General Health Quality Of Life Research Articles

IMPACT OF DIGITAL AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG RURAL OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Objectives In the current digitalized society, digital and social engagement are important elements in the well-being of older adults. This study examines how different types of digital and social engagement are associated with different aspects of quality of life among rural healthy older adults. Methods Older adults without cognitive impairments, residing in the community in Southeast Idaho (n=154) participated in the ‘Aging in Idaho study’ in 2018. Internet use for communication, instrumental purposes, and health information searches were measured. Informal and formal social participation were measured. Five aspects of quality of life (QOL) were measured using the WHOQOL-BREF. Multiple regression analyses were performed. Results Well-educated (M=16 years) rural older adults used the Internet for various purposes, actively engaged in social activities, and reported higher level of QOL for overall and life environment (e.g., M=4.6, Range=1-5). Internet use for communication was positively associated with QOL general health (β=.20, P <.05). Online health information search was negatively associated with QOL general health (β= -.42, P <.05). Informal social participation was positively associated with QOL overall (β=.17, P <.05), psychological health (β=.13, P <.05), and life environment (β=.20, P <.05). Formal social participation was positively associated with QOL social relationships (β=.16, P <.05). Discussion Digital and social engagement relate in distinct ways with different aspects of QOL. Older adults perceived QOL to be better when they actively adopted digital technology whereas maintaining social engagement well in the community. Promoting digital engagement which enables to facilitate social engagement in later life will be discussed.

Exploring praxia deficits in bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional analysis of functionality and quality of life

Background/Aim: Patients with bipolar disorder often experience praxia deficits, which might impede their functionality and quality of life. This study sought to delve into praxis defects in these patients, contrasting their praxia performance with healthy controls and illuminating the interrelation between praxia performance, functionality, and quality of life. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted from February to July 2023, we enrolled 203 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1. Participants were recruited from the Ibni Sina and Sifa Community Mental Health Centers, both of which are affiliated with the Istanbul Tuzla State Hospital. Additionally, 201 healthy controls (HC) were recruited, primarily from the friends and relatives of the hospital staff. Patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1, between 18 and 65 years of age, were included based on their diagnosis as determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Clinical Version (SCID-5-CV). Their right-handedness was ascertained via the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. To minimize the confounding effects of acute mood episodes on praxia deficits, patients were required to score below 5 on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and 7 or lower on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). This criterion ensured the exclusion of individuals experiencing an active mood episode. Additionally, participants needed to have been in remission for at least six months. Healthy controls, aged 18-65 and confirmed as right-handed, were included, provided they had no personal or familial history of psychiatric conditions. A detailed interview using SCID-5-CV confirmed that the healthy controls had no history or suspicion of bipolar disorder (BD) or any other psychiatric disorder and no relatives with a psychiatric disorder. All participants (203 bipolar disorder patients and 201 healthy controls) underwent evaluations using the Test for Upper Limb Apraxia (TULIA), while the bipolar cohort received the Global Functioning Assessment-Functioning (GAF-F) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 22.0. Results: We identified a critical TULIA score threshold of 217, which differentiates bipolar patients from healthy individuals with a sensitivity of 79.3% and a specificity of 77.1% (area under the curve (AUC) 0.799, P<0.001). TULIA scores in bipolar patients were significantly positively correlated with functionality (GAF-F; r=0.502, P<0.001) and quality of life-general health (WHOQOL; r=0.389, P<0.001). TULIA pantomime subscores (OR=0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.99, P=0.022) and CPZ use of more than 250mg per day (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.19-4.21, P=0.012) were independent predictors of impairment in functioning in bipolar patients. Conclusion: Praxia deficits in bipolar disorder patients may be intricately tied to specific clinical features that influence both their functionality and life quality. Comprehensive praxia deficit assessments can pave the way for devising tailored interventions, enhancing praxia and, by extension, the quality of life of bipolar patients.

