Quality Of Life In Psychological Domain Research Articles

Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics as predictors for quality of life in transmasculine and transfeminine individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy

Healthcare systems and providers have increasingly acknowledged the role and impact of social determinants in overall health. However, gender-diverse individuals face persistent health disparities due to their identities. There is limited research on the impact of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics on mood and quality of life (QoL) for transgender (TG) individuals. Our study aims to understand and better elucidate social and clinical characteristics of transmasculine (TM) and transfeminine (TF) individuals and their impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms. In this cross-sectional study, 298 TF and TM individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) were surveyed about their demographic characteristics (age, gender identity, body mass index (BMI), and education), social needs, mood, and quality of life. Multivariable regression modelling was performed to assess the effect of each variable listed above on three domains of QoL (psychological, environmental, and physical) as well as depressive symptoms. We find that QoL scores are similar between TM and TF individuals, with scores in the psychological domain particularly low in both cohorts. TM individuals report higher rates of stress and restroom avoidance than TF individuals. In particular, psychological well-being (measured by the psychological domain of QoL and depressive symptoms) is significantly associated with increased BMI, financial instability, and stress in TM individuals while for TF individuals, psychological well-being is associated with stress and social integration. These data suggest that social circumstances are key drivers of QoL and psychological well-being among gender-diverse individuals receiving GAHT with specific differences between TF and TM individuals. This information may be utilized by healthcare providers and policymakers to address and improve clinical care and social policies to improve health equity for gender-diverse individuals.

Quality of Life in Alcohol Use Disorder: Exploration of Predictive Factors in a Cross-Sectional Study

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic and relapsing biopsychosocial condition that leads to various medical, psychological, social, economic, and personal issues. This study evaluated how sociodemographic characteristics, clinical variables, impulsivity dimensions, and cognitive functions were associated with quality of life (QoL) among patients seeking treatment for AUD. Furthermore, the study investigated the predictors of QoL among patients seeking treatment for AUD based on attention, cognitive instability, motor impulsiveness, perseverance, and self-control dimensions of trait impulsivity. This study also investigated the potential mediating effect of anxiety and alcohol use severity in this relationship. After an initial assessment, the participants underwent comprehensive evaluations, including sociodemographic data, clinical history, and QoL domains. The evaluations also covered AUD severity, impulsivity dimensions, cognitive functions, craving intensity, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify associations between independent variables and QoL. The attention dimension of impulsivity and anxiety symptoms significantly predicted physical health domain of QoL. The self-control dimension and severity of alcohol use disorder predicted psychological domain of QoL. The indirect effect of attention dimension on physical health was significant [effect = −1.082, 95% CI (−2.008, −0.3598)]. The significance of impulsivity in influencing QoL for individuals with AUD has profound clinical implications. These findings underscore the importance of addressing anxiety and impulsivity in managing AUD, given their considerable impact, particularly on QoL, ultimately shaping treatment outcomes.

Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurologic disorder which leads to physical disability in children. Children with CP require more care and attention from their care givers. Hence the quality of life (QoL) of the care givers can be adversely affected.
 Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the QoL and its determinants among caregivers of children with CP in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
 Materials and Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, a hospital based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out, participants were 96 caregivers of children on follow up for CP. The English Version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-Bref) was used to evaluate the QoL of the participants. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic characteristic of the participants and children with CP, while the patients hospital record was used to obtain the medical history of the patients. The functional disability level of the child was measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS levels I-V) scale. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine the predictors of the care givers QoL on all four domains of the WHOQOL-Bref.
 Results: The age of the participant ranged from 23 -58 years with a mean age of 37.67± 8.27 years. Seventy-eight (81.3%) were females, 77(80.0%) had secondary education and above while 56 (58.3%) of the patients had co-morbidity. The care givers had lower level of QoL < 60 points in all domains except for Physical Health Domain which had mean point of 61.3.
 The GMFCS level of the patients with CP and the marital status of the caregivers significantly determined the different domains of the caregivers QoL (p ≤ 0.05). Age of care giver (p 0.00), presence of comorbidity (0.03) significantly predicted the psychological domain of the QoL of the care givers. In addition, the socioeconomic class significantly predicted the environment and psychological domains of the caregivers QoL. (p < 0.05)
 Conclusion: The quality of life in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy is low. The predictors include GMFCS level of the patient, age of the care giver, marital status, presence of comorbidity and socioeconomic status. The treatment of CP should include strategies to enhance the health and quality of life of caregivers of children with the condition.

