Patient-perceived Quality Of Life Research Articles

Comparison of Quality of Life Perceived by Patients with Bioprosthetic versus Mechanical Valves after Composite Aortic Root Replacement

Objective: To assess whether postoperative quality of life (QOL) for composite aortic root replacement patients differs according to whether it is based on the use of mechanical valves or bioprosthetic valves. Methods: The study included 146 consecutive patients who underwent composite aortic root replacement at our institution from January 2010 to April 2014 with bioprosthetic (34.9%, n = 51) and mechanical (65.1%, n = 95) valves. Patient-perceived QOL was measured by administering the Short Form (SF)-36v2 Health Survey and a series of supplemental questions to further evaluate valve-specific differences. Final survey participation (n = 121) included 82.9% of the qualifying patients, and involved 76.5% (39/51) of those with bioprosthetic valves and 86.3% (82/95) of those with mechanical valves. Reasons for not completing the survey included 5 expired patients (3.4%), 1 lost due to a language barrier (0.7%), 6 who refused to participate (4.1%) and 13 who were lost to follow-up (8.9%). The mean follow-up time was 32 months (range 4-56 months). Results: Patients in the bioprosthetic valve group were older (mean age 67.5 ± 13.6 years) and included more females (25.6% or 10/39) than those in the mechanical valve group (mean age 56.6 ± 12.0 years; 11.0% or 9/82 were female). No significant differences were found between the bioprosthetic and mechanical valve groups for any QOL aspects scored by the SF-36v2 survey. All 8 domains and 2 summary scales comprising the QOL evaluation were above national norms calculated using gender- and age-matched, norm-based scoring for a standard national average of 50. The supplemental questions indicated satisfaction with each valve type despite characteristics that were of concern to patients. In the mechanical valve group, 90.2% (74/82) reported that the audible valve click was not troublesome, 85.4% (70/82) that taking a blood thinner regularly did not affect daily life and 81.7% (67/82) that blood testing for anticoagulation therapy was not troublesome. Conclusions: Receiving a tissue or a mechanical valve does not directly affect postoperative QOL. Answers to supplemental questions suggest that prior concerns with mechanical valves do not affect patients in the commonly anticipated negative manner. The preconception of a heavy QOL burden for mechanical composite grafts is contradicted by this study.

Electro-acupuncture for treatment of knee pain from osteoarthritis and the possible endocrinology changes: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BackgroundOsteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of disability among adults. Electro-acupuncture is considered a potentially useful treatment for osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on pain control, pain perception, plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels, patient-perceived quality of life, and pain medication use in patients with chronic knee pain.Methods/designThis study is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel design trial. One hundred sixty out-patients who are more than 50 years old and who have osteoarthritis of the knee will be recruited from the island of Mallorca, Spain. Each participant will be randomly placed into one of two groups: (sham) electro-acupuncture non-insertion technique and real electro-acupuncture.Acupuncture treatments will be the Traditional Chinese Medicine type. The patients will be evaluated after a period of 1 month (with two weekly sessions), 3 months (with one monthly session), 6 months (with one session every 45 days), and 1 year later with follow-up sessions at the end of the study (with one session every 2 months).The primary outcomes will be based on the observed changes from the baseline of the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain measured at 12 weeks after the end of treatment.Also to be included in the study are the possible changes in the secondary efficacy variables from baseline as assessed by the Short Form 36 version 2 health survey (patient-perceived quality of life), patient plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin levels at the different treatment stages, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, pain medication use, functional capacity and stiffness (WOMAC subscales), and a VAS. These variables will be assessed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after study commencement.DiscussionThe findings from this study will help to determine whether electro-acupuncture is effective for chronic knee pain management in older people and whether electro-acupuncture can deliver results for the improvement of pain relief, stiffness, and disability. The study will therefore be a major step toward understanding the roles of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the endogenous opioid system in the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture for chronic pain.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02299713 (11 Nov. 2014).

