EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale Research Articles

ROBOTIC-ASSISTED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLIER RETURN OF SYMMETRICAL LIMB FUNCTION COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

IntroductionRobotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has demonstrated significant benefits, including improved accuracy of component positioning compared to conventional jig-based TKA. However, previous studies have often failed to associate these findings with clinically significant improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Inertial measurement units (IMUs) provide a more nuanced assessment of a patient's functional recovery after TKA. This study aims to compare outcomes of patients undergoing robotic-assisted and conventional TKA in the early postoperative period using conventional PROMS and wearable sensors.Method100 patients with symptomatic end-stage knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary TKA were included in this study (44 robotic-assisted TKA and 56 conventional TKA). Functional outcomes were assessed using ankle-worn IMUs and PROMs. IMU- based outcomes included impact load, impact asymmetry, maximum knee flexion angle, and bone stimulus. PROMs, including Oxford Knee Score (OKS), EuroQol-Five Dimension (EQ-5D-5L), EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS-12) were evaluated at preoperative baseline, weeks 2 to 6 postoperatively, and at 3-month postoperative follow-up.ResultsBy postoperative week 6, when compared to conventional TKA, robotic-assisted TKA was associated with significant improvements in maximum knee flexion angle (118o ± 6.6 vs. 113o ± 5.4; p=0.04), symmetrical loading of limbs (82.3% vs.22.4%; p<0.01), cumulative impact load (146.6% vs 37%; p<0.01), and bone stimulus (25.1% vs 13.6%; p<0.01). Whilst there were no significant differences in PROMs (OKS, EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, and FJS-12) at any time point between the two groups, when comparing OKS subscales, significantly more robotic-assisted TKA patients achieved an ‘excellent’ outcome at 6 weeks compared to conventional (47% vs 41%, p= 0.013).ConclusionsIMU-based metrics detected an earlier return to function among patients that underwent robotic-assisted TKA compared to conventional TKA that PROMs were unable to detect within the first six weeks of surgery.

Post-intensive care syndrome and health-related quality of life in long-term survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective cohort study

Patients discharged from intensive care are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), which consists of physical, psychological, and/or neurological impairments. This study aimed to analyze PICS at 24 months follow-up, to identify potential risk factors for PICS, and to assess health-related quality of life in a long-term cohort of adult cardiac arrest survivors. This prospective cohort study included adult cardiac arrest survivors admitted to the intensive care unit of a Swiss tertiary academic medical center. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of PICS at 24 months follow-up, defined as impairments in physical (measured through the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions-3-Levels instrument [EQ-5D-3L]), neurological (defined as Cerebral Performance Category Score > 2 or Modified Rankin Score > 3), and psychological (based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised) domains. Among 107 cardiac arrest survivors that completed the 2-year follow-up, 46 patients (43.0%) had symptoms of PICS, with 41 patients (38.7%) experiencing symptoms in the physical domain, 16 patients (15.4%) in the psychological domain, and 3 patients (2.8%) in the neurological domain. Key predictors for PICS in multivariate analyses were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.17, 95% CI 1.08 to 9.3), duration of no-flow interval during cardiac arrest (minutes) (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33), post-discharge job-loss (aOR 31.25, 95% CI 3.63 to 268.83), need for ongoing psychological support (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 1.29 to 10.29) or psychopharmacologic treatment (aOR 9.49, 95% CI 1.9 to 47.3), and EQ-visual analogue scale (points) (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.93). More than one-third of cardiac arrest survivors experience symptoms of PICS 2 years after resuscitation, with the highest impairment observed in the physical and psychological domains. However, long-term survivors of cardiac arrest report intact health-related quality of life when compared to the general population. Future research should focus on appropriate prevention, screening, and treatment strategies for PICS in cardiac arrest patients.

