MCS Scores Research Articles

Interrelationships Among Individual Factors, Family Factors, and Quality of Life in Older Chinese Adults: Cross-Sectional Study Using Structural Equation Modeling.

China's rapidly aging population necessitates effective strategies for ensuring older adults' quality of life (QOL). While individual factors (IF) and family factors (FF) are known to influence QOL, existing research often examines these factors in isolation or focuses on specific subpopulations, overlooking potential interactions and mediating pathways. This study aims to examine both direct and indirect pathways connecting IF and FF to older adults' QOL, focusing on the mediating roles of health risks (HR) and health care service demand (HSD). This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze cross-sectional data from 8600 older participants in the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative study using a multistage probability proportional to size sampling method. Among the 8600 participants, the majority (5586/8502, 65.7%) were aged 60-70 years, with a near-equal distribution of males and females at around 50%. The average PCS score was 76.77, while the MCS score averaged 59.70. Both IF (β=0.165, P<.001) and FF (β=0.189, P<.001) had a direct positive effect on QOL. Furthermore, the indirect effects of IF (β=0.186, P<.001) and FF (β=0.211, P<.001) through HR and HSD were also significant. In the direct model, IF and FF had a greater impact on MCS (β=0.841) than on PCS (β=0.639). However, after including the 2 mediating factors, HR and HSD, the influence of IF and FF on MCS (β=0.739) became consistent with that on PCS (β=0.728). Subgroup analyses revealed that the direct effect of IF on QOL was significant in the 60-70 age group (β=0.151, P<.001) but not in those over 70 years old (β=0.122, P=.074). Comorbidity status significantly influenced the pathway from HR to HSD, with older adults having 2 or more chronic diseases (β=0.363) showing a greater impact compared to those with fewer than 2 chronic diseases (β=0.358). Both IF (education, per capita disposable income, and endowment insurance) and FF (satisfaction with a spouse and children) directly impact the QOL in older people. Meanwhile, IF and FF have equal influence on QOL through the mediating role of HR and HSD. Recognizing the interplay among these factors is crucial for targeted interventions to enhance the well-being of older adults in China.

Quality of life and mental health due to COVID-related lifestyle changes and sociodemographic characteristics among Asian Indians

PurposeTo examine quality of life (QoL) and mental health among Asian Indians in Southwest and Central-west Florida by COVID-related lifestyle changes, and demographic characteristics.MethodsQoL was assessed using SF-12 questionnaire while mental health/healthcare was assessed using the household pulse survey. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered online surveys were conducted among 151 participants in 2021–22. F and Chi-square statistics were used to examine the differences in QoL scores and mental health/mental healthcare by sociodemographic factors and COVID-related lifestyle changes.ResultsMental Component Summary (MCS) scores were lower for those who experienced changes in work expectations (p 0.041), sleep (p 0.002), exercise (p < 0.001), meditation (p.004) and connecting with family (p 0.007) and among those with family testing COVID positive (p.012). Mean Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were lower for caregivers (p .008). PCS scores were lower for certain income groups (p 0.006), retired (p 0.004), older age groups (p 0.002). Lower MCS scores with college education (p .005), those who were students (p <0 .001), younger age groups (p < 0.001). Those who helped with homeschooling felt anxious (p 0.049), couldn’t stop worrying (p 0.046) and took medications (p < 0.001). Participants’ families who tested COVID positive were anxious (p = 0.019) and worried (p = 0.015). Those with greater work expectations sought counseling (p = 0.009) and those who connected more with their family were anxious (p = 0.008).ConclusionThe pandemic affected QoL, especially the mental component and increased anxiety and worrying. Mental health services for younger individuals, those with caregiving responsibilities and facing increased job demands must be prioritized.

Health-related quality of life among women and men living with migraine: a Canada-wide cross-sectional study.

