Abstract

Aim.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of family presence at the bedside on serum cortisol levels and physiological indexes increasing in stressful situations.

Background.Family has a significant role inrecoveryof patients. Stress andanxiety are perceived reasons for limiting visitation in critical care units.

Method. This was an interventional study performed in intensive care units of three teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Thirty and six blood samples of 18 patients were taken for measuring serum cortisol level and physiological indexes during their admission in the critical care settings with restricted visitation. The samples were taken, before family presence and then, one hour after visitation. Simultaneously, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. The blood samples were immediately centrifuged and plasma stored at 200C until laboratory measuring. Total serum cortisol level was measured using electrochemiluminescence method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Findings.Therewasnostatistically significant difference inserumcortisol levels(P=0.70), systolic blood pressure(P=0.93), diastolic blood pressure (P=0.98), and heart rates(P=0.60), before and after visitation.

Conclusion: Family visitation doesn't cause stress. Unlike some common belief about relationship between family presence and stress in patients, it can be concluded that family visitation can be permitted, if patient desires.

Abstract

Aim. The present study aimed to examine the suicide ideation and intensity and dimensions of pain in people with cardiovascular disease compared with healthy people.

Background. A few researches have done in relation to the suicide ideation and the amount of pain and dimensions of pain.

Method. The research design was descriptive-comparative. Sample size consisted of 182 people including people with cardiovascular disease (n=91) and healthy people (n=91). The participants were recruited by convenience sampling from Emam Reza Clinic in Shiraz, Iran within a three-month period. Participants completed demographic form, and pain and suicide ideation questionnaires. Data were analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 21.

Findings. People with cardiovascular disease reported more suicide ideation and experienced more pain than healthy people. Moreover, people with cardiovascular disease had higher scores in all three dimensions of pain (sensational-physical, emotional-affective, and cognitive). The result of ANCOVA showed that after controlling pain variable, statistical significant difference between groups’ suicide ideation was removed .

Conclusion. It can be concluded that people with cardiovascular disease suffer from suicide ideation and emotional and cognitive pain along with physical pain. Pain also plays an important role in the incidence of suicide ideation in people with cardiovascular disease.