Psychological Health Domains Research Articles

TPH2-703 G/T polymorphism is associated with stress, depression, and psychosocial symptoms in mentally healthy Mexicans

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of serotonin synthesis. TPH2 is the brain-specific isoform of this enzyme, and genetic variations in the TPH2 gene have been shown to impact its transcription and enzymatic activity and are associated with mood disorders. In this study we focused on the rs4570625 (-703G/T) single nucleotide polymorphism of TPH2 gene. By using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we examined the effect of this polymorphism on stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms as well as quality of life, evaluated based on the Holmes–Rahe Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life – Short Version, respectively. We found that individuals with the homozygous recessive T/T genotype had lower stress and depression scores. In addition, the quality of life in the psychological health domain was better in males with the T/T genotype. These results suggest that T/T genotype could decrease the susceptibility to developing stress and depression in the Mexican population without a diagnosis for an emotional disorder.

Intolerance of uncertainty across stress, anxiety, and depression among university students in Pakistan: A descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe mental health issues due to COVID-19, such as intolerance of uncertainty (IOU), anxiety, stress, and depression, have attracted extensive attention from researchers. The challenges for Pakistani university students could be worse than developed countries due to the lack of online courses/programs and online mental health support provided by academic institutions. Therefore, the current study aims to assess the intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety, and stress of Pakistani university students after the second wave of COVID-19 and the relationship among these constructs. MethodsA convenience cross-sectional sampling method was used to collect data from university students in Pakistan between January 2021 and April 2022 via a structured online questionnaire. The Descriptive analysis focused on frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation (SD) were calculated on IOU-12 and DASS-21. Covariance for the research model and confirmatory factor analyses fit indices for the IOU-12 and DASS-21 were analyzed by AMOS statistical packages. ResultsAs expected, anxiety, depression, and stress persist among Pakistani university students. On average, they report mild to moderate mental health problems regarding anxiety, depression, stress, and intolerance of uncertainty. Our results indicate a strong positive relationship among the three emotional distress components - anxiety, depression, and stress. However, our results suggest no significant relationship between IOU and the three subcomponents of emotional distress (anxiety, depression, and stress). LimitationsFirst, the cross-sectional survey design means we cannot conclude on the causal relations. Second, the self-report questionnaire embeds subjectivity issues. Last, the generalizability of the sample to the whole student population in Pakistan is limited, considering the sampling method. ConclusionThis study expanded the current knowledge in the psychological health domain (intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, depression, and stress) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In practice, higher education institutions should further mitigate university students' mental health issues. For researchers, our findings inspire future studies to delve into the relationship between IOU and mental health issues due to COVID-19 since our findings display contrary evidence for various reasons.

Survey to measure the quality of life of patients with tuberculosis in Alexandria, Egypt: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAssessment of quality of life (QoL) in patients with tuberculosis (TB) may improve healthcare providers’ understanding of the disease burden. This study aimed to investigate the QoL of patients with TB in Alexandria, Egypt.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in chest clinics and main chest hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt. A structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data from participants through face-to-face interviews from November 20, 2021, until the June 30, 2022. We included all adult patients aged 18 years or above during the intensive or continuation phase of treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used to measure QoL, which includes the physical, psychological, social relationships, and environmental health domains. Using propensity score matching, a group of TB free population was recruited from the same setting and completed the questionnaire.ResultsA total of 180 patients participated in the study: 74.4% were males, 54.4% were married, 60.0% were 18–40 years old, 83.3% lived in urban areas, 31.7% were illiterate, 69.5% reported insufficient income, and 10.0% had multidrug-resistant TB. The TB-free population group had higher QoL scores than the TB patients’ group: (65.0 ± 17.5 vs. 42.4 ± 17.8) for the physical domain, (59.2 ± 13.6 vs. 41.9 ± 15.1) for the psychological domain, (61.8 ± 19.9 vs. 50.3 ± 20.6) for the social domain, (56.3 ± 19.3 vs. 44.5 ± 12.8) for the environment domain, (4.0(3.0–4.0) vs. 3.0(2.0–4.0)) for general health, and (4.0(3.0–4.0) vs. 2.0(2.0–3.0)) for the general QoL, P < 0.0001. Patients with TB aged 18–30 years had the highest environmental score compared with the other age groups (P = 0.021).ConclusionsTB had a significant negative impact on QoL, with the physical and psychological domains being the most affected. This finding necessitates strategies to improve QoL of patients with to enhance their compliance to treatment.

