Fair Quality Of Life Research Articles

Association of gestational hypertension and health-related quality of life

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the association between pregnancy-induced hypertension and the quality of life of the study participants. The study also aimed to detect an association between quality of life and certain demographic data for pregnant women with elevated blood pressure during different gestational periods. Methods: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A non-probability (purposive) sample of 70 pregnant women was selected. The study tool used was a questionnaire, and interviews were used as a data collection method. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Most of the respondents were aged between 26 and 35 years, and the majority of the sample reported that they were satisfied with their income to some extent. The study showed a negative significant correlation between quality of life and some variables. Conclusion: Quality of life decreased among mothers with a history of abortion, gestational diabetes mellitus, oligohydramnios, and elevated blood pressure. All pregnant mothers who suffered from gestational hypertension had fair quality of life.

Adverse Health Outcomes 3 Years after Radical Prostatectomy Compared with Men in the General Population: A Study from the Cancer Registry of Norway

IntroductionStudies about adverse health outcomes (AHOs) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in population-based contemporary prostate cancer (PCa) patients are limited, as well as knowledge about corresponding data from age-similar men from the general population (Norms). We compared selected AHOs (pad use, intercourse inability), related problems (bother) and quality of life (QoL) between PCa patients and Norms. Patients and methodsThe Cancer Registry of Norway (CRN) provided data on PCa patients diagnosed in 2017-2019 and treated with RP who completed the EPIC-26 and EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaires 24-48 months after surgery (n = 1501). The CRN also established a group of Norms (n = 1894). Dichotomized EPIC-26 outcomes: daily use of ≥1 pad (Item#3), quality of erections (Item#9) and related bother (Item#4a/#12). EORTC-QLQ-C30: quality of life (Item#30). Multivariable logistic regressions explored associations between selected covariates and outcomes. ResultsIn total, 41% of the patients and 5% in Norms reported pad use, the comparable figures for intercourse inability being 84% (Patients) and 48% (Norms). Among pad users, 24% of the patients and 25% of the Norms described bother. 52% of patients and 35% Norms with intercourse inability. Only bilateral nerve-sparing surgery (NSS) significantly reduced the risk of pad use and intercourse inability. Compared to Norms, PCa patients were associated with pad use, intercourse inability, related bother, and good/ fair QoL. ConclusionIn these population-based cohorts, 2 in 5 patients used pads 3 years after RP, compared to 1 in 20 Norms. Intercourse inability was reported by 4 of 5 patients compared to 1 of 2 Norms. PCa patients were associated with good/ fair QoL. Bilateral NSS significantly reduced the risk of AHOs, highlighting the importance of this approach. Function and bother are different dimensions of urinary and sexual AHOs and must be reported separately. The findings from this study should be considered when counselling patients before RP.

Effect of locosamide as an add-on therapy in the management of dissociative disorders

The role of lacosamide (LCM) as add on treatment modality in dissociative disorders (DD) is of interest. It was a randomized control trial in which 300 patients diagnosed with dissociative disorders having treatment for the dissociative disorders were included. They were divided into two groups. Group one consisted of intervention group in which LCM was also administered along with conventional psychiatric medication for different dissociative disorders. Group two consisted of control group where the patients of dissociative disorders were found to have conventional medication. There was analysis of improvements in recovery of symptoms and quality of life. There was statistically significant increase in excellent, very good, good and fair quality of life and decrease in poor and satisfactory quality of life in intervention group after drug intervention. It was observed that symptoms of the patients improved in 50.67% cases in intervention group and 10.67% cases in control group. There was greater improvement in recovery of symptoms and quality of life in patients of DD in which LCM was administered as add on medication.