Migraine is a prevalent neurologic disorder that affects women more than men. Examining health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by gender can aid decision makers in prioritizing future treatment and prevention programs. We aimed to quantify HRQoL by different levels of migraine disability and by gender. As part of a Canada-wide cross-sectional study, we administered an online survey to employed adults who self-reported a diagnosis of migraine. Migraine disability level was assessed using the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire (MIDAS). MIDAS scores were used to categorize respondents as having little to no, mild, moderate, or severe level of migraine-related disability. Physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) and health utilities were derived from responses to the Veterans Rand 12 Item Health Survey. PCS, MCS, and health utilities were summarized by migraine-related disability levels and gender. Covariate-adjusted linear regressions were used to examine the association between migraine disability level and health utility by gender. A total of 441 participants completed the survey. The sample was predominantly women (60.1%), White race (75.5%), and had a mean age of 37 years. Mean health utility, PCS, and MCS scores were 0.61 (0.22), 45.0 (7.7), and 43.4 (11.0), respectively. All three scores decreased with increased migraine disability level. Gender differences on HRQoL within each migraine disability level were not statistically significant, except in the little to no disability level where women had lower mean MCS scores and health utility relative to men [mean (SD) MCS: women 44.0 (11.3); men 55.1 (8.1), p < 0.001; health utility: women 0.66 (0.18); men 0.81 (0.18), p < 0.001]. Linear regressions showed women with severe migraine-related disability had reduced health utility compared to women with little to no disability [adjusted difference: -0.16 (95%CI -0.24,-0.09)]. Associations among men increased in magnitude with migraine disability level [adjusted differences: mild - 0.16 (95%CI -0.24,-0.09); moderate - 0.18 (95%CI -0.26,-0.10); severe - 0.28 (95%CI -0.37,-0.20)]. Findings contribute to the literature on the association between migraine disability level and HRQoL by examining trends by gender. Model results emphasize the importance of future treatments reducing severe disability due to migraine among both women and men.

Effects of Adalimumab-adbm Versus Adalimumab Reference Product on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from VOLTAIRE-RA.

This post hoc analysis of VOLTAIRE-RA compared patient-reported outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after treatment with biosimilar adalimumab-adbm or adalimumab reference product. HRQoL was assessed by 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS and MCS, respectively) and domain scores at baseline and weeks12/24. Results were considered clinically meaningful if improvements were greater than or equal to minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) of 2.5 for PCS and MCS and 5.0 for domain scores. Comparisons with age- and sex-matched norms and treatment-associated changes in domain scores from baseline were quantified using spydergrams and the health utility SF-6D measure. All comparisons between treatment groups were descriptive in nature. No differences in PCS scores were reported between treatment groups at baseline or weeks12/24. MCS scores slightly favored the reference product group at baseline, and differences in scores at weeks12/24 generally reflected those differences. Improvements in PCS scores greater than or equal to MCID at weeks12/24 were reported by over 65% of patients in both treatment groups, while over 56% experienced improvements in MCS scores greater than or equal to MCID at weeks12/24. Similar proportions receiving reference product and adalimumab-adbm reported scores greater than or equal to US age- and sex-matched normative values at week24: 14-39% versus 15-36%, respectively, compared with baseline (1-17%). In patients with moderate to severely active RA, adalimumab-adbm and adalimumab reference product were both associated with clinically meaningful improvements in SF-36 PCS, MCS, and domain scores that were highly similar at weeks12/24. The high proportion of patients reporting scores greater than or equal to normative values in both treatment groups is notable, as this represents a treatment goal that was difficult to achieve in earlier RA trials. Video abstract available for this article. VOLTAIRE-RA (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02137226; EudraCT number, 2012-002945-40). Video abstract (MP4 29755 KB).

The Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise Therapy on Motor and Non-Motor Clinical Outcomes in Adults With Facial Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Recent case reports have emphasized the essential clinical contribution of telerehabilitation in the treatment of facial palsy. However, no randomized controlled trial has yet demonstrated the effects of telerehabilitation-based facial exercise therapy. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of video exercise-based telerehabilitation on motor and non-motor clinical outcomes in adults with facial palsy. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 40 peripheral facial palsy patients. Those in the experimental group (EG) received four weeks of telerehabilitation-based video exercises and routine care. Those in the control group (CG) received only routine care. All participants were evaluated with the Facial Disability Index (FDI), the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE), Short Form-12 (SF-12), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the House-Brackmann Scale (H-B) and the Telemedicine Satisfaction and Usefulness Questionnaire (TSUQ), both before and after the interventions. Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in FDI, FaCE, and SF-12 PCS scores (p < .05). In addition, there was a significant improvement only in EG on the SF-12 MCS score (p < .05), and there was a significant gain only in CG on the HADS-Depression score (p < .05). While these results provide a further contribution to our understanding of telerehabilitation benefits in mental health variables related to quality of life for facial palsy patients, we found no EG and CG differences on the physical components of treatment.