Stress, coping, and quality of life in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While research has widely explored stress, coping, and quality of life (QOL) individually and the potential links between them, a critical dearth exists in the literature regarding these constructs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aims to identify the salient stressors experienced, describe the coping strategies used, and examine the relationships between stressors, coping, and QOL among individuals during the pandemic. Data are from a sample of 1,004 respondents who completed an online survey. Key measures included stressful life events (SLEs), coping strategies, and the physical and psychological health domains of QOL. Staged multivariate linear regression analyses examined the relationships between SLEs and the two QOL domains, controlling for sociodemographic and pre-existing health conditions and testing for the effects of coping strategies on these relationships. The most common SLEs experienced during the pandemic were a decrease in financial status, personal injury or illness, and change in living conditions. Problem-focused coping (β = 0.42, σ = 0.13, p < 0.001 for physical QOL; β = 0.57, σ = 0.12, p < 0.001 for psychological QOL) and emotion-focused coping (β = 0.86, σ = 0.13, p < 0.001 for psychological QOL) were significantly related to higher levels of QOL, whereas avoidant coping (β = -0.93, σ = 0.13, p < 0.001 for physical QOL; β = -1.33, σ = 0.12, p < 0.001 for psychological QOL) was associated with lower QOL. Avoidant coping partially mediated the relationships between experiencing SLEs and lower physical and psychological QOL. Our study informs clinical interventions to help individuals adopt healthy behaviors to effectively manage stressors, especially large-scale, stressful events like the pandemic. Our findings also call for public health and clinical interventions to address the long-term impacts of the most prevalent stressors experienced during the pandemic among vulnerable groups.

Improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS: A cross-sectional study of the role of religion.

Previous studies have found religion as a useful tool in coping with chronic medical conditions including HIV/AIDS. Aim: This study assessed how religiosity and religious coping are associated with quality of life (QOL) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This was a cross-sectional study of 140 HIV clinic attendees of a Nigerian tertiary health facility. Religiosity, religious coping and QOL were measured with religious orientation scale-revised (ROS-R), Brief Religious Coping (Brief RCOPE) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Correlation analysis assessed the relationship between ROS-R, Brief RCOPE and WHOQOL-BREF. : Intrinsic religiosity (IR) scores had a moderate positive correlation with psychological health domain of QOL (r = 0.4, N = 140, and P 0.001), and a weak positive correlation with physical health domain of QOL (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.05). Extrinsic religiosity (ER) scores moderately correlated positively with the psychological health domain of QOL (r = 0.03, N = 140, and P 0.002), but weakly correlated positively with the physical health domain (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.02). Positive religious coping (PRC) scores moderately correlated positively with the psychological health domain (r = 0.03, N = 140, and P 0.05) and weakly correlated positively with physical health domain of QOL (r = 0.2, N = 140, and P 0.02). Extrinsic religiosity social (ERS) scores had a moderate positive correlation with the social relationships domain (r = 0.4, N = 140, P 0.001). Increased ER, IR orientations and Positive Religious Coping appear to improve the psychological and physical health domains ofQOL QOL Therefore, religiosity should be encouraged among PLWHA to improve QOL.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) Analysis in Partially Edentulous Patients with and without Denture Therapy.

One of the Indonesians oral health problems today is teeth loss. Several treatments can be done to overcome the problems, especially to restore missing teeth function, which are mastication, speech function, and improve aesthetic. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) domains physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environment, and the domain of Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) in partially edentulous patients with implants, conventional dentures, and non-users (without implant and conventional denture). This is a cross-sectional analytic observational study. Samples were partially edentulous patients aged 15-70 in Surabaya were taken using a simple random sampling technique within inclusion criteria. Reliability and validity analysis was carried out with Eta correlation test and then comparative analysis was performed with Kruskal Wallis and Post Hoc test with Mann Whitney U-Test. All procedures were carried out in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations by Ethics Committee, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Unair, Surabaya, Indonesia (No: 441/HRECC.FODM/VII/2022). The results showed that there was a significant correlation between partially edentulous patients with and without dentures with the domains of physical health, psychological health, social, environment, and the domain of OIDP. The study showed a statistically significant correlation between OHRQoL domain of physical health, psychological health, social and environment, and the domain of OIDP in partially edentulous patients with implants, conventional dentures, and non-users (without implants and conventional dentures). Edentulism is really felt by the people and has a negative effect meaningful to the physical, economic, and psychological. For this reason, in determining the use of implants, conventional dentures, and non-users (without implants and conventional dentures) it is important to consider domains of OHRQoL consisting of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environment, and the domain of OIDP.

