Mean Health-related Quality Of Life Scores Research Articles

Quality of life and social reinsertion of patients on maintenance haemodialysis in four government funded hospitals in Cameroon.

Reduced quality of life is associated with shorter survival in chronic illnesses. However, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and social reinsertion of patients on maintenance haemodialysis is much more underappreciated in resource-limited countries such as Cameroon. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February 22nd to May 20th, 2022, in 4 government-funded haemodialysis centres in three randomly selected regions of Cameroon. Patients received twice-weekly dialysis sessions. Social reinsertion and HRQOL were assessed using a structured questionnaire and the kidney disease quality of life instrument (KDQOL-36™). HRQOL scores < 50 were categorized as low, while scores > 50 reflected better HRQOL. Data were analysed using the software statistical package for Social Sciences version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at a p value < 0.05. The study included 434 patients. The mean age was 48.33 (13.55) years, 65.7% (285/434) were male, 62.3% (269/434) had no monthly income, and the mean dialysis vintage was 3.74 (3.83) years. The mean HRQOL score was 44.34 (9.77), and 76.2% (325/434) had HRQOL scores < 50). Overall HRQOL was associated with older age (aOR: 2.344, CI 1.089-5.04). After the initiation of maintenance haemodialysis, 67.1% (49/73) of students dropped out of school. The main reason for school absenteeism and unemployment was physical insufficiency, with 82.4% (19/24) and 52.4% (75/144), respectively. There were no promotions or marriages after initiation; 51% (221/434) of relationships with relatives and friends were affected negatively, while 83.3% (66/79) of those of marriageable ages could not find suitors. The social participation score was poor in 61.5% (267/434) of participants. There was an association between low QOL and social participation (p = 0.009). The HRQOL of patients on maintenance haemodialysis is greatly reduced, especially their physical health status. Older age was a determinant of low QOL. Additionally, social reinsertion remains poor due to adverse changes that occur to these patients and their families after dialysis initiation. Not applicable.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Health-Related Quality of Life in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Hemodialysis Treatment in Northern Cyprus.

Introduction Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) is recognized as an important predictor of mortality and morbidity in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). The goal of this study was to obtain HR-QoL scores using the Kidney Disease and Quality of Life questionnaire (KDQOL-36TM) (RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA) and to assess the factors affecting HR-QoL in ESRD patients receiving HD. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed using the KDQOL-36TM for the assessment of HR-QoL of ESRD patients receiving HD in Northern Cypriotstate hospitals. Alongside KDQOL-36TM scores for assessing HR-QoL, sociodemographic as well as relevant laboratory data were collected. Spearman Correlations and multiple linear regression analyses using the 'stepwise' method were carried out to identify predictors of HR-QoL. Nonparametric tests were used to determine significantly (p<0.05) associated variables. Ethical approvals were received from the Northern Cypriot Ministry of Health and Eastern Mediterranean University Research and Publication Ethics Boards. Results One hundred and thirty-eight participants were recruited in this study, corresponding to 85.1% of the total study population. Participants had a mean age of 66.49 ± 13.35. 65.2% of the participants were males. Participants had low scores on most dimensions of quality of life, namely, Burden of Disease, Physical Component Summary (PCS), and Mental Component Summary (MCS) subscales. Particularly, females, unemployed patients, and patients with more comorbidities had significantly lower scores (p=0.003, p<0.001, and p=0.005, respectively). Spearman correlation analyses revealed multiple significant moderate correlations between sociodemographic data, laboratory variables, and scores. Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis identified gender (p=0.006), total number of comorbidities (p=0.005), age (p<0.001), and patient care (p=0.019) as significant predictors of KDQOL-36TM scores. Conclusion This study has shown that the quality of life of hemodialysis patients was highly impaired. Gender, current employment status, and presence of comorbidities were all significant independent factors affecting HR-QoL mean scores. Lastly, further studies regarding the implementation of routine HR-QoL surveillance and targeted interventions are required to better understand their potential therapeutic benefits.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Comorbidity Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension at Can Tho Cardiovascular Hospital in Vietnam

Introduction: Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is crucial to increasing the compliance rate and treatment effectiveness for hypertension and diabetes patients. This study evaluated HRQoL and related factors among comorbidity patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension at Can Tho Hospital, Vietnam. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 310 outpatients at the polyclinic using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) from July 2021 to July 2022. All patients who met the criteria were selected for the study. Results: The finding showed that the mean score of HRQoL in patients was 50.56 ± 21.73. 68.7% of patients had normal HRQoL, 16.8% had good HRQoL, and 14.5% had poor HRQoL. Patients with lower education, older age, and patients who were female, unemployed, used insulin, and had complications were more likely to have lower HRQoL. Patients with higher education, younger age, patients who were male, had a job, did not use insulin, and control of diseases well were more likely to have higher HRQoL. HRQoL in patients with diabetes and hypertension was significantly associated with age, occupation, education, and treatment results. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that health workers should routinely monitor the emotional status and HRQoL of patients who have complications and use insulin.

