Higher Levels Of Health-related Quality Of Life Research Articles

Medication Regimen Complexity and Patient-Centred Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis.

Although patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) typically have complex treatment needs, the effect of medication regimen complexity on patient outcomes has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aims to quantify medication regimen complexity and evaluate patient-centred outcomes including medication adherence and its determinants in patients undergoing PD. This study combined a retrospective audit of baseline data with a prospective evaluation of patient-related outcomes among patients undergoing PD at a large metropolitan dialysis centre in Australia. Medication regimen complexity was assessed using the 65-item Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI), while patient outcomes were evaluated with validated self-reported questionnaires, including the 4-item Morisky-Green-Levine Scale (MGLS), EQ-5D-5L and EQ VAS. A total of 131 patients participated [median age 67 (IQR 57-74) years]. Patients on PD were found to have complex medication regimens with an average MRCI score of 28.6 ± 11.4. Over half of the participants were deemed to be adherent to their prescribed medications as measured by the MGLS (n = 79; 60.3%). Male participants were more likely to be non-adherent to medications compared to female participants (OR 2.465; 95% CI 1.055-5.759). Participants with higher serum phosphate levels were 2.5 times more likely to report non-adherence to their medications (OR 2.523; 95% CI 1.247-5.104), while a higher health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was associated with medication adherence (OR 0.151, 95% CI 0.031-0.732). Patients on PD are prescribed complex medication regimens in addition to PD treatments that they perform at home. Patients on PD who were adherent to their medications had significantly better outcomes in terms of HRQoL and serum phosphate levels compared to non-adherent patients.

Associations between parental bonding and health-related quality of life in a clinical sample of youths aged 14-35 years in Singapore.

Individuals with psychiatric disorders tend to report having poorer bonds with their parents during their early years. These individuals often experience lower quality of life as well. This study investigated the associations between aspects of parental bonding and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a clinical sample of youths. It was hypothesised that high parental care and low parental overprotectiveness would be associated with higher levels of HRQOL. Data were obtained from a larger cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 400 psychiatric outpatients: 191 patients aged 14-21 (mean ± standard deviation 18.1 ± 2.22) years and 209 patients aged 22-35 (28.0 ± 4.33) years. The Parental Bonding Instrument was used to measure parental care and overprotectiveness. Short Form-12 measured physical health (physical component summary [PCS]) and mental health (mental component summary [MCS]) components of HRQOL, and the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire assessed depressive symptoms. These scales and a sociodemographic form were self-administered. Multivariable linear regression was used for analysis. About half of the sample reported affectionless control for mothers (46.6%) and fathers (45.9%). After controlling for sociodemographic variables, no significant relationship was found between aspects of parental bonding and PCS scores. Maternal care was associated with MCS scores (β = 0.32, P < 0.01) and PHQ-8 scores (β = -0.12, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that youths who experienced quality care from their mothers exhibit better mental health functioning despite their clinical diagnoses, which suggests that early maternal care exerts an overall long-term protective effect. Early parental education that promotes positive parenting practices could improve the overall HRQOL of individuals in adulthood despite their clinical diagnoses.

Examining the Effect of Depicting a Patient Affected by a Negative Reimbursement Decision in Healthcare on Public Disagreement with the Decision.

The availability of increasingly advanced and expensive new health technologies puts considerable pressure on publicly financed healthcare systems. Decisions to not-or no longer-reimburse a health technology from public funding may become inevitable. Nonetheless, policymakers are often pressured to amend or revoke negative reimbursement decisions due to the public disagreement that typically follows such decisions. Public disagreement may be reinforced by the publication of pictures of individual patients in the media. Our aim was to assess the effect of depicting a patient affected by a negative reimbursement decision on public disagreement with the decision. We conducted a discrete choice experiment in a representative sample of the public (n = 1008) in the Netherlands and assessed the likelihood of respondents' disagreement with policymakers' decision to not reimburse a new pharmaceutical for one of two patient groups. We presented a picture of one of the patients affected by the decision for one patient group and "no picture available" for the other group. The groups were described on the basis of patients' age, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and life expectancy (LE) before treatment, and HRQOL and LE gains from treatment. We applied random-intercept logit regression models to analyze the data. Our results indicate that respondents were more likely to disagree with the negative reimbursement decision when a picture of an affected patient was presented. Consistent with findings from other empirical studies, respondents were also more likely to disagree with the decision when patients were relatively young, had high levels of HRQOL and LE before treatment, and large LE gains from treatment. This study provides evidence for the effect of depicting individual, affected patients on public disagreement with negative reimbursement decisions in healthcare. Policymakers would do well to be aware of this effect so that they can anticipate it and implement policies to mitigate associated risks.

