The Impact of Ideal and Real Discrepancies of Family Functionality Perception over the Quality of Life in a Minority Population

US service members injured in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to survive than those in previous conflicts because of advances in medicine and protective gear. However, there is limited research examining the long-term impact of injuries while deployed on physical and mental quality of life (QOL) among service members. We used data from two time-points with an average follow-up period of 4.27 years (SD = 2.13; n = 118,054) to prospectively examine the association between deployment and injury status with QOL. Data were derived from the Millennium Cohort Study surveys (2001 to 2016) and linked with the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoD-TR) among a cohort of US service members from all branches and components. The primary predictor (a combination of deployment and injury status) was comprised of the following four categories: 1) not deployed, 2) deployed and not injured, 3) deployed and non-battle injured, and 4) deployed and battle injured. Demographic, military, psychological and behavioral health, and life stress factors were adjusted for in multivariable models. Outcomes of interest were physical and mental QOL from the Short-Form Health Survey for Veterans (VR-36) measured at ~4 year follow-up. Between group comparisons indicated that those deployed and battle-injured had the greatest decline in both mental (-3.82) and physical (-10.13) QOL scores over time (p < .05). While deployment and injury status were associated with poorer mental and physical QOL in adjusted models; only the association between deployment and injury status with physical QOL was clinically meaningful (more than 2.5). In adjusted models, Time 1 mental and physical QOL explained most of the variance (23–25%) in Time 2 mental and physical health QOL as compared to other covariates (e.g., injury and deployment, and other sociodemographic factors increased variance by ~5%). Time 1 QOL was the most significant predictor of later QOL, but those injured while deployed experienced significant and meaningful decrements to long-term physical QOL. This suggests that prevention and rehabilitation interventions should focus on improving physical health among injured service members to avoid long-term adverse effects.

US service members injured in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to survive than those in previous conflicts because of advances in medicine and protective gear. However, there is limited research examining the long-term impact of injuries while deployed on physical and mental quality of life (QOL) among service members. We used data from two time-points with an average follow-up period of 4.27 years (SD = 2.13; n = 118,054) to prospectively examine the association between deployment and injury status with QOL. Data were derived from the Millennium Cohort Study surveys (2001 to 2016) and linked with the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (DoD-TR) among a cohort of US service members from all branches and components. The primary predictor (a combination of deployment and injury status) was comprised of the following four categories: 1) not deployed, 2) deployed and not injured, 3) deployed and non-battle injured, and 4) deployed and battle injured. Demographic, military, psychological and behavioral health, and life stress factors were adjusted for in multivariable models. Outcomes of interest were physical and mental QOL from the Short-Form Health Survey for Veterans (VR-36) measured at ~4 year follow-up. Between group comparisons indicated that those deployed and battle-injured had the greatest decline in both mental (-3.82) and physical (-10.13) QOL scores over time (p < .05). While deployment and injury status were associated with poorer mental and physical QOL in adjusted models; only the association between deployment and injury status with physical QOL was clinically meaningful (more than 2.5). In adjusted models, Time 1 mental and physical QOL explained most of the variance (23-25%) in Time 2 mental and physical health QOL as compared to other covariates (e.g., injury and deployment, and other sociodemographic factors increased variance by ~5%). Time 1 QOL was the most significant predictor of later QOL, but those injured while deployed experienced significant and meaningful decrements to long-term physical QOL. This suggests that prevention and rehabilitation interventions should focus on improving physical health among injured service members to avoid long-term adverse effects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relative contributions of daytime sleepiness, sleep quality, depression, and apnea severity to mental and physical quality of life (QoL) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were adults diagnosed with OSA. Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 36 (SF-36), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. The factors predicting the physical and mental QoL were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. Seven hundred ninety three OSA patients participated in the study. The average age was 48.9 years (SD = 11.7 years). The mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 29.5 hour(-1) (SD = 20.6 hour(-1)). The SF-36 scores were 72.6 (SD = 18.5). The BDI, sleep quality, and age were related to both mental and physical QoL. However, ESS, minimal arterial oxygen saturation, gender, and body mass index were associated with the physical but not mental QoL. The BDI was the strongest predictor of both physical and mental QoL. AHI was related to neither physical nor mental QoL. The potential factors affecting QoL are different between physical and mental dimensions of QoL. Depressive mood was the strongest predictor of both the physical and mental QoL.

