Life Quality Index Research Articles

The Quality of Life of Former Portuguese Football Players.

The demands of playing professional football can have an impact on an individual's quality of life (QoL), which may remain into retirement. Given limited evidence exists regarding the QoL in former football players, this study aimed to assess QoL among Portuguese former players according to career duration, career end period, competitive level, tactical-positional status, international status, academic qualifications, serious injuries in career, and current professional football connection. The study included 84 Portuguese former football players (48.8 ± 8.2 years old) who transitioned to retirement between 1988 and 2018. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to assess QoL perceptions, and the Portuguese version was validated. The former players have positive QoL indicators, both in general and across the four domains, namely in terms of the physical, psychological, and social relationship and environment. There were no statistically significant differences in QoL between the defined categories for career end period, competitive level, tactical-positional status, international status, and current professional football connection. Likewise, there was no significant correlation between QoL and career duration. In contrast, there were significant differences in general QoL (p < 0.023) and in the physical domain (p < 0.001) between former players with different academic qualifications. A significant correlation was found between the number of severe injuries sustained in a career and QoL in the physical domain (R = -0.300, p = 0.006). There are no concerning QoL results presented by former players. However, the number of severe injuries sustained during the career was associated with a lower QoL, while holding higher academic qualifications demonstrated higher general and physical QoL. Studies with larger samples should be conducted to confirm these trends.

Quality of life workers with hearing loss caused by exposure to industrial noise the of metalworking production

Introduction. Subjective assessment of the quality of life of workers exposed to occupational noise is an important aspect in the development of measures to prevent health problems in people with hearing impairment. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of subjective assessment of the quality of life of two hundred twenty metalworking workers in “noise” occupations was carried out using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Results. Metalworking workers employed in conditions of exposure to industrial noise have been shown to rate their quality of life (QoL) as increased in almost all areas, except for the “environment” area. There has been established a decrease in estimated indicators of QoL depending on age, especially pronounced for the sphere of “physical health”. The lowest values of quality of life indicators are typical for elderly people and people with hearing impairment. Limitations. The studied indicators are subjective and may not reflect the actual health status of respondents. Conclusion. Subjective assessment of the quality of life of metalworking workers with hearing impairment caused by noise exposure showed the need for additional QOL studies with ranking of the interviewed persons according to the intensity of hearing damage.

"What really matters to the patients?": assessing the impact of wound healing on the quality of life in patients undergoing incisional hernia repair.

We aim to evaluate the impact of surgical wound complications in the first 30 postoperative days after incisional hernia repair on the long-term quality of life of patients. In addition, the impact of the surgical technique and preoperative comorbidities on the quality of life of patients will also be evaluated. Prospective cohort study, which evaluates 115 patients who underwent incisional hernioplasty between 2019 and 2020, using the onlay and retromuscular techniques. These patients were initially assessed with regard to surgical wound outcomes in the first 30 postoperative days (surgical site infection (SSI) or surgical site occurrence (SSO)), and then, assessed after three years, through a specific quality of life questionnaire, the Hernia Related Quality of Life Survey (HerQLes). After some patients were lost to follow-up during the study period, due to death, difficulty in contact, refusal to respond to the questionnaire, eighty patients were evaluated. Of these, 11 patients (13.8%) had SSI in the first 30 postoperative days and 37 (46.3%) had some type of SSO. The impact of both SSI and SSO on quality of life indices was not identified. When analyzing others variables, we observed that the Body Mass Index (BMI) had a significant impact on the patients' quality of life. Likewise, hernia size and mesh size were identified as variables related to a worse quality of life outcome. No difference was observed regarding the surgical techniques used. In the present study, no relationship was identified between surgical wound outcomes (SSO and SSI) and worse quality of life results using the HerQLes score. We observed that both BMI and the size of meshes and hernias showed an inversely proportional relationship with quality of life indices. However, more studies evaluating preoperative quality of life indices and comparing them with postoperative indices should be carried out to evaluate these correlations.