Return to work and psychosocial trajectories after breast cancer: a longitudinal and sequential approach.

We aimed to describe the psychosocial adjustments according to return to work (RTW) trajectories in breast cancer survivors (BCS) using a sequential and temporal approach. We used BCS data included from February 2015 to April 2016 in the Longitudinal Study on Behavioural, Economic and Sociological Changes after Cancer (ELCCA) cohort. RTW trajectories were identified using the sequence analysis method followed by a clustering. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the EORTC quality of life questionnaire was used at inclusion and all follow-up visits to assess Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Fifty-two BCS were included in the study among whom four clusters of RTW trajectories were identified and labeled: slow RTW (N = 10), quick RTW (N = 27), partial RTW (N = 8), and part-time work (N = 7). Quick and slow RTW clusters showed slightly lower baseline mean levels of anxiety and higher levels of HRQoL. In the 4years following diagnosis, BCS in the quick RTW cluster tended to report higher HRQoL in terms of functioning and less symptoms of pain and fatigue while those in the partial RTW cluster showed a lower HRQoL on almost all dimensions. All clusters showed an increase in pain and fatigue symptoms until 6months followed by a tendency to recover baseline levels. The results of this study suggest that BCS who return to full-time work (slow and quick RTW patterns) recover better than patients who return to part-time work (partial and part-time RTW patterns).

Quality of life and healthcare costs of patients with allergic respiratory diseases: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA) are chronic respiratory diseases that represent a global health problem. One aim of this study was to analyze the Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of the patients in order to identify statistically significant influencing factors that determine HRQoL. Another aim was to assess and analyze data on cost-of-illness from a statutory health insurance perspective.Methods The EQ-5D-5L was used to evaluate the patients’ HRQoL. To identify the factors influencing the HRQoL, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted using groups based on the EQ-5D-5L index value as dependent variable. Routine data were analyzed to determine total healthcare costs.Results The average EQ-5D-5L index was 0.85 (SD 0.20). A high age, the amount of disease costs, low internal health-related control beliefs and high ozone exposure in the residential area were found to be statistically significant influencing factors for a low HRQoL, whereas low age, male sex and a good possibility to avoid the allergens were found to be statistically significant factors influencing a high HRQoL. On average, the study participants incurred annual costs of €3072 (SD: 3485), of which €699 (SD: 743) could be assigned to allergic respiratory diseases.Conclusions Overall, the patients in the VerSITA study showed a high level of HRQoL. The identified influencing factors can be used as starting points for improving the HRQoL of patients with allergic respiratory diseases. From the perspective of a statutory health insurance, per person expenditures for allergic respiratory diseases are rather low.

Effects of Inpatient Rehabilitation in Leg Lymphedema: A Naturalistic Prospective Cohort Study With Intra-individual Control of Effects

