Gender Differences In Health-related Quality Of Life Research Articles

Gender disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

To investigate potential gender differences in HRQoL for patients with CTCL. We performed a cross-sectional study to assess HRQoL in patients with CTCL by partnering with the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation to distribute an electronic survey from February to April 2019. A total of 292 patient responses (66% women, mean age 57 years) were included in the analysis. Most of the cohort had early-stage (IA-IIA) (74%; 162/203) mycosis fungoides (MFs) (87%; 241/279), followed by Sézary syndrome (SS) (12%; 33/279). Women with CTCL experienced significantly worse HRQoL compared with men (Skindex-16: 51±26 vs. 36±26, P ≤ 0.001; FACT-G: 69±21 vs. 77±16, P = 0.005). This gender difference was present even when controlling for stage of disease. Women experienced worse HRQoL in all three of the Skindex-16 subscales (symptoms: β = 14.0, P ≤ 0.001; emotions: β = 15.1, P ≤ 0.001; functioning: β = 11.3, P = 0.006), but only two of the four FACT-G subscales (physical: β =-2.8, P ≤ 0.001; emotional: β = -2.0, P = 0.004). Due to the method of distribution of the survey, we were unable to estimate a participant response rate. Participants' diagnosis and stage were self-reported. In this cohort women with CTCL experienced significantly worse HRQoL when compared to men. Additional studies are necessary to determine what factors contribute to this gender disparity.

Comparison of gender differences in health-related quality of life between patients with hand disease and those with other musculoskeletal disorders of the knee and lumbar spine

BackgroundMusculoskeletal diseases are a major public health concern among older adults. There has been an increase in the number of studies on pain between men and women, such as knee and lumbar pain. However, there is a dearth of research on pain between men and women in hand disease. This study compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and those with disorders of the knee and the lumbar spine. MethodsFrom 2014 to 2018, 5595 adult patients completed a questionnaire on HRQOL. Among these patients, we identified patients with hand disease (n = 1038), knee disease (n = 680), and lumbar spine disease (n = 2021) resulting in a total sample of 3739 patients (1749 men and 1992 women). Patients’ responses to the EuroQol (EQ-5D), the Short Form 12-item Survey (SF-12), and three visual analogue scales (VAS), as different measures of the HRQOL, were evaluated. ResultsIt was found that the EQ-5D index was lowest in the lumbar spine patients, followed by knee and hand patients. The VAS scores were negatively affected in all groups. The EQ-5D index was significantly lower in women than in men only in the hand disease group. Multivariate analysis revealed that for the EQ-5D index, age, gender, and VAS scores for job and activities of daily living were explanatory factors in the hand disease group. Gender was not a significant predictor in the other groups. ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that pain negatively affected HRQOL, and gender differences in HRQOL were found only in patients with hand disease. Gender differences in HRQOL in patients with hand disease warrant appropriate clinical attention.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life among coronary patients and the relation with comorbidity burden. Results from the ESC EORP EUROASPIRE V survey