Patients with more complex ankle fractures are associated with poorer patient-reported outcome: an observational study of 11,733 patients from the Swedish Fracture Register.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following ankle fractures, including all fracture types, have not been reported. It is therefore unclear whether fracture morphology correlates with outcome. We aimed to analyze PROMs in patients with an ankle fracture in relation to the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) fracture classification using population-based register data from the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR). All patients aged ≥ 18 years with an ankle fracture (AO/OTA 44A1-C3) registered in the SFR between 2012 and 2019 were retrieved from the register. Patients with completed PROM questionnaires (Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale) on both day 0 (pre-trauma) and 1-year post-trauma were included. The difference in PROMs between day 0 and 1 year was calculated for each patient (delta value) and mean delta values were calculated at group level, based on the AO/OTA fracture classification. 11,733 patients with 11,751 fractures with complete PROMs were included. According to the AO/OTA classification, 21% were A fractures, 67% were B fractures and 12% were C fractures. All groups of patients, regardless of fracture class (A1-C3), displayed an impairment in PROMs after 1 year compared with day 0. Type C fractures displayed a larger impairment in PROMs at group level than type B, which in turn had a greater impairment than type A. The same pattern was seen in groups 3, 2, and 1 for A and B fractures. We found that the AO/OTA classification is prognostic, where more complex fractures were associated with poorer PROMs.

Health status after periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures.

Periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures (PFFs) are a major complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Health status after PFF is not specifically investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the health status pattern over two years after sustaining a PFF. A cohort of patients with PFF after THA was derived from the Brabant Injury Outcomes Surveillance (BIOS) study. The BIOS study, a prospective, observational, multicentre follow-up cohort study, was conducted to obtain data by questionnaires pre-injury and at one week, and one, three, six, 12, and 24 months after trauma. Primary outcome measures were the EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), the Health Utility Index 2 (HUI2), and the Health Utility Index 3 (HUI3). Secondary outcome measures were general measurements such as duration of hospital stay and mortality. A total of 70 patients with a PFF were included. EQ-5D utility scores were significantly lower on all timepoints except at six months' follow-up compared to pre-injury. EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores at one month's follow-up were significantly lower compared to pre-injury. The percentage of reported problems at two years was higher for all dimensions except anxiety/depression when compared to pre-injury. The mean EQ-5D utility score was 0.26 higher in males compared to females (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 0.42; p = 0.003). The mean EQ-VAS score for males was 8.9 points higher when compared to females over all timepoints (95% CI 1.2 to 16.7; p = 0.027). Mortality was 10% after two years' follow-up. PFF patients are a frail population with substantial functional impairment at baseline. Post-injury, they have a significant and clinically relevant lower health status two years after trauma when compared to pre-injury. Health status improves the most between one and three months after injury. Two years after PFF, more patients experience problems in mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort than pre-injury.

Key Psychosocial Health Outcomes and Association With Resilience Among Patients With Adult Congenital Heart Disease

BackgroundAdult congenital heart disease (ACHD) can negatively impact quality of life (QOL). Strengthening resilience may improve this and other psychosocial outcomes important for living a meaningful life. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to describe resilience and key psychosocial health outcomes in ACHD and evaluate the associations between resilience and these outcomes. MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of outpatients with moderate or complex ACHD between May 2021 and June 2022. Participants completed surveys at baseline and 3 months, evaluating resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10), health-related QOL (EQ5D-3L, linear analog scale), health status (Euroqol visual analog scale), self-competence (Perceived Competence Scale), and psychological symptom burden (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and distress (Kessler-6). ResultsThe mean participant age (N = 138) was 41 ± 14 years, 51% were female, and 83% self-identified as non-Hispanic White. ACHD was moderate for 75%; 57% were physiologic class B. Mean (SD) baseline resilience score (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10) was 29.20 ± 7.54. Participants had relatively good health-related QOL, health status, and self-competence, and low psychological symptom burden and distress. Higher baseline resilience was associated with better values of all outcomes at 3 months (eg, 1 point higher resilience was associated with 0.92 higher linear analog scale; 95% CI: 0.52-1.32) with or without adjustment for demographics. After further adjusting for the baseline psychosocial measure, only the association between resilience and QOL measures at 3 months remained statistically significant. ConclusionsResilience is positively associated with health-related QOL for outpatients with moderate or complex ACHD, though relationships are small in magnitude. Study findings can guide the application of resilience-building interventions to the ACHD population.

