Lower Levels Of Quality Of Life Research Articles

Urban Landscape Quality Index – Planning Tool for Evaluating Urban Landscapes and Improving the Quality of Life

Researchers and planners worldwide have emphasized the need for a better planning in an urbanizing world. The expansion of urbanized areas has increased people's access to modern facilities and urban infrastructures but decreased the quality of life due to social imbalances characterizing large cities. The quality of urban landscape can be used as an indicator of high or low quality of life levels. Our study proposesed the assessment of urban landscape using an Urban Landscape Quality Index (ULQI) used for mapping the landscape quality within a city. The methodology used for calculating ULQI was based on an expert assessment of the urban landscape items from a first rank city from Romania followed by the calculation of the index itself. The assessment was made at a neighbourhood level and using the generated values we were able to process a map representing the quality of the urban landscape in the inhabited areas of Ploieşti. The results were compared with the answers from a survey targeting the landscape quality perception of the locals. A 75% accuracy was recorded between the visual assessment of the urban landscape and the perception of the locals. The study showed that using visual assessment of the landscape and calculating ULQI is an efficient and useful approach that doesn’t require a high amount of resources and can generate an outline over a city in short period. ULQI values can be used by planners, landscapers or authorities in order to prioritize the areas of an urban area that need to be taken into consideration.

Cancer Related Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating symptom that can influence quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. The increase in survival times stresses for a better understanding of how CRF affects patients' QoL. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with 148 randomly recruited prostate cancer patients aiming to explore CRF and its impact on QoL. Assessments included the Cancer Fatigue Scale, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-PR25. Additionally, 15 in-depth structured interviews were performed. Quantitative data were analyzed with simple and multiple regression analysis and independent samples t-test. Qualitative data were analyzed with the use of thematic content analysis. The 66.9% of the patients experienced CRF with higher levels being recorded for the affective subscale. Statistically significant differences were found between the patients reporting CRF and lower levels of QoL (mean = 49.1) and those that did not report fatigue and had higher levels of QoL (mean = 72.1). The interviews emphasized CRF's profound impact on the patients' lives that was reflected on the following themes: “dependency on others,” “loss of power over decision making,” and “daily living disruption.” Cancer related fatigue is a significant problem for patients with advanced prostate cancer and one that affects their QoL in various ways.

Sexual activity and functioning after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy: Impact of hormone replacement therapy

ObjectiveTo examine sexual activity and functioning in women after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) compared with the general population (NORM). MethodsRetrospective cohort study. 294 women who underwent RRSO and 1228 women from the NORM group provided written information based on mailed questionnaires. Sexual pleasure and discomfort scores and frequency of sexual activity were evaluated using the Sexual Activity Questionnaire. ResultsThe RRSO group reported less sexual pleasure (10.5 vs 11.9, P=0.009), more discomfort (1.9 vs 0.83, P<0.001), and less frequent sex than did the controls. Significant associations were observed between a lower pleasure score and being in the RRSO group, older age, history of cancer, low body image, high level of role functioning, and low level of global quality of life (QoL). Further, significant associations were detected between more discomfort and being in the RRSO group, older age, history of cancer, poor body image, and low level of global QoL. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use had no impact on pleasure or discomfort score in regression analyses among all the sexually active women. However, in subanalyses of the RRSO group, users of systemic HRT reported less discomfort (1.2 vs 2.4, P=0.001) than did the nonusers. ConclusionsAfter RRSO, women reported significantly less sexual pleasure, more discomfort, and less frequent sex compared with the controls. In the RRSO group, systemic HRT users reported less discomfort than did the nonusers. Health care providers should be attentive to these issues when counseling before and after prophylactic surgery.