Menstrual health: Inequities in a cohort of menstruating people in the Brazilian southeastern region.

To assess menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and period poverty in a group of low- and medium-income menstruating people. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Campinas, Brazil, from January to June 2022 with 535 participants aged 18-49. For data collection, we used the abbreviated version of the WHO Quality-of-Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and a pre-tested questionnaire with items regarding MHM and period poverty. We found an inverse relationship between the risk of no access to supplies to perform menstrual hygiene, which increased by 2.5% and each point less in the environmental domain of quality of life (QoL), and this risk increased by up to 3.1 times among participants who reported difficulty making ends meet. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene at home increased by up to 2.6% for every one-point drop in the environmental domain of QoL. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene outside the home increased by up to 1.3% for less points in the psychological domain of QoL, and 44.4% of those who indicated inadequate conditions for menstrual hygiene reported two or more childbirths. Menstruating people who have an increased risk of lacking menstrual supplies and have an increased risk of inadequate conditions for MHM at home and outside the home, as well as those who have two or more deliveries and those having difficulties making ends meet, scored low on the QoL, especially in the environmental and psychological dimensions.

Depression, anxiety and quality of life of Afghan women living in urban areas under the Taliban government: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesAccording to the World Health Organization, depression is a common mental health illness that is characterised by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The present study examined...

Predictors of vicarious traumatization and quality of life among supervisees: testing moderation and mediation

ABSTRACT We replicated and extended previous research to address the fragmented and simplistic understanding of the risk and protective factors of vicarious traumatization (VT) and quality of life (QoL) among supervisees. Mindfulness did not moderate the relationship between personal distress empathy (PDE) and VT; however, it uniquely predicted VT and the physical and psychological domains of QoL. The supervisory working alliance (SWA) mediated the relationship between PDE and VT, and the SWA and VT mediated the relationship between PDE and all four QoL domains. Strengths, limitations, and implications for theory, practice, and research are discussed.

Differences and Associations of Physical Activeness, Quality of Life, Motivational Factors, and Stages of Change Between Young and Mid Adults

The current study aimed to examine differences and associations of physical activity (PA) levels, quality of life (QoL), motives for PA, and stages of change (SOC) between young and mid adults. A total of 208 participants in Malaysia completed an online survey which comprised of questionnaires about PA, motivational factors, QoL, and SOC in PA. Independent t-tests revealed that young adults engaged in more PA in general, as well as light PA. However, mid adults in general scored higher levels of QoL and its four domains (i.e., physical, psychological, social, and environmental). Moreover, young adults were significantly more motivated by appearance for PA. Pearson correlations revealed higher levels of vigorous PA linked to, higher social domain of QoL in both age groups, and, physical and psychological domain of QoL in mid adults. Vigorous PA also showed the strongest positive links with motivations in competence in both young and mid adults. Cross tabulations showed that both young and mid adults have highest frequency counts in contemplation stage for moderate and light PA and highest frequency counts in the maintenance stage for vigorous PA. This study is the first to show how young and mid adults differed in PA levels, QoL, motives behind PA engagements, and how they correlate differently. However, both age groups showed similar SOC patterns, indicating the likelihood of moderate and light PA engagements when they see the possibility of change but still lack commitment, whilst those engaged in vigorous PA are more likely to actively maintaining the change.

Quality of life and its associated factors among home-dwelling older people residing in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka: a community-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionThis community-based cross-sectional study explored the factors affecting overall and domain-specific (physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environmental) quality of life (QOL) of home-dwelling older residents of the District...

Quality of life among family caregivers of people with schizophrenia in rural China.