Abstract Background Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is related to increased morbidity and mortality among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Although gender differences in HRQoL have been observed in the general population, the magnitude of gender differences tends to be more pronounced in CHD patients. In addition, a higher comorbidity burden, common in CHD patients, is known to result in an even worse HRQoL outcome. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate HRQoL- gender differences among CHD patients and to explore its relationship with comorbidity burden. Methods Analyses were based on the most recent ESC EORP EUROASPIRE V survey data, including patient information from 27 European countries. Consecutive patients (18–80 years), hospitalized for a coronary event or surgical procedure were recruited in the survey. Data presented here were obtained from medical records and standardized patient interviews (6 months to 2 years following hospital discharge). Mean EQ-5D-5L index scores were used to evaluate patients' self-reported health status. A history of stroke, heart failure, peripheral artery disease (PAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and self-reported diabetes were considered as comorbidities. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted accounting for clustering of patients within countries and adjusted for age. To investigate the interplay of gender with comorbidities, two-way interaction terms were included. Results Data was available for 8,261 patients, including 25.8% women. Women were slightly older than men (65.4 vs 63.0 years) and more likely to have a history of stroke (5.3% vs. 3.7%; p=0.04), heart failure (7.6% vs. 5.9%; p=0.02), and self-reported diabetes (33.1% vs. 28.0%; p<0.001). No significant differences were seen in the prevalences of PAD (2.5% vs. 2.7%; p=0.25) and CKD (13.8% vs. 14.5%; p=0.47). Overall, women reported a worse EQ-5D-5L index score compared to men (0.73 vs. 0.81; p<0.001). Also, considering CHD patients without comorbidities, women reported a worse EQ-5D-5L index score (0.77 vs. 0.84; p<0.001). Stratification by comorbidities revealed that the EQ-5D-5L index score differed substantially between genders. Although no gender differences were found for patients with PAD (0.62 vs. 0.68; p=0.13), women reported a worse EQ-5D-5L index score if having a history of stroke (0.59 vs. 0.69; p<0.001), heart failure (0.64 vs. 0.71; p=0.01), CKD (0.76 vs. 0.81; p<0.001), and self-reported diabetes (0.69 vs. 0.78; p<0.001). Moreover, detailed analyses revealed a significant interaction between gender and self-reported diabetes (p=0.04) and gender and CKD (p=0.04) in favour of women. A closer look at the combination of comorbidities revealed no significant interactions possibly due to the smaller number of patients. Conclusion Women reported a worse HRQoL compared to men. Further quantitative and qualitative research is needed to understand the gender-differential in HRQoL. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Fonds voor hartchirurgie - Fonds pour la Chirurgie Cardiaque

Quality of life following road traffic injury: the impact of age and gender

PurposeThe impact of road traffic crashes on health is well developed, in terms of deaths and direct consequences, but it is less so in terms of long-term life consequences. Few studies have compared the general impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) following road traffic injury (RTI) by using a variety of different injured body parts and severity levels of the injury and compared them with a sample of non-injured referent individuals. Consequently, the aim of the current study is to assess how injury severity is associated with HRQoL, and if it differs between men, women, over age and injured body parts.MethodsThis cross-sectional study identified people with a RTI in the Swedish Traffic Accident Data Acquisition System (STRADA). A frequency matched reference group was also included. Data include both register data and self-reported HRQoL data.ResultsA total of 1788 out of 4761 persons with an RTI (37.6%) and 2186 out of 4761 reference persons (45.9%) returned the questionnaire, giving a total response rate of 41.9% (n = 3974). The findings show different patterns of HRQoL loss, depending on sex, age, injured body part, and levels of injury severity.ConclusionThe results show that even relatively minor road traffic injuries can lead to a significantly lower of HRQoL, especially for women, compared to the non-injured reference group. Moreover, when the inherent reduction of HRQoL over age was considered, the results indicated that younger individuals have a larger difference from the reference group in HRQoL, independent of the injury severity, compared to the older individuals; hence, an improved understanding of age and gender differences in HRQoL following an RTI is needed to better understand the long-term consequences of injuries from a public health perspective.

Health-related quality of life among dentists in Middle-East countries – A cross-sectional study

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an essential concept for all health professionals. It is used to assess material, physical, social, emotional, and productive well-being. Health professionals investigate the HRQoL for their patients but rarely for themselves. Aim: To investigate the HRQoL among dentists in Middle-East countries. Materials and Methods: A multicenter and multi-regional stratified sample of 339 dentists (220 females and 119 males) with a mean age of 37 ± 9 years and 13 ± 8 years of experiences in dental practices in Middle-East countries participated in the study. HRQoL was assessed using the short form-8 (SF-8) health survey. The study group was examined based on HRQOL differences in age, gender, income, and overall QoL. The IBM® SPSS Statistics version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA) statistical software package was used for data analysis. The Spearman correlation coefficient and independent t-tests were used and significance was set at P ≤0.05. Results: The study observed that HRQoL among Middle East dental practitioners were within the published accepted general population range, in both physical component summary and mental component summary summaries of SF-8. The study also observed that gender differences had no role in terms of HRQoL among dental practitioners (P = 0.64). Conclusions: The study concluded that dentists have a positive HRQoL and no gender differences in HRQoL along with their years of dental practice. It is important that rehabilitation specialists have enough HRQoL information on different health-care professionals and geographical distribution to enable them to adopt an appropriate strategy and healthcare polices for a better outcome.

