Lower SF-36 Scores Research Articles

Do Cleft Lip and Palate Types Affect Health-Related Quality of Life of Adolescents?

The adolescent with oral cleft must deal with the process of body changing and the psychological implications caused by morphological, functional, and esthetic impairments of the cleft itself. This study aimed to evaluate whether the cleft lip and palate types affects health-related quality of life of adolescents through Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Fifty-seven adolescents (29 males and 28 females; mean age 15 years and 11 months ± 1 year and 2 months) were divided into 2 groups: Group 1-single cleft-unilateral or bilateral CL or CP; Group 2-complex cleft-unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate. The participants filled in SF-36 questionnaire to verify their functional, physical, and mental well-being profile. Spearman test assessed SF-36 scores correlation with age. Mann-Whitney U test verified the differences between genders and cleft types. Linear regression models were used to analyze confounding factors (age and gender). P was set at <0.05. The different SF-36 domains weakly correlated with age, ranging from -0.07 (P = 0.60) for the social aspects and 0.31 (P = 0.02) for general health. Females had statistically lower SF-36 scores than males in the domains Bodily pain (P = 0.02), Vitality (P < 0.001), and Mental Health (P < 0.001). G1 showed lower scores in the domains Limitations due to Emotional Problems (P = 0.008) and Mental Health (P = 0.036). However, when the confounding factors (age and gender) were analyzed, the oral cleft type did not affect health-related quality of life (P > 0.05). Considering the age and gender, the cleft lip and palate types did not affect the health-related quality of life of adolescents.

THE HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS ASSESSED BY SF-36

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic arthritis primarily affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine, progressively progressing decrease or loss of spine mobility, severely influences the quality of life. The SF-36 questionnaire is useful in assessing quality of life, monitoring clinical outcomes and effectiveness of treament of ankylosing spondylitis. This study aims to assess the quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and investigate its correlation with clinical factors. Method: In this cross-sectional study, included 34 ankylosing spondylitis patients who were diagnosed according to the modified New York 1984 criteria. The health status was assessed by using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: The patients with ankylosing spondylitis had average quality of life (82.4%) and low (17.6%). The mean physical component summary score, mental component summary and SF-36 score was: 36.48 ± 17.89, 48.79 ± 18.49 and 42.66 ± 17.52. There was significant correlation with disease activity, the body mass index and no correlation with age at diagnosis, duration of disease. Conclusions: The patients with ankylosing spondylitis is had significantly low SF-36 scores in all domains. The physical component summary score was more affected than the mental component summary score. Key words: Ankylosing spondylitis, the health-related quality of life, the SF-36 questionnaire

Are sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics associated with sexual orientation group differences in mental health disparities? Results from a national population-based study.

Sexual minority mental health disparities are well documented. However, distinct sexual minority subgroups are often collapsed into a single "lesbian, gay, or bisexual" (LGB) analytic group. While limited research has shown sexual minority subgroup differences in mental health, little is known about the factors underlying these differences. This study examines whether sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics are associated with sexual orientation subgroup differences in mental health. Using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, Wave III, differences in various mental health measures, and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics were assessed across three sexual minority subgroups [lesbians/gay men, bisexuals, and heterosexuals reporting same-sex attractions or behaviors ("heterosexual-identified sexual minorities, HSM")] and heterosexuals reporting only opposite-sex attractions and behaviors ("heterosexuals"). Sequential linear regressions evaluated the degrees to which different factors attenuated mental health (SF-12) disparities between heterosexuals and sexual minority subgroups. Analyses were sex-stratified. Several sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristic differences existed between sexual orientation groups. Further, all sexual minority subgroups had lower SF-12 scores than heterosexuals, except lesbian women. Sociodemographic factors attenuated the disparity for bisexual men. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, plus psychosocial factors attenuated the disparity for HSM men. However, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors partially, but did not fully, attenuate the disparity for gay men, bisexual women, or HSM women. Different factors are associated with mental health disparities for sexual minority subgroups. To maximize health intervention efforts, additional research is needed to uncover the specific mechanisms contributing to health disparities across diverse sexual minority populations.