Patients undergoing robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty have a greater improvement in knee-specific pain but not in function.

The aim was to assess whether robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) had greater knee-specific outcomes, improved fulfilment of expectations, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and patient satisfaction when compared with manual TKA (mTKA). A randomized controlled trial was undertaken (May 2019 to December 2021), and patients were allocated to either mTKA or rTKA. A total of 100 patients were randomized, 50 to each group, of whom 43 rTKA and 38 mTKA patients were available for review at 12 months following surgery. There were no statistically significant preoperative differences between the groups. The minimal clinically important difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score was defined as 7.5 points. There were no clinically or statistically significant differences between the knee-specific measures (WOMAC, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS)) or HRQoL measures (EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS)) at 12 months between the groups. However, the rTKA group had significantly (p = 0.029) greater improvements in the WOMAC pain component (mean difference 9.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0 to 18.4) over the postoperative period (two, six, and 12 months), which was clinically meaningful. This was not observed for function (p = 0.248) or total (p = 0.147) WOMAC scores. The rTKA group was significantly (p = 0.039) more likely to have expectation of 'Relief of daytime pain in the joint' when compared with the mTKA group. There were no other significant differences in expectations met between the groups. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction with their knee (p = 0.464), return to work (p = 0.464), activities (p = 0.293), or pain (p = 0.701). Patients undergoing rTKA had a clinically meaningful greater improvement in their knee pain over the first 12 months, and were more likely to have fulfilment of their expectation of daytime pain relief compared with patients undergoing mTKA. However, rTKA was not associated with a clinically significant greater knee-specific function or HRQoL, according to current definitions.

Do reconstructive techniques for osteochondritis dissecans of the skeletally mature knee work?A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a common cause of knee pain. Management for adult-onset OCD (AOCD) usually involves surgery. Surgical treatments include palliative, reparative and reconstructive techniques. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of reconstructive techniques for the treatment of OCD in skeletally mature knees. A systematic search was carried out on four databases up to November 2023 (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science). The study was registered on international prospective register of systematic reviews and performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Clinical studies on skeletally mature patients were included, which utilised reconstructive techniques such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation, osteochondral allograft transplantation surgeryor bone marrow-derived cellular transplantation. Demographical data, patient-reported outcome measures and postoperative complications were recorded. Quantitative outcome measures that were comparable across studies were pooled for meta-analysis. A random effects model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic and Cochran's Q test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Risk of bias was assessed using the risk of bias in non-randomised studies - of interventions tool for nonrandomised studies. Sixteen studies were included with 458 OCD lesions in 432 patients. The average age was 24.9, and 62.6% were male. The mean follow-up time was 61.5 months. At 36 months follow-up, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective, Tegner and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores improved from 42.4 to 78.6 (standard mean difference [SMD]: 2.47; p < 0.001), 2.27-4.99 (SMD: 2.363; p = 0.002) and 30.4-57.5 (SMD: 2.390; p < 0.001), respectively. Overall complication rate was 8.9%. Smaller OCD lesion sizes resulted in a greater improvement in IKDC subjective (SMD: 2.64 vs. 2.01; p = 0.038), EQ-VAS (SMD: 3.16 vs. 0.95; p = 0.046) and Tegner scores (SMD: 3.13 vs. 1.05; p = 0.007) and had a lower complication rate (p = 0.008). Males showed a larger improvement in IKDC subjective scores than females (SMD: 2.56 vs. 1.56; p = 0.029), while younger patients had a larger improvement in IKDC subjective scores (SMD: 2.71 vs. 2.12; p = 0.045) and fewer complications than older patients (p = 0.003). There were no significant differences between cohorts treated with ACI and those treated with non-ACI reconstructive techniques. Publication bias was not detected (n.s.). Reconstructive techniques used to treat OCD in the skeletally mature knee resulted in significant improvements in clinical and functional outcomes, with a low overall complication rate. Since a younger age leads to a greater improvement in IKDC subjective score and a lower complication rate, surgical intervention should not be delayed, especially in AOCD lesions which are more likely to follow a progressive and unremitting clinical course. Level III.

