Endocrine Abstracts

Incorporating research findings into clinical practice is the primary reason why research is done. The main goal is to offer evidence-based care to the patients. Retaining the nursing findings and integrating them into the healthcare will provide an injustice to the nursing profession.

Obtaining support from the leader team is important in a succesful research nursing project.

We also need resources, time, training and energy if we will create an environment in which nursing research is accepted and necessary. Further, keeping research projects in a short time-frame will help maintain motivation and attention among the patients, as well as the health care actors. Results will be seen faster and satisfaction fulfilled from completing a task and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

At the Department of Endocrinology in Lund, Sweden, we have performed a research project in cranially irradiated survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with pituitary insufficiency. The survival after childhood ALL has improved dramatically and late complications are common after cranial radiotherapy, with cardiovascular mortality as the leading cause of death. We have shown that 90% of cranially irradiated adult survivors of childhood ALL have GH deficiency, and that GH therapy decreases the risk of cardiovascular complications. Twenty years after diagnosis we also recorded prolactin (PRL) insufficiency and a high prevalence of lactation failure. Further, we have shown a central adrenal insufficiency among 38% of our ALL survivors, and a decrease in bone mineral density z-scores, indicating a future risk of osteoporosis. We have implemented the research results into clinical practice at our department and we offer the survivors a multidisciplinary surveillance with specific treatments and recommendations. We are now planning to implement the program at all University Hospitals in Sweden.