Health-related quality of life of people living with HIV infection in Spain: a gender perspective

ABSTRACTStudies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37–48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5–20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

Health-related quality of life and coping strategies among people living with HIV: the moderating role of gender

The aim of the study was to explore gender differences in the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and coping strategies among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). In particular, the moderating role of participants’ gender on the relationship between coping strategies and HRQoL was explored, while controlling for socio-medical data. A total of 444 HIV-infected men and 86 HIV-infected women were recruited to participate in the study. This was a cross-sectional study with the HRQoL assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the coping strategies measured by the Brief COPE inventory. Although the HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women differed in terms of some HRQoL domains, these differences disappeared in the regression analysis after controlling for socio-demographic data (employment and higher education). In addition, several statistically significant interactions between participants’ gender and coping strategies in relation to HRQoL domains were observed. Future research on gender differences in HRQoL among PLWH should take into account unique differences between HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women across, not only in respect to socio-medical factors but also regarding psychosocial variables.

Perceived discrimination and health-related quality-of-life: gender differences among older African Americans.

Emerging data suggest that African-American women may fare worse than African-American men in health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL). Perceived discrimination is an important contributor to poor health overall among African Americans, but few studies examined the intersecting effects of perceived discrimination and gender in explaining HRQOL disparities. We investigated gender differences in HRQOL and tested whether perceived discrimination accounted for these differences. We examined data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project in which 5652 African-American adults aged 65 and older completed structured questionnaires about demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, HRQOL, perceived discrimination, and health-related variables. Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between perceived discrimination and gender differences in poor HRQOL outcomes (defined as 14+ unhealthy days in overall, physical, or mental health over the past 30days) when controlling for the other variables. More women reported poor overall HRQOL than men (24 vs. 16% respectively). Higher perceived discrimination was significantly associated with worse overall HRQOL (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.08, 1.15), with stronger effects for women in overall and mental HRQOL. These gender disparities remained significant until controlling for potentially confounding variables. Perceived discrimination did not account for gender differences in poor physical HRQOL. Perceived discrimination is associated with poor HRQOL in older African Americans, with this association appearing stronger in women than men for mental HRQOL. These findings warrant further investigation of effects of perceived discrimination in gender disparities in overall health, and such research can inform and guide efforts for reducing these disparities.

Gender differences in health related quality of life among people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Mekelle Town, Northern Ethiopia.

Background. Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome measure for highly active antiretroviral treatment program. In Ethiopia, studies revealed that there are improved qualities of life among adults living with the viruses taking antiretroviral therapy but there is no explicit data showing gender differences in health related quality of life. Aim. To assess gender differences in HRQOL and its associated factors among people living with HIV and on highly active antiretroviral therapy in public health institutions of Mekelle town, Northern Ethiopia. Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 494 adult people living with HIV taking ART services. Quality of life was measured using WHOQOL-HIV BREF. Result. There was a statistically significant gender difference (P < 0.05) in HRQOL among PLHIV on HAART. Females had low score in all HRQOL domains. High perceived stigma was strongly associated with poor psychological quality of domain among both female and male groups with [AOR = 2.89(1.69,4.96)] and [AOR = 2.5(1.4,4.4)], respectively. Conclusion. There was statistically significant gender difference in all quality of life domains. Public health interventions to improve HRQOL of PLHIV should take in to account the physical, psychological, social, environmental, and spiritual health of PLHIV during treatment, care, and support.