Yanıkta Bakım Veren Yükü ile Yanık Hastasının ve Bakım Verenin Yaşam Kalitesi

Aim: This descriptive study aimed to determine the relationship between burn patients and their caregivers’ quality of life and care burden. 
 Material and Methods: The study was conducted at two university hospitals. Thirty burn patients discharged from the hospitals between September 2015 and January 2016 and their 30 caregivers participated in the study. Data were collected face-to-face with the datasheet for patients, the Burn-Specific Health Scale, the datasheet for caregivers, the World Health Organization Quality of Life (QoL)-Brief, and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview Scale.
 Results: The patients’ mean QoL scores, and sub-scores were higher than 0.53. The highest caregivers’ mean QoL score was for the physical health domain (74.62±16.87). There was a negative correlation between the physical health scores of caregivers and the general health and overall QoL scores of patients (p

The Health-related Quality of Life and Voice Handicap Index in Recovered COVID-19 Patients in Comparison to Healthy Subjects

COVID-19 has various long-lasting effects on different aspects of health and life. This study aimed to evaluate the general health and voice-related quality of life (QOL) and assess their correlation in patients with COVID-19 compared to healthy people. This was a cross-sectional study. Sixty-eight subjects (with a mean age of 40.07±5.62 years) participated in two groups including 34 recovered-COVID-19 patients and 34 healthy subjects. All participants completed the Persian version of Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Voice Handicap Index (VHI). The patients were assessed two months after recovery when they were discharged from the hospital. The results showed the COVID-19 patients got significantly lower scores in all subcategories and two main components of SF-36 compared to the healthy group (P<0.005). Also, the patients held significantly higher results in VHI and its subscales (P<0.005). A significant correlation was observed between the physical and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) of SF-36 with a total score of VHI in the COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 has negative consequences on various aspects of general health and voice-related QOL. Two months after recovery from COVID-19, the patients had the worst scores in all subscales of SF-36 and also, decreased physical, emotional, and functional voice-related QOL which reveals the persistent effect of COVID-19 even after recovery. The general health and voice-related QOL had a noticeable correlation in recovered COVID-19 patients that demonstrates the effect of voice quality in different aspects of life.

Well-being of professional older adults’ caregivers in Alberta’s assisted living and long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFor the care need of older adults, long-term care (LTC) and assisted living (AL) facilities are expanding in Alberta, but little is known about the caregivers’ well-being. The purpose of the study was to investigate the physical health conditions, mental and emotional health (MEH), health behaviour, stress levels, quality of life (QOL), and turnover and absenteeism (TAA) among professional caregivers in Alberta’s LTC and AL facilities.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey involved 933 conveniently selected caregivers working in Alberta’s LTC and AL facilities. Standardised questions were selected from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Short Form-36 QOL survey revalidated and administered to the participants. The new questionnaire was used to assess the caregivers’ general health condition (GHC), physical health, health behaviour, stress level, QOL, and TAA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha, Pearson’s correlation, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression.ResultsOf 1385 surveys sent to 39 facilities, 933 valid responses were received (response rate = 67.4%). The majority of the caregivers were females (90.8%) who were ≥ 35 years (73.6%), worked between 20 to 40 h weekly (67.3%), and were satisfied with their GHC (68.1%). The Registered Nurses had better GHC (mean difference [MD] = 0.18, p = 0.004) and higher TAA than the Health Care Aides (MD = 0.24, p = 0.005). There were correlations between caregivers’ TAA and each of MEH (r = 0.398), QOL (r = 0.308), and stress (r = 0.251); p < 0.001. The most significant predictors of TAA were the propensity to quit a workplace or the profession, illness, job stress, and work-related injury, F (5, 551) = 76.62, p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.998.ConclusionReducing the caregivers’ job stressors such as work overload, inflexible schedule, and poor remuneration, and improving their quality of life, health behaviour, and mental, emotional, and physical health conditions may increase their job satisfaction and reduce turnover and absenteeism.

Quality of life in Vietnamese young adults: A validation analysis of the World Health Organization's quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument.