To investigate quality of life (QoL) of family caregivers of people with schizophrenia and examine the influencing factors of the QoL in a Chinese rural area. This study included people with schizophrenia (n = 269) and their family caregivers (n = 269) from Xinjin district, Chengdu, China. Family caregivers' QoL was measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Form and its influencing factors was analyzed by the multivariate regression. Family caregivers of people with schizophrenia had very poor QoL across four domains. The regression analysis showed that physical domain of QoL was significantly associated with age, psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia, and caregiving burden of family caregivers (p < 0.05). Psychological domain of QoL was significantly related to family caregivers' affiliate stigma, caregiving burden, and psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia (p < 0.05). Social domain of QoL was significantly associated with age and psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia, and affiliate stigma of family caregivers (p < 0.05). Environmental domain of QoL was significantly related to age and psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia, and family caregivers' caregiving burden (p < 0.05). Family caregivers of people with schizophrenia had poor QoL in rural China. Family caregivers' QoL is significantly impacted by age and psychiatric symptoms of people with schizophrenia, caregivers' affiliate stigma and caregiving burden. Providing social support and psychosocial interventions for family caregivers of people with schizophrenia might be crucial to improve their QoL and caregiving.

Interpersonal relationships, subjective health, psychological well-being, and quality of life among older adults in South India: Evidence from a population-based study.

Subjective health and well-being are closely linked with quality of life (QoL) in older adults. Self-reported health, happiness, satisfaction with life and interpersonal relationships, social support, loneliness, and social isolation make robust indicators for the psychological well-being of older adults. This study aimed to explore subjective health, psychological well-being and associated factors, and their relationship with QoL in older adults. This was a cross-sectional, community-based survey that included adults aged 60 years and above (n = 260) who were living in selected communities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on self-reported health, happiness, satisfaction with family and marital relationships, and felt loneliness and isolation. The relationship between psychological well-being and QoL was identified. Data analysis was carried out by descriptive and analytical statistical applications using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 at P ≤ 0.05. Study findings showed that a significant number of older adults (56%) reported poor general health; 56.4% of men and 59.2% of women were "not at all happy" with their family and interpersonal relationships, and 13.5% of respondents were not at all happy in general. Self-reported health (0.277**) and happiness (0.506**) were positively correlated with the psychological domain of QoL (P ≤ 0.01). The study findings identified the interrelationship between changing family and social relationships and psychological well-being of older adults, which is an immediate public health concern. Inadequate social support and deficient quality of interpersonal relationships predispose loneliness and isolation in later life. Strategies to promote social support and age-friendly social and healthcare resources are urgent needs for healthy aging.

Impact of hydroxyurea on psychological health of beta thalassemia patients with moderating role of healthcare professionals’ performance

Background: Beta –thalassemia (β- thalassemia) has more than 300 different mutations of beta globin gene. The complexity of its physical composition is caused by the imbalance ratio of β-globin which classified into blood transfusion- dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion dependent (NTDT). Modern treatment approaches considered for TDT patients is monthly transfusions to maintain hemoglobin (Hb) levels ranges between 9-10 g/dL. The objectives of this study are to seek out the impact of hydroxyurea (HU) on improving psychological health problems of Quality of Life (QoL), patients’ satisfaction with the use of HU and moderating role of healthcare professionals in satisfying the gap between the use of medicine in managing β- thalassemia disease in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional, non-probability study and purposive- judgment sampling was conducted after ethical approval. The World Health Organization (WHO) sample size calculator 2.0 was used to recruit TDT patients on HU therapy while visiting the outpatient (OPD) and daycare department of National Institute of Blood Diseases &amp; Bone Marrow Transplantation (NIBD &amp; BMT) hospital in Karachi. A well -structured electronic questionnaire as web form was used for data collection by using Likert scale, with a range of 1-5 and 1-7. The data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and moderation process done by using Process Hayes for SPSS version 3.5.2. Results: We enrolled 290 patients. This study revealed that the impact of HU on improving the psychological health problems of β- thalassemia patients are not evident (r=0.078; p=0.185). Similarly, by inducing moderating role of healthcare professional performance, the impact of HU on psychological health problems were a weak positive non- significant with (r=0.050; p=0.397) correlation observed. Moreover, no significant improvement was observed in psychological health problems of QoL by moderating role of healthcare professional performance (p=0.0835 and 0.6764, respectively). Conclusion: The psychological health problems in β- thalassemia patients are not dependent on HU therapy to have better QoL. In addition, the introduction of healthcare professionals' performance as a moderator does not improve the correlation between HU and psychological domain of QoL.

