PurposeSleep disorders, such as insomnia with objective short sleep duration, are associated with increased risk of hypertension. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of insomnia and daytime sleepiness on the quality of life (QOL) among elderly hypertensive patients.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study covered 100 patients with hypertension. All participants completed standardized questionnaires, such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), and clinical data were obtained from patients’ medical records.ResultsWe showed that more than half of the patients experienced insomnia (AIS score ≥6) and 39% experienced daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness was negatively associated with perceived QOL (r=−0.478, P<0.001). It was also shown that insomnia might be influenced by older age (P<0.001), occupational activity (P=0.011), overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25–30) (P=0.042), and longer duration of illness (P=0.049) among hypertensive patients.ConclusionSleep problems have a significant negative impact on the QOL in patients with hypertension, especially in the physical domain of the QOL questionnaire. The occurrence of sleep problems in patients with hypertension is influenced by older age, primary education, overweight, occupational activity, and longer duration of illness.

Sleep disorders - both insomnia and daytime sleepiness - are a common health problem experienced by people with LBP. Insomnia is an important predictor affecting the QOL in people with LBP.

ObjectivesTo develop a Polish adaptation of the Perceived Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care (PIRNCA)questionnaire.DesignCross-sectional validation study.SettingsNurses working in surgical and cancer wards in Poland.ParticipantsA sample of 513 professionally active nurses was enrolled in the study.InterventionTo complete a Polish translation of the full original PIRNCA questionnaire.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was translation and adaptation of the full original PIRNCA tool and its validation to the Polish conditions. The secondary outcome was determination of relationships between sociodemographic variables, nurses’ assessment of patient care quality and their overall job satisfaction on the one hand, and PIRNCA scores on the other.ResultsThe respondents’ mean score was 1.27 points (SD=0.68) on a scale from 0 to 3. Cronbach’s alpha for the entire instrument was 0.957. All items of the questionnaire were found to have a positive item-total correlation. The developed linear regression model showed that nurses’ assessment of patient care quality and their overall job satisfaction were independent predictors of PIRNCA scores (p<0.05). 94.15% of nurses reported rationing at least one of the 31 care activities.ConclusionsThe present findings indicate a high level of reliability and validity of the translated PIRNCA questionnaire, fully comparable to that of the original. The questionnaire can be used for the assessment of PIRNCA in Polish hospitals.

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, and its incidence will increase as the global population ages. Due to the multitude of symptoms, this disease clearly has a significant impact on decreasing quality of life for those with PD. We aimed to evaluate the effect of selected variables on quality of life in people with idiopathic PD treated pharmacologically.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted among 50 patients with PD aged 47–85 years. The diagnostic survey method was applied to collect data with the use of the authors’ questionnaire and standardized questionnaires, including, Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ), Beck Depression Inventory, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, and Acceptance of Illness Scale. The results were statistically analyzed.ResultsAnalysis of the study material showed that people who were more self-reliant were characterized by lower intensity of depressive symptoms (ρ=−0.567, P=0), were more likely to accept their illness (ρ=0.611, P=0), and assessed quality of life better in each of the studied domains of the PDQ. Illness acceptance correlated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms (ρ=−0.567, P=0) and significantly affected quality of life.ConclusionFactors such as depression, disease acceptance, and functional capacity have a significant impact on the subjective assessment of quality of life in patients with PD. Evaluation of these factors should be taken into account in the therapeutic process, to minimize their negative impact on quality of life in patients with PD.

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS is one of the main causes of disability among young adults, and its management is a serious challenge for the healthcare system.PurposeThe main purpose of this study was to examine adherence to first-line disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in MS patients using the self-report Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ).Materials and methodsThe participants consisted of 226 MS patients (166 women and 60 men) who were treated with first-line immunomodulatory DMT. This study used a questionnaire designed by the authors, which contained questions about sociodemographic data, and the Polish version of the MS-TAQ.ResultsThe overall adherence was 76.5% according to the first criterion (missed ≥1 injection or tablet). There were no statistically significant differences due to sociodemographic variables between adherent and nonadherent patients. However, patients taking Avonex® significantly more often belonged to the adherent group (P=0.042). The most frequently mentioned reasons why nonadherent patients forget to take the drug included the following: too busy in their daily activities, indisposition to take the drug, unwillingness to take the drug, interference with daily activities, and dissatisfaction with the drug. The degree of adherence among MS patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs is high; however, some patients do not take medications regularly.ConclusionDue to the utility of the MS-TAQ, the caregivers of MS patients are able to quickly and easily assess the occurrence of side effects, ways to cope with them, and the occurrence of barriers to taking medication.