Correlation between Body Mass Index and Gastrointestinal Symptoms among Hospitalized Patients

Background: Gastrointestinal problems are highly prevalent in all age groups .The literature and recent studies are inconsistent about the association between body mass index (BMI) and gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between BMI and gastrointestinal symptoms among hospitalized patients. Research Design was descriptive exploratory correlational design. Research question: what is the relationship between body mass index and gastrointestinal symptoms? Setting: Different medical critical care units and medical wards at Cairo university hospitals. A sample of convenience of adult male and female patients who met the inclusion criteria was included. Tools: (a) the Structured Interview Questionnaire (SIQ). It covered personal data namely; age, sex, marital status, etc... and Medical history which included chief complaint, present history , past history.  (b)Gastrointestinal assessment questionnaire (GIAQ), it included bowel habit assessment,   common gastrointestinal symptoms and gastrointestinal diseases, and (c) body mass index (BMI). Patients were assigned into four groups based on the BMI using the classification of the World Health Organization. Results: A total of 489 patients were included (25.56%) were overweight (13.49%) were obese. Overall, in obese patients the prevalence of constipation (87.875) distention (83.33%) compared with normal weight; constipation (8.68%) , distention (6.94%)  and dyspepsia (4.51%)  Conclusion: there is a relationship between body mass index and some gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, dyspepsia, heart burn. A positive correlation was found between age and both constipation as well as heart burn and dyspepsia. Recommendation: Replicate the study on a large probability sample to realize generalizability and ensure consistency of results. Key words: Body Mass Index, Gastrointestinal symptoms, Hospitalized patient

Comparison of Informational Needs among Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Women Undergoing Different Surgical Treatment Modalities

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women worldwide. Almost all women with breast cancer will have some type of surgery in the course of their treatment either breast conservation surgery or modified radical mastectomy. Informational needs for such types of patients are critical step in providing high quality care. Aim: Comparing the informational needs among newly diagnosed breast cancer women with different surgical treatment modalities. Sample: A purposeful sample of 100 adult women with breast cancer undergoing surgery divided into two equal groups according to type of surgery. Design: Comparative descriptive design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at National Cancer Institute affiliated to Cairo University. Tools: Structured Interview Questionnaire and The Arabic translated version of Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire of Breast Cancer, scored with likert scale as low, moderate and high important informational needs. The study findings revealed that newly diagnosed women with breast cancer undergoing surgery either breast conservation surgery or modified radical mastectomy were different in regard to age, marital status, residence, education, income and type of breast cancer. Although both groups had informational needs in different rates related to disease, investigative tests and treatment; they expressed that the highest informational needs was related to physical information, while the least important was related to psychosocial needs. Conclusion: information related to physical, disease, investigative tests and treatment are important needs for newly diagnosed breast cancer women regardless their type of surgery. Key words: newly diagnosed , breast cancer women, informational needs, different surgical treatment modalities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Hydrotherapy versus Laxative for Treatment of Postoperative Constipation among Orthopedic Patients

Constipation is a common health problem that orthopedic patients may experience during the recovery phase. There are a wide-range of treatment methods to alleviate all symptoms of constipation and to regulate bowel habit back to baseline. Its treatment includes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapy. Aim of the study: to compare between two treatment approaches (pharmacological in the form of laxative and non-pharmacological in the form of hydrotherapy) to relieve postoperative constipation for orthopedic patients.  Design; quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at departments of orthopedic surgery, at a general governmental Hospital in Cairo, Sample: A purposive sample of 100 male and female adult patients  second day post orthopedic surgery (fixation and traction), divided into two equal groups (50 each), was recruited in this study. Tools: data were collected utilizing the following tools: 1) The Structured Interview Questionnaire, including socio-demographic and related medical data. 2) The Constipation Assessment Scale, developed by (McMillan and Williams, 1989). Results: the study findings revealed that all patients under the study their age ranged between 20 to 40 years, the majority were males. Findings revealed a statistical significant difference between the two groups in intestinal movement and constipation assessment symptoms. The laxative group expresses more intestinal movement and constipation symptoms complain more than hydrotherapy group after implementing the treatment measure. Recommendations; Further research is warranted to conduct studies in nursing to relieve patient's constipation for different types of hospitalized patient and in different hospital settings to apply evidenced based nursing practice. Key wards: constipation, intestinal sound, bowel movement, orthopedic patient, postoperative, hydrotherapy, laxative, pharmacological therapy approaches, non-pharmacological therapy approaches

Impact of Exercise Program on Functional Status among Post- Lumbar Laminectomy Patients

A laminectomy is a surgical incision performed to remove herniated intervertebral discs. Strengthening and stretching exercise program helps post-laminectomy patients to move and do routine activities without putting extra strain on their backs, relieve their pain leading to improvement of functional status.  Aim: to evaluate the impact of exercise program on functional status among post-lumbar laminectomy patients’. Design; quasi-experimental design. Setting: This study was conducted at the neurosurgery department of El-Manial University Hospital, Cairo. Sample: A purposive sample of 30 male and female adult patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy was recruited in this study. Tools: data were collected utilizing the following tools: 1) The Structured Interview Questionnaire, including socio-demographic and related medical data. 2) Physical Assessment Sheet, and 3) Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. Results: the study findings revealed that the majority of study subjects were males, married and have normal musculoskeletal posture. All participants had severe low back pain and high level of functional disabilities preoperatively. A significant difference in pain intensity and functional ability was evident between the preoperative period and six weeks postoperatively after implementing the exercise program.   Recommendations; A written hospital clinical guideline on the common causes and safe post-laminectomy exercises is recommended to be established.  Replication of this study on a larger sample and in different hospital settings with increasing the duration of implementing the postoperative exercise program treatment. Keywords: exercise program, functional status, lumbar laminectom

Effect of slow deep breathing exercise on blood pressure and heart rate among newly diagnosed patients with essential hypertension

Background: Essential hypertension is the most prevalent type, affecting most of hypertensive patients. It increases progressively with age. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of slow deep breathing exercise on blood pressure and heart rate among newly diagnosed patients with essential hypertension. Research hypotheses were H1-There will be a statistical significant difference in blood pressure before and after breathing exercises. H 2- There will be a statistical significant difference in heart rate before and after breathing exercises. Design: A quasi-experimental. Setting: The study was conducted in medical and surgical departments at a general governmental Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample of 120 adult patients. Tools: (a) the Structured Interview Questionnaire. It covers personal and Medical background data (b) Assessment data sheet: designed by the researchers, to record BP and heart rate measurements, (c) Automated digital Sphygmomanometer. Results: A total of 120 adult patients; Most of them was males, their age ranged from 51-60 years and married. There is no statistical significant differences were found in socio-demographic variables in relation to systolic and diastolic BP as well as heart  rate before and after intervention . High statistical significant difference was found in systolic and diastolic BP as well as in heart rate between before and after intervention. Conclusion: practicing slow deep breathing exercise decreased the systolic and diastolic BP as well as heart rate of patients with essential hypertension. Recommendation Replicate this study on a larger population with different medical diagnosis to ensure generalization of results. Key words:  slow deep breathing exercise, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, newly diagnosed patients, essential hypertension