Health-related Quality Of Life Index Research Articles

The Effect of Tai Chi on Quality of Life in Centrally Obese Adults with Depression.

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effects of a t'ai chi program on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in centrally obese adults with depression. Methods: Two hundred thirteen participants were randomly allocated to either a t'ai chi intervention group (n = 106) or a usual medical care control group (n = 107). The t'ai chi group involved 3 × 1.5 h supervised and group-based training sessions per week for 24 weeks. Indicators of HR-QOL were assessed by questionnaire at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: There were significant improvements in favor of the t'ai chi group for the SF-36 subscales of physical functioning (p < 0.01), role physical (p < 0.01), and role emotional (p < 0.01) at 12 and 24 weeks. Scores for bodily pain were improved in the control group at 12 weeks (p < 0.01) and 24 weeks (p < 0.05), but not in the t'ai chi group. There was also a significant improvement in favor of the control group in general health (p < 0.05) at 12 weeks, but not at 24 weeks. A further analysis showed clinically significant changes in favor of the t'ai chi group in physical functioning (p < 0.05 or p = 0.05), role physical (p < 0.05), and role emotional (p < 0.05), and in favor of the control group in bodily pain (p < 0.05) at 12 and 24 weeks. Conclusions: The findings show that t'ai chi exercise improved indicators of HR-QOL including physical functioning, role physical, and role emotional in centrally obese adults with depression.

ПОПУЛЯЦИОННОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ КАЧЕСТВА ЖИЗНИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ ЧУКОТСКОГО АВТОНОМНОГО ОКРУГА

The aim was to study the indicators of quality of life of the adult population of the Chukotka Autonomous Region (ChAO) and to identify characteristics specific to the remote arctic area. Methods: The study included 424 residents of the Chukotka Autonomous Region aged 18 to 77 years old (231 - women and 193 - men). Using the RAND SF-36 questionnaire, health-related quality of life indicators were evaluated. Results: The average indicators of the life quality of Chukotka population were the following: physical functioning - 87.1 ± 17.9 points; role-physical functioning - 79.0 ± 32.1 points; pain index - 76.2 ± 23.3 points; general health - 63.9 ± 20.0 points; viability - 65.1 ± 18.1 points; social functioning - 81.7 ± 19.3 points; role-emotional functioning - 79.9 ± 31.1 points; mental health - 69.7 ± 16.9 points. The life quality of women was significantly lower than that of men according to the following scales: physical functioning (84.0 versus 90.1 points), role-physical functioning (75.2 versus 82.6 points), role-emotional functioning (77.2 versus 82, 4 points), pain (72.5 versus 79.7 points) and social functioning (79.9 versus 83.3 points). The lowest vitality index (59.9 points), role-emotional functioning (68.6 points) and mental health (65.3 points) were stated in the age group of 55-64 years. Conclusion: The quality of life indicators in women living in Chukotka area are lower than in men according to the scales: physical functioning, role-physical and role-emotional functioning, pain index and social functioning. The scales: overall health, vitality, and mental health indices were similar in men and women. The highest indicators of quality of life were in residents aged 18-34 years. Urban residents had higher quality of life indicators than residents of rural areas and urban-type settlements. The quality of life of the indigenous population of Chukotka area was significantly lower than that of the non-indigenous population for all the indicators; no differences were found in the life quality indicators between the Chukchi and other indigenous ethnic groups of Chukotka. Widowed respondents showed the lowest indicators of quality of life.

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.