Symptom perception, health-related quality of life and predicted survival in heart failure patients

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a chronic and progressive condition that significantly impacts patients’ lives, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing their health outcomes. Among these factors, symptom perception, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and predicted survival are paramount. This study aimed to assess symptom perception, HRQoL and predictive survival among HF patients. MethodsA baseline analysis was carried out in a randomized controlled trial involving patients with HF. Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale to assess symptom perception, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 to assess HRQoL and Seattle Heart Failure Model to assess predicted survival were used. ResultsAmong the 160 patients, 62.5 % were between 36 and 59 years of age and were married (88 %). Hypertension and diabetes were reported in 104 and 94 participants respectively, and among them, 65 participants had both hypertension and diabetes. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 33(%), and 56.5 % of the participants were in New York Heart Association functional class III and IV. The average symptom perception score was 27.4 ± 18.3, while the mean HRQoL score was 37.2 ± 14.2. The predicted one-year survival score was 80 ± 11.5, and the predicted five-year survival score was 38.5 ± 21.3. HRQoL showed a significant negative correlation with symptom perception (r = −0.75; p = 0.001) and a positive correlation with one-year survival (r = 0.53; p = 0.001), and five-year survival (r = 0.56; p = 0.001). ConclusionPatients with HF experience persistent symptoms and poor HRQoL. Symptom severity decreases HRQoL. Understanding HRQoL and symptom perception is crucial for developing effective self-care interventions, which are vital for improving patient outcomes and managing HF effectively.

Association of optimism and social support with health-related quality of life among Australian women cancer survivors - A cohort study.

Large-scale studies investigating health-related quality of life (HRQL) in cancer survivors are limited. This study aims to investigate HRQL and its relation to optimism and social support among Australian women following a cancer diagnosis. Data were from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a large cohort study (n=14,715; born 1946-51), with 1428 incident cancer cases ascertained 1996-2017 via linkage to the Australian Cancer Database. HRQL was measured using the Short Form-36 (median 1.7 years post-cancer-diagnosis). Multivariable linear regression was performed on each HRQL domain, separately for all cancers combined, major cancer sites, and cancer-free peers. Higher optimism and social support were significantly associated with better HRQL across various domains in women with and without a cancer diagnosis (p<0.05). Mean HRQL scores across all domains for all cancer sites were significantly higher among optimistic versus not optimistic women with cancer (p<0.05). Adjusting for sociodemographic and other health conditions, lower optimism was associated with reduced scores across all domains, with greater reductions in mental health (adjusted mean difference (AMD)=-11.54, p<0.01) followed by general health (AMD=-11.08, p<0.01). Social support was less consistently related to HRQL scores, and following adjustment was only significantly associated with social functioning (AMD=-7.22, p<0.01) and mental health (AMD=-6.34, p<0.01). Our findings highlight a strong connection between optimism, social support, and HRQL among cancer survivors. Providing psychosocial support and addressing behavioral and socioeconomic factors and other health conditions associated with optimism and social support may improve HRQL.

Health-related quality of life among people with diabetes: A cross-sectional study in Hail region, Saudi Arabia ​.