Health-related quality of life after surgery in supratentorial gliomas.

With improvements in overall and progression-free survival in gliomas, current focus in neurosurgical oncology has largely shifted to the issue of quality of life (QOL) after treatment. There are not too many prospective studies evaluating QOL in these patients. We prospectively analyzed the health related quality of life (HRQOL) using the short form (SF) 36 questionnaire among patients harbouring a supratentorial glioma who underwent surgery at a tertiary care center in India. HRQOL was evaluated prospectively in 103 patients, between May 2016 and November 2017, at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. Score improvements were evaluated in terms of the smallest difference that a patient perceived to be clinically beneficial. The responsiveness of scores was assessed as minimum clinically important difference (MCID), effect size (ES) and relative efficiency. Cronbach's alpha co-efficient was used to assess the reliability of the result obtained. The mean pre-operative score was the highest in the mental health domain (50.21±21.45) and significantly lower in patients with raised intracranial pressure (ICP), pre-operative deficits, a poor Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score, in large tumors (>4cm) located in an eloquent location and in deep-seated tumors. A significant improvement was noted across all domains except the physical role (P-value 0.20). Overall, the general health domain was most responsive to change with the largest t-value (6.56) and 55.7% patients achieved their target MCID in general health (GH) domain. Among all the factors studied, only a low baseline SF-36 score was significantly associated with a change in QOL after surgery. Most parameters of HRQOL improved following surgery. Only small-to-moderate improvements occured in the early follow-up period. Large improving trends were noted on a long-term basis, irrespective of the histo-pathological grade. Similar improvements were also noted in patients who subsequently underwent re-surgery despite the development of post-operative complications or new deficits. Also, a low baseline QOL score heralded a poor survival.

Health-related quality of life in patients with alveolar echinococcosis: a cross-sectional study

The Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare zoonosis caused by the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis. To date, nothing is known about the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with AE. The aim of the study was to evaluate the HRQoL in patients with AE in comparison of the healthy population. We used the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire to evaluate the HRQoL. The SF-36 scales have a range of 0-100 (0 represents the worst and 100 the most favourable state of health). SAS Version 9.2 was used for the statistical analysis of AE-cases (n = 30) and the healthy control group (n = 35). The analysis showed that the HRQoL in people with AE is reduced in comparison with the control population. The study group consisted of 15 (50.0%) men and 15 (50.0%) women; the control group of 16 (45.7%) men and 19 (54.3%) women. The mean age was 55.73 ± 16.65 years, while that of the control group was 54.57 ± 15.34years. The physical quality of life in patients with AE (45.21 ± 11.42) was not significantly less than that of the control group (50.54 ± 10.52); p = 0.0568. Nevertheless, AE-patients show lower SF-36 scores for the physical quality of life. For the mental quality of life, patients with AE had a significantly lower score (45.46 ± 10.57) than the control group (51.57 ± 9.04); p = 0.0154. The HRQoL in people with AE is reduced in comparison with a control population. Assessment of the physical and mental quality of life in patients with AE may help to evaluate the patient outcome.

Risk Factors Associated with Pain Severity in Patients with Non-specific Low Back Pain in Southern China.

Study DesignA prospective cross-sectional study.PurposeTo evaluate the risk factors associated with the severity of pain intensity in patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in Southern China.Overview of LiteratureLow back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout the world, so a firm understanding of the risk factor associated with NSLBP can provide early and prompt interventions that are aimed at attaining long-term results.MethodsParticipants were recruited from January 2014 to January 2016 and were surveyed using a self-designed questionnaire. Anonymous assessments included Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The association between the severity of NSLBP and these potential risk factors were evaluated.Results A total of 1,046 NSLBP patients were enrolled. The patients with primary school education, high body mass index (BMI), those exposed to sustained durations of driving and sitting, smoking, recurrent LBP had increased VAS and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores with lower SF-36 scores (p <0.01). Workers and drivers compared with waiters and patients who lifted >10 kg objects in a quarter of their work time for >10 years had higher VAS and ODI scores with lower SF-36 scores (p <0.01). Multiple logistic regression showed lower levels of education, LBP for 1–7 days, long-lasting LBP in last year, smoking, long duration driving, and higher BMI were associated with more severe VAS score.Conclusions The severity of NSLBP is associated with lower levels of education, poor standards of living, heavy physical labor, long duration driving, and sedentary lifestyle. Patients with recurrent NSLBP have more severe pain. Reducing rates of obesity, the duration of heavy physical work, driving or riding, and attenuating the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and smoking may reduce the prevalence of NSLBP.