Nutritional Status and Quality of Life among Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Wellbeing of the elderly population in terms of their health and nutritional status are often ignored and unidentified in the community. This study aimed at assessing the nutritional status of the geriatric patients and their quality of life (QOL) attending OPD of Mugda Medical College Hospital. Method: This survey was conducted in the OPD of Mugda Medical College Hospital from June to December 2022 through a cross-sectional analytical method. The study tools were the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires which were used to observe the level of nutrition and quality of life among geriatric population respectively. Result: Of all the respondents, about half (46%) were at risk for malnutrition and about 28% were malnourished while 26% respondents’ level of nutrition was normal. About 62% respondents had poor QOL, whereas, 31% had fair QOL and only 7% had good QOL. Also, nutritional status and quality of life of the elderly had significant relationship. Conclusion: The impact of poor nutrition on the quality of life and physical ability of geriatric population is remarkably worthy of attention. The ageing process is challenging and raises public health concerns. Reduction of the observed prevalence of malnutrition and thereby upgrading the quality of life of elderly population should be more focused on and proper attention to this issue is crucial in the community as well as national level. J MEDICINE 2024; 25: 29-34

Hubungan Kualitas Hidup Dan Depresi Pada Pasien dengan Perawatan Hemodialisis di Rumah Sakit Swasta Bandung

Hemodialysis is given to patients with acute kidney disease and requiring dialysis therapy, where depression is a psychological reaction that is often experienced and is closely related to the patient's quality of life. This study will observe the relationship between quality of life and depression in patients with hemodialysis treatment. An observational analytic design with a cross-sectional approach was used in this study, which was carried out in April 2023 at a hemodialysis unit belonging to a private hospital in Bandung. Respondents consisted of 50 patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment who met the inclusion criteria. A questionnaire with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) scale was used to measure depression and WHOQOL-BREF was used to measure quality of life. The results showed that of the 50 patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy, 36 (72%) had normal conditions, nine (18) had mild mood disorders, two (4%) had clinical depression, two (4%) had moderate depression, one (2 %) had severe depression, three (6%) had fair quality of life, nine (18%) showed good quality of life, and 38 (76%) had very good quality of life. Statistical data shows a significant correlation (0.041 < 0.05) between depression and quality of life index. Depression is significantly related to the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy. The relationship between depression and quality of life has a weak correlation strength with a negative correlation direction. It is necessary to provide biopsychosocial and spiritual nursing care regarding the risk of depression and improve the quality of life of patients and dig deeper into depression and the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis by using qualitative research methods and increasing the number of larger samples and research populations.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG COVID-19 SURVIVORS IN SELECTED AREAS OF SOUTH INDIA

Background: Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first detected in December2019 in Wuhan, Chinaand World Health Organization declared COVID-19 pandemic on 11 March 2020 as it affect more than 200 countries globally. Covid-19 pandemic caused profound changes across the world, even on day today activities of lives of the survivors. Hence the present study is an attempt to unravel the impact of COVID-19 on quality of life among COVID-19 survivors. Objectives:To explore post physical, psychological and social wellbeing among COVID-19 survivor with and without co-morbidity and association between Quality of Life of COVID-19 survivors with selected Socio-demographic Variables. Method: A non-experimental, exploratory survey research approach was used for the present study. Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional ethical committee of Sri DevarajUrs College of Nursing, Kolar. Through non-probability Snowball sampling techniques, 191 COVID 19 survivors who full filled the inclusion criteria were selected andassessed through 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire on Quality of Life (QOL). Results:Study revealed that, majority (69%) of COVID 19 survivors had fair quality of life, 6% of them were having good quality of life and 25% of them were having poor quality of life. The study concluded that, even though COVID-19 survivors had good social health, they were having fair physical health and poor psychological health. Conclusion:Psychological impact of covid-19 pandemic calls for planning of counselling services to improve mental health among COVID-19survivors.

Impact of JME on quality of life: Does a well-controlled epilepsy also hamper the psychological wellbeing?

