Search

BackgroundComorbidity has been noted as a potential barrier to proper adherence to antihypertensive medications.ObjectivesWe decided to investigate whether comorbidity could significantly affect adherence of Iranian patients with hypertension to their medication regimen.Patients and methodsTwo hundred and eighty consecutive hypertensive patients were interviewed in 4 cities of Iran. The 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) (validated in Persian) was used to assess medication adherence. This scale determines adherence by scores as lower than 6 (low adherence), 6 or 7 (moderate adherence), and 8 (high adherence). Comorbidity was considered as any concomitant medical condition, which necessitates the patient to take medicine for a minimum of 6 months prior to the interviews.ResultsThe most common comorbid conditions were ischemic heart disease (65 patients, 23.2%), diabetes mellitus (55 patients, 19.6%), and dyslipidemia (51 patients, 18.2%). Mean (± SD) MMAS-8 score in comorbid group was 5.68 (± 1.85) and in non-comorbid hypertensive patients, it was 5.83 (± 1.91) (P = 0.631). Mean (± SD) number of comorbidities was 1.53 (± 0.75) in low adherence group compared to 1.54 (± 0.77) in moderate/high adherers (P = 0.98). With increasing the number of comorbid diseases, the proportion of patients with high adherence decreased successively from 20% in those with no comorbid disease to 14.1% in those with one or two comorbid conditions, and finally 11.1% in those with 3 to 5 comorbid conditions.ConclusionsWith increasing the number of comorbid conditions, the proportion of patients with high adherence decreases. In our opinion, this finding is a useful clinical note for healthcare providers when managing patients with hypertension who have other medical problems at the same time.

Menopause is a physiological phenomenon, which in some cases may lead to physical and psychological complications. These complications degrade happiness and quality of life. The authors conducted the current study to determine the impact of physical activity (PA) and group discussion (GD) on happiness in postmenopausal women. For this clinical trial with a factorial design, 160 eligible menopausal women in the 45-55 age range were randomly assigned to four groups of PA, GD and GD+PA), and control group. The four groups completed the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The happiness score in the PA, GD and GD+PA groups was significantly higher immediately and two months after the intervention than that of the control group. PA and GD can increase happiness in postmenopausal women who reside in Kermanshah-Iran. Using PA and GD in postmenopausal women care programs is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart diseases are the main reasons of death in the developed countries. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the patterns of pain intensity and psychosomatic symptoms among cardiac patients. Methods: This is a descriptive study and the statistical population included all the cardiac patients who were admitted to an Iranian Hospital (Kermanshah-Imam Ali Hospital) during 2018 (From July to November) 250 people were selected out of the population using convenience sampling and 180 patients answered pain intensity assessment tools, the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15) and the patient demographic information form. Results: The results of this study indicated moderate (52.2%), low (36.1%) and high (11.7%) levels of pain intensity plus mild (4.4%), moderate (28.3%) and severe (67.2%) psychosomatic symptoms with the most common psychosomatic symptoms being chest pain (52.8%), fatigue (52.8%), shortness of breath (49.4%), heart palpitation (47.8%).The results of chi-square test showed a no significant relationship between psychosomatic symptoms and variables of age, marital status, drug abuse and pain intensity (p> 0.05), however, significant relationship was found between psychosomatic symptoms and gender (p< 0.001). Moreover, there was no significant relationship between pain intensity and age, gender, marital status and drug abuse at the level of (p>0.05). Conclusion: Psychosomatic symptoms and pain intensity are associated with certain functional disorders and health care, therefore, identifying psychosomatic symptoms and pain intensity is very useful in assessing the effectiveness of clinical approaches on cardiac patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Circadian variation is known as an important factor in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Moreover, the circadian pattern may help in disease prevention and better medication prescription. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the circadian pattern of symptom onset in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 777 patients admitted to the Imam Ali Cardiovascular Center, Kermanshah, Iran, with a diagnosis of STEMI from March 2018 to February 2019. Data were collected using a checklist developed based on the study's objectives. Differences between subgroups were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc testing and chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test). RESULTS: Out of the 777 patients, 616 (79.3%) were men. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of age of the patients was 60.93 ± 12.86 years. 