Physical and mental health trajectories: A longitudinal SF-36 analysis in Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency-associated COPD

BackgroundThe Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) is a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure validated in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While physical health is often more impaired than mental health in people with COPD, research on alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated COPD is limited. This longitudinal study examines changes in physical and mental health in individuals with AATD and associated factors. MethodsAnalyses included participants of AlphaNet, a disease management program for individuals with AATD-associated lung disease who are prescribed augmentation therapy. Norm-based SF-36 scores for mental and physical component summaries (MCS and PCS) and 8 scales were analyzed. Linear mixed models evaluated mean changes in SF-36 scores over time. ResultsThe study included 2165 participants (mean age 56.9 ± 10.0 years, 47.0 % female). At enrollment, mean PCS score was 37.5 ± 9.6, and mean MCS score was 51.9 ± 10.5. Mean mMRC dyspnea score was 2.3 ± 1.3; 54.6 % had ≥2 exacerbations annually, and 46.5 % used oxygen regularly. Average follow-up was 6.6 ± 3.2 years. The HRQoL remained stable; MCS improved by 0.16 points/year (p < 0.0001), while the PCS score declined by 0.49 points/year (p < 0.0001). Subscales followed similar trends. ConclusionsAt baseline, mental HRQoL scores were higher than physical HRQoL scores, indicating better mental health than physical health in this cohort with AATD-associated lung disease. Stable HRQoL with a slight improvement in mental scores over time and a small decrease in physical scores may be a unique feature of this cohort. Further studies are needed to correlate these findings with disease-specific instruments and patient physiology.

Mental health disparities across sexual orientations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal analysis of a UK nationally representative cohort

ObjectivesDuring COVID-19, sexual minority groups may have experienced heightened mental health challenges, amplified by unique stressors and the effects of pandemic-related restrictions. This study investigates the differential impact of the pandemic on mental health across sexual orientations, leveraging population-representative data to explore these disparities. Study designProspective cohort design. MethodsData from the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study (waves 8–12) was used. Monthly COVID-19 incidence rates at the regional level were used to indicate pandemic severity. Mental health outcomes were evaluated using the Mental Component Score of the Short Form-12 (MCS-12) survey. To examine whether COVID-19 led to differential impacts across sexual orientation, fixed-effect longitudinal models were employed, controlling for individual and time-variant covariates. ResultsLesbian women experienced a significant mental health decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 3.10 MCS-12 score decrease (95 % confidence interval (CI): -5.77 to -0.43) and an 11.0 % higher likelihood of depression (95%CI: -0.3 % to 22.3 %, p = 0.057) compared to heterosexual women. Conversely, the impact on the mental health of heterosexual women was negative but not significant (-0.22; 95%CI: -0.47 to -0.04). Bisexual individuals and other women showed non-significant mental health declines. For men, COVID-19's effect on heterosexuals was similarly non-significant (-0.21; 95%CI: -0.48 to 0.1), with no significant differences observed in gay, bisexual, and other men. ConclusionsSexual minority individuals, especially lesbian women, faced heightened mental health challenges during COVID-19, emphasizing the urgency for targeted interventions.