PurposeEpilepsy is a stigmatizing disorder and its diagnosis can have important psychosocial consequences on individuals, severely impacting their quality of life(QOL). There are numerous studies which have seen an adverse impact on the psychosocial aspects of life in patients with intractable epilepsy. The aim of this study was to assess the QOL in adult and adolescent patients with JME, which is largely a well-controlled form of epilepsy. MethodologyThis was a hospital based cross-sectional observational study comprising of 50 JME patients. QOLIE-31-P and QOLIE–AD-48 questionnaires were used to assess QOL in adults & adolescents(11–17 years) respectively. The Mini international neuropsychiatric interview-version 7.0.2 and Brief psychiatric rating scale were used for screening of underlying psychopathology and if, the screening tests were positive then they were further evaluated and classified using DSM V and ICD 10. ResultsThe mean QOLIE-31-P score was 64.65 ± 15.74. Majority of the adult patients had fair QOL (poor, fair and good QOL scores in 18 %, 54 % and 28 % respectively). Subscale scores in poor category were for the medication effects and pertaining to seizure worry.Among adolescent patients, the mean QOLIE 48 AD score was 69.15 ± 13.13. 50 % had fair QOL. Amongst those with poor QOL, majority of poor scores were for the attitude towards epilepsy. The QOL scores were significantly poorer in patients with uncontrolled seizures. 78 % of the patients had comorbid anxiety and depression, however syndromic psychiatric diagnosis was seen in 10.25 % and 2.56 % for anxiety and depression respectively. Presence of psychiatric symptoms did not influence QOL scores. ConclusionQOL, in well controlled JME, is fair in majority of patients. QOL might improve if seizure worry is addressed and patients are educated about medication effects at the time of initial diagnosis. Vast majority of patients may experience minor psychiatric issues, which do need addressal for formulating a holistic and individualized treatment plan.

Effect of perceived social support and level of hope on quality of life among chronic kidney disease patients in a tertiary care center in Chennai - A cross-sectional study

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem in developing countries, adversely affecting the quality of life (QOL) of the individual and their family. Perceived social support and hope are important factors influencing the QOL. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the QOL among patients with CKD and the effects of perceived social support and hope on QOL. Materials and Methods: This is hospital based cross-sectional study among CKD patients attending nephrology department, between March and November 2018. Face to face interview using Adult Hope Scale and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support scale and WHOQOL-BREF-26 was done after obtaining informed consent. Epi-info and SPSS16.0 were used for statistical analysis. t-test, ANOVA, and correlation coefficient was done to find any association. Results: Among the 152 participants, majority (70%) had fair QOL with the highest score in social relationships domain of 53 (±12), using the WHO BREF26 questionnaire. The QOL was also found to be associated with education and socio-economic status. A positive correlation between perceived social support and hope with QOL was observed. Conclusion: Majority had a fair QOL, with the highest score in social relationship domain. Positive correlation was observed between perceived social support and hope with QOL. Apart from medical treatment, the key to better health outcome depends on social support. Hence, it is imperative to highlight the importance of social support and hope at the commencement of the treatment of CKD.

5613512 ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN ITALY: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE STUDY C.PIATTELLINI1, V.MUNARETTO2, G.REGGIANI2, I.BAIDO2, E.MARAN2, A.BIFFI2, F.BENINI1, A.ZANIN1 AND R.COLOMBATTI2

