The association between the mental health disorders, substance abuse, and tobacco use with head & neck cancer stage at diagnosis.

Purpose: Mental health disorders, substance abuse, and tobacco use are prevalent in the US population. However, the association between these conditions and head and neck cancer (HNC) stage is poorly understood. This research aims to uncover the relationship between pre-existing mental health disorders, substance abuse, and tobacco use and HNC stage at diagnosis in patients receiving care in an integrated, public safety-net healthcare system.

Functional Capacity, Functional Performance, and Symptoms in People With Heart Failure: An Integrative Review.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that has a negative effect on functional status, a multidimensional concept characterizing one's ability to provide for the necessities of life. Symptoms might be associated with different aspects of functional status in HF. However, the terms functional capacity and performance have been misused interchangeably, and no previous review has focused on the extent to which symptoms contribute to functional capacity and performance among people with HF.

Family Management of Hypertension in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Brazil, research indicates that primary family members are the main source of support for individuals with chronic conditions such as hypertension (HTN). The burden of caregiving not only hinders effective HTN management but can also cause stress and anxiety, potentially leading to HTN in caregivers. Despite this, few studies have explored the impact of caregiving on these family members.

Longitudinal Transition of Symptom Cluster Profiles Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Heart Failure.

Background: Older adults with heart failure experience clustered symptoms. However, little is known about how symptom clusters transition over time.

Objectives: This study aimed to (a) identify the longitudinal transition of symptom cluster profiles over 8 years and (b) examine the associations between demographic and clinical factors and the transition between symptom cluster profiles over time.

The Importance of Social Support in the Management of Hypertension in Brazil.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) is high in Brazil, and control rates are low. Little is known about the factors that contribute to HTN control from a family-based perspective.

Objectives: Guided by the Family Management Style Framework, specific aims were to (1) describe the prevalence of adequate blood pressure (BP) control in individuals cared for the Family Health Strategy, (2) identify facilitators and barriers to HTN management, and (3) identify individual contextual sociocultural influences (sociocultural context and social and Family Health Strategy support), definition of the situation, and management behaviors that help or interfere with individual functioning (BP control in the individual with HTN).