Background Stress has been recently implicated as a contributing factor of hand eczema (HE) severity. However, published data are both rare and contradictory justifying the need of further research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between stress and HE severity. Methods This is a cross-sectional study enrolling all patients who have been attending the Dermato-allergology unit of Farhat Hached University Hospital of Sousse over a period of one year. The HE severity was assessed by the Osnabrück Hand Eczema Severity Index (OHSI). The stress level was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) in its validated Arabic version. Results During the study period, 109 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The mean age was 40 ± 9.9 years with a sex-ratio of 0.8. Severe eczema was found in 76 participants (69.7%). A high level of perceived stress was found in 18.3% of cases. A statistically significant association was noted between HE severity and the high level of perceived stress (p=0.039, OR = 4.46, 95% CI [0.96–20.59]) and the number of dependent children ≥3 (p=0.0039, OR = 1.92, 95% CI [0.51–7.22]). Leisure activity was found to be a protective factor against HE severity (p=0.031, OR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.09–0.80]). Conclusion Although the link between the severity of eczema and atopy, wet work, and contact with irritants and allergens is well known, the relation remains questionable for other factors including stress.
Objective: To identify the importance of using humor in patient/nurse relationship, its factors, its conditions and the barriers that might limit its use. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, for relevant articles published in English between 2010 and 2019. We included the studies that investigated humor between nurses and their patient's relationship. Results: From the initial 287 articles found, 15 were included for final revision. Data allowed retrieving information on humor definition; its applicability as a nursing intervention; humor as a tool to improve nurse-patient communication and relationship; influencing factors; humor benefits in health care context and the limits that come against its use. Conclusion: Humor is considered a powerful communication tool, it promotes well-being, relieves anxiety and stress, helps deal with stressful situations but it should be used cautiously in order to prevent undesired consequences.
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