Dynamics and correlation anxious-depressive, cognitive disorders and quality of life of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Neuropsychological complications can appear at patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and significantly worsen their quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this research was to study neuropsychological patients’ status before and after CABG and its effect on patients’ QOL. Materials and methods: 90 men were included in this study. Neuropsychological status was evaluated with the use of Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Russian version; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; the Short Form General Health Survey (SF-36); hardware-software complex “Status PF”. Results. There were lower cognitive performances among patients with depression symptoms then among those without those before CABG. 2 weeks after CABG patients with depression symptoms had significantly lower cognitive performances such as mechanical, sense and image memory volume, “finding numerals” test, “induction” and “abstraction” tests, and number of mistakes in complex visual-motor reaction as compared with patients without depression symptoms. Neurodynamics performance was worse in patients with high trait anxiety (HTA) then it was in those with moderate trait anxiety (MTA) before CABG. Also patients with HTA had lower cognitive performances 2 weeks and 6 months after CABG. Patients with depression or HTA had significantly lower QoL levels then patients without depression or MTA before and after surgery. Thus, severe cognitive performances are exposed among patients with depression and high anxiety before and after CABG. Depression and anxiety negatively influence on patients’ QoL before and after surgery.

Comorbidités psychiatriques et qualité de vie chez les sujets adultes à haut potentiel intellectuel : relations avec l’estime de soi

The objectives of this study were: 1) to describe the psychiatric comorbidities in adult individuals with high potential; 2) to assess self-esteem and quality of life in comparison with general population; 3) to study the relationships between intelligent quotient (IQ), self-esteem, psychiatric comorbidities and quality of life. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the psychiatric department of a public university hospital (Marseille, France). An outpatient hospital service has been specifically opened to test intelligence since 2012. During a period of six months, it was proposed to all the major individuals with high intellectual potential to receive a psychiatric evaluation using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and to complete self-report questionnaires assessing depression (Beck scale), anxiety (STAI), self-esteem (Rosenberg scale) and quality of life (SF-36). Relationships between IQ, self-esteem, psychiatric comorbidities and quality of life were analyzed using a Bayesian path analysis. Twenty-eight subjects were included, 8 had an IQ between 115 and 130, and 20 had an IQ>130. Fifty-seven percent of individuals had generalized anxiety, 21.4% a current major depressive episode, and 75% a past major depressive episode. Subjects had a low self-esteem and quality of life levels significantly lower than those in the French general population. Subjects with higher self-esteem levels had more depressive (β=0.726, P<0.001) and anxiety (β=0.335, P<0.001) disorders, associated with lower quality of life levels (β=-0.447, P<0.001 and β=-0.276, P=0.012), suggesting that self-esteem was defensive and inadequate. Our study found a high frequency of psychiatric disorders associated with low levels of self-esteem and quality of life. A psychological treatment focusing on self-esteem may have a beneficial effect on anxiety, depression and quality of life.

The Relationships Between Alcohol/Drug Use and Quality of Life Among Adolescents: An International, Cross-Sectional Study

Although a major public health and social concern globally, limited data exist on substance use and their effects among adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluated the relationships between alcohol/drug use and quality of life (QOL) among adolescents in general populations from India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Serbia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Croatia. The sample included 2,393 adolescents. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was used for QOL assessments, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used for mental health problems, and the CRAFFT self-report questionnaire was administered for eliciting alcohol/drug use. Alcohol/drug use was significantly associated with lower levels of QOL. In particular, substance use among older male adolescents, adolescents with overt psychopathology, or adolescents in lower socioeconomic status was associated with greater reductions in levels of QOL.