Exploring the completeness of comprehensive geriatric assessment in relation to care outcomes in hospitalized older patients

Exploring the completeness of comprehensive geriatric assessment in relation to care outcomes in hospitalized older patients

Quality of life and its associated factors among home-dwelling older people residing in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka: a community-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionThis community-based cross-sectional study explored the factors affecting overall and domain-specific (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental) quality of life (QOL) of home-dwelling older residents of the District...

A Study on Assessment of Prescription Pattern and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract: Aim: The study aims to assess the prescription pattern and quality of life in hypertensive patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of a six- month duration was conducted. All the data were documented and analyzed based on a standard protocol and entered into Microsoft Excel. Quality of life was collected using World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOOQL)-BREF Questionnaire. The statistical analysis was done by IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics Version 28.0.0.0. Results: A total of 174 hypertensive patients consisting of 111 males and 63 females of age group 32-88 years were included in the study. The study showed Hypertension (HTN) was commonly affected in males. It was further clarified that Stage 2 HTN was the most prevalent one. The patients have been prescribed a total of 9 categories of anti-hypertensives in which the most commonly prescribed anti-hypertensives were diuretics (66.06%) and the least prescribed were alpha (α)- blockers (1.74%) and central sympatholytic (1.74%). Quality of Life (QOL) of hypertensive patients was carried out using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. The comparison shows that a high mean score is seen in the psychological domain and a low mean score is seen in the social health domain. Conclusion: The study provides an overall layout regarding the prescription pattern and QOL in hypertensive patients. The patients were administered a total of 9 categories of anti- hypertensives. From the study, it was concluded that diuretics were the most prescribed anti- hypertensive drug. The average QOL in hypertensive patients were observed more in the psychological health domain (46.19). Keywords: Hypertension, Quality of life, Prescription pattern, WHOQOL questionnaires, IBM SPSS software.

Cognitive Functioning, Dependency, and Quality of Life Among Older Adults

ABSTRACT The determinants of QoL need serious deliberation in national as well as international healthcare guidelines as few studies have assessed the QoL of older individuals across cultures and countries. The current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationships between cognitive functioning and level of dependency with quality of life (QoL) and the moderating effects of gender and housing type on these relationships among older adults in Pakistan. A total of 274 respondents (own homes = 153; care homes = 121; Mage = 68.75 years, SD = 5.78 years) participated in this study. Cognitive functioning was assessed through Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while level of dependency was assessed through Incapacity Status Scale (ISS). As for the measurement of QoL, World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument (Urdu version) was adopted. The results of Pearson product-moment correlation revealed the significant relationships of the constructs of interest. Cognitive functioning significantly predicted social QoL for males only but did not significantly predict the overall QoL and its four domains (i.e. physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental health domains), regardless of housing type (i.e. own homes versus care homes). Meanwhile, the results of regression analysis demonstrated the significance of level of dependency in predicting the overall QoL and its four domains for both male and female respondents. As for those living in their own homes, the level of dependency significantly predicted their overall QoL, as well as physical and environmental QoL. For the older adults living in care homes, cognitive functioning predicted only the social QoL for males, but did not predict the overall QoL or its domains for older individuals in care homes or own homes. Based on these findings, this study demonstrated the significance of cognitive functioning, level of dependency, gender, and housing-type care homes as determinants of QoL among older adults. The study findings have implications for policymakers, practitioners, and public health specialists to cautiously create content that will enhance the older individuals’ QoL. Findings can contribute to designing interventions to motivate and preserve functional mobility in older individuals, and the generate community-based programs to enhance or uphold physical activity in the older individuals.

Functional connectivity between interoceptive brain regions is associated with distinct health-related domains: Apopulation-based neuroimaging study.