DEPRESSION AND SLEEP QUALITY IN PREDICTING THE SUBJECTIVE QUALITY OF LIFE OF WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN TAIWAN

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of quality of life (QOL) of women with breast cancer in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study assessed the quality of life of 394 women with breast cancer. Path models were used to test the direct and indirect effects of depression, anxiety, sleep quality and demographic factors on the four QOL domains. Mean age of the participants was 53.53 ± 7.82 years. The results of the path analysis showed that depression was the key predictor with direct effects on all four QOL domains from -0.248 to -0.580. Sleep quality was found to have direct effects from -0.171 to -0.278 on three QOL domains. Anxiety predicted the physical QOL directly (-0.249). Anxiety also indirectly predicted the physical and psychological QOLs through sleep quality (-0.088 and -0.054), respectively. As for the demographic factors, age had a negative direct effect (-0.125) on the physical QOL domain and economic status directly predicted the environmental QOL domain (0.225). Education had slight indirect effects of 0.108 and 0.090, respectively, on the physical and psychological QOL domains. The empirically validated causal model suggested that a multidimensional approach may be needed to improve the QOL of women with breast cancer.

Relationship of Mindfulness with Depression, Self-Management, and Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: mindfulness is a Predictor of Quality of Life.

Mindfulness interventions have shown promising results in both psychological and clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Depression, self-management, and quality of life (QOL) have shown improvement with mindfulness interventions; however, little is known about dispositional mindfulness and its relationship with depression, self-management, and QOL in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of dispositional mindfulness with depression, self-management, and QOL in patients of type 2 diabetes. Noncommunicable disease outpatient department of a tertiary care medical center of East India. Cross-sectional study. Ninety-nine patients with type 2 diabetes completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire, and World Health Organization QOL BREF questionnaire and Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Pearson's correlation and hierarchical regression analysis using the SPSS software version 20.0. Describing, acting with awareness, and nonjudging facets of mindfulness showed a negative correlation with depression (P < 0.05). Acting with awareness and nonreactivity to inner experience were positively correlated with the physical activity domains of self-management (P < 0.05). All facets of mindfulness showed a positive correlation with four domains of QOL. In hierarchical regression analysis, after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables, mindfulness predicted the psychological domain of QOL, explaining 31% of the variance (P ≤ 0.001). However, mindfulness did not predict depression or self-management. Dispositional mindfulness is a strong predictor of QOL in type 2 diabetes mellitus and hence can be targeted with interventions to improve psychological outcomes.

Predictors of the Quality of Life of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Quality of life (QOL) is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been used to study different aspects of people’s lives, including physical and psychological wellbeing, financial independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and living situation. In this study, we aimed to assess the QOL of a group of Spanish university students and identify associated factors. Method: We completed a cross-sectional study of the QOL of 868 university students using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. In addition, data regarding sociodemographic information and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short version), diet (Spanish Index of Healthy Eating), alcohol consumption (CAGE questionnaire) and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were collected. Results: A total of 66.2% of participants assessed their QOL positively, while 58.8% favorably evaluated their overall health. Students reported the highest scores for the physical health domain of QOL, whereas they gave the lowest scores for the psychological health domain. Age was inversely associated with QOL. Higher self-esteem and satisfaction with academic performance, as well as sleep and diet quality, were directly associated with higher QOL. The physical health domain of QOL was scored more highly by participants who had a healthy body weight or those who reported moderate levels of physical activity. Higher scores in the social relationships domain of QOL were directly linked to alcohol intake, smoking and low body weight in addition to being inversely associated with screen time. The psychological domain of QOL was lower for those who were overweight or lived alone. Conclusion: Many sociodemographic, academic and behavioral variables are associated with university students’ QOL. The present findings underscore the need to direct further initiatives toward identifying and overcoming barriers to increased QOL for university students.

Resilience, Social Support, Loneliness and Quality of Life during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Structural Equation Model