The association between osteoporosis and quality of life among older adults in Southern Iran: findings from the Bushehr Elderly Health Program

Background & objectiveOsteoporosis is a growing public health concern, particularly among the aging population. This study aimed to evaluate the association between osteoporosis and quality of life (QoL) in a sample of older adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study utilized data from all the participants of Bushehr Elderly Health program (BEHP), phase 2. QoL was assessed using the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12 Questionnaire), and participants were classified as having osteoporosis or not based on the WHO diagnostic criteria. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries of QoL were estimated. The association between osteoporosis and QoL was evaluated separately for men and women, considering various health and lifestyle factors using linear regression analysis.ResultsThe study included 2,399 participants (average age 71.27 ± 7.36 years). 1,246 were women and 1,153 were men. Osteoporosis was present in 59% of women and 23% of men. Participants with osteoporosis had significantly lower PCS scores compared to those without osteoporosis (women: 38.1 vs. 40.2, p < 0.001; men: 44.3 vs. 45.8, p: 0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference in MCS scores. Stratified by sex, osteoporosis was significantly associated with PCS in women [β = -2.14 (-3.13, -1.15)] and men [β = -1.53 (-2.52, -0.54)]. After accounting for relevant variables, the association remained significant in women [β=-0.95 (-1.87, -0.03)], but not in men [β=-0.63 (-1.55,0.28)].ConclusionThis study highlights the significant association between osteoporosis and the physical component of QoL in both older men and women, particularly among women. Further research and interventions focusing on enhancing physical QoL in individuals with osteoporosis are warranted to promote healthier aging.

The impact of stroke and bleeding on mortality and quality of life during the first year after TAVI: A POPular TAVI subanalysis.

Bleeding and stroke are frequent complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The mortality risk associated with these events has been reported before, but data regarding their impact on health-related quality of life (QoL) is limited. To evaluate the impact of bleeding and stroke occurring within 30 days after TAVI, on mortality and QoL during the first year after TAVI. POPular TAVI was a randomized clinical trial that evaluated the addition of clopidogrel to aspirin or oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing TAVI. Besides clinical outcomes, QoL was assessed using the Short Form-12 and EuroQoL Five Dimensions questionnaires before, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after TAVI. Major or life-threatening bleeding occurred in 81 patients (8.3%) and was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-3.79]); minor bleeding occurred in 104 patients (10.6%) and was not associated with mortality (HR 0.75 [95% CI 0.30-1.89]). Stroke occurred in 35 patients (3.6%) and was associated with an increased risk of death (HR 2.90 [95% CI 1.23-6.83]). Mean mental component summary (MCS-12) scores over time were lower in patients with major or life-threatening bleeding (p = 0.01), and similar in patients with minor bleeding, compared to patients without bleeding; mean physical component summary (PCS-12) scores, EQ-5D index, and visual analog scale (VAS) were similar between those patients. Mean MCS-12 scores were lower in patients with stroke (p = 0.01), mean PCS-12, EQ-5D index, and VAS were similar compared to patients without stroke. Major or life-threatening bleeding and stroke were associated with an increased risk of death and decreased mental QoL in the first year after TAVI.

Efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic on psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: randomized controlled trial

Cognitive behavioral therapy improves psychosocial outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but access is limited. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral digital therapeutic, reclarit, on psychosocial outcomes in adult RA patients with impaired health-related quality of life. Participants were randomized to reclarit plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus educational and informational material (active control). The primary outcome was SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores at 3 months, with additional assessments at 6 months. reclarit significantly improved SF-36 MCS scores compared to control (mean difference 3.3 [95% CI 0.7, 5.9]; p = 0.014), with high user satisfaction and sustained improvements at 6 months. Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and social/work functioning also improved significantly, while SF-36 PCS, pain, and disability scores did not differ. In conclusion, reclarit offers immediate, effective, evidence-based and personalized psychological support for RA patients.

Kidney Beam-A Cost-Effective Digital Intervention to Improve Mental Health

BackgroundThere is inequity in provision of physical rehabilitation services for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Kidney BEAM trial evaluated the clinical value and cost effectiveness of a physical activity digital health intervention in CKD. MethodsIn a single-blind, 11 centre, randomised controlled trial, 340 adult participants with CKD were randomly assigned to either the Kidney BEAM physical activity digital health intervention or a waitlist control. This study assesses the difference in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 1.3 Mental Component Summary (KDQoL-SF1.3 MCS) between intervention and control groups at 6 months, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. ResultsAt 6 months there was a significant difference in mean adjusted change in KDQoL MCS score between Kidney BEAM and waitlist control (intention-to-treat adjusted mean: 5.9 {95% confidence interval: 4.4 to 7.5} arbitrary units, p<0.0001), and a 93% and 98% chance of the intervention being cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of £20,000 and £30,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. ConclusionThe Kidney BEAM physical activity digital health intervention is a clinically valuable and cost-effective means to improve mental health related quality of life in people with CKD (trial registration no. NCT04872933).

