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To determine the levels of burnout among Greek nurses during the first wave of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to investigate the relationship among levels of burnout, satisfaction and concern about information, personal protection equipment (PPE), and safety for COVID-19.

Worldwide, nephrolithiasis is a disease with an increased frequency of presence and symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life (QoL) and the factors influencing it in patients who have undergone pigtail catheter placement. Α cross‐sectional study was implemented in 85 patients from the Urology Clinic/University General Hospital of Crete, Greece, recruited during November 2022 and January 2023. Patients' demographic and medical history profile were recorded and their QoL and state anxiety status assessed using the SF‐36 and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐S) scales based on multiple logistic regression analysis. The majority of patients were female (55.3%) and the mean age of all was 53.7 years (±11.5). QoL was moderate to high while 30.6% and 35.3% of patients presented high quality of Physical and Mental Components, respectively. For Anxiety, moderate mean scores were found while 62.4% presented high anxiety. Patients with low/moderate State Anxiety compared with their counterparts had better QoL in the SF‐36 subscales (p < 0.05). In the Physical Component, higher odds of high QoL appear to be found in females versus males (odds ratio, OR = 8.68, p = 0.008), in higher income categories (OR = 5.74, p < 0.001) and in patients with low/moderate anxiety (OR = 12.87, p < 0.001), while in the Mental Component higher odds were found for higher income categories (OR = 2.19, p = 0.018) and patients with low/moderate anxiety (OR = 7.20, p = 0.001). Better QoL in patients with nephrolithiasis and pigtail is associated with female gender, higher living standards and lower state anxiety, allowing more effective interventions by health professionals to alleviate patients' symptoms and empower them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes is a rapidly growing global morbidity issue with high prevalence, and the associated dysglycemia leads to complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often experience elevated anxiety levels, affecting their quality of life and diabetes management. This study investigated quercetin, a nutraceutical and potential senolytic with antioxidant activity, to detect its possible positive effect on the bio-clinical measurements and routine health of patients with T2DM. Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the clinical usefulness of quercetin in patients with T2DM receiving non-insulin medications. One hundred participants were stratified by age and sex (1:1) and randomized to control (n = 50) or intervention (n = 50) groups. The control received standard care only, while the intervention received 500 mg quercetin daily for 12 weeks, followed by an 8-week washout and a final consecutive 12-week supplementation period (total: 32 weeks), as adjunct to their usual care. Comprehensive health assessments, including blood analyses, were conducted at baseline and study termination. Quality of life and anxiety were assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST-10). Results: Eighty-eight patients with T2DM concluded the trial. Compared with the control, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels showed a significant decrease (Δ%-change: −4.0% vs. 0.1%, p = 0.011). Quercetin also significantly improved PiKo-6 readings (FEV1: 5.6% vs. −1.5%, p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (−5.0% vs. −0.2%, p = 0.029), night-time sleep (11.6% vs. −7.3%, p < 0.001), anxiety levels (SAST-10) (−26.2% vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001), and quality of life (SF-36) (both physical and mental components, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the current open-label study, quercetin appears to be a promising supplement for T2DM, providing lifestyle and care support. Further research is warranted to shift this potential from clinical usefulness and feasibility to multidisciplinary evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess and compare the utilization of preventive and other health services and the cost or availability in different regions of Europe, before and during the economic crisis. The data used in the study were obtained from Wave 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2019/2020) and Wave 1 data (2004/5), with a sample size of 46,106 individuals aged ≥50 across 27 countries, adjusted to represent a population of N = 180,886,962. Composite scores were derived for preventive health services utilization (PHSU), health care services utilization (HCSU), and lack of accessibility/availability in health care services (LAAHCS). Southern countries had lower utilization of preventive services and higher utilization of other health services compared to northern countries, with a significant lack of convergence. Moreover, the utilization of preventive health services decreased, whereas the utilization of secondary care services increased during the austerity period. Southern European countries had a significantly higher prevalence of lack of accessibility. An increase in the frequency of lack of accessibility/availability in health care services was observed from 2004/5 to 2019/20. In conclusion, our findings suggest that health inequalities increase during crisis periods. Therefore, policy interventions could prioritize accessibility and expand health coverage and prevention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines potential associations of loneliness with laboratory data and specific psychosocial and behavioral attitudes. The sample collection took place in an urban Primary Health Care unit between May and July 2023, consecutively, and once exclusion criteria were implemented. Participants were aged between 40 and 75 years. Routine laboratory test results upon study initiation and six months before were used. