Gender Differences In Health-related Quality Research Articles

Sex and gender differences in health-related quality of life in individuals treated with incremental and conventional hemodialysis.

Women treated with hemodialysis report lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with men. Whether this is related to sex-specific (biological) (e.g. under-dialysis due to body composition differences) or gender-specific (sociocultural) factors (e.g. greater domestic/caregiver responsibilities for women) is unknown. We examined the association between sex assigned at birth, gender score and HRQoL in individuals initiating conventional and incremental hemodialysis. In this prospective multi-center cohort study, incident adult hemodialysis patients were recruited between 1 June 2020 and 30 April 2022 in Alberta, Canada. Sex assigned at birth and gender identity were self-reported. Gender-related characteristics were assessed by self-administered questionnaire to derive a composite measure of gender. The primary outcome was change in Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores after 3 months of hemodialysis. Sixty participants were enrolled (conventional hemodialysis: 14 female, 19 male; incremental hemodialysis: 12 female, 15 male). PCS improved from baseline with conventional (P=.01) but not incremental (P=.52) hemodialysis in female participants. No difference in MCS was observed by hemodialysis type in female participants. Gender score was not associated with changes in PCS in female participants, irrespective of hemodialysis type. Higher gender score was associated with increased MCS with incremental (P=.04), but not conventional (P=.14), hemodialysis (P=.03 conventional vs incremental) in female participants. No change in PCS or MCS was seen in male participants, irrespective of hemodialysis type or gender score. In this exploratory study, conventional hemodialysis was associated with improved PCS in female participants, while incremental hemodialysis was associated with improved MCS in female participants with more roles and responsibilities traditionally ascribed to women. Large prospective studies are required to further investigate these relationships.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life, blood pressure and heart rate among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after performing MediYoga

IntroductionPatients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation experience low health-related quality of life which can be improved by performing yoga. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in health-related quality of life, blood pressure and heart rate among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after performing MediYoga. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of subgroups, investigating the yoga groups, from two randomized controlled trials (RCT 1: yoga group versus control group, RCT 2: a three-armed randomized study with yoga, control and relaxation groups). The yoga groups performed MediYoga for one hour/week over a 12-week period in both studies. Quality of life (SF-36), blood pressure and heart rate were collected at baseline and end of study. ResultsNo differences were found between the women and men. Within the women’s group, there were improvements in vitality (p = 0.011), social function (p = 0.022), mental health (p = 0.007) and Mental Components Summary (p = 0.022). There were differences within the men’s group in bodily pain (p = 0.005), general health (p = 0.003), vitality (p = 0.026), social function (p = 0.005), role-emotion (p = 0.011) and Mental Components Summary (p = 0.018). Within the women’s group, differences were observed in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.010) and diastolic blood pressure (p = <0.001). The men’s group also showed improvement in diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.021). ConclusionMediYoga improved mental health as well as diastolic blood pressure in both men and women with PAF. This study suggests that both men and women, with PAF, may benefit from complementary treatment such as yoga.Clinical Trial Gov Id: NCT01789372.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children: The Roles of Age, Gender and Interpersonal Trust.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an interesting topic in health care sciences and psychology. Deeper insight into the internal mechanism of this effect through large samples is crucial to further understanding HRQoL and making targeted suggestions to improve HRQoL. The present study aims to investigate the mediating role of interpersonal trust between age and HRQoL from a developmental lens. The purpose of this study was to profile the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 generic scale in China and test the relationship between age and health-related quality of life, as well as the mediating role of interpersonal trust and the moderating role of gender. A sample of 6248 children completed measures of demography, health-related quality of life, and interpersonal trust. Regression analyses were performed to test the mediating role of interpersonal trust and the moderating role of gender. Age was associated with lower health-related quality of life and lower interpersonal trust. Similarly, gender differences were also noted, with boys reporting higher health-related quality of life and lower interpersonal trust than girls. Additionally, the health-related quality of life of girls declined more than that of boys with increasing age. Regression analyses revealed that age could predict decreased health-related quality of life via lower levels of interpersonal trust. What is more, the mediation effect was moderated by gender, with the observed mediation effect being stronger among boys than girls. The current study replicates age and gender differences in health-related quality of life and interpersonal trust. Moreover, this study explained how and when age affected the health-related quality of life of children, and provided a deeper understanding of the relation between age and health-related quality of life.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life and psychological distress among coronary patients: Does comorbidity matter? Results from the ESC EORP EUROASPIRE V registry

