Health-related Quality Of Life In Populations Research Articles

Sex differences in the impact of musculoskeletal disorders on health-related quality of life: a population-based study, Campinas, SP - ISACamp 2014/15.

This article aims to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MD) on the adult population of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, verifying associated demographic and socioeconomic factors, and to analyze their impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) according to sex. A population-based study was conducted with 2,166 individuals using data from the ISACamp 2014/15. The Medical Outcomes Study SF-36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to measure HRQoL according to MD. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated by Poisson regression. Musculoskeletal disorders had a prevalence of 8.5% (6.7% tendonitis and 2.7% work-related musculoskeletal disorders - WMSD). Results showed a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in women, active or on leave due to illness, and in individuals with higher education levels. Moreover, reduced HRQoL scores were observed in 6 of the 8 domains, due to MD. The mental component and physical component showed greater impairment respectively among women and men after self-reported WMSD. These findings point to substantial damage from musculoskeletal disorders on the population's HRQoL. WMSD affect the HRQoL of men and women distinctly.

Youth Victims of Violence Report Worse Quality of Life Than Youth With Chronic Diseases.

Measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) provides the patient's perspective of his/her well-being and offers a unique outcome measure to demonstrate the impact of violence on the victim. To date, no study has described HRQOL in youth victims of violence in the United States. The purpose of this study was to describe HRQOL in youth victims of violence as compared with healthy youth and youth with chronic disease. We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study of the HRQOL of victims of violence aged 8 to 18 years. Descriptive statistics were reported for participant and injury demographics. One sample t tests were used to compare the sample population's HRQOL to known HRQOL of healthy populations and specific disease populations. Fifty-eight victims of violence participated in the study. Youth victims of violence had significantly worse mean HRQOL scores (mean, 71.4) compared with healthy youth in overall functioning (mean, 83.9), P < 0.001. Youth victims of violence reported worse psychosocial (mean, 67.6), emotional (mean, 62.9), and school (mean, 63.8) functioning than youth with obesity (mean, 72.1, 68.6, 75.0, respectively) and cancer (mean, 72.1, 72.2, 68.3, respectively). Mean Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System T scores for youth victims of violence were significantly worse in anxiety (T = 51.9) and depression (T = 52.4) compared with youth with obesity (T = 48.3, 49.2), cancer (T = 47.7, 47.6), and sickle cell disease (T = 43, 44). Youth victims of violence suffer significant impairment in HRQOL compared with healthy populations and youth with specific disease burdens. Future studies into violence prevention effectiveness should use HRQOL as a comparative outcome measure to better tailor post injury management and interventions.

The applicability of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health to study lifestyle and quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors.

Well-designed studies on lifestyle and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in colorectal cancer survivors based on a biopsychosocial instead of a traditional biomedical approach are warranted. We report on the applicability of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as useful biopsychosocial framework to improve research on how lifestyle influences colorectal cancer survivors' HRQoL, using the Energy for life after ColoRectal cancer (EnCoRe) study as an example. The ICF was used to develop a conceptual model for studying lifestyle and colorectal cancer survivors' HRQoL, by identifying relevant factors from literature and mapping them within the ICF. Subsequently, this model was used for selection of measurement instruments and biomarkers. By linking meaningful concepts within selected measures to the ICF, we could assess the ICF coverage of our developed conceptual model. Within selected measures, 450 meaningful concepts were identified, of which 88% were linked to the ICF. The linking process resulted in 132 distinctive ICF categories assigned (38% within "Body Functions," 2% within "Body Structures," 46% within "Activities and Participation," and 14% within "Environmental Factors"). The selected EnCoRe study measures broadly cover ICF domains relevant to colorectal cancer survivors, stressing the relevance of using a biopsychosocial approach for studying this population's HRQoL. The developed conceptual model will guide data analyses and interpretation, and facilitate early transfer of results for development, evaluation, and implementation of personalized multidisciplinary lifestyle interventions. We recommend the ICF as an invaluable framework for improving the quality and scope of HRQoL studies.

Quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) loss due to smoking in the United States.