Context: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) suffer from episodes of intense pain such as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) that can increase in severity throughout life, leading to a poor quality of life. In addition to epVOCs, patients with SCD can also report recurrent VOCs even on daily basis and chronic pain which can be defined as pain that presents on most days for over over six months. Chronic pain in SCD has profound consequences for the patient: it is often associated with depression and anxiety and can lead to challenges with sleep, and chronic fatigue that impair quality of life. In spite of its burden, chronic pain is difficult to diagnose early for several reasons. In Italy, there is no current data on the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain in the pediatric population with SCD. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain in a large pediatric, adolescent and young adult SCD cohort (6-24 years) using the American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Pain in SCD to standardize each patient’s clinical information and using also the PROMIS and PedsQL domains for investigating pain and its effects on health related quality of life (HRQOL); 2)To compare the PROMIS and PedsqL questionnaires to investigate how chronic pain affects quality of life (QoL).A secondary outcome will be to assess if these tools can help to identify potential patients with chronic pain. Methods: The process included multiphase qualitative methodology between the Pain Team and the sCD Team of the AOP. A literature review on SCD was conducted to generate domains of interest for the individual interviews. PROMIS questionnaire investigates Global Health of the patient(7 items),Pain Sensory (8 items),Affective (8 items), Behavior (8 items), Mobility upper extremity (8 items), Strength (4 items), Physical Activity (4 items),Physical stress (4 items), Psychological stress (4 items),Sleep Disturbance (4 items)Sleep Related Impairment (4 items),Anger (5 items) and PedsQL for sickle cell disease. Results: We evaluated 43 patients with SCD ages 6–24 years from May 2021 to September 2022 referred to the Padova SCD reference center.Patients were distributed in 3 classes according to their age (19 (44%) between 6-13 years, 14 (32%) between 13-18 years and 10 (24%) between 18-24 years, 44% were female and only 5 (12%) of them had bone marrow transplants (TMO).Hydroxyurea was treatment regimen of 37 patients, 7 patients among these were on crizanlizumab and 4 subjects in our cohort are on chronic transfusion therapy.According to the American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) criteria for chronic pain in SCD (tab below[1] 16 (37%) patients with presumed chronic pain were identified all between the ages of 13 and 24 years old.Following the scoring of dimensions of Pedsql 12 subjects belong to the category of “excellent quality of life”, 12 to “good quality of life”, 5 to “fair quality of life”, 3to “modest quality of life”, 11 to “poor quality of life. Of the entire patient cohort, 9 fall within the criteria defined by AAPT and thus can be considered to have chronic pain.Further analyses are underway for PROMIS. Conclusions: In our cohort a growing population of SCD adolescents present clinical features of chronic patin These data need to be investigated in further studies thanks a close and muldisciplinary collaboration between Pain services and SCD haematological centers.Reference 1. Dampier C, Palermo TM, Darbari DS, Hassell K, Smith W, Zempsky W. AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Sickle Cell Disease Pain. J Pain. 2017 May;18(5):490-498. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2016.12.016. Epub 2017 Jan 5. PMID: 28065813.[1]

Evaluation of quality of life in the elderly who have fallen

Background/Aim: Approximately 30% of older adults fall at least once per year; consequently, falls are a significant public health concern in the elderly. The most common outcomes are fractures, immobility, high morbidity, and mortality rates. In recent years, quality of life (QoL) is used as a criterion to guide social policies for the elderly. The high prevalence of falls can have serious consequences on the QoL of older people, resulting in prolonged hospitalization, institutionalization, need for care, social isolation, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is essential to understand the effect of falls on QoL and influencing factors. In light of this study’s results, it is intended to provide recommendations for social policy that will protect the elderly from falls and maintain their high QoL. This study aimed to determine the QoL and the factors affecting the elderly who have fallen. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 90 elderly individuals who applied to the hospital due to falls. The inclusion criteria were being 65 years of age or older, applying to the hospital's emergency department, orthopedic or orthopedic surgery clinic due to a fall, not having passed 6 months from the date of discharge, and agreeing to participate in the study voluntarily. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews in January–June 2021 using the purposive sampling method. The Elderly Introduction Form was used to obtain sociodemographic data of the participants, as well as data on falls and their experiences after falls. The Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly was used to determine QoL. The student’s t-test was used to compare two categorical variables. ANOVA was used for more than two variables, and logistic regression analysis was also applied. Results: QoL levels were classified as poor, fair, and good, and 58.9% of the participants were found to have a fair QoL. In addition, according to the scale’s total score average of 3.17 (0.473), the general quality of life was found to be fair for all participants. According to the t-test and ANOVA results, the QoL was higher for those with higher education levels and those living with their spouses (P˂0.05). The QoL was low in those who had fractures, had surgery, were hospitalized for more than 4 days, and had chronic diseases (P˂0.05). In the regression analysis model, age, economic status, and the number of drugs used were effective on QoL. Conclusion: The quality of life was poor in the elderly who experienced fractures and were hospitalized. Balance-enhancing exercises in the elderly can prevent falls and associated complications. Low education level, chronic illness, and drug use reduced the quality of life. For education, literacy courses and lifelong learning programs can be applied to the elderly. For diseases, healthy aging policies can be implemented.