A quality of life questionnaire for adolescents with cerebral palsy: psychometric properties of the Bengali CPQoL-teens

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement in low and middle-income countries of people with cerebral palsy (CP), the major cause of childhood physical disability, is essential to assess the impact of interventions and inform policies that best improve people’s lives. The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally translate and psychometrically validate the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life-Teens (CPQoL-Teens) self- and proxy-report questionnaires for application with adolescents with CP in Bangladesh.MethodThe CPQoL-Teens questionnaires were translated to Bengali using forward and backwards cross-cultural translation protocols. The questionnaires were interviewer administered to adolescents and their primary caregivers, identified through the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register. Feasibility, sensitivity, internal consistency, content, concurrent and construct validity were assessed.ResultsOne hundred fifty four adolescents with CP (10 to 18y; mean 15y 1mo SD 1y 8mo; 31.2% female) participated. Feasibility, sensitivity and internal consistency of both self- and proxy-report questionnaires was excellent; nil missing scores except ‘school wellbeing’ which was associated with non-school attendance (48.4 to 74.7%); floor and ceiling effect ≤13.6%; Cronbach’s alpha 0.77 to 0.94. Instrument validity was good; confirmatory factor analysis reflected five of the seven original instrument dimensions. CPQoL-Teens correlated to Kidscreen-27 on most dimensions (r = 0.176 to 0.693, p < 0.05); minimal difference in known groups was observed by mental health status (p < 0.05) although could be accounted for by homogeneity of mental health problems in the sample.ConclusionThe CPQoL-Teens self- and proxy report questionnaires successfully translated to Bengali and showed excellent feasibility and strong psychometric properties confirming suitability to assess indicators of HRQoL among adolescents with CP in Bangladesh.

Association Between Health Literacy, Electronic Health Literacy, Disease-Specific Knowledge, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundDespite the relatively high prevalence of low health literacy among individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), limited empirical attention has been paid to the cognitive and health literacy–related skills that can uniquely influence patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine how health literacy, electronic health (eHealth) literacy, and COPD knowledge are associated with both generic and lung-specific HRQoL in people living with COPD.MethodsAdults from the COPD Foundation’s National Research Registry (n=174) completed a cross-sectional Web-based survey that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity status, COPD knowledge, health literacy, eHealth literacy, and generic/lung-specific HRQoL. Hierarchical linear regression models were tested to examine the roles of health literacy and eHealth literacy on generic (model 1) and lung-specific (model 2) HRQoL, after accounting for socioeconomic and comorbidity covariates. Spearman rank correlations examined associations between ordinal HRQoL items and statistically significant hierarchical predictor variables.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounding factors, health literacy, eHealth literacy, and COPD knowledge accounted for an additional 9% of variance in generic HRQoL (total adjusted R2=21%; F9,164=6.09, P<.001). Health literacy (b=.08, SE 0.02, 95% CI 0.04-0.12) was the only predictor positively associated with generic HRQoL (P<.001). Adding health literacy, eHealth literacy, and COPD knowledge as predictors explained an additional 7.40% of variance in lung-specific HRQoL (total adjusted R2=26.4%; F8,161=8.59, P<.001). Following adjustment for covariates, both health literacy (b=2.63, SE 0.84, 95% CI 0.96-4.29, P<.001) and eHealth literacy (b=1.41, SE 0.67, 95% CI 0.09-2.73, P<.001) were positively associated with lung-specific HRQoL. Health literacy was positively associated with most lung-specific HRQoL indicators (ie, cough frequency, chest tightness, activity limitation at home, confidence leaving home, sleep quality, and energy level), whereas eHealth literacy was positively associated with 5 of 8 (60%) lung-specific HRQoL indicators. Upon controlling for confounders, COPD knowledge (b=−.56, SE 0.29, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.004, P<.05) was inversely associated with lung-specific HRQoL.ConclusionsHealth literacy, but not eHealth literacy, was positively associated with generic HRQoL. However, both health literacy and eHealth literacy were positively associated with lung-specific HRQoL, with higher COPD knowledge indicative of lower lung-specific HRQoL. These results confirm the importance of considering health and eHealth literacy levels when designing patient education programs for people living with COPD. Future research should explore the impact of delivering interventions aimed at improving eHealth and health literacy among patients with COPD, particularly when disease self-management goals are to enhance HRQoL.

