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- Schaufelberger, Maria, 1954, et al.
(författare)
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Intestinal paracellular permeability is not affected in chronic congestive heart failure
- 2007
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Ingår i: Eur J Heart Fail. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 9:6-7, s. 574-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In chronic heart failure (CHF) it has been proposed that a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal barrier could lead to translocation of endotoxin into the systemic circulation. A secondary inflammatory reaction, observed as increased levels of cytokines, could negatively affect cardiac function. The aims of this paper were therefore to determine whether patients with CHF have a disturbed mucosal barrier and whether it was possible to detect endotoxin in venous blood. METHODS: Nineteen stable patients with CHF (New York Heart Association II-III, EF40% and earlier hospitalisation for heart failure) were investigated. Twenty healthy subjects (HS group) and 25 patients, who were admitted for bone marrow transplantation (BMT group), served as controls. Gastrointestinal permeability was assessed by a (51)Cr-EDTA absorption test. RESULTS: Eleven patients with and eight without peripheral oedema were included. Median age was 76.5 years. Intestinal permeability was 1.82+/-1.96% in the CHF patients and 1.54+/-.59% and 1.9+/-.9% in HS and BMT groups, respectively (p=0.4 and p=0.7, CHF vs HS and BMT, respectively). No difference was found between patients with and without oedema and endotoxins were below the detection limit in all patients. DISCUSSION: This study does not support the hypothesis that patients with CHF have a dysfunctional gastrointestinal barrier, at least as assessed by the (51)Cr-EDTA resorbtion test.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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It's up to me! Experiences of living with pre-diabetes and the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus
- 2008
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Ingår i: Primary Care Diabetes. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 1751-9918 .- 1878-0210. ; 2:4, s. 187-193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: To explore experiences of pre-diabetes and the associated increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Eight participants with pre-diabetes were interviewed for a 45-60 min period. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Results: Living with pre-diabetes means existing on the borderline of being healthy and suffering from T2DM. Three themes were formulated; "seeing possibilities in an uncertain future", "facing obstacles and loss of liberty" and "balancing between possibilities and obstacles" Being on the borderline and balancing between possibilities and obstacles were interpreted as a distressing feeling of being at increased risk of developing T2DM, although this feeling can change to one of either facing possibilities or facing obstacles. Conclusions: Special focus must be directed towards persons with pre-diabetes, as they are caught between possibilities and obstacles. Advanced care in the form of health dialogues can convince these people of their own abilities to influence the outcome of pre-diabetes. The result of this study can guide health care practitioners in comprehending each participant's understanding of the situation, thus helping them to create pedagogical dialogues in which patients' experiences, conceptions, explanations as well as explicit and implicit questions are identified. © 2008 Primary Care Diabetes Europe.
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| 4. |
- Attebring, MF, et al.
(författare)
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Intrusion and confusion the impact of medication and health professionals after acute myocardial infarction
- 2005
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1474-5151 .- 1873-1953. ; 4:2, s. 153-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Secondary prevention is important in preventing new cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AIM: To explore patients' experiences of secondary prevention after a first AMI. METHODS: A qualitative approach with hermeneutical analysis of in depth interviews was used. RESULTS: Twenty patients (12 men and 8 women, aged 34-79 years) were interviewed. None of the patients was previously treated for cardiovascular disease except one that had a history of angina pectoris. Two main themes emerged from the analysis. 1) Impact of medication: patients interpreted bodily sensations as a consequence of being medicated rather than as a result of their heart attack. The medication led to feelings of being intruded upon but also to positive feelings of security. 2) Impact of health professionals: communication with health professionals resulted in confusion about both treatment and the severity of the coronary disease. Patients expressed a need of being reassured by their physician regarding their physical status. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals need to consider the impact of pharmacological treatment on patients' life, at least in patients who suffer from a first AMI. The point of departure in secondary preventive work must be patients' beliefs about their condition and the treatment they receive. Nurses and physicians must be aware of the information each patient has been given, and from this starting point, they have to be in concordance with one another. From the patients' perspective it is deemed necessary for the physicians to discuss the disease and the consequences it may have, both in the near future and in the long run, as soon as possible.