The abbreviated version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument has been widely used to assess the quality of life (QOL) of different population groups. This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Vietnamese version of WHOQOL-BREF in evaluating the QOL of Vietnamese young adults. The WHOQOL-BREF was validated in an online cross-sectional study among 445 young adults from 16 to 35 years in Vietnam. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to examine the factorial structure of the instrument. The reliability and validity of the new factorial model were evaluated. The EFA and CFA suggested the 3-factor model had better fit models than the theoretical 4-factor model. The internal consistency of factor 1 "External life" and factor 2 "Internal life" were excellent (0.931) and good (0.864), respectively, while the internal consistency of factor 3 "Physical and mental health" was nearly acceptable (0.690). Results indicated that the 3-factor model had good convergent and divergent validity as well as moderate discriminant validity. Scores of factors "External life" and "Internal life" had significant predictive effects on general QOL, general health, and overall QOL (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, factor 3 "Physical and mental health" could only predict general health and overall QOL (p < 0.05). This validation study improves understanding of the characteristics of QOL among young adults in Vietnam. While the theoretical model of WHO can be utilized for global comparisons, a new local model should be considered and cross-culturally adapted to successfully capture the progress of public health interventions for promoting young adults' QOL.

Quality of life among health care workers in Arab countries 2 years after COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessment of the quality of life (QoL) among healthcare workers (HCWs) is vital for better healthcare and is an essential indicator for competent health service delivery. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic strike, the frontline position of HCWs subjected them to tremendous mental and psychological burden with a high risk of virus acquisition. This study evaluated the QoL and its influencing factors among HCWs residing in the Arab countries. This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered online questionnaire based on the World Health Organization QoL-BREF instrument with additional questions related to COVID-19. The study was conducted in three different languages (Arabic, English, and French) across 19 Arab countries between February 22 and March 24, 2022. A total of 3,170 HCWs were included in the survey. The majority were females (75.3%), aged 18-40 years (76.4%), urban residents (90.4%), married (54.5%), and were living in middle-income countries (72.0%). The mean scores of general health and general QoL were 3.7 ± 1.0 and 3.7 ± 0.9, respectively. Those who attained average physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL were 40.8, 15.4, 26.2, and 22.3%, respectively. The income per capita and country income affected the mean scores of all QoL domains. Previous COVID-19 infection, having relatives who died of COVID-19, and being vaccinated against COVID-19 significantly affected the mean scores of different domains. A large proportion of the Arab HCWs evaluated in this study had an overall poor QoL. More attention should be directed to this vulnerable group to ensure their productivity and service provision.

Patient-Reported Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer before, during, and after Radiation Therapy

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Adolescents and young adults (AYAs, 15-39 yo) with cancer have unique vulnerabilities that affect quality-of-life (QOL) during treatment and in survivorship. Yet, few studies have assessed QOL in AYAs with cancer who received radiation therapy (RT). Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional study in AYAs with cancer who completed patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assessing QOL before, during, or after RT. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> We identified 265 AYAs with cancer who were treated with RT and completed an AYA PRO survey from 2019-2022. The survey containing ten validated PRO instruments from the PROMIS inventory: Global Physical and Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Sleep Disturbance, Social Roles, Pain Interference, and Cognitive Function (score of 50 represents the mean from the reference U.S. general population; higher score represents more of the concept being measured). Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts based on the date of PRO completion: before RT, peri-RT (during RT or within 6 months of RT completion), or after RT (6+ months following RT completion). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) PRO scores were calculated. Patient characteristics were extracted from the medical record. Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used to compare scores between cohorts. ANOVA and t-test analyses were used to compare scores between co-variates. <h3>Results</h3> 87 (33%) patients completed PROs before RT, 84 (32%) peri-RT, and 94 (35%) after RT; median [IQR] age was 28 [21-33], 26 [20-32], and 22 [17-27], respectively. Cancer types varied; most had sarcoma (26%) or CNS cancer (23%). Compared to the before RT cohort, the peri-RT cohort had worse Global Physical and Mental Health PRO scores [SD] (48.7 [8.9] vs. 44.9 [9.8] (p=0.03) and 50.9 [8.6] vs. 46.2 [10.3] (p<0.01), respectively). These PRO scores were similar between the peri- and after RT cohorts (44.9 [9.8] vs. 45.5 [9.8] (p=0.68) and 46.2 [10.3] vs. 47.9 [9.6] (p=0.26), respectively). Compared to the before RT cohort, the peri- and after RT cohorts had better Anxiety PRO scores [SD] (55.2 [9] vs. 52.6 [10.4] and 51 [10], respectively, p=0.02). Remaining PRO scores were similar between cohorts (p>0.05). In the peri-RT cohort, patients with any acute RT toxicity had worse Pain Interference PRO scores [SD] vs. patients with none (50.8 [8.9] vs. 44.7 [5.7], p=0.03). In the after RT cohort, adolescents (15-18 yo) and young adults (26-39 yo) had worse Global Mental Health PRO scores [SD] vs. emerging adults (19-25 yo) (46.9 [9.1] and 47.9 [11.2], respectively, vs. 53.8 [9.2], p=0.04); patients with any late RT toxicity had worse Sleep Disturbance PRO scores [SD] vs. patients with none (58.4 [8] vs. 52.4 [9.2], p<0.001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> AYAs with cancer reported lower general physical and mental health QOL scores during RT, which persisted into survivorship. Developmental age, stage, and presence of RT toxicities may contribute to differing scores. Future longitudinal analyses are needed to improve QOL for AYAs receiving RT.