Estimate quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) loss due to smoking and examine trends and state differences in smoking-related QALE loss in the U.S. Population health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were estimated from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This study constructed life tables based on U.S. mortality files and the mortality linked National Health Interview Survey and calculated QALE for smokers, non-smokers, and the total population. In 2009, an 18-year-old smoker was expected to have 43.5 (SE=0.2) more years of QALE, and a non-smoker of the same age was expected to have 54.6 (SE=0.2) more years of QALE. Therefore, smoking contributed 11.0 (SE=0.2) years of QALE loss for smokers and 4.1years (37%) of this loss resulted from reductions in HRQOL alone. At the population level, smoking was associated with 1.9 fewer years of QALE for U.S. adults throughout their lifetime, starting at age 18. This study demonstrates an application of a recently developed QALE estimation methodology. The analyses show good precision and relatively small bias in estimating QALE--especially at the individual level. Although smokers may live longer today than before, they still have a high disease burden due to morbidities associated with poor HRQOL.

Health-related quality of life in French adolescents and adults: norms for the DUKE Health Profile

BackgroundThe continual monitoring of population health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with validated instruments helps public health agencies assess, protect, and promote population health. This study aimed to determine norms for the French adolescent and adult general population for the Duke Health Profile (DUKE) questionnaire in a large representative community sample.MethodsWe randomly selected 17,733 French people aged 12 to 75 years old in 2 steps, by households and individuals, from the National Health Barometer 2005, a periodic population study by the French National Institute for Prevention and Health Education. Quality of life and other data were collected by computer-assisted telephone interview.ResultsNormative data for the French population were analyzed by age, gender and self-reported chronic disease. Globally, function scores (best HRQoL=100) for physical, mental, social, and general health, as well as perceived health and self-esteem, were 72.3 (SEM 0.2), 74.6 (0.2), 66.8 (0.1), 71.3 (0.1), 71.3 (0.3), 76.5 (0.1), respectively. Dysfunction scores (worst HRQoL=100) for anxiety, depression, pain and disability domains were 30.9 (0.1), 27.6 (0.2), 34.3 (0.3), 3.1 (0.1), respectively.ConclusionThe French norms for adolescents and adults for the DUKE could be used as a reference for other studies assessing HRQoL, for specific illnesses, in France and for international comparisons.

Regional differences in health status in China: Population health-related quality of life results from the National Health Services Survey 2008

PurposeTo measure, describe and analyse regional differences in health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D in China. Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews on a national representative sample (n=120,703, 15–103 years). The EQ-5D instrument was used to measure health status. ResultsRural areas had worse health status than urban areas. Health status was worst in western areas and best in eastern areas, and such disparities were profounder in rural areas. In urban areas, health status was best in middle-sized cities. In rural areas, health status increased with the economic development level of a county. ConclusionOur study enhances understanding of the urban–rural differences and east–middle–west differences in health and sheds light on inequalities in health status between different city categories in the urban areas and county categories in the rural areas.

Symbiotic relationships of quality of life, health services research and other health research

Clinical biomedical research, the traditional research orientation of quality of life (QOL) researchers, is chiefly concerned with disease processes and assessing the impact of therapeutic interventions on improving health status and QOL outcomes. This paper suggests, however, that the biomedical paradigm limits utility of QOL research findings in terms of its ability to shape health policy and improve health-related QOL in populations at risk. This paper proposes that health services research (HSR) and other health research paradigms can be used to assess QOL from multiple perspectives. HSR and QOL research can be mutually beneficial. The models for understanding health services utilized in HSR may assist in defining major determinants of QOL and the interaction of QOL with its environment. Conversely, QOL measures may be used to establish the relevance of HSR to people's well-being. The paper first defines the domain of HSR and the domain of quality of life. In order to understand their relationship, we consider what a model or paradigm for each might be, and how they would overlap. Finally, a merging of conceptual frameworks is proposed, linking QOL research to HSR and other health research. Ultimately, expanding the QOL paradigm beyond the biomedical model will promote two objectives. First, it will permit research findings to contribute more fully to shaping national health policy by considering the broader community and the delivery system factors which influence QOL. Second, researchers will be more aware of a broader range of factors affecting patients and will incorporate this in their research.