Air Pollution/Irritants, Asthma Control, and Health-Related Quality of Life among 9/11-Exposed Individuals with Asthma.

Asthma control is suboptimal among World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR) enrollees. Air pollution/irritants have been reported as the most prevalent trigger among World Trade Center responders. We examined the relationship between air pollution/irritants and asthma control. We also evaluated the association of asthma control with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We included 6202 enrollees age ≥18 with a history of asthma who completed the WTCHR asthma survey between 2015 and 2016. Based on modified National Asthma Education and Prevention Program criteria, asthma was categorized as controlled, poorly-controlled, or very poorly-controlled. HRQoL indicators include ≥14 unhealthy days, ≥14 activity limitation days, and self-rated general health. We used multinomial logistic regression for asthma control, and unconditional logistic regression for HRQoL, adjusting for covariates. Overall, 27.1% had poorly-controlled and 32.2% had very poorly-controlled asthma. Air pollution/irritants were associated with poorly-controlled (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.45–1.99) and very poorly-controlled asthma (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.83–2.53). Poor asthma control in turn worsened the HRQoL of asthmatic patients. Very poorly-controlled asthma was significantly associated with ≥14 unhealthy days (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI = 3.02–4.30), ≥14 activity limitation days (AOR = 4.37; 95% CI = 3.48–5.50), and poor/fair general health status (AOR = 4.92; 95% CI = 4.11–5.89). Minimizing World Trade Center (WTC) asthmatic patients’ exposure to air pollution/irritants may improve their disease management and overall well-being.

Coping, mood and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Chinese patients with advanced lung cancer

ObjectivesThe ways patients cope with advanced cancer can influence their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aims to examine the mediating role of positive and negative mood in the...

Comparative Study of Health-Related Quality of Life between Colorectal Cancer Patients with Temporary and Permanent Stoma

Objective: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with temporary and permanent stoma. Methods: This survey was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 110 CRC patients living with stoma. A validated Thai version of Padilla and Grant’s HRQOL (as a cancer nursing outcome variable) was used. Enrolled patients must have age between 40-60 years and live with stoma over a period of 3 months. Results: There were 83 patients with temporary stoma and 27 patients with permanent stoma. The majority was male and got married. The common indication for temporary and permanent stoma was low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection, respectively. Overall mean HRQOL index was not significantly different between groups. There was also no difference in the mean QOL of each domain - namely physical well-being, psychological well-being, body image concerns about stoma, social support concern, and diagnosis/treatment response between those with temporary and permanent stoma. Notably, the domain of body image concern had the lowest QOL index in both groups. Conclusion: Postoperative health-related quality of life was not different between Thai colorectal cancer patients with temporary or permanent stoma. However, the patients with permanent stoma appeared to have non-significant higher score in every domain of health-related quality of life than those with temporary stoma.

PIH66 POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS): A LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME QUESTIONNAIRE (PCOSQ) FROM 2013-2018

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hormonal disturbance and psychological consequences, resulting in reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Questionnaire (PCOSQ), the only validated PCOS specific patient reported outcome (PRO), was developed in 1998. This review looks at the use of PCOSQ in conjunction with other QoL instruments in recently published research. The literature search was performed on the following terms: PCOS, PCOSQ and HRQoL on research studies that were published from 2013 to 2018 in PubMed and Scopus. Only articles that utilized PCOSQ in research were used in this analysis. The search yielded 23 articles of which 6 included the PCOSQ as the primary PRO instrument. One study was cross-sectional and the other 5 were prospective. Additional PROs used in these studies included: Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and World Health Organization QoL Instruments (WHOQOL-BREF). The SF-36 was used in 5 studies, and the WHOQOL-BREF was used in 1 study. PCOSQ measures 6 domains including emotions, hirsutism, weight, infertility, and menstrual disorders. Patient reported PCOS symptoms frequently expressed but not captured by PCOSQ include domains covering pain, bleeding intensity and coping behaviors. The PCOSQ includes PCOS specific questions not included in general HRQoL instruments. Hirsutism and infertility are aspects of PCOS that exert negative impacts on HRQoL that would not easily be detected by general PRO instruments. Still, there are some aspects of PCOS that are not adequately assessed by the PCOSQ despite being well documented patient reported outcomes. In order to comprehensively assess patient reported PCOS outcomes and to overcome key HRQoL indicators not captured in the PCOSQ, the PCOSQ can be utilized alongside other general PRO instruments to obtain a more comprehensive patient view for assessing HRQoL.