Diferencias en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud entre hombres y mujeres con trastorno respiratorio del sueño

IntroductionObstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) increases cardiovascular risk and has a negative impact on neurocognitive functioning. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) is impaired in OSAHS patients, differently in men and women, but its evaluation is difficult by primary care providers. ObjectiveTo screen for OSAHS in patients with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors, under the hypothesis of gender differences in HRQL. MethodologyCross-sectional study including 75 consecutive patients (39 male, 36 female) with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors, without acute disease. Anthropometric, demographic, and laboratory data were collected. The STOP-BANG questionnaire, for the screening of OSASH, and the COOP/WONCA charts for HRQL evaluation, were administered at the primary care setting. ResultsWomen with clinical finding evocative of OSAHS had lower HRQL than men with the same condition, as indicated by higher summation scores for COOP/WONCA charts (P=.002) and for dimensions of Physical Fitness (P<.001), Daily Activities (P=.040) and Change in health (P=.004), with a trend to a be into a lower social class. Summation scores for COOP/WONCA correlates with social class (P=.008) pointing out to a parallel improvement of HRQL with social status. ConclusionsOSAHS screening along with HRQL measurement is feasible at the primary care level, revealing a distinctive feature in women with sleep-disordered breathing, a lower HRQL, undetectable by the instrumental sleep study.

Health related quality of life in patients in dialysis after renal graft loss and effect of gender

BackgroundAn increasing number of dialysis patients have returned to dialysis after renal graft loss, and the transition in disease state could likely be associated with reduced health related quality of life (HRQOL). Furthermore, gender differences in HRQOL have been observed in dialysis and kidney transplanted patients, but whether transition in disease state affects HRQOL differently in respect to gender is not known. The aims of this study were to compare HRQOL in dialysis patients with graft loss to transplant naïve dialysis patients, and to explore possible gender differences.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, HRQOL was measured in 301 prevalent dialysis patients using the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form version 1.3. Adjusted comparisons were made between dialysis patients with previous graft loss and the transplant naïve patients. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed with HRQOL as outcome variables. Interaction analyses using product terms were performed between gender and graft loss. HRQOL was analysed separately in both genders.ResultsPatients with renal graft loss (n = 50) did not experience lower HRQOL than transplant naïve patients after multiple adjustments. Among patients with graft loss, women (n = 23) reported lower HRQOL than men (n = 27) in the items physical function (40 vs. 80, p = 0.006), and effect of kidney disease (49 vs. 67, p = 0.017). Women with graft loss reported impaired kidney-specific HRQOL compared to transplant naïve women (n = 79) in the items effect of kidney disease (50 vs. 72, p = 0.002) and cognitive function (80 vs. 93, p = 0.006), and this observation persisted after multiple adjustments. Such differences were not apparent in the male counterparts.ConclusionsPatients who resumed dialysis after renal graft loss did not have lower HRQOL than dialysis patients not previously transplanted. However, losing graft function was associated with reduced HRQOL in females, and important interactions were identified between graft loss and gender. This needs to be further explored in prospective studies.

Is the health status of female victims poorer than males in the post-disaster reconstruction in China: a comparative study of data on male victims in the first survey and double tracking survey data

BackgroundThe health of females is more at risk during disasters. Studies that focus on the comparison of males and time span are few. This article focuses on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of female victims in the post-disaster reconstruction in China. We aim to reduce gender health inequalities by comparing and analyzing gender differences in HRQOL. Moreover, we analyze the trends in HRQOL of female victims by using tracking data, and then provide reasonable suggestions to enhance the HRQOL.MethodsThis article explores the HRQOL of women victims in the post-disaster reconstruction from two perspectives: a comparison between males and a time span of six-month intervals. We conducted the first survey, and the double tracking survey in 2013. This study uses data from half a year later sample surveys collected from five counties (Wenchuan, Qingchuan, Mianzhu, Lushan, and Dujiangyan) in Sichuan in 2013 (N = 2000).Results(1) By calculating the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the SF-12 scale, we found that that reliability of the scale and the internal consistency are good. (2) Using SF-12 instead of SF-36 to measure the HRQOL of survivors is feasible. (3) The ANOVA and non-parametric testing methods show that significant differences exist between the eight dimensions of HRQOL in different genders after the earthquake. (4) After six months, the HRQOL of female victims in the post-disaster reconstruction has also undergone a significant change. (5) Compared with male victims, we should give more attention to female victims’ HRQOL issues in the post-disaster reconstruction in Sichuan. (6) The performances of victims in the post-disaster reconstruction in PCS and MCS affect each other.ConclusionWe found that in terms of gender, the male and female victims’ HRQOL after the disaster largely varied: (1) In general, significant difference exists between male and female victims in terms of HRQOL. The HRQOL of female victims is poorer than that of male victims. (2) The PCS and MCS of victims affect each other. However, for female victims, the degree of influence of MCS on PCS is larger than that in males. (3) The MCS of female victims is more vulnerable than that of male victims. In terms of time span, the following information was obtained: (1) after six months of rest, victims’ HRQOL significantly improved. (2) At this stage, relative to the MCS, the PCS of females should be given more attention.