ObjectiveTo quantify therapy-attributable effects of a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program for lower limb lymphedema (LLL) and to compare the levels of health-related quality of life (HRQL) to population-based norms. DesignNaturalistic prospective cohort study with intra-individual control of effects. SettingRehabilitation hospital. ParticipantsPatients with LLL (N=67; 46 women). InterventionsComprehensive, multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation with 45-60 hours of therapy. Main Outcome MeasuresShort Form 36 (SF-36) for HRQL, lymphedema-specific Freiburg Quality of Life Assessment for lymphatic disorders, Short Version (FLQA-lk), knee-specific Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADL), and Symptom Checklist-90Standard (SCL-90S). Observed pre/post rehabilitation effects were individually corrected by subtracting the home waiting-time effects and expressed as standardized effect sizes (ESs) and standardized response means (SRMs). Score differences to norms were quantified by standardized mean differences (SMDs). ResultsParticipants were on average aged 60.5 years, not yet obese, and had 3 comorbidities (n=67). The greatest improvement was in HRQL on the FLQA-lk with ES=0.767/SRM=0.718, followed by improvements in pain and function with ES/SRM=0.430-0.495 on the SF-36, FLQA-lk, and KOS-ADL (all P<.001). Vitality, mental health, emotional well-being, and interpersonal sensitivity improved most by ES/SRM=0.341-0.456 on all 4 measures (all P≤.003). Post rehabilitation scores were significantly higher than population norms on SF-36 bodily pain (SMD=1.140), vitality (SMD=0.886), mental health (SMD=0.815), and general health (SMD=0.444) (all P<.001), and comparable on the other scales. ConclusionsThose affected by LLL stages II and III benefited substantially from the intervention, attaining equal or higher levels of HRQL than expected compared with the general population norms. Multidisciplinary, inpatient rehabilitation should be recommended for LLL management.

Associations between comorbidity and health-related quality of life among in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors – A cross-sectional nationwide registry study

AimThe aim of this study was to explore associations between comorbidities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) survivors. MethodsThis registry study is based on data from the Swedish Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (SRCR) collected during 2014–2017. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L, the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In total, 1,278 IHCA survivors were included in the study, 3–6 months after the cardiac arrest (CA). Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The comorbidities analysed in this study were the patients’ status for diabetes, previous myocardial infarction, previous stroke, respiratory insufficiency, and heart failure. ResultsOverall, the IHCA survivors reported high levels of HRQoL, but there was great variation within the population, e.g., EQ VAS median (q1-q3) = 70 (50–80). Survivors with one or more comorbidities reported worse HRQoL in 6 out of 8 outcomes (p < 0.001). All studied comorbidities were each associated with worse HRQoL, but no comorbidity was associated with every outcome measure. Previous stroke and respiratory insufficiency were significantly associated with every outcome measure except for HADS Anxiety. The linear regression models explained 4–8% of the total variance in HRQoL (p < 0.001). ConclusionSince IHCA survivors with comorbidities report worse HRQoL compared to those without comorbidities, it is important to pay directed attention to them when developing and providing post-CA care, especially in those with respiratory insufficiency and previous stroke.

Quality of life and its health and occupational determinants among hospital-based nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses worldwide were exposed to increased levels of occupational stress during the COVID-19 pandemic which could have hindered their level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This project investigated HRQoL level in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and its health and occupational predictors. A cross-sectional design was adopted and targeted full-time nurses in Jordan. Study collected data included demographics, 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) to measure HRQoL, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), nurses' evaluation of work conditions during COVID-19, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). Data was analyzed descriptively to summarize main outcome measures and using multiple linear regression model to identify factors significantly associated with HRQoL. In total 245 nurses successfully completed the survey, 39.6% were males with a mean age of 35±6 years. Participant SF-12 scores were 65.94±17.85 for physical component and 50.09±19.36 mental component. The statistical model significantly explained 53.2% of variance in HRQoL (r2 = 0.534, F = 57.849, p < 0.001). Better sleep quality self-evaluation was significantly associated with higher HRQoL levels, while increased levels of depression, musculoskeletal pain, and financial burden on family were significantly associated with worse HRQoL level. Jordanian nurses' HRQoL level was relatively low during COVID-19. Sleep quality, mental health status, musculoskeletal health status, and financial status were identified as factors possibly influenced HRQoL among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses' quality of life along with their mental and physical health should be considered by healthcare administrators in the remaining period of COVID-19 and in future similar emergencies.

