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The purpose of this study was to investigate erectile dysfunction and associated factors in diabetic patients. Three hundred two patients aged 30–69 and diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) at the internal diseases clinic of a Turkish hospital between January and July 2023 were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study. The patients' anthropometric and demographic characteristics, blood lipid and glucose levels, and blood testosterone values were examined. All patients completed the shortened version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied. The incidence of erectile dysfunction in the patients with type 2 DM was 54.3%. The patients' mean age was 48.89 ± 7.87 years. The majority were obese (53.0%) and had comorbidities (66.2%). Duration of diabetes was longer among the patients with erectile dysfunction than in those without (mean duration of DM 84.86 ± 42.49 years and 71.05 ± 25.58 years, respectively, p: 0.001). No diabetes-related complications were observed in 67.2% of the patients, while glycemic control was weak in 44.4% (HbA1c < 7%). Increased body mass index (p = 0.009), lack of physical activity, HbA1C elevation, and low testosterone levels (p < 0.001) emerged as independent indicators of erectile dysfunction (p < 0.05). Erectile dysfunction is very prevalent in diabetic men. The Condition is also increasingly significant as an early clinical indicator for patients with cardiovascular disease. Erectile dysfunction evaluation and management should constitute a standard component in addition to routine laboratory investigation in internal diseases clinics. Clinicians should screen patients with longer durations of diabetes more frequently and refer them for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between nurses' anxiety and depression levels and their compliance with isolation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has had severe psychological impacts on nurses. Methods: Following receipt of the requisite approvals, data were collected actively from 289 nurses consenting to participate in the study through an online questionnaire using theinternet/social media. Results: Mean stress, anxiety, and depression scores were higher among carers for COVID-19 patients than in non-Covidcarers. Analysis revealed significant positive correlation between Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale scores and stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Conclusion: Burnout increased while compliance with isolation precautions decreased in this study as stress, anxiety, and depression increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context • Although a number of studies have shown that lavender administered via inhalation can decrease the invasive pain and anxiety experienced by hemodialysis (HD) patients during cannulation, the evaluation has mostly been on the short-term effectiveness of lavender oil. Also, no study has evaluated the effects of lavender on comfort level. Objective • The study aimed to investigate the long-term effectiveness of lavender oil, when administered via an inhaler during HD sessions, on a patient’s experience of invasive pain, anxiety, and comfort during access to the fistula. Design • The research team designed a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting • The study took place in an HD unit of a public hospital in Kirklareli, Turkey. Participants • Participants were 24 patients receiving HD in the unit between January and March 2021. Intervention • Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Pure lavender essence was diluted with sweet almond oil at a ratio of 1:10. Before the cannulation procedure at 12 HD sessions, three drops of a 1:10 mixture were placed on sterile gauze and held at a distance of about 10 cm from the participant’s nose to ensure its inhalation before the fistula puncture with the needle. No extra procedure was performed for the control group. Outcome Measures • Participants completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) right after puncture of the fistula during each HD session. The STAI and HD Comfort Scale were scored at baseline prior to the first HD session and postintervention at the twelfth HD session. Results • The VAS (P < .001) and state anxiety scores (P = .027) were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group at all time points, except at baseline. The comfort scale in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < .05) Conclusions • Lavender aromatherapy could be a good option for reducing the pain, anxiety, and discomfort level of HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The major salivary glands can be stimulated by chewing gum to increase saliva flow and decrease xerostomia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chewing gum on dry mouth, interdialytic weight gain, and intradialytic symptoms in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled single‐blind study was conducted with patients who had been treated for at least 6 months with sessions 3 days a week for 4 hours at two HD units. Patients were randomly allocated to chewing gum group or the control group. In the chewing gum group, gum was chewed for 10 minutes six times a day, and when the patients felt mouth dryness or were thirsty. In the nonchewing gum group, gum was not chewed. The patients were followed‐up for 3 months. A total of three saliva samples were taken before starting treatment at the first, 12th, and 36th HD session. Data were collected with the "Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)," "Hemodialysis Patients Fluid Control Scale," "Dialysis Symptom Index," and "Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale" at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Findings The study was completed with a total of 44 patients consisting of 22 patients in the each group. The second and third month VAS values (xerostomia) of the patients in the chewing gum groups were statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (P = 0.014, P < 0.001, respectively). The third month salivary flow rate in the chewing gum group was higher than the values in the control group patients (P < 0.001). Discussion: It is anticipated that this study will raise nurses' awareness of dry mouth and encourage future studies on interventions to increase the salivary flow rate to prevent or treat dry mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]