The impact of photobiomodulation on sleep and life quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

The quality of life (QoL) and sleep quality are closely linked to the physical and psychological health of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, especially those underwent hemodialysis (HD) therapy. This study aims to investigate the impact of 830nm laser treatment on improving QoL and sleep quality in HD patients. Forty ESRD patients participated in this study. 830nm laser was used to radiate on the palm (at dose of 256.10J/cm2), ST 36 and KI 1 acupoints (at dose of 109.76J/cm2) of HD patients, and QoL and sleep quality questionnaires were utilized to assess changes following the treatment. After 830nm laser radiation, lower global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Athens Insomnia Scale scores were observed, accompanied by higher physical and mental component summary scores in MOS 36-item short-form health survey version 2 and a global World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version score. The laser group also showed significant improvements in QoL and sleep quality indicators. Additionally, pain levels decreased on the third day and after one month according to visual analogue scale. This study revealed the positive effects of 830nm laser on palm, KI 1 and ST 36 acupoints for improving the QoL and sleep quality in ESRD patients underwent HD treatment. The results suggest that 830nm laser applied to specific targets could be used as a complementary and alternative approach to increase the QoL and sleep quality in ESRD patients.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Quality of Life Index Among Hausa-Speaking People with Spinal Cord Injury in Northwest Nigeria.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome that is used to measure the success of healthcare interventions. Valid and reliable instruments are required to assess QoL. Hence, we conducted this study to adapt and validate the QoL Index (QLI) among Hausa-speaking people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in northwest Nigeria. Method: Using the International Society for Pharmacoeconomic and Outcome Research principles of good practice and the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments guidelines, the QLI-SCI version was translated into Hausa language and tested for content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability among people with SCI in northwest Nigeria. Result: The Hausa QLI (HQLI) demonstrated good content validity (CVI = 92.18%), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.855), and test-retest reliability (ICC =0.949 [95% CI, 0.916-0.969]). Conclusion: The HQLI can be deployed to assess QoL among Hausa-speaking people with SCI, thus promoting robust measurement of QoL in an SCI population.

Effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India: An interventional study.

Urban corporate sector relies heavily on workplace well-being, with meditation being a potent stress reduction method that significantly enhances the quality of life (QoL) and wellness. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of meditation on wellness management among corporate employees in India. The quasi-experimental controlled study design was employed from May to June 2021, which assessed stress, QoL, and wellness indices (satisfaction with life, well-being) with meditation practice as the intervention. The online questionnaire incorporates questions from the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, World Health Organization (WHO) QoL Scale, Five-item Satisfaction with Life scaleand WHO-5 Well-being Index. A nonrandom sampling technique selected 146 and 74 subjects in the intervention and control groups, respectively, among the employees of Star health- and allied insurance company. The data was analyzed using SPSS V27 (©IBM SPSS Statistics). The Wilcoxon signed rank test for the dependent groups, and Mann-Whitney U test for the independent groups (between subjects) was performed. Among a total of 220 subjects who enrolled in the recruitment survey, 146 subjects underwent the intervention thus providing a response rate of 66.4%. For the intervention group, the difference (within group) in mean scores between baseline and endline assessment shows a reduction in stress (0.02) and significant improvement in QoL (0.21) and wellness indices (satisfaction with life: 0.21, well-being: 0.24). The difference (betweenthe experimental and control groups) in mean endline scores shows a decrease in stress (0.07), an increase in wellness indices (satisfaction with life: 0.12, well-being: 0.23), and a significant change in the QoL(0.17). Meditation intervention in corporate wellness programs enhances the QoL, wellness, and stress management, establishing the effectiveness of health profile-raising ingenuities at the workplace.

Vestibular Schwannomas: implementation of PANQOL and Mayo VSQOL Index scales in Ukraine and justification of treatment strategy with preservation of quality of life (problem analysis, own experience, discussion points)

Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of sporadic vestibular schwannomas (VS) to substantiate the choice of optimal treatment strategy considering quality of life indicators using the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life Scale (PANQOL) and the Mayo Clinic Vestibular Schwannoma Quality of Life Index (Mayo VSQOL Index) scales in Ukraine. Materials and Methods: 1100 patients with VS were treated at the Subtentorial Neurooncology Department from 2001 to October 2023 and 373 were primarily considered for dynamic observation (“wait-and-scan”) at the Department of Ear Microsurgery and Otoneurosurgery of the Kolomiichenko Otolaryngology Institute. Data on 359 patients (some of whom underwent surgery in the mentioned departments) who received radiotherapy (RT) from 2010 to 2023 in the Radioneurosurgery Department are also provided. The PANQOL and Mayo VSQOL Index scales were implemented to assess the quality of life of patients with VS. Scientific publications from the PubMed database related to the study of the quality of life in patients with VS were analyzed. Results: The analysis was based on patient data from the database for the period 2017 - October 2023, 391 patients with VS were treated, including 359 who underwent surgical treatment (schwannomas resection), 4 – tarsorrhaphy after VS resection, and 28 who received combined treatment (surgery + radiotherapy). A separate group consisted of 359 patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT). Of 177 patients who underwent radiosurgical treatment, 65 (36.7%) had Stage III VS according to the classification of W.T. Koos, and 112 (63.3%) had stage IV VS. Primarily diagnosed tumors were treated in 110 (62.1%) and 67(37.9%) patients with residual postoperative. Follow-up data were obtained for 159 patients. At the Kolomiichenko Otolaryngology Institute, 373 patients were under observation with the primary "wait-and-scan" strategy, of whom 110 (29.5%) had their VS removed due to symptom progression or progressive course, and 24 (6.4%) underwent RT. Of the 27 patients in the Subtentorial Neurooncology Department study group, 7 (25.9%) underwent surgery, and 5 (18.5%) underwent RT. Conclusions: Global practice in assisting patients with VS indicates a shift towards dynamic follow-up and an increase in the frequency of using radiation treatment methods. Over the past years, strategy have been proposed that do not recommend the "wait-and-scan" mode due to the risk of life-threatening complications associated with tumor growth. However, there is very little data on long-term outcomes (more than 5 years) and quality of life. VS primarily detected by magnetic resonance imaging in Ukraine significantly larger (Koos III-IV) than those reported in the literature. The implementation of specialized scales for assessing the quality of life of VS patients in Ukraine will help improve outcomes by applying personalized criteria for treatment routes, increasing the level of awareness and responsibility of both patients and doctors.

A Study on Different Indicators of Economic Development

ABSTACT: Economic development is most important concept for measuring improvement of any country in the competitive world. But it is not easy to define economic development in a precise manner because different criteria have been used for different country. But which criteria is good for measuring economic development is debatable issue in economics. Economic development is a process of change over a long period of time. Thought there are several criteria used to measure the economic development, but no one criteria provide a satisfactory and universally acceptable index of economic development. According to R. G. Lipsey there are many possible measures of a country’s degree of development like national income, per capita income, saving per head, amount of social capital and the percentage of resource unexploited. But more commonly used criteria of economic development are increase in national income, PCI, standard of living and economic welfare etc. so some important economic development criteria are discus here in this paper which is used by all over the world. Keyword = Growth, development, PCI (per capita income), HDI (human development index), PQLI (physical quality life index) NI= national income

Quality of life assessment in children with dental arch constriction and impaired nasal breathing

Relevance. Malocclusion often cause morphofunctional and aesthetic disturbances in the dentoalveolar system, and the lack of nasal breathing in children exacerbates existing deviations.Purpose. To assess morphofunctional parameters and quality of life indicators in children with impaired nasal breathing.Materials and methods. Photometric facial analysis, cephalometric and anthropometric calculations, anterior active rhinomanometry, and an oral health-related quality of life questionnaire for children (OHRQoL) were conducted.Results. In patients with impaired nasal breathing, social and family well-being parameters were reduced in the quality of life assessment.Conclusion. An orthodontist can determine the causes and degree of nasal breathing impairment by analyzing teleradiographs, orthopantomograms, and studying the quality of life in children. This aids in interdisciplinary planning for early diagnosis and treatment of children with maxillary constriction.

Quality of Life of Colorectal Cancer Survivors: Mapping the Key Indicators by Expert Consensus and Measures for Their Assessment.

