Validation of the Subjective Happiness Scale in People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objetivo: Validar as propriedades psicométricas da Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) em pessoas com Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) em programa de hemodiálise. Método: Trata-se de um estudo metodológico. A amostra randomizada foi constituída por 171 pessoas com DRC submetida a hemodiálise em duas clinicas na região de Lisboa, Portugal. Os dados foram colhidos de maio a junho de 2015. Foram avaliadas as propriedades psicométricas: validade (construto, convergente e discriminativa), fidedignidade por meio da consistência interna (α de Cronbach) e estabilidade (Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse e Coeficiente de Correlação de Spearman-Brown). Resultados: Os resultados suportam a estrutura unifatorial, com uma confiabilidade (α=0,90). Além disso, esta escala está positivamente correlacionada com a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (r=0,60; p<0,001), apoiando assim a sua validade de critério. Conclusões: A versão portuguesa da SHS é válida e reprodutível em pessoas com DRC.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validación de la “Subjective Happiness Scale” en Personas con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Objective: To explore the psychometric properties of the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This is a methodological study. The random sample included 171 patients with CKD under hemodialysis program in two clinics in the region of Lisbon, Portugal. Data was collected between May and June 2015. The following psychometric properties were evaluated: validity (construct, convergent and discriminant), reliability through internal consistency (Cronbach α) and stability (intraclass correlation coefficient and Spearman-Brown correlation coefficient). Results: The results support the unifactorial structure, with reliability (α = 0.90). In addition, this scale is positively correlated with the Satisfaction Life Scale (r = 0.60; p <0.001), supporting the validity criteria. Conclusions: The Portuguese version of the SHS is valid and reproducible in patients with CKD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Death, dying and informatics: misrepresenting religion on MedLine

BACKGROUND: The globalization of medical science carries for doctors worldwide a correlative duty to deepen their understanding of patients' cultural contexts and religious backgrounds, in order to satisfy each as a unique individual. To become better informed, practitioners may turn to MedLine, but it is unclear whether the information found there is an accurate representation of culture and religion. To test MedLine's representation of this field, we chose the topic of death and dying in the three major monotheistic religions. METHODS: We searched MedLine using PubMed in order to retrieve and thematically analyze full-length scholarly journal papers or case reports dealing with religious traditions and end-of-life care. Our search consisted of a string of words that included the most common denominations of the three religions, the standard heading terms used by the National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature (NRCBL), and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) used by the National Library of Medicine. Eligible articles were limited to English-language papers with an abstract. RESULTS: We found that while a bibliographic search in MedLine on this topic produced instant results and some valuable literature, the aggregate reflected a selection bias. American writers were over-represented given the global prevalence of these religious traditions. Denominationally affiliated authors predominated in representing the Christian traditions. The Islamic tradition was under-represented. CONCLUSION: MedLine's capability to identify the most current, reliable and accurate information about purely scientific topics should not be assumed to be the same case when considering the interface of religion, culture and end-of-life care

Validation of the Personal Wellbeing Index in People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objetivo: verificar las propiedades psicométricas del Índice de bien-estar personal (IBP) en personas con enfermedad renal crónica en programa de hemodiálisis. Método: Se trata de un estudio metodológico. La muestra aleatoria es constituida por 171 personas con Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) sometida a hemodiálisis en dos clínicas en la región de Lisboa, Portugal. La recogida de datos fue realizada entre mayo y junio de 2015. Se evaluaron las propiedades psicométricas: validad (constructo, predictiva convergente, y discriminativa), confiabilidad por medio de la consistencia interna (α de Cronbach) y estabilidad (Coeficiente de Correlación de Spearman-Brown y Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclasse (CCI)). Resultados: El IBP presenta una dimensión ajustada a los datos. La satisfacción con la salud es lo que más contribuye para el IBP. Tiene validad convergente con Felicidad Subjetiva y Afecto Positivo y Afecto Negativo. Tiene poder discriminativo en la nacionalidad. El α Cronbach fue de 0,82. Teste Re-teste para cuestionario 0, 92 e CCI= 0,95, para entrevista 0,85 y CCI= 0,89. Conclusiones: La versión portuguesa del IBP es válida y reproducible en personas con ERC, tanto por cuestionario como por entrevista.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Management of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Antibiotic Allergy. Executive Summary of Guidance from the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), the Spanish Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) and the Spanish Society of Intensive Medicine and Coronary Care Units (SEMICYUC)

Suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy is a frequent clinical circumstance that influences antimicrobial prescription and often leads to the avoidable use of less efficacious and/or more toxic or costly drugs than first-line antimicrobials. Optimizing antimicrobial therapy in patients with antibiotic allergy labels has become one of the priorities of antimicrobial stewardship programs in several countries. These guidelines aim to make recommendations for the systematic approach to patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy based on current evidence. An expert panel (11 members of various scientific societies) formulated questions about the management of patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy. A systematic literature review was performed by a medical librarian. The questions were distributed among panel members who selected the most relevant references, summarized the evidence, and formulated graded recommendations when possible. The answers to all the questions were finally reviewed by all panel members. A systematic approach to patients with suspected or confirmed antibiotic allergy was recommended to improve antibiotic selection and, consequently, clinical outcomes. A clinically oriented, 3-category risk-stratification strategy was recommended for patients with suspected antibiotic allergy. Complementary assessments should consider both clinical risk category and preferred antibiotic agent. Empirical therapy recommendations for the most relevant clinical syndromes in patients with suspected or confirmed ss-lactam allergy were formulated, as were recommendations on the implementation and monitoring of the impact of the guidelines. Antimicrobial stewardship programs and allergists should design and implement activities that facilitate the most appropriate use of antibiotics in these patients

Biofilter aquaponic system for nutrients removal from fresh market wastewater

Aquaponics is a significant wastewater treatment system which refers to the combination of conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic organism) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. This system has a high ability in removing nutrients compared to conventional methods because it is a natural and environmentally friendly system (aquaponics). The current chapter aimed to review the possible application of aquaponics system to treat fresh market wastewater with the intention to highlight the mechanism of phytoremediation occurs in aquaponic system. The literature revealed that aquaponic system was able to remove nutrients in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus

Clinical Audits in Outpatient Clinics for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Methodological Considerations and Workflow

Objectives: Previous clinical audits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have provided valuable information on the clinical care delivered to patients admitted to medical wards because of COPD exacerbations. However, clinical audits of COPD in an outpatient setting are scarce and no methodological guidelines are currently available. Based on our previous experience, herein we describe a clinical audit for COPD patients in specialized outpatient clinics with the overall goal of establishing a potential methodological workflow.Methods: A pilot clinical audit of COPD patients referred to respiratory outpatient clinics in the region of Andalusia, Spain (over 8 million inhabitants), was performed. The audit took place between October 2013 and September 2014, and 10 centers (20% of all public hospitals) were invited to participate. Cases with an established diagnosis of COPD based on risk factors, clinical symptoms, and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.70 were deemed eligible. The usefulness of formally scheduled regular follow-up visits was assessed. Two different databases (resources and clinical database) were constructed. Assessments were planned over a year divided by 4 three-month periods, with the goal of determining seasonal-related changes. Exacerbations and survival served as the main endpoints.Conclusions: This paper describes a methodological framework for conducting a clinical audit of COPD patients in an outpatient setting. Results from such audits can guide health information systems development and implementation in real-world settings.This study was financially supported by an unrestricted grant from Laboratorios Menarini, SA (Barcelona, Spain)

Current concepts in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures: results of a nationwide survey

The treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures is controversial and randomised clinical trials are scarce. Moreover, the socio-economic cost remains unclear. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, treatment preferences and socio-economic cost of this complex fracture in the Netherlands. This data may aid in planning future clinical trials and support education. The method of study was of a cross-sectional survey design. A written survey was sent to one representative of both the traumatology and the orthopaedic staff in each hospital in the Netherlands. Data on incidence, treatment modalities, complications and follow-up strategies were recorded. The socio-economic cost was calculated. The average response rate was 70%. Fracture classifications, mostly by Sanders and Essex-Lopresti, were applied by 29%. Annually, 920 intra-articular calcaneal fractures (0.4% incidence rate) were treated, mainly with ORIF (46%), conservative (39%) and percutaneous (10%) treatment. The average non-weight-bearing mobilisation was 9 weeks (SD 2 weeks). An outcome score, mainly AOFAS, was documented by 7%. A secondary arthrodesis was performed in 21% of patients. The socio-economic cost was estimated to be €21.5–30.7 million. Dutch intra-articular calcaneal fracture incidence is at least 0.4% of all fractures presenting to hospitals. Better insight into treatment modalities currently employed and costs in the Netherlands was obtained