Autonomy and health-related quality of life in adolescents

BackgroundAutonomy is recognized as important for individual well-being and constitutes one dimension in the KIDSCREEN-instrument measuring health related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents. However, the autonomy questions in KIDSCREEN are restricted to opportunities to influence leisure time activities, which is a form of autonomy as volition. Yet, there are other aspects of autonomy that might be related to adolescent’s HRQoL. The aims of the present study were first to investigate the psychometric properties of a scale measuring autonomy in adolescence from a control perspective (AAC) including its relation to the autonomy dimension in KIDSCREEN, and second; to investigate AACs ability to predict each of the 10 dimensions constituting KIDSCREEN.MethodsStudents (n = 154) aged 15–16 years who were recruited from schools located in both low (two schools) and high (two schools) socioeconomic status (SES) areas in Sweden participated in a cross-sectional study. The adolescents answered a questionnaire including a new 6-item scale measuring perceived autonomy and HRQoL assessed by the KIDSCREEN-52 instrument. A factor analyses was computed to investigate the relation between the items in the AAC scale and the autonomy items in the KIDSCREEN instrument. Hierarchical regression analyses were computed to investigate if the AAC scale predicted HRQoL in any of the 10 dimensions in KIDSCREEN after controlling for gender, SES and the original autonomy scale included in KIDSCREEN.ResultsThe factor analysis showed that all the items from the autonomy scale loaded in one factor and that all the items from the AAC scale loaded in another dimension. The hierarchical regression models showed that the AAC scale uniquely predicted HRQoL in all dimensions of the KIDSCREEN instrument after controlling for gender, SES and the original autonomy scale included in KIDSCREEN-52. A high level of perceived autonomy was associated with a high level of HRQoL for both scales.ConclusionA new scale for measuring autonomy from a control perspective has been presented and shown to differ from autonomy as volition. Both forms of autonomy are positively related to HRQoL in adolescence 15–16 years old.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adult Survivors of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Young adults (YA), age 18 to 39 years, are at a stage of life that may make them more vulnerable than older adults to impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during and after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Health self-efficacy (HSE), the belief that one can implement strategies to produce a desired health outcome, has been associated with health outcomes in oncology research. Little is known about HRQOL or HSE in YA HCT survivors compared with older HCT survivors. Given the age-specific psychosocial challenges facing YA HCT recipients and research on non-transplant YA cancer survivors, we hypothesized that YA survivors would have worse post-HCT HRQOL compared with older adults, and that among YA HCT survivors, higher levels of HSE would be associated with higher levels of HRQOL and lower levels of cancer-related distress. This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of 2 combined baseline datasets from multicenter studies of HCT survivors approached for participation in clinical trials of survivorship interventions. Participants from 20 transplantation centers in the United States were at 1 to 10 years post-HCT and age ≥18 years at the time of study enrollment, had no evidence of disease relapse/progression or subsequent malignancies, and could read English adequately to consent for and complete assessments. Medical record and patient-reported data were obtained for demographics and HCT-related clinical factors and complications (eg, total body irradiation, chronic graft-versus-host disease [cGVHD]). Participants completed surveys on HRQOL, including the Short-Form [SF]-12, HSE, and Cancer and Treatment Distress (CTXD), which includes 6 subscales and reports an overall mean score. On the SF-12, both the Mental Component Score (MCS) and Physical Component Score (PCS) were calculated. Two cohorts were compared: YAs (age 18 to 39 years at transplantation) and older adults (age ≥40 years at transplantation). Multiple linear regression analyses identified factors associated with HSE, PCS, MCS, and CTXD in YAs. In this analysis of 979 survivors, compared with the older adults, the YA participants had lower median mental health scores (SF-12 MCS: 48.40 versus 50.23; P=.04) and higher cancer-related distress (CTXD: .96 versus .85; P=.04), but better physical health (SF-12 PCS: 48.99 versus 47.18; P=.049). Greater overall cancer-related distress was driven by higher levels of uncertainty, financial concern, and medical demand subscales for YAs compared with older adults. Young adults also had lower HSE (2.93 versus 3.08; P=.0004). In a multivariate model, HSE was strongly associated with age group (P=.0005) after adjusting for multiple other transplantation-related factors. Among YAs, HSE was associated with the SF-12 MCS and PCS and the CTXD, and HSE remained significant after adjusting for other transplantation-related factors. Overall, the YA HCT survivors had lower mental health, increased cancer-related distress, and lower levels of HSE compared with the older adults. Although the direction of these effects cannot be determined with these data, the strong association between HSE and HRQOL among YAs suggests that targeting interventions to improve HSE may have broad impact on health outcomes.