Quality of life (QoL) assessments are integral to cancer care, yet their effectiveness in providing essential information for supporting survivors varies. This study aimed to elucidate key indicators of QoL among colorectal cancer survivors from the perspective of healthcare professionals, and to evaluate existing QoL questionnaires in relation to these indicators. Two studies were conducted: a Delphi study to identify key QoL indicators and a scoping review of questionnaires suitable for colorectal cancer survivors. Fifty-four healthcare professionals participated in the Delphi study's first round, with 25 in the second. The study identified two primary QoL domains (physical and psychological) and 17 subdomains deemed most critical. Additionally, a review of 12 questionnaires revealed two instruments assessing the most important general domains. The findings underscored a misalignment between existing assessment tools and healthcare professionals' clinical priorities in working with colorectal cancer survivors. To enhance support for survivors' QoL, efforts are needed to develop instruments that better align with the demands of routine QoL assessment in clinical practice.

Exploring key indicators for quality of life in urban parks of Lahore, Pakistan: toward the enhancement of sustainable urban planning

ABSTRACT The United Nations anticipates that by 2050, around two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban areas, necessitating a concerted effort to elevate the benchmarks guiding living standards in sustainable cities. The pursuit of sustainable urban development necessitates the identification of robust socio-ecological indicators to ensure the synchronous optimization of human well-being and environmental integrity. Therefore, the study explores the existing quality-of-life indicators grounded in ecosystem services within the urban parks of Lahore. For this, a field survey was conducted in the parks of Lahore, primarily focusing on identifying key measures to enhance living standards. The study was collected by identifying quality-of-life indicators from ecological, social, and economic perspectives and analyzed in MS Excel and ArcGIS version 10.8. The results illustrate that nearly all the examined parks contribute significantly to the quality-of-life key indicators by regulating the air quality and reducing noise and temperature. Jallo Park and Bagh-e-Jinnah have sufficient areas and are adequately maintained, which is a key indicator of the quality of life, but only Gulberg town aligns with global standards (9 to 50 m2) for per capita green space (25.523 m2). So, it is concluded that the urban parks of Lahore support sustainable living with their proper mountainous and sufficient green area. Therefore, a critical need for proactive green infrastructure initiatives is recommended, particularly addressing the shortfall in per capita green space. A strategic intervention in urban planning and green development is a key recommendation for policymakers for a sustainable future in Lahore.

The Impact on the Quality of Life of Patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis – Brief Review

Abstract Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR TB) is a major threat worldwide, despite the fact that the EndTB strategy involves early diagnosis and prompt treatment of all people of all ages with any form of sensitive or drug-resistant tubrculosis. Both forms of tuberculosis imply high morbidity and mortality, but drug-resistant TB accentuates these aspects due to problems arising from the nature of long and difficult to tolerate treatment, which can often lead to abandonment. The impact of tuberculosis is not limited only to clinical indicators, but also to the quality of life, directly reduced by the disease and treatment (weight loss, asthenia, medication side effects, distant sequelae, comorbidities), but also indirectly through the nature of the disease (social inclusion, job loss). For this short review, the PubMed database was used, using key words such as quality of life, drug- resistant tuberculosis, physical, emotional impairment, treatment side effects. Patients with treatment-resistant tuberculosis face limitations in all areas of quality of life due to tuberculosis, both at initiation of treatment and at its completion. The impact of tuberculosis affects all areas of quality of life, both physically, emotionally, professionally and financially, both at initiation of treatment and post-treatment. The particular aspect of psychological impairment of DR-TB patients requires additional attention from the medical professionals involved in treating these patients and implementing additional support measures to help patients. The quality of life of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis is an area that requires additional research, having an extremely important role in the success of antituberculosis treatment. Quality of life indicators could shape a more complete picture of TB’s impact on patients’ lives, both during and after treatment.