AimTo determine the parsimonious model of the interrelationships of personal resilience, social support, loneliness and quality of life (QoL) and to identify the mediating effect of loneliness among nursing students amidst the pandemic. BackgroundThe coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to control measures which increased loneliness among students due to disrupted social connections and sudden shift to virtual learning. During these changes, resilience and social support can significantly influence how learners deal with pandemic-related stresses thus, minimizing loneliness and enhancing QoL. Although studies posited the influence of resilience and social support with loneliness and QoL, these were conducted prior the COVID-19 pandemic wherein loneliness and feelings of isolation play a crucial part. DesignCorrelational, theory testing using covariance-based structural equation modeling MethodsA total of 550 nursing students from a comprehensive university in Manila, Philippines were recruited from September to October 2021 and answered four standardized, validated scales. ResultsA good and parsimonious model (x2/df = 2.84, RMSEA = 0.058, GFI = 0.999, CFI = 0.999, PNFI = 0.048) highlighted the mediating effect of loneliness between social support, personal resilience and QoL. While personal resilience positively influenced the physical and psychological domains of QoL, social support positively affected the social relationships and environmental domains. Loneliness was a strong, negative predictor of the psychological and social domains of QoL and had a moderate, negative effect on the physical domain. Personal resilience also mediated the influence of social support on loneliness and QoL. ConclusionSocial support and personal resilience positively affected QoL, while loneliness had a negative effect. Through the mediation of loneliness, the effects of social support on QoL decreases. However, the mediation of resilience further decreases loneliness and improves QoL. The presented model assists nurse educators and administrators in developing strategies to enhance social support, resilience and QoL among students while mitigating the negative effects loneliness during the pandemic. Tweetable abstractLoneliness and Resilience are mediators of student nurses’ quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic. Social support is the common predictor.

Quality of Life and Experienced Distress of Patients Suspected of having a Rare (Chronic) Health Condition - Initial Findings from the ZSE-DUO Study

Patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition have often gone a long way within the healthcare system. To date, little is known about the health-related quality of life of this group of patients. The study aims to describe the health-related quality of life and the perceived distress of patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition and compare the results with standard values of the German population. Eighty patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition were recruited in the nationwide intervention study "ZSE-DUO" and reported their health-related quality of life and perceived distress using the SF-8 and the Distress-Thermometer. The patients rated all eight dimensions of quality of life as well as the physical and mental component scores of the SF-8 significantly lower than the general population. On average, the perceived distress was rated significantly higher. More than 90% of the sample indicated distress in the clinical range. Exhaustion, pain, limited mobility as well as worries and fears were mentioned most frequently as concrete problems, with percentages ranging from 73% to 90% of the total sample. In comparison to German reference data, patients suspected of having a rare (chronic) health condition report a massive impairment of their quality of life and a high burden, which is especially characterized by physical and emotional problems. The lack of a diagnosis could explain the high proportion of emotional problems, as it can create a form of legitimation of one's own disease experience. The present results underline the need for research on the psychosocial impact of the possible presence of a rare (chronic) health condition. The high distress and the impact on the physical and psychological quality of life domains also highlight the need for care in this patient group.

Quality of life after surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms from a developing country: differential independent impact of grading scales & baseline factors.

Detailed Quality of Life(QOL) burden among patients with ruptured aneurysms has not been thoroughly studied, especially from developing countries. This is to evaluate the independent impact of factors influencing QOL following clipping. Patients who underwent clipping for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms were prospectively studied for demography, site of aneurysm, H&H, WFNS, and Fisher grades, with QOL, assessed as per WHOQOL-BREF(range 4-20 in 4 domains), and analyzed. A total of 275 patients underwent prospective assessment of WHOQOL-BREF at 3 months after surgery, with a median age of 48. The sites of ruptured aneurysms were anterior cerebral(139), followed by middle cerebral(MCA)(82) and internal carotid(54) arteries. In univariate analyses, H&H grade had a significant rank order correlation with physical and psychological QOL domains, while WFNS grade had no significant correlation with QOL domains. Age showed a significant correlation with the social domain. The location of the ruptured aneurysm had a significant association as well, with MCA aneurysms having better scores in the environmental domain of QOL. Multivariate analysis using the generalized linear model confirmed the independent impact of these factors on QOL. Amongst all the factors studied, the age had the strongest independent impact, followed by H&H grade, location, and Fisher grade in the order of magnitude ofWald χ2. Following surgical clipping of ruptured aneurysms, age has the most substantial independent impact on QOL, followed by H&H grade, while WFNS grade shows no significant correlation. MCA aneurysms have better QOL scores than the rest.

