We examined the association between perceived support and self-care behaviors and whether self-care confidence mediates these relationships.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of HF patients seen in outpatient clinic settings. Our outcome

(HF self-care Selleck GW786034 maintenance and self-care management) and mediator (HF self-care confidence) variables were assessed with the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Perceived emotional/informational support was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study social support survey. We performed regression analyses to examine associations between perceived support and HF self-care behaviors. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method.

Results: We surveyed 150 HF patients (mean age 61 y; 51% female; 43% black). More emotional/informational support was associated with better self-care maintenance (beta = 0.13; P = .04). More emotional/information support was associated with better self-care management in unadjusted (beta = 0.23; P = .04), but not adjusted (beta = 0.20, P

= .10), analysis. Self-care confidence mediates the association between perceived support and self-care maintenance (percent change in beta coefficient was 32%) and management (percent change in beta coefficient was 20%).

Conclusion: Perceived emotional/informational support is associated with better self-care maintenance and possibly better self-care management. Greater self-care confidence is one mediating mechanism. (J Cardiac Fail 2013;19:202-210)”
“Objective: This article describes the initial analysis of mortality, etiology, and predictors of death in a group of patients with convulsive status GDC-0941 epilepticus (CSE) in southwest China.

Methods: A continuous registration database was established to collect demographic data, etiology, and clinical features of the patients with CSE. Univariate

and multivariate regression analyses were used retrospectively in a total of 203 patients with CSE to identify factors associated with mortality.

Results: The proportion of patients who died within 30 days CCI-779 was 15.8%. The frequency of deaths among female patients (22.1 %) was higher than that among males (12.5%). The most prominent etiologic factors in death were CNS infection, toxic/metabolic disease, and head trauma. The most frequently used treatments were diazepam and/or phenobarbital administered intramuscularly. Univariate analysis identified female sex, status epilepticus (SE) as initial symptom, decreased serum sodium SE duration after admission, and use of mechanical ventilation as being associated with death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that use of mechanical ventilation, complications, and SE duration after admission were independent predictors of death.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated the etiology and potential predictors of death in patients with CSE in southwest China.