Quality of life after colorectal surgery:A prospective study of patients compared with their spouses

BACKGROUND Although radical surgery for colorectal cancer improves the oncological outcomes,a significant portion of patients suffer from alterations in their quality of life(QoL).There are many studies investigating the QoL of patients who have colorectal cancer but none of these focus on the QoL of spouses.AIM To compare the QoL of patients after colorectal surgery to the QoL of spouses.METHODS This prospective study consisted of patients who were married and who underwent surgery at the University of Ankara,Department of Surgery between March 2006 and November 2010.Patients’spouses were also enrolled.The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine,Ankara University,and all patients provided written informed consent.The study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma[n=100;abdominoperineal excision(n=33),low anterior resection(n=33),left hemicolectomy(n=34)]and their spouses(n=100).The patients and spouses completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36)and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II(WHODAS-II)preoperatively and at postoperative months 15 to 18.RESULTS During this 4.5-year study period,273 patients with sigmoid or rectal cancer were admitted to the hospital.Of these patients,119 were eligible and willing to participate.Eleven patients had either systemic or locally inoperable disease,three patients had a severe surgical complication,and five patients were lost to followup.Therefore,a total of 100 patients completed the follow-up period.There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the disability scores of patients and the scores of their spouses for some of the WHODAS-II subscales,such as“self-care,”“life activities,”and“participation in society,”as well as for the total WHODAS-II score.There was also a positive correlation between the QoL of patients and the QoL of their spouses in most of the SF-36 subscales.Statistically significant correlations were observed for the“bodily pain,”“general health,””vitality,”“social function,”“emotion,”“mental health,”and mental component summary score subscales of the SF-36.When gender differences were evaluated,the QoL of male patients’spouses changed more when compared with female patients’spouses for all of the WHODAS-II subscales.Colorectal cancer surgery has a significant effect on the QoL of both patients and their spouses,these effects were more significant among male patients’spouses.CONCLUSION Preoperative counseling regarding potential problems should therefore collectively address patient and their spouse as a couple rather than the patient alone,particularly for patients undergoing low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection procedures.

Microbial dysbiosis in spouses of ulcerative colitis patients: any clues to disease pathogenesis?

A number of alterations have been found within the gutmicrobial profile of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases when compared with the healthy population; however, it is unclear whether such dysbiosis is the cause or simply the consequence of the disease state. In ulcerative colitis, the environment seems to play a crucial role in disease etiology since monozygotic twins show a concordance rate of only 8%-10%-though it is unclear whether it does so by acting through the microbiome. In this study, the authors investigated the influence of cohabitation on the gut microbial community in healthy partners of ulcerative colitis patients-with the intent of clarifying some of these issues. As expected, ulcerative colitis patients had a significant dysbiosis and alterations in microbial metabolism. Interestingly, these abnormal fecal microbial communities were relatively similar amongst patients and their spouses. Thus, this study shows that the microbial profile might be partially transferred from ulcerative colitis patients to healthy individuals. Whether this finding impacts on disease development or has any implication for the role of the microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease etiology remains to be determined.

Depressive Symptoms in Spouses of HIV Infected Individuals: A Study of HIV Uninfected Caregivers in Pune, India

Background: HIV infected individuals are at increased risk of developing psychiatric comorbidities, particularly depression. Coping with a disease associated with significant morbidity, mortality and financial stress is likely to result in psychiatric morbidity even among caregivers, especially family members. However, there is scarcity of such data in HIV uninfected caregiver spouses. Material and Methods: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), a diagnostic tool that measures depressive symptoms, was administered to HIV uninfected caregiver spouses of HIV infected individuals (n = 55) and HIV seronegative individuals from general population (n = 63) with similar demographic profile. Chisquare test was used for categorical data. Results: Caregiver spouses exhibited higher depressive symptoms on the BDI-II (mean score 5.25 vs. 3.03;p = 0.029) as compared to others. The scores tended to be higher on the majority of the items, with sadness (p = 0.032), punishment feeling (p = 0.024) and crying (p = 0.037) being statistically significant. Conclusions: Our results indicate that it is important to address the mental health needs of the spouses of HIV infected individuals as they may play a major role in their care and support in the Indian

Factors Associated with Social Support Needs of Spouses of Patients with Cancer: Online Survey