Quality of life among hepatitis C patients on treatment, Minia, Egypt

Background: Hepatitis C is a highly prevalent infectious disease among Egyptian population. Different types of interferon and antiviral drugs are used in the treatment and have significant side effects which may alter quality of life of the treated chronic hepatitis C patients. The aim of the study was to identify the course of and factors associated with HRQOL in HCV patients given standard treatment based and to assess its relation to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.Methods: This prospective consecutive hospital based study included 120 chronic hepatitis C patients in El-Minia city and by using SF-36V2 questionnaire.Results: HRQOL baseline scores, general health had the lowest score, followed by vitality, while Role emotional had the highest score. Physical component summery scores (PCS) was slightly higher than mental component summery scores (MCS) for PCS. Subjects showed significantly lower SF-36 scores at the 12th week of treatment Compared to the pretreatment values. Mean scores of all SF-36 domains improved by the end of treatment, (p&lt;0.01). Scales most affected during therapy were vitality (VT), general health (GH) and bodily pain (BP). The effect size (ES) observed on SF-36 subscales, the most affected dimensions at the 12th week of treatment were (PF, SF, VT and BP) (they were ≥0.8) could be considered large change, according to Cohen’s criteria.Conclusions: Subjects showed significantly lower SF-36 scores at the 12th week of treatment. Mean scores of all SF-36 domains improved by the end of treatment.

The Short Physical Performance Battery is a discriminative tool for identifying low quality of life in gynecological postmenopausal cancer survivor

Adverse events due to cancer treatment (changes in weight, reduced muscle capacity and mobility) hinder the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors. Nevertheless, the identification of discriminative predictors of QoL in post-menopausal women (PW) survivors of gynecological cancer (PW-SGC) has been ignored. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of muscle capacity, mobility and body mass index (BMI) on the deterioration of QoL in PW (n = 35; 62.1 ± 8.2 years) and PW-SGC (n = 51; 60.8 ± 11.4 years). Methods: The QoL questionnaire (SF-36), anthropometrical evaluation (BMI), hand-held dynamometry (HHD) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were applied in all volunteers. Results: The participants had overweight, low SF-36 scores and normal HHD, and no significant differences were found between both groups, however the SPPB score was higher in the PW group (p &lt; 0.001). Linear regression analyses for QoL indicated the BMI (beta = -0.27) and the SPPB (beta = 0.57) were the strongest and most significant predictors in PW and PW-SGC, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for the SPPB score was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.57-0.87; P = 0.015) in the PW-SGC group and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47-0.75; P = 0.181) in PW. Conclusion: The present study showed that the importance of BMI and mobility (SPPB) for QoL differ between PW and PW-SGC. For PW-SGC, the strongest independent predictor of QoL was mobility (SPPB), whereas BMI was the strongest contributor in PW. Moreover, the SPPB test is a discriminative predictor (or assessment tool) for identifying the low quality of life in postmenopausal women survivors of gynecological cancer.

Variables affecting factors associated with primary headache.