Return to work and associations with psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life in coronary heart disease patients: Results from EUROASPIRE IV.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) can lead to loss of workability and early retirement. We aimed to investigate return to work (RTW) and its relationship towards psychosocial well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Secondary analyses were applied to cross-sectional data from the EUROASPIRE IV survey (European Action on Secondary and Primary prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events). Participants were examined and interviewed at 6-36 months following the recruiting event. Psychosocial well-being and HRQoL were evaluated by completing the 'Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale' and 'HeartQoL' questionnaire. Using generalised mixed models, we calculated the odds ratios for RTW. Depression, anxiety and adjusted means of HeartQoL were estimated accounting for RTW. Out of 3291 employed patients, the majority (76.0%) returned to work, of which 85.6% were men, but there was a general underrepresentation of women. Young (p < 0.001), high-educated (p < 0.001) patients without prior cardiovascular events (p < 0.05) were better off regarding RTW. No significant associations with CHD risk factors and cardiac rehabilitation were established. Those that rejoined the workforce were less susceptible to psychosocial distress (anxiety/depression, p < 0.001) and experienced a better quality of life (p < 0.001). These findings provide evidence that non-modifiable factors (sociodemographic factors, cardiovascular history), more than classical risk factors, are associated with RTW, and that patients who resume work display better psychosocial well-being and HRQoL. Our results illustrate a need for tailored cardiac rehabilitation with a focus on work-related aspects, mental health and HRQoL indicators to reach sustainable RTW, especially in vulnerable groups like less educated and elderly patients.

Social Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life: A Recreation Setting Analysis.

Objective. To determine if significant differences between park users and non-park users are associated with scores on a composite health-related quality of life (HRQoL) index. Methods. Data for this study were collected based on random intercept of a cross section of eligible Monroe County, Indiana, residents at four selected public recreational parks, as well as nonpark locations from July to December 2017. Based on data collected using validated survey items, we created a composite HRQoL index. Statistical analysis included independent-samples t test, chi-square cross-tabulation, bivariate regression, and multivariate regression. Results. Frequent park users were significantly different from nonfrequent park users in various respects. The most leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) experiences of frequent park users occurred at a park location. Body mass index and park-based LTPA were significantly positively associated with HRQoL scores in a linear regression model. Conclusion. Frequent park use was shown to be positively associated with increased park-based LTPA and HRQoL. It is therefore possible that increasing park visitation will result in more members of a community who report experiencing their LTPA at a park location. Study outcomes lend support to the validity of a composite HRQoL index for population health assessments.

Health utilities and quality of life in individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who experience epileptic seizures: A web-based survey

ObjectivesIndividuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) experience a wide range of health impacts, including epileptic seizures, negatively impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Health state utility values (HSUVs) are index values representing HRQoL and are used as key inputs for health economic analyses. Such data are currently very limited in the TSC population. The objective of this study was to generate HSUVs for TSC health states, defined by the number and type of seizures experienced in the previous week, and to compare with UK normative values. MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 186 participants (individuals with TSC = 61, caregivers reporting for individuals with TSC = 125) from Europe and North America who completed a web-based survey. Participants completed the [EuroQol - 5 dimensions - 3 levels] (self-report version for individuals with TSC or proxy version 1 for caregivers). ResultsThe mean age of individuals with TSC was 27.3 years (self-reported: 41.3 years, caregiver-reported: 20.5 years); 56% were males. Most individuals with TSC (71%) reported experiencing between one and ten seizures in the week prior to participating in the study. The most frequently reported type of seizure was focal: simple partial (50%). Across all participants (combined self-report and caregiver-report), the mean HSUV was 0.474 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.424–0.524), significantly lower than the UK norm (0.856, 95%CI: 0.848–0.864) [1]. Mean HSUV and HRQoL scores were consistently lower when reported by caregivers than when self-reported by individuals with TSC (HSUV = 0.351 vs. 0.727). This is in part because caregivers reported for individuals with TSC who experienced more frequent and severe seizures than those who were able to self-report. HSUVs incrementally decreased with the experience of more frequent (1–5 per week: HSUV = 0.666 vs. >20: HSUV = 0.290) and more severe seizures (focal: simple partial: HSUV = 0.450 vs. generalized: convulsive: HSUV = 0.194). ConclusionsThe HRQoL and HSUV index scores indicate substantial impairment among individuals with TSC; HSUVs were shown to decrease considerably with increases in seizure frequency or seizure severity, indicating that more burdensome seizure health states are associated with poorer HRQoL.

Measurement of health-related quality by multimorbidity groups in primary health care

BackgroundIncreased life expectancy in Western societies does not necessarily mean better quality of life. To improve resources management, management systems have been set up in health systems to stratify patients according to morbidity, such as Clinical Risk Groups (CRG). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of multimorbidity on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in primary care.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study, based on a representative random sample (n = 306) of adults from a health district (N = 32,667) in east Spain (Valencian Community), was conducted in 2013. Multimorbidity was measured by stratifying the population with the CRG system into nine mean health statuses (MHS). HRQL was assessed by EQ-5D dimensions and the EQ Visual Analogue Scale (EQ VAS). The effect of the CRG system, age and gender on the utility value and VAS was analysed by multiple linear regression. A predictive analysis was run by binary logistic regression with all the sample groups classified according to the CRG system into the five HRQL dimensions by taking the “healthy” group as a reference. Multivariate logistic regression studied the joint influence of the nine CRG system MHS, age and gender on the five EQ-5D dimensions.ResultsOf the 306 subjects, 165 were female (mean age of 53). The most affected dimension was pain/discomfort (53%), followed by anxiety/depression (42%). The EQ-5D utility value and EQ VAS progressively lowered for the MHS with higher morbidity, except for MHS 6, more affected in the five dimensions, save self-care, which exceeded MHS 7 patients who were older, and MHS 8 and 9 patients, whose condition was more serious. The CRG system alone was the variable that best explained health problems in HRQL with 17%, which rose to 21% when associated with female gender. Age explained only 4%.ConclusionsThis work demonstrates that the multimorbidity groups obtained by the CRG classification system can be used as an overall indicator of HRQL. These utility values can be employed for health policy decisions based on cost-effectiveness to estimate incremental quality-adjusted life years (QALY) with routinely e-health data.Patients under 65 years with multimorbidity perceived worse HRQL than older patients or disease severity. Knowledge of multimorbidity with a stronger impact can help primary healthcare doctors to pay attention to these population groups.

Quality of life, work ability and oral health among patients with chronic liver diseases.

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the associations between health-related quality of life and work ability with the oral health status of patients with chronic liver disease.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study included 150 patients with chronic liver disease, consecutively seen at University Hospital, Salvador, Brazil. Oral health was evaluated by the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and by the presence of gingivitis and periodontitis. Salivary flow was “reduced” when <1.0 mL/min. Health-related quality of life was evaluated by using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36); work ability was evaluated by the Work Ability Index questionnaire.ResultsAll health-related quality of life indicators were systematically lower among the 99 patients with reduced salivary flow than among the 51 patients with normal salivary flow. Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, and Physical Component Summary scores were strongly correlated (P< 0.005 or less) with the number of Missing Teeth and with DMFT index. Reduced salivary flow was associated (P< 0.05) with poor work ability. Patients with poor or moderate work ability presented higher (P< 0.001) means of the DMFT index than those with good or excellent work ability.ConclusionsPatients with chronic liver disease who present poor oral health presented low health-related quality of life and poor work ability. These findings reinforce the need of these patients for specialized stomatological care. Key words:Xerostomia, dental health surveys, hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease.

