Modern Care Journal
Volume:17 Issue: 4, Oct 2020

Delivery is a physiological process that may cause neurophysiological changes in the lumbosacral region.

The current study aimed to compare motor control of the lumbosacral region and pelvic floor muscle strength and performance in women with C-section and vaginal birth.

In this cross-sectional study, 120 prim parous women referring to healthcare centers in Karaj (Iran) during 2019 are studied. The participants were selected using convenience sampling. Themotor control of the lumbosacral region was examined by four clinical tests (standing bent, active straight leg raising, bent knee fall out, and knee lift abdominal test) using a pressure biofeedback unit. Muscle strength and performance were measured using the Oxford scoring system and the PFPI-20 questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests. Statistical significance was considered when P value < 0.05.

Based on the standing bent test, a significant difference was found between those in vaginal delivery and C-section groups (P = 0.011). Also, the mean scores of muscular strengths (P = 0.009) and pelvic floor muscular function (P = 0.01) in the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than the C-section group.

the mean scores of pelvic floor motor control, pelvic floor muscular strength, and function in the C-section group were higher than those in the vaginal delivery group. This study demonstrated the necessity of postpartum pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, especially in vaginal delivery

The most important psychological problems of dialysis patients are anxiety, depression, and stress. These psychological problems cause different consequences for the patients. Therefore, it seems necessary to use strategies to reduce the psychological problems in hemodialysis patients.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of spiritual therapy on depression, anxiety, and stress in hemodialysis patients referred to the dialysis ward of special diseases center of Birjand in 2019 - 2020.

In this semi-experimental study, 70 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) under hemodialysis referred to the dialysis ward of special diseases center of Birjand in 2019 - 2020 were selected by available sampling method and randomized into two experimental groups (35 patients) and control (35 patients). The patients in the experimental group received eight sessions of 60- minute (one session per week) of spiritual intervention therapy, and the control group received no spiritual intervention. Data collection tools were a form of demographic profile and Lovibond SH and Lovibond PF (1995) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 statistical software, and Fisher’s exact test, chi-square test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc test at a significance level of P < 0.05.

In this study, 68 patients were examined in two experimental (33 patients) and control (35 patients) groups. The mean score of depression, anxiety, and stress before the intervention in patients in the experimental and control groups was not significantly different (P = 0.61), but immediately and three months after the intervention in patients in the experiment group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.001).

Based on the results of the present study, it can be said that spiritual therapy is considered an effective solution for reducing depression, anxiety, and stress in hemodialysis patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is one of themost substantial socioeconomic health issues inmany countries all around the world.

This study aimed to address the factors affecting AIDS preventive behaviors in women who had addicted husbands using the health belief model (HBM) in Sarbishe and Birjand cities, Iran, in 2019.

A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 224 women who had addicted husbands. A convenience sampling method was used, and all women whose husbands were under the support of the public and private addiction treatment centers were entered into the study. Data collection tools included a questionnaire of demographic items, HBM constructs, knowledge, and AIDS preventive behaviors. The collected data were analyzed using a correlation test and a regression model. The p value was considered less than 0.05 to be significant.

The respondents’ mean age was 37.77 ± 8.97 years. Most women (93.8%) were housekeepers, and 54% of them had selfemployed husbands. Most women (61.6%) and their husbands (58.9%) had an education level of under-diploma. Based on the regression model, the most important predictors of AIDS preventive behaviors included perceived self-efficacy (B = 0.231), education level (B = 0.196), and income (B = -0.154).

Research findings confirm the association between perceived self-efficacy, education level, income, and adopting AIDS preventive behaviors. The obtained results can be used to develop theory-based interventions to shape AIDS preventive behaviors in high-risk groups.

Patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) use a wide spectrum of medications; hence, strategies are needed to increase their adherence. In this line, identifying factors associated with medication self-efficacy can be useful.