Primary headache syndromes’ development is associated with biological, psychological and social parameters. Factors such as daily habits, behavioral characteristics and sleep disorders also play an important role. We aim to identify the variables which affect the above factors. The study included 111 patients affected by primary headache. The patients were stratified into subgroups according to gender, age, occupation and headache type. Women attained higher scores than men in three of the evaluation rating scales and lower scores in the severity of dependence scale. Occupation was associated with SF36 and Hamilton anxiety scale. Unemployed had higher scores in Hamilton anxiety. Migraineurs and occupied individuals have lower SF36 scores. Women are associated with depression, anxiety and higher disability derived from headache. Men are more prone to dependence on opioids. Unemployment was linked with anxiety and well-being. The migraneurs presented a decreased level of quality of life.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria in the North of China: The Acute Attack Effect on Quality of Life and Psychological Condition.

Background Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal recessive disorder with intermittent attacks. Patients with AIP are susceptible to impaired quality of life and psychological distress. Objectives To document the clinical features of AIP and its impact on SF-36 and IES scores of AIP patients in China and to explore the variables associated with SF-36 and IES scores. Methods A single investigator collated data related to treatments and outcomes in 27 patients with AIP of PUMCH. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey including the SF-36, the IES-R, and demographic questions was conducted in the north of China. Differences in the QoL scale/summary scores and proportions in the QoL dimensions between patients and the general population were analyzed. Independent effects of chronic conditions and demographic variables on the SF-36 and IES-R were analyzed. Results AIP patients had considerably lower SF-36 scores than the general population (the PF score and MH were lower than normal, P < 0.05). Working had higher RP than staying at home (P = 0.02); “without acute attack” had higher PF and BP scores and PCS composite score (P = 0.001). The mean IES-R score of AIP was higher than normal (36.7 ± 11.8 points, P < 0.001), “without acute attack” had lower intrusion score than “with acute attack” (P = 0.03). Conclusion AIP patients in China had impaired quality of life, especially in terms of physical health. The acute attacks coursed the posttraumatic stress disorder-related symptoms.

Correction: Quality of life measures predict cardiovascular health and physical performance in chronic renal failure patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183926.].

Health-related quality of life and psychological status of women with primary Sjögren's syndrome: A cross-sectional study of 304 Chinese patients.

Patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) always suffer from dryness, pain, and fatigue caused by the involvement of multiple different systems or organs. The uncomfortable disease symptoms, the consequent disability, and the side effects of therapeutic drugs decrease the quality of life and lead to emotional problems. We investigated the health-related quality of life and psychological status of a large cohort of women patients with pSS and associated factors.A total of 304 women with pSS referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital during 2011 and 2014 were included. The internationally recognized Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess patients’ quality of life; a higher score indicated a better quality of life. Patients’ psychological status was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and higher scores predicted more anxiety or depression.Patients with pSS had remarkably lower SF-36 scores. The Hospital Anxiety Scale (HAS) and Hospital Depression Scale (HDS) scores of the pSS patients (7 [4,10] and 6 [3,10], respectively) were significantly higher than that of patients with other internal diseases (3.37 ± 2.81 and 3.83 ± 3.14; both P < .001). Negative predictors of quality of life were: pain (physical condition, β = –0.225; P < .001); fatigue (physical condition, β = –0.298; P < .001; and mental condition, β = –0.319; P < .001). Risk factors for anxiety were: young age (β = –0.059; P = .035); pain (β = 0.025; P = .028); or fatigue (β = 0.029; P = .004). Risk factors for depression were: xeroderma (β = 0.030; P = .003); pain (β = 0.022; P = .047); or fatigue (β = 0.033; P = .001).Patients with pSS have a low quality of life with anxiety and depression. Pain and fatigue are primary factors for lower quality of life, which cause more anxiety and depression.

Relationship between sleeping difficulties and airway symptoms severity with the health-related quality of life in patients with GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease highly associated with several pulmonary disease and sleep disorders leading to a negative impact on the quality of life. Aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between these disorders and the health-related quality of life. Patients were recruited from the Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, GF Ingrassia, University of Catania, from October 2015 to May 2016. Enrolled patients were classified by different symptomology severity presentation according to the Reflux, Airway and Sleep Questionnaire (RASQ). General data, modified GERD impact scores and the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire scores of these patients were analyzed. A total of 173 patients were included into the study. Patients with moderate severity of airway symptoms had a significant lower SF-36 scores than those with mild severity. Patients with advanced sleeping difficulties severity owned the lowest scores among all cases. The impact to the daily activity of each affected individuals had a positive association with the severity of airway and sleeping disorders. The severity of these reflux-related disorders is well correlated with a significant negative impact on the normal daily activity. The cases with advanced severity of sleeping difficulties had the worst well-being.