Aim This study aimed to ascertain the impact of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on physical, mental, and overall quality of life (QoL) through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Subject and methods A systematic search for relevant trials was performed via PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Web of science as well as the manual screening of prior meta-analyses and their respective reference lists (PROSPERO reference: CRD42022326576). Adult controlled trials investigating the effects of a &gt;2-week HIIT intervention with an eligible non-intervention control group were considered. As the primary outcome, studies were required to include at least one measure of physical and/or mental and/or overall QoL, on any validated QoL domain, pre and post intervention. Results Twenty-two studies with twenty-four effect sizes were included; seventeen comparing HIIT and overall QoL, fourteen comparing HIIT and physical QoL and thirteen studies comparing HIIT and mental QoL. There was a statistically significant improvement in physical (SMD= 0.405, 95% CI: 0.110- 0.700, p= 0.007), mental (SMD= 0.473, 95% CI: 0.043 –0.902, p=0.031) and overall QoL (SMD= 0.554, 95% CI 0.210-0.898, p=0.002) following a program of HIIT. Secondary analysis of 5 studies comparing HIIT against moderate intensity continuous training demonstrated no significant difference in improvement between the two modes (SMD= -0.094, CI= -0.506-0.318, p=0.655). Conclusion Engaging in HIIT produces statistically significant improvements in physical, mental, and overall quality of life in clinical and non-clinical populations at a small to moderate effect size. Furthermore, HIIT appears as effective as MICT in improving overall QoL, offering a more time-efficient exercise option.

What self-management factors are associated with quality of life among women with endometriosis? Greater self-efficacy was associated with improved physical and mental quality of life. Women with endometriosis have an impaired quality of life compared to the general female population. However, most studies have investigated quality of life in a hospital or clinic setting rather than a community setting and the association between self-management factors and quality of life have not, to date, been investigated. A cross-sectional, population-based online survey was performed, which was advertised through women's, community and endometriosis-specific groups. A total of 620 women completed the survey for this study. Mental and physical quality of life was assessed using the standardized SF36v2 questionnaire. Self-management factors included self-efficacy, partners in health (active involvement in managing the condition) and performance of self-care activities. Treatment approaches included the use of hormonal treatment, pain medications and complementary therapies and whether the participant had a chronic disease management plan. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine whether self-management and treatment factors were associated with quality of life. Both physical and mental quality of life were significantly lower among women with endometriosis compared to the mean scores of the general Australian female population (P < 0.001). Physical quality of life was positively associated with income sufficiency (P < 0.001) and greater self-efficacy (P < 0.001), but negatively associated with age (P < 0.001), pain severity (P < 0.001), use of prescription medications (P < 0.001), having a chronic disease management plan (P < 0.05) and number of self-care activities (P < 0.05). Mental quality of life was positively associated with being older (P < 0.001), partnered (P < 0.001), having a university education (P < 0.05), increasing self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and higher partners in health scores (P < 0.001). Results are derived from a cross-sectional study and can only be interpreted as associations not as causal relationships. The sample was more educated, more likely to speak English and be born in Australia than the general Australian female population of the same age, which may influence the generalizability of these results. This study investigated a knowledge gap by investigating quality of life of women with endometriosis in a large community sample. Self-efficacy was significantly associated with both physical and mental quality of life. Supporting women with endometriosis to improve self-efficacy through a structured chronic disease management programme may lead to improvements in this aspect of wellbeing. R.O. undertook this research as part of her PhD at Monash University, which was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Stipend. J.F. is the Finkel Professor of Global Public Health, which was supported by the Finkel Family Foundation. There are no conflicts of interest to declare. NA.