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Loneliness Scale (Version 3), blood glucose, serum lipids, Fibrosis-4 index, and Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) were assessed through hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis. Based on full model (3rd) analysis, those who were engaged in an individual sport or activity or had contacts with more friends presented significantly lower odds for increased loneliness levels (odds ratio (OR): 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.91], p = 0.034 and OR: 0.76 [95%CI 0.66–0.88], p < 0.001, respectively). The consumption of alcohol was associated with increased loneliness (OR: 5.55 [95%CI 1.42–21.63], p = 0.014). Elevated triglyceride levels were linked with moderate or no loneliness (OR: 0.20 [95%CI 0.05–0.83], p = 0.026), while an increased LDL/HDL atherosclerotic index was related to increased subjective loneliness (OR: 4.50 [95%CI 1.12–18.13], p = 0.035). The need for holistic approaches—involving primary care personnel—in understanding and addressing loneliness, recognizing its multifaceted nature as well as the diverse factors that contribute to this issue, is considered challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine two hypotheses: 1) Users of Day Care Center for Elderly (DCCE) would have frail health and multiple age-related care needs, and 2) caregivers would have to deal with some levels of anxiety due to the burden of care, and similar levels of quality of life to the users. Materials and Methods: The current cross-sectional study was carried out at a DCCE of the regional unit of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, between March-April 2022. The study sample comprised 29 DCCE social care services users and 51 caregivers. A short questionnaire sheet was created to record sociodemographic characteristics and general health-related issues. Additionally, the Anxiety Symptom Scale (Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST)) and the Quality of Life (SF-12) were used to measure anxiety and quality of life of the participants. Comparison analysis was performed to detect differences between the two groups. Results: The most common morbidities for users of DCCE were hypertension (58.6%), hypercholesterolemia (55.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (24.1%), diabetes (24.1%) and heart disease (41.4%). Users of social care services have significantly higher vaccination rates (influenza: 100%, COVID-19: 100%, herpes zoster: 44.8%, and pneumococcus: 86.2%) than their caregivers. About 75% (yes: 24% and sometimes: 51.8%) of the users and 45% of their caregivers (yes: 7.8%, and sometimes: 37.3%) felt lonely at least sometimes. All participants were found to have low mean levels of the SAST score (18.4, SD:4.9) and 18.7% were on the verge of severe symptoms. Users of social care services were found to have low average levels of quality of life (SF-12), with significantly lower physical health (28.2, SD: 6.6) compared to the Mental health subscale (39.6, SD: 9.3) (p <0.001). Conclusions: This study highlighted the main health-issues of DCCE users, and that they have low quality of life. Additionally, we found that caregivers faced a few health-issues, and had higher quality of life and lower SAST levels than the users. Therefore, social and health policy providers should consider our findings and assess the users' and caregivers' needs to provide holistic care, thus improving their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the association of critical thinking (CT) and emotional intelligence (EI) versus CT and learning environment (LE) in order to investigate which has the greatest influence EI or LE. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 s-year healthcare university students in two nursing and one medical schools from three universities in Greece, between October and December 2020. Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure, and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form were administered. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, with five steps, was used to compare the associations of CT and EI to CT and LE. Participants' mean age (years) was 20.9 (6.6 SD); 82.6% female; 86.8% studying nursing. Students mean scores were moderate to high for CT disposition (44.7 ± 4.68). The general characteristics (age, gender, and school) were not significantly associated with CT (p > 0.05). However, CT was positively associated with LE (UCB = 0.064 & p < 0.001) and EI (UCB = 1.522 & p < 0.001). Moreover, CT seems to be associated in a higher degree (R2 change adj = 0.036 & p < 0.001) with emotional intelligence (UCB = 1.522) than with learning environment (UCB = 0.064). Our findings suggest a different more optimal pathway for educators to improve the CT of their students through EI and not with LE as believed till now. By focusing on improving EI, educators may help their students become critical thinkers, who will provide better quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]