BackgroundGastroesophageal junction (GEJ) was one of the most common malignant tumors. However, the value of clinicopathological features in predicting the prognosis of postoperative patients with GEJ cancer and without distant metastasis was still unclear.MethodsThe 3425 GEJ patients diagnosed and underwent surgical resection without distant metastasis in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2015 were enrolled,and they were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts with 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine the predictive factors that constituted the nomogram. The predictive accuracy and discriminability of Nomogram were determined by the area under the curve (AUC), C index, and calibration curve, and the influence of various factors on prognosis was explored.Results2,400 patients were designed as training cohort and 1025 patients were designed as validation cohort. The percentages of the distribution of demographic and clinicopathological characteristics in the training and validation cohorts tended to be the same. In the training cohort, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the age, tumor grade, T stage and N stage were independent prognostic risk factors for patients with GEJ cancer without distant metastasis. The C index of nomogram model was 0.667. The AUC of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 0.704 and 0.71, respectively. The calibration curve of 3- and 5-year OS after operation showed that there was the best consistency between nomogram prediction and actual observation. In the validation cohort, the C index of nomogram model, the AUC of 3- and 5-year OS, and the calibration curve were similar to the training cohort.ConclusionsNomogram could evaluate the prognosis of patients with GEJ cancer who underwent surgical resection without distant metastasis.

Aim: This study aimed to synthesize qualitative evidence on experiences of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during the course of diagnosis and treatment. We addressed three main questions: (a) What were the experiences of patients with AF during the course of diagnosis and treatment? (b) How did they respond to and cope with the disease? (c) What were the requirements during disease management? Design: In this study, qualitative evidence synthesis was performed using the Thomas and Harden method. Data Sources: Electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the China Biomedical Database, the WanFang Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP, were searched. The databases were searched from inception to August 2021.Review Methods: Two researchers independently selected studies using qualitative assessment and review instruments for quality evaluation and thematic synthesis for the data analysis.Results: A total of 2627 studies were identified in the initial search and 15 studies were included. Five analytical themes were generated: 'Diagnosing AF'; 'The impact of AF on the patients'; 'Self-reorientation in the therapeutic process'; 'Living with AF and QoL'; and 'External support to facilitate coping strategies.' Conclusions: Our findings point out unique experiences of patients across the trajectory of AF related to delayed diagnosis, feelings of nonsupport, disappointment of repeated treatment failure and multiple distress associated with unpredictable symptoms. Future research and clinical practice are expected to improve the quality of medical diagnosis and treatment, optimize administrative strategy and provide diverse health support for patients with AF.

Background Struggling with heart failure (HF) may be a distressful experience for the entire family. As a key variable contributing to positive family functioning, family hardiness can protect against HF-related harm. Thus, recognizing factors associated with family hardiness could promote strategies that enable successful adaptation to HF. This study aimed to explore protective factors linked to family hardiness among HF patients. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2020 among 167 HF patients in Nanjing, China. The study measures comprised a self-designed general information questionnaire, the Family Hardiness Index, the Mutuality Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, version 25 and comprised Pearson’s correlation analysis, a multiple linear regression model, and an analysis of mediating effects. Results The average Family Hardiness Index score for the 167 HF patients was 57.95 ± 11.41. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that mutuality, active coping style, and positive emotions of HF patients positively predicted family hardiness (β = 0.359, 0.308, and 0.215, respectively; all P ˂ 0.05). Mutuality between patients and family members had partial mediating effects between active coping style, positive emotions, and family hardiness. Conclusion Our results revealed that patients’ active coping styles, positive emotions, and mutuality were protective factors associated with family hardiness. In light of our findings, we suggest that active coping strategies, positive emotions, and, especially, closer relationships within families should be encouraged during the rehabilitation and follow-up care of HF patients.

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Objective: This study aims to explore the influence of patient activation (PA) and relational aspects on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) for developing measures to improve PA and QoL.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2021 among 190 AF patients in Nanjing, China. Research instruments included a self-designed social-demographic characteristics scale, the Patient Activation Measure (PAM), the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT). The data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 25.0. Spearman correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to assess the association accordingly.Results: The average AFEQT score for the 190 AF patients was 69.32 ± 14.52. The distribution of activation Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4, were where 4.7, 34.2, 47.4, and 13.7%, respectively. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that patient activation, work status, and cardiac rehabilitation of AF patients predicted AF-related QoL (β = 0.270, −0.205, and 0.183, respectively; all P < 0.05). The influences of PA level on subdimensions of AF-related QoL were as follows: symptoms, daily activities and treatment concern.Conclusion: The level of QoL of patients with AF was moderate. Higher levels of patient activation in those with AF were associated with milder symptoms, more positive daily activities and fewer treatment concern. Based on our findings, we suggest that healthcare personnel should encourage AF patients to take active participation in cardiac rehabilitation, disease self-management and foster progression of PA level. Future research is warranted to develop tailor-made interventions aimed at the activation level.

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