Atrial fibrilla- tion diagnosed after stroke (AFDAS) is a new term used for AF resulting from autonomic dysregulation. It is associated with a lower stroke recurrence compared to patients with known AF before a stroke (KAF). The aim of the study was to explore the characteristics and mortality rates in AFDAS patients. 134 ischemic stroke patients (66.1±14.2 years old, n=73 male) were consecutively included in the study.

Stigma is a widespread phenomenon in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and has been shown to affect the quality of life of individuals. This study aims to assess the level of stigma and identify the factors contributing to stigma in patients with PD in Turkey. A total of 142 patients diagno¬sed with PD between June 2022 and March 2023 were included in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected using a sociodemographic information form.

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, frequently result in mood disorders among affected individuals. It is established that neuropathic pain arising from traumatic neuropathies is also linked to mood disorders. This study investigates the influence of neuropathic pain on the development of mood disorders in earthquake survivors with peripheral nerve injuries, following the earthquake centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023.

[Pain intensity is the most frequently assessed health domain in clinical studies among patients with low-back pain. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Numeric rating scale (NRS) have been the mostly used measurement tools for pain intensity. We proposed to correlate these instruments to a generic health-related quality of life measurement tool in order to show the scale with superior clinical relevance.

We used cross-sectional, convenience sampling. 120 patients with chronic low-back pain administered the 29-item Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Profile with NRS included, and the VAS scale in the National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery. We determined the correlation between PROMIS domain T-scores and VAS and NRS scores.

We performed Spearman rank correlation test to calculate the correlation coefficient. We found VAS scales measuring pain had weak to moderate correlations with all PROMIS health domains (r = 0.24–0.55). Therefore, we compared correlation of PROMIS domain scores with PROMIS pain intensity numeric rating scale and VAS scales. PROMIS domains had moderate to strong correlations with pain intensity scale (r = 0.45–0.71). PROMIS physical function short form [r = –0.65, 95% CI (–0.75) – (–0.55)] and PROMIS pain interference short form (r = 0.71, 95% CI 0.63 – 0.79) had the strongest correlation with pain intensity item.

NRS has showed greater correlation with PROMIS domain T-scores than VAS scale. This may prove that NRS has greater connection to another health domains, thus it correlated more to health-related quality of life than visual scale. We recommend NRS to use in further clinical studies conducted among patients with low-back pain.]

[The field of healthcare is constantly developing, and the role of nurses is of paramount importance in the optimal care and treatment of patients. Practical education for nurses is essential to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to provide complex health care to patients. However, traditional hands-on teaching methods are time-consuming and sometimes offer limited opportunities to practice in varied and critical clinical situations.
This article reviews the place and benefits of simulation in the practical education of nurses. The simulation gives nurses the opportunity to practice handling different cases in a realistic, controlled environment, thus improving their decision-making skills and communication skills. After a brief historical overview, it will be presented what types of simulation tools and methods are available for the practical education of nurses and how they support the students’ knowledge acquisition and development.]