Pain coping, pain acceptance and analgesic use as predictors of health-related quality of life among women with primary dysmenorrhea

Quality of life metrics in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy patients: The impact of age, shock and sex

The work-related stress experienced by firefighters is associated with numerous health issues. In the general population, improving physical fitness is associated with improvements in both mental and physical quality of life. The purpose of the study was to examine whether fitter professional firefighters report greater physical and mental quality of life. Twenty-three professional firefighters (males = 21, females = 2; age: 36.78±7.12yrs; height: 176.96±5.67 cm; weight: 88.20±16.02 kg; years of service: 8.70±6.62years) volunteered for the study. Participants completed a fitness protocol that included the wall sit and reach, Y-balance test, vertical jump, 1 repetition maximum bench press, pull-ups to failure, push-ups to failure, a plank hold and 1-mile run. The short form 36 questionnaire was used to assess overall quality of life. Firefighters were divided into "high" and "low" groups for physical and mental quality of life. Group differences in fitness parameters were assessed using a multivariate analysis of covariance with gender, age, years of service, height, and body mass as co-variates. Firefighters with lower mental quality of life had lower body fat percentages (p = 0.003), fat mass (p = 0.036), greater fat free mass (p = 0.015), vertical jump height (p = 0.024) and performed more pull-ups (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences in any of the fitness measures between high and low physical quality of life groups. The findings indicate that physical fitness of firefighters is not indicative of overall health. Firefighters might use exercise to cope for psychological stress and a holistic approach to improve firefighter quality of life is recommended.

Body checking and avoidance in women: Associations with mental and physical health-related quality of life

Somatic and psychosocial determinants of symptom severity and quality of life in male and female patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome

The study aimed to determine the relationship between religious coping and the quality of life of hemodialysis patientsin Somalia. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 174 -12 Health Survey hemodialysis patients in April-July 2024 in the hemodialysis unit of a Training and Research Hospital in Somalia. The data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, Religious Coping Scale, and Short Form (SF-12). A significant positive correlation was found between patients' positive religious coping scores (r = 0.270; p < 0.05), physical (r = 0.177; p < 0.05), and mental quality of life and age (r = 0.363; p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a negative correlation between physical quality of life and hemodialysis duration (r = - 0.170; p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between mental quality of life and age (r = - 0.231; p < 0.05). In the multiple linear regression analysis, 15.2% of the total variance in physical quality of life was explained by occupation, positive religious coping, and duration of hemodialysis (F = 10.171. p = 0.000. R2 = 0.152; R = 0.390). The total variance at the mental quality of life level was explained by living with whom and vascular access with a rate of 13.8% (F = 5.363. p = 0.000. R2 = 0.138; R = 0.372). Positive religious coping was associated with improved mental and physical health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Loneliness is a significant public health challenge in the United States, especially among older adults. The epidemiology of loneliness among older adults in primary care is lacking, and specific research is needed on how loneliness impacts older primary patients' physical, mental, and cognitive health. A large sample of older primary care patients were recruited for a trial during the COVID-19 pandemic to measure the relationship between loneliness and physical and mental quality of life (QOL). Baseline data come from the Caregiver Outcomes of Alzheimer's Disease Screening (COADS) study, an ongoing randomized controlled trial evaluating benefits and risks of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias screening among primary care patients ages 65 and older, collected April 2020 to September 2021. Loneliness was measured with the 5-item, Loneliness Fixed Form Ages 18+ from The NIH Toolbox Emotion Battery, physical and mental health-related QOL was measured with the SF-36v2, and depression and anxiety severity were measured with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively. Spearman correlation analyses revealed that loneliness was moderately correlated with mental health QOL (r[601] = -0.43, p < 0.001), anxiety severity (r[601] = 0.44, p < 0.001), and depression severity (r[601] = 0.42, p < 0.001), while weakly correlated with physical health QOL (r[601] = -0.15, p < 0.001). After conducting unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models, we found that loneliness was significantly associated with both lower mental (p < 0.001) and physical (p < 0.001) QOL. Furthermore, loneliness remained significantly associated with worse mental QOL after adjusting for age, gender, race, ethnicity, educational level, perceived income status, neighborhood disadvantage, severity of comorbidities, and comorbid depression and anxiety. Primary care providers should discuss loneliness with their older adult patients and provide resources to help patients develop and maintain meaningful social relationships.