A comparative study on the clinical effectiveness of core decompression with bone grafting for treating alcohol-induced and traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a population-specific investigation in alcoholism.

Abstract. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a debilitating ortho-pedic condition with two primary categories: traumatic osteonecrosis (TONFH) and non-traumatic ONFH, including alcoholic-induced osteonecrosis (AIONFH). Core decompression combined with bone grafting is a common treatment ap-proach, but its efficacy and influencing factors in these two categories remain unclear. We conducted a study involving 50 patients (25 TONFH, 25 AIONFH) who underwent this procedure. Demographic data and clinical assessments were collected. The average age was 47.2 years, with 72% males. AIONFH patients had a higher BMI and more comorbidities like diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperten-sion, and immune-related diseases. TONFH had a higher prevalence of osteopo-rosis and fracture history. Bilateral hip necrosis was more frequent in TONFH, while left hip necrosis dominated in AIONFH. Both groups mainly had JIC classi-fications C1 and C2. Preoperatively, most cases were ARCO grade III and IV, with lower Harris, PCS, and MCS scores. Both groups improved at the six-month post-operative assessment, with better results in AIONFH. The last follow-up was 16.62 months after treatment. In the final follow-up, AIONFH cases were mainly ARCO type I, and HHS, PCS, and MCS scores were significantly better than TONFH. Core decompression combined with bone grafting effectively treats AIONFH and TONFH, with superior outcomes in AIONFH. Factors influencing postoperative efficacy include BMI, JIC classification, and PCS score. These findings provide valuable insights for tailoring treatment strategies to specific ONFH categories.

Predictors of six-month change in health-related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis: A secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSymptomatic treatment in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) requires multidisciplinary rehabilitation to alleviate disease progression and increasing health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the participant- and disease-specific factors that predict sustained improvement in HRQoL in pwMS undergoing inpatient rehabilitation remain unclear. Identifying these factors can help individually tailor inpatient rehabilitation programmes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors of pwMS at clinic entry for a three-week multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation that predict the change in physical and mental HRQoL over six months. MethodsThis is a secondary data analysis of a randomized controlled trial (NCT04356248) conducted at the Valens Rehabilitation Centre, Switzerland. HRQoL was assessed with the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at clinic entry (T0; baseline) and six months after (T3; six-month follow-up). Data for 99 pwMS (mean age in years: 49.60 ± 10.17 SD, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score: 4.62 ± 1.33 SD, 68.7 % female) were analysed using multiple linear regression. Outcome variables were six-month change in SF-36 Physical (ΔPCS) and Mental Component Scale (ΔMCS) scores. Predictor variables included baseline scores of PCS or MCS, fatigue, anxiety, depressive mood, cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak/kg), self-efficacy, smoking status, education level, age, EDSS, sex, time since diagnosis and MS phenotype. ResultsThe regression model with ΔPCS as outcome variable explained 18.6 % of the variance of the ΔPCS score (p = .003). Lower PCS score (p < .001) and lower depressive mood (p = .032) at baseline predicted higher ΔPCS score. The regression model with ΔMCS as outcome variable explained 26.8 % of the variance of the ΔMCS score (p < .001). Lower MCS score (p < .001) and longer time since diagnosis (p = .048) at baseline predicted higher ΔMCS score. ConclusionPwMS with lower physical HRQoL and better mood at clinic entry improved most in physical HRQoL over six months. PwMS with lower mental HRQoL and longer time since diagnosis at clinic entry improved most in mental HRQoL over six months. The results of this study contribute to the development of individualized rehabilitation programmes with the aim of maintaining and/or improving HRQoL of pwMS beyond the inpatient rehabilitation stay.