Periprosthetic joint infection—effect on quality of life

Relatively little is known about the extent to which periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) affect the patient's long-term quality of life (QoL). Our study aim was to assess the effect of a periprosthetic infection on our patients' QoL. We collected data retrospectively of patients who had undergone surgery in our institution between 2006 and 2011. To capture their overall QoL, we telephoned the patients who could be reached and asked them the questions on the SF-12 questionnaire. In 84 patients (53 male, 31 female, 43 TKA and 41 THA), 88% of the hip infections and 62% of the knee infections had been successfully treated. The hip infections' cure rate was significantly higher than that of the knee joint infections. The average SF-12 score was 36.2 points on the physical scale and 52 on the mental scale. The difference in QoL between patients with and without successful infection therapy was not significant, nor did the site of the infection (knee or hip) influence QoL significantly. Comparison of our patients' QoL data to that from the general population revealed a significant difference in the physical scale but not the mental scale. From these results QoL is substantially reduced after a prosthetic infection. We did however observe that post-Girdelstone procedure patients or those with an arthrodesis attained an acceptable QoL, and that those methods remain therapeutic alternatives as far as patient-perceived QoL is concerned.

Patient-Perceived Quality of Life after Total Hip Arthroplasty: Elective versus Traumatological Surgery.

Purpose. The aim was to evaluate and compare patient's health-related quality of life after THA for osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture. The postoperative outcome was retrospectively evaluated in patients who underwent THA with an intracapsular femoral neck fracture (Group A) or with an hip osteoarthritis (Group B). Methods. Length discrepancy was measured on postoperative X-rays. Study groups were compared as to age, results of WOMAC and SF-36 tests, limb length discrepancy (LLD) by independent group t-test. Correlations between LLD and results obtained atWOMAC test were performed. 117 patients were enrolled. The 2 groups were similar as to age, type of implanted stem and sex. Mean follow up was 2,4 years for group A and 2,3 years for group B. Results. WOMAC score was found higher in group A in all items examinated. Correlation tests did not indicate a statistically significant linear relationship between LLD and WOMAC score in both groups. Conclusions. Patients who received THA for arthritis have better perception of quality of life than traumatologic patients. Although LLD should always be strongly considered by the surgeons performing a THA, LLD alone can't be considered as an indicator of patient dissatisfaction or clinical bad result after a 2-year followup.

Cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery in Japan

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery through measurement of the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) in Japan. A total of 549 patients scheduled for cataract surgery at 12 clinical sites from November 2008 through February 2010 were included in the study. Prospective assessment of patient preference-based quality of life (utility) was performed before and after the surgery using the time tradeoff method, EuroQol, and Health Utilities Index Mark 3. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between utility and visual acuity. The QALYs gained through cataract surgery were estimated, and cost-utility analysis was performed. The utilities significantly correlated with the visual acuity in the better seeing eye. In all the subgroups (first eye surgery, second eye surgery, and bilateral surgery), mean utility improvement was statistically significant. Average QALYs for unilateral cataract surgery and bilateral cataract surgery were 2.40 and 3.40, respectively. The cost per QALY gained from surgery was estimated at ¥122,472 (US $1,307) for unilateral surgery and ¥145,562 (US $1,553) for bilateral surgery. Routine cataract surgery in Japan is highly cost-effective. Factors that contribute to this are the high clinical effectiveness of the surgery, the substantial improvement in patient-perceived quality of life, and the reasonable cost of the surgery.

Implementation of a Clinical Pathway in Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Patients Treated by Wedge Resection Surgery

This study was conducted to develop a clinical pathway for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) patients treated by wedge resection surgery. The authors also aimed to evaluate the effects of the implementation of the PSP clinical pathway on (1) complication occurrence rates, (2) self-efficacy with respect to PSP recurrence prevention, (3) patient-perceived quality of life, and (4) patient treatment satisfaction. This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent study design. The study subjects were 60 PSP patients admitted to the thoracic surgery departments at 2 university hospitals located in Seoul, South Korea. A retrospective medical record review was conducted to develop a PSP clinical pathway, and the developed clinical pathway was then applied to the treatment group (n = 30). Complication occurrence rates, self-efficacy with respect to PSP recurrence prevention, perceived quality of life, and patient treatment satisfaction were measured. The developed PSP clinical pathway is comprehensive and includes self-care and recurrence prevention education in addition to common protocols, such as medication and diagnostic tests. The pathway significantly improved self-efficacy with respect to preventing PSP recurrence, health-related quality of life, and patient treatment satisfaction, but did not reduce complication rates. The present study offers a new comprehensive clinical pathway for PSP patients who have undergone wedge resection surgery. This study may be useful in the clinical nursing field by providing guiding standards for PSP-related education with respect to diet, exercise, self-supervision, complication, stress control, and recurrence prevention.