Quality of life in patients with hypoparathyroidism receiving standard treatment: a systematic review.

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder for which replacement therapy of the missing parathyroid hormone is not the standard therapeutic option. Current standard treatment consists of calcium and vitamin D supplementation. The intake of calcium and vitamin D supplementation can lead to complications and therefore might negatively influence patients' quality of life. A systematic literature review was performed to assess the current knowledge on the influence of hypoparathyroidism on patients' quality of life. The literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science; all relevant literature published by August 24, 2016, was included. In total 372 records were found. After title and abstract screening, 14 studies remained for a full-text screening. The full-text screening resulted in five studies which were included into the systematic review. Comparing the results with a norm-based reference population, three studies reported lower SF-36 scores for hypoparathyroidism patients. Two studies showed a reduced quality of life in hypoparathyroidism patients when their results were compared to control populations. Most hypoparathyroidism patients receiving standard treatment show stable calcium and vitamin D levels. However, hypoparathyroidism patients still report reduced quality of life and experience physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Therefore, it is assumed that the lack of parathyroid hormone directly influences the patients' quality of life. This review indicates that patients with hypoparathyroidism have a reduced quality of life in comparison to norm-based populations or matched controls. Further studies are required to quantify the effect of hypoparathyroidism on patients' quality of life using disease-specific questionnaires and controlling for the co-morbidities and etiologies of the patients.

MP69-13 PATIENT REPORTED HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY AND CYSTECTOMY: RESULTS FROM BLADDER CANCER OUTCOMES AND IMPACT STUDY

You have accessJournal of UrologyGeneral & Epidemiological Trends & Socioeconomics: Practice Patterns, Quality of Life and Shared Decision Making III1 Apr 2017MP69-13 PATIENT REPORTED HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY AND CYSTECTOMY: RESULTS FROM BLADDER CANCER OUTCOMES AND IMPACT STUDY Dominic Tang, Andrew Leone, Juan Chipollini, Paul Crispen, Carl Henriksen, Michael Poch, Wade Sexton, and Scott Gilbert Dominic TangDominic Tang More articles by this author , Andrew LeoneAndrew Leone More articles by this author , Juan ChipolliniJuan Chipollini More articles by this author , Paul CrispenPaul Crispen More articles by this author , Carl HenriksenCarl Henriksen More articles by this author , Michael PochMichael Poch More articles by this author , Wade SextonWade Sexton More articles by this author , and Scott GilbertScott Gilbert More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2309AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Prior quality of life (QOL) research in bladder cancer has predominantly focused on differences between patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) and different forms of urinary diversion. Other aspects of bladder cancer treatment, such as receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), have gone unexamined. Using validated health questionnaires, we sought to determine the relationship between receipt of NAC and patient QOL. METHODS 124 patients were enrolled in a prospective complication and QOL assessment study between 2013 and 2015. Patients were surveyed longitudinally with a panel of health questionnaires, including the SF-36, a measure of general quality of life. The SF-36 contains 36 questions that assess several health domains, including physical functioning, physical health problems, pain, general health perception, emotional well-being, emotional health problems, social functioning and energy/fatigue. Patients surveyed in this study completed the SF-36 prior to cystectomy and at 3, 6 and 12-months following RC. Generalized linear models were used to examine differences in SF-36 scores by the primary exposure of interest (receipt of NAC) and adjusted for clinical and demographic factors. RESULTS 87 patients completed the SF-36 at both baseline and 6 months. The mean age was 68 years and 66 (75.8%) were men. More than half (46, 52.9%) received NAC. Patients who were not treated with NAC had lower SF-36 scores 6 months after RC (change in physical composite score (PCS) -1.47 vs. +1.95 and mental composite score (MCS) -1.96 vs. +3.68) compared to those who did. After adjusting for age, gender, diversion type and stage, receipt of NAC was significantly associated with higher general health perceptions (PE 5.29, p=0.012), emotional well-being (PE 5.41, p=0.012), and mental composite score (PE 6.02, p=0.005). There was no difference with NAC in PCS after controlling for confounders (p=0.10). CONCLUSIONS Receipt of NAC is a significant predictor of better quality of life 6 months after cystectomy as measured by SF-36. We found significant differences between patients treated with and without NAC in several domains, including mental composite score, general health perception, and emotional well-being. The exact mediators of this association need to be examined in larger studies. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e931 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Dominic Tang More articles by this author Andrew Leone More articles by this author Juan Chipollini More articles by this author Paul Crispen More articles by this author Carl Henriksen More articles by this author Michael Poch More articles by this author Wade Sexton More articles by this author Scott Gilbert More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Quality of life and functional capacity are adversely affected in osteoarthritis patients with neuropathic pain