Quality of life among elderly women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy at Sohag Cancer Institute, Sohag Governorate

Background Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women all over the world. Breast cancer risk increases with age and about a third of female breast cancers are diagnosed in patients aged older than 70 years. Elderly breast cancer patients are affected by poorer quality of life (QoL) compared with younger patients. Aim The current study aimed to assess QoL of elderly women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy at Cancer Institute, Sohag Governorate. Research questions What is the QoL of breast cancer elderly women who received chemotherapy at Sohag Cancer Institute? Design Cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized. Sample Purposive sample of 100 elderly women with breast cancer, who completed all cycles of chemotherapy 1–3 months at least from the last dose of chemotherapy. Setting This study was conducted at the oncology building at outpatient clinics for cancer patients follow-up at Sohag Cancer Institute. Tools (1) Structured interviewing questionnaire for demographic and medical data. (2) QoL scale to assess QoL issues relevant to breast cancer patients (Algamdi and Hanneman, 2016). Results The results revealed that selected breast cancer elderly women aged from 60 to 80 years with mean 63.47±4.87 years. Seventy-two percent of them could not read and write, and 62% of them lived in rural areas. Seventy-eight percent suffered from chronic diseases. The mean of social well-being domain was 2.98±0.56, the mean of emotional well-being domain was 2.32±1.34, the mean of physical well-being domain was 1.79±1.15, and the mean of total Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Breast was 2.24±0.31. More than half of the women had poor QoL, more than one-third of them had fair QoL, and a minority had good QoL. Conclusion The current study concluded that 60% of the selected breast cancer elderly women had poor QoL, whereas 38% had fair QoL and only 2% had good QoL. Also, it revealed that more than half of women had poor physical, functional well-being, and additional concerns and about half of them had good social well-being. Recommendations The current study recommends use of QoL scale in elderly women with breast cancer in oncology outpatient clinics in different cancer institutes and conduction of health education programs and further research works for improving QoL in elderly women with breast cancer.

Frailty as a Predictor of Hospitalization and Low Quality of Life in Geriatric Patients at an Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Frailty is an aging-associated state that increases patients’ vulnerability to disease, and can lead to various adverse outcomes. It is classified as either physical frailty alone or physical frailty in combination with cognitive impairment (cognitive frailty). There are currently limited data available regarding the prevalence and adverse outcomes of frailty in Thailand. This was a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the prevalence of physical and cognitive frailty and their effects on hospitalization and quality of life. Participants were older patients who attended an internal medicine outpatient clinic. Frailty was diagnosed using the Thai Frailty Index. The Thai version of the MoCA was used to evaluate cognitive status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare adverse outcomes in terms of poor quality of life and history of admission to hospital between patients with frailty and non-frail patients, and among patients with physical frailty, cognitive frailty, cognitive impairment, and robust (non-frail and non-cognitively impaired) patients. We enrolled 198 participants. The prevalence of physical and cognitive frailty was 28.78% and 20.70%, respectively. When compared with non-frail patients, frailty was associated with hospitalization (adjusted OR 3.01, p = 0.002) but was not significantly related to quality of life (adjusted OR = 1.98, p = 0.09). However, physical and cognitive frailty were associated with fair quality of life when compared with normal patients (adjusted OR = 4.34, p = 0.04 and adjusted OR = 4.28, p = 0.03, respectively). The prevalence of frailty—particularly cognitive frailty—was high. Frailty was associated with adverse outcomes in terms of hospitalization and quality of life.

