Rosa Suñer-Soler

Background: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor that is insufficiently controlled. Management, which is challenging due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease and limited patient awareness, depends on lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and health literacy. Self-measurement of blood pressure may improve blood pressure control and patient engagement, although evidence regarding the accuracy of these measurements remains limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the level of knowledge about hypertension and self-blood pressure measurement skills among individuals with this condition. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Spain in 2025 in urban and rural primary care centres, including 151 patients aged over 18 years with diagnosed hypertension and preserved cognitive capacity. Sociodemographic, clinical, and blood pressure self-measurement data were collected. Knowledge about hypertension was assessed using the Hypertension Knowledge Questionnaire, which includes 15 items covering the disease, risk factors, treatment, and complications. Results: Most participants were unaware of the diagnostic blood pressure threshold for hypertension, defined according to European guidelines as ≥ 140/90 mmHg, and 94% exhibited poor control of systolic blood pressure. Educational level was significantly associated with better knowledge of cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular complications, as well as with more accurate self-blood pressure measurement practices. However, no association was observed between educational level and overall blood pressure control. Sex-based differences were identified, with better diastolic blood pressure control among women. Conclusions: Higher educational level is associated with improved knowledge of hypertension and higher quality of self-blood pressure measurement, but not with better blood pressure control. The persistence of poor blood pressure control despite adequate knowledge and skills suggests that factors beyond education, particularly comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease and sociodemographic inequalities, may play a major role. Health education remains important to support self-management; however, it should be integrated within a broader, multifactorial and individualized approach to hypertension care in primary health care in the Spanish context.

Background/Objectives: The most relevant psychological constructs for responding to stress in chronic lumbar pain in a positive way are active coping strategies, positive emotions, and resilience. The aim of this study was to study the coping strategies used by people affected by chronic low back pain and associated factors. Methods: We carried out a prospective longitudinal study involving people on a first visit at the Pain Unit of Josep Trueta University Hospital (Girona, Spain) presenting with chronic back pain, with a follow-up at three months. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory (VPMI), and the Abridged Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used. The correlation of variables was analyzed, and a multiple linear regression model was used. Results: A total of 129 people with a mean age of 62.5 years participated (58.1% women). The mean severity of pain was moderate with mild improvement at the follow-up (6.42 to 6.17 points). The use of active coping strategies declined during the study (21.28 to 15.6 points), and a significant increase in passive strategies (23.6 to 30.21 points) and in catastrophizing (13.98 to 14.56 points) was observed. The total resilience scores were slightly better at baseline than at follow-up (27.50 to 26.67 points). The intensity of the back pain had a direct and significant relationship with passive strategies and an inverse relationship with active strategies and resilience. Conclusions: The coping strategies for dealing with chronic back pain observed in the study participants are not fully effective. The intensity of pain is significantly associated with the use of passive strategies and female sex.

Background/objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become an important public health issue; however, there are few investigations regarding the perception of CKD in its advanced stages. Personalized medicine approaches, which take into account knowledge of the disease, symptoms and treatment responses, can improve the perception of the disease and help control the progression of CKD. This study aimed to describe illness perception in people with advanced CKD in primary healthcare settings. Methods: A cross-sectional and multicenter descriptive study was conducted amongst a sample of 189 people over 18 years of age with advanced CKD and a glomerular filtration rate between 15 and 29 mL/min/1.73 m² in three community health centers, including rural and urban areas, during 2023. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected through an ad hoc questionnaire and those on the perception of disease through the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Nurses at the centers collected data from the study. Results: The mean age was 79.7, and all participants suffered from another chronic condition in addition to CKD. The mean total score for perception of the disease was 44.02 points, and the dimensions of the duration of treatment control and understanding had the highest evaluations. Men had a greater perception in the dimensions of concern (p = 0.023) and understanding (p = 0.006). The dimension of consequences showed a correlation with identity (Spearman’s Rho 0.688; p = 0.001), and concern about the disease was associated with emotional response (Spearman’s Rho 0.689; p < 0.001). A higher number of hospital admissions was associated with a higher score on the questionnaire (B = 4.93; p < 0.001; CI: 3.01–6.84) in a multiple linear regression. Conclusions: Participants in this study with advanced CKD had low illness perception; women expressed less concern in understanding their health status. Higher symptom burden was linked to greater illness perception, greater emotional impact, and increased hospital admissions.

La universitat travessa un moment de transformació profunda. La digitalització, els canvis socials, la diversitat creixent de l’estudiantat i l’impacte de la intel·ligència artificial estan redefinint el sentit mateix de la docència universitària. En aquest context, les pràctiques tradicionals ja no són suficients: cal repensar com s’ensenya, com s’aprèn i quin paper ha d’assumir el professorat en la formació de persones crítiques, compromeses i capaces d’afrontar un món complex. Aquest llibre aborda els principals reptes de la docència universitària contemporània: la motivació i la participació de l’estudiantat, l’equilibri entre rigor acadèmic i innovació pedagògica, la incorporació crítica de les tecnologies digitals, la promoció de la igualtat de gènere i la necessitat de consolidar una universitat inclusiva, justa i socialment responsable. Lluny de receptes simplistes, les aportacions que recull defensen una pedagogia de l’acompanyament, del pensament crític i de l’aprenentatge significatiu, connectat amb la realitat i els valors democràtics. Les reflexions que s’hi presenten neixen de la pràctica i del debat col·lectiu del professorat implicat en les xarxes i els grups d’innovació docent de la Universitat de Girona. Des d’aquesta experiència compartida, el llibre ofereix mirades, preguntes i propostes que conviden a repensar la identitat docent i a reforçar el paper de la universitat com a espai de transformació social. No es tracta només d’innovar metodologies, sinó de renovar el compromís educatiu amb el coneixement, la igualtat i el bé comú.