Telemedical Intervention and Its Effect on Quality of Life in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: The Results from the Telemedicine and e-Health Solution Pilot Program.

(1) Background: Heart failure (HF) is not only a common cardiovascular disease with a poor prognosis. Its prevalence in developed countries equals 1-2% of the general population of adults, while in Poland HF, patients constitute 3.2% of the total population. Modern heart failure treatment should be focused not only on reducing the risk of death and the number of readmissions due to HF exacerbation but quality of life as well. Telemedicine has been suggested as a viable tool for enhancing HRQL. Therefore, we present the results of telemedical intervention in a group of HF patients and its effect on quality of life in chronic heart failure patients from a pilot study dedicated to reducing social inequalities in health through the use of telemedicine and e-health solutions. (2) Method: The project was a multicenter, open, non-controlled trial conducted by the University of Rzeszów, Poland. The data points were collected in the June 2023-December 2023 period from fourteen primary care units from five voivodeships, mostly considered social exclusion areas. A total of 52.7% of the patients recruited were Podkarpackie Voivodeship inhabitants. The result and discussion are presented based on the Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire (CHFQ) and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQVAS). (3) Results: During the program, a total of over 100,000 telemedicine examinations were conducted in the form of body weight measurement, heart rate, blood pressure tests, and 7-day Holter or 14-day event Holter assessment. Over the course of this study, coordinating the pilot program medical staff has ordered 570 changes in the patient's pharmacotherapy, confirming the positive impact on quality of life in the study group. (4) Conclusions: A comprehensive telemedical intervention can contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of patients with HF beyond what was achieved with the basic standard of care in the group of HF patients from the social exclusion region. It is now unclear if the result of the basic telemedical intervention would be constant after discontinuation of the mentioned pilot program.

Validation of the arabic version of the EuroQol-5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5 L) in patients with spinal degenerative diseases

ObjectiveThis study aims to test the reliability and validity of the translated Arabic version of EQ-5D-5 L.MethodsThe study was conducted on 100 patients operated upon for degenerative spine diseases coming for follow up in the outpatient clinic of a Tertiary care hospital. Test-retest reliability was assessed by completing the self-administered tool in two follow up visits, one week apart, by 50 patients. Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha. Intra-class correlation coefficients and kappa statistics were performed to test for the agreement between the two ratings. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the responses of 100 patients to the EQ-5D-5 L with scores of two validated questionnaires; the Arabic version of the Oswestry disability index and the Arabic version of short-form health survey-36. The construct validity was assessed using known-groups comparison to test for hypothesized differences concerning demographic and clinical variables.ResultsThe Arabic version of EQ-5D-5 L questionnaire had a high reliability with high observed internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.816, CI: 0.719–0.886). It showed strong temporal stability, with ICCs of the EQ-5D-5 L score, index and EQ-visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) of 0.852, 0.801, and 0.839 respectively. Agreement by kappa was moderate; above 0.4, for all domains, except for the “Usual activities” domain. EQ-5D-5 L domains, VAS and index had moderate to strong significant correlations with SF-36 and ODI subscales and total scores in the correct direction indicating a good criterion validity of the instrument.ConclusionThe Arabic version of EQ-5D-5 L is reliable and valid for assessment of HRQoL of Arabic speaking patients.

Health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral nerve tumors: results from the German multicentric Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry.

Peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs) are rare diseases. So far, no multicenter data on diagnostics, the efficacy of treatment, long-term outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) exist. The establishment of the Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry (PNTR) in 2015 allows for the systematic analysis of patients with tumors associated with peripheral nerves. The present study aims to investigate the impact of PNT on an individual's HRQoL and the effect of surgery. HRQoL was pre- and postoperatively assessed by the Euro-Qol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and Euro-Qol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) survey in the retrospective and prospective study arm in three active participating study centers. An index was calculated based on the EQ-5D-5L for the quantification of health state (0: worst possible state of health, 1: best possible state of health). The EQ-VAS ranges from 0% (worst imaginable health status) to 100% (best possible health status). Patient characteristics (age, sex), as well as disease (histopathological entity) and treatment (pre- and postoperative symptoms, type of treatment)-specific data, were analyzed. Data from 171 patients from three high-volume centers were included, with schwannoma (70.8%, n = 121) and neurofibroma (15.8%, n = 27) being the most prevalent histopathological diagnoses. Both the median health index value (preoperative: 0.887, n = 167; postoperative: 0.910, n = 166) and the median EQ-VAS (preoperative: 75%, n = 167; postoperative: 85%, n = 166) of the entire cohort regarding all histopathological diagnosis improved significantly after surgical therapy (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, 12.3% (n = 21) reached the highest index score of 1.0 in EQ-5D-5L and 100% in the EQ-VAS score in 5.3% (n = 9) of all patients. Postoperatively, the highest index score of 1.0 and 100% in the EQ-VAS score increased significantly and were achieved in 33.3% (n = 57) and 11.1% (n = 19) of the patients, respectively (p < 0.001). For the first time, our study presents multicenter data on life quality and the effect of surgery in primarily benign peripheral nerve tumors. Early surgery at a specialized center could improve neurological outcomes and, in conclusion, better QoL. In summary, surgical therapy significantly improved the entire cohort's QoL, VAS, and analgesia.

Gait speed at the acute phase predicted health-related quality of life at 3 and 12 months after stroke: a prospective cohort study.

To investigate the association between acute-phase gait speed and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. Prospective cohort study. 1,475 patients with first-ever ischaemic stroke. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to tertiles of gait speed, namely ≤0.8, 0.8-1.1, ≥1.1 m/s. Gait speed was assessed by the 10-m walking test within 2 weeks of hospitalization for acute stroke and before the rehabilitation programme. HRQoL measurements include the 3-level EuroQol five dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) index and EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify associations between gait speed and HRQoL. Adjusted for all covariates, the highest gait speed tertile group were associated with higher EQ-5D-3L index (B = 0.0303 and B = 0.0228, respectively, p < 0.001), and higher EQ-VAS (B = 3.3038 and B = 3.8877, respectively, p < 0.001), and lower odds of having problems with mobility (OR = 2.55 [95% CI: 0.141-0.458] and 0.485 [0.289-0.812], respectively, p < 0.01), self-care (OR = 0.328 [95% CI: 0.167-0.646] and 0.412 [0.217-0.784], respectively, p < 0.01), and usual activities (OR = 0.353 [95% CI: 0.211-0.590] and 0.325 [0.198-0.536], respectively, p < 0.0001) at 3 and 12 months, and pain/discomfort at 12 months (OR = 0.558 [95% CI:0.335-0.930], p < 0.05). Acute-phase gait speed was predictive of post-stroke HRQoL at 3 and 12 months, especially when associated with domain-specific EQ-5D-3L.

Effects of Comedy on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors and Its Associations With the Big Five Personality Traits: A Post Hoc Analysis.

This study is a post hoc analysis of a single-arm trial to determine whether daily viewing of comedy videos for four weeks improves health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and oxidative stress in cancer survivors (UMIN-CTR 000044880). There are no reports of personality traits affecting HRQOL improvement. The purpose of this post hoc analysis was to identify associations with personality traits that may improve HRQOL. This analysis compared the baseline scores on the Ten-Item Personality Inventory-Japanese version (TIPI-J) for personality traits in Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-G (FACT-G) groups with improved or worsened scores.This grouping was based on the results of previous studies. In addition, the EuroQOL 5 dimension 3 level (EQ-5D-3L), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, biological antioxidant potential (BAP), reactive oxygen metabolite-derived compounds, oxidative stress index, and potential antioxidant potential were assessed for each group.Items related to oxidative stress were tested using t-tests, while other items were tested using Friedman's analysis of variance. Forty-three participants completed the analysis (FACT-G improved [up group], n= 25; FACT-G decreased [down group], n= 18).No significant differences in the TIPI-J items existed between the two groups. Significant items for oxidative stress in the FACT-G up group were BAP (P= 0.04, Cohen's d= 0.32) and potential antioxidant capacity (P= 0.02, Cohen's d= 0.41). In the FACT-G down group, the significant item was potential antioxidant capacity (P = 0.03, Cohen's​​​​​​​ d = 0.46). The FACT-G up group had significant changes over time in the scores of the EuroQOL Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS;χ2 = 21.151 [df = 4]; P < 0.01), HADS-anxiety (χ2 = 24.579 [df = 4]; P < 0.01), and HADS-depression (χ2 = 29.068 [df = 4]; P < 0.01). Our results suggested that cancer survivors' personality traits did not influence the effects of viewing comedy.It has been suggested that the group with increased FACT-G may have had an improvement in the EQ-VAS, HADS, and potential antioxidant capacity independent ofFACT-G.