Empowerment of Iraqi Women and its Effect on Their Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: Women’s empowerment is an efforts to enhance their general condition and role of women in building of nations, along with their quality of life (QoL). The aspects of womankind empowerment are given importance such as the education of girls (social empowerment); also the employment and participation in the labor market (economic empowerment); it is expected that the most of the world’s poor are women and they are frequently in charge of providing the essential needs for their families. Therefore, they are at specific threat of poverty. Women perception of their position in life cycle in the background of culture and value organizations where they live and related to their aims, anticipations, values, and worries termed as QoL. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess QoL and its association with economic and social empowerment of women furthermore, find out the association between QoL and some sociodemographical variables. METHODS: A descriptive and correlational study was conducted; from the period of October 1, 2021–December 20, 2021. It is used an online questionnaire by Google form as a method of data collection on 500 women their ages (15–66 years old) from all of Iraq’s provinces. The questionnaire composed of two parts; sociodemographical characteristics of Iraqi women in addition to “RAND 36-Item Health Survey” of QoL (SF-36). Data were analyzed with SPSS (26) to meet certain objectives of current research. RESULTS: The majority of study sample live in urban regions, most of them were diploma holder and above, approximately half of participant with sufficient income, positive significant correlation between QoL and education level, income, and inverse or negative relationship between QoL and work, age. The present study demonstrates the greatest proportion of participants with fair quality of life. CONCLUSION: They carried out extensive social media campaigns and awareness sessions on the social and economic empowerment for women. They support and authorize autonomous women to be represented in decision creation positions in development processes. They develop a tough and gender balanced private subdivision in Iraq, providing motherhood authorization and basic sexual role friendly facilities, including safe transportation, care of children, and gender disaggregated health services, Governmental encouragement of women’s access to education, and urge enrolment of Iraqi girls in school. Introducing sessions about the health services provided by health sectors especially in rural zones to increase of awareness regarding to public health services.

Influence of anxiety on health-related quality of life among patients with heart diseases

Method : The investigation is conducted using a descriptive-analytic approach. The research will run from December 15th, 2021 through May15th, 2022 at Al-Samawah Teaching Hospital's Center Coronary Care Unit. Results: Result showed that our samples are suffering from moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (M±SD= 13.73±3.29), and have Fair quality of life (M±SD= 76.31±12.442) as seen among 86% of them. Most of patients with heart diseases have fair levels quality of life moderate (physical domain, psychological domain, social domain, environmental domain) which reflect fair level among all items of this domain. Finally Anxiety of patients have significant influence on quality of life among patients with heart disease indicated by high significant with overall quality of life score at p-value= .001; the significant difference is seen among all domains of quality of life except physical domain that show non-significant. Conclusions: The majority of heart disease patients suffer from fair levels quality of life , and severe anxiety, and fair levels quality of life moderate .Anxiety has significant influence on quality of life among patients with heart disease indicated by high significant between anxiety and quality of life

Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Quality of Life Assessment in Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundBariatric surgery has emerged as the most successful and long-lasting treatment for weight loss because of its effect on losing weight, diminution or elimination of sedentary lifestyle-related comorbidities, and a concomitant decrease in mortality and healthcare expenditures. Understanding its effects on the quality of life of patients is a crucial aspect of treatment. This study aims to assess the quality of life and its associated factors following bariatric surgery in Saudi Arabia.MethodologyIn this cross-sectional study, 400 adult patients who had undergone bariatric surgery were recruited from different regions in Saudi Arabia between December 2021 and February 2022. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).ResultsOf the 400 participants, 160 (40%) were males and 240 (60%) were females. The average weight of the participants before surgery was 113.9 ± 18.7 kg (range = 84-146 kg) and after surgery was 84.8 ± 18.3 kg (range = 58-138 kg). The average quality of life score was -0.13 ± 2.0 (range = -3-3). Most of the participants (35%) had a fair quality of life, 25% had very poor quality, 20% had very good quality, 15% had good quality, and 5% had poor quality of life. A statistically significant association (p < 0.001) was found with the following factors: gender, age, nationality, educational level, marital status, and history of chronic diseases.ConclusionsQuality of life following bariatric surgery was mostly reported to be fair or average. Several sociodemographic factors were found to be associated with the reported quality of life including age, gender, nationality, educational level, marital status, and history of chronic disease or comorbidities.