Diabetes Mellitus is a serious and expanding health problem, together with the issues of health- related quality of life (HRQoL). This further puts pressure on the government to allocate more funds for public healthcare. This study was devised to evaluate the health-related quality of life of people living with diabetes in Hail region of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional research was carried out at eight locations in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia between 21st March-20th May 2022 using the adapted version of the Euro QoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. A multistage random sample approach was used to choose the diabetes clinics, and data collectors approached the participants in the waiting areas to collect the information. The data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in IBM SPSS statistics 21.0. The mean HRQoL score was 0.71±0.21 with a visual analog score of 68.4±16.2. Despite having much higher levels of quality of life in terms of self-care (85.8%), regular activity (73.8%) and anxiety (71.8%), nearly one half of the people reported moderate pain or discomfort, and more than one third reported having moderate mobility issues. In general, the quality of life for women was poorer than for men. Individuals with diabetes who were unmarried, young, educated, financially secure, and taking only oral medication had much improved HRQoL. The Euro QoL of people with diabetes patients were significantly influenced by gender, marital status, age, education, employment and treatment modality (p-values < 0.05), whereas only treatment modality had a significant impact on the patients' visual analogue measures (p-values < 0.05). The HRQoL of people with diabetes in Hail region was moderate in general, with pain and mobility issues being particularly prevalent. Gender, marital status, age, education, employment and type of medication therapy are significant predictors of HRQoL of patients with diabetes. Hence, planning and programs to enhance the HRQoL of people with diabetes, especially women is recommended.

Health-related quality of life among patients with esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Despite the advancement of modern treatment approaches, several studies indicated a diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, there is insufficient data about the HRQoL of gastrointestinal cancer patients in Kenya. The study aimed to investigate HRQoL and its determinants in gastrointestinal cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. A cross-sectional study was employed among 160 esophageal, 103 gastric, and 96 colorectal cancer patients. The patient list, identified by unique hospital identification numbers, was obtained from records. Eligibility was assessed based on predetermined criteria, and the hospital identification numbers were reshuffled. Study participants were then randomly selected daily during the data collection period. Data were collected using a researcher-administered European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire. The data entry and analysis were carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 26.0 statistical software. A bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate determinants of HRQoL at a 0.05 level of significance. Most esophageal (N = 118, 73.7%), gastric (N = 75, 72.8%), and colorectal (N = 72, 75%) cancer patients had poor overall HRQoL. In the social (p = .04) and cognitive (p = .02) domain of HRQoL, esophageal cancer patients had a significantly lower mean score as compared to gastric cancer patients. Colorectal cancer patients had the highest mean score in physical functioning (p = .01) as compared with gastric cancer patients. Nonetheless, gastric cancer patients had the highest mean score in emotional functioning domains of quality of life as compared to esophageal (p = .04) and colorectal (p < .001) cancer patients The study revealed a low mean HRQoL score in the majority of the symptom domains of quality of life. A statistically significant difference in all domains of HRQoL was not observed in various treatment modalities of gastrointestinal cancer. Advanced-stage (stages III and IV) and co-morbidities were significant determinants of poor HRQoL. The overall HRQoL of gastrointestinal cancer patients was poor. Advanced-stage cancer and co-morbidities were significant determinants of poor HRQoL. Therefore, intensification of routine monitoring of the disease and the treatments should be actively implemented to improve the HRQoL.

Health-related quality of life among congestive heart failure patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction

Abstract Objective To determine factors that affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used for this study. The stratified random sampling was applied for each subgroup. HRQOL was measured with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chi-square, Spearman’s correlation analysis, and independent t-test. Results A number of 67 respondents participated in the recent study. The total mean scores of HRQOL were significantly different (P = 0.001) between heart failure (HF) patients with reduced and preserved ejection fractions, 41.07 ± 7.54 and 54.97 ± 4.36, respectively. It related with the physical (mean ± standard deviation [SD] = 10.4 ± 2.14; t = −10.08, 95% CI = −12.46 to −8.34; P-value = 0.001) and psychological (mean ± SD = 3.5 ± 0.5; t = −6.68, 95% CI = −4.55 to −2.45; P-value = 0.001) domain. Strong correlation was found between age (r = −0.898, P &lt; 0.05), NYHA functional classes (r = −0.858, P &lt; 0.01), duration of HF (r = −0.807, P &lt; 0.01), family support (r = 0.927, P &lt; 0.01), and quality of life (QoL). Conclusions HRQOL in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction was higher than in those with preserved ejection fraction. Family support is a further determinant factor that has a positive correlation to the QoL.