The Impact of Tinnitus and Vertigo on Patient-Perceived Quality of Life After Cerebellopontine Angle Surgery

Quality of life (QOL) has come into focus after treatment for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) lesions. This study compared subjective (tinnitus, vertigo) and objective (hearing loss, facial palsy) results of CPA surgery with patient-perceived impairment of QOL. A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 48 patients operated on for either a vestibular schwannoma or a meningioma in the CPA was performed. Patient's subjective impairment of QOL by tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, and facial nerve palsy was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS). Objective facial nerve and hearing function were determined using House-Brackmann and Gardner-Robertson classification systems, respectively. The return rate of questionnaires was 64.4%, with mean follow-up time of 417.2 (+/- 46.4) days. Mean preoperative tinnitus score was 2.5 (+/- 0.5) and increased to 4.6 (+/- 0.7) postoperatively (P < .01). The vertigo score increased from 2.0 (+/- 0.3) to 5.8 (+/- 0.6) (P < .001). Pre- and postoperative values for hearing loss were 3.4 (+/- 0.6) and 5.9 (+/- 0.7), respectively (P < .01), and for facial nerve palsy 0.7 (+/- 0.4) compared with 3.1 (+/- 0.6) postoperatively (P < .01). House-Brackmann grade 1 or 2 was determined in 87.1% of patients before and in 80.6% after surgery. Serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson classes I-III) was found in 75% before and in 64.3% after surgery. Preservation of facial nerve and hearing function are not the only important criteria defining QOL after CPA surgery. Tinnitus and vertigo may have a significant underestimated impact on the patient's postoperative course and QOL.

Subjective and objective assessment of quality of life after chest wall resection

To date, quality of life (QoL) after extensive chest wall resection is not known. This study analyses QoL in long-term survivors after extensive resection. Retrospective analysis of 51 patients operated for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)/mediastinal tumour invading the chest wall, primary/secondary chest wall tumours. QoL and functional status of long-term survivors (>36 months) were studied using Borg scale, Mahler dyspnoea index, Functional Autonomy Measuring System (SMAF) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Out of the 51 patients, pulmonary function tests were available before and after resection in 24 patients and were subjected to analysis. Five-year survival was 50%, 26 patients survived>36 months. At follow-up, 22/28 deaths were cancer related. Compared to baseline, the reduction of flow expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were 18% and 15%, respectively (p<0.001). The QoL study included 23 long-term survivors. A moderate/severe dyspnoea was present in 5/23 patients (21%). The SF-36 questionnaire revealed that, compared to controls, patients with chest wall resection experienced impaired QoL in physical functioning, in role physical, in body pain, in social functioning and in mental health. Objective measurements of pulmonary function correlated poorly with QoL, whereas subjective assessment of dyspnoea was significantly associated with QoL. This study shows that long-term survivors after extensive chest wall resection experienced moderate impairments in several QoL subscales. As previously reported in patients after pulmonary resection, subjective assessment such as dyspnoea correlated well with patient-perceived QoL.

Pancreatoduodenal surgery in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: Operative outcomes, long-term function, and quality of life

Pancreatoduodenal (PD) neoplasms represent the principal disease-specific lethality in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Potential oncologic benefits of PD resection must be weighed against operative morbidities, compromised pancreatic function, and quality of life (QOL). Fifty MEN1 patients underwent PD resections during 1984-2004. Postoperative pancreatic function and QOL were assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 and a disease-specific questionnaire (response rate, 78%). Twelve patients (24%) had asymptomatic disease detected by screening; 38 patients (76%) were symptomatic. All gross neoplasm was resected in 80% of patients. No patients died; 21 patients (42%) had complications. At 5 years postoperatively, 60% of patients were alive without disease, 24% of patients were with disease, 10% of patients died of PD neoplasms, 4% of patients died of other malignancies, and 2% of patients died of an unknown cause. Diabetes that requires insulin or oral hypoglycemics developed in 20% of patients. Frequent steatorrhea (>once/week) occurred in 25% of patients, early dumping occurred in 25% of patients, bloating occurred in 25% of patients, late dumping occurred in 7% of patients, hypoglycemia occurred in 7% of patients, and vomiting occurred in 4% of patients. Global QOL did not differ from that of the reference population (72.8 vs 75.3; P = .58). PD resections in MEN1 are associated with perioperative risks and altered pancreatic function. The moderate compromise in patient-perceived QOL suggests that most patients accept and adapt to these trade-offs for the potential of prolonged survival.