The Long COVID Symptoms and Severity Score: Development, Validation, and Application

ObjectivesThe primary focus of this research is the proposition of a methodological framework for the clinical application of the long COVID symptoms and severity score (LC-SSS). This tool is not just a self-reported assessment instrument developed and validated but serves as a standardized, quantifiable means to monitor the diverse and persistent symptoms frequently observed in individuals with long COVID. MethodsA 3-stage process was used to develop, validate, and establish scoring standards for the LC-SSS. Validation measures included correlations with other patient-reported measures, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α for internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Scoring standards were determined using K-means clustering, with comparative assessments made against hierarchical clustering and the Gaussian Mixture Model. ResultsThe LC-SSS showed correlations with EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (rs = −0.55), EuroQol visual analog scale (rs = −0.368), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (rs = 0.538), Beck Anxiety Inventory (rs = 0.689), and Insomnia Severity Index (rs = 0.516), confirming its construct validity. Structural validity was good with a comparative fit index of 0.969, with Cronbach’s α of 0.93 indicating excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was also satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.732). K-means clustering identified 3 distinct severity categories in individuals living with long COVID, providing a basis for personalized treatment strategies. ConclusionsThe LC-SSS provides a robust and valid tool for assessing long COVID. The severity categories established via K-means clustering demonstrate significant variation in symptom severity, informing personalized treatment and improving care quality for patients with long COVID.

Long COVID Characteristics and Experience: A Descriptive Study from the Yale LISTEN Research Cohort

To describe the experience of people with long COVID symptomatology and characterize the psychological, social, and financial challenges they experience. The experience of people with long COVID needs further amplification, especially with a comprehensive focus on symptomatology, treatments, and impact on daily life and finances. We collected data from individuals aged 18 and older reporting long COVID as participants in the Yale Listen to Immune, Symptom and Treatment Experiences Now (LISTEN) Study. The sample population included 441 participants surveyed between May 2022 and July 2023. We evaluated their demographic characteristics, socioeconomic and psychological status, index infection period, health status, quality of life, symptoms, treatments, pre-pandemic comorbidities, and new-onset conditions. Overall, the median age of the participants with long COVID was 46 years (IQR: 38 to 57 years); 74% were women, 86% were Non-Hispanic White, and 93% were from the United States. Participants reported low health status measured by the Euro-QoL visual analogue scale, with a median score of 49 (IQR: 32 to 61). Participants documented a diverse range of symptoms, with all 96 possible symptom choices being reported. Additionally, participants had tried many treatments (median number of treatments: 19, IQR: 12 to 28). They were also experiencing psychological distress, social isolation, and financial stress. Despite having tried numerous treatments, participants with long COVID continued to experience an array of health and financial challenges-findings that underscore the failure of the healthcare system to address the medical needs of people with long COVID. These insights highlight the need for crucial medical, mental health, financial, and community support services, as well as further scientific investigation, to address the complex impact of long COVID.

Assessment of the Impact of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices on Patients' Quality of Life.