Health-related quality of life and its influencing factors among lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors: A cross-sectional study

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the level of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and analyze its influencing factors. MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted. From April 2022 to March 2023, 560 lung cancer patients receiving ICIs at three medical bases in Guangzhou, China were recruited using a convenient sampling method. A general information questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were used for collecting data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, HRQOL, social support and medical coping mode. A descriptive analysis was conducted to describe HRQOL. Multiple regression analysis was applied to determine the factors influencing HRQOL. ResultsFor lung cancer patients receiving ICIs, the mean score of HRQOL was 59.21 ± 19.86. Multivariate analysis indicated that acceptance-resignation coping mode (β = −0.37, P < 0.01), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score (β = −0.35, P < 0.01), combination of chemotherapy and/or bevacizumab (β = −0.14, P < 0.01), and subjective support (β = 0.07, P = 0.04) all contributed to 42.7% of the variance in HRQOL of the patients receiving ICIs. ConclusionsIt is imperative to address and resolve the HRQOL issue for lung cancer patients receiving ICIs. The findings suggest nurse practitioners should be aware of a variety of factors that influence HRQOL and provide tailored inventions to patients as early as possible to help them achieve better HRQOL.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation for Management of Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Associated Microvascular Angina and Fatigue: An Interventional Pilot Study.

Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are a novel clinical syndrome characterized in part by endothelial dysfunction. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) produces pulsatile shear stress, which has been associated with improvements in systemic endothelial function. To explore the effects of EECP on symptom burden, physical capacity, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with PASC-associated angina and microvascular dysfunction (MVD). An interventional pilot study was performed, including 10 patients (male = 5, mean age 50.3 years) recruited from a tertiary specialized PASC clinic. Patients with angina and MVD, defined as index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) ≥25 and/or diagnosed through stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, were included. Patients underwent one modified EECP course (15 one-hour sessions over five weeks). Symptom burden, six-minute walk test, and validated generic self-reported instruments for measuring psychological distress and HRQoL were assessed before and one month after treatment. At baseline, most commonly reported PASC symptoms were angina (100%), fatigue (80%), and dyspnea (80%). Other symptoms included palpitations (50%), concentration impairment (50%), muscle pain (30%), and brain fog (30%). Mean IMR was 63.6. After EECP, 6MWD increased (mean 29.5 m, median 21 m) and angina and fatigue improved. Mean depression scores showed reduced symptoms (-0.8). Mean HRQoL scores improved in seven out of eight subscales (+0.2 to 10.5). Patients with PASC-associated angina and evidence of MVD experienced subjective and objective benefits from EECP. The treatment was well-tolerated. These findings warrant controlled studies in a larger cohort.

Healthy Lifestyle and Quality of Life in Post-Operative Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Five-Month Observational Study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of treatment effectiveness. An unhealthy lifestyle can have a negative impact on quality of life. This study aimed to investigate changes in health-related lifestyle over time after surgery for colorectal cancer and their impact on HRQOL. Healthy lifestyle habits examined in this study included physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, sleep, and obesity levels. An observational study design was used. A total of 75 post-operative colorectal cancer patients were recruited from two medical centers in Taiwan. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Mean HRQOL scores at 1, 3, and 5 months after discharge were 102.5 (SD = 18.8), 102.9 (SD = 20.1), and 103.0 (SD = 18.9), respectively. A generalized estimating equation analysis showed that alcohol consumption (p = 0.009), fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.020), physical activity (p = 0.023), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and obesity (p = 0.035) were important predictors of post-operative quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer. The impact of smoking on HRQOL did not reach statistical significance. Colorectal cancer patients tend to have better HRQOL after surgery if they stay physically active, eat enough fruits and vegetables, and sleep well.

Cluster-Based Multinomial Logistic Regression Model for Health-Related Quality of Life Among People Living with HIV in Brazil.

Improvement in treatment options has increased the survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Thus, we evaluated the factors associated with better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among PLHIV in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 349 PLHIV. Data were collected using an interview-based questionnaire, and HRQoL was assessed by the Brazilian version of the WHOQOL HIV BREF instrument. We used non-hierarchical cluster analysis (K-means) to compile the WHOQOL HIV BREF's overall and domain scores into a unique more multidimensional measure for HRQoL consisting of three clusters: poor, fair and good; associations with clusters of better HRQoL were assessed using multinomial logistic regression models. The mean and median overall HRQoL scores were 15.13 (SD = 3.39) and 16, respectively. The reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of the WHOQOL HIV BREF instrument was confirmed among PLHIV in a non-metropolitan, medium-sized municipality of Brazil, which reaffirmed the cross-cultural validity of this instrument. The factors male sex; heterosexual and asexual orientations; higher individual income; undetectable viral load; absence of any comorbidity and presence of an infectious or a chronic comorbidity, with mental illness as the reference; and never having consumed illegal substances were independently associated with good HRQoL. Thus, the compilation of the WHOQOL HIV BREF's overall and domain scores into a unique multidimensional measure for HRQoL, which this study proposed for the first time, may facilitate more robust interpretations and models of predictors. These differentials could simplify HRQoL as an indicator of health and wellbeing to be routinely used as a key outcome in the clinical management of patients and in the global monitoring of health system responses to HIV.

