Aims and objectives.  The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare sleep quality of the hospitalized patients and matched healthy controls.

Background.  Although the functions of sleep are not clearly understood, it is generally accepted that it is necessary for the maintenance of good health. Hospitalized patients’ sleep may not be refreshing or restorative. The reasons for this can be categorized into three groups: environmental, physiological and psychological.

Design and methods.  This research was conducted at the Cumhuriyet University Hospital in Turkey. One hundred and fifty hospitalized patients (psychiatry = 50; orthopaedic + general surgery + cardiovascular surgery + urology = 50; internal medicine + chest diseases + infectious diseases + physical therapy and rehabilitation = 50) and 50 healthy controls constituted the sample. The researchers administered to the patient and control groups Sociodemographic Information Form and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We compared sociodemographic and illness variables with sleep characteristics. The following statistical analyses were used in order to evaluate the data: variance analysis, Tukey HSD test, Student's t-test, Kruskall–Wallis test.

Results.  We found that patients in psychiatric ward experienced worse sleep quality than the other patients, worse in female patients than male patients, and worse sleep characteristics in patients than controls.

Conclusions.  Health professionals must be educated about sleep and must provide intervention when needed.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The enhancing of sleep quality accelerates to the recovery from illness.

Sleep quality in hospitalized patients.

Sexual counseling for individuals with cardiovascular disease and their partners: a consensus document from the American Heart Association and the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP)

Sexual Counseling for Individuals With Cardiovascular Disease and Their Partners A Consensus Document From the American Heart Association and the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP)

After a cardiovascular event, patients and their families often cope with numerous changes in their lives, including dealing with consequences of the disease or its treatment on their daily lives and functioning. Coping poorly with both physical and psychological challenges may lead to impaired quality of life. Sexuality is one aspect of quality of life that is important for many patients and partners that may be adversely affected by a cardiac event. The World Health Organization defines sexual health as ‘… a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences ….’1(p4) The safety and timing of return to sexual activity after a cardiac event have been well addressed in an American Heart Association scientific statement, and decreased sexual activity among cardiac patients is frequently reported.2 Rates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are twice as high as those in the general population, with similar rates of sexual dysfunction in females with CVD.3 ED and vaginal dryness may also be presenting signs of heart disease and may appear 1–3 years before the onset of angina pectoris. Estimates reflect that only a small percentage of those with sexual dysfunction seek medical care;4 therefore, routine assessment of sexual problems and sexual counselling may be of benefit as part of effective management by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

Sexual counselling for individuals with cardiovascular disease and their partners: a consensus document from the American Heart Association and the ESC Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP).

Sleep disturbance is common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and has been recognized for more than 30 years. Research findings suggest that sleep disturbance is a multifactorial process that has many correlates in these patients and persists from the presurgical period throughout recovery. A growing body of literature suggests the importance of sleep for function and well-being of these patients. The research literature is synthesized and implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Sleep during hospitalization and recovery after cardiac surgery.

BackgroundEmotional well-being and physical function are important quality-of-life outcomes after cardiac surgery. Alterations in sleep patterns, including sleep deprivation and altered circadian patterning, also are common. The relations among sleep pattern alterations, physical function, and emoti

Sleep is related to physical function and emotional well-being after cardiac surgery.

The purpose of this study was to describe the nature and frequency of sleep pattern disturbances in patients post coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. An exploratory design using telephone interviews at one week, one month, three months and six months was used to describe the incidence and nature of sleep disturbances post CABG surgery. Forty-nine patients completed all four measurement times. More than half of the patients reported sleep disturbances at each measurement time. Sleep disturbances during the first month post CABG were reported to be the result of incisional pain, difficulty finding a comfortable position and nocturia. Although less frequent over time, these problems persisted for six months. The authors propose nursing interventions to improve sleep post CABG surgery. Implications for continuing research are discussed.

D Williston

Papers

Sleep disturbances post coronary artery bypass surgery.