Assessing the quality of life serves as a crucial metric during various therapeutic or surgical procedures. The rise in cardiac electronic device implantations in recent years underscores the significance of evaluating the quality of life among such patients. We conducted a study focusing on the quality of life of 438 patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices). These patients were diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, high-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes III- IV (NYHA III-IV)), with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, with/without complete left bundle branch block (QRS ≥ 130 μs), or with a history of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation. The study utilized the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire and the EQ visual analog scale, which patients completed both prior to cardiac device implantation and during six post-implantation follow-up visits. The analysis of the research findings was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics software program (Armonk, NY). Cardiac pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-grade AV block demonstrated significant and highly reliable positive effects on quality of life concerning mobility, self-care, and usual activity. Similarly, cardiac resynchronization device implantation in individuals with severe heart failure with reduced LVEF and wide QRS showed significant positive effects in these areas. However, cardioverter-defibrillator implantation did not yield positive effects on these modules.Regarding pain/discomfort, neither pacemaker nor cardiac resynchronization device implantation resulted in improved quality of life, while there was a somewhat positive effect observed in the cardioverter-defibrillator group. In terms of anxiety/depression, pacemaker implantation in patients with sick sinus syndrome and high-degree AV block had a significant and highly reliable positive impact on quality of life. Additionally, relatively positive impacts were noted at various periods following cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization device implantations. Cardiac implantable electronic devices play a crucial role not only in saving lives but also in positively impacting the quality of life of patients when appropriately selected.

Long-term effects and predictors of change of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy on cardiac anxiety in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundApproximately half of patients who seek care at Emergency Departments due to chest pain are diagnosed with Non-Cardiac Chest Pain (NCCP). Concerns for heart disease and misinterpretation of the symptoms increase cardiac anxiety and have a negative impact on patients' lives. Psychological interventions such as internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) are effective in treating psychological conditions such as anxiety, by helping patients to learn how to manage chest pain.AimsTo evaluate the effects of a nurse-led iCBT program on cardiac anxiety and secondary outcomes, as bodily sensations, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life and chest pain frequency in patients with NCCP at 6- and 12-month follow-up, and to explore predictors that can have impact on the effects of the iCBT program on psychological distress.MethodsA longitudinal study of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluating the long-term effects of an iCBT program (n = 54) in patients with NCCP, compared to psychoeducation (n = 55). The primary outcome, cardiac anxiety was measured using the Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and the secondary outcomes were measured with The Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), The EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) and a self-developed question to measure chest pain frequency. All measurements were performed before and after the intervention, and 3, 6 and 12 months after the intervention. Linear mixed model was used to test between-group differences in primary and secondary outcomes and multiple regression analysis was used to explore factors that may have an impact on the treatment effect of iCBT on cardiac anxiety.ResultsA total of 85% (n = 93/109) participants completed the 12-month follow-up. Mixed model analysis showed no statistically significant interaction effect of time and group between the iCBT and psychoeducation groups regarding cardiac anxiety over the 12-month follow-up. However, there was a statistically significant interaction effect of time and group (p = .009) regarding chest pain frequency favouring the iCBT group. In addition, we found a group effect in health-related quality of life (p = .03) favouring the iCBT group. The regression analysis showed that higher avoidance scores at baseline were associated with improvement in cardiac anxiety at 12-month follow-up.ConclusionsCardiac anxiety was reduced in patients with NCCP, but iCBT was not more effective than psychoeducation. Patients with a high tendency to avoid activities or situations that they believe could trigger cardiac symptoms may benefit more from psychological interventions targeting cardiac anxiety.Trial RegistrationThe trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03336112 on 08/11/2017.

Impact of post-COVID-19 condition on health status and activities of daily living: the PRIME post-COVID study

ObjectiveTo assess health and activities of daily living (ADL) in SARS-CoV-2-positive adults with and without post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) and compare this with negative tested individuals. Furthermore, different PCC case definitions...

First knee for pain and function versus second knee for quality of life.