Interoception is the sensation, perception, and integration of signals from within the body. It has been associated with a broad range of physiological and psychological processes. Further, interoceptive variables are related to specific regions and networks in the human brain. However, it is not clear whether or how these networks relate empirically to different domains of physiological and psychological health at the population level. We analysed a data set of 19,020 individuals (10,055 females, 8965 males; mean age: 63 years, age range: 45-81 years), who have participated in the UK Biobank Study, a very large-scale prospective epidemiological health study. Using canonical correlation analysis (CCA), allowing for the examination of associations between two sets of variables, we related the functional connectome of brain regions implicated in interoception to a selection of nonimaging health and lifestyle related phenotypes, exploring their relationship within modes of population co-variation. In one integrated and data driven analysis, we obtained four statistically significant modes. Modes could be categorised into domains of arousal and affect and cardiovascular health, respiratory health, body mass, and subjective health (all p < .0001) and were meaningfully associated with distinct neural circuits. Circuits represent specific neural "fingerprints" of functional domains and set the scope for future studies on the neurobiology of interoceptive involvement in different lifestyle and health-related phenotypes. Therefore, our research contributes to the conceptualisation of interoception and may lead to a better understanding of co-morbid conditions in the light of shared interoceptive structures.

Effect of Yoga on Frailty in Older Adults : A Systematic Review.

Yoga, a multicomponent mind-body practice, improves several domains of physical and psychological health and may affect frailty in older adults. To evaluate the available trial evidence on the effect of yoga-based interventions on frailty in older adults. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central from their inception to 12 December 2022. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of yoga-based interventions, including at least 1 session of physical postures, on a validated frailty scale or single-item markers of frailty in adults aged 65 years or older. Two authors independently screened articles and extracted data; 1 author assessed risk of bias with review from a second author. Disagreements were resolved through consensus and as-needed input from a third author. Thirty-three studies (n = 2384 participants) were identified in varied populations, including community dwellers, nursing home residents, and those with chronic disease. Yoga styles were primarily based on Hatha yoga and most often included Iyengar or chair-based methods. Single-item frailty markers included measures of gait speed, handgrip strength, balance, lower-extremity strength and endurance, and multicomponent physical performance measures; no studies included a validated definition of frailty. When compared with education or inactive control, there was moderate-certainty evidence that yoga improved gait speed and lower-extremity strength and endurance, low-certainty evidence for balance and multicomponent physical function measures, and very low-certainty evidence for handgrip strength. Heterogeneity in study design and yoga style, small sample sizes, and reporting deficiencies leading to concerns for selection bias. Yoga may affect frailty markers that are associated with clinically meaningful outcomes in older adult populations but may not offer benefit over active interventions (for example, exercise). None. (PROSPERO: CRD42020130303).

Boosting the quality of life through additional general allocation funds for village infrastructure development

Improving the quality of life of the community as one of the key indicators of development success is a must since it has an impact on the wellbeing of the community. This study aims to measure quality of life and analyze the effect of additional general allocation funds for village infrastructure development, education, and control variables on the quality of life of the community who lived in Tangerang. The researchers employed a sample size of 368 people. Using a cross-sectional survey approach, valid, and reliable questionnaires were distributed. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that the general allocation funds for the village infrastructure development were proven to have a significant effect on improving the quality of life of the community. The education level variable did not have a significant effect on improving the quality of life, but it had a significant effect on the psychological health domain of quality of life. In addition to the provision and maintenance of health services, it is necessary for the government to include the construction of infiltration wells, community-based domestic wastewater management networks, light fire extinguishers, and portable fire pumps as development priorities.

Multimorbidity and Quality of Life among Geriatric Population of Karachi Pakistan

Objective: To determine association of quality of life and multimorbidity among geriatric population of Karachi Pakistan Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in district of Karachi district using cluster sampling technique. Sample had greater than 60 years of age restricting those with mental disorders, speech disorders or language barriers. Sample size was n=362. Data was collected using WOHQOL-BREF with four domains, social relationships, psychological health, physical health and environment domain. Data was collected by face to face interviews after informed consent keeping information confidential. p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. For numerical data descriptive analysis was used and categorical data was expressed by frequency and percentages using SPSS version 24. Odds ratio was used to find association of multimorbidty and quality of life Results: Of total n=90 (25%) participants had none or single disease, with multimorbidity in n=272 (75%) participants. Most n=165 (46%) had hypertension, Diabetes was present in n=56 (16%). Bones and joints in n=133 (38%), Obesity in n=80(22%). Most n=144 (40%) rated their life quality as good, n=30 (8.3%) as very good, n=57 (15.5%) rated their quality of life as poor, n=3 (0.8%%) rated it very poor and remaining n=128(35.4%) were in between. Mean scores of Environmental domain had highest score then physical health, psychological domain and least for social domain. When association was seen in multimorbidity and life quality Environment domain displayed significant association with OR: 1.9 ( p value 0.009).In Environment and Social domain majority were found to be satisfied. Conclusion: Significant association was seen between Multimorbidity and Enviornmental domain in Quality of life. Keywords: Multimorbidity, Quality of life, Geriatrics