Male Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia

To describe the prevalence and clinical correlates of sexual dysfunction in a sample of adult male outpatients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or haloperidol, focusing on associations between sexual dysfunction and patient-perceived quality of life. Sexual dysfunction was assessed in 139 outpatients with DSM-IV schizophrenia who were receiving olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or haloperidol, but no other medications associated with sexual side effects. Structured assessments were made of psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and relationships. Sexual dysfunction occurred in 45.3% of patients. Patients with and without sexual dysfunction did not significantly differ with respect to severity of psychiatric symptoms. However, as compared with patients without sexual dysfunction, patients with sexual dysfunction reported significantly lower ratings on global quality of life (t = 2.4, df = 136, p = .02) and the level of enjoyment in their life (t = 2.5, df = 136, p = .01). Patients with sexual dysfunction were significantly less likely than those without sexual dysfunction to report having a romantic partner (17.5% vs. 43.4%; chi(2) = 10.7, df = 1, p = .001), though they were not significantly less likely to report difficulty making friends (27.0% vs. 32.9%; chi(2) = 0.57, df = 1, p = .45). Among patients with romantic partners, those with sexual dysfunction reported significantly poorer quality of their relationships (t = 2.3, df = 42, p = .02) and were less likely to talk to their partner about their illness (t = 2.0, df = 42, p = .047). Sexual dysfunction is common in men with schizophrenia who are treated with olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, or haloperidol and is associated with diminished quality of life, decreased occurrence of romantic relationships, and reduced intimacy when relationships are established. High prevalence and substantial interference with quality of life combine to make sexual dysfunction an important area for clinical assessment and appropriate intervention in the community management of schizophrenia.

Overview of endpoints in atrial fibrillation studies

Among the principles for selection of endpoints for trials of arrhythmia management, the most important is that the endpoint be clinically relevant. According to this principle, the endpoint must be closely related to the objective of therapy. In the case of atrial fibrillation, for too long it seems, it has been believed that the primary objective of therapy has been maintenance of sinus rhythm. However, it is important to recognize that maintenance of sinus rhythm is, in fact, a surrogate endpoint and, as the lesson of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial has taught us, arrhythmia suppression is not necessarily a good surrogate for clinical events of importance. The use of clinical events as endpoints is to be encouraged, but the problem is that these events occur with a low frequency in many patients with atrial fibrillation. Symptoms are a primary target of therapy and potentially a good endpoint, but good methodology for quantification of symptoms remains to be developed. Methodology for assessment of patient-perceived quality of life is more highly developed. Surrogate endpoints, such as measurement of sinus rhythm or heart rate control, have the dual problems that they have not been well calibrated with clinical events and they sometimes are overly precise. Other surrogates have not been investigated. Composite endpoints are potentially useful, and cost is an important endpoint. More research on the validity of some of these endpoints is needed if we are to advance our knowledge of the management of atrial fibrillation in a meaningful way.

Relationship between clinical classification of chronic venous disease and patient-reported quality of life: results from an international cohort study

Objectives The CEAP ( clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) clinical classification for chronic venous disease (CVD) is based on physician-evaluated clinical signs of CVD. The relationship between CEAP clinical classification and patient-perceived quality of life (QOL) has not been evaluated, but is important for the selection and interpretation of outcomes in clinical studies of patients with CVD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether CVD, as classified with CEAP, is related to patient-reported QOL, and to identify patient characteristics associated with CEAP class and QOL that need to be considered when interpreting outcomes in CVD. Methods The Venous Insufficiency Epidemiologic and Economic Study (VEINES) population is an international cohort of 1531 patients with CVD recruited in Belgium, France, Italy, and Canada. At the baseline visit patients were categorized into one of seven CEAP clinical categories on the basis of a clinical examination, and completed standardized generic (Short-Form Health Survey, 36 items [SF-36]) and venous disease–specific (QOL [VEINES-QOL] and symptom severity [VEINES-Sym]) QOL questionnaires. Multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between CEAP class and QOL. Results The proportion of patients in the seven CEAP classes (class 0-6) was 3.8%, 13.3%, 24.1%, 12.8%, 36.4%, 7.3%, and 2.3%, respectively. In univariate analyses, SF-36 Physical Component Summary scores and VEINES-QOL and VEINES-Sym scores decreased significantly (ie, poorer QOL) with increasing CEAP class. Multivariate analyses controlling for age, sex, country, education, body mass index, years since CVD onset and comorbid conditions confirmed findings for VEINES-QOL and VEINES-Sym ( P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively). Conclusions Physician-evaluated clinical category, based on the CEAP classification, predicts patient-reported QOL and symptom severity in CVD.