Maintenance hemodialysis patients and their caregivers is experiencing poor quality of life. The dyadic illness management theory has linked dyadic coping and mutuality to quality of life. This study explored the effects of dyadic coping on mental/ physical quality of life and the mediating role of mutuality in these relationships among maintenance hemodialysis patients and their caregivers. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 patient-caregiver dyads recruited from four blood purification centers in Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, and Zaozhuang, China, between May 2024 and November 2024. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the dyadic coping inventory, the mutuality scale, and the 12-item short-form health survey. Data analysis was performed using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. The findings revealed that in terms of actor effects, dyadic coping directly impacted mental and physical quality of life in maintenance hemodialysis patients and mental quality of life in caregivers (p < 0.01). The relationships were mediated through their own mutuality (p < 0.05). In terms of partner effects, caregivers' dyadic coping directly impacted maintenance hemodialysis patients' mental and physical quality of life (p < 0.05), with mutuality of both maintenance hemodialysis patients and their caregivers serving as a mediator (p < 0.05). The study confirms the significant dyadic relationships between dyadic coping, mutuality, and mental/ physical quality of life among maintenance hemodialysis patients and their caregivers. The findings suggest that it is essential to develop effective dyadic interventions based on dyadic coping strategies or mutuality to improve mental and physical quality of life for both members.

BackgroundCancer is a serious public health problem worldwide, causing an impact not only on the patient's quality of life (QoL) but also on their caregiver. This study aims to assess the socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental QoL, and associated factors among caregivers of cancer patients at the Hassan II University Hospital Center in Fez, Morocco.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of 247 caregivers of cancer patients. Their QoL including physical and mental health aspects was assessed using a 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12). Statistical analysis was conducted utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows v26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). This included calculating frequency distributions and percentages. The general and socio-demographic data associated with QoL were analyzed using the student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Only variables with p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThe majority of the participants were 40 years old and over, and 54.3% of the total participants were women. The average physical QoL score was 47.32 (±7.08), while the average mental QoL score was 31.64 (±14.44). For caregivers, certain personal attributes and circumstances were found to influence their mental and physical QoL. Age, gender, and being unemployed were common factors impacting both the mental and physical well-being of caregivers. Moreover, being married (P=0.019) was an additional factor affecting their physical QoL. In contrast, specific aspects related to the caregiving role itself also played a significant role. Caregivers who were close family members of patients (P=0.0001) and those providing care for patients with genitourinary cancer (P=0.048) experienced a notable detrimental effect on their mental QoL.ConclusionThis study highlights several factors associated with the poor QoL of caregivers, such as gender, age, professional activity, and the relationship with the patient. It is imperative to establish a specific support system for caregivers of cancer patients, including social and economic assistance, to enhance their physical and mental QoL.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Because CP is a chronic condition, multiple assessments of QoL are required to obtain a thorough understanding of its impact on patients. Such studies are currently lacking. This study aims to gain insight into the course and predictors of QoL in patients with CP using prospective longitudinal data from a large cohort of patients. Post hoc analysis of consecutive patients with definite CP registered in a prospective database between 2011 and 2019 in the Netherlands. Patient and disease characteristics, nutritional status, pain severity, medication usage, pancreatic function, and pancreatic interventions were assessed from medical records and through standard follow-up questionnaires. The physical and mental component summary scales of the Short-Form 36 were used to assess physical and mental QoL at baseline and during follow-up. The course of both physical and mental QoL and their associated factors were longitudinally assessed by using generalized linear mixed models. Overall, 1,165 patients with definite CP were included for this analysis. During 10-year follow-up, generalized linear mixed model analyses revealed improvements in both physical (41.6-45.2, P < 0.001) and mental (45.9-46.6, P = 0.047) QoL. Younger age, current alcohol consumption, employment, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, and pain coping mechanism were positively associated with physical QoL ( P < 0.05). For mental QoL, a positive correlation was found between employment, nonalcoholic CP, no need for dietetic consultation, no steatorrhea, lower Izbicki pain score, pain coping mechanism, and surgical treatment. No association was observed between disease duration and longitudinal QoL per patient. This nationwide study provides insight into the dynamics of physical and mental QoL in patients with CP over time. Important and potentially influenceable factors to improve QoL are nutritional status, exocrine pancreatic function, employment status, and patients' coping strategy.