AimsThis study aimed to provide an overview on contemporary gender differences in HRQoL/psychological distress and their relationship with comorbidity burden among European coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. MethodsAnalyses were based on the cross-sectional ESC EORP EUROASPIRE V survey. Consecutive patients (aged 18–80 years), hospitalized for a first or recurrent coronary event were included in this study. Data at hospital discharge and at follow-up (6 to 24 months after hospitalisation) were collected. ResultsData were available for 8261 patients of which 25.8% women. Overall, women reported a worse EQ-5D-5L index score (0.73 vs. 0.81; P < 0.001), EQ-VAS (63.1 vs. 66.0; P = 0.001), global HeartQoL (1.94 vs. 2.26; P < 0.001), physical HeartQoL (1.96 vs. 2.30; P < 0.001), emotional HeartQoL (1.88 vs. 2.18; P < 0.001), HADS-A (6.69 vs. 4.99; P < 0.001), and HADS-D (5.73 vs. 4.62; P < 0.001) compared to men. Also, women were more likely to have comorbidities compared to men (1 comorbidity: 38.7% vs. 35.0%, 2 comorbidities: 9.7% vs. 7.5%; P < 0.001). There is indication that heart failure (EQ-VAS) and diabetes (global HeartQoL, emotional HeartQoL, physical HeartQoL, and HADS-D) interacted with gender and modulate the relationship with HRQoL, in disfavour of women. ConclusionSubstantial gender-based health inequalities in terms of HRQoL and psychological distress were found, in disfavour of women. Women had worse HRQoL and psychological distress outcomes when having comorbidities. To a limited extent, comorbidity and women had a negative/synergistic effect on HRQoL. Special attention should be given to this population groups within daily clinical practice.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life of patients with active epilepsy and clinical factors that are signs of their associations: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Introduction: Improving the health-related quality of life of patients with epilepsy has a prominent role in the management of sickness. In this study, we aim to compare health-related life quality (QOL) between male and female active epilepsy patients and investigate the clinical factors that may impair their quality of life.Methods: Total 172 patients (82 female, 90 male) which are traced about their diagnosis of active epilepsy are included in this study. All of the subscales related to the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) are compared between the female and male patients with epilepsy. In addition, the clinical factors associated with the illness and the topics about whether there are relations between quality of life (QOL) and psychiatric symptoms or not are evaluated separately for both genders.Results: It is examined that there is a considerably decrease in the subscales of female with epilepsy related to the overall (p= 0.054), social (p= 0.041) and cognitive functions (p= 0.043) of the QOLIE-31 test compared to male with epilepsy. It is determined in the correlation analysis of male patients that all of the QOLIE-31 subscales are negatively correlated with seizure frequency. Negatively correlation with seizure frequency is examined in all of the categories except for the subscales related to the emotional well-being and medication effects. Additionally, it is confirmed that there is a significant correlation between BDI and BAI scores and seizure frequency in both groups.Conclusion: These results suggest that the rise in epileptic seizure frequency may affect women’s social and cognitive skills in the course of the disease. Moreover, it is seen that the rise in epileptic seizure frequency is the most important clinical factor associated with the decline in QOL of people with epilepsy. Hence, gender-focused studies and clinical approaches may cause the improvement in the treatment modalities and QOL in epilepsy.Keywords: Epilepsy, Gender, Active Epilepsy, Health-related Quality of Life

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&amp;lt;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&amp;lt;0.001). Also, considering CHD patients without comorbidities, women reported a worse EQ-5D-5L index score (0.77 vs. 0.84; p&amp;lt;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&amp;lt;0.001), heart failure (0.64 vs. 0.71; p=0.01), CKD (0.76 vs. 0.81; p&amp;lt;0.001), and self-reported diabetes (0.69 vs. 0.78; p&amp;lt;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

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of Overweight and Obese Adults in a Representative Sample of Greek Urban Population.