Measures of quality of life: con.

Two conceptually different approaches towards an operational deenition of Quality of Life (QoL) have been proposed so far in the literature: the so-called ‘health-related QoL’, exemplieed by measures such as the sickness impact proele (SIP) or the SF-36, and the individual QoL, exemplieed by the schedule for the evaluation of individual quality of life-direct weighting (SEIQoL-DW). 1 The former consists of questionnaires which aim to assess the impact of the disease process on the functional and psychological status of the patient. The latter uses patient-generated cues to assess the patient-perceived QoL, whereby the choice of QoL-relevant domains and their weighting is left entirely to the patient and can vary from one assessment to the next. Not surprisingly, a recent randomized study showed that patients strongly favoured the SEIQoL-DW over the SIP and the SF-36. 2

Patient-perceived Quality of Life after Coronary Bypass Surgery: Experienced Problems and Reactions to Supportive Care One Year after the Operation

Patient-perceived Quality of Life after Coronary Bypass Surgery: Experienced Problems and Reactions to Supportive Care One Year after the Operation

The Quality of Life of Patients With Life-Threatening Arrhythmias

The treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias with amiodarone or an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator prolongs patient survival but with significant comorbidity. Previous studies have shown diminished health status and increased psychologic distress and inferred a diminished quality of life; however, a multidimensional analysis of quality of life, including patient perception, has not been performed. One hundred four consecutive patients were surveyed regarding patient demographics, health status, psychologic distress, and patient-perceived quality of life. The patients were treated with amiodarone (n = 30) with an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (n = 45) and the remainder were reference patients (n = 29). This study confirms that patients who survive life-threatening arrhythmias have diminished health status and increased psychologic distress; however, patient-perceived quality of life is preserved. These patients report a better perceived quality of life (as measured by the Quality of Life Index) than the reference group (22.3 +/- 4.0 vs 20.5 +/- 4.4, P < .05) and their scores are similar to those of normal healthy volunteers (mean score, 21.9). The improved quality of life scores were not dependent on treatment modality (22.1 +/- 4.0 vs 22.4 +/- 4.1 for medical vs surgical groups, respectively). Patient-perceived quality of life is maintained in patients who survive life-threatening arrhythmias despite their diminished health status and increased psychologic distress. Measured quality of life is independent of treatment modality. Thus, caution must be exercised in assuming a diminished quality of life in patients who have survived a life-threatening cardiac event.

CNS as Unit-Based Case Manager

Patient satisfaction, patient-perceived quality of life, and nurse satisfaction were compared before and after implementation of nursing case management on a 36-bed medical unit in a southeastern acute care hospital. In this quasi-experimental pre- and postintervention study, 50 adult oncology patients were surveyed. CNSs as unit-based case managers planned, coordinated, and facilitated care that was delivered by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants. As measured by the LaMonica/Oberst Patient Satisfaction Tool, patient satisfaction showed a statistically significant increase six months after implementation of nursing case management. Neither job satisfaction of nurses nor patient-perceived quality of life showed significant improvement.

Nursing Case Management

Patient satisfaction, patient-perceived quality of life, and nurse satisfaction were compared before and after the implementation of nursing case management in a southeastern acute care hospital. Immune-compromised oncology patients were sampled as proxy for patients with AIDS. Clinical nurse specialists as case managers planned, coordinated, and facilitated patient care on the 36-bed study unit. Patient satisfaction showed a statistically significant increase 6 months after implementation of nursing case management.