Gender Differences in Psycho-Emotional State and Quality of Life in Patients 3 Months after Pneumonia COVID-19

Background: there is the different susceptibility to viral infections, course of the disease, reaction to stress and quality of life (QoL) in men and women. The aim of this study is to identify the psycho-emotional state and QoL characteristics of women and men in 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients and methods: during the cross-sectional study within the framework of the prospective cohort study “Prospective follow-up of patients after COVID-19-associated pneumonia”, 133 patients (54.1% women; mean age 54 ± 9 years) were examined by experimental psychological method (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSS-10, SF-36). The mental health was assessed by a psychiatrist, the cardiovascular system — by a cardiologist. Results: women were more likely to have psychoemotional disorders (p = 0.011) and symptoms of depression (p = 0.030). All indicators of QoL were higher among men. In women, a decrease in the scores on the vital activity scale increased the frequency of detecting signs of anxiety, depression (p = 0.004) and stress, an increase in the values on the social functioning scale showed an association with severe lung damage in the acute period of the disease (p = 0.024). In men, a decrease in pain intensity indicators is associated with the detection of mental disorders (p = 0.039) and the appointment of psychotropic therapy (p = 0.005). The severity of stress was observed with a decrease in values on all scales of the QoL questionnaire. The older age of the examined was determined with a decrease in the indicators of the physical component of health (p = 0.006) and other physical aspects of QoL. Conclusion: the mental state differs significantly in men and women 3 months after COVID-19 pneumonia. QoL of both sexes is associated with stress. In women, QoL depends on the mental state, in men depends on physical well-being. The results obtained can be applied in the planning of rehabilitation measures taking into account gender characteristics.

Social Appearance Anxiety and Quality of Life among Adolescents with Acne

Background: Acne is a prevalent condition among adolescents, significantly impacting their psychological well-being and quality of life. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life among adolescents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Objective: To explore the relationship between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life among adolescents aged 12-19 years and to identify significant predictors of quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 327 participants (181 males and 146 females) recruited through purposive sampling from various educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Data were collected using the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Teenager's Quality of Life Index (T-QoL), informed consent forms, and a self-developed demographic sheet. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, regression analysis, and t-tests using SPSS-21. Results: The study revealed a significant positive correlation between acne, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life (p &lt; 0.01). Social appearance anxiety was the most significant predictor of quality of life (B = 0.30, p &lt; 0.01), while age was the least significant (B = 0.23, p = 0.55). Females scored higher on quality of life (M = 12.93, SD = 7.37) compared to males (M = 12.80, SD = 6.64). Males scored higher on acne (M = 6.30, SD = 3.08) and social appearance anxiety (M = 41.31, SD = 13.74) compared to females (acne: M = 5.81, SD = 3.40; social appearance anxiety: M = 40.0, SD = 14.86). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that social appearance anxiety is a significant predictor of quality of life among adolescents with acne. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the psychological well-being of adolescents affected by acne.

Longitudinal Assessment of the Quality of Life in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Background Studies evaluating the quality of life (QoL) among oral cancer patients in the Indian population are scarce. Regular follow-ups and QoL assessment in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients can aid in comprehensive support strategies to improve their QoL outcomes. Aim and objectives This study aimed to assess the QoL of oral cancer patients and correlate the QoL with demographic and treatment parameters. Materials and methods The study included oral cancer patients who had previously reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. QoL assessment was done using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN43 questionnaires before and after treatment. The clinico-demographic details, treatment data, follow-up data, and recorded mean QoL were procured from the patient records in Dental Information Archival Software. Assessment of QoL was done before treatment and at intervals of one month, three months, six months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 monthspostoperatively after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized for comparing the average QoL scores and frequency of follow-ups across various intervals. Chi-square tests assessed differences in mean QoL among genders, across different sites, and between primary closure and graft placement. The significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results A total of 90 OSCC patients had reported to the department. A preoperative assessment of QoL was done for 90 (100%) patients. Out of these patients, surgery has been performed on 41 (45%). Twenty-five out of 41 (60%) patients had responded to regular follow-up, and QoL was assessed for these patients. After the immediate postoperative phase, only 12 (48%) had reported after three months. Only six (24%) had a 12-month follow-up, five (20%) had a two-year follow-up, and one (4%) had a three-year follow-up. There was a constant decrease in the number of follow-ups after the treatment of OSCC (p=0.00). Prior to treatment, the mean QoL index was 4.64. Females had a slightly higher preoperative QoL of 4.76 compared to males, with a score of 4.67 (p=0.157). Immediately after the treatment of OSCC, a decline in QoL scores was noted, with a mean score of 4.25 (p=0.32). Patients who underwent primary closure after excision had a mean post-op QoL score of 4.9, while patients who underwent graft placement had a mean score of 4.6 (p=0.157). Conclusion This study highlights the enduring impact of oral cancer on a patient's quality of life and emphasizes the need for ongoing research to explore specific interventions that can contribute to sustained improvement in QoL. It emphasizes personalized, holistic care approaches for such patients.