Investigating the Relationship between Endogenous Factor VIII Levels and Annual Bleed Rates and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Hemophilia a Not Treated with Factor VIII Prophylaxis

Background Haemophilia A (HA) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by excessive bleeding caused by dysfunctional or absent clotting factor VIII (FVIII). Levels of FVIII determine severity of HA; 5% to &amp;lt;40% of normal FVIII levels is classified as mild disease, 1-5% is moderate, and &amp;lt;1% is severe. Current standard of care for severe hemophilia A is prophylaxis, with FVIII replacement keeping levels above 3-5% to prevent bleeding episodes. Less severe patients, or patients who opt-out of prophylaxis, may be treated on-demand. In patients not on prophylaxis, factor levels (FLs) are considered endogenous. Aims The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between endogenous FLs and ABR; and FLs and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), in patients across all severities treated on-demand. Methods The analysis was conducted using the CHESS II dataset - a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and The United Kingdom [2018-19]. Physicians completed questionnaires about their patients, and patients completed HRQoL questionnaires. The inclusion criteria for this analysis was restricted to adult male patients without inhibitors or treated with prophylaxis. ABR was defined as the total number of bleeds recorded in the patient's medical records within the previous 12 months from patient enrolment. HRQoL was measured using the EQ5D-5L and valued using UK preference weights for comparison. Spearman's correlation was used to assess the relationships between FLs and both ABR and HRQoL. Regression models were used to estimate the relationships controlling for key covariates, including age, body mass index, and blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis B and C). Results A total of 403 patients from six countries (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Romania, and United Kingdom) were included. Patients with mild, moderate, or severe HA accounted for 30%, 33%, and 37% of the sample, respectively. The mean age was 37.2 years with mean BMI 24.5 kg/m 2. The mean baseline FLs of all patients in the sample was 7 IU/dL (SD, 10.2) overall and 8.1 IU/dL (SD, 11.3) for the subset with HRQoL data (N = 167). The mean ABR was 2.3 bleeds/year (SD, 2.64) and the mean HRQoL score (n = 167) was 0.777 (SD, 0.197). Correlation analyses identified statistically significant, non-linear relationships between FLs and ABR, and FLs and HRQoL. The model showed lower ABRs in patients with higher endogenous FLs (figure 1). The regression suggests that on average, for every 1% higher endogenous FLs, ABR is 3.9% [95%CI: 2.8, 5.0%] (0.09 units) lower. In other words, an increase in FLs of 11% is associated with a reduction in ABR of approximately 1 bleed per year (figure 1). For HRQoL and FLs, the regression analyses show higher HRQoL with higher FLs (figure 2). The model showed every 1% higher FLs was associated with 0.0054 [95%CI: 0.003, 0.008] points higher EQ5D scores on average; therefore, an increase in FLs of 13% could achieve a minimal clinically important difference in HRQoL. Given non-linearity of the relationship, larger gains in HRQoL may come from raising FLs in more severe patients. Conclusion The results of this study reflect the spectrum of patients with HA treated on-demand in Europe. Due to the selection of patients not treated with prophylaxis, some of whom may have lower bleeding phenotypes, bleed rates and HRQoL are likely underestimated. The analyses show patients with higher endogenous FLs may experience fewer bleeds and better HRQoL than patients with lower FLs. This relationship may be maintained when considering FLs during prophylactic treatment. Higher FLs are not only related to clinical benefits, but also humanistic outcomes.