QOL-05. Cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life amongst survivors of childhood central nervous system tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Due to recent advancements in surgical techniques, imaging and adjuvant therapies, survival rates for children with central nervous system (CNS) tumours have improved. Research priorities have now shifted to focus on late-effects and quality of survivorship amongst childhood CNS tumour survivors. Our study aimed to assess levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst survivors of childhood CNS tumours. A secondary aim was to investigate potential relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the National Children’s Cancer Service in CHI Crumlin. Inclusion criteria included: diagnosis of a primary CNS tumour, aged between 6-17 years, between 3 months and 5 years post completion of oncology treatment, independent mobility, deemed clinically appropriate to participate by treating oncologist. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the six-minute walk test. HRQoL was assessed with the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, Version 4.0, both self-report and parent proxy report forms were used. RESULTS: 20 participants (n=9 male) were recruited with a mean age of 12.34 (SD = 3.46) years. Mean time since completion of oncology treatment was 2.31 (SD = 1.38) years. Mean 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) was 482.75 (SD = 50.04) metres, equating to the 5.55th (SD = 6.83th) percentile overall. 6MWD was significantly reduced compared to predicted 6MWD (t = -12.52, p <.001, 95% CI [-163.52, -116.68]). Parent proxy-reported HRQoL was significantly reduced compared to healthy population norms (t = -5.82, p <0.001, 95% CI [-25.76, -12.17]). A strong positive correlation exists between 6MWD and both parent-proxy (Pearson’s r = 0.533, p = 0.015) and child-reported HRQoL (r = 0.580, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Survivors of childhood CNS tumours present with impaired levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and HRQoL compared to healthy population norms. Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with higher levels of HRQoL.

Long-term survival and health-related quality of life in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

BackgroundThere is limited information about the long-term outcome of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) supported with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO). Most studies focused on short- to mid-term follow-up. We aimed to investigate long-term survival and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in these patients.MethodsWe report retrospective data from a single-centre registry of patients with severe ARDS treated with VV ECMO at the Interdisciplinary Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Medical Centre, University of Freiburg, Germany, between 10/2010 and 06/2019. Follow-up data of all patients that survived the index hospitalisation were collected by telephone interviews from 02/2020 till 09/2020. Long-term survival, HRQL (Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) and the return to work rate were documented.ResultsIn total, 289 patients were treated with VV ECMO during the study period (median age 55 years, 67% males, hospital survival 45%). After a median duration of 3.9 years, follow-up assessment was complete in 94 of 129 hospital survivors (73%). Fifty-three patients completed the HRQL assessment. Hospital survivors showed a high 6- and 12-month survival rate (89% and 85%, respectively). Estimated survival rate of those discharged alive from ICU was 68.5% (95%-CI 56.9–80.1%) after 9.7 years. These patients reported high levels of HRQL (median SF-36 total score 73) and only few pulmonary (median SGRQ total score 19) and mental limitations (median HAD-D score 2 and HAD-A score 3). In total, 80% of the patients were able to resume employment.ConclusionThis analysis of VV ECMO patients showed favourable long-term survival and high levels of HRQL suggesting promising prospects for VV ECMO survivors.Graphical

Absolute and Relative Handgrip Strength as Indicators of Self-Reported Physical Function and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: The EFICAN Study.