Rhinosinusitis in children with acute respiratory infection: quality of life and features of drug therapy

BACKGROUND: The relevance of the study is due to limited information on the impact of various forms of rhinosinusitis that have arisen against the background of acute respiratory infection on the quality of life of children and effective treatment methods. AIM: To conduct a clinical assessment of the effect on the recovery time and quality of life in children with acute rhinosinusitis and exacerbation of polypous rhinosinusitis that occurred against the background of a respiratory infection, including antiviral drugs in complex treatment in the early stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A simple controlled randomized comparative clinical trial was conducted, involving 74 children aged 15 to 18 years. The clinical efficacy and safety of the use of antiviral drugs in complex therapy, which are neuraminidase inhibitors on the 5th, 7th and 10th days of treatment, were evaluated in comparison with groups receiving pentanedioic acid imidazolylethanamide. The inclusion criterion was acute rhinosinusitis and exacerbation of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis against the background of acute respiratory infection. To establish the diagnosis, an examination of ENT organs, computed tomography of the nose and paranasal sinuses were performed, patients subjectively assessed clinical complaints and quality of life in the Russian version of the standard form of the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Positive dynamics was noted in the early stages in the 2nd subgroup of the 1st group who took neuraminidase inhibitors in addition to complex therapy. Manifested by a decrease in the average score for VAS to 80.0%, difficulty in nasal breathing to 1.7 points on the 10th day of treatment, relative to those taking imidazolylethanamide pentanedioic acid, where there was a decrease in the average score for VAS by 22.4%, difficulty in nasal breathing to 2.54 points. A similar pattern was observed with nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and quality of life indicators according to the SF-36 questionnaires. CONCLUSION: Improvement of clinical symptoms and quality of life indicators at an earlier date in children with polypous rhinosinusitis and acute rhinosinusitis against the background of a previous respiratory infection with the inclusion of neuraminidase inhibitors in complex therapy confirmed higher efficacy.

An appraisal of the LQI as an approach to setting target reliabilities in ISO 2394:2015

The idea of coupling economics and safety into one optimization exercise, and hence deriving target reliabilities explicitly from socio-economic consequences of limit state violation, appeared in the JCSS Probabilistic Model Code around the turn of the century; the effort culminated in the form of a Life Quality Index (LQI)-based marginal lifesaving costs (MLSC) methodology in ISO 2394:2015 for determining maximum acceptable failure probabilities, pT, in life safety limit states for civil engineering structures across all nations. Unfortunately, while the methodology does yield adequate levels of safety when applied to structures in the developed countries, the recommended values of pT turn out to be one to two orders of magnitude higher, and unacceptable to every known standard in the world including its own earlier edition (ISO 2394:1998) when applied to structures in the developing world (exemplified by India) with identical functions and expected fatalities. This arises from two shortcomings: (1) an MLSC approach is generally unable to provide an independent constraint on monetary optimization, and (2) the LQI-based measure of MLSC constraint is strongly dependent on a country’s per capita GDP (g) and the resultant pT is effectively governed by the reciprocal of g. This paper recommends continuing with the absolute − not marginal − consequences of violating life safety limit states, and setting constraints on monetary optimization that are consistent with fatality risks from engineering activities more universally accepted to be safe.

Age-Related Quality of Life in Cardiac Surgical Patients with Extracorporeal Life Support.