Impact of COVID-19 versus chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis associated olfactory dysfunction on health utility and quality of life.

BackgroundOlfactory dysfunction (OD) is associated with both post‐viral and inflammatory etiologies such as COVID‐19 and chronic rhinosinusitis/rhinitis (CRS/R) respectively, to result in reduced quality of life (QoL). However, the former typically induces a sudden‐onset OD while the latter has a gradual presentation. This study aims to establish and compare health utility values (HUVs) and olfactory‐specific QoL measurements between patients with COVID‐19 and CRS/R related OD.MethodsThis prospective study surveyed COVID‐19 and CRS/R patients with self‐reported OD using HUV assessments (EuroQol‐visual analog scale [EQ‐VAS], EuroQol‐5 dimension [EQ‐5D], time trade‐off [TTO]) and olfactory and sinonasal QoL measures (questionnaire of olfactory disorders –negative and positive statements [QOD‐NS + PS] and sino‐nasal outcome test [SNOT‐22]). A subgroup of subjects completed objective olfactory testing. Intergroup mean scores were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests.ResultsOne hundred eleven subjects were enrolled: mean age ± SD (43.0 ± 15.4 years), 55.9% female. CRS/R was associated with lower HUVs as measured by EQ‐VAS (CRS/R: 0.67 ± 0.18 vs. COVID‐19: 0.74 ± 0.19, p = .03) and worse SNOT‐22 scores in both overall (CRS/R: 49.03 ± 21.04 vs. COVID‐19: 27.58 ± 18.45, p < .001) and subgroup analysis of objectively confirmed OD subjects (CRS/R: 52.40 ± 22.78 vs. COVID‐19: 29.84 ± 21.10, p = .01). On the other hand, COVID‐19 has greater burden on olfactory‐specific QoL (QOD‐NS + PS, COVID‐19: 23.19 ± 13.73 vs. CRS/R: 17.25 ± 11.38, p = .04). Both groups demonstrated a similar decrease in health using the EQ‐5D assessment.ConclusionCRS/R associated OD has a more severe impact on general health and sinonasal specific QoL outcomes, while COVID‐19 associated OD has a greater burden on olfactory‐specific QoL.Level of evidenceLevel 2c.

Sexual dysfunction and quality of life in female patients with major depression disorder

BackgroundMajor depression can negatively affect different domains in patients’ psychosexual life. Many females with depression have sexual dysfunction which goes under diagnosed leading to reduced sexual and overall health quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of sexual dysfunction, sexual quality of life, and general health quality of life in a sample of Egyptian females diagnosed with major depression compared to a control group.ResultsThe sample consisted of 100 participants recruited by convenience sampling, divided into a case group (50 female patients diagnosed with major depression enrolled from our institute’s outpatient clinic) and a control group (50 apparently healthy matched females enrolled from employees working in the university hospitals). Patients answered The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Sexual Quality Of Life-Female, and the WHO Quality of Life. Descriptive data analysis showed that all patients with major depression had a higher risk of sexual dysfunction compared to 36% in the control group, with higher rates of marital conflicts, unemployment, positive psychiatric family history and lower monthly income than those in controls. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the sexual quality of life in the case group and the psychosexual feelings (emotional intimacy), self-worthlessness and the total score domains of the FSFI, and a positive correlation with psychosexual feelings, sexual relationship satisfaction, and self-worthlessness domains in the control group. Female sexual functioning scores were positively correlated with most of the WHO quality of life domains in the case group.ConclusionsFemale patients with major depression are distinctly prone to sexual dysfunction and marital problems that can lead to both defective sexual and overall health quality of life. This mandates thorough screening of the psychosocial risks of sexual dysfunction in patients with depression for early management and more satisfactory quality of life.