Simple SummaryBreast cancer is the most diagnosed type of cancer worldwide and it has a high survival rate. Thus, side effects related to breast cancer and treatments compromise lots of people’s physical functions and health-related quality of life. For this reason, it is important to manage these side effects in the follow up after treatments. The handgrip strength and the handgrip strength relative to body mass index may constitute useful, simple, quick and economically feasible tools that may help clinicians detecting these side effects, which is key to undertake actions for improving the physical function and health-related quality of life of breast cancer survivors.Background: Although breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in the world, its high survival rate implies that many people live long after the treatments and face their side effects. The physical function (PF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people surviving BC decreases significantly, which makes important to identify markers that may be associated with a better health status and prognosis. Previous studies suggest that handgrip strength (HGS) and HGS relative to the body mass index (rHGS) are good indicators of PF and HRQoL in different populations. However, it is unknown whether this applies to BC survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the association of HGS and rHGS with PF and HRQoL in this population. Methods: Sixty female BC survivors participated. Handgrip strength was assessed with a dynamometer. Arm volume was estimated and upper limb impairments, as well as cancer-related fatigue, depression, life satisfaction and HRQoL, were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Results: Higher levels of HGS and rHGS were associated with higher levels of HRQoL, lower cancer-related fatigue, and fewer problems with the affected arm. Conclusions: These results suggest that HGS may be a good indicator of self-reported PF and HRQoL in female BC survivors.

Impact of Valve Type (Ross vs. Mechanical) on Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Young Adults with Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

The impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) type on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents and young adults is unclear, but may vary depending on need for anticoagulation or re-intervention. We sought to determine the differences in HRQOL following AVR with either the Ross procedure or mechanical AVR in this young population. Patients 14-35years old and at least 1year post-AVR were included. HRQOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Valve-specific concerns regarding anticoagulation and reoperation were also assessed. Clinical outcome data were obtained by chart review. A total of 51 patients were enrolled: 24 (47%) Ross and 27 (53%) mechanical AVR. Ross patients were younger at time of AVR (16 vs. 22years, p < 0.01) and study enrollment (23.7 vs 29.5years, p < 0.01). Median follow-up from AVR to study enrollment was similar (5.4years for Ross vs. 5.6years for mechanical, p = 0.62). At last follow-up, clinical outcomes including cardiac function, functional class, and aortic valve re-intervention rates were similar between groups, although mechanical valve patients had more bleeding events (p = 0.012). SF-36 scores were generally high for the entire cohort, with no significant difference between groups in any domain. Mechanical AVR patients reported more concern about frequency of blood draws (p < 0.01). Concern for reoperation was similar between both groups. Despite more bleeding events and concern about the frequency of blood draws, adolescents and young adults with mechanical AVR reported similarly high levels of HRQOL compared to those following Ross AVR.

Health-related quality of life is strongly associated with self-efficacy, self-esteem, loneliness, and stress in 14\u201315-year-old adolescents: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTo enhance and better understand health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents, it is important to study factors associated with HRQOL. The present study aimed to assess possible associations between sociodemographic variables, self-efficacy, self-esteem, pain, sleep, loneliness, stress and HRQOL in 14 to 15-year-old adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed among 696 adolescents (14–15 years) in a school-based setting. Sociodemographic variables, self-efficacy, self-esteem, pain, sleep, loneliness and stress were analyzed. The variables were all assessed with well-validated instruments. HRQOL was analyzed using KIDSCREEN 27. Analyses included Chi-square, independent t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, linear regression analyses and hierarchical regression analyses. The results from linear regression models were expressed as standardized beta.ResultsThe adolescents generally reported high levels of HRQOL. However, girls scored significantly worse on HRQOL, self-efficacy, self-esteem, pain, sleep, loneliness and stress compared to boys. Using hierarchical regression analyses we found that Self-efficacy (beta = 0.11–0.24), Self-esteem: (beta = 0.12–0.21), Loneliness: (beta = − 0.24 to − 0.45) and Stress: (beta = − 0.26 to − 0.34) revealed the strongest associations with the HRQOL dimensions. Sociodemographic-, pain- and sleep related covariates were all significantly associated with some of the KIDSCREEN subscales, however their effect on the outcome was smaller than for the psychosocial variables listed above. Being a girl, not living with both parents, not having both parents working, being absent from school more than 4 days, having pain and having lack of enough sleep were all independently negatively associated with HRQOL.ConclusionsHRQOL is strongly associated with self-efficacy, self-esteem, loneliness and stress in 14 to 15-year-old adolescents. Our findings indicate that positive psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy and self-esteem might play a buffer role for negative psychosocial factors (e.g. stress) in adolescents. Further, our results show that girls score significantly worse on factors that are associated to HRQOL compared to boys. To improve HRQOL in school-based populations of adolescents, we suggest that future interventions should aim to strengthen self-efficacy and self-esteem. We recommend gender specific interventions.