Impact of Gender in the Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To evaluate the impact of gender in the quality of life (QOL) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the factors associated with such effect. Methods: Seventy RA patients of each gender were cross-sectionally evaluated as per pre-established protocol: medical history review, standardized disease severity measurements, and comprehensive psychological and disease-related behaviors and coping strategies assessment. QOL was assessed with the SF-36 questionnaire. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the contribution of gender and other variables to QOL. Results: Both groups were comparable regarding age at diagnosis, disease duration, disease activity, and radiological damage. Women showed higher functional impairment (mHAQ: 0.89 ± 2.6 vs. 0.22±0.9, p=0.04), higher prevalence of depression and of osteoporosis, as well as higher scores in the Beck scale (10.7 ± 7.52 vs. 7.8 ± 6.8, p=0.016) but not in other psychological and behavioral variables. In the SF-36, women also showed a greater impairment than men in physical functioning (PF) (57.7 ± 22.1 vs. 67.3 ± 22.7; p=0.01), general health (GH) (41.3 ± 21.7 vs. 50.0 ± 24.3, p=0.02), mental health (MH) (63.7 ± 22.0 vs. 71.8 ± 21.1, p=0.02) and physical component summary score (PCS) (39.3 ± 8.9 vs. 42.4 ± 9.3, p=0.04). Female gender remained significantly associated with poorer PF in multivariable analysis even after adjusting for the Beck Scale (p=0.08), and osteoporosis (p=0.09). Conclusions: Female RA patients have lower QOL levels than their male counterparts. Depression and osteoporosis may play an important role in this effect. These data should be taken into account in the management of these patients. Main findings -Gender medicine is a new paradigm of studying chronic diseases. -RA patients of both genders present similar biological and immunological features but women experience poorer QOL. -This is the first study on gender differences in RA examining two sets of RA patients evaluated comprehensively using a standardized protocol inclusive of clinical, ancillary, functional, QOL and psychosocial variables.

Quality of life (QOL) of the community-dwelling elderly and associated factors: A population-based study in urban areas of China

ObjectiveChina has the most elderly people. Maintaining and improving the QOL of the elderly has emerged as a particularly important issue. This population-based study aimed to examine the QOL of the urban elderly and to clarify the associated factors. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in Liaoning Province. The elderly people without senile dementia composed our study population and were interviewed from March to November, 2012 with questionnaires pertaining to QOL (SF-36), cognitive ability, demographic characteristics, health status, behavioral factors, and social–psychological factors. 4067 effective responses were received (effective response rate: 86.0%). After further cognitive screening, 3714 participants were included as the subjects. ResultsThe mean scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were 53.7±21.5 (mean±SD) and 58.9±18.9, respectively. With adjustment for age and sex, general linear model analysis showed that, in standardized estimate (β) sequence, PCS was significantly associated with chronic disease, taking a walk, visual ability, sleeping quality, marital status, alcohol consumption, hearing ability, smoking, neighborhood relationships, filial piety, ethnicity, and regular diet, and MCS was associated with chronic disease, sleeping quality, taking a walk, visual ability, marital status, ethnicity, filial piety, regular diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and hearing ability. ConclusionsThe community-dwelling elderly in urban areas had a low level of QOL. To improve QOL, the maintenance of health conditions was crucial. Efforts to encourage the elderly to perform feasible exercise and develop good lifestyles should be focused on. Also, children's filial duty to their parents should be enhanced.

AB0519 Relationship between Various Psychological Problems with the Disease Activity or Damage Indices in Patients with Sle

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which almost every organ may be affected. Various psychological problems are associated with systemic conditions, but the influence of SLE...

The role of quality of care and attitude towards disability in the relationship between severity of disability and quality of life: findings from a cross-sectional survey among people with physical disability in China

BackgroundPeople with physical disability (PWPD) is the largest subgroup of people with disability (PWD) in China, but few studies have been conducted among this vulnerable population. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of quality of life (QoL), self-perceived quality of care and support (QOCS), severity of disability and personal attitude towards disability among people with physical disability in China, as well as to identify how QoL can be affected by severity of disability through QOCS and personal attitude towards disability among PWPD.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,853 PWPD in Guangzhou, China. Data were collected on participants’ QoL, QOCS, personal attitude towards disability and severity of disability. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the effects of the other variables on QoL.ResultsEven with a mild disability (mean score:1.72), relatively low levels of QoL (mean score: 2.65- 3.22) and QOCS (mean score: 2.95 to 3.28), as well as unfavorable personal attitude towards disability (mean score: 2.75 to 3.36) were identified among PWPD. According to SEM, we found that the influence of severity of physical disability on QoL is not only exerted directly, but is also indirectly through QOCS and their personal attitudes towards disability, with QOCS playing a more important mediating role than PWPD’s attitudes towards their own disability.ConclusionsUnfavorable health status was identified among PWPD in China. Focusing on improvement of assistance and care services has the potential to substantially improve PWPD’s QoL. Further research should focus on understanding the needs and their current state of health care of PWPD in China thus being able to develop better interventions for them.

The Assessment of Quality of Life in Transitional Neighborhoods

Quality of life (QoL) is being considered as one of the fundamental concepts in contemporary era. It tries to assess the level of general welfare of the communities. Urban transitional neighborhoods possess specific situation and as a result present distinctive QoL. The major objective of this study is to identify and measure the QoL dimensions in urban transitional neighborhoods using both objective and subjective indices pertaining to Darvazeshemiran neighborhood of Tehran. In order to accomplish this and gather needed data, 244 questionnaires were distributed among Darvazeshemiran’s residents. This study suggests that there exists low level of QoL in the study area. That is 64.3 % of the residents were dissatisfied with the prevailing level of QoL. This in turn is associated with the transitional nature of this neighborhood. The residents were strongly dissatisfied with regard to the environmental qualification as opposed to accessibility status. Furthermore, this study identified five objective factors respectively regarding QoL. There exists low correlation between subjective and objective dimensions. That demands simultaneous consideration of both objective and subjective dimensions. It is argued that individual treatments of each could not accurately represent the QoL of residents.

Quality of life and health care utilization in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

High quality of life (QoL) may reduce the costs of medical care of chronically ill patients due to lower health care utilization. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of the QoL of primary care patients with chronic respiratory diseases on the level of health care utilization and the predictors of hospitalization. The study group consisted of 594 adult patients with chronic respiratory diseases of the mean age 59.8±14.9 years. The highest QoL was observed in the social relationship domain and the lowest in the physical domain. Low QoL was associated with a low level of health care utilization among patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Most patients were hospitalized during the past 3 years. In a group of patients with chronic respiratory diseases, chances for hospitalization were: higher among patients with low QoL and health satisfaction, low QoL levels in the physical and social relationship domains, high QoL levels in the psychological domain, those with higher education, residents of rural areas, patients using frequent consultations over the phone, and those with at least an average index of services.

Vision-related quality of life in patients after ocular penetrating injuries.

To measure and investigate visual functioning and health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients after ocular penetrating injuries (OPI). Fifty-four adult patients with OPI and 26 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF 36) were administered. Sociodemographic and clinical data also were collected. The primary outcome measures were comparisons and multivariate analysis among groups for the NEI VFQ-25 and SF 36 subscale scores. All NEI VFQ-25 scores, except general health, were significantly lower in the OPI group than those in the control group. All SF 36 scores were significantly lower in the OPI group than in the control group. The NEI VFQ-25 subscale item scores showed no significant differences with respect to age, educational level, or visual acuity in the injured eye. The SF 36 subscale item scores revealed no significant differences according to gender or educational level. Patients with OPI have increased psychological symptoms and lower levels of QOL than healthy control subjects have. Deteriorations in QOL should be kept in mind when managing patients with OPI.

Adaptation and Dissonance in Quality of Life: A Case Study in Mekelle, Ethiopia

The aim of this paper is to present an approach to identify the main reasons behind the mismatch between objective and subjective quality of life (QoL) conditions that result in adaptation and dissonance. A mixed method approach was developed and applied in the sub-city of Mekelle, Ethiopia to measure objective and subjective QoL and to understand the divergence between the two. Focused group discussions, household surveys and walking interviews were the methods used for data collection and descriptive analysis, spatial analysis and content analysis were the methods of data analysis employed in this study. The results show that indicators such as ‘access to health facilities’ score a high level of objective QoL but low level of subjective QoL. Some citizens do not necessarily perceive their QoL condition in the same way as objective indicators do. By combining the subjective and objective QoL four states are identified: wellbeing, deprivation, adaptation and dissonance. Household’s strategies and priorities explain adaptation to inadequate objective QOL conditions. Some of the main reasons for adaptation and dissonance are related to issues of access to basic infrastructure, housing ownership, housing affordability, quality of services, and having additional means of income and survival strategies. Understanding the reasons identified for adaptation and dissonance can be used to provide better evidence for the formulation and implementation of public policies.