Symptom distress, stress, and quality of life in the first year of gynaecological cancers: A longitudinal study of women in Taiwan.

To assess changes in symptom distress, stress, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy and three months after its completion, as well as to identify predictors of QOL in the first year after a gynaecological cancer diagnosis in Taiwanese women. A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted from August 2017 to July 2019, recruiting 97 patients with gynaecological cancer at a large teaching hospital in central Taiwan. Data were obtained at four time points: after the first, third, and sixth chemotherapy cycles, and three months after treatment completion. Participants completed Chinese versions of three validated questionnaires: World Health Organization QOL Brief version, Symptom Distress Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale. Linear regression analyses with generalised estimating equations were used to examine the associations between symptom distress, stress, and QOL over time. Fatigue, feeling desperate about the future, and peripheral limb numbness were the three major problems during the first year of gynaecological cancers. Feeling desperate about the future and stress were significant predictors of QOL in all domains. Noticeably, the level of stress increased over time, especially at three months after treatment completion. Participants reported fair QOL levels that gradually improved over time. Stress and chemotherapy-induced symptom distress were factors that most interfered with QOL in women with gynaecologic cancers. Therefore, integrating psychological care and symptom support is an essential part of meeting patients' QOL needs.

The impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown on quality of life of healthy school aged children and adolescents

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown may influence children and adolescents’ quality of life (QoL). Aim To assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on QoL of school-aged children and adolescents. Patients and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Alexandria, on children and adolescents, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria, during June 1st–10th, by an anonymous online questionnaire, sent through social media to participants, to assess their negative impact, feelings, and QoL. QoL was classified as poor, fair, or good. Results The study included 423 participants. Mean age 13.36±13.3 years. About 77.7% of participants adhered to lockdown completely. Around half of participants were negatively impacted by feeling bored, cannot leave the house, go to restaurants or cafes, see their friends, go on holidays, or go shopping. More than half felt bored, wanted their life to return to normal, afraid that they or a family member catches the disease, or want this to end. About 76.6% of participants had poor QoL, 23.2% had fair QoL, and 0.2% had good QoL. QoL was statistically significantly associated with age of participants, caregivers they are living with, and the number of their siblings, following lockdown, being negatively impacted by being unable to go shopping or go on holidays and feeling afraid to catch the disease. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have an impact on school-aged children and adolescents’ feelings and a significant negative impact on their QoL changing it to fair or poor. Their QoL is influenced by their age, sex, their caregivers, unable to go shopping or go on holidays, and their fear to catch the disease, with a statistically significant association.

Quality of life and associated factors amongst older adults in a remote community, Nepal

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to assess the quality of life (QOL) of older adults and explore factors associated with it.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted in a remote community in Nepal. A total of 671 older adults aged 60 years were enrolled in the study. QOL was measured by WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.FindingsMost participants were female (53.0%), illiterate (70.6%), married (64.2%) and living with family (59.3%). Among participants, 82.4% had fair QOL, and the autonomy domain received the lowest score (average = 10.98). After adjusting the model, the elderly aged &lt;70 years had 11.07 times better QOL (aOR = 11.070; 95% CI = 2.546–48.123), elderly with high sufficient income had 2.73 times better QOL (aOR = 2.738; 95% CI = 1.183–6.337) and elderly free from depression had 9.45 times better QOL (aOR = 9.452; 95% CI = 3.466–25.773) compared to their counterparts. The elderly receiving social support had 9.97 times better QOL than those who did not (aOR = 9.976; 95% CI = 3.152–31.574), and those able to afford healthcare services had 4.69 times better QOL than those who could not afford it (aOR = 4.694; 95% CI = 1.046–21.063).Originality/valueThe five predictors – age, income sufficiency, depression, social support and healthcare service affordability – were found to significantly affect QOL. This study suggests special care strategies for vulnerable older adults addressing the issues that affect geriatric depression. This article provides relevant information to the government to consider increment of income, encourage family and community for social support and make health services affordable for older adults.

