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- Friedrichsen, Maria, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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Assistant nurses' experiences of thirst and ethical dilemmas in dying patients in specialized palliative care — A qualitative study
- 2023
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 79:11, s. 4292-4303
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsTo describe assistant nurses' experiences of thirst and ethical challenges in relation to thirst in terminally ill patients in specialized palliative care (PC) units.DesignA qualitative, reflexive thematic design with an inductive analysis was used.MethodsData were collected during November 2021-January 2023. Twelve qualitative interviews with assistant nurses working in five different specialized PC units in different hospitals in Sweden were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with a reflexive thematic analysis. The study was guided by the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).ResultsTwo main themes were found in this study. (1) 'A world of practice for thirst relief' where assistant nurses present a task-oriented world where the knowledge of thirst is an experience-based unspoken knowledge where mainly routines rule. (2) Ethical challenges presents different ethical problems that they meet in their practice, such as when patients express thirst towards the end of their life but are too severely ill to drink or when they watch lack of knowledge in the area among other health professionals.ConclusionThirst in dying patients is a neglected area that assistant nurses work with, without communicating it. Their knowledge of thirst and thirst relief are not expressed, seldom discussed, there are no policy documents nor is thirst documented in the patient's record. There is a need for nurses to take the lead in changing nursing practice regarding thirst.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.ImpactIn palliative care, previous studies have shown that dying patients might be thirsty. Assistant nurses recognize thirst in dying patients, but thirst is not discussed in the team. Nurses must consider the patient's fundamental care needs and address thirst, for example in the nursing process to ensure patients quality of life in the last days of life.Reporting MethodThe study was guided by the SRQR.What does this Article Contribute to the Wider Global Clinical Community?Thirst is a distressing symptom for all humans. However, when a patient is dying, he or she loses several functions and can no longer drink independently. The knowledge from this article contributes to our understanding of current practice and shows an area that requires immediate attention for the improvement of fundamental palliative care delivery.
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- Järemo, Petter, et al.
(author)
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Alzheimer's disease and granulocyte density diversity
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0014-2972 .- 1365-2362. ; 43:6, s. 545-548
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:The current study investigates circulating eosinophils and neutrophils in Alzheimer's (AD) type dementia with respect to density (kg/L). The existence of β-amyloid plaques in the brain is a feature of AD. Sporadic scientific reports indicate that the disease affects circulating neutrophils. In contrast, numerous publications investigate inflammatory reactions in AD brains. Locally, the plaques evoke a substantial inflammatory response involving activated microglia and astrocytes.METHODS:Subjects with probable AD (n = 39) were included and compared with elderly individuals (n = 22) lacking apparent memory problems. We sampled 10 mL venous blood in citrate. Granulocytes were separated according to density in linear Percoll™ gradients. Subsequently, the gradients were divided into density subfractions (n = 16). In every fraction, determination of eosinophil and neutrophil counts was carried out.RESULTS:AD sufferers displayed less granulocytes in fractions nos. 13-15 containing light cells. For these fractions, the P-values proved to be (P < 0·001; not significant; P = 0·03) and (P = 0·01; P = 0·01; not significant), for eosinophils and neutrophils, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The present work describes that less circulating light granulocytes are a feature of AD demented individuals. It is to hypothesize that it is a sign of impaired granulocyte turnover and cell damage. It is concluded that AD affects inflammatory cells in the periphery and that the behaviour of granulocytes in dementia is worthwhile further studies.
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- Järemo, Petter, et al.
(author)
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Inverse relationship between platelet density and reactivity alterations at coronary angiography
- 2001
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In: Haemostasis. - Basel : S. Karger. - 0301-0147 .- 1423-0038. ; 31:1, s. 55-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This work investigates relationships between platelet density and reactivity. 21 individuals subject to coronary angiography were studied. Peak platelet density was analyzed using a newly developed electronic device. The apparatus measures light transmission through test tubes containing density-separated platelets, thus allowing an estimation of the platelet distribution in the gradient. A flow cytometry technique was used for determining platelet reactivity after stimulating with ADP. Platelet counts, mean platelet volumes, peak platelet density and platelet reactivity were determined immediately before (day 1) and 24 h after cardiac catheterization (day 2). For all parameters changes during the day of angiography were compared with platelet density alterations. The subjects were divided into two groups according to density changes at angiography. Group 1 individuals showed density alterations (i.e. day 2 – day 1 value) ≥–8 × 10–5 kg/l. In contrast, group 2 subjects either displayed density changes <–8 × 10–5 kg/l or grossly disturbed platelet density patterns on day 2. Before angiography both groups had similar platelet counts and volumes. Then platelet reactivity when stimulating with ADP did not differ significantly between the two groups. After angiography, the number of fibrinogen-positive cells when stimulating with ADP rose by 6 ± 8% for group 2 patients. The corresponding figure for group 1 was –1 ± 6%. The difference was significant (p = 0.01). No such relationships were found when comparing density alterations and changes of platelet counts and volumes. We conclude that in this study platelet density alterations at coronary angiography are inversely related to variations of platelet reactivity.
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- Järemo, Petter, et al.