Disability, quality of life and well-being in patients undergoing brain surgery

Disability, quality of life and well-being in patients undergoing brain surgery

Health-related quality of life in overweight German children and adolescents: do treatment-seeking youth have lower quality of life levels? Comparison of a clinical sample with the general population using a multilevel model approach

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) is reduced in obese children and adolescents, especially in clinical samples. However, little is known regarding the HRQoL of moderately overweight youth. Moreover, several studies have indicated perceived overweight as a critical factor associated with lower HRQoL. Our main objective was to compare HRQoL between treatment-seeking overweight youth and the general adolescent population, whilst separating the effects of treatment-seeking status and perceived weight from those of objective weight status.MethodsWe compared the HRQoL of a clinical sample of overweight youth (N=137 patients, mean age±s.e.=11.24±0.15 years) with that of a representative population sample (N=6354, mean age=12.75±0.03 years). The population sample was subdivided into groups based on measured and perceived weight status. We used hierarchical linear models to compare HRQoL subscale scores (self- and parent-reported) between patients and population groups, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and taking into account clustering of the population sample.ResultsThe parent-reported HRQoL of the treatment sample was significantly lower than that of other overweight youth perceived as ‘too fat’ on two subscales: ‘self-esteem’ and ‘friends’ (effect sizes: d=0.31 and 0.34, respectively). On other subscales, patients scored lower than adolescents perceived as having a ‘proper weight’ by their parents. The patterns for self-reported HRQoL in adolescents were different: patients reported higher self-esteem than other overweight youth feeling ‘too fat’ (d=-0.39). Female patients also reported higher physical well-being (d=-0.48), whereas males scored lowest among all compared groups (d=0.42-0.95). Patients did not differ from other overweight youth who felt ‘too fat’ with respect to other HRQoL dimensions. In general, lower HRQoL was primarily associated with a perceived, rather than actual, overweight status.ConclusionsThe treatment-seeking status of overweight youth was notably associated with low social well-being, which may therefore be the main motive for seeking treatment. Other HRQoL domains were not consistently reduced in treatment-seekers. Our results further indicate that perceived overweight rather than actual overweight impacts HRQoL in youth with a modest excess weight. These results have implications for interventions in overweight youth and in individuals who are dissatisfied with their weight.Trial registration‘Obeldicks light’ is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00422916).

Calidad de vida en los pacientes con parálisis cerebral en proceso de envejecimiento

ObjectiveTo determine quality of life (QoL) of adult patients with cerebral palsy (CP) during the ageing process and to analyze the effect of motor function, communication disorders, and intellectual disability (ID) on QoL. Material and methodA cross-sectional study on adults with CP was performed. A questionnaire to collect sociodemographic characteristics related to the disability, and two scales to assess the level of motor function Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and a scale to measure QoL (GENCAT Scale) were used. Statistical analysis: T tests were performed to make a comparison with standard scores, and ANOVAS to analyze the incidence of motor function level, ID, and communication disorders. ResultsParticipants were 46 patients (27 males, 19 females; age: M±SD, 50±7.9). They presented low levels of QoL in interpersonal relations, self-determination, and social inclusion, and rights, and good levels of emotional well-being. No significant effects were found for motor function level, but ID and communication disorders produced significant effects, and interactions with QoL dimensions were also significant. ConclusionsQoL of adults with CP is satisfactory in emotional well-being and lower in self-determination and rights. Degree of motor impairment has an impact on material and physical well-being; degree of ID affects personal development and self-determination; and communication problems influence diverse dimensions of QoL, although physical well-being to a lesser degree.