The rationale of the study was to analyze the impact of age on quality of life (QoL) in patients who had undergone cardiac surgery with consecutive extracorporeal life support (ECLS) treatment. The study population consisted of 200 patients, operated upon between August 2006 and December 2018. The patient cohort was divided into two groups following an arbitrary cutoff age of 70 years. Comparative outcome analysis was calculated utilizing the European Quality of Life-5-Dimensions-5-Level Version (EQ-5D-5L). A total of 113 patients were 70 years or less old (group young), whereas 87 patients were older than 70 years (group old). In 45.7% of cases, the ECLS system was established during cardiogenic shock and external cardiac massage. The overall survival-to-discharge was 31.5% (n = 63), with a significantly better survival in the younger patient group (young = 38.9%; old = 21.8%, p = 0.01). Forty-two patients (66%) responded to the QoL survey after a median follow-up of 4.3 years. Older patients reported more problems with mobility (y = 52%; o = 88%, p = 0.02) and self-care (y = 24%; o = 76%, p = 0.01). However, the patients' self-rated health status utilizing the Visual Analogue Scale revealed no differences (y = 70% [50-80%]; o = 70% [60-80%], p = 0.38). Likewise, the comparison with an age-adjusted German reference population revealed similar QoL indices. There were no statistically significant differences in the EQ-5D-5L index values related to sex, number of comorbidities, and emergency procedures. Despite the limited sample size due to the high mortality rate especially in elderly, the present study suggests that QoL of elderly patients surviving ECLS treatment is almost comparable to younger patients.

Self-Esteem, Social Appearance Anxiety and Quality of Life among Adolescents with Acne

Background: Acne is a common dermatological condition affecting adolescents, often leading to psychological issues such as low self-esteem and social appearance anxiety. Understanding the impact of acne on quality of life during adolescence is crucial for developing effective interventions. Objective: To explore the relationship between acne, self-esteem, social appearance anxiety, and quality of life among adolescents, and to identify gender differences and significant predictors of quality of life in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed purposive sampling to recruit 327 adolescents aged 12-19 years from various educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Participants completed the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Teenager's Quality of Life Index (T-QoL). Informed consent was obtained directly from participants aged 18 and older, and from guardians for those younger than 18. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing Pearson's correlation, t-tests, and linear regression to assess relationships and predictors. Reliability of the scales was confirmed, and psychometric properties were evaluated. Results: Significant correlations were found between acne and social appearance anxiety (r = 0.523, p &lt; 0.01), acne and self-esteem (r = -0.320, p &lt; 0.01), and acne and quality of life (r = 0.566, p &lt; 0.01). Females reported higher self-esteem (M = 27.46, SD = 4.59) compared to males (M = 26.33, SD = 3.50, t(325) = -2.52, p = 0.01). Social appearance anxiety was the most significant predictor of quality of life (β = 0.61, p &lt; 0.01), followed by self-esteem (β = -0.12, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Acne significantly impacts adolescents' psychological well-being, particularly through increased social appearance anxiety and reduced self-esteem. Gender differences highlight the need for tailored interventions. Addressing social appearance anxiety can improve the quality of life for adolescents with acne.

Correction of nocturia in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Mini-review and analysis of clinical observations

Aim. To outline the importance of nocturia in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and justify the feasibility and clinical need for antidiuretic therapy in these patients. Materials and methods. This article is a literature review. PubMed, Embase, and eLibrary databases were used for the search. Relevant publications were included in the literature review. The pilot study included 20 male patients aged 58–75 years with a confirmed diagnosis of BPH. Patients were divided into two groups: standard therapy (Tamsulosin Canon) and combined therapy (Tamsulosin Canon + Nourem). Diurnal diuresis was assessed based on the results of the Zimnitsky test and the nocturnal bladder volume index before and after treatment. Results. During standard therapy, patients had a decrease in the severity of obstructive and irritative symptoms and an improvement in the QoL index (p0.05). However, there was no significant improvement in nocturia. In the combined therapy group, the severity of symptoms significantly decreased by 53.3%, and the QoL index improved by 62.5%. On average, the sleep duration increased by 1.5 hours with almost unchanged rates of daily diuresis. Conclusion. The study showed that in 65% of patients, nocturia was caused not by anatomical and functional changes in the prostate and lower urinary tract but by nocturnal polyuria. Its management has a major role in nocturia treatment. The only pathogenesis-based treatment is the antidiuretic therapy (desmopressin) added to the α1-blocker.