Health-related Quality Of Life Factors Research Articles

Health-related quality of life in a Norwegian sample of healthy adolescents: Some psychometric properties of CHQ-CF87-N in relation to KINDL-N

Purpose As part of a large investigation of Norwegian adolescents, with an overall aim of developing methods to promote health-related quality of life (HRQOL), an adequate generic measure of HRQOL was needed. Hence the purpose of the study was to compare some of the psychometric qualities of the CHQ-CF87-N and KINDL-N in a sample of healthy adolescents and to discuss the feasibility of the 2 instruments in research and clinical settings. Methods Two hundred twenty-nine healthy adolescents completed the questionnaires. The internal consistency reliability and the distributional properties of the CHQ-N and KINDL-N were compared. Factor analysis was performed for the CHQ-N scales separately, as well as for the CHQ-N and KINDL-N scales combined. Results The reliability of the scales of the CHQ-N was satisfactory, and generally was better for the CHQ-N scales than for the KINDL-N scales. The distributional properties of the KINDL-N scales were on average better than the CHQ-N scales. Factor analysis of the CHQ-N scales resulted in 3 interpretable factors, while analysis of the CHQ-N and KINDL-N scales combined comprised 4 interpretable factors. A 1-factor solution was in both cases interpreted as a general health-related quality of life factor. Conclusions The CHQ-N and KINDL-N may be regarded as adequate instruments to measure HRQOL in healthy adolescents, but to some extent they cover different dimensions of health and quality of life. The KINDL-N focuses on the psychosocial aspects, while CHQ-N covers more dimensions and has stronger focus on the physical aspects. Thus the instruments have different applications in both research and clinical settings.

The Relationship Between Sexual Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Japanese Men

Background Human dry dock (Ningen Dock) permits not only the early detection of lifestyle related disease but also the promotion of health and the quality of life (QOL). Although sexual function is an important factor in a person’s QOL, discussion of this topic is still taboo in Japan. This study was conducted to determine the rate of male sexual function in Japan and to investigate whether any association exists between sexual function and the health-related QOL. Methods A self-administrated questionnaire assessing sexual function, aging male symptoms and health-related QOL factors was given to 4389 clients, all adult males ranging in age from 20 to 89 years, at six health care centers in Japan between June and August, 2002. We evaluated sexual function using the 5-item index of sexual function (SF5) questionnaire, modified from the Sapporo Medical University sexual function questionnaire. Of the 4389 subjects, 2909 (66.3%) completed the questionnaire. Results Scores on the SF 5 decreased as age increased (p<0.0001). However, the aging male symptoms (AMS) score was constant (p=0.9815) across all age groups. The AMS scores also increased as the SF5 scores decreased. Also scores on factors such as “general health condition”, “satisfaction with partner”, “satisfaction with home life”, and “satisfaction with life in general” decreased as the SF5 score decreased. Conclusions Sexual function correlated with aging male symptoms and health-related QOL factors, suggesting that human dry dock should offer support to men with sexual dysfunction to promote QOL. Additionally, the use of the SF5 as an index for sexual function is recommended for general health screening tests. (Ningen Dock 2005 ; 19 :5 1－56)

Quality of life in patients treated for head and neck cancer: A follow-up study 7 to 11 years after radiotherapy

Purpose : To compare health-related quality of life factors in 845 head and neck cancer patients randomized to receive either conventional radiotherapy (2 Gy, 5 days-a-week) or a hypofractionated regimen (2.35 Gy, 4 days-aweek), a follow-up study was carried out 7 to 11 years after treatment in the surviving patients, representing 30% of the original patient number. Methods and Materials : The cancer-specific EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (30 item version; the EORTC QLQ-C30) and a 19 item head and neck cancer-specific questionnaire were mailed to the 245 surviving patients of the trial. The EORTC QLQ-C30 is comprised of six multi-item function scales, three symptom scales, and six single items which assess both symptoms and economic consequences of the disease. Two hundred and four patients (83%) completed the questionnaire. The two groups of patients ( N = 103 and N = 101) treated by different fractionating schedules, were comparable with regard to sociodemographic variables, tumor site, treatment variables (including different types of surgical treatment), and secondary primary cancers. Patients in the conventional group had more advanced disease and a higher recurrence rate compared to patients in the hypofractionated group. Results : Unexpectedly, patients in the hypofractionated group, reported similar or better quality of life compared to patients in the conventional fractionated group. Patients in both groups described a high level of symptoms, like dryness in the mouth and mucus production. Clinical and sociodemographic variables did not explain variance in social function, emotional function or fatigue, except for the type of surgery performed, which significantly influenced the patients' emotional function. Conclusion : Long-term survivors of head and neck cancer reported a high level of disease and treatment related symptoms. Emotional function was significantly influenced by the type of surgical procedure. Strategies for future trials in head and neck cancer should continue to attempt to stress conservative surgical approaches and coordinated adjuvant therapy to maximize local regional control and quality of life. Functional and emotional outcome are important parameters which should prospectively be evaluated in future clinical trials in head and neck cancer.