فهرست مطالب معصومه صادقی پور رودسری

Nowadays, diabetes mellitus is considered one of the most common diseases affecting the quality of life in the elderly. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of self-care training program on health-related quality of life among elderly women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

In this clinical trial, 99 elderly women with T2DM were selected using random cluster sampling and randomly divided into test and control groups in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. The test group received seven sessions of 30-60 minutes of self-care training specific for patients suffering from T2DM, while the control group received the same training in four intensive sessions after the post-test. Data collection tools included a two-part questionnaire on demographic information and quality of life (LEIPAD). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26 software and descriptive and analytical statistical tests.

In this study, 69.7% (69) of the participants were in the age group of 60-69 years. After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the quality of life scores between the two groups (p<0.001). Within-group analysis also showed a significant difference in the quality of life scores before and after the intervention, with a positive change in the test group and a negative change in the control group (p=0.001).

Self-care education can improve the quality of life of elderly women with T2DM. Therefore, implementing such educational interventions is a suitable option for enhancing the quality of life of elderly women with T2DM.

The increase in the aged population, associated with various diseases and problems that threaten physical and mental health, as well as the social and economic developments and changes in individual and family lifestyles, have caused inappropriate emotional responses such as stress, anxiety and depression in the elderly in Iran. The present study aims to determine the relationship of perceived social support with sleep quality and mental health in elderly people referred to health centers in Tehran, Iran. 

This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design that was conducted on 420 elderly people referred to health centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran in 2021, who were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. A demographic form, the pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21), and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) were used to collect information. Data analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation test and descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) in SPSS software version 25 and path analysis in EQS software, version 6.4. 

The findings indicated that 54.5% of the elderly had depression, 64% had anxiety, 49.3% had stress, and 91.4% had sleep disorders. A negative and significant correlation was found between perceived social support and mental health components (depression, anxiety, and stress) in the elderly (P<0.001). and also between perceived social support and sleep quality (P<0.001). 

Considering the positive relationship of perceived social support with mental health and sleep quality of the elderly in Tehran, there is a need to pay more attention to their perceived social support.

Early diagnosis of cognitive disorders in order to initiate new efficient treatments in time is an important task which cannot be fulfilled without proper cognitive screening tools. The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a simple inexpensive cognitive screening tool which can be used in primary care settings delivering health services to older people. The aim of this study was to assess validity and reliability of the CDT in Iranian older population. Method and Materials: In this study the CDT and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were concurrently performed on 74 literate participants aged 60 and over. Participants were recruited from the clients of Iran Alzheimer’s Association (dementia patients and non-demented clients، including other patients or care givers) during a 5 month period. The CDT was performed by two trained raters using Shulman’s six points scoring method. Using SPSS version 20، reliability was assessed measuring kappa statistics as well as ICC. Concurrent validity between CDT and MMSE were statistically analyzed by spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Mean age of the participants was 72 years in a range of 60 to 90 years with equal numbers 0f male and female participants. Kappa statistics for test retest reliability was 0. 554 (p<0. 001). ICC for inter rater reliability was 0. 964 (p<0. 001). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for MMSE and CDT scores was 0. 782، statistically significant at p<0. 001. CDT is a valid and reliable test in literate older people that can be used as a cognitive screening tool in Iranian older population.