Transporte público y despoblación en el medio rural: el caso del interior castellonense

En los últimos años ha cobrado actualidad el problema de la despoblación rural, que ha llevado a muchos núcleos a su efectiva desaparición. Entre los que todavía subsisten, algunos padecen una progresiva reducción de servicios públicos y dotaciones, como el transporte en autobús, que juega un papel relevante. Esto acaba obligando a muchos residentes a emigrar a zonas más pobladas para acceder a los servicios básicos. Este trabajo pretende estudiar la paulatina desaparición y/o disminución del servicio de autobuses en el interior de la provincia de Castellón y mostrar las alternativas existentes que permitan revertir o atenuar este éxodo a partir de propuestas sostenibles que garanticen una calidad de vida equitativa en todos los territorios. El análisis se ha realizado mediante una reconstrucción de la evolución demográfica y de la oferta de servicios de autobús existente en la provincia, a partir de diversas fuentes estadísticas del INE y la consejería regional, mientras que las propuestas se inspiran o apoyan en la bibliografía existente sobre el transporte en el medio rural. Los resultados confirman la disminución del servicio de transporte paralelamente a la despoblación en numerosas zonas, sin que se haya aplicado ninguna de las medidas existentes para garantizar su eficiencia y sostenibilidad.

Effectiveness of Multimodal Intervention Package to Assess the Nutritional Status &amp; Psycho-Social Wellbeing among Children with Thalassemia Attending Thalassemia Unit of HSK Hospital &amp; Research Center Bagalkot, Karnataka

Background of the study: Every year approximately 100,000 children with Thalassemia Major are born world over, of which 10,000 are born in India. It is estimated that there are about 65,000-67,000 ?-thalassemia patients in our country with around 9,000-10,000 cases being added every year Once a child is diagnosed to have thalassemia homozygous disorders, he/she has to take lifelong treatment. Management includes regular 3 weekly filtered packed red cell transfusions, chelation therapy for iron overload. Objectives of the study: • To find out the effectiveness of multi-model interventional package on nutritional status & psycho-social well being of children To find out the association between nutritional status & psycho-social well being with selected socio demographic variables To identify the correlation between nutritional status & psycho-social well being of children Materials & Methods: An experimental research approach was used for the study with pre experimental one group pre test -post test without control group design. Study was conducted at thalassemia unit of Hanagal Shri Kumareshwar Hospital and research center Bagalkot, Karnataka. Using digital weighing machine weight of children has been collected followed by this Likert;s scale is used to assess the Psycho social wellbeing of 100 children who were selected by purposive sampling technique. The effectiveness was determined by paired t test and the association was explored by chi-square test, correlation is determined by Karl Pearsons Correlation coefficient. Results: A sample of 100 children were taken in the study, amongst 60% of children were in the age group 0f 7-9 years. 32% children were severely malnourished. 90% children had fair quality of life. The calculated t value is 6.84 at 5% level of significance and the p value is less than 0.00001 which determines there is a significant difference between the pre-test nutritional scores and Post-test nutritional scores of children. The value of R is 0.0917, indicating the relationship existing between two variables is weak. Conclusion: results revealed that more than 90% of children were having fair quality of life and 32% of children are in severe malnutrition category. Hence it is concluded that thalassemia severely affects the nutritional status and quality of life of children. In the present study multimodel interventional package has played a significant role in improving the quality of life and nutritional status of children. Study recommends for future researchers to conduct studies to improve other aspects of quality of life of thalassemic children.