Dry eye disease is a chronic condition of the corneal surface marked by persistent symptoms of irritation or burning that can cause inflammatory damage to the cornea and conjunctiva if untreated. Common risk factors for this syndrome include advancing age, female sex, low humidity environments, systemic medications, and autoimmune disorders. Treatments to relieve symptoms include tear replacement, humidification, improved nutrition, and anti-inflammatory ocular agents. Home healthcare nurses can identify signs and symptoms of dry eye syndrome and initiate strategies that range from warm compresses to physician referrals for more aggressive treatment. Consistent management of this condition improves quality of life and minimizes damage to the ocular surface.

Objective To explore the influence of reproductive aging, body mass index (BMI) and the menstrual cycle on adiponectin (AD) and leptin concentrations. Design Cross-sectional comparison in age- and BMI-matched non-obese volunteers with regular cycles (CO, n = 19) or in early menopause (EPM, n = 19), aged 40–52 years, and a young cycling group (CY, n = 21), aged 20–30 years. Measures: sex steroids, fasting AD, leptin, insulin, glucose, adiponectin/leptin (A/L) ratio and HOMA-IR. In ovulatory women, AD, estradiol and progesterone were assessed weekly across the same menstrual cycle. Results Insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, A/L ratio and leptin values were similar across the three study groups. AD differed, with the highest concentrations in the EPM group (CY: 13.0 ± 0.9 µg/ml vs. CO: 14.0 ± 1.1 µg/ml vs. EPM: 17.7 ± 1.5 µg/ml; p = .05). Values among cycling women were similar. When the cycling groups were combined into a premenopausal (PRE) group and compared to EPM women by BMI (> or ≤ 25 kg/m2), leptin concentrations were higher and A/L ratios lower in PRE and EPM overweight subgroups vs. normal-weight subgroups. AD was lower in overweight, cycling women and higher in the normal-weight EPM subgroup compared to normal-weight PRE women. In cycling women, AD did not vary across the menstrual cycle. Conclusion Non-obese, midlife women experience minimal adverse effects from reproductive aging on insulin sensitivity and adipokine secretion. The menstrual cycle is not a key mediator of AD. Early menopause has differential, BMI-dependent effects on adipokine secretion.

Despite efforts to examine social influences and provide interventions that lead to safer sexual practices for African American (AA) adolescent girls, statistics have demonstrated this population continues to have the highest rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV when compared with adolescent girls of other races. Guided by the principles of Black Feminist Thought and Photovoice and focus group methodology, this descriptive study aimed to discover the social realities influencing a group of eight AA adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years. Data from individual interviews and a focus group session were collected from November 11, 2012, to February 1, 2013. Analysis of selected photographs, interviews, and focus group conversations through a feminist lens suggests AA adolescents of low socioeconomic status continue to foster racial and mental inferiority stereotypes by using their sexuality as a bargaining tool for acceptance, value, and even love.

In postmenopausal female veterans with diabetes, glucose control is associated with the severity of those symptoms commonly attributed to menopause. Joint pain is an important part of the postmenopausal symptom complex in this population.

This article reviews the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released in 2016. Key recommendations are summarized and significant changes in the guidelines are highlighted. Implications for nursing practice to promote nutrition health are identified and resources to support implementation are included.