Examining the impacts of 12 weeks of low to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on depression status in patients with systolic congestive heart failure - A randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric depression disorder is common in patients with systolic congestive heart failure (HF), and both conditions share underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The incidence rate of depression disorder has clearly increased with the increase in HF manifestations in recent decades. Depression disorder is considered an independent predisposing factor for hospitalization, disturbed functional performance, and high rates of morbidity and mortality in HF patients. This randomized controlled study was designed to examine the impacts of low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training on depression status in patients with systolic congestive HF. METHODS: A total of 46 systolic congestive HF patients with depression (40-60 years of age) were randomized to receive twelve weeks of mild- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise plus standard medical treatment (exercise group) or standard medical treatment without any exercise intervention (control group). Depression status was examined using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) pre- and post-intervention at the end of the study program. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the exercise and control groups in demographic data or clinical characteristics (p40.05). Both study groups showed a significant reduction in depression status at the end of the 12-week intervention (po0.05). The comparison between the mean values of the depression scores showed significant differences between the two groups after 6 and 12 weeks of the intervention, indicating a greater reduction in depression scores in the exercise group than in the control group (po0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of a low- to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program was safe and effective for reducing depression severity in patients with systolic congestive HF. Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic training should be recommended for cardiac patients, particularly those with HF-related depression

Effect of Progesterone Therapy versus Diet Modification on Constipation during Pregnancy

Background: Pregnant women may experience constipation for the first time or their existing constipation symptoms increase in severity during pregnancy.Aim: To compare the effect of progesterone versus diet modification in the treatment of constipation during pregnancy.Subjects and Methods: Women aged ≥18 years with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria from obstetrics outpatients’ clinic and midwife practices included in this study. Participants divided into two groups; control group managed with diet modifications and study group pregnant women with threatened miscarriage and advised to take vaginal progesterone ≥1 week. Participants completed a nonvalidated questionnaire created by the authors during the whole week before intake of progesterone or diet modifications and after treatment phase. Independent Student’s t‑test and Chi‑square (X2) test were used for statistical analysis to compare between two studied groups. Primary outcome measures; change in defecation frequency.Results: Sensation of anorectal obstruction and sensation of incomplete evacuation were significantly less in Group B (progesterone therapy) compared to Group A (diet modification) (54% [154/281] and 62.98% [177/281] vs. 89.76% [614/684] and 91.08% [623/684], respectively) (P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Straining during defecation and manual maneuvers to facilitate evacuation were significantly less in Group B compared to Group A (63.7% [179/281] and 19.9% [56/281] vs. 94.59% [647/684] and 86.54% [592/684], respectively) (P < 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Episodes of abdominal pain and presence of reflux episodes were also significantly less in Group B compared to Group A (18.5% [52/281] and 17.43% [49/281] vs. 84.11% [589/684] and 75% [513/684], respectively) (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: Estrogen, rather than progesterone, may be a detrimental factor of constipation during pregnancy via decreased bowel movement. Progesterone therapy seems to be effective in the treatment of functional constipation during pregnancy. A randomized placebo controlled trial is required to confirm the data of this study.KEY WORDS: Constipation, diet modification, pregnancy, progesteron

Exercise capacity and muscle fatiguability alterations following a progressive maximal exercise of lower extremities in children with cystic fibrosis

Background: Impairment of peripheral skeletal muscle function is a common phenomenon in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in addition to great clinical connotations, such as lack of exercise tolerance and decrease of health-related quality of life. There is very limited data on the effects of maximal exercise on muscle fatiguability and exercise capacity in children with cystic fibrosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of progressive maximal exercise training of the lower extremities on exercise capacity and muscle fatiguability in children with cystic fibrosis. Study design: Between June and September 2017, eighteen children aged 8-12 years were recruited in this study. This study had two groups of children; the CF group consisted of nine children (6 males and 3 females) with cystic fibrosis and the control group consisted of nine healthy age matched children (6 males and 3 females). The children underwent a progressive maximal cardiopulmonary exercise cycling test (CPET), muscle fatigue test, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure a muscle cross-section area (CSA). Also, pulmonary functions were assessed. Results: The findings of this study showed that the CF children had less pulmonary functions, had a less exercise capacity, and had a higher breathing reserve index and oxygen desaturation when compared with healthy children (p<0.05). On the other hand, there was a non-significant difference in muscle fatiguability, muscle cross-section area, and maximal voluntary contraction between the CF and healthy children (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that progressive maximal exercise doesn\u2019t affect muscle fatiguability, muscle cross-section area, and maximal voluntary contraction in CF children with moderate respiratory diseases but includes lower exercise capacity. CF children and healthy age matched children have similar responses to maximal exercise in muscle fatiguability, muscle cross-section area, and maximal voluntary contractions but lower exercise capacity in the CF group

Diaphragmatic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients: risk factors and effect of incentive spirometry training

Abstract Background Diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) in hemodialysis patients is a scarcely studied issue. Incentive spirometry (IS) is a commonly prescribed maneuver used to prevent or manage pulmonary complications. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of DD in 100 HD patients. Moreover, we assessed the role of IS in management of DD in those patients. Methods The present study followed a hybrid design with two phases. In the first cross-sectional phase, 100 consecutive maintenance HD patients for at least 3 years were evaluated for the presence of DD using ultrasound. In the second interventional phase, patients with DD (n = 43) were randomly assigned to receive IS (n = 22) or standard care (n = 21) for management of DD. Results Comparison between patients with DD and patients without regarding clinical and laboratory data revealed that the former group had significantly higher frequency of males [29 (67.4%)/14 (32.6%) vs. 26 (45.6%)/31 (54.4%), p = 0.03] with lower BMI [23.8 ± 3.8 vs. 26.3 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001] and longer HD duration (82.2 ± 42.1 vs. 64.8 ± 36.9 months, p = 0.031). Moreover, it was noted that DD group had significantly higher frequency of patients with moderate/severe malnutrition (81.4% vs. 45.6%, p = 0.005), lower Hb levels (9.6 ± 1.5 vs. 10.3 ± 1.4 gm/dL, p = 0.011), lower albumin levels (3.4 ± 0.4 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5 gm/dL, p < 0.001) and higher hsCRP levels [median (IQR) 113.6 (90.9–130.4) vs. 91.1 (50.9–105.6) mg/dL, p < 0.001] as compared to patients without DD. While no significant differences were found between patients receiving study interventions at baseline, patients submitted to IS training showed significant improvement of diaphragmatic excursion measurements as compared to the standard care group. Conclusions In conclusion, DD is commonly encountered in HD patients. Probable risk factors include longer HD duration and low albumin levels. Use of IS can improve diaphragmatic excursion in affected patients

Use of K-Y Jelly on Throat Packs for Postoperative Sore Throat after Nasal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a fairly common side effect of general anesthesia. The K-Y jelly is a well-known lubricant used in many medical procedures