The relationship between Aldosterone level and various LV conditions in patients with End-stage renal disease

Background: Aldosterone has been assumed to be implicated in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Preventing the progression of LVH in the early period of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can increase patient survival. In this study, therefore, we analyzed the relationship between aldosterone level and LVH in ESRD patients who underwent hemodialysis at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital and Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Iran from 2016 to 2017. Methods: This research is a case-control study involving 69 patients, divided into the case group (n=52, exhibiting LVH) and the control group (n=17, no ventricular hypertrophy observed in the echocardiography). The relationship between the patients’ serum aldosterone levels and LVH was evaluated on the basis of relative wall thickness (RWT). Results: Among the patients, 20.3 had normal cardiac conditions, 53.6 eccentric hypertrophy (EH), 4.3 exhibited concentric remodeling (CR), and 21.7 had concentric hypertrophy (CH). In other words, 24.6 of the patients belonged to the control group, and 75.4 belonged to the case group. The results indicated a significant difference (P=0.006) in average aldosterone levels between the case (165.11±80.8) and control (115.76±72.47) groups and a significant difference in aldosterone levels among the four subgroups (P=0.03), with the levels of the CH group being higher than those of the EH group. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, a significant relationship exists between plasma aldosterone level and LVH in ESRD patients. Serum aldosterone level is therefore a predictor of LVH

The effects of health promotion model-based educational program on self-care behaviors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in Iran

Background and aim: Post-operative self-care behaviors, have positive effects on increase in adaptability, and reduce cardiac surgery patients’ disability. The present study is carried out aimed at determining the effect of education based on a health promotion model on the patients' self-care behaviors after coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: This is a semi-experimental study carried out in Mazandaran (Iran) in 2016. Two hundred and twenty patients who participated in the study were selected using a simple random sampling method from a population of postoperative patients, and divided into control and experimental groups (110 patients in each) using block (AABB) randomization. Self-designed self-care questionnaires based on a health promotion model were distributed among the patients once before and three months after intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS- 22, Chi-Square tests, Mann- Whitney and ANCOVA at the significance level of p<0.05. Results: The average score of total self-care behaviors in cardiac surgery patients was not significant between the two groups before education (p=0.065), but after training, a significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.001). The analysis of ANOVA with repeated measure indicated that following the intervention, significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of improvement of self-care behaviors after excluding the effect of pre-test and controlling demographic and health-related characteristics. Conclusions: Developing and implementing a training program based on the health promotion model can enhance self-care behaviors and reduce the number of admissions in patients after cardiac surgery

The Role of Self-Efficacy in Perceived Sensitivity and Severity to COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors

Background and purpose: Self-efficacy is central to behavior, especially preventive behaviors of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). Identifying the factors that lead to increased self-efficacy in individuals can pave the way for necessary decisions to change the behavior of the society. This study aimed at determining the relationship between people’s self-efficacy and perceived severity and sensitivity to preventive behaviors of Covid-19 in Sari, Iran. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed in 268 patients attending certain health centers in Sari, 2020.The subjects were selected using convenience sampling. To collect the data, a researcher-made questionnaire was administered online consisting of three sections. Results: The mean age of the study population was 36.81±8.6 years and 17.5% of the patients were confirmed cases of Covid-19. Among the people studied, 81.3% used soap and water to disinfect their hands. There were significant correlations between self-efficacy and perceived severity (B: 0.163, CI 95%: 0.068-0.257) and perceived sensitivity (B: 0.164, CI 95%: 0.060-0.267). Perceived sensitivity and severity also predicted 10% of the variance in self-efficacy. Conclusion: Perceived severity and sensitivity to Covid-19 preventative behaviors could affect people’s self-efficacy

Efficacy of educational intervention about the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease among Adolescent Boys; an application of Health Belief Model

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality all over the world. According to life style changes it seems that risk factors of Coronary-heart disease started in childhood and adolescence the present study is aimed to assess efficiency of educational intervention about the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease which is implemented based on health belief model in sari. Methods: the study was conducted as a semi-experimental study (post and pre-experiment) on 180student in 2014. The participants were divided randomly into two groups of 90 individuals. Afterward, the participants were observed at two stages (before / after 6 months). A two sections questionnaire (demographic and Knowledge about the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease based on component of HBM). Data analyses were carried out by using SPSS ver. 20 using Chi-Square test and independent T-test and Repeated Measurement. Level of significant was set at 0.05. Results: There were no significant difference between interventions and control group before Intervention in terms of health belief model component. There were significant difference between pre-test and post-test in knowledge (p<0.001), perceived susceptibility (p<0.001), perceived severity (p<0.001), perceived benefit (p<0.001), perceived barrier (p=0.002) self-efficacy (p<0.001) among students in intervention group. Conclusion: It seems, this model can eliminate the perceived barriers. In addition HBM Can be Highlighted perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit about the prevention of cardiovascular and finally, self-efficacy regarding the prevention of cardiovascular disease among student can be enhanced with health belief model

The relationship between spirituality and aggression in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study among Iranian nurses.