A study of two generic health-related quality of life questionnaires—Nottingham Health Profile and Short-Form 36 Health Survey—and of coping in patients with sensory hyperreactivity

BackgroundSensory hyperreactivity (SHR) is one explanation for airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents. Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and coping, in this group of patients. A study was done in patients with SHR to (1) compare the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) in regard to their suitability, validity, reliability, and acceptability; (2) evaluate how the patients cope with the illness; (3) assess whether there are differences between women and men with respect to HRQOL and coping; and (4) assess whether there are differences between patients and normative data with respect to HRQOL and coping.MethodsA total of 115 patients (91 women) with SHR were asked to answer five questionnaires: a study-specific questionnaire, the Chemical Sensitivity Scale for Sensory Hyperreactivity (CSS-SHR), the NHP, the SF-36, and the Jalowiec Coping Scale-60.ResultsEighty-three patients (72%; 70 women) completed all questionnaires. The SF-36 scores were less skewed and more homogeneously distributed and showed fewer floor and ceiling effects than the NHP scores. The SF-36 was also discriminated better between patients with high and low CSS-SHR scores. The reliability standard for both questionnaires was satisfactory. There were no gender differences in HRQOL. Patients with SHR had significantly lower HRQOL scores than the normative data in comparable domains of the NHP and the SF-36: emotional reactions/mental health, energy/vitality, physical mobility/functioning, and pain/bodily pain. In social isolation/functioning, the results were different; the NHP scores were similar to the normative data and the SF-36 scores were lower. The most commonly used coping styles were optimistic, self-reliant, and confrontational. Women used optimistic coping more than men. Compared with the normative group, patients with SHR used confrontational and optimistic coping more and emotive coping less.ConclusionsThe current findings showed that both the NHP and the SF-36 were reliable instruments; but the results suggest that the SF-36 is a more sensitive instrument than the NHP for elucidating HRQOL in patients with SHR. Patients with SHR experienced a poor HRQOL and they followed the Western tradition of preferring problem-focused coping strategies to palliative and emotive strategies.

Impact of family functioning on quality of life in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures versus epilepsy

To evaluate different contributions of aspects of family functioning (FF) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) versus epileptic seizures (ES). Forty-five participants with PNES and 32 with ES completed self-report measures of FF (Family Assessment Device; FAD), HRQOL (Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31), and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI-II). The FAD is a self-report questionnaire that assesses FF along six dimensions and general functioning. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the contribution of FF to HRQOL above and beyond the effects of disease severity and depression. Mean Family General Functioning fell in the unhealthy range in participants with ES or PNES. On further analysis, male participants in each group endorsed unhealthy levels of FF compared to female participants. Patients with PNES reported poorer HRQOL and greater depressive symptoms compared to ES participants; there were no gender differences in HRQOL. Regression analyses indicated that the FAD Roles subscale predicted reduced HRQOL in patients with PNES after controlling for illness duration, seizure frequency, and depression. After controlling for the same factors, Communication and Affective Involvement subscales scores predicted HRQOL in ES participants. Family dysfunction was reported in both ES and PNES participants, but greater family dysfunction was experienced by male participants in both groups. Aspects of FF predicted HRQOL in patients with PNES and ES differentially. FF may be an important treatment target to enhance coping in these groups, although the treatments may need to target different aspects of FF in PNES versus ES.