Background: We aimed to study anxiety, depression and quality of life in smokers after stroke by sex. Methods: A longitudinal prospective study with a 24-month follow-up of acute stroke patients who were previously active smokers. Anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and quality of life was evaluated with the EQ-5D questionnaire. Results: One hundred and eighty patients participated (79.4% men); their mean age was 57.6 years. Anxiety was most prevalent at 3 months (18.9% in men and 40.5% in women) and depression at 12 months (17.9% in men and 27% in women). The worst perceived health occurred at 24 months (EQ-VAS 67.5 in men and 65.1 in women), which was associated with depression (p < 0.001) and Rankin Scale was worse in men (p < 0.001) and depression in women (p < 0.001). Continued tobacco use was associated with worse perceived health at 3 months in men (p = 0.034) and at 12 months in both sexes. Predictor variables of worse perceived health at 24 months remaining at 3 and 12 months were tobacco use in men and neurological damage in women. Conclusion: Differences by sex are observed in the prevalence of anxiety and depression and associated factors and in the predictive factors of perceived health.

Background: The experience of chronic low back pain has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected people, resulting in difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living. Aim: To study the perceived quality of life of people affected by chronic low back pain and the associated factors by sex. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal and observational design was used. Results: A total of 129 people (58.1% women) with chronic low back pain were studied. The mean pain intensity scores were of moderate severity (6.42 points), with a modest improvement at follow-up (6.17 points). Epidural nerve blocks were the most effective therapeutic intervention in reducing the intensity of pain. Participants described a negative perception of their health with regard to quality of life, with low scores for the two constructs both at baseline (health index, 0.444; perception of health, 38.76 points) and at follow-up (health index, 0.447; perception of health, 40.43 points). Participants had severe functional limitation scores (50.79 points). The results were significantly better among men. There was an inverse relationship between the average pain intensity (β = −0.304; p < 0.001), functional limitation (β = −0.466; p < 0.001) and mental health (β = −0.565; p < 0.001) and quality of life. Conclusions: The chronification of low back pain complicates people’s biopsychosocial adaptation to life. There is a longitudinal inverse association between pain and functional limitation and health-related quality of life.

Background: Aging populations are driving a shift in emphasis toward enhancing chronic disease care, reflected in Catalonia’s regional plan which prioritizes standardized nursing care plans in primary care settings. To achieve this, the ARES-AP program was established with a focus on harmonizing standards and supporting routine nursing clinical decision-making. This study evaluates nurses’ perceptions of ARES-AP’s standardized care plans for chronic diseases. Methods: A mixed-methods approach based on an ad hoc questionnaire (n = 141) and a focus group (n = 14) was used. Quantitative data were statistically analysed, setting significance at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were explored via content analysis. Results: ARES-AP training was assessed positively. The resources for motivational interviewing and care plans for the most prevalent chronic diseases were rated very positively. This study identified key factors influencing program implementation, including facilitators such as structured information and nursing autonomy, barriers such as resistance to change, motivators such as managerial support, and suggested improvements such as technological improvements and time management strategies. Conclusions: This study identifies areas for improvement in implementing standardized nursing care plans, including additional time, motivation, enhanced IT infrastructure, and collaboration among primary care professionals. It enhances understanding of these plans in primary care, especially in managing chronic diseases in aging populations. Further research should assess the program’s long-term impact on chronic patients. This study was not registered.

Emotional intelligence is a health predictor as it has an effect on quality of life, given that it affects a person’s capacity to use and regulate emotions and consequently has an influence on their physical and mental condition. The aim of this study is to analyze emotional intelligence, quality of life, and associated correlation factors in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, differentiating age and gender differences. A multicenter study of one hundred and thirty-eight hemodialysis patients was conducted using a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional design. A battery of questionnaires, including Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24), Kidney Disease Quality of Life—Short Form (KDQOL-SF), and an ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, were administered. The Chi-squared test, the Student’s t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to compare categorical, independent, and continuous variables, respectively. A linear regression model was used to compare variables associated with quality of life. Gender differences existed when assessing the three dimensions of emotional intelligence: ranked by order, the highest scores in males were in clarity, repair, and attention. However, in females, the highest scores were in repair, clarity, and attention. Males had higher scores than females in emotional roles (p = 0.045). Younger participants had better scores in all physical functions (p = 0.001) and vitality (p = 0.038). Participants who had a higher level of education presented better physical function (p = 0.027) and higher scores in emotional wellbeing (p = 0.036). Finally, in females, emotional attention (p = 0.046) and repair (p = 0.000) were strongly associated with general health perception. The assessment of emotional intelligence considering gender differences in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis can be an indicator of quality of life, including for use in health interventions.