BackgroundAggression towards nurses in the workplace arises from various reasons, reportedly increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Where aggression can be maintained by spiritual well-being, as it is said that spirituality is a coping skill and psychological well-being maintainer-but there is little known, especially during the pandemic. Thus, this study explored the effect of spirituality on aggression among the nurses working in the COVID-19 wards.MethodsThis cross-sectional data from 200 nurses involved in the COVID-19 patient treatment were collected using a random sampling method from four hospitals in East Mazandaran province, Iran. Responses were collected based on socio-demographics, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and Paloutzian & Ellison Spiritual Well-being Scale. T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression were applied for data analysis.ResultsThe mean age of nurses was 31.49±6.88 (range: 21-48) years. Nurses working in the COVID-19 wards have a mean score of spiritual health of 67.21±12.84 (out of 120), whereas 51.77±10.96 (out of 116) was for aggression. The results showed a significant negative weak correlation between aggression and spiritual health (r = -.285, pConclusionsIt is evident that nurses who consider spirituality in their life actions are in a state of reduced negative emotions, such as aggression. Thus, policymakers and managers of the healthcare settings are suggested to promote spirituality among the nurses through spiritual care education, providing the ground for promoting spirituality and a positive attitude towards it

Health-related variables and predictors of Health-promoting Lifestyle in cardiovascular disease patients

Introduction: The principal cause for death in the world is cardiovascular disease. Poor lifestyle is a contributing element in this regard. The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of health-related variables and lifestyle variables on the results of exercise stress tests in patients with cardiovascular disease in Iran. Methods: The study population in this case-control study was 220 patients who were candidates for exercise stress tests in Mazandaran Province (Iran) in 2015. The patients were divided randomly into two groups based on the results of their exercise stress tests, i.e., positive (110 patients) and negative (110 patients). The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire entitled "Health promotion lifestyle profile-II." The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, the chi-squared test, and logistic regression by SPSS version 22 software. Results: The risk of a positive exercise stress test increases with age. The age group above 65 was 1.049 times more at risk of a positive exercise stress test than the age group of less than 45. The people with dyslipidemia had 1.635 times greater risk of positive exercise stress tests than the group without dyslipidemia. In addition, patients with hypertension had 1.579 times greater risk of positive exercise stress tests than the group without hypertension. The lack of individual health responsibility (Odds ratio (OR): 1.622), stress management (OR: 1.592), and physical activity (OR: 1.245) contributed more to positive exercise tests than the other risk factors. Conclusion: Educational interventions can improve the responsibility for health, physical activity, and stress management among people with the risk of cardiovascular disease

Remote ischemic preconditioning to reduce contrast-induced acute kidney injury in chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background The impact of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) on patients with chronic renal disease is well-known. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a non-invasive method that can reduce the risk of CI-AKI, but studies on RIPC have had different results. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential impact of RIPC on CI-AKI. Methods In a randomized, double blinded, controlled trial, 132 patients with chronic renal dysfunction (glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/m2) who underwent coronary angiography or angioplasty received adequate hydration. RIPC was performed in 66 patients by applying an upper arm blood pressure cuff. The cuff was inflated four times for 5 min to 50 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure, followed by deflation for 5 min. In the control group, the blood pressure cuff was inflated only to 10 mmHg below the patient’s diastolic blood pressure. The primary endpoint was an increase in serum cystatin C ≥ 10% from baseline to 48–72 h after exposure to the contrast. Results The primary endpoint was achieved in 48 (36.4%) patients (24 in each group). RIPC did not show any significant effect on the occurrence of the primary endpoint (P = 1). In addition, when the results were analyzed based on the Mehran risk score for subgroups of patients, RIPC did not reduce the occurrence of the primary endpoint (P = 0.97). Conclusions In patients at moderate-to-high risk of developing CI-AKI when an adequate hydration protocol is performed, RIPC does not have an additive effect to prevent the occurrence of CI-AKI. Trial registration The clinical trial was registered on (Identification number IRCT2016050222935N2, on December 19, 2016 as a retrospective IRCT)