The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the asthma related quality of life in relation to asthma control/severity, multidimensional symptom experience (frequency, intensity distress), and socioeconomic status in adults with asthma. Data was collected by mailed-survey to 384 people with asthma and 172 responded. The mean of the respondents age was 49.6 yrs. The mean of the length of time they were diagnosed as having asthma was 21 yrs. Asthma was well controlled in this sample. The findings revealed that overall asthma related quality of life were relatively good in this sample. In terms of symptom experience, shortness of breath was identified as the most frequent, severe, and distressful of the four asthma symptoms. The score for symptom distress was significantly lower than the score for the frequency and severity across all asthma symptoms. The results indicate that symptoms occurred frequently and intensely, but they were not always distressing to the subjects. Among the three symptom dimensions, distress was the best predictor for asthma related quality of life measured by LWAQ. Results of Multiple regression analysis indicated that asthma severity, symptom distress, and socioeconomic status influenced the quality of life(R2=.66, F (3,68)=44.37, P=.000). Findings highlight the importance of symptom distress with respect to the quality of life of people with asthma.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Quality of Life* ; Social Class ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is very common among postoperative orthopedic surgical patients with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), especially for narcotics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an evidence-based PONV management protocol on nursing and patient outcomes. METHODS: A methodological study was conducted to develop PONV protocol and a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of protocol. The preliminary PONV protocol was drawn by conducting a systematic review and by reviewing clinical guidelines and best practice recommendations. Validation of the content was done by expert clinicians, and the clinical applicability was evaluated by staff nurses and patients. The effect was evaluated in clinical outcomes associated with PONV and nursing outcomes. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the occurrence of vomiting (z=2.147) was significantly decreased, the maintenance PCA (χ²=4.212) and the satisfaction of patients (z=5.007) were significantly higher. In the outcomes of nurses, the PONV knowledge of nursing care (z=3.791), awareness (z=2.982) and self-efficacy (z=2.745) were higher in the experimental group. The attitude towards evidence-based nursing practice (z=2.446) was significantly positive. CONCLUSION: The results show that an evidence-based approach to the implementation of PONV care is effective in improving patient clinical outcomes and quality of care.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Clinical Protocols ; Evidence-Based Nursing* ; Humans ; Methods ; Narcotics ; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Nursing ; Nursing Care ; Orthopedics ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop and test an explanatory model for sleep disorders in people with cancer. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of a review of previous studies, literature, and sleep models, and 10 latent variables were used to construct a hypothetical model. METHODS: Data were collected from April 19 to June 25, 2010, using self-report questionnaires. The sample was 291 outpatients with cancer who visited the oncology cancer center at a university hospital. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS Win 15.0 program for descriptive statistics and correlation analysis and AMOS 7.0 program for covariance structural analysis. RESULTS: It appeared that overall fit index was good as chi2/df=1.162, GFI=.969, AGFI=.944, SRMR=.052, NFI=.881, NNFI=.969, CFI=.980, RMSEA=.024, CN=337 in the modified model. The explanatory power of this model for sleep disorders in people with cancer was 62%. Further, sleep disorders were influenced directly by cancer symptom experience, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep, and past sleep pattern. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that nurses should assess past sleep pattern and consider the development of a comprehensive nursing intervention program to minimize the cancer symptom experience, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep, and thus, reduce sleep disorders in people with cancer.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Models, Theoretical ; Neoplasms/*complications/*diagnosis/psychology ; Questionnaires ; Self Concept ; Sleep Disorders/epidemiology/*etiology/*psychology ; Social Support

PURPOSE: To exam how functional status varied according to age, gender, stage, treatment protocols, and pathologic types of cancer in lung cancer patients. METHOD: A Cross-sectional and descriptive study was used. Functional status was measured with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36. A total of 106 lung cancer patients participated. Their mean age was 61 years. Majorities were male, in advanced stages, and receiving chemotherapy. RESULT: Functional status of the subjects were relatively low compared to the results of previous studies. Women had more severe functional limitations in Role-Emotion(t=2.17, p <.05). Generally, older patients(> 60 yrs.) had relatively more severe limitations in all subcategories, but the difference was not statistically significant. Subjects in late lung cancer stage(stage III and IV) had more severe functional limitation in all subcategories. But the statistical difference was found only in General Health(t=2.10, p<.05). In terms of treatment protocol, no-current treatment group had lower General Health than those of the chemotherapy group(F=3.42, p<.01). There were no statistical differences in functional status among pathological cancer cell types. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that effective management may be achieved when these factors are considered on individual basis in the clinical management of lung cancer patients.
