Lifestyle behaviours and weight among hospital-based nurses

Aims  The purpose of this study was to (i) describe the weight, weight-related perceptions and lifestyle behaviours of hospital-based nurses, and (ii) explore the relationship of demographic, health, weight and job characteristics with lifestyle behaviours.
Background  The obesity epidemic is widely documented. Worksite initiatives have been advocated. Nurses represent an important part of the hospital workforce and serve as role models when caring for patients.
Methods  A sample of 194 nurses from six hospitals participated in anthropometric measurements and self-administered surveys.
Results  The majority of nurses were overweight and obese, and some were not actively involved in weight management behaviours. Self-reported health, diet and physical activity behaviours were low, although variable by gender, age and shift. Reports of co-worker norms supported low levels of healthy behaviours.
Conclusions  Findings reinforce the need to address the hospital environment and culture as well as individual behaviours for obesity control.
Implications for nursing management  Nurse managers have an opportunity to consider interventions that promote a climate favourable to improved health habits by facilitating and supporting healthy lifestyle choices (nutrition and physical activity) and environmental changes. Such efforts have the potential to increase productivity and morale and decrease work-related disabilities and improve quality of life.     

Survival of patients in a Phase 1 clinic

BACKGROUND:

Patients with advanced malignancies for whom standard therapy is ineffective may participate in phase 1 trials. To gain a better understanding of the clinical features that could influence benefit versus risk, the authors of this report assessed prognostic factors and survival for patients who were referred to a phase 1 clinic focused primarily on targeted agents.

METHODS:

The medical records of 200 sequential patients who presented to the Phase 1 Clinic at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were reviewed, and their characteristics and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS:

The median patient age was 58 years (range, 12‐85 years), and 57% of patients were men. The median number of prior therapies was 4. Of 200 patients, 182 were treated on at least 1 phase 1 clinical trial. The median follow‐up of surviving patients was 21 months, and the median overall survival was 9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4‐10.8). In univariate analysis, the factors that predicted shorter survival were primary tumor in the gastrointestinal tract; a history of thrombosis, liver metastases, and elevated levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase; platelet count; carbohydrate antigen 9 (Ca19‐9) and Ca‐125 levels; aspartate aminotransferase levels, and alkaline phosphatase levels (P < .05 for each). In multivariate analysis, independent factors that predicted shorter survival were a history of thromboembolism (hazard ratio [HR], 2.38; 95% CI, 1.29‐4.39; P = .005), platelets ≥440 × 10⁹/L (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.12‐2.65; P = .014), and the presence of liver metastases (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.09‐2.09; P = .013).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients who were referred to phase 1 studies had a short median survival (9 months). Patients with thrombocytosis, liver metastases, and a history of thromboembolism had worse outcomes. A prognostic score is proposed. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.