Unravelling perceived fatigue and activity pacing in maintaining a physically active lifestyle after stroke rehabilitation: a longitudinal cohort study

Purposes To identify fatigue trajectories during/after stroke rehabilitation, to determine characteristics associated with trajectory membership before discharge and to investigate how these trajectories and activity pacing are associated with sustained physical activity after rehabilitation. Methods People after stroke (n = 206) were followed from 3–6 weeks before discharge (T0) to 14 (T1), 33 (T2) and 52 (T3) weeks after discharge from rehabilitation in the ReSpAct study. Latent Class analysis was used to identify trajectories of perceived fatigue. Binomial multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine characteristics associated with trajectory membership (T0). Multilevel regression analyses were used to investigate how perceived fatigue and activity pacing were associated with self-reported physical activity (T0–T3). Results Three fatigue trajectories were identified: high (n = 163), low (n = 41) and recovery (n = 2). Compared with the high fatigue trajectory, people in the low fatigue trajectory were more likely to report higher levels of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) (OR = 3.07, 95%CI = 1.51–6.26) and physical activity (OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.07–3.47). Sustained high levels of physical activity after rehabilitation were significantly associated with low perceived fatigue and high perceived risk of overactivity. Conclusions Three fatigue trajectories after stroke rehabilitation were identified. High levels of HR-QoL and physical activity before discharge identified people in the low fatigue trajectory. A physically active lifestyle after rehabilitation was associated with low perceived fatigue and perceived risk of overactivity. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Since almost 80% of people after stroke in this study perceived severe fatigue up to 1 year after stroke rehabilitation, activities focusing on the management of fatigue symptoms should be integrated in general stroke rehabilitation. In clinical practice, low levels of health-related quality of life and low levels of self-reported physical activity before discharge from stroke rehabilitation should be considered by rehabilitation professionals (e.g., physicians, physiotherapists, and physical activity counsellors) since these characteristics can predict chronic perceived fatigue up to 1 year after stroke rehabilitation. A physical activity counselling programme delivered during and after stroke rehabilitation may be improved by incorporating tailored advice regarding the management of fatigue.

Health-related Quality of Life of Older Women Religious: Negative Influence of Frailty.

The purpose of the current study was to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older women religious (WR) and examine variables that may influence HRQOL.The sample consisted of WR, 65 years or older, living in the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. The participants completed a medical history, body-mass index (BMI) and blood pressure measurement, and self-report measures of HRQOL, frailty, social support, resilience, and depression. The study sample was composed of 108 older WR with a mean age of 75.6 (range 65-93 years). The women reported high levels of daily functioning, resilience, and social support, with low levels of depression. WR describe a relatively high level of HRQOL. Frailty was an independent negative predictor of HRQOL in all subscales except general health. Resilience and fear of falling had significant effects on several HRQOL subscales.

Assessment of Quality of Life Related to the Health of People Suffering from Chronic Diseases in Ouémé Department of Benin

Measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of the population's health status, and country's public health policies. Studies undertaken in the Republic of Benin on this issue are quite rare. Objective: The objective is to study the level of HRQoL in people with chronic communicable or non-communicable diseases at the Oueme department in Benin. Method: This is a cross-sectional and analytical survey conducted at this department in 2018. Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 questionnaire was administered to 523 people over 15 years of age who were suffering from chronic disease, and they were selected by the snowball technique. The level of HRQoL defined in three modalities was determined from the four dimensions of each of its physical and mental components. Results: In the Oueme department, eight chronic diseases were identified and the level of HRQoL appeared higher in rural areas for hypertension, sickle cell disease and sinusitis. In total, 73.8% of people with chronic diseases had high levels of HRQoL. The level of HRQoL was higher in rural areas than in urban areas (85.2% versus 64.8%; p < 0.0001). Interventions on HRQoL at the Oueme department must take into account the disparities between urban and rural areas.