The aim of this study was to examine the neuropathic pain component of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients and to investigate the relationship between neuropathic pain, disease stage, functional state, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. This study included 60 patients with knee OA. All demographic data and radiological results were recorded. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Timed Up and Go Test, Chair Stand Test, Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), PainDETECT questionnaire, DN4 questionnaire, Short form-36 questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale were performed for each patient. Neuropathic pain was detected in 66.7% of patients based on the PainDETECT scale and in 46.7% of patients based on DN4 scale. VAS-resting, OA grade, WOMAC scores, and SF-scores showed a significant difference in patients that detected neuropathic pain with PainDETECT (p<0.05). Based on the DN4 scale, patients with neuropathic pain had significantly higher WOMAC scores and significantly lower SF-36 scores (p<0.05). The PainDETECT questionnaire scores showed positive correlations with Timed Up-and-go Test, VAS-resting, WOMAC scores, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale scores, and a negative correlation with all SF-36 scores (p<0.05). DN4 questionnaire scores showed a negative correlation with SF-36 scores and positive correlation with WOMAC scores (p<0.05). To conclude, it should be kept in mind that patients with knee OA who describe intense pain may have a neuropathic component involved in the clinical condition. Quality of life and functional capacity are adversely affected in patients with knee OA who have neuropathic pain. This should be taken into account while planning the treatment of these patients.

Correlation Between Symptom Severity and Health-Related Life Quality of a Population With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease with a negative impact on the quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the reflux symptoms and the health-related quality of life in a population with GERD.MethodsData from patients with GERD, according to the Montreal definition, were collected between January and December 2009. The enrolled patients were classified by different reflux symptoms according to the modified Chinese GERDQ. The general demographic data, the modified GERD impact scores and the SF-36 questionnaire scores of these groups of patients were analyzed.ResultsA total of 173 patients were enrolled, and the general data, endoscopic findings and lifestyle habits of the participants with different severity of heartburn or regurgitation were all similar. The patients with moderate severity of reflux symptoms had significant lower SF-36 scores than those with mild severity. The cases with advanced heartburn severity owned the lowest scores among all cases. The impact on the daily activity of each affected individual had a positive association with the stronger severity of reflux symptom.ConclusionThe life quality of a population with GERD achieved the meaningful declination in participants with the moderate severity of heartburn or regurgitation. The severity of the reflux symptoms had a greater impact on the normal daily activity of the patients with GERD. The cases with advanced severity of heartburn had the worst well-being.