Comparison of the Neuropathic Pain Symptoms and Psychosocial Impacts of Trigeminal Neuralgia and Painful Posttraumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy.

To compare the impacts of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and painful posttraumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PPTTN) on psychologic function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using a comprehensive quantitative assessment. This was a comparative cross-sectional study. A total of 97 patients diagnosed with PPTTN and 40 patients diagnosed with TN who sought treatment at an orofacial pain clinic completed standardized self-report measures of pain intensity, neuropathic symptoms, pain self-efficacy, mood, and indicators of general and oral HRQoL. Differences between the PPTTN and TN groups were tested, and associations of each condition with pain severity, psychologic function, and HRQoL were examined. The majority of PPTTN (66%) and TN patients (80%) were affected by orofacial pain. Pain attacks were more frequent in TN (71%) than PPTTN (28%) patients, while numbness was more common in PPTTN (51%) than TN (12%) patients. Pain intensity was higher in TN for intermittent and affective pain dimensions. Both PPTTN and TN had a significant, but comparable, impact on patients' oral HRQoL. The burden of condition on overall health was significantly more pronounced in patients with TN than PPTTN, with evident differences in the mobility and self-care domains. There was a trend showing that more TN (54%) than PPTTN (36%) patients reported signs of depression, but clinically significant anxiety was comparably high in both groups (34% to 39%). Anxiety and pain self-efficacy were closely related to oral and general health statuses in both groups. Both TN and PPTTN are associated with significant psychosocial burden and reduced HRQoL, indicating a need to develop effective treatments for neuropathic orofacial pain that target functional restoration.

Cigarette Smoking and Health-related Quality of Life in the General Population of Iran: Independent Associations According to Gender.

Background:Associations between smoking and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general population remain unclear. The aim of the study was to quantify the independent associations between smoking and HRQoL.Methods:A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted on a total sample of 2197 participants obtained by multistage sampling to investigate the associations between smoking and HRQoL in the general population of southeast and southwest of Iran, aged 18–100 years in 2012–2013. Data were collected using a self-administrated of the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between HRQoL and smoking while adjusting for various socioeconomic variables. In this study, P < 0.05 was considered a significant difference.Results:Out of the total of 2197 participants, current smokers and never smokers accounted for 13% and 87%, respectively. The mean HRQoL indices were for the current smokers 66.66 ± 17.86, and never smokers 71.35 ± 18.47 (P < 0.001). Independent associations between smoking and HRQoL were found, including negative associations (P < 0.001). The multivariate associations between smoking status and HRQoL, male smokers had a lower physical functioning, mental health, and total SF-36 score.Conclusions:Smoking was independently related to HRQoL, with large differences according to the gender. This study showed that there is a significant difference in the quality of life related to health in male smokers compared to male nonsmokers.

Changes in and Interactions between Physical and Mental Health in Older Japanese: The Nakanojo Study