High Levels of Physical Fitness Are Associated With Better Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia: The al-Ándalus Project

Physical fitness is a marker of health and is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Identifying which components of physical fitness are associated with HRQoL in people with fibromyalgia may contribute to the development of more specific therapeutic strategies. The 2 aims of this study were to examine the association of different components of physical fitness (ie, flexibility, muscle strength, speed and agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) with HRQoL and to determine the extent to which any association between the components of physical fitness and HRQoL were of clinical relevance to women with fibromyalgia. A cross-sectional design was used. This study included 466 women with fibromyalgia from southern Spain (Andalusia). The Senior Fitness Test battery and the handgrip test were used to assess physical fitness, and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL. Tender points, cognitive impairment, anthropometric measurements, and medication usage were also measured. First, multivariate linear regression was used to assess the individual relationship of each physical fitness test with the 8 dimensions of the SF-36. Second, a standardized composite score was computed for each component of physical fitness (flexibility, muscle strength, speed and agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness). A 1-way analysis of covariance to assess the differences in each of the 8 dimensions of the SF-36 across each physical fitness composite score was conducted. Forward stepwise regression was performed to analyze which components of physical fitness were independently associated with the SF-36 physical and mental component scales. Overall, higher levels of physical fitness were associated with higher levels of HRQoL (regardless of the SF-36 subscale evaluated). The effect sizes for HRQoL between participants with the lowest and the highest physical fitness levels ranged from moderate to large (Cohen d=0.53-0.90). The muscle strength composite score was independently associated with the SF-36 physical component scale, whereas the flexibility composite score and cardiorespiratory fitness were independently associated with the SF-36 mental component scale. A limitation was that the cross-sectional design precluded the establishment of causality. Additionally, only women were included in the study, because fibromyalgia predominantly affects women. High levels of physical fitness were consistently associated with better HRQoL in women with fibromyalgia; clinically relevant differences were demonstrated between those at extreme physical fitness levels. Muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were independent indicators of HRQoL. These results warrant further prospective research on the potential of fitness to predict HRQoL in this population.

Change in Caregiver Health-Related Quality of Life from before to early after Surgery: Findings from the Sustaining Quality of Life of the Aged: Transplant or Mechanical Support (SUSTAIN-IT) Study

Purpose Understanding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) informs support needs for caregivers (CGs) of patients (pts) with advanced heart failure (HF). We compared HRQOL before/6 months post surgery for CGs of pts undergoing heart transplantation (HT), with or without mechanical circulatory support (MCS), and destination therapy (DT) MCS. Methods Between 10/1/15-12/31/18 we enrolled 302 CGs from 12 U.S. sites: 89 HT with MCS, 104 HT without MCS, and 109 DT MCS. CGs completed the EQ-5D-3L (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]: 0 [worst] to 100 [best] imaginable health state and 5 HRQOL dimensions), PHQ-8 (range = 0-24 with ≥10 = significant depressive symptoms), and STAI-state (range = 20-80; higher score = more anxiety). Results CGs were aged 61.0±10.3 years, majority were spouses (85%), female (86%), and white (86%). CGs reported high overall HRQOL before (83.9±14.0) and after (82.9±15.7) surgery, with no significant differences between groups. CGs in all 3 groups reported low baseline (2.6±2.9) and follow-up (2.9±3.9) depressive symptoms. DT CGs reported significantly higher baseline anxiety levels compared to HT-MCS and HT-non MCS. DT and HT-non MCS caregivers showed significantly reduced anxiety levels over time. See Figure. There were no significant differences in anxiety between groups 6 months post-surgery. Conclusions CGs of pts with advanced HF reported relatively high levels of HRQOL and low levels of depression at baseline and early after surgery. DT CGs reported higher baseline anxiety levels when compared to CGs of HT pts. At 6 months, anxiety levels were similar and low for all groups, suggesting CG adjustment. Identifying CG psychological distress may inform support options and potential treatment.