380 patients (48.9%) were current smoker, 40.3% were hypertensive, 21.1% had hypercholesterolemia, 18.3% had diabetes mellitus (DM), 25.2% had history of angina, and about 15.0% had history of myocardial infarction (MI). The occurrence of STEMI was most common during hours between 06:01-12:00 (27.7%), followed by 12:01-18:00 (27.3%), 00:00-06:00 (24.3%), and 18:01-24:00 (20.7%), respectively. Gender was significantly associated with circadian pattern of STEMI. Women showed a double peak of symptom onset in 06:01-12:00 and 12:01-18:00. CONCLUSION: The present study of Iranian patients displayed circadian pattern of STEMI with 2 peaks in the morning and afternoon, and the both peaks were dominated by women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension is the property of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension is the property of Revista Latinoamericana de Hipertension and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Psychological symptoms of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) including perceptual, emotional, and behavioral problems can effect patient perception of chest pain. This study was conducted to determine the effect of metaphor therapy on mitigating depression, anxiety, stress, and pain discomfort in patients with NCCP. Materials and Methods: This randomized, controlled, trial was conducted on 28 participants, who had visited the emergency department of Kermanshah Imam Ali Heart Hospital because of experiencing NCCP during the June to September 2014. The patients were randomly assigned to metaphor therapy and control groups (n=14 for each group) during a four-week period. Our data collection questionnaires included Pain Discomfort Scale (PDS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Chi-square and MANCOVA tests were run, using SPSS version 20. Results: Twenty patients (71.4%) completed the trial period until the final assessment. Our findings showed that metaphor therapy couldn't lower depression, anxiety, stress, and pain discomfort; In fact, there was not a significant difference between the metaphor therapy and control groups regarding the aforementioned variables (P>0.05). Conclusions: Although the study results did not support the effectiveness of metaphor therapy for NCCP, further studies on the potential role of metaphor therapy in attenuating NCCP symptoms seem to be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Arrhythmia is known as a common complication of most major surgeries. The reduction in the Serum level of Mg+2 during the peri-operation period plays an important role in prevention of arrhythmias through stabilization of cell membrane. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of prophylactic magnesium sulphate in treating arrhythmias that may occur following coronary bypass grafting operations. Materials and Methods: In this randomized double blinded clinical trial study, the population consisted of 174 consecutive patients undergoing the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). 87 patients given 3 g of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) [20 ml = 24.32 mEq/L Mg+2] in 100 cc of isotonic 0.9% solution over 2 hours intravenously at the following times: 12 hours prior to the operation, immediately following the operation, and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 (Group 1). Another group including 87 patients given 100 cc. isotonic 0.9% as placebo, during the same time periods (control group). Results: In the postoperative period, the magnesium values reduced in control Group and increased in case group due to its injection. Arrhythmia prevalence was reduced significantly in favor of magnesium group (P= 0.013). The two groups showed no significant differences in other operative or postoperative measurements. No side effects of the drugs were observed. Conclusion: Prophylactic use of magnesium sulphate is effective at preventing arrhythmia that may occur following coronary by-pass operations. Magnesium sulphate should be used in prophylactic treatment since it may decrease arrhythmia at low doses. If arrhythmia should occur despite this treatment, intervention with amiodarone may be preferable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myocardial blush grade (MBG), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) and corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) are indices of successful angiographic reperfusion. This study sought to determine the predictors of angiographically successful reperfusion including demographic, clinical and angiographic factors in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI)., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of STEMI undergoing pPCI was designed. Eligible patients referring to a university heart center were enrolled in the study from March 2012 to December 2012. Successful epicardial reperfusion was defned as TIMI flow grade 3 or cTFC<= 28 frames and successful myocardial reperfusion as MBG 2 or 3., Results: The study population consisted of 100 patients, including 74 males and 26 females, with mean ± standard deviation age of 58.27 ± 11.60 years. Achieving open microvasculature (MBG 2/3) was positively associated with a history of nitrate intake (P = 0.03) and history of calcium channel blocker (CCB) intake (P = 0.005). Hyperglycemia was inversely associated with achieving a final cTFC ≤ 28 frames (r = -0.32, P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with a history of nitrate and CCB intake had a higher likelihood of successful PCI. In addition, patients with a higher blood glucose level on admission may have a reduced rate of reperfusion success. Future studies with a larger sample size are recommended to investigate the significant relationships observed in this study.