Background:The main objective was to investigate the relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) and Body Mass Index (BMI) status according to gender in a representative sample of Greek urban population.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 1060 participants (mean age 47.10 yr, 95%CI 46.09–48.07, 52.7% females) in a stratified sample of representative urban population during 1–20 Apr 2016 in Athens, Greece. Socio-demographic characteristics and medical history were involved. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated, based on reported height and weight. HRQL was assessed by using the Greek version of SF36. Parametric tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to identify whether socio-demographic characteristics differed across BMI groups. Mann–Whitney test was used to detect significant differences in SF36 scales between men and women across different BMI and age groups. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the influence of sociodemographic variables on HRQL.Results:The effect of being overweight or obese differs by age and gender and that this negative impact in HRQL was greater in women than in men. More vulnerable were overweight young and obese middle-aged woman both in terms of physical and mental health. On the other hand, HRQL of normal weight men and women did not differ in almost all age groups.Conclusion:Gender differences on HRQL observed in the general population were mediated by the different way that the two genders affected by increases in body weight.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life measured by the Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire

Sarcoidosis is granulomatous disease, which complex etiology is yet to be fully discovered. In the majority of cases its course is self-limiting. However it can have different clinical manifestations and can be debilitating condition with great impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The aim of our study was to assess if there are any differences in HRQL dependent to gender. We examined a group of 33 males and 42 females (with no differences in mean age, disease activity, TLCO, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) with a use of Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire. We revealed lower total and daily functioning score in female group. Further analyses stratified by sex and activity of the disease presented many significant differences between the groups, revealing important issues for the discussion about gender specific differences in the HRQL of patients with sarcoidosis. In spite of clinical presentation may be similar, expectations and main concerns of sarcoidosis patient can vary between females and males. Therefore, it appears that in terms of education and symptomatic treatment accents should be put differently depending on the gender of the patient. Our results may also point to a need for more gender-oriented patient-physician communication which could enable better understanding, potentially improve adherence to therapy and decrease the risk of possible complications.

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure: Results of the VIDA Multicenter Study.

Previous studies have shown that heart failure is associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The existence of differences according to gender remains controversial. We studied 1028 consecutive outpatients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) from a multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study across Spain that assessed HRQoL using two questionnaires (KCCQ, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire; and EQ-5D, EuroQoL 5 dimensions). The primary objective of the study was to describe differences in HRQoL between men and women in global scores and domains of health status of patients and explore gender differences and its interactions with heart failure related factors. In adjusted analysis women had lower scores in KCCQ overall summary scores when compared to men denoting worse HRQoL (54.7 ± 1.3 vs. 62.7 ± 0.8, p < 0.0001), and specifically got lower score in domains of symptom frequency, symptoms burden, physical limitation, quality of life and social limitation. No differences were found in domains of symptom stability and self-efficacy. Women also had lower scores on all items of EQ-5D (EQ-5D index 0.58 ± 0.01 vs. 0.67 ± 0.01, p < 0.0001). Finally, we analyzed interaction between gender and different clinical determinants regarding the presence of limitations in the 5Q-5D and overall summary score of KCCQ. Interestingly, there was no statistical significance for interaction for any variable. In conclusion, women with HFrEF have worse HRQoL compared to men. These differences do not appear to be mediated by clinical or biological factors classically associated with HRQoL nor with heart failure severity.

ECMO survivors’ quality of life and needs after discharge: A descriptive, comparative cross-sectional pilot study

ObjectivesTo describe gender differences in health-related quality of life and characterise discharged patients’ perceptions of follow-up needs after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Research methodology/designA descriptive, comparative cross-sectional pilot design was used. Adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation discharged between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2018 participated in telephone interviews. SettingA 580-bed community teaching hospital in south central Pennsylvania. Main outcome measuresHealth-related quality of life was measured with the Rand 36-item Short Form Health Survey. Open-ended questions identified post-discharge healthcare services and perceived follow-up needs. ResultsOf 30 eligible patients, 24 completed a telephone interview. All health-related quality of life dimensions, except for role-emotional and mental health, were lower in post- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients at follow-up compared to national norms. Women scored lower than men in all health-related quality of life dimensions. The most frequent post-discharge services used were physical therapy (66.7%), rehabilitation (62.5%) and occupational therapy (54.2%). The need for coordination of care post-discharge was identified. ConclusionsGiven long-term sequelae of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on health-related quality of life and gender differences in health-related quality of life outcomes, ongoing interdisciplinary follow-up is imperative to ensure comprehensive patient management across the continuum of care.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life in people with severe mental illness.