Abnormal dynamics of cortical resting state functional connectivity in chronic headache patients

The goals of this study are to characterize the temporal dynamics of inter-regional connectivity of the brain in chronic headache (CH) patients versus their age/gender matched controls (CONCH, n=28 pairs), and to determine whether dynamic measures reveal additional features to static functional connectivity and correlate with psychometric scores. Cortical thickness and inter-regional resting state fMRI connectivity were quantified and compared between CH and CONCH groups. Six cortical regions of interest (ROI) pairs that exhibited correlated cortical thickness and static functional connectivity abnormalities were selected for temporal dynamic analysis. Two methods were used: temporal sliding-window (SW) and wavelet transformation coherence (WTC). SW analyses using three temporal windows of 30, 60, 120s revealed that all six ROI pairs of CH exhibited higher percentage of strong connectivity (high r values), and smaller fast Fourier transform (FFT) amplitudes at a very low frequency range (i.e., 0.002–0.01Hz), compared to those of CONCH. These features were particularly prevalent in the 120s window analysis. Less variable dynamic fluctuation (i.e., smaller standard deviation of r values) was identified in two out of six ROI pairs in CH. WTC analysis revealed that time-averaged coherence was generally greater in CH than CONCH between wavelet decomposition scales 20 to 55 (0.018–0.05Hz), and was statistically significant in three out of six ROI pairs. Together, the most robust and significant differences in temporal dynamics between CH and CONCH were detected in two ROI pairs: left medial-orbitofrontal–left posterior-cingulate and left medial-orbitofrontal–left inferior-temporal. The high degrees of sleep disturbance (high PSQI score), depression (high HRSD score) and fatigue (low SF-36 score) were associated with high degree of inter-regional temporal coherence in CH. In summary, these dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) measures uncovered a temporal “lock-down” condition in a subset of ROI pairs, showing static functional connectivity changes in CH patients. This study provides important evidence for the presence of associated psychological wellbeing and abnormal temporal dynamics in between specific cortical regions in CH patients.

Anal incontinence and vesico-sphincter events in systemic sclerosis: An epidemiologic bicentric cohort study.

To estimate the frequency and severity of anal incontinence and vesico-sphincter events, associated factors, and impact on the quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis. Questionnaires assessing anal incontinence (Miller score), vesico-sphincter events (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life [Short Form Health Survey 36v2 (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] were mailed to 139 patients with systemic sclerosis at the university hospitals of Besançon and Poitiers, France. Clinical data were collected from the medical records to identify risk factors. Among the 121 (87%) responders, severe vesico-sphincter events or severe anal incontinence occurred in 3.4% and 12.4% of cases, respectively. Frequent urination (66.3%) and anal incontinence to gas (50.4%) were the most frequent symptoms. Anal incontinence was associated positively with vesico-sphincter events, unrelated to obstetrical factors. No correlations were seen with age, sex, or systemic sclerosis characteristics. In multivariate analysis, moderate or severe vesico-sphincter events was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores and lower SF-36 scores; the same results were observed for anal incontinence, but did not reach significance. Vesico-sphincter events and anal incontinence are common in systemic sclerosis, and sometimes severe, with a potential negative impact in quality of life. These results will be confirmed by a case-control study with dynamic and manometric assessment, and could legitimate a systematic screening to ensure early therapy and multidisciplinary individual management.

Age-Related Differences in Quality of Life in Swedish Women with Endometriosis.

The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on quality of life (QoL) in different age groups of Swedish women with endometriosis. Recruitment occurred through the Endometriosis Association (Sweden) (n = 400) and five gynecology departments of five Swedish hospitals (n = 400). All voluntary female members of the patient organization and patients attending specialist clinics due to endometriosis (n = 800) were invited by sending them a questionnaire. An age- and gender-matched sample of the general Swedish population was used as a control group when analyzing SF-36 data. A postal questionnaire (including SF-36) was distributed to 800 women. The questionnaire was evaluated by using descriptive statistics, and SF-36 was evaluated according to standard methods. Of the 449 (56%) self-administered questionnaires returned, 431 (96%) contained evaluable answers. Women with endometriosis have significantly lower SF-36 scores than the general female Swedish population, and the score depends on the women's age. Younger women experience more symptoms and have a lower QoL score compared with women in the older age group. Women with endometriosis have significantly lower QoL than the general female Swedish population and it depends on the women's age, where younger women express more symptoms and have a lower QoL compared with women in the older age group. Our results highlight that more healthcare resources should be focused on younger women with endometriosis.