Study of quality of sleep in patients with psychiatric illness under remission in relation to quality of life and functional disability

Sleep is one of the essential biological rhythms of a human being. Sleep disturbances could precipitate psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, etc. Even when psychiatric disorders are successfully treated, sleep disturbances often fail to remit. The quality of sleep in such patients is badly affected and influences the daytime functioning and impairs the overall quality of life.&#x0D; The aim of the study. To study quality of sleep of patients with psychiatric illness under remission in relation to quality of life and functional disability.&#x0D; Material and methods. Patients attending the review outpatient department of Tertiary hospital are selected for the study. Patients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria were taken. Patients meeting remission criteria for bipolar affective disorder i.e., YMRS score &lt;/=8, MADRS score &lt;/=10 and for schizophrenia –eight PANSS signs and symptoms score &lt;3 are selected from them. Quality of sleep is compared with quality of life and functional disability.&#x0D; Results: Mean age was found to be 36.59. Mean PSQI score is 8.35. The mean score of physical quality of life domain is 58.28, mean score of psychological quality of life domain is 56.63, mean score of social quality of life domain is 55.39, and mean score of environmental quality of life domain is 55.41. Mean score of functional disability score is 30.14.&#x0D; Conclusion: Poor quality of sleep in Schizophrenia and BPAD needs to be addressed.

Fatigue in Chinese Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Associated Factors and Impact on Quality of Life.

ObjectivesFatigue was considered as a common symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Previous studies about the impact of fatigue on Quality of Life (QoL) in patients with ALS were limited and inconsistent. Besides, a systematic investigation of fatigue in Chinese patients with ALS was lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the frequency and associated factors of fatigue and impact on QoL in Chinese patients with ALS.Participants and MethodsProbable and definitive patients with ALS and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) were consecutively recruited. The frequency of fatigue between both the groups was determined by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Disease severity, sleep quality, sleepiness, anxiety, depression, and QoL were evaluated in patients with ALS by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) and the ALS Severity Scale (ALSSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL). Then, clinical characteristics of patients with ALS with fatigue were compared with those without fatigue. Lastly, associated factors of fatigue and impact on QoL in Chinese patients with ALS were assessed.ResultsA total of 175 patients with ALS and 175 HCs were included. Fatigue was significantly more frequent in patients with ALS than in controls (32.6 vs. 17.7%, p = 0.001). Patients with ALS with fatigue scored lower on the ALSFRS-R, the ALSSS [lower extremity (LE) + upper extremity (UE)], the total ALSSS, higher in the HARS, HDRS, PSQI, ESS scores, and a poorer QoL. Daytime dysfunction and the ALSSS (LE + UE) score were associated with a higher risk of fatigue. The ALSSS (LE + UE), the FSS, age, the HARS, and the HDRS score were significantly associated with various aspects of QoL.ConclusionThis study has described fatigue in Chinese patients with ALS and finding daytime dysfunction and the lower ALSSS (LE + UE) were associated with a higher risk of fatigue. Also, we identified an inverse relationship of fatigue intensity with the psychological domain of QoL.

Effect of depression and anxiety on quality of life among cardiovascular patients visiting Tertiary Care hospital Lahore

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Mental disorders like anxiety and depression are common among cardiovascular patients. These mental disorders have adverse effect on quality of life (QoL) among these patients which further increases mortality and morbidity among them Objective: The propose of this study was to assess the effect of anxiety and depression on quality of life among cardiovascular patients Methods: A cross sectional study was performed at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore. 100 patients of CVD were selected by non-probability sampling technique. All patients of both genders aged above 18 years with diagnosed CVD were included. In order to measure the anxiety and depression among cardiovascular patients, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and WHOQOL was used to assess the QoL of patients Results: Out of total 100 patients, there were 47 females and 53 males. Patients mean age was 54.87 ± 16.66. Among CVD patients, 52 were borderline cases and 33 were abnormal cases of anxiety. 56 cases were borderline and 28 were abnormal cases of depression. Anxiety and depression had adverse effect on QoL among CVD patients. Low scores were found for physical, psychological and environmental domains of WHOQOL. A significant association was found between social relationships domain of WHOQOL with anxiety and depression and the level of significance was p-values 0.016 and 0.043 respectively. There was significant association between psychological domain of QoL with depression (P=0.039) and monthly income (P=0.016). There was insignificant association between educational level, sex, age with QoL, anxiety and depression Conclusions: Study concluded that anxiety and depression have negative impact on QoL and are risk factors for health-related QoL among CVD patients. Persons attending medical care are usually not being assessed for anxiety due to lack of facilities, lack of understanding of disease and over burden of patients. They are responsible for greater mortality and morbidity in CVDs. The depression and Anxiety are the mediating factors and it must be taken into consideration in clinical practices when QoL is considered as a clinical prerequisite