The Relationship between Predominant Polarity, Lifetime Comorbid Anxiety Disorders and Subjective Quality of Life among Individuals with Bipolar Disorder in Singapore.

Depressive features and comorbid anxiety disorders are two discrete but interconnected clinical features that have been reported to be associated with a poorer quality of life (QoL) among individuals with bipolar disorders. However, the relationship between manic features and quality of life is less conclusive. The present study aimed to assess differences in QoL among bipolar outpatients who present with either depressive predominant polarity (DPP), manic predominant polarity (MPP) and/or a lifetime diagnosis of comorbid anxiety disorders in Singapore. Data from 74 outpatients in Singapore diagnosed with bipolar disorder were collected. Sociodemographic information, the polarity of most episodes (2 out of 3), the diagnosis of anxiety disorders and QoL were obtained from a self-reported interview and/or through clinical records. QoL was measured using the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization questionnaire. We used multivariate regression models to determine the relationships between predominant polarity, lifetime comorbid anxiety disorders and QoL in physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment domains. After adjusting for covariates, individuals with DPP scored poorer for WHOQOL-BREF for all four domains as compared with individuals with indeterminate polarity. As compared to individuals with indeterminate polarity, individuals with MPP scored poorer for WHOQOL-BREF social relationships. Lastly, individuals with lifetime comorbid anxiety disorders scored poorer for WHOQOL-BREF physical health, social relationships and environment. The present study provides preliminary support for the relationship between DPP, lifetime comorbid anxiety disorders and poorer QoL, paving the pathway for future research with larger samples to utilise our study design to verify our results.

The quality of life among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with and those not living with HIV in Abuja Nigeria

ABSTRACT Our objective was to assess factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with or those not living with HIV in Nigeria. A cross-sectional subset of adult MSM in the ongoing TRUST/RV368 HIV prevention and treatment study were recruited and completed the World Health Organization quality of life in HIV infection (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The tool comprises physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental health domains from which scores were extracted. T-tests were used to compare mean HRQoL scores between participants living with or those not living with HIV and among persons living with HIV who had been on antiretroviral therapy for ≥1 year or <1 year. Of 322 study participants, 186 (57.8%) were living with HIV. The mean scores were significantly lower for participants living with HIV as compared to those not living with HIV in physical health, psychological health and social relationship domains. Among persons living with HIV and taking ART, scores were significantly lower for those whose duration was <1 year as compared to ≥1 year regarding physical health and psychological health. Strategies to improve HIV prevention and early detection and linkage to HIV care may improve HRQoL.

Correlation of Pain and Spasticity with the Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Introduction: After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), life is associated with risks of many musculoskeletal problems which affect the life of an individual. There is a need for an early assessment for neurological functions and physical activities. Aim: To assess the correlation of pain and spasticity with Quality of Life (QoL) in individuals living with SCI. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Axon spine hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, from January to April 2022, which comprised of 54 participants. Demographic details, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale, pain with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), spasticity with NRS and World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief (WHOQoL-BREF) had four domains, 26-items questionnaire regarding different aspects of life were recorded. Categorical data has been presented as frequencies and percentages and quantitative data as means and standard deviations. Linear correlation analysis of WHOQoLBREF with pain and spasticity respectively has been done. Level of statistical significance was 5%. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.54±7.6 years and the male to female was 39:15. Out of 54, total 39 (72.22%) had complain of pain and total 38 (70.37%) reported spasticity. Mean score of pain intensity is 4.1±3.4 and spasticity is 2.7±2.4. WHOQoL-BREF means of 4 domain score-physical health domain 54.05±18.56, psychological health domain 58.14±11.95, social relationship domain 59.14±13.59, and environmental domain 56.29±18.58. There was a negative linear correlation between pain (r-value=-0.489) and spasticity (r-value=-0.063) with WHOQoL-BREF. Conclusion: Pain is correlated with QoL, which was lower in people living with SCI along with some associated conditions like spasticity affecting physical activities.

