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Coming theses from other universities

  • Prolonged passive second stage of labour in nulliparous women : A multi perspective study Author: Maria Bjelke Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-128381 Publication date: 2024-03-21 14:36

    Aim: This study aimed to describe the prolonged passive second stage of labour in nulliparous women in relation to its prevalence, risk factors, birth outcomes, midwives’ intrapartum management, and women's birth experiences. 

    Methods: Study I was a qualitative study in which 36 midwives participated in seven focus group discussions. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Studies II and III were retrospective observational cohort studies where medical records from 1131 nulliparous women in Sweden were reviewed. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. Study IV included 15 individual interviews with nulliparous women who had a passive second stage lasting three hours or more. Data were analysed using thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology.

    Results: Midwives’ management of the passive phase is complex, especially if progress is slow. Guidelines were considered, but women were preferably managed individually. The prevalence of prolonged passive second stage (≥2h) was 38%. Epidural analgesia, malpresentation, maternal age ≥30 years, and birth weight of ≥4 kg were identified as risk factors for prolonged passive second stage. Longer duration of the passive second stage was associated with an increased risk of operative delivery. There were no associations with adverse maternal outcomes. Associations with adverse neonatal outcomes were found, although the rate of adverse neonatal outcomes were low in the study population. Women’s experiences of prolonged passive second stage were described in four themes: “An unknown phase”, “Trust and mistrust in the body’s ability”, ”Loss of control“, and “Support through presence and involvement”.

    Conclusion: This thesis describes the prolonged passive second stage from multiple perspectives, including midwives, epidemiological data, and women’s experiences. The midwives’ management of the passive second stage included a complex continuous process of assessment and balancing options for the next step. A prolonged passive second stage was common and did not result in increased risks of adverse maternal outcomes, although further fetal surveillance can be called for. Nulliparous women experienced the passive second stage as an unknown phase and expected a different path for birth, and the experience could include loss of control and increased need for emotional and physical support. 

  • Health in later life: A nursing perspective Author: Ariel Almevall Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-104693 Publication date: 2024-03-21 11:51

    The ongoing demographic shift towards an older population calls for a corresponding shift to a proactive approach, aiming for health and well-being in old age. This dissertation addresses the need for increased knowledge about health in the context of aging at home. It explores the roles of relationships, home, health, and well-being while examining the various factors influencing health. The disseration also explores how key stakeholders in home care organizations percive a good life for older persons. From a nursing perspective, the disseration explores pathways of change and experiences related to health, guided by the caritative caring theory, which underscores health as wholeness and holiness. By thoroughly examining self-rated health, relationships, and the experiences of older persons receiving home support, along with key stakeholders' perceptions, the dissertation aims to provide valuable insights for nursing practices and the promotion of health in later life.

    This dissertation aims to explore health in later life, specifically concentrating on widowed women living alone with extensive home care needs. This exploration encompasses both the perspective of older widows and that of key stakeholders. For a comprehensive understanding health, the disseration also study self-rated health among older persons over a 20-year period, exploring its associations to health and well-being factors, including survival. Additionally, the dissertation explores the shared relationship between older women and nurses.

    This dissertation comprises one quantitative and three qualitative studies, all centred around older persons aged 80 years and older. Paper I is a quantitative, longitudinal study investigating changes in Self-Rated Health (SRH) across the aging spectrum. The study included 1595 participants initially (aged 59-79) and 541 participants at follow-up (age 80-96). Most participants rated their health as "Quite good" (54.5%) at baseline. Over the study period, 42.6% had stable SRH, 40.6% had declined, and 16.8% had improved. Changes in SRH were at follow-up significantly associated with age, pain, nutrition, cognition, walking aid use, self-paced gait speed, lower extremity strength, independence in activities of daily living, weekly physical exercise, outdoor activity, participation in organized activities, visiting others, morale, and depressive symptoms. SRH at baseline was significantly associated with survival (p<0.05). Paper II is a qualitative study about the concept of a good life for single-living older women with extensive care needs. This involved individual interviews with 11 participants aged 82-95, analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Paper III is a qualitative description of key stakeholders' perceptions regarding a good life for the oldest old persons living at home with extensive care needs. The study utilized qualitative focus groups with 28 participants aged 31-69 (1 man, 27 women), analysed through qualitative content analysis. Paper IV is a qualitative study that aim to explore the meaning of relationship between older women and registered nurses in home care. The research employed qualitative methods, including focus groups and individual interviews, with 11 older women (aged 82-95) and 5 registered nurses (aged 35-47), analysed using qualitative content analysis. 

    In conclusion, health in later life is not merely about avoiding a decline in health; rather, it involves integrating existing aspects into an ever-changing situation. However, challenges such as living alone, experiencing depressive symptoms, and coping with illness and/or functional disability can pose threats, risking overall health and survival. In contrast, for those living with disabilities and illnesses with extensive care needs, the significance of daily life becomes paramount. Simultaneously, the relationship between older women and registered nurse emerges as a recurring connection with the potential not only to enhance daily life but also to serve as a consistent and supportive presence in the home.

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: exacerbations and mortality : Prognostic value of biomarkers and comorbidities Author: Jens Ellingsen Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-523303 Publication date: 2024-03-21 08:24

    Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. COPD is associated with systemic inflammation, and comorbidities are common. A characteristic feature is acute exacerbations (AECOPDs), i.e., episodes of worsening symptoms. AECOPDs are associated with increased mortality.

    Aim: To find prognostic risk factors for COPD mortality and AECOPDs, focusing on comorbidities and inflammatory biomarkers.

    Methods: In Paper I, associations between comorbidities, pharmacological treatment, and mortality were analysed in a real-world cohort of almost 18,000 primary care COPD patients. Data from medical records and national registers were analysed in Cox proportional hazards regressions.

    Papers II–IV were based on the Tools Identifying Exacerbations (TIE) cohort study of 572 COPD patients recruited from primary and secondary care in three Swedish regions. Participants were invited to three yearly visits, including phlebotomy, spirometry, and health questionnaires.

    In Paper II, the ability of blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and eosinophils (B-Eos) to predict AECOPDs was analysed with mixed-effects logistic regressions.

    In Paper III, the ability of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, blood leukocytes (B-Leu), and four blood cell indices to predict AECOPDs was analysed with ordinal logistic regressions.

    In Paper IV, an algorithm for clinical phenotyping previously developed to predict mortality was studied. The algorithm’s ability to predict AECOPDs and mortality was analysed with Cox proportional hazards regressions; additionally, the identified phenotypes were analysed concerning differences in blood-based inflammatory biomarkers.

    Results: Several comorbidities, including heart diseases, were associated with increased mortality risk. Some pharmacological treatments were associated with increased or decreased mortality risk (Paper I). NLR, B-Eos, CRP, fibrinogen, and B-Leu (Papers II–III) predicted AECOPDs after adjustment for confounders, whereas other blood cell indices were of limited value (Paper III). The clinical phenotyping algorithm predicted AECOPDs and mortality, and the phenotypes had different patterns of inflammatory biomarkers (Paper IV).

    Conclusions: Comorbidities, particularly heart diseases, are substantial risk factors for mortality in COPD and should be an integral part of management of COPD patients. NLR, B-Eos, CRP, fibrinogen, and B-Leu are independent predictors of AECOPDs and should be further investigated as parts of, e.g., risk prediction tools. A previously developed algorithm for clinical phenotyping predicts mortality and AECOPDs.

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