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| 6. |
- Berghammer, Malin, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Young adults experiences of living with congenitala heart disease
- 2006
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273. ; 110:3, s. 340-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Advances in care have improved the longevity and quality of life for children with congenital heart disease; however, many of them need lifelong highly qualified specialist care. The cardiac lesion involved may not always be the patient's main problem; issues related to quality of life may dominate. AIM: To explore and gain a deeper understanding of young adults experiences of living with congenital heart disease in order to enhance the quality of care provided by the health care system. METHOD: Transcribed in-depth interviews were analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. Six adults with congenital heart disease, aged 22-39 years old, were included in the study. RESULTS: Analyses yielded two themes, having the disease and living with illness, both originating from the main theme of ambivalence. The interviewees were ambivalent in how they viewed themselves, how they faced their daily life and how they dealt with their encounters with the health care system. They had to strike a balance between being different and not being different; being sick and being healthy; revealing their congenital heart disease or hiding it and living with a hidden handicap. They also had to cope with the disease and with the health care system. CONCLUSION: Young adults with congenital heart disease are ambivalent. They have a strong wish to be healthy and they might hide their symptoms from the healthcare personnel and sometimes even from themselves. A psychosocial preparedness when meeting these patients is necessary.
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| 7. |
- Berndtsson, Ina, 1953, et al.
(författare)
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Thirty years of experience living with a continent ileostomy
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing. - 1071-5754. ; 32:5, s. 321-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: This study describes long-term adjustment of people with a continent ileostomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 68 people (25 males and 43 females) who underwent an operation for ulcerative colitis with a continent ileostomy (Kock pouch). The median number of years subjects had lived with a continent reservoir was 31 (range 29-36) at follow-up and the median subject age was 60 (40-89). Subjects completed a 36-item questionnaire designed to assess adjustment to ostomy surgery. Subjects ranked the questionnaire using a 6-point Likert scale; a response alternative "not relevant" was available. Content analysis was conducted on subjects' responses to an open-ended question covering aspects of their quality of life. RESULTS: High median adjustment ratings were found for all 36 statements; the maximum median rating of 6 appeared on 28 items. Eight items with the lowest median ratings were in the following domains: embarrassing situations, activity, body image, sexuality, and good care. Five items on medical care and 3 items on sexuality were most frequently considered "not relevant" by respondents. The most frequently mentioned quality-of-life domains were family, health, friends, and employment. Content analysis indicated that respondents were self-reliant, although they indicated that they experienced considerable impediments to bowel evacuation outside of the home. CONCLUSIONS: In the long-term, people with a continent ileostomy have good self-care. The quality and availability of public restrooms, however, reduces their daily activities away from home.
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| 8. |
- Brännström, Margareta, et al.
(författare)
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Being a close relative of a person with severe, chronic heart failure in palliative advanced home care : a comfort but also a strain
- 2007
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 21:3, s. 338-344
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Within previous research on family care of terminally ill people, studies have only rarely been carried out concerning heart failure care. This study aims to illuminate meanings of being a close relative of a person with severe, chronic heart failure (CHF) in palliative advanced home care (PAHC). Narrative interviews were conducted with three close relatives, tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and a phenomenological-hermeneutic method was used to interpret the text. Meanings of being a close relative is to follow the life-threatening ups and downs, the person with CHF is going through. This means being on primary call, always on standby to mediate security and pleasure. In the deepest downs it is also to call for the back-up call i.e. the PAHC team, trusting their ability to show up on time to alleviate in the worst downs i.e. ease suffering. This study reveals that to be the close relative that the ill person is dependent on 24 hours a day is both a comfort and a strain.
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| 9. |
- Brännström, Margareta, et al.
(författare)
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Living with severe chronic heart failure in palliative advanced home care.
- 2006
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1474-5151 .- 1873-1953. ; 5:4, s. 295-302
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Living with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) in palliative care has been little studied. AIM: The aim of this study is to illuminate meaning of living with severe CHF in palliative advanced home care through patients' narratives. METHODS: Narrative interviews were conducted with 4 patients, tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A phenomenological-hermeneutic method was used to interpret the text. RESULTS: Meaning of living with severe CHF in palliative advanced home care emerged as 'knocking on death's door' although surviving. The course of the illness forces one to live a 'roller coaster life,' with an ongoing oscillation between ups and downs. Making it through the downs breeds a kind of confidence in one's ability to survive and the will to live is strong. Being offered a safety belt in the 'roller coaster' by the palliative advanced home care team evokes feelings of security. CONCLUSIONS: Meaning of living with severe CHF in palliative advanced home care is on one hand, being aware of one's imminent death, on the other hand, making it through the downs i.e. surviving life-threatening conditions, breed confidence in also surviving the current down. Being constructively dependent on palliative advanced home care facilitates everyday life at home.
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