Impact of Covid-19 lockdown on health-related quality of life, mental well-being, and daily routines among high school children of Udupi District, Karnataka, India: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundCovid-19 lockdown had a multidimensional impact on the health and well-being among children. The present study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), mental well-being, and daily routines among high school children, and find the relationship between them. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 high school students between 13 and 17 years of age from selected High Schools of Udupi District. The data collection instruments included: Background Proforma, KIDSCREEN-27 Index, Stirling Children's Wellbeing Scale, and Daily Routines Questionnaire. ResultsOut of 420 participants, 51.7% were males. Mean age was 14.35 ± 0.96. Around 91.2% participants experienced average HRQOL. Mean HRQOL score was 47.5 ± 5.98. HRQOL subdomains showed average levels of physical well-being, autonomy and parent relations, social support and peers, and school environment. Around 60.2% experienced average mental well-being, and 35.7% experienced poor mental well-being. Mean mental well-being was 48.8 ± 6.62. Daily routines analysis showed that 49.7% were engaged in physical activities, 36.9% used phones for one to 2 h a day, 75.7% had adequate nighttime sleep and 43.3% were mentally stressed due to online classes. A significant correlation was found between HRQOL and mental well-being (r = 0.615, p < 0.001). ConclusionChildren experienced average HRQOL and mental well-being during lockdown. Higher the HRQOL of children, better the mental well-being. Health promotion strategies and good support system from the school is needed to enhance HRQOL and improve mental well-being of children, thus contributing to Sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.

Health-related quality of life of metastatic prostate cancer patients treated with prostate Radiotherapy

BackgroundThe impact of prostate radiotherapy on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) significantly influences the outcomes of metastatic prostate cancer. We measured and compared HRQoL of metastatic prostate cancer patients who received cytoreductive prostate radiotherapy.MethodsBetween November 23, 2020, and November 21, 2022, we recruited 70 metastatic prostate cancer patients at the Department of Clinical Oncology at Suez Canal University Hospital. Patients were eligible if they had synchronous and metachronous histopathological confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2. Random allocation was performed for either definitive local radiotherapy concurrent with the standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or to the standard ADT alone. Definitive radiotherapy was delivered conventionally (70 Gy/35 fractions) or through the hypofractionated regimen (55 Gy/20 fractions). Patients completed the comprehensive European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-PR25) at baseline, then at three-month intervals for one year. The primary endpoint was patient-reported HRQoL, with secondary endpoints including toxicity and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). Mean HRQoL scores between groups were compared using the independent samples t-test.ResultsWe observed clinically significant improvements in urinary and bowel functions between baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals after receiving definitive prostate radiotherapy. Patients in the radiotherapy group had significantly lower urinary symptoms scores than the control group. However, sexual activity and functioning showed significant deterioration.ConclusionCytoreductive prostate radiotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer patients significantly improved urinary functioning, preserved bowel functioning but was associated with worsening of sexual functioning.Trial RegistrationThis trial was registered on (27/04/2023) with pactr.samrc.ac.za, PACTR202305854600529, URL: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=25510.

Patient-reported health-related quality of life outcomes following mastectomy for breast cancer, with immediate, delayed or no breast reconstruction: Four-year follow-up from a prospective cohort study.

Breast reconstruction (BR) improves women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following mastectomy for breast cancer, yet factors contributing to improved HRQOL remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the overall impact of mastectomy with or without BR on participants' perceptions of HRQOL over time in a cohort of women with high-risk breast cancer; to examine differences in mean HRQOL scores between immediate BR, delayed BR and no BR groups; to assess the influence of patient characteristics potentially associated with HRQOL scores; and to determine the feasibility of long-term collection of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical settings. A prospective, longitudinal study of 100 women with high-risk breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction and were likely to require post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Four validated patient-reported questionnaires, comprising 21 outcome measures relating to HRQOL, administered at baseline and up to 4 years post-mastectomy. Demographic, clinical and surgical data extracted from patient medical records. Consistently significant declines in perceptions of future health and arm symptoms, consistently significant improvements in treatment side effects, breast symptoms and fatigue, as well as significant improvements, compared to baseline, in social functioning and financial difficulties at 48 months. No significant differences in mean HRQOL scores between women given a choice of reconstructive options. Similar trajectories of HRQOL scores were found in women with high-risk breast cancer who were offered a choice of BR. Informed choice may be an independent contributing factor in long-term maintenance of most HRQOL indicators at their pre-mastectomy levels.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Service Barriers among Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Saudi Arabia.

The burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is high in Saudi Arabia, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with SCD. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with SCD attending hematology clinics at Qatif Central Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire included subsections to collect information from participants, including sociodemographic attributes, SCD characteristics, HRQoL based on SF-36, and opinions regarding barriers to service. Among 272 SCD patients, the highest mean score of HRQoL was observed in the social functioning (SF) domain (65.0±23.4), whereas the lowest score was observed in the role limitations due to physical health (RP) domain (47.2±40.4). The mean score for participants' opinions regarding service provision was 19.27±4.68 (min-max:10-30), and only 24.6% had a positive opinion regarding the accessibility of service provision. A total of 38.6% of the respondents acknowledged shortcomings in the services offered by healthcare staff, and 43% identified weaknesses in communication with healthcare staff. Moreover, 40.1% agreed about feeling stigmatized about their condition. SCD patients who were <40 years old, males, had a university degree, had health insurance, waited <15 minutes before receiving health care, and had positive opinions regarding service provision were more likely to have better HRQoL scores. Adults with SCD exhibited low HRQoL in general, and different factors were related to low HRQoL scores. Counselling, empowerment, and improvement of doctor-patient communication are important strategies to improve healthcare provision, and consequently, HRQoL among adults with SCD.

Advances in Treatment and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cohort Study of Older Adult Survivors of Breast Cancer.

To determine whether there are differences in the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adult survivors of breast cancer (BC) diagnosed in different time periods and to gain insight into whether advances in BC treatment have improved HRQOL. Three cohorts of older adult survivors of BC diagnosed before 1995, from 1996 to 2005, and from 2006 to 2015 were examined using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey linked databases. HRQOL was measured using the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey. Mean cohort HRQOL scores were compared using analysis of variance, then multivariate regression models were used to examine the effects of cohort membership and covariates on mental and physical HRQOL. Adjusted mean HRQOL scores trended significantly lower with each successive cohort. Higher comorbidity count and increased functional limitations were negatively associated with HRQOL, and income, education level, and better general health perceptions were positively associated with HRQOL. Regardless of time since diagnosis, older survivors of BC are at risk for poor HRQOL and should be regularly assessed. Maximizing HRQOL requires consideration of the survivor's resources, comorbidities, and functional limitations when planning care.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life among people with visual impairments living in nursing homes in Armenia: a cross-sectional study

Purpose The study aimed to examine the effect of visual impairment (VI), eye diseases, and other risk factors on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in nursing home residents in Armenia. Methods This cross-sectional study administered an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire to collect information about socio-demographics, chronic diseases, HRQoL, smoking, receiving and giving instrumental/emotional social support, and sleeping disorders among 313 nursing home residents. An ophthalmic examination of the participants was conducted. Results The mean age was 72.5 years, ranging from 45.5 to 91.4. Women constituted 50% of the sample. The prevalence of normal vision by presenting visual acuity with available correction was 55.3%, while VI and blindness were present in 40.8% and 3.9%, respectively. Uncorrected refractive error (URE) was found in 20% of participants. The mean HRQoL score was 51.3, ranging from 7.9 to 95.0. In the adjusted analysis, having at least one chronic non-communicable disease, sleeping disorders, eye diseases, URE, VI, blindness, and giving instrumental social support were associated with HRQoL. Conclusions Regular eye care services could improve the eye health and HRQoL of nursing home residents. Interventions addressing vision loss and chronic non-communicable diseases could enhance the functioning and overall well-being of the target population.

Health-related quality of life and medication adherence of people living with epilepsy in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PWE. Secondary aims were to assess association between adherence and HRQoL and determine predictors of HRQoL in PWE in Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PWE receiving treatment from two tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. The HRQoL and adherence were assessed with Urdu versions of Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Relationship between HRQoL and adherence was assessed by Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. Forced entry multiple linear models were used to determine relationship of independent variables with HRQoL. 219 PWE with a mean (±standard deviation) age, 34.18 (±13.710) years, participated in this study. The overall weighted mean HRQoL score was (51.60±17.10), and mean score for adherence was 6.17 (±2.31). There was significant association between adherence and HRQoL in PWE (Pearson's correlation=0.820-0.930; p≤.0001). Multiple linear regression found adherence (B=16.8; p≤.0001), male gender (B=10.0; p=.001), employment status (employed: B=7.50; p=.030), level of education (Tertiary: B=0.910; p=.010), duration of epilepsy (>10 years: B=-0.700; p≤.0001), and age (≥46 years: B=-0.680; p≤.0001), and ASM therapy (polypharmacy: B=0.430; p=.010) as independent predictors of HRQoL in PWE from Pakistan. The findings suggest PWE from our center have suboptimal adherence which affects HRQoL. Independent factors such as male gender, employment status and duration of epilepsy are predictors of HRQoL.