The purpose was to analyze socioeconomic and clinical factors of psychosocial functioning and self-perception in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with severe mental health illness (SMI) by gender. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 133 women and 90 men. Recorded variables: HRQOL, SF-36 Physical Component Scores (PCS) and Mental Component Scores (MCS); sociodemographic and clinical data on psychosocial and self-perception functioning. Correlational studies using raw and adjusted linear regression models to evaluate the factors associated with HRQOL by obtaining coefficients, p-values and respective confidence intervals. The mean PCS for women and men was 44.6 and 49.0 (p = 0.004) and 36.4 and 37.5 (p = 0.575), respectively for MCS. The factors associated with PCS in women were age, -0.2(-0.4:0); in work, 4.2(0.3:8.2); with an income higher than 700 euros/month, 4.4(1:7.7). In men, these factors were education level, 6.1(0.4:11.7); belief that they would not need help in the future, 4.6(0.1:9.2) and a higher need for psychosocial services, -6.6(-11.1:-2). Factors associated with MCS in women were, in work, 6.1(1.5:10.7); and having a high number of friends, 6.6(2.1:11.1). In men, these factors were, living alone, -7.1(-12.7:-1.4); lack of economic benefits, 8.5(3.2:13.8); and a higher need for psychosocial and social services, -3.6(-7.1:-0.2) and -7.7(-13.4:-2). The dimensions affected and the factors that are associated with HRQOL for people with SMI differ by gender. Therefore, these differences should to be taken into account when designing interventions for improving HRQOL.

Gender differences in health-related quality of life among patients with colorectal cancer.

Evidence has shown that colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, especially women have a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to assess the QOL of CRC survivors as well as gender-related differences in the QOL of CRC patients in Northwest of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in East Azarbijaban. All patients aged ≥18 years, and diagnosed with CRC regardless of its stage and plans for treatment, and also referred to teaching hospitals within a two years' time frame of 2014-2016, were included in this study. The Persian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was completed for each patient by two trained interviewers. Student t-test and χ2 test were used to analyze Gender differences among patients, clinical-epidemiological characteristics, as well as the scores of QLQ-C30 dimensions. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between the score of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and gender. Overall 303 patients (167 male, 136 female) with a diagnosis of CRC were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 58.16±13.58 years. The mean scores of physical (b=-14.80, P=0.001) and social functioning (b=-9.14, P=0.038) of women with CRC were more negatively affected than men with CRC. In addition, women had a higher mean score in pain (b=10.74, P=0.022) and fatigue (b=12.53, P=0.007) symptom subscales in comparison to men. Based on the results of multivariate linear regression analysis, gender, occupation, and adjuvant therapy can be considered as the independent and strong predictor factors of functional scale in our CRC patients. Women appear to be more affected than men by impaired physical and social functioning after the development of cancer, and they reported more fatigue and pain than men. Therefore, it might be advisable to consider strategies to improve the HRQOL in women.

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.

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life (hrQOL) in Patients Undergoing Intracranial RT

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life (hrQOL) in Patients Undergoing Intracranial RT

Gender differences in health-related quality of life at the time of a positive HIV test – a cross-sectional study in a resource-poor, high prevalence setting in Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACTFew studies have examined gender differences in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV disproportionately affects women. Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine gender differences in HRQoL at the time of a positive HIV test, and whether factors associated with HRQoL differed between men and women. Adults testing HIV-positive were recruited from two clinics located in informal settlements. HRQoL was measured with the SF-12. Multiple linear regression was used to test whether there were gender differences in physical (PCS) and mental composite summary (MCS) scores. Separate models were built for men and women to examine factors associated with HRQoL. Between April 2013 and June 2015, 775 individuals from were recruited. The mean PCS score was higher in women (adjusted mean difference 2.49, 95% CI 0.54 to 4.44, p = 0.012). There was no significant gender difference in MCS scores. Similar factors were associated with better physical HRQoL in men and women: secondary education, younger age, higher CD4, and employment. Employment was the only factor associated with MCS in men, while less social support and low CD4 were associated with poorer MCS scores in women. Gender differences in factors related to HRQoL should be considered in broader policy and interventions to improve the HRQoL in those diagnosed with HIV.

Health-related quality of life in Spanish informal caregivers: gender differences and support received.

We analyzed gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors between informal male and female caregivers in Spain. It is important because of growing rates of dependent people and dwindling public resources. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 610 informal caregivers (265 male and 345 female) using an ad hoc structured questionnaire. We performed a descriptive analysis and used multivariate logistic regression to analyze the risk of poor HRQoL, measured with the EQ-5D-5L, according to caregiver sex, sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and dependents, caregiving circumstances, and support received. Male caregivers were older than women were, and cared more often for their partners. More women used family caregiving allowance (FCA), respite care services, and counseling services, while more men used paid help, home help, and other forms of instrumental help. Women had worse HRQoL than men, particularly in the pain/discomfort dimension. In addition to older age and poor previous health, caring for a partner (OR = 2.379), for a person with major dependence (OR = 1.917), low social class (OR = 1.634), and low social support (OR = 2.311) were factors associated with poor HRQoL. Receiving FCA was associated with better HRQoL (OR = 0.319). Controlling for all these variables, women had 131% more odds than men to have poor HRQoL. Male and female caregivers in Spain differ in received support and how their HRQoL is affected. These differences are important to design interventions to promote more equitable sharing of care responsibilities and better caregiver health.

