Primary hepatic Burkitt lymphoma in a child and review of literature

Primary hepatic non-Hodgkin lymphoma is extremely rare in childhood and can be overlooked in differential diagnosis of liver masses. In this study, we describe an unusual case of primary hepatic Burkitt lymphoma in childhood.     

The diagnostic utility of the basal and post-exercise QRS-T angle in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of basal and post-exercise QRS-T angle in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

This cross-sectional and observational study analyzed 190 patients with stable angina. The QRS-T angle is measured on the 12-lead electrocardiograms at baseline and just after stopping the treadmill stress test in patients undergoing conventional coronary angiography (CAG). The pre- and post-exercise QRS-T angle and ΔQRS-T angle were analyzed.

Results

Of the 190 patients, 66 (34.7%) were assigned to group 1 (patients with coronary lesion) and 124 (65.3%) to group 2 (patients without coronary lesion) after CAG. There was no statistically significant difference in QRS-T angle between groups at baseline (pre-exercise) (30.7 ± 17 vs. 27.8 ± 12.8, p = .233). The QRS-T angle value was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (68.8 ± 40.3 vs. 22.7 ± 21.5, p = .01) after exercise (post-exercise). The ΔQRS-T angle was also significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (38.1 ± 37.6 vs. −5.1 ± 22.9, p = .01). Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the cut-off value of QRS-T angle (post-exercise) for the coronary obstruction was >51.5° with 81% of sensitivity and 66% of specificity (AUC: 0.832, p = .001, CI: 0.769–0.894). Duke treadmill score for coronary stenosis was >1.5 with 77% of sensitivity and 69% of specificity (AUC: 0.814, p = .001, CI: 0.749–0.878).

Conclusion

It could be proposed that post-exercise QRS-T angle and Δ QRS-T angle are significantly associated with coronary obstruction in patients with stable angina and appear to be more sensitive than the Duke treadmill score and traditional electrocardiographic parameters.     

Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of a multicomponent fall prevention program in hospitalized patients

The aim of this pre- and post-interventional study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the multicomponent fall prevention program in hospitalized patients. To achieve this aim, cost-effectiveness analysis performed using decision tree modeling was compared with the implementation of the fall prevention program and usual care. The primary outcome was the number of patient falls. The uncertainty in cost and effectiveness data was evaluated using one-way sensitivity analysis, best–worst-case scenario analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. According to cost-effectiveness analysis, implementation of the fall prevention program was dominantly cost-effective. As a result of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, it was revealed that, even if willing-to-pay per-fall prevented value was 0, the probability of being cost-effective was 54.4% for the fall prevention program. Economic evaluation results showed that implementing the multicomponent fall prevention program was dominantly cost-effective in hospitalized patients. Nurses and nurse managers can benefit from economic evaluations in their decision-making processes to implement fall prevention programs.     

The earthquakes in Turkey and their effects on nursing and community health

Background

Severe damage was experienced in 10 provinces in Turkey, and the north of Syria, with the earthquakes that hit Kahramanmaraş at midnight and afternoon on February 6, 2023.

Aim

The authors aimed to give brief information to the international nursing community about the situation related to earthquakes in the aspects of nurses.

Conclusion

These earthquakes caused traumatic processes in the affected regions. Many people, including nurses and other healthcare professionals, died or were injured. The results demonstrated that the required preparedness had not been applied. Nurses went to these areas voluntarily or on assignment and cared for individuals with injured. The universities in the country passed to distance education because of the shortage of safe places for victims. This situation also negatively influenced nursing education and clinical practice by interrupting in-person education one more time after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implications for nursing and nursing policy

Since the outcomes show a need for well-organized health and nursing care, policymakers may consider getting nurses' contributions to the disaster preparedness and management policy-making processes.     

Development and psychometric validation of the Sickness Presenteeism Scale-Nurse

Aim

This study's aim is to develop and psychometrically assess the Sickness Presenteeism Scale-Nurse.

Background

Evaluation of the effects of sickness presenteeism on nurses' performance and productivity is important for healthcare quality.

Design

This was an instrument development and validation study.

Methods

Scale items were created based on literature review and qualitative research. Data were collected from 619 nurses between October and December 2021. The factor structure of the scale was determined by explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis performed with different sample groups. Convergent and discriminant validity were investigated, and reliability was evaluated with Cronbach's α values, adjusted item-total correlation, composite-reliability and split-half reliability.

Results

Explanatory factor analysis showed that Sickness Presenteeism Scale-Nurse consisted of four sub-dimensions and 21 items and explained 57.9% of the total variance. This factor structure was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed. The total Cronbach's α value of the scale was calculated as 0.928, with Cronbach's α values of the sub-dimensions calculated as 0.815–0.903; composite reliability values were calculated as 0.804–0.903.

Conclusions

The Sickness Presenteeism Scale-Nurse is a valid and reliable measurement instrument that can be used to evaluate the effect of nurses' sickness presenteeism behaviour on job performance.