Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses.

BACKGROUND: Stress levels are evident among health professionals. However, there are few studies on sensory-based self-care aimed at stress management, self-esteem and subjective well-being in this group of professionals. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses on the stress levels, self-esteem and well-being of health professionals in a hospital environment. METHODS: A total of 93 health professionals participated in an unblinded clinical trial, randomized into four groups: 1) control (no intervention); 2) Monosensory-daily body moisturizing (DBM) with odorless cream; 3) Bisensory-DBM with scented cream; 4) Multisensory-DBM with scented cream associated with audiovisual material. Participants answered specific questionnaires to assess stress, self-esteem and well-being and cortisol samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days following intervention, and at the 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: Self-care was characterized as neglected, with most participants reporting inadequate hours of sleep (74%), irregular physical activity (68%), and inadequate nutrition (45%). Compared to the other groups, the Bisensory group had lower stress on all three assessments (p = 0.017; 0.012; 0.036), a life satisfaction 8% higher at follow-up than at baseline (95% CI: 2% to 15%, p = 0.016), a 10% increase in positive affect (95% CI: 2% to 19%, p = 0.011) and a 12% reduction in negative affect (95% CI: 3% to 21% less, p = 0.014) after 30 days. The Multisensory group showed improvement in self-esteem (p = 0.012) and reduced cortisol (p = 0.036) after 30 days of intervention. The control group showed no changes in the variables studied, except for cortisol: an increase at the 15-day evaluation (denoting higher risk for stress, p = 0.009) and a reduction at follow-up (p = 0.028), which was nevertheless within normal levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02406755.

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI), or Seidlmayer's disease, is a type of leukocytoclastic vasculitis proper of infants and children. It is characterized by a local increase in temperature, erythematous edema and purpuric lesions involving mainly the face and extremities. There usually is no visceral involvement. The disease is self-limited, bearing a benign clinical course. Infection, drugs and immunization have been considered as precipitating factors. The main differential diagnosis is Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: We describe a classic example of acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy, and comment on the clinical features, pathology, immunopathology and proposed therapy. We characterize the differences between AHEI and HSP. RESULTS: A course of corticosteroids was given to avoid quick progression of disease. CONCLUSION: Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy is a rare disease, and the most striking classic feature of the disease is the contrast between the acuteness of the cutaneous lesions and the good general condition of the patient. Considering its clinical features, pathology and immunopathology, AHEI can be justifiably characterized as a unique disorder, distinct from HSP.