Introduction: Hospitalization is a stressful event for both patients and relatives. The aim of the study was to explorefactors affecting state and trait anxiety of relatives of hospitalized patients. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, was enrolled a convenience sample of 222 relatives of hospitalized patients in a public hospital in Athens, Greece. Data were collected by the completion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) which also included participants’ characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, while the statistical significance level was P < 0.05. Results:Of the 222 relatives, 72 were men and 150 women. The average state and trait anxiety score was 45.6 and 42, respectively, within the possible range of scores (20-80) thus indicating moderate levels of anxiety. Moreover, state and trait anxiety was statistically significantly associated with gender, degree of information of patient’s health, whether they had readjusted family responsibilities, whether they had financial worries, whether they experienced uncertainty about future and finally whether they were anxious about their ability to respond to patients care. Conclusion:Factors associated with relatives’ anxiety were gender, information regarding patient’s health, family responsibilities, financial worries, uncertainty and anxiety to respond to patients’ care. These factors need to be evaluated when planning psychological intervention to alleviate this emotional burden.

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical invasive procedure to treat coronary artery occlusion. The quality of life (QoL) is a way to measure the impact of illness and additionally its treatments to traditional measures of clinical outcomes. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to explore the levels of QoL pre-PCI, 6 and 12 months after PCI, as well as the factors associated with the QoL pre-PCI. Methods: In the present study, 100 patients undergoing PCI were enrolled. Data were collected through the completion of the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), which included participants’ characteristics. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05. Results: Patients had moderate levels of QoL at baseline, with a median general health score of 45 (IQR: 30–65). A gradual statistically significant increase in scores was observed in all subcategories of the patients’ QoL at 6 and 12 months after PCI (p < 0.001). A greater increase in scores was observed in physical functioning, physical role, emotional role and social functionality. In terms of the pre-PCI phase, it was found that physical functionality was statistically significantly associated with educational level (p = 0.005), occupation (p = 0.026) and whether the patients had children (p = 0.041). The physical and emotional role was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.046 and p = 0.040) and educational level (p = 0.030 and p = 0.001). Energy–fatigue was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.028), marital status (p = 0.001), educational level (p = 0.001), whether the patients had children (p= 0.012) and other diseases (p = 0.001). Emotional well-being was significantly associated with family history of coronary artery disease (p = 0.011) and the frequency of physical exercise (p = 0.001). Social functioning was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.033), marital status (p = 0.034) and educational level (p = 0.002). Pain was not found to be significantly associated with patients’ demographics. General health was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.003), age (p = 0.043), educational level (p = 0.001), other diseases (p = 0.005) and the frequency of physical exercise (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Information about the QoL of PCI and its determinants is important to define an effective and comprehensive care plan.

The total fertility rate is influenced over an extended period of time by shifts in population socioeconomic characteristics and attitudes and values. However, it may be impacted by macroeconomic trends in the short term, although these effects are likely to be minimal when fertility is low. With the objective of forecasting monthly deliveries, this study concentrates on the analysis of registered births in Scotland. Through this approach, we examine the significance of precisely forecasting fertility trends, which can subsequently aid in the anticipation of demand in diverse sectors by allowing policymakers to anticipate changes in population dynamics and customize policies to tackle emerging demographic challenges. Consequently, this has implications for fiscal stability, national economic accounts and the environment. In conducting our analysis, we incorporated non-linear machine learning methods alongside traditional statistical approaches to forecast monthly births in an out-of-sample exercise that occurs one step in advance. The outcomes underscore the efficacy of machine learning in generating precise predictions within this particular domain. In sum, this research will comprehensively demonstrate a cutting-edge model of machine learning that utilizes several attributes to assist in clinical decision-making, predict potential complications during pregnancy and choose the appropriate delivery method, as well as help in medical diagnosis and treatment.

A complex interplay between behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors influences longevity. According to recent studies, psychological determinants, humor and self-care in particular, are crucial for fostering health and prolonging life. Evidence about the function of humor and self-care as psychological coping strategies that may promote longevity is compiled in this systematic review. A thorough search for peer-reviewed research published between January 2000 and March 2024 was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Both qualitative and quantitative studies examining the relationships between humor, self-care behaviors, and longevity-related health outcomes were eligible. After screening 742 records in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Across the included studies, humor was consistently associated with reduced psychological stress, improved psychological well-being, enhanced immune and cardiovascular markers, and, in some longitudinal cohorts, lower mortality risk. Self-care practices, including mindfulness, physical activity, adequate sleep, and social engagement, were associated with reduced allostatic load, greater psychological resilience, and better functional and cardiometabolic health. These psychological elements may work in concert to promote healthy aging trajectories by acting as protective barriers against long-term stress and age-related decline. This review emphasizes the promise of self-care and humor as accessible, low-cost strategies for improving well-being and supporting healthy aging; however, further longitudinal and experimental research is required to establish causality and clarify underlying biological and psychological mechanisms.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the attitudes and knowledge of female healthcare professionals regarding the prevention of gynaecological diseases.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional stratified study was conducted in August 2022, on the subject. A total of 208 female healthcare professionals in Greece participated. The "Knowledge and attitudes of women regarding Sexually Transmitted Diseases, sexual health and preventive controls" questionnaire validated for Greece was used, through Google forms. Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26, with the x2 test, Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction and the Cramer's V test, Shapiro-Wilk normality test and linear regression analysis with clustered bootstrapping sampling.Results: Sample's mean age was 45.28 (10.65) years old. More than half of the sample (55.3%, n=115) had higher education degree. Seven out of ten participants stated that they have preventive check-ups every 2-3 years. Overall the participants had a satisfactory level of knowledge, scoring 0.82 in the questionnaire used. Age and level of education (R=0.282 and R2=0.079, respectively with p=0.033, DW=2.140) were the two statistically significant independent variables that affected the total score of the questionnaire. Older participants had better knowledge as well as those with higher educational level.Conclusions: Age and level of education were directly related to the formation of knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding gynaecological diseases. So information and education on the issue should be included in the nursing schools curricula and in the early professional stages aiming at achieving higher level of knowledge later on.

Background and Aim: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder leading to severely elevated LDL-C and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study, the GRegistry-FH, provides the first population-based estimation of heterozygous FH (HeFH) prevalence and the clinical profile of affected individuals in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on a representative sample of 7704 adults across 22 Greek regions. HeFH was assessed using the Simon Broome and Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria. Clinical characteristics and lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) attainment were compared between individuals with the HeFH phenotype and the general population. Results: The prevalence of HeFH was estimated at 1 in 188 individuals (Simon Broome) and 1 in 183 (DLCN). Individuals with the HeFH phenotype were significantly older and exhibited a much higher prevalence of hypertension (48.8% vs. 23.9%). Notably, individuals with the HeFH phenotype experienced myocardial infarction an average of 14 years earlier than non-FH individuals. Although 80.5% of individuals with the HeFH phenotype were on LLT, only 18.2% achieved LDL-C goals. None of the individuals with the HeFH phenotype with established ASCVD reached the target LDL-C of <1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL). Conclusions: HeFH is highly prevalent in Greece but remains largely underdiagnosed in younger ages and suboptimally treated. Despite high treatment rates, the vast majority of individuals with the HeFH phenotype fail to reach protective LDL-C targets. These findings emphasize the need for earlier identification and more aggressive combination lipid-lowering strategies.