Role function in postmenopausal women during aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer.

Objective: Few studies have examined aromatase inhibitor therapy relating to role function in breast cancer survivors of working age. Our study sought to identify how pre-therapy sociodemographic and health/treatment-related characteristics, as well as patient-reported symptoms measured every six-months, influence role function during 18 months of AI therapy for early-stage breast cancer.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of longitudinal study data using linear mixed-effects modeling to examine role physical (RP) and role emotional (RE) functioning measured with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 v2.

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.

Measuring Self-Care: A Description of the Family of Disease-Specific and Generic Instruments Based on the Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness.

Background: In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in attention paid to the patient-reported outcome of self-care. Many investigators have used one of the families of self-care instruments freely available on the website www.self-care-measures.

The perspectives of older adults related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement: An integrative review.

Background: Aortic Stenosis (AS) is a common syndrome in older adults wherein the narrowing of the aortic valve impedes blood flow, resulting in advanced heart failure. AS is associated with a high mortality rate (50 % at 6 months if left untreated), substantial symptom burden, and reduced quality of life. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was approved in 2012 as a less invasive alternative to surgical valve repair, offering a treatment for older frail patients.

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).

Intersection of social determinants of health with ventricular assist device therapy: An integrative review.

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) may influence the clinical management of patients with heart failure. Further research is warranted on the relationship between SDOH and Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) therapy for heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the state of knowledge on the intersection of SDOH with VAD therapy.

Cardiovascular Health in Black and Latino Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among U.S. adults has been rising annually, with a higher incidence rate in Black and Hispanic adults than in Whites.

Feasibility of a Self-directed Upper Extremity Training Program to Promote Actual Arm Use for Individuals Living in the Community With Chronic Stroke.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of a self-directed training protocol to promote actual arm use in everyday life. The secondary aim was to explore the initial efficacy on upper extremity (UE) outcome measures.

Design: Feasibility study using multiple methods.

Pediatrician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to discharge instruction comprehension and adherence for parents of children with medical complexity.

Background: High rates of posthospitalization errors are observed in children with medical complexity (CMC). Poor parent comprehension of and adherence to complex discharge instructions can contribute to errors. Pediatrician views on common barriers and facilitators to parent comprehension and adherence are understudied.

Reallocating time between device-measured 24-hour activities and cardiovascular risk in Asian American immigrant women: An isotemporal substitution model.

The 24-hour day consists of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep, and changing the time spent on one activity affects the others. Little is known about the impact of such changes on cardiovascular risk, particularly in Asian American immigrant (AAI) women, who not only have a higher cardiovascular risk but also place greater cultural value on family and domestic responsibilities compared to other racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of reallocating 30 minutes of each 24-hour activity component for another on BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure in AAI women.

The symptom perception processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation in patients with heart failure: a qualitative descriptive study.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) experience various signs and symptoms and have difficulties in perceiving them. Integrating insights from patients who have engaged in the process of symptom perception is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the theoretical concept of symptom perception. This study aimed to describe how patients with HF perceive symptoms through the processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation and what influences the process.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Sleep Intervention in Adults at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome With Short Sleep Duration.

Background: The prevalence of short sleep duration is rising and is linked to chronic comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Sleep extension interventions in adults with MetS comorbidities and short sleep duration are limited and vary widely in terms of approach and duration.

Objectives: This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of a personalized 12-week systematic sleep time extension intervention on post-intervention sleep outcomes in middle-aged adults at risk for MetS with actigraphy-estimated short sleep duration.

Interindividual Variability in Self-Monitoring of Blood Pressure Using Consumer-Purchased Wireless Devices.

Background: Engagement with self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) declines, on average, over time but may vary substantially by individual.

Objectives: We aimed to describe different 1-year patterns (groups) of self-monitoring of BP behaviors, identify predictors of those groups, and examine the association of self-monitoring of BP groups with BP levels over time.

Methods: We analyzed device-recorded BP measurements collected by the Health eHeart Study-an ongoing prospective eCohort study-from participants with a wireless consumer-purchased device that transmitted date- and time-stamped BP data to the study through a full 12 months of observation starting from the first day they used the device.

Protocol for a remote home-based upper extremity self-training program for community-dwelling individuals after stroke.

Background: Half of all stroke survivors experience hemiparesis on the contralateral side, resulting in chronic upper extremity (UE) impairment. Remote rehabilitation is a promising approach to optimize the gains made in the clinic to maximize function and promote UE use at home. This paper describes the study protocol for a remote home-based UE self-training program.

Time, Technology, Social Support, and Cardiovascular Health of Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Emerging adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, there are both barriers and facilitators to achieving ideal cardiovascular health in this stage of their lives.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the barriers and facilitators of achieving ideal levels of cardiovascular health in a sample of emerging adults with T1DM ages 18-26 years.

Methods: A sequential mixed-methods design was used to explore achievement of ideal cardiovascular health using the seven factors defined by the American Heart Association (smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, healthy diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1C [substituted for fasting blood glucose]).