension and pulmonary diseases, may be associated with higher risk of severe disease and consequent mortality rate. Also, higher SOFA and APACHE II scores could indicate higher mortality in patients admitted to ICU.

The Relationship between Electrocardiographic Changes and Prognostic Factors in Severely Symptomatic Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic role of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in PH is not fully known. We aimed to evaluate ECG abnormalities in severe PH, the association of ECG patterns with known prognostic factors and to determine whether ECG abnormalities were associated with decreased survival in patients with severe PH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with severe PH were included. Clinical assessment included basic demographics, complete physical examination, determination of WHO FC, measurement of N-terminal pro-BNP, 12-lead electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, right heart catheterization (RHC) and six minute walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: Heart rate was correlated with NT-proBNP (r=0.54; p-value: 0.0001) and was higher in patients with severe RV dysfunction (93±12 vs. 83±4 bpm in moderate RV dysfunction). P-pulmonale was present in 51.9% of the patients and was significantly associated with severe RV dysfunction. qR in V1 (48.1%) was significantly associated with 6MWT and severe RV dysfunction. Overall, 10 patients died. Based on Kaplan-Meier results, median survival time was 38 months and estimated survival at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 88%, 80% and 71 % respectively. In Cox regression analysis WHO FC, 6MWT, pericardial effusion, NT-pro BNP, heart rate, ST depression in V1 to V3, and presence of qR in V1 were predictors of mortality. After controlling for covariates, only NT-proBNP was independently associated with decreased survival. CONCLUSION: ECG changes including P-pulmonale, qR pattern in V1, and heart rate indicative of right ventricular dysfunction are associated with prognostic factors in severe PH and may be a useful tool in the follow-up.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iranian patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Metabolic syndrome as a set of cardiovascular risk factors is highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia. It can also lead to cardiovascular diseases and shorten lifespan. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Iranian patients with schizophrenia. Five national studies were retrived without any time limitation and reported in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. Data bases including Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus were used to search and retrieve related articles. Keywords including "schizophrenia", "metabolic syndrome", "MetSyn" and "X syndrome", and their combinations were used. Data were analyzed using the meta-analysis method and the random effects model. The heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated using the I2 index and data was analyzed using the STATA software version 12. The analysis of five selected articles with a sample size of 1589 people showed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia was reported as 23.9% (95% CI: 14.8-33). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women and men was reported as 34% (95% C: 19-49) and 10.8% (95% CI: 2.9-18.7), respectively. According to the meta-regression analysis, no correlation was reported between the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the mean age of patients (p = 0.607), year of publication of articles (p = 0.350), sample size (p = 0.392) and duration of disease (p = 0.607). Also, about one fourth of the patients with schizophrenia were suffering from metabolic syndrome. The identification of at-risk patients is necessary to control and treat metabolic syndrome.

A peer support intervention in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a peer support intervention, in which patients with T2DM were provided ongoing self-management support by trained peers with diabetes directed at improving self-care behaviors, self-efficacy and life quality. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 200 patients referred to a diabetes specialty clinic were allocated to peer support or control group. Participants in both groups received usual education by diabetes educators. Intervention participants worked with the trained volunteer peers who encouraged participants to engage in daily self-management and to discuss and share their experiences and challenges of diabetes management. The primary outcomes were HbA1c, BMI, self-care behaviors, self-efficacy and life quality RESULTS: After 6 months, patients in the peer support group experienced a significant decline in mean A1c value (P=0.045). Also, mean diabetes self-management scores, mean self-efficacy scores and mean quality of life scores significantly improved in peer support group compared to control group (P values <0.001). CONCLUSION: Peer support activities can be successfully applied in diabetes self-management, especially in areas with a shortage of professionals and economic resources. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Peer support strategies should be integrated into our healthcare system to meet minimum needs of people with T2DM in Iran.

Iranian Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Registry.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a fatal disorder with a prevalence of 8.6 per million. We introduce a registry website for IPAH and PAH patients ( www.IPAH.ir) for access and efficient delivery of government-aided and subsidized antihypertensive medications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The IPAH registry was opened in November 2009. Information of IPAH and PAH patients with a username and password were uploaded in the site. Data entry was possible only via the physicians and healthcare organizations via internet that were given a personalized username and password for entry. Following the patients' profile submission, a scientific committee composed of a cardiologist and a pulmonologist who were selected by the Ministry of Health of Iran (MOH), evaluated the data. The eligibility of the patient to receive the medications was confirmed after evaluation. If the patient was eligible, 82% of the Bosentan cost was paid by MOH. RESULTS: To date, one hundred and sixteen patients (82 females, 34 males) have been registered. The mean pulmonary artery pressure by right heart catheterization was 69.24±17 mmHg (ranging from 35 to 110 mmHg). CONCLUSION: The first online Iranian registry program for IPAH and PAH patients is believed to supply essential information for health care providers in the field.

Functional Status Assessment of COPD Based on Ability to Perform Daily Living Activities: A Systematic Review of Paper and Pencil Instruments.

CONTEXT: Activity of daily living (ADL) is an important predictor of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increasing ADL is important in patients with COPD and assessment of ADL is one of the best ways to evaluate the status of COPD patients. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the psychometric properties of paper and pencil instruments measuring ADL in patients with COPD. DATA SOURCES: English papers published from 1980 to 2014 regarding ADL in patients with COPD were searched in  Web of Science, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane, PubMed, ProQuest, and CINAHL databases using the following keywords: "COPD", "ADL", "activities of daily living", "daily activities", "instrument", "questionnaire", "paper-and-pencil instruments", and "measure". Following the Internet search, manual search was also done to find article references. STUDY SELECTION: A total of 186 articles were found. Of those, 31 met the inclusion criteria. Full texts of articles meeting the inclusion criteria were studied. Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments"(COSMIN) were used to assess the quality of the studies. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction form based on research aims developed by researchers and psychometric experts, with 17 questions was used. RESULTS: In these articles, 14 pen and paper instruments were identified for examining ADL in patients with COPD; of which, 4 dealt directly with ADL while 9 assessed other criteria i.e. dyspnea as ADL indicator. The majority of instruments only dealt with two main dimensions of ADL: Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and did not consider Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADL), which is influenced by cultural and motivational factors. CONCLUSION: Despite several ADL instruments identified, complete psychometric processes have only been done in a few of them. Selection of the appropriate instrument should focus on the aim of the study and the target construct.