(author)
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Letter: Elevated platelet density and enhanced platelet reactivity in stable angina pectoris complicated by diabetes mellitus type II
- 2009
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In: Thrombosis Research. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0049-3848 .- 1879-2472. ; 124:3, s. 373-374
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The prognosis of coronary heart disease (CHD) has changed for the better. Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicates CHD and is associated with less favorable prospects and higher rates of coronary recurrence.149 individuals below 75 years of age subject to elective coronary angiography to evaluate chest pain were consented. Patients were eligible if they did not have a history of rheumatic disease. 51 individuals treated medically for T2DM were compared with the remaining subjects (n = 98). Blood samples were obtained before elective coronary angiography.A special designed optical apparatus was used to analyze peak platelet density. Platelet bound fibrinogen after provocation reflecting the activation of the GPIIb-IIIa receptor i.e. platelet reactivity was determined with the use of a flow cytometer.T2DM is associated with augmented platelet density (p < 0.001).Diabetic platelets displayed enhanced reactivity when stimulating with higher concentrations ADP (8.5 μmol/l) (p < 0.01) and TRAP-6 (74 μmol/l) (p < 0.001).DTII patients with stable angina pectoris showed enhanced platelet density, augmented platelet reactivity and increased MPV. Platelets are more reactive in DTII. More aggressive platelets may offer a explanation as to why DTII has an impact upon the prognosis of CHD.
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- Järemo, Petter, et al.
(author)
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Low-density platelet populations demonstrate low in vivo activity in sporadic Alzheimer disease
- 2012
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In: Platelets. - London : Informa Healthcare. - 0953-7104 .- 1369-1635. ; 23:2, s. 116-120
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Platelets contain a substantial quantity of amyloid-precursor protein (APP) and β-amyloid. However, despite the large importance of APP and β-amyloid to dementia, little is known about platelets in sporadic Alzheimer dementia (AD). Furthermore, platelet heterogeneity influences human pathology and has been described to affect the progression of AD. This study investigated AD platelets with respect to density diversity and in vivo activity associated with density sub-fractions. We included 39 AD patients and used, as controls, 22 elderly individuals without apparent memory disorder. A continuous Percoll™ gradient covering the density span 1.04–1.09 kg/l provided the basis to divide platelets of whole blood into density fractions (n = 16). All platelet populations were evaluated accordingly. Platelet counts were determined electronically. A flow-cytometer was put to use to measure surface-bound fibrinogen as a measure of platelet in vivo activity. Samples obtained from patients diagnosed with sporadic AD contained platelets (fractions numbers 4–16) that circulated with significantly less surface-bound fibrinogen, i.e., their platelet activation in vivo was reduced, compared with controls. In particular, highly significant differences (p < 0.001) were obtained for the six less dense platelet populations (fractions numbers 11–16) when comparing sporadic AD with controls. In contrast, the densest AD platelets in fractions numbers 1–3 did not differ significantly from control cells with respect to in vivo platelet-bound fibrinogen. It is concluded that sporadic AD is characterized by lower density platelet populations that, while circulating, exhibited reduced activation. The clinical significance of this finding is unclear but these results suggest the importance of platelet heterogeneity in dementia as a topic for further investigation.
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- Järemo, Petter, et al.
(author)
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Platelets and acute cerebral infarction
- 2013
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In: Platelets. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0953-7104 .- 1369-1635. ; 24:5, s. 407-411
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Stroke is worldwide a leading cause of death and disability. Its etiology is regarded as heterogeneous. Platelets are implicated in its pathophysiology, but our understanding of their specific role is incomplete. Only sparse and conflicting information exists about platelet reactivity and activity in acute stroke. Some scientists take the view that platelets activate in conjunction with acute cerebral infarctions. Others put forward evidence corroborating the contrary notion. Increased soluble P-selectin as a sign of platelet and/or endothelial activity seems to be a feature of the disease. The latter point of view is opposed by other researchers. Due to these conflicting opinions, this study is devoted to platelet characteristics in acute cerebral infarctions. We studied subjects (n = 72; age 74 +/- 10(SD) years; 31 females) having acute stroke. As controls served atrial fibrillation (AF) patients (n = 58; age 69 +/- 7(SD) years; 12 females) subject to electrical cardioversion, a flow cytometer was put to use for measuring platelet reactivity and activity. After agonist provocation, both platelet bound P-selectin and fibrinogen were employed as estimates of platelet reactivity. Dilutions of a thrombin-receptor-activating peptide (TRAP-6) (74 and 57 mmol/l) (P-selectin and fibrinogen) and ADP (8.5 and 1.7 mmol/l) (fibrinogen only) were put to use as platelet agonists. Membrane-bound P-selectin without agonist stimulation served as a measure of in vivo platelet activation. Soluble P-selectin, as determined from a commercial ELISA, was used to assess platelet and/or endothelial activity. In acute stroke neither platelet-bound P-selectin nor fibrinogen after stimulation, i.e. reactivity, differed from AF controls. In contrast, lower platelet activity as judged from surface attached and circulating P-selectin without agonist stimulation proved to be a feature of cerebral infarctions. The p-values were p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively. It is concluded that acute stroke is not associated with platelet reactivity platelets circulate less activated during the disease. It is evident that the mechanisms reflecting platelet reactivity and activity being investigated in this study play minor roles in stroke pathophysiology. New powerful platelet inhibitory drugs are currently introduced. To avoid major bleeding studies on platelet, behavior in acute stroke are necessary before including these medications in stroke treatment protocols.
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