Symptom Burden and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Patients With Moderate to Severe CKD: The International Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps)

Recent evidence suggests people with nondialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) experience a substantial burden of symptoms, but informative large-scale studies have been scarce. We assessed the prevalence of symptoms and the association of overall symptom burden with quality of life in patients with moderate to severe CKD. Cross-sectional study. 4,430 patients with ND-CKD stages 3-5 enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps) in Brazil, France, and the United States between 2013 and2021. 13 individual patient-reported symptoms from the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaire and an overall symptom burden score (low, intermediate, and high). Physical and mental component summary scores (PCS and MCS) of the KDQOL-SF. Adjusted prevalence ratios and generalized estimating equations. Patients (mean age, 68 years; 40% women; mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], 30mL/min/1.73m2) were very much to extremely bothered by numerous symptoms ("soreness in muscles," 23%; "washed out or drained," 21%; "cramps, shortness of breath, dry skin, diminished sex life, or numbness in hands or feet," 14%-17%). The adjusted prevalences of "cramps," "washed out or drained," "lack of appetite," "nausea/upset stomach," and "sex life" were greater with more severe CKD and in women (except for "sex life"). A high overall symptom burden was more common in women, in France, and in patients with severe albuminuria and various comorbidities, but not with lower eGFR. The PCS and MCS scores were 13.4 and 7.7 points lower, respectively, for high versus low overall symptom burden. Generalizability limited to patients under nephrology care, residual confounding, and inaccurate Brazilian translation of some symptoms. The high symptom burden observed in this large cohort of ND-CKD patients across 3 diverse countries and its strong association with poorer health-related quality of life should inform clinical management of and clinical research in CKD. Little is known about symptoms in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD). In the Chronic Kidney Disease Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study, which enrolled 4,430 patients with CKD stages 3-5 in Brazil, France, and the United States, patients most often reported soreness in muscles, feeling washed out or drained, cramps, shortness of breath, dry skin, altered sex life, and numbness in hands or feet. Cramps, feeling washed out or drained, lack of appetite, and nausea were more often reported at lower levels of kidney function. The overall symptom burden was higher in women than men, in French than in Brazilian or US patients, and in those with severe albuminuria. The higher the symptom burden, the lower were the physical and mental health quality of life scores. The high symptom burden observed in this large cohort of ND-CKD patients across 3 diverse countries and its strong association with poorer health-related quality of life should inform clinical management of and clinical research in CKD.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Irregular Sub-Saharan Migrants in Northern Morocco.

Due to its geographical proximity to Europe, Morocco experiences a significant influx of migrants from neighboring Sub-Saharan African countries. Attempts to cross the Strait of Gibraltar make Northern Morocco a stopover for Sub-Saharan migrants. However, faced with increasingly restrictive measures from European Union countries, many of these migrants are compelled to turn this transit into a prolonged stay in Morocco, often in irregular status and facing challenging socio-economic conditions that threaten their health and their quality of life-related to health. This study aims to assess the level of health-related quality of life and its determinants among irregular Sub-Saharan migrants in Northern Morocco using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) measurement scale. A total of 526 irregular Sub-Saharan migrants residing in the cities of Tangier and Tetouan were recruited using snowball sampling. A socio-demographic information sheet and the SF-36 scale were used to collect data. Subsequently, the data were entered and statistically analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 21.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Numerical variables were summarized as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as frequency and percentage. Non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Kendall's Tau-B, were used to measure the association of physical and mental component scores with sociodemographic variables, for a significance level set at p < 0.05. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify factors determining health-related quality of life, using odds ratios (OR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) for p < 0.05. Participants were aged between 18 and 50 years, with a mean age of 29.7 ± 7.6 years; 80% were single, and the majority were male (63.7%). In terms of education, 57.2% have a secondary level. The physical (PCS = 46.5 ± 9.03) and mental (MCS = 35.5 ± 9.9) summary scores were low. PCS and MCS were lower among subjects aged ≥ 36 years compared to those aged 18-25 years (p = 0.000). Women had lower PCS than men (p = 0.002). The migrants having more than three years in Morocco had lower MCS compared to those recently settled (p = 0.002). PCS and MCS were lower among participants who were assaulted compared to those who were not (p = 0.000). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that age, type of habitat, and assault significantly affected both PCS and MCS scores. Gender is a significant determinant for PCS and duration of stay in Morocco for MCS. The quality of life of Sub-Saharan irregular migrants appears to be low, particularly concerning the mental health component, highlighting the need for priority interventions in this area to improve their health status.