Background: A means of assessing the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer is not available in Japan, yet such individuals are at increased risk of developing psychological difficulties. Objectives: The present study aimed (1) to describe the social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer, and (2) to explore factors associated with social support needs of spouses of patients with cancer. Design: Spouses (n = 559) of patients with cancer were recruited by registered agents of an online survey company and completed a self-reporting, online questionnaire. Measurements: The questionnaires included demographic information and a tool to assess social support needs. Results: Factor analysis of social support needs of the spouses of patients with cancer indicated that (1) “social support needs regarding disease and treatment of patient” (54 items) comprised 3 factors (“medical condition and cure”, “daily life and social support”, “intimacy and employment”), and (2) “social support needs of spouse (19 items)” comprised 2 factors (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment and society”). The ANOVA and T tests showed that “younger age”, “under treatment”, and “cancer not cured: treatment stopped”, “PS1” and “PS 2-4”, the presence of “lung cancer”, and “recurrence/metastasis” were significant factors (all

Characteristics and Social Support Needs Predicting Anticipatory Grief in the Spouses of Patients with Cancer at the End of Life

Background: Medical staff provide care to spouses of terminal cancer patients through trial and error by meeting their various support needs and spousal factors regarding their anticipatory grief. Studies on the association between spousal characteristics and anticipatory grief have been inconclusive;additionally, there has been insufficient research on support needs for anticipatory grief of spouses. This study aimed to explore the spousal characteristics and social support needs predicting anticipatory grief in spouses of patients with cancer at the end of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Eligible spouses (n = 102) completed a self-report questionnaire in two hospitals with palliative care units in Japan. The questionnaire included demographic information, a tool assessing social support needs of spouses, and the Anticipatory Grief Scale for Family Caregivers. Results: Simple regression analyses indicated that patient age, chemotherapy, no treatment, ECOG PS3, children aged under 20 years, total score of “social support needs regarding the disease and treatment of the patients” and subscale scores (“medical condition and cure,” “daily life and social support,” and “intimacy and employment”), and total score of “social support needs of the spouses” and subscale scores (“family psychological issues and social support” and “intimacy, employment, and society”) were significant variables (all p p Conclusions: Patients having no experience of “chemotherapy” and higher “social support needs of the spouses” in Model 1, and greater spousal needs of “family psychological issues and social support” in Model 2 were significant predictors of severe anticipatory grief. Medical staff should pay attention to these risk factors that predict anticipatory grief among spouses.

A Survey on the Sexual Health of Elderly Patients with Cardiovascular Disease and Their Spouses

Objective:To investigate the sexual relationship and sexual health of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and their spouses,as well as to explore the relationship between sexual health and the quality of life.Methods:A total of 206 CHD patients and their spouses(N=206)as well as 238 age-and gender-matched healthy people were recruited and investigated by using a seilf-designed sexual relationship and sexual health questionnaire and the SF-36 questionnaire;data analysis and comparison were carried out by using SPSS 22.0.Results:The scores of perceived health,marital satisfaction,sexual satisfaction,sexual function,and quality of life were all significantly different among elderly CVD patients,then-spouses,and healthy people(F=3.894,p<0.05).There was a significant correlation between perceived health,marital satisfaction,sexual satisfaction,and sexual function with quality of life(p<0.05).Conclusion:Sexual behavior is an important aspect of quality of life.The sexual relationship,sexual health,and quality of life of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and their spouses were significantly lower than those of healthy people.It is recommended that more attention should be paid on the sexual relationship and sexual health of these patients and their spouses,with counselling offered when needed.

Spouses Who Donate Seem to Be the Winners – A Questionnaire Study of Kidney Donors Long-Term

Background:Living donor kidney transplantations have been performed at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden since 1965. In this study we wanted to explore the living kidney donor’s long-term experiences of the donation. Methods: Of 1110 consecutive living donors throughout 1965-2005, 823 were available for our questionnaire study. Results:Totally 692 replied to the questionnaire, 65% were females. The most common relation to the recipients was siblings (284), parents (262) and spouses (96). Time since donation was median 15 years (2 - 43). The initiative to donate came from the donors themselves in 69%. The dominating motives for donation were a wish to help, worries about the recipient not receiving a transplant and the knowledge that one could live a normal life with one kidney. The majority of the donors, felt well informed about potential risks both short-term and long-term. Depression post donation was reported by few donors, 2.3% and persisting pain by 4.3%. Comparisons between sibling donors and spouse donors show a significant difference (p Conclusions:Our study shows that the donor population is in good psychosocial health. It is a positive progress that spouses can be living kidney donors - they seem to be the winners.

