Dietary behavior and its influencing factors among experienced shiftwork nurses: a secondary analysis

Purpose This study investigated the dietary behavior of experienced shiftwork nurses and aimed to identify factors related to dietary behavior. Methods This study was a secondary analysis based on the Shift Work Nurses’ Health and Turnover study (2018-2021) among Korean nurses. In total, 247 experienced (>12 months) shiftwork nurses were included in this study. The participants’ dietary behavior, depression, level of occupational stress, fatigue, physical activity, and general characteristics were measured. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results The dietary behavior score of the participants using the Mini-Dietary Assessment Index was 29.35±5.67. Thirty percent of the participants were depressed, the participants experienced moderate occupational stress, and 74.1% of the participants engaged in an inadequate amount of physical activity. The factors influencing shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior were having child(ren) (β=.16, p=.027), depression (β=–.13, p=.032), level of occupational stress related to occupational climate (β=–.13, p=.035), and an inadequate amount of physical activity (β=–.17, p=.006). These factors explained 10.4% of the variance in experienced shiftwork nurses’ dietary behavior scores. Conclusion Experienced nurses with child(ren) tended to have healthier diets. However, a higher level of occupational stress related to occupational climate, depression, and engaging in an inadequate amount of physical activity were associated with a higher risk of having an unhealthy diet. Therefore, strategies are needed to encourage physical activity and alleviate adverse occupational climate and depression among experienced nurses

Quality of Life after Epilepsy Surgery in Korea

Background and PurposeᄏTemporal changes in the quality of life (QOL) and the underlying factors after epilepsy surgery might be specific to Korea, where social stigma toward patients with epilepsy is still pronounced. MethodsᄏThe seizure characteristics, number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and the presence of stigma, anxiety, and depression were assessed before and after surgery (at 6 months and around 2 years) in 32 surgery patients and 32 nonsurgery patients. The QOL was compared between these groups using the Epilepsy Surgery Inventory-55 questionnaire. The factors affecting QOL were also evaluated. ResultsᄏThe scores in the mental, physical, and role-functioning domains were significantly higher at 6 months (all p<0.01) and around 2 years (all p<0.01) than at baseline in the surgery group but not in the nonsurgery group. The factors related to QOL differed at the two followup times, with seizure freedom being important at 6 months, and AEDs and depression being important at around 2 years. ConclusionsᄏA marked increase in QOL in our population was observed after epilepsy surgery. Although the small sample limits the interpretation of the results, the QOL change in our surgery patients shows similar trends to those reported in Western countries. A full understanding of underlying factors related to QOL might aid the development of optimal strategies for improving the long-term postsurgery QOL in this population

Ground-Based Medical Services for In-Flight Emergencies

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ground-based medical services (GBMS) by the cabin crew of a major South Korean airline for in-flight medical incidents involving passengers. METHODS: We conducted a survey of cabin crew to identify the anticipated use of GBMS in 2017. We compared the anticipated use to actual use as reported in cabin crew records submitted to the GBMS team and cabin crew logs from May 2013 to April 2016. RESULTS: Among 766 team leaders and assistant leaders, 211 individuals answered the questionnaire. A total of 915 instances of GBMS use were reported during the study period. There were no significant differences between anticipated and actual use in terms of the reasons for needing GBMS, with medication prescription being the most common reason. However, there were significant differences in the specific symptoms that triggered contact with GBMS. Pediatric and digestive symptoms were under-predicted, while neuropsychiatric and cardiac symptoms were over-predicted. DISCUSSION: Cabin crew tended to require GBMS to assist with pediatric and digestive conditions more often than anticipated. Furthermore, digestive and pediatric symptoms often require prescription medications.N

Anger, a Result and Cause of Stroke: A Narrative Review

Post-stroke mood and emotional disturbances are frequent and diverse in their manifestations. Among them, post-stroke depression is the best known. Although post-stroke anger (PSA) has been studied relatively less, it can be as frequent as depression. Manifestations of PSA range from overt aggressive behaviors (including hitting or hurting others) to becoming irritable, impulsive, hostile, and less tolerable to family members. The possible pathophysiological mechanisms of PSA include neurochemical dysfunction due to brain injury, frustration associated with neurological deficits or unfavorable environments, and genetic predisposition. PSA causes distress in both patients and their caregivers, negatively influences the patient&apos;s quality of life, and increases the burden on caregivers. It can be treated or prevented using various methods, including pharmacological therapies. In addition, anger or hostility may also be a risk or triggering factor for stroke. The hazardous effects of anger may be mediated by other risk factors, including hypertension or diabetes mellitus. The identification of anger as a result or cause of stroke is important because strategic management of anger may help improve the patient&apos;s quality of life or prevent stroke occurrence. In this narrative review, we describe the phenomenology, prevalence, factors or predictors, relevant lesion locations, and pharmacological treatment of PSA. We further describe the current evidence on anger as a risk or triggering factor for stroke.Y

Sleep disturbances at 3 months after cerebral infarction

Background: Post-stroke sleep disturbances (PSSD) are common and associated with various adverse outcomes. However, PSSD in the sub-acute stages of stroke have been scarcely studied. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of and the factors related to PSSD in stroke patients 3 months post stroke. Methods: A total of 199 patients were evaluated for PSSD at 3 months after stroke. The qualities of nighttime sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) were assessed using the Verran Snyder-Halpern sleep scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, respectively. Presence of motor dysfunction and post-stroke pain, post-stroke depression, fatigue and social support were evaluated. Results: Eighty-eight patients (44.2%) had poor quality of nighttime sleep. Twenty-eight patients (14.4%) reported EDS. Poor quality of nighttime sleep was independently associated with depression (p = 0.044) and EDS (p = 0.041) whereas fatigue (p &lt; 0.001) and poor nighttime sleep (p = 0.045) were independently associated with EDS. Post-stroke pain and social support showed no association with PSSD. Conclusions: We found that the occurrence of PSSD 3 months after stroke is common. Although causality remained to be determined, depression and nighttime sleep disturbances were related, whereas fatigue and nighttime sleep disturbances were related to EDS. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, BaselN

Relationship between occupational stress, sleep disturbance, and presenteeism of shiftwork nurses

© 2022 Sigma Theta Tau International.Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationships between occupational stress, sleep disturbance, and presenteeism in shiftwork nurses in South Korea. Design: This cross-sectional study used survey data from 442 shiftwork nurses at two hospitals in South Korea. Data were collected between March 2018 and April 2020. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess shiftwork nurses’ demographic and job-related information, presenteeism, occupational stress, and sleep disturbance. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and the PROCESS macro. Findings: The mean presenteeism score was 39.52. Multiple regression analysis revealed that job insecurity, interpersonal conflict, occupational climate, lack of reward, and job demand are significantly associated with presenteeism. Sleep disturbance was related to presenteeism and had a moderating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and presenteeism. Conclusions: This study indicates that proper occupational climate, positive interpersonal relationships, and adequate sleep can reduce shiftwork presenteeism. Therefore, individual and organizational efforts to alleviate occupational stress and sleep disturbances are essential. Clinical relevance: Organizational support is needed to maintain a positive occupational climate and interpersonal relationships and ameliorate sleep disturbance among shiftwork nurses.N