Uniportal Full-endoscopic Foraminotomy for Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis: Clinical Characteristics and Functional Outcomes.

Uniportal full-endoscopic foraminotomy offers a promising alternative to conventional surgical methods for individuals afflicted by lumbar foraminal stenosis. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of uniportal full-endoscopic foraminotomy in patients diagnosed with lumbar foraminal stenosis. A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted on individuals who underwent full-endoscopic foraminotomy in our medical center, between January 2018 and December 2019. The investigation encompassed the demographic data of patients and key clinical metrics such as the visual analogue scale of leg (VAS-L) and back pain (VAS-B), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, the Short Form-36 Health Survey physical component summary (SF-36 PCS) and the mental component summary (SF-36 MCS), as well as modified MacNab grades, were systematically assessed and compared. Furthermore, radiological parameters: Coronal Cobb angle (CCA), Intervertebral angle changes (IAC), Disc height index (DHI), the foraminal cross-sectional area (FCSA) and the FCSA enlargement ratio were also compared. A variety of statistical analyses including Student t-test, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact tests, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses, and Interclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were employed. 64 patients, including 34 males and 30 females were enrolled. The mean follow-up period extended to 22.66 ± 7.05 months. Distribution by affected segments revealed 26.6% at L4-5, 67.1% at L5-S1 level, and 6.25% at both L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. At the final follow-up, VAS-L decreased from 7.26 ± 1.19 to 1.37 ± 1.25, while VAS-B decreased from 6.95 ± 0.54 to 1.62 ± 1.13 (p < 0.001). ODI score also demonstrated a substantial decrease from 74.73 ± 8.68 to 23.27 ± 8.71 (p < 0.001). Both SF-36 PCS and SF-36 MCS scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). Modified MacNab criteria revealed 58 excellent-good patients (90.7%), and 6 fair-poor patients (9.3%). No significant differences were founded in the CCA (p = 0.1065), IAC (p = 0.5544), and DHI (p = 0.1348) between pre-operation and the final follow-up. However, the FCSA significantly increased from 73.41 ± 11.75 to 173.40 ± 18.62 mm2 (p < 0.001), and the enlargement ratio was 142.9% ± 49.58%. Notably, the final follow-up FCSA and the FCSA enlargement ratio were found to be larger in the excellent and good group compared to the fair and poor group, according to the modified MacNab criteria. The utilization of uniportal full-endoscopic foraminotomy has demonstrated its safety and efficacy in addressing lumbar foraminal stenosis. The clinical success of this procedure appears to be closely associated with the radiological decompression of the intervertebral foramen area. Importantly, the application of this technology does not seem to compromise the overall stability of the lumbar region.

Flight-related determinants of health-related quality of life of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany: a longitudinal study based on the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP)

BackgroundGermany played a key role as receiving country during the so-called refugee and displacement crisis with about 5 million asylum seekers arriving in the EU between 2014 and 2020. It is well known that asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs) have a high burden of disease and are particularly prone to mental disorders such as trauma, stress-related and affective disorders. Not much is known about the determinants of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) among ASRs, especially in the context of the flight. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the associations between flight-related characteristics and HrQoL of ASRs in Germany.MethodsThe sample of this study was based on five consecutive waves of the Survey of Refugees samples of the German Socio-Economic Panel (n = 8015; 14,314 observations). Mental and physical HrQoL was measured using the mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores of the SF-12v2. Associations between flight-related characteristics and HrQoL were examined using multilevel mixed-effects linear regressions.ResultsThe different countries of birth were associated with varying MCS and PCS scores. The MCS and PCS scores were lower among ASRs with an economic situation below average in their countries of origin. Persecution, discrimination, and poor living conditions as reasons for leaving the county were associated with lower MCS scores. ASRs who were dissatisfied with their own living situation and who were discriminated often due to their origin had both lower MCS and PCS scores. Not feeling welcome in Germany and missing people from one’s country of origin were both associated with lower MCS scores. No worries about not being able to stay in Germany or not being able to return to one’s country of origin were both associated with higher MCS scores.ConclusionsThe economic situation in the country of origin and the presence of persecution, discrimination, and/or poor living conditions as reason for flight may be pre-flight-related determinants of HrQoL of ASRs in Germany. Possible post-flight-related determinants can be the residence status, the satisfaction with one’s living situation, discrimination due to one’s origin and a feeling of missing people from one’s country of origin. With regard to those determinants, the clarity about the residence status, reducing racial discrimination and the mourning of flight-related circumstances must be ensured.

