A psychoeducational intervention (SWEEP) for depressed women with diabetes.

Background: Clinically significant depression is present in 25 % of individuals with type 2 diabetes, its risk being doubled in women.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of the Study of Women's Emotions and Evaluation of a Psychoeducational (SWEEP), a group therapy for depression treatment based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles that was developed for women with type 2 diabetes was conducted.

Methods: Women with significantly elevated depression symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale ≥16) were randomized to SWEEP (n = 38) or usual care (UC, n = 36).

Fatigue in women with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fatigue and physiological, psychological, and lifestyle phenomena in women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in order to establish the magnitude and correlates of fatigue in women with T2DM and explore the interrelationships between fatigue and specific diabetes-related factors that may be associated with increased levels of fatigue. These factors included physiological factors (glucose control, diabetes symptoms), psychological factors (diabetes emotional distress, depressive symptoms in general), and lifestyle factors (body mass index, physical activity).

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used.

Recent advances in understanding depression in adults with diabetes.

The authors review the science linking depression with diabetes. Some recent heuristic research is identified that highlights progress in the field and is directing future research. Issues in the management of depression in diabetes are outlined, including interactions of depression and insulin resistance.

Health-related quality of life of patients following selected types of lumbar spinal surgery: a pilot study.

Background: Over 500,000 spinal surgeries are performed annually in the United States. Although pain relief and improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are expectations following lumbar spinal surgery, there is limited research regarding this experience from the individual's perspective. In addition, no studies have examined the HRQOL of persons who have had this surgery using a comprehensive approach.

Patient expectations of quality of life following lumbar spinal surgery.

Spinal surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. In 2003, almost 450,000 cases were performed for problems related to lumbar herniated disks, stenosis, and degenerative changes. It has been reported that patient expectations play a role in perceived quality of life (QOL).

Recent advances in understanding depression in adults with diabetes.

The authors review the science linking depression with diabetes. Some recent heuristic research is identified that highlights progress in the field and is directing future research. Issues in the management of depression in diabetes are outlined, including interactions of depression and insulin resistance.

Symptoms of unstable angina in patients with and without diabetes.

Patients with diabetes experience cardiac autonomic neuropathy that may affect the way they perceive the symptoms of unstable angina (UA). The purpose of this study was to examine symptom differences in patients with and without diabetes during an episode of UA. A convenience sample of 50 women and 50 men were recruited.

Estrogen plus progestin therapy: the cardiovascular risks exceed the benefits.

The surprising results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reported in 2002 had a profound effect on women as well as health care practitioners. The WHI was the largest, randomized clinical trial designed to determine if postmenopausal hormone use prevented cardiovascular disease as well as other age-related disorders in women. While observational studies suggested that postmenopausal use of estrogen could decrease cardiovascular risk by 40% to 50%, the WHI demonstrated that use of continuous-combined estrogen plus progestin was not cardioprotective and was even associated with increased health risks.