Adherence and quality of life in children receiving rhGH treatment

Short stature may have a major impact on quality of life (QoL), not only during adulthood but also during childhood. Treatment by growth hormone may induce improvement in QoL through height gain, as shown in recent articles, with an increase in general health-related and also height-specific QoL assessed by self-reports and parental reports. In a paper published by our team, we show altered general-health QoL in patients with very short stature (≤ -3 SD) and an improvement in general and height-specific scales in the complete population (≤ -2 SD) after one year of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, perceived both by children and their parents, with a moderate positive correlation with height gain. Adequate results in terms of height gain depend on different factors: the patient's age, underlying condition for which rhGH is prescribed and dose of rhGH treatment, among others. Daily injections may cause a significant burden for the child and family, and may alter adequate adherence to treatment. Identifying positive and negative factors in the patient and in the healthcare providers-patient team and encouraging a shared decision-making process are important for improving the patient's adherence to treatment. New long-acting forms of rhGH that will be available in the next few years may play an important part in improving treatment-related QoL and adherence to treatment. © 2022 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Oral health–related quality of life (OHRQOL) of preschool children’s anterior teeth restored with zirconia crowns versus resin-bonded composite strip crowns: a 12-month prospective clinical trial

ObjectivesTo compare oral health–related quality of Life (OHRQOL) of preschool children’s anterior teeth restored with prefabricated zirconia crowns (ZC) versus resin-bonded composite strip crown (RCSC).Materials and methodsA prospective clinical trial included 136 children with early childhood caries aged 36–71 months who were assigned into prefabricated ZC and RCSC groups. A total of 344 teeth were restored either with 170 ZCs (49.4%) and 174 RCSCs (50.6%). Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model was to associate the study predictors to the OHRQOL. Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was used to assess the OHRQOL at 6 and 12 months. Mann–Whitney U test was used in comparing OHRQOL mean scores in the two groups and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the effect size (r) to measure the intragroup OHRQOL change. A Poisson regression model was used to study potential risk factors associated with the overall OHRQOL.ResultsAfter 12 months, the USPHS parameters of the ZC were significantly superior compared to the RCSC. Overall ECOHIS mean scores in the ZC group were significantly lower than that of the RCSC group at T1 and T2 (p < 0.001). Remarkable enhancement of the OHRQOL at the follow-ups with a large effect size (r < 0.8) was observed. Restoration type, retention, baseline OHRQOL, and color had a significant impact on the overall OHRQOL at 12 months.ConclusionsPreschool children OHRQOL treated with ZC were significantly better than those who received RCSC.Clinical relevanceOne of the optimum treatment standards in pediatric dentistry is the esthetic demand which has significance on the child’s OHRQOL and subsequently child’s general health quality of life. It is beneficial to the dentist to identify the influence of esthetic restorations on the OHRQOL of preschool children which aids in future decision-making. The longitudinal nature of the study enables the dentist to identify the changes of children’s OHRQOL.

Relationship of Physical Activity Level with Quality of Life and General Health Among COVID-19 Recovered Individuals

Background: New coronavirus (COVID-19) has a major impact on the individual's physical activity level (PAL). The COVID-19 outbreak caused a decrease in the PAL, which might also affect the general health and quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of PAL with QoL and general health (GH) among COVID-19 recovered individuals (CRI). Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study in which 890 CRI (men [n = 438] and women [n = 452]) were recruited from volunteers of different COVID-19 testing centers in Kermanshah Province. The participants were chosen by the multi-stage (Cluster) sampling techniques. The consent form and questionnaires (PAL, GH, and QoL) were filled out, and demographic information was evaluated. The short form of international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), GHQ, and the short-form-SF-12 QoL questionnaires were used to appraise the PAL, GH, and QoL. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS version 24.0 at a significance level of P &lt; 0.05. Results: The findings of the present study showed that men and women with COVID-19 had inadequate PAL (876.11 ± 40.23 and 739.08 ± 27.02, respectively), insufficient GH (50.13 ± 3.11 and 54.15 ± 4.28, respectively), and poor QoL (22.02 ± 2.28 and 19.23 ± 1.87, respectively). The results also showed that men had significantly higher PAL (P = 0.035), GH (P = 0.047), and QoL (P = 0.023) compared to women. Also, the results showed a significant inverse relationship between PAL and GH (men: r = -0.589, P = 0.038 and women: r = -0.685, P = 0.029) and a significant positive relationship between PAL and QoL (men: r = 0.792, P = 0.018 and women: r = 0.824, P = 0.001) in COVID-19 recovered individuals. Conclusions: Considering the prevalence of COVID-19 and its negative impact on GH and QoL, maintaining adequate PAL can be considered as one of the effective strategies for improving QoL and GH.