Does The Serum Zinc Level Affect the Quality of Life in Dialysis Patients? A Report from Iran

Background: Zinc deficiency is a common finding among ESRD and dialysis patients and may affect their quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the serum level of zinc and its correlation with the quality-of-life score in dialysis patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 on dialysis patients. Patients’ information and clinical data, their serum zinc levels, and quality of life assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire were collected. The Spearman correlation test was used to assess the correlation between serum zinc levels and the Physical (PCS) and Mental (MCS) Component Summary scores of the SF-36 questionnaire in general and in different subgroups. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: In the HD group, PCS and MCS scores were significantly correlated (P = 0.0001), while this correlation was not observed in the PD group. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between zinc levels and PCS and MCS scores in the HD group but not in the PD group (P = 0.0001). In the PD group, only age negatively correlated with the PCS score (P = 0.03), without any other significant correlations with other study variables. Multivariate analysis revealed that zinc level was an independent predictor of PCS and MCS scores in the HD group (P &lt; 0.001). In the PD group, age (P = 0.02) and zinc level (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of PCS score but not MCS score. Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between serum zinc levels and both the physical and mental aspects of quality of life in dialysis patients.

Effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment of hallux valgus with small incision external articular osteotomy

To compare the effectiveness of small incision external articular minimally invasive osteotomy and traditional Chevron osteotomy in the treatment of hallux valgus. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 58 patients (58 feet) with hallux valgus who were admitted between April 2019 and June 2022 and met the selection criteria. Among them, 28 cases were treated with small incision external articular minimally invasive osteotomy (minimally invasive group), and 30 cases were treated with traditional Chevron osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as age, gender, disease duration, Mann classification, and preoperative inter metatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), forefoot width, tibial sesamoid position (TSP) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, psychological score (SF-12 MCS score) and physiological score (SF-12 PCS score) of short-form 12 health survey scale, and range of motion (ROM) of metatarsophalangeal joint between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, weight-bearing walking time, fracture healing time, and incidence of complications were recorded and compared between the two groups; as well as the changes of imaging indexes at last follow-up, and the clinical function score and ROM of metatarsophalangeal joint before operation, at 6 weeks after operation, and at last follow-up. All patients were followed up 11-31 months, with an average of 22 months. The incision length and intraoperative blood loss in the minimally invasive group were significantly less than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and operation time in the minimally invasive group were significantly more than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05); but no significant difference was found in weight-bearing walking time and fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was 1 case of skin injury in the minimally invasive group and 3 cases of poor incision healing in the traditional group; all patients had good healing at the osteotomy site, and no complication such as infection, nerve injury, or metatarsal head necrosis occurred. At last follow-up, the imaging indexes of the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The changes of DMAA and TSP score in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the changes of IMA, HVA, and forefoot width between the two groups ( P>0.05). The clinical scores and ROM of metatarsophalangeal joint significantly improved in the two groups at 6 weeks after operation and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05), and the indicators in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05). Compared with traditional Chevron osteotomy, small incision external articular minimally invasive osteotomy can effectively improve HVA, IMA, and forefoot width, correct foot deformities, and has less trauma. It can better correct the first metatarsal pronation deformity and restore the anatomical position of the sesamoid bone, resulting in better effectiveness.

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

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