Geschlechterunterschiede in der Lebensqualität vor aortokoronarer Bypass-Operation

Objectives: Women before aortocoronary bypass surgery have a worse health related quality of life (HRQoL) than men. Yet it is not clear how this gender difference relates to a less favourable risk factor p rofile of women compared to men. Methods: The sample consisted of 1587 patients (23% women), who fille d out a questionnaire on HRQoL, the SF-36, 1 ‐ 3 days before coronary bypass surgery. Two hundred ninety-nine women and 299 men with a similar clinical risk factor profile were matched on the propensity s core and were compared with respect to their HRQoL. Results: The preoperative marked gender differences in HRQoL were reduced in all subscales of the SF-36. However, except for general health perception and physical pain, they remained significant. An inspection of effect sizes showed the greatest decrease in gender differences in physical functioning (d = 0.64 versus d = 0.42), followed by physical role function (d = 0.46 versus d = 0.25), physical pain (d = 0.20 versus d = 0.07), and general health perception (d = 0.20 versus d = 0.07). In the mental subscales, except for vitality (d = 0.52 versus d = 0.33), matching led to only marginal changes. Conclusion: Particularly in the physical subscales of the SF-36 matching led to a decrease in gender differences. In coronary bypass patients, female gender seems to constitute an independent predictor of worse HRQoL.

Gender differences in health-related quality-of-life are partly explained by sociodemographic and socioeconomic variation between adult men and women in the US: evidence from four US nationally representative data sets.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe gender differences in self-reported health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and to examine whether differences are explained by sociodemographic and socioeconomic status (SES) differentials between men and women.MethodsData were from four US nationally representative surveys: US Valuation of the EuroQol EQ-5D Health States Survey (USVEQ), Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), National Health Measurement Study (NHMS) and Joint Canada/US Survey of Health (JCUSH). Gender differences were estimated with and without adjustment for sociodemographic and SES indicators using regression within and across data sets with SF-6D, EQ-5D, HUI2, HUI3 and QWB-SA scores as outcomes.ResultsWomen have lower HRQoL scores than men on all indexes prior to adjustment. Adjusting for age, race, marital status, education and income reduced but did not remove the gender differences, except with HUI3. Adjusting for marital status or income had the largest impact on estimated gender differences.ConclusionsThere are clear gender differences in HRQoL in the United States. These differences are partly explained by sociodemographic and SES differentials.

No differences in quality of life between men and women undergoing HIV antiretroviral treatment. Impact of demographic, clinical and psychosocial factors

Introduction. The health-related quality of life (HRQL) is therefore a highly important tool for the evaluation of the health status of HIV positive patients. However, very little information is available about the differences between HRQL in men and women. The aim of this study is to analyse gender differences in HRQL in HIV positive patients. Methodology. A sample group of 540 patients infected with HIV and undergoing antiretroviral treatment was studied. All of these patients attended outpatient appointments in the infectious disease units of four hospitals in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. HRQL was measured using the MOS-HIV health survey, which had been validated for use in this setting. Results. One hundred forty-nine women (26.6%) and 411 men (73.4%) took part in the study. On the whole, the women were younger, more likely to be married and had more children. The men, on the other hand, were more likely to present with coinfection with hepatitis C, have a history of intravenous drug use, be undergoing methadone treatment or have lower levels of CD4. Both the overall average scores and the scores for specific dimensions were higher in women than in men. When these scores were adjusted using different clinical variables, these differences were not statistically significant. Amongst the women, psychic morbidity, longer periods of time as HIV carriers and low levels of social support were linked to lower MHS and PHS scores. An independent link was established between older age and a lower PHS score. Amongst the men, psychic morbidity, difficulty in taking tablets, intravenous drug use and low levels of social support were linked to lower PHS and MHS scores. AIDS and a higher number of antiretroviral medicines were linked to a lower PHS score. Conclusions. By carrying out an analysis according to gender it is possible to see different factors associated with a poorer quality of physical and mental health. This makes it possible to identify areas which could be developed and to optimise results in terms of patients’ health.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life among healthy aged and old-aged austrians: Cross-sectional analysis