OP069: Changes quality of life in newly diagnosed oral cavity cancer patients – Overall trajectory, related factors and sub-patterns of QOL during the first 12-month of diagnosis

The diagnosis of oral cavity cancers and treatments/disease related distress from the oral–facial areas may influence patients’ quality of life (QOL). The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the changes of symptoms (physical distress), psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and QOL during the first 12 months of being diagnosed as oral cavity cancer, (2) identify factors related to overall QOL, and (3) identify QOL sub-patterns in newly diagnosed oral cavity cancer patients in Taiwan. A 12-month prospective longitudinal study was conducted to assess the changes of symptom, psychological distress and QOL. Subjects were recruited from three medical centers in Northern Taiwan and were assessed on 6 time points (days before operation, 1, 2, 3, 6 12 months post surgery/T1–T6, respectively). The psychometrically validated Chinese version instruments were used, including (1) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), (2) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), (3) University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL), and (4) Background Information Form. In addition to the descriptive statistics, the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was applied to identify the overall QOL related factors. The latent class growth modeling was used to identify the potential QOL sub-patterns. Data were collected after Institute Review Board (IRB) approval and patients’ consents. A total of 150 eligible subjects completed the 12 months assessments. Overall, patients reported moderate levels of QOL with the worst QOL during the first three months post-surgery (T2–T4). However, some delayed problems were also reported, including dry mouth, swallowing problem, chewing dysfunction and employment concern. Patients having reconstruction surgery, more advanced cancer stage, higher levels of depression and symptom severity, without job, and having lower education level were found to have lower levels of QOL across the time. QOL sub-patterns were also identified. Results of the study provide the evidence-based information to health care professionals to better help oral cavity cancer patients with timely interventions. Future studies should also test the effects of these interventions on improving patients’ QOL.

The correlation between quality of life, acceptance of illness and health behaviors of advanced age patients

The purpose of this study was to analyze correlations between quality of life (QoL), acceptance of illness (AI), and health behaviors (HB) demonstrated by chronically ill patients of advanced age. The study was comprised of 1974 chronically ill primary care patients (mean age 71.60±7.98 years) recruited from 131 primary care practices. QoL was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Short Form. The patients’ AI with the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) measured four categories of HB: healthy eating habits (HEH), preventive behaviors (PB), positive mental attitudes (PMA) and health practices (HP). The Spearman rank correlation test was used to check correlations between the variables and analysis of multiple regression was used in order to examine the impact of explanatory variables on the response variable. The highest scores were obtained in the Social Relationship Domain of QoL (M=13.68±2.75) and the lowest in the Psychological Domain of QoL (M=12.38±2.66) of the patients. The low AI was noted in 65.68% (1221). Lower level of QoL and AI were observed in patients with a larger number of chronic diseases and higher health care utilization. The lowest HB scores were obtained in the category of PMA (M=3.61±0.73) and HEH (M=3.36±0.84). The AI level correlated strongest with: Physical Domain of QoL (rS=0.49, p<0.0001) and PMA (rS=0.23, p<0.0001). HB correlated strongest with Psychological Domain of QoL (rS=0.33, p<0.0001). Health behavior programs for chronically ill patients of advanced age should stimulate health behavior categories such as PMA and HEH, and raise the AI level. This would result in a higher QoL and, consequently, a lower health care utilization.

Uremic Versus Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects both the general population and patients with chronic renal failure. Even though it has been suggested that all forms of RLS share a common pathophysiology, not much evidence exists on how RLS of different etiology could affect aspects related to quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with uremic RLS (uRLS) experience lower QoL, mental health, and sleep quality, compared with their idiopathic RLS (iRLS) counterparts. Fifteen iRLS patients, 26 uRLS patients, and 15 age-matched healthy individuals participated in the study. The RLS diagnosis and severity, the depression levels, the perception of sleep, and perceived health-related QoL levels were assessed through validated questionnaires. Sleep status was not different between the two RLS groups. In contrast, the uRLS patients scored higher in RLS symptoms severity, depression, while they scored lower in QoL levels compared with iRLS patients. QoL levels were significantly lower in both RLS groups compared with healthy individuals. In conclusion, the uRLS patients experienced lower QoL levels and more severe RLS symptoms, compared with the idiopathic group, possibly leading to the observed higher depression symptoms score.