Quality of life and fear of COVID-19 in 2600 baccalaureate nursing students at five universities: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the implementation of programs across educational institutions. Nursing students, being both young adults and by practical training, part of the health care system, may be particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between self-reported fear of COVID-19, general health, psychological distress and overall quality of life (QoL) in a sample of Norwegian baccalaureate nursing students compared to reference data.MethodsThe survey targeted baccalaureate nursing students from five universities in February 2021. An electronic questionnaire consisted of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Hopkins Symptom Checklist 5 (SCL-5), one general health and one overall QoL question. The respondents’ mean scores were compared to reference data. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 2605 out of 6088 (43%) students responded. Their FCV-19S scores (mean 2.45, CI 2.42, 2.48) were significantly higher than those of the reference population (mean 1.8, P < 0.001). Nursing students scores showed significantly lower general health (mean 3.50 ± 0.93 SD, population mean = 3.57, Cohen’s d = 0.07), higher levels of psychological distress (mean 2.68 ± 1.03 SD, population mean = 2.12, Cohen’s d = 0.55) and lower overall QoL (mean 5.50 ± 2.16 SD, population mean = 8.00, Cohen’s d = 1.16) compared to pre-pandemic reference data. FCV-19S scores were significantly associated with levels of general health (Cohen’s d = 0.26), psychological distress (Cohen’s d = 0.76) and overall QoL (Cohen’s d = 0.18).ConclusionsBaccalaureate nursing students reported worse outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic on general health, psychological distress and overall QoL compared to the reference population. Level of fear of Covid-19, however, accounted for few of these differences. Other factors related to the pandemic may have reduced nursing students’ overall QoL.

The Impact of Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy on Dogs' Quality of Life and Dog-Owner Relationship.

This research was aimed at evaluating the impact of canine chronic enteropathies on dogs’ quality of life (QoL), their behavior, and owner–dog relationship. Forty-four dogs suffering from primary chronic enteropathies were assessed on the first visit with a veterinary gastroenterologist and on the first follow-up visit using a 1–10 visual scale to evaluate five features of QoL, the Canine Chronic Enteropathy Clinical Activity Index, the Lexington Attachment to Pet Scale, and the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire. They were compared to a control group of 49 healthy dogs and to a group of 50 dogs suffering from cancer. QoL and severity of enteropathy were negatively associated; enteropathic dogs on the first visit had a lower QoL than healthy dogs for all features and a lower general QoL than cancer patients; enteropathic dogs on the follow-up visit improved significantly for general QoL, health QoL, and interaction QoL. Higher levels of attachment between the owner and the dog were obtained for dogs affected by chronic enteropathies. Finally, dogs showed higher scores for separation-related behaviors and contact/attention behaviors on the first visit than on the subsequent follow-up. As in human medicine, chronic enteropathies have a strong negative impact on dogs.