Spousal Involvement in the Workplace of Doctors: What Is Defined as Appropriate or Inappropriate

Background: Workers spend a significant amount of time in the workspace. Involvement of a spouse in a doctor’s workplace can take different forms and come with different intentions. Objectives: The survey aimed to determine the prevalence and extent of spousal involvement in physicians’ workplaces as well as the outcome of such involvement on doctor’ swell-being, productivity, and relationship with colleagues. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey on spousal involvement in the workplace of doctors was conducted among 83 responding doctors from July to August 2023. Results: Among the respondents, 60 (72.3%) had witnessed a doctor’s spouse being involved in the workplace. The most common reason for spousal involvement in the workplace was to protect the spouse from what they perceived as a threat 34 (54.0%). Spouse’s ignorance of boundaries in the workplace (OR: 6.09 (95% CI: 1.70, 21.79) P: 0.003) and exertion of control by the spouse (OR: 11.2 (95% CI: 2.26, 56.41) P: 0.002) were significantly associated with higher odds of inappropriate spousal involvement in the workplace, while expression of love for spouse with acts of kindness was significantly associated with a lowered odd of inappropriate spousal involvement (OR: 0.11 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.36) P: 0.0001). Conclusion: Spousal involvement in the workplace is relatively common. Ignorance of the boundaries of the workplace and exertion of control by the spouse were significant enablers of inappropriate spousal involvement in the workplace of doctors. The establishment of workplace policies that define the limits of spousal involvement in the doctor’s workplace can foster a healthy workspace environment, enhance doctors’ well-being, and improve patient care.

Development and Evaluation of 3D Delivery Animation Software Designed to Improve the Mother’s and Spouse’s Satisfaction with Delivery

Purpose: To clarify the effectiveness of 3-D delivery animation software for the mother’s and husband’s satisfaction with delivery. Subjects and Method: We independently developed a software application used to display the pelvic region and explain the labor process. The study involved a collaboration with hospital staff who recruited 18 primiparous and 18 multiparous mothers who were hospitalized for delivery at Facility A. The midwife explained the process of delivery using the “Delivery Animation Software”. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed and analyzed separately for primiparous and multiparous mothers and their husbands. Results: 1) For both primiparous and multiparous couples, both mothers and their husbands gained a significantly higher level of understanding after delivery than during pregnancy. 2) The Self-Evaluation Scale for Experience of Delivery results were as follows: “I did my best for the baby even if it was painful” was selected more often for “birth coping skills”;“reliable medical staff” was selected more often for “physiological birth process”;“the birth progressed as I expected” was selected frequently by primiparous mothers;and “the birth progressed smoothly” was selected often by multiparous mothers. 3) In terms of husbands’ satisfaction with the delivery, “I was satisfied with the delivery”, “I was given an easy-to-understand explanation”, and “They explained the process to me” was selected of primiparous and multiparous fathers. 4) All primiparous and multiparous mothers positively evaluated whether the delivery animation was helpful in understanding the process of delivery. Conclusion: The delivery animation was effective in improving the understanding and satisfaction of both the mothers and their husbands.

The Relationship Between Spousal Support and Pregnancy Stress in High-Risk Pregnant Women

Objective:This research was conducted to establish the relationship between spousal support and pregnancy stress in high-risk pregnant women.Methods:The sample of the descriptive and correlational study consisted of 220 pregnant women who were hospitalized for treatment in the perinatology service of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital on the Anatolian side of Istanbul between 1st December 2020 and 1st February 2021.Data were collected using a descriptive data collection form,the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale,and the Spousal Support Scale.Data analysis involved numerical and percentage calculations,ANOVA test,Kruskal Wallis test,t-test,and Spearman correlation analysis.Results:The average score on the Pregnancy Stress Assessment Scale for the participating pregnant women was 50.24±27.10,and the average score on the Spousal support scale was 57.69±9.21.No statistically significant relationship was found between the average scores on the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale and the Spousal Support Scale for pregnant women(P>0.01).Conclusion:It is recommended that nurses and midwives working with high-risk pregnant women incorporate plans to reduce pregnancy stress into their care processes.

Taking Care of Her: A Pilot Feasibility Study of a Caregiver Intervention for Women with Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and short-term impact of a fully manualized, telephone-delivered intervention for spouse caregivers, Taking Care of Her (TCH). A total of 12 study participants from the Pacific NW were enrolled whose wife was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer within 8 months. Feasibility was confirmed by rates of recruitment and retention;the quality of delivery of the intervention by telephone;and through data obtained on program acceptability during follow up exit interviews. Outcomes from the within-group analysis revealed improvements on standardized measures of spouses’ and patients’ depressed mood and anxiety;marital communication about the cancer;caregivers’ skills and confidence to manage the emotional toll of the illness on themselves and wives;and wives’ positive appraisal of spousal support. Study results suggest that the TCH Program has the potential to positively affect both spouse caregiver and patients’ adjustment to recently diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. Telephone delivery holds promise for sustainability. A future clinical trial with a larger study sample is warranted.