Background: An age-related decrease in functional capacity is consistently reported, but it is not consistently related to a worsening of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) or psychological adjustment. A poor functional capacity and HRQOL have been associated with anxiety or depression, but the possible causal nature and direction of the relationship remain to be explored using long-term longitudinal data. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine age-related changes in functional capacity, HRQOL, and scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and possible causal interrelationships between these variables. Methods: Study participants were 5,124 Japanese aged ≥65 years. After the baseline study (2003), annual follow-up observations continued for 10 years. Generalized linear mixed models examined age-related changes in Barthel index (BI), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC), HRQOL, and HADS. Cross-lagged effects models tested possible causal interrelationships. Results: With age, functional capacity and HRQOL scores showed similar declines in both sexes. Changes in mental health, anxiety, and depression developed more slowly than decreases in physical health (BI, TMIG-IC, and physical functioning scores). Cross-lagged effects models demonstrated that functional capacity had positive effects on psychological adjustment, and that psychological adjustment had positive effects on functional capacity 5 years later. Interactions between functional capacity and psychological adjustment showed no sex differences. A decline in functional capacity negatively affected psychological adjustment, but reduced psychological adjustment had no significant impact on functional capacity 5 and 10 years later. Moreover, functional capacity and poor psychological adjustment showed no interactions in either sex. Conclusion: Functional capacity and mood state are interrelated. Greater function could sustain vitality and mental health, possibly reducing anxiety and depression.

Body Mass Index, waist circumference, and health-related quality of life in adults with chronic kidney disease.

Obesity is linked to poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population, but its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain. We conducted a cross-sectional study that investigated 1880 participants from the KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With CKD (KNOW-CKD) who underwent complete baseline laboratory tests, health questionnaires, and HRQOL. HRQOL was assessed by physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-36 questionnaire. We used multivariable linear regression models to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and sex-specific waist circumference (WC) with HRQOL. Adults with higher BMI and greater WC showed lower PCS. After adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic state, comorbidities, and laboratory findings, we found that WC, but not BMI, was associated with PCS. Greater WC quintiles were associated with lower PCS [WC-4th quintile (β, - 2.63, 95% CI - 5.19 to - 0.06) and WC-5th quintile (β, - 3.71, 95% CI - 6.28 to - 1.15)]. The association between WC and PCS was more pronounced in older adults, woman, patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or lower eGFR. The relationship between BMI and WC with MCS was not significant. In adults with CKD, WC is a better indicator of poor physical HRQOL than BMI. The association between WC and physical HRQOL is modified by age, sex, eGFR, and comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Validation of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance index among the Portuguese population

The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire is an oral health-related quality of life indicator. It was developed in order to assess the influence of oral conditions on the self-ability to execute daily activities. The main goal of this research was to validate the OIDP for the Portuguese population aged 18 years and above. The first step was to obtain a provisional Portuguese version of the OIDP: the original was translated from English and then back-translated. Some linguistic changes were made, and the final Portuguese version was obtained, which was duly approved by a review committee, whose members included researchers and translators. Subsequently, a pilot study was conducted with 36 subjects (26 on paper and 10 online). Lastly, the final study was performed collecting data online from 513 subjects. Chronbach's alpha (0.67) and the alpha for standardized items (0.69) were established for reliability. Validity was studied in its various aspects: face, content, construct and concurrent validity. The OIDP-PT revealed good psychometric properties and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be applied to the Portuguese population.

Health-related quality of life, educational and family outcomes in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors experience increased risk of medical and neurodevelopmental challenges. This study describes the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), special education utilization and the family impact among neonatal CDH survivors. A single-center prospective cohort of CDH survivors born between 1995 and 2006 was followed. Parents completed the PedsQL HRQOL index and a Family Impact survey to assess the need for medical equipment, home health services, and special education and quantify the burden placed on the family by their child's medical needs. Parents of 32 survivors participated at a mean survivor age of 8 ± 4years. Many survivors utilized medical equipment (62%), home health services (18%) and special education (28%). CDH survivor HRQOL (79 ± 17) did not differ significantly from that of healthy children (83 ± 15, p = 0.12). HRQOL was diminished among survivors who required special education (67 ± 8 vs 82 ± 3; p = 0.04) and those reporting increased Family Impact score (p = 0.001). Many CDH survivors continue to require home medical equipment and home health services at school age. Most survivors have normal parent-reported HRQOL; however, the need for special education and higher family impact of neonatal CDH correlates with decreased HRQOL.