68Ga-PSMA-PET screening and transponder-guided salvage radiotherapy to the prostate bed alone for biochemical recurrence following prostatectomy: interim outcomes of a phase II trial

PurposeTo evaluate outcomes for men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer who were selected for transponder-guided salvage radiotherapy (SRT) to the prostate bed alone by 68Ga-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (68Ga-PSMA-PET).MethodsThis is a single-arm, prospective study of men with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level rising to 0.1–2.5 ng/mL following radical prostatectomy. Patients were staged with 68Ga-PSMA-PET and those with a negative finding, or a positive finding localised to the prostate bed, continued to SRT only to the prostate bed alone with real-time target-tracking using electromagnetic transponders. The primary endpoint was freedom from biochemical relapse (FFBR, PSA > 0.2 ng/mL from the post-radiotherapy nadir). Secondary endpoints were time to biochemical relapse, toxicity and patient-reported quality of life (QoL).ResultsNinety-two patients (median PSA of 0.18 ng/ml, IQR 0.12–0.36), were screened with 68Ga-PSMA-PET and metastatic disease was found in 20 (21.7%) patients. Sixty-nine of 72 non-metastatic patients elected to proceed with SRT. At the interim (3-year) analysis, 32 (46.4%) patients (95% CI 34.3–58.8%) were FFBR. The median time to biochemical relapse was 16.1 months. The rate of FFBR was 82.4% for ISUP grade-group 2 patients. Rates of grade 2 or higher gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity were 0% and 15.2%, respectively. General health and disease-specific QoL remained stable.ConclusionPre-SRT 68Ga-PSMA-PET scans detect metastatic disease in a proportion of patients at low PSA levels but fail to improve FFBR. Transponder-guided SRT to the prostate bed alone is associated with a favourable toxicity profile and preserved QoL.Trial registration numberACTRN12615001183572, 03/11/2015, retrospectively registered.

The Five-Year Prospective Study of Quality of Life in Hemifacial Spasm Treated with Abo-Botulinum Toxin A.

This study aimed to determine the long-term quality of life (QoL) in hemifacial spasm (HFS) patients after treating with Abo-botulinum toxin A (Abo-BTX). The study assessed the disease-specific QoL (hemifacial spasm questionnaire 30 items; HFS 30), the involuntary movements (abnormal involuntary movement scale; AIMS), general health QoL (Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey; SF-36), and Depression (the Center of Epidemiologic Studies-Depression questionnaire; CES-D). A total of 74 HFS patients were enrolled from 2012 to 2017. The disease-specific QoL; involuntary movements; and the general health domain of SF 36 were significantly improved after injections of Abo-BTX A in the first few years (p < 0.04), but significantly decreased at the fifth year of treatment without significant clinical resistance observed (p < 0.001). Only the general health domain of SF 36 showed persistent improvement over five years (p = 0.02). In summary, Abo-BTX A can improved quality of life in the first few years; however only the general health domain of SF-36 showed significant improvement over five years (p = 0.02). No clinical resistance was observed.

Abstract B006: Developing Men Moving Forward, a lifestyle intervention for African American prostate cancer survivors

Abstract African American men are disproportionally affected by high prostate cancer incidence and mortality, and also comorbidities. African American prostate cancer survivors (AAPCS) report lower quality of life (QOL) relative to Non-Hispanic white (NHW) survivors. Many factors drive these differences, including weight status and health behaviors. The American Cancer Society has nutrition and physical activity guidelines to help cancer survivors achieve optimal health and QOL. AAPCS are more likely than NHW survivors to be non-adherent. Poor diet and physical inactivity often result in adverse body composition (high adiposity, low lean muscle) leading to hormonal changes, increased systemic inflammation and insulin resistance theorized to promote carcinogenesis and chronic diseases. Studies document positive results for lifestyle interventions focusing on NHW prostate cancer survivors, but inclusion of AAPCS is limited. We conducted an exploratory mixed methods study with AAPCS to inform the development and implementation of Men Moving Forward, a lifestyle intervention currently being tested in a randomized efficacy trial. Methods: 22 AAPCS completed a focus group and validated questionnaires on diet, physical activity patterns, QOL, and unmet needs related to lifestyle changes. Results: 75% of the participants were overweight/obese, 82% were considered insufficiently active, only 10% engaged in resistance training. Diets were high in saturated fat and sugar, low in fiber, fruits and vegetables. Compared to other prostate cancer survivors, AAPCS reported lower rankings on all QOL domains. Compared to the general population, men had worse physical functioning, pain interference, and sexual functioning. Qualitative data reflected high interest in a lifestyle intervention that would provide opportunities to build strength, learn about healthy eating, and bring men together to talk about relevant survivorship issues. Conclusions: Interventions are needed to address the lifestyle and QOL needs of AAPCS. The community-based Men Moving Forward trial will examine the feasibility and effects of a 4-month lifestyle program with 200 AAPCS. Outcomes include body composition (adiposity, lean muscle mass), behavior (diet, physical activity), strength, biomarkers of general health (lipids, blood pressure, glucose, and insulin) and prostate cancer recurrence (inflammation, insulin resistance, hormones) and QOL. This study is being conducted in partnership with the Milwaukee Public Recreation system which increases the potential for program sustainability. Citation Format: Jamal A. Jarrett, Lauren Matthews, Patricia Sheean, Kathryn Flynn, Kathryn Bylow, Deepak Kilari, Paula Papanek, Tina Johnson, Melinda Stolley. Developing Men Moving Forward, a lifestyle intervention for African American prostate cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B006.