Community Perceptions of New Residents in Penghu County, Taiwan

In order to get close to and support the ＂new residents＂ of Penghu County, Taiwan （known as female foreign spouses, who are from China's Mainland and Southeast Asia）, this study was conducted to set up a new service framework in the local community by the Penghu County Service Center for new residents. This study was implemented between May and July of 2011 to understand the local community perception of new residents living in five rural areas, and one city of Penghu, and to understand the community perceptions of these new residents. This includes： the new residents＇ feelings about the community, the new residents＇ feelings about interaction with the locals, multicultural acceptance of the community, and the new residents＇ feelings about participation in local activities. According to the parameters of this research, quantitative research methodology was adopted. After questionnaire studies and data analysis, the key findings are thus： New residents living areas have significant impact on the community perceptions of them, especially in two areas： the new resident＇s feeling relating to the community environment and their perception of interaction with the locals.

Analysis on the status quo and influencing factors of fear of disease progress in 120 patients ’ spouse after bladder cancer surgery

Objective:To investigate the status quo of fear of disease progressi on in postoperative patients’spouse of bladder cancer and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:Postoperative patients’spouse of bladder cancer of a cancer hospital in Tianjin were selected as the research objects by the convenience sampling method.The general data questionnaire,spouse fear of disease progression scale and self-efficacy scale were used to investigate.Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the fear of the disease progression in the postoperative pa tients’spouse of bladder cancer.Results:The score of fear of disease progression was(35.75±9.86).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the spouse’s age,medical payment method,occupational status and self-efficacy were the main influencing factors for the spouse’s fear of disease progression after bladder cancer(P<0.05),which accounted for 55%of the total variation.Conclusion:The spouse’s fear of disease progression in patients with bladder cancer is at a moderate lev el,and age,medical payment method,occupational status and self-efficacy are the main influencing factors.It is suggested that clinical medical staff focus on young,rural cooperative medical care,self-financed,in-service,and unemployed,low self-eff icacy of postoperative bladder cancer patients'spouses.A series of psychological counseling and health education should be given to help the patient spouse correctly understand and deal with diseases,reduce the patients’spouses of negative emotions,im prove the patients’spouses of self-efficacy,and reduce the spouse fear level of disease progression.

Domestic abuse on women in China before, during, and after pregnancy

Background Some researchers found that partner-perpetrated physical violence increased in frequency and severity during the postpartum period compared with the antenatal period, however, limited data exists describing abuse of women in China. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of abuse in China before, during, and after pregnancy, and explore possible factors related to abuse. Methods A community-based face-to-face survey of a representative group of women who had a child aged 6 to 18 months in 32 communities of Tianjin, Liaoning, Henan, and Shaanxi provinces was carried out between November 1, 2001 and February 28, 2002. Results The prevalence of domestic abuse (emotional, sexual, or physical) occurring in any period (before, during, or after pregnancy) was 12.6%. The prevalence of abuse during the approximate 9 months of pregnancy (4.3%) was relatively lower compared with the prevalence of abuse during the 12 months before pregnancy (9.1%) and after delivery (8.3%) during the mean 11-month postpartum period studied. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong risk factor for abuse during pregnancy and abuse after pregnancy, and abuse during any previous period was a strong risk factor for subsequent abuse. Many women who suffered abuse of any kind generally experienced multiple acts over time and most acts were not severe. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with abuse during pregnancy included women previously witnessing domestic violence, a poor relationship with the partner, socioeconomic level, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Conclusions It is necessary to do in-depth training and to raise awareness of partner abuse among all health professionals. Routine screening of abuse in maternity clinics is advocated to decrease the adverse impact of abuse on women and fetuses.

Majority of Brazilians Expect Unfaithful Spouse?

标题让人吃惊！Unfaithful Spouse者,有外遇之配偶也。而在巴西居然大多数的已婚者盼望“外遇”。更有甚者,巴西的一教授认为,已婚者有一个私 通者,已经融入了该国的文化！巴西的more liberal in its sexual mores(风俗;习惯;民德;道德观念)令英美“汗颜”！】

Marriage and Spouse Selection in Present Shanghai

RECENTLY, 1,456 people in Shanghai were investigated for their marriages. The result was that the reason for marriage, age and the way of seeking partners has changed. The Reasons for Marriage According to the investigation, most people in Shanghai married first for reproduction purposes, so as to continue the family line and to further society.