Although they experience lower mortality rates and lower rates of several chronic diseases than do their male counterparts, aging women are more likely to experience functional impairment in mobility and a general diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The determinants of these gender differences have been the subject of controversy. This study analyzed gender differences in HRQoL in relation to social and biomedical factors such as age, marital status, educational level, and living arrangements. Participants were recruited via snowball sampling. All were healthy and lived independently in private homes. Data were obtained from personal interviews, based on a 30-item questionnaire, in the private homes of the participants. Additionally, HRQoL was assessed by means of the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) 26-item questionnaire, which contains 1 general health item, 1 general QoL item, and 24 specific items covering 4 broad domains: physical (DOM I), psychological (DOM II), social (DOM III), and environmental (DOM IV). The participants (98 women, 62 men) enrolled in the study ranged in age from 57 to 95 years (mean [SD] age: 71.8 [8.6] years). The younger age group (aged 57-70 years) comprised 54 women and 25 men, and the older age group (aged >70 years) comprised 44 women and 37 men. Women aged < or =70 years rated their health and QoL significantly higher than did men in the same age group (P = 0.02). These women rated physical capacity (DOM I), social relationships (DOM III), and environment (DOM IV) higher, but not statistically significantly different, than did same-aged men. Women and men exhibited nearly identical psychological health (DOM II) values. Physical capacity (DOM I) differed significantly between women and men aged >70 years (P = 0.03). Women aged >70 years rated their QoL lower than their male counterparts did, although not significantly so. These women depended more on medical treatment, felt significantly less safe in everyday life (P = 0.03), and were less satisfied with themselves. The results of the multiple regression analyses suggest that gender may have a significant impact on general QoL for both age groups (P < 0.01 for the younger age group; P > 0.04 for the older age group). In these analyses, gender also had a significant impact on 2 domains, physical capacity and social relationships (P < 0.02 for both domains), among the participants of the younger age group. Depending on the age group (< or =70 vs >70 years) in this small sample of Austrian women and men, gender influenced HRQoL.

Health-Related Quality of Life Relates to School Attendance in Children on Treatment for Cancer

The aims of this study are to follow health-related quality of life (HRQOL), school attendance, and social interaction with friends in children with cancer and to explore potential relationships between HRQOL and school attendance. The study also describes self-reported reasons for not attending school and not meeting friends. During a 2-year period, all schoolchildren in Sweden starting treatment for cancer were invited to participate in the study. Participants (N = 101) were assessed 3 times during the first 5 months of treatment using 2 questionnaires: DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module (DCGM-37) and a study-specific questionnaire. The results indicate a diminished HRQOL that remained stable over the study period, with girls rating worse HRQOL compared with boys. School attendance significantly increased over time, and approximately half of the children attended school 5 months after start of treatment. Self-reported HRQOL was positively correlated to days of school attendance. The results emphasize the importance of psychosocial care and nursing for children diagnosed with cancer, especially for girls. Research to further explore gender differences in HRQOL among children diagnosed for cancer is recommended.

Health and health-related quality of life: differences between men and women who seek gastric bypass surgery

Background The aim of this study was to examine the differences between male and female bariatric surgery candidates with respect to health-related quality of life (HRQOL), health, sociodemographic variables, and interactions among these variables in a bariatric surgery practice in the United States. Women seek bariatric surgery 5 times more often than men. Research on gender differences in HRQOL is limited, and the results are conflicting. Methods A total of 794 surgery candidates (mean age 42.2 y; body mass index 46.9 kg/m 2; 84.8% women) completed both a weight-related (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite questionnaire) and a generic (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36) measure of HRQOL. Health was evaluated by questionnaire and clinical interviews. Results Compared to men, women reported reduced HRQOL on 3 of the 5 scales assessing obesity-specific HRQOL and also the physical aspects of general HRQOL. Women also had double the rate of depression (48.5% versus 22.5%), and men had double the rate of sleep apnea (80.3% versus 40.2%). Women were younger, less obese, and were less likely to be married. No gender differences were found in the association between HRQOL and co-morbidities. However, an increasing number of co-morbidities was associated with decreasing physical and mental HRQOL. Additionally, depression was associated with decreased mental HRQOL, and coronary heart disease was associated with decreased physical HRQOL. Conclusion Women's reduced HRQOL, particularly in self-esteem, sexual life, and physical functioning, and their greater rates of depression, might play a role in their decision to seek bariatric surgery. Although we could not determine causality, this study is a first step toward understanding why women seek surgery 5 times more often than men.