OBJECTIVE To investigate the roles of hemodynamic factors and oxygenation on the incidence of pressure ulcers in patients in the ICU on mechanical ventilation. METHODS This prospective analytical cross-sectional study was performed in several ICUs for a period of 8 months in Iran. Researchers checked patients for pressure ulcers on a daily basis. They collected demographic, hemodynamic, and oxygenation data until a pressure ulcer occurred, the patient’s artificial airway was removed, the patient died, or the patient was discharged. RESULTS From August 2017 to February 2018, a total of 2,581 patients were admitted to the study ICUs; of these, 133 patients were eligible for the study. The results indicated that 41.4% (n = 55) of the patients ended up with pressure ulcers. Investigation of the variables using a Cox regression model showed that, among other variables considered in this study, age, mean arterial pressure, and positive end-expiratory pressure in the mechanical ventilator can contribute to the risk of pressure ulcers. CONCLUSIONS Providers should pay attention to changes in hemodynamic parameters, especially mean arterial pressure; carefully determine the most appropriate positive end-expiratory pressure for patients connected to mechanical ventilation; and take special care of susceptible groups such as older adults and hospitalized patients to decrease the incidence of pressure ulcers.

Background & Aims: Hemodialysis is currently a common treatment for chronic renal disease, which is associated with numerous limitations in the physical, mental and even social function of the patients. As such, self-care activities could significantly help hemodialysis patients to adapt to the course of their disease. The present study aimed to determine self-care agency and its influential factors in hemodialysis patients. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted on the patients referring to Razi Educational-Therapeutic Hemodialysis Center in Rasht, Iran in 2017. In total, 126 patients were selected via random sampling. Data were collected using a two-section questionnaire of sociodemographic characteristics and modulated Chinese version of 28-statement self-care agency. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage) and analytical tests (independent t-test, correlation-coefficient, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis). Results: Approximately 71.4% of the patients had optimal self-care abilities, and a significant correlation was observed between age and self-care agency (P=0.013). Moreover, education level was significantly correlated with self-care agency (P<0.0001). The logistic regression analysis also indicated that the increased age of the patients from the mean age was associated with the reduction of their self-care agency by 1.5 times. Conclusion: Although the majority of the patients had optimal self-care abilities, the results also indicated that with increased age and due to the treatment procedure and disease complications, hemodialysis patients were faced with limitations in proper self-care. Therefore, it is recommended that proper measures be taken regarding the care program of these patients, so that they could fully contribute to their care process as a member of the healthcare team.

No abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are considered as the most prevalent serious disease in developed countries, and act as the number one cause of death among men and women in all ages and from all races.AimThe present research aims at determining the relationship between risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and consequences of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).MethodsThe present study is a retrospective analytic-cross sectional research performed on 100 patients in need for CPR (successful and unsuccessful) during March 2017 – June 2017. As research instrument, a pre-designed checklist was used including demographic information, clinical and medical information, and the information related to modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.ResultsObtained results indicated that, 57.1% of the successful CPR cases were administered on men, while 55.1% of unsuccessful CPR cases were administered on women. The patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction were in further need for CPR (rate of successful CPR: 66.7%, and rate of unsuccessful CPR: 61.9%). Significant associations were found between CPR duration, post-CPR survival time (survival time after CPR), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride level, diabetes, fasting blood sugar level, and body mass index, in one hand, and type of CPR, on the other hand (p < 0.05).ConclusionResults of the present research showed that, there is a significant relationship between modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and consequences of CPR.