Advanced age adversely affects chronic rhinosinusitis surgical outcomes.

Patient-specific and disease-specific factors shape the course of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and its response to treatment, with optimal management involving interventions tailored to these factors. Recent evidence suggests CRS inflammatory signatures depend on age. The objective of this study was to determine whether age also influences quality-of-life (QOL) and postoperative outcomes. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected QOL data from 403 adults with medically refractory CRS who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) at a tertiary care medical center between 2014 and 2018 was undertaken. Total and subdomain scores from the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and the Short Form 8 Health Survey (SF-8) measure of general health completed at preoperative and postoperative visits were reviewed. Patients were divided into young (18 to 39 years, n = 100), middle-aged (40 to 59 years, n = 172), and elderly (≥60 years, n = 131) groups. Baseline total SNOT-22 scores differed between groups (p = 0.01), with middle-aged patients having the highest symptom burden and elderly patients having the lowest. Similar patterns were observed for SNOT-22 subdomains. Elderly patients reported smaller improvements and were less likely to achieve a minimally important clinical difference. CRS patients had worse SF-8 scores compared to the general population, and elderly patients were the least likely to match population norms following surgery. Age was an independent predictor of QOL outcomes after FESS. Age may play a significant role in CRS pathophysiology, symptom burden, and surgical outcomes. Elderly patients report smaller improvements in disease-specific and general health QOL after surgery. CRS management in the elderly population should incorporate age-dependent differences in symptom burden and expectations into treatment algorithms.

Quality of Life in Jugular Paraganglioma Following Radiosurgery.

The treatment paradigm for jugular paraganglioma (JP) has changed considerably over time with the wider adoption of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no published studies that use validated patient-reported outcome measures to ascertain quality of life (QoL) outcomes following SRS for JP when used in single or combined modality treatment regimens. Cross-sectional survey. Tertiary referral center. Adult patients with JP treated with primary SRS or SRS following primary surgery between 1990 and 2017. Surgery and/or Gamma Knife SRS. Global and treatment-related QoL and differences in QoL based on treatment approach. Sixty-nine surveys were distributed and a total of 26 completed surveys were received (38% response rate). Among respondents, the median age at SRS was 53 years and 16 of the 26 patients (62%) were female. Median follow-up was 97 months. Nineteen patients (73%) were treated with primary SRS or staged SRS following intentional subtotal resection (STR; hereafter referred to as "staged SRS"), while the remainder (n = 7, 27%) were treated with SRS for recurrent JP. Median physical and mental health QoL PROMIS-10 T-scores regardless of treatment strategy were 39.8 and 38.8, respectively, while median SF36 physical and mental component subscores were similar to national averages and non-tumor controls. When comparing general physical and mental health QoL scores, there was no significant difference between patients treated with primary or staged SRS and those treated with SRS for recurrent JP. However, age-adjusted swallowing function among patients treated with primary or staged SRS was better than in those patients treated with SRS for recurrent JP (p = 0.05). Patients treated with primary or staged SRS for JP tend to exhibit better swallowing outcomes than those treated with SRS for recurrent JP. However, the majority of overall and disease-specific quality of life measures were not different between groups. Based on the low incidence of new cranial neuropathy following SRS, it is likely that initial surgical morbidity is the primary contributor to this outcome. Disease-specific overall quality of life measures, akin to those already used for other benign skull base tumors, are necessary to better gauge physical and mental health outcomes following treatment for JP. Though limited by small sample size, this represents the first study to gauge QoL outcomes following treatment for JP.