The current study aimed to investigate medication self-efficacy and its related factors in patients with CAD in the northeast of Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 104 patients with CAD hospitalized in one of the largest teaching hospitals in the north-east of Iran are studied. Participants were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using Demographic and clinical information form, Information Satisfaction questionnaire (ISQ), and Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use scales (SEAMS). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 using descriptive statistics and multiple regression test.

The mean age of patients was 52.3 ± 8.8 years. The mean medication self-efficacy score was 24.9 ± 9.5 (out of 39). Multiple regression showed a linear and significant association between information satisfaction, income, medications used in the last month, information about the nature of the disease, doctors as a preferred source of information, nurses, family members, internet and social networks as the most information sources used by patients, with medication self-efficacy (R = 0.907, P < 0.001). These variables could explain 82.2% of the self-efficacy variance.

Based on the result, it can be argued that in designing and implementing educational interventions aimed to promote medication self-efficacy in patients with CAD, individuals with lower income and under long-term medication treatment should receivemore support. Educational programs should emphasizemore on explaining the nature of the disease to the patients, and physicians should be more involved in educating patients.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in developed and developing countries.

This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with the extent of coronary vessel involvement across the spectrum of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in patients referring to the Cardiac Ward of Vali-Asr Hospital of Birjand, Iran.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,394 patients undergoing coronary angiography at the CardiacWard of Vali-Asr Hospital of Birjand, Iran, in 2011-2015. Subjects were assigned to four groups in terms of the extent of coronary vessel involvement: Normal CAD, non-significant CAD, CAD, and non-obstructive CAD. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confident intervals were calculated by including all variables with P values < 0.05 into the multivariate model to control for confounding factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Among male and female patients, those aged 45-65 years needed angiography more than other groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, male gender, FBS, and history of hypertension significantly increased the likelihood of coronary vessel involvement (P ≤ 0.05).

The findings of the present study imply that age, male gender, FBS, and history of hypertension are the independent risk factors for the extent of coronary vessel involvement in CAD and non-significant CAD groups. To reduce the rates and consequences of CAD, it is paramount to control cardiovascular risk factors, screen susceptible populations at risk, and improve coronary interventional services.

Ocular chemical injury is an ophthalmic emergency that may be challenging to manage. Here, we presented a case of persistent corneal astigmatism secondary to chemical burn with superficial limbal injury and no corneal involvement.

The case was a 36-year-old man who presented with a chemical acid injury in the right eye. He had sectorial superficial involvement of inferior limbus from 4 to 5 o’clock hours, and the cornea was clear. Corneal topography showed high irregular astigmatism that was not corrected with glass. In long-term follow-up, changes in topographic parameters happened very slowly.

In conclusion, optical corneal changes should be considered in the ocular surface chemical burn, especially in sectorial involvement despite clear cornea.

Apelin, an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue, plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and hypertension.

The current study aimed to compare the plasma Apelin level in hypertensive patients under treatment with amlodipine, losartan, and amlodipine + losartan.

In this case-control study, the serum level of Apelin was compared in four groups of (A) Healthy subjects (n = 31); (B) Hypertensive patients, received amlodipine (n = 31); Hypertensive patients, received losartan (n = 45); and patients (n = 33) that received amlodipine and losartan. Apelin level in serum samples was measured using Human Apelin ELISA Kit according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 (Chicago: SPSS Inc.), at the significant level of α = 0.05.

The mean blood level of Apelin in the control group and groups receiving amlodipine, losartan, and amlodipine + losartan was 366.16 ± 36.04, 247.19 ± 27.77, 282.93 ± 47.08, and 289.84 ± 32.20 g/dl, respectively. Losartan + amlodipine group had a higher level of Apelin compared with amlodipine alone (P < 0.05).

This study demonstrated that Apelin has a definite protective effect in preventing hypertension. Also, according to the results, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, such as losartan, caused a higher increase in the Apelin, resulting in better blood pressure control.