Disability in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and its Impact on Caregiver’s Burden and Quality of Life

Abstract Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic illness that can cause marked anguish and disability. OCD negatively affects the quality of life (QoL) and brings disability in marital, occupational, emotional, and social functioning. Family members of OCD patients unknowingly start adjusting their personal and family routine to lessen the patient’s anxiety or irritability due to compulsive behaviors. Their involvement with compulsive behaviors of OCD patients compromise their social activities that lead to feelings of social isolation and marked distress. Studies carried out on family members have also reported poor QoL in the domains of physical well-being, psychological well-being, and social well-being. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational, hospital-based study. Fifty adult patients with OCD were recruited in the study along with their caregivers, who were visiting the Department of Psychiatry, ABVIMS, Dr. R. M. L. Hospital, New Delhi, India. Patients diagnosed with OCD as per diagnostic and statistical manual 5 criteria were assessed on Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) symptom Checklist, Y-BOCS to know about the severity and Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale was used to assess disability. The primary caregivers, who were continuously staying with patient for last 2 years, were assessed on Zarit Burden Interview to assess caregiver’s burden and WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess the QoL. Results: There was a negative correlation between total YBOCS score, global disability score of patients, burden of caregivers with all domains of QoL of caregivers of patients, and statistically significant values were seen in psychological health and social domains. Caregiver burden was positively correlated with disability. Both QoL and severity of illness have more significant negative impact on caregiver QoL and burden. Conclusion: Severity of illness and disability in patients with OCD cause significant negative impact on QoL and brings about huge burden on caregivers.

QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PATIENTS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF CKD

The present study explored quality of life among patients of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at various stage of the disease. CKD is a progressively degenerative disease in which kidney function deteriorates leading to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or renal failure. CKD, being among the leading health problem internationally, affects 1 in 7 American adults. Internationally CKD is estimated to have 13.4% prevalence. Sample of the current study comprises of 620 patients (males = 310, females = 310) of all five stages of CKD from CDK I to ESRD. A self constructed demographic form was used to take basic information from the patients. WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered to assess the quality of life of the patients and Salma Siddiqui Depression Scale (SSDS) was used to assess depression level across various stages of CKD. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to analyze the data. Results indicated that stages of CKD had significant impact on QOL F(4, 305) = 13.25, p &lt; .001, physical health domain F(4, 305) = 6.18, p &lt; .001, psychological health domain F(4, 305) = 13.21, p &lt; .001, social health domain F(4, 305) = 16.73, p &lt; .001, environment domain F(4, 305) = 15.63, p &lt; .001 of the patients. Moreover, it was found that QOL was better among patients with CKD I. Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, End Stage Renal Dysfunction, Quality of Life, Depression, Health-Related QOL, Glomerulus Filtration Rate.

Investigating the effectiveness of online interactive courses on loneliness and quality of life of older adults in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study and a randomized controlled trial.

The early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic was a critical time for increasing loneliness, especially for older people. However, there is insufficient existing research on associated interventions and their effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week online interactive course on the loneliness, depression, social support, and quality of life (QOL) of older adults in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to collect data from a community in Taiwan. Eighty-nine participants recruited from long-term care institutions were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=44) and a control group (n=45). Participants in the experimental group received an 8-week (Monday to Friday) intensive online interactive course, whereas those in the control group watched 8 weeks (Monday to Friday) of unidirectional online video programs. Significant differences were observed in the UCLA Loneliness Scale and in both the psychological health and social relationship domains of the WHO Quality of Life-BREF Scale. In other words, compared with those in the control group, participants in the experimental group experienced more significant improvements in the state of their loneliness as well as QOL in the psychological health and social relationship domains (without the physical health/environment domains) after taking the online interactive course. The results of this study showed that the 8-week online interactive course could effectively improve the loneliness, the psychological health domain, and the social relationship domain of the QOL of the older adults of a particular community during the ongoing pandemic. Geriatr Gerontol Int ••; ••: ••-•• Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; ••: ••-••.