Clinical Protocols ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Male ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationships between the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels with the sociodemographic and clinical factors, self-care behaviors, and the physical symptom experiences in patients with heart failure. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized a convenience sample of adult outpatients and inpatients who attended a cardiology department in a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea. The data from 154 patients with heart failure were collected using a questionnaire, and their clinical data were extracted from their electronic medical records. RESULTS: Compared with the patients with high NT-proBNP levels, those with low NT-proBNP levels had significantly lower physical symptom experiences scores. Patients with low- and mid-NT-proBNP levels were more likely to be employed compared with those with high NT-proBNP levels. Patients with low NT-proBNP levels had higher left ventricular ejection fractions, and were less likely to have arrhythmias and comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The results from this study showed that patients with more severe heart failure had higher physical symptom experiences scores; hence, individualizing treatment approaches based on heart failure severity is necessary.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Cardiology ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Electronic Health Records ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Self Care ; Seoul ; Stroke Volume ; Symptom Assessment ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND: With the rapid growth of the elderly population, osteoporosis has become a major health problem worldwide. Although health knowledge and self-efficacy are important assets to facilitate healthy behaviors and disease prevention, such information as it relates to individuals and their bone health is limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of knowledge, self-efficacy, and health behaviors on promoting bone health in middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional survey study. A convenience sampling of middle-aged women (> or =40 years) was done at a community health center in Korea. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with the DEXXUM T. The level of knowledge was measured with the Knowledge of Osteoporosis Scale, and self-efficacy with the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale. A questionnaire for bone health behaviors was developed for this study. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive methods, independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 150 middle-aged women whose mean age was 59.8+/-11.5 years participated in the study. Most (74%) were menopausal. Less than one-quarter of participants (22.7%) had osteoporosis and less than half (42%) had osteopenia based on the T-score at the left femur neck site. Level of knowledge (mean score, 10.35) and self-efficacy (mean score, 47.67) ranged from low to moderate. Intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods was insufficient in our subjects. Bone health behaviors had significant positive relationships with knowledge (r=0.22, P=0.008) and self-efficacy (r=0.29, P<0.001) on promoting bone health. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that educational interventions are needed to enhance knowledge and confidence and to encourage middle-aged women to engage in bone health behaviors.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Community Health Centers ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; Self Efficacy ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the postural habits, body image, and peer attachment of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and healthy adolescents, and to examine the correlation between body image and peer attachment in each group. METHODS: Eighty-three adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and 83 healthy adolescents were recruited from 4 middle schools located in W city. Data were collected from November 22 to December 6 2010 using a structured questionnaire including items about postural habits, body image, and peer attachment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2-test, independent t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS: Compared to healthy adolescents, adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were more likely to use one hand, to lean back while seated, and to put weight on one leg while standing. The score for body image was significantly lower for adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis compared to healthy adolescents, but peer attachment was not significantly different between the two groups. Body image was significantly correlated with peer attachment only for the adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. CONCLUSION: Interventions to promote balanced postural habits in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are needed. Information on body image and peer attachment for these adolescents should also be considered when developing interventions.
Adolescent ; Body Image ; Hand ; Humans ; Leg ; Posture ; Scoliosis ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: As Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) has increasingly been proven as a means of cost-effective and higher-quality healthcare, its successful implementing are challenging. This study done to identify EBP beliefs, knowledge and performance among nurses experienced as a preceptor. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 249 preceptor nurses working in 9 general hospitals in Korea. Reliable and valid questionnaires (EBP beliefs scale, Evidence Based Practice Questionnaire, Research-related activities) were used and the data were analyzed using SPSS win 17.0. RESULT: Perceived beliefs on EBP were relatively positive (mean score 3.57 out of 5), and the level of knowledge was moderate (4.21 out of 7). However, performance of EBP was low (3.82 out of 7). Regularity in reading research journals and searching evidences using core web-database were rarely conducted. Statistically significant correlations were found between beliefs, knowledge and performance of EBP (all p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates that education and training programs to facilitate EBP performance are needed among preceptor nurses.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Evidence-Based Practice ; Hospitals, General ; Korea ; Preceptorship ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine symptom experiences and related factors in angina patients. METHOD: The participants were 92 patients admitted to C university hospital between October and December 2004. The tools used were a questionnaire on symptom experience related to angina developed by Gensini(Coronary Angiographic Gensini Score). Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale and a tool measuring performance of health behavior. RESULTS: The mean score for symptom experience was relatively low (M=27.65, SD=18.44) as was the score for coronary severity (Gensini score) was 16.30 point (SD=18.04). The mean score for perceived stress was moderate (M=30.16, SD=12.26). Compliance was relatively good in these patients with angina (M=61.55, SD=7.60). Analysis of the correlation of symptom experience showed a statistically significant positive relationship with perceived stress (r=.410, p=.000). There was significant negative relationship (r=-.251, p=.016) between symptom experience and compliance. In the regression analysis, symptom experience was found to be significantly influenced by stress (R2=.168, p=.000), age (R2=.057, p=.002), and economic status (R2=.061, p=.007). These variables explained 26.2% of the variance in symptom experience. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence that symptoms of angina can present not only as chest pain itself but also with fatigue, shortness of breath, and sleep disturbance as the most common symptoms.
Angina Pectoris* ; Chest Pain ; Compliance ; Dyspnea ; Fatigue ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This correction is being published to revise the Introduction and Method of the article.