Are Gender Differences in Health-related Quality of Life Attributable to Sociodemographic Characteristics and Chronic Disease Conditions in Elderly People?

Background:The objective of this study was to determine the gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to indicate to what extent this difference can be explained by differential in demographic and chronic disease conditions in Iranian elderly people.Methods:This analysis was carried out on cross-sectional data of QoL assessment among 750 elderly individuals aged 60–90 years who were dwelling in urban population of Babol, the North of Iran. The multiple linear regression model was used to estimate the association between gender and HRQoL after controlling sociodemographic characteristics and chronic disease conditions.Results:Women had significantly lower score in HRQoL in all subscales compared with men after adjusting several confounding factors (P = 0.001). The unadjusted mean difference in overall HRQoL scores was −11.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −13.8, −8.6) points, but it was reduced to −6.5 (95% CI: −9.0, −3.9) points between gender after adjusting by age, educational level, living status, physical activity, smoking, abdominal obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.Conclusions:Adjusting for sociodemographic and chronic disease conditions reduced the effect size of poorer HRQoL for women compared with men but did not remove the sex differences. The poorer scores of HRQoL in Iranian women needs further physical, psychological, and social supports in elderly.

Socioeconomic inequalities in health-related quality of life between men and women, 5years after a coronary angiography.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to measure gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among men and women patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on HRQOL between men and women, 5 years after a coronary angiography.MethodsThe study included 1,289 out of 4,391 patients who had undergone an angiography in the National Institute for Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology, Luxembourg in 2008/2009. Four indicators of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (Self-rated health, Quality of life, Physical health, and Psychological health) were used in this study as interest variables. To assess the socioeconomic inequalities in HRQOL between men and women, general linear models were constructed for every indicator, with educational level and living conditions as predictors, and demographic variables, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular events as covariates.ResultsWomen were older than men (71.5 versus 68.1, p <0.0001) and less likely to be married. HRQOL was significantly different between men and women despite the fact they had the same socioeconomic status. The average score for overall health was 3.7/5 for men versus 3.5/5 for women; similarly, the life quality score was 3.8/5 for men versus 3.6/5 for women. Education level and living conditions were associated with lower HRQOL scores in men and women.ConclusionThe findings showed that women have lower HRQOL than men regarding self-rated health, quality of life, and the WHOQOL-BREF physical and psychological domains 5 years after a coronary angiography. Socioeconomic inequalities affect HRQOL, and their influence was similar in both men and women. Socioeconomic inequalities in HRQOL in women and men with CVD are strong 5 years after a coronary angiography. Taking into account differences in gender and socioeconomic status in intervention strategies to substantially reduce the differences observed between women and men could help improve the effectiveness of secondary prevention.

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life: A Survey of Saudis with SCD

Context: The literature provides limited evidence of the quality of life (QoL) distinctions between Saudi Arabian male and female patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Objectives: To compare SCD complications, symptoms, and individual items in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) between Saudi adult males and females. Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on 629 Saudi adults with SCD who attended King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf and King Fahad Central Hospital in Jazan. Results: Gender differences were noted in terms of SCD-related complications, symptoms, daily activity, and pain. Saudi females with SCD reported significantly more fever (66.8% vs. 54.8%, P=0.003), more swelling (59.2% vs. 38.9%, P=0.001), and more frequent blood transfusion (88.5% vs. 80.6%, P=0.009). Males reported more physical exercising than females (41% vs. 23%, P=0.001), and having less family support (89.6% vs. 96.3%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported significantly higher percentages of daily activity limitations in lifting or carrying groceries (66.7% vs. 58%, P=0.031), climbing one flight of stairs (63.5% vs. 53.6%, P=0.016), and walking the length of one block (59.2% vs. 42.5%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported a higher percentage of bodily pain (94.3% vs. 87.1%, P=0.004). Conclusion: The study reveals that Saudi females with SCD experience SCD-related complications, symptoms, and pain differently than Saudi males with SCD. According to our data, females reported more limitations in daily activity, more pain, and less physical activity, than males. An interventional program is needed to address QoL among Saudi females with SCD.