The aim of this study was to describe and compare joint-specific and generic health-related quality of life outcomes of the first versus second knee in patients undergoing staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) for osteoarthritis. This retrospective cohort study used Australian national arthroplasty registry data from January 2013 to January 2021 to identify participants who underwent elective staged BTKA with six to 24 months between procedures. The primary outcome was Oxford Knee Score (OKS) at six months postoperatively for the first TKA compared to the second TKA, adjusted for age and sex. Secondary outcomes compared six-month EuroQol five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) domain scores, EQ-5D index scores, and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) between knees at six months postoperatively. The cohort included 635 participants (1,270 primary procedures). Preoperative scores were worse in the first knee compared to the second for all instruments; however, comparing the first knee at six months postoperatively with the second knee at six months postoperatively, the mean between-knee difference was minimal for OKS (-0.8 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.4 to -0.2), EQ-VAS (3.3; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.7), and EQ-5D index (0.09 points; 95% CI 0.07 to 0.12). Outcomes for the EQ-5D-5L domains 'mobility', 'usual activities', and 'pain/discomfort' were better following the second TKA. At six months postoperatively, there were no clinically meaningful differences between the first and second TKA in either the joint-specific or overall generic health-related quality of life outcomes. However, individual domain scores assessing mobility, pain, and usual activities were notably higher after the second TKA, likely reflecting the cumulative improvement in quality of life after both knees have been replaced.

Mood Associated With Health- and Social-Care–Related Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract Background: Individuals with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS) have complex care requirements and are more likely to use long-term facilities. This study determined the associations between mood and social-care–related quality of life (SCRQOL), and healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) and examined the association between HRQOL and SCRQOL. Methods: Baseline data from a cohort study were used. Patients completed questionnaires, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT), and EuroQOL 5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale (EQVAS). Linear regression analyses were employed to assess the relationships between mood and both outcomes of QOL while controlling for relevant confounding factors (βs; 95% CI). The cross-sectional association between SCRQOL and HRQOL was examined using Pearson correlation coefficients (r). Results: A total of 75 patients, with a mean age of 56.1 years and a disease duration of 17.3 years, were enrolled from a long-term care facility in The Netherlands. Results showed that after controlling for confounders, HADS is an independent determinant of ASCOT (βs = – .368; 95% CI –.581 - –.154) and EQ-5D-5L (βs = -.297; 95% CI –.507 - –.087). Also, there are significant but weak correlations between ASCOT and EQ-5D-5L (r = .242; 95% CI, .015 - .468), between ASCOT and EQ-VAS (r = .230; 95% CI, .003 - .457) and between EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS (r = .227; 95% CI, .000 - .454). Conclusions: Mood, especially the depression component, is an important determinant of both HRQOL and SCRQOL in advanced MS. Focusing on mood in health care and social care may contribute to the improvement of QOL in a broader sense.

Females show worse functional outcome and quality of life compared to males 2 years after meniscus surgery:Data analysis from the German Arthroscopy Registry.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of sex on knee function, activity and quality of life following meniscus surgery using data from the German Arthroscopy Registry. This is a retrospective cohort study with data collected between 2017 and 2022. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), namely Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ Scale), and Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS), were collected preoperatively and at 6, 12and 24 months postoperatively. Data were analysed to examine differences between male and female patients regarding PROMs, pre-existing conditions, meniscus lesion typesand surgical treatments. A total of 1106 female (36.6%) and 1945 male patients (63.7%) were included. Males were significantly younger than females and had a higher body mass index. Overall, there were four times more medial meniscus lesions (MMLs) (77.5%) than lateral meniscus lesions (LMLs) (27.9%). Degenerative LMLs were more frequent in females, while traumatic LMLs were more common in males. Frequencies of traumatic and degenerative MMLs were similar among males and females. Males had higher absolute KOOS irrespective of treatment or meniscus lesion type. Meniscus repair resulted in similar improvements in ΔKOOS for both sexes, while meniscus resection exhibited higher absolute KOOS for males at each time point. Males generally had higher EQ Scale and MARS than females. Greater improvements in knee function, activity and quality of life were observed in males. While MMLs appear to be comparable among sexes, the nature of LML differed significantly. These results may help surgeons to refine patient selection for specific treatments to improve overall clinical outcomes. Level III.