QOL Domains Research Articles

Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Influence of Gender, Age and Marital Status.

Background:Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterised by a wide range of symptoms and a highly unpredictable prognosis, which can severely affect patient quality of life.Objective:The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of gender, age and marital status on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in MS patients.Methods:This study included 100 MS patients treated at the Department of Neurology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. Inclusion criteria were an Expanded Disability Status Scale score between 1.0 and 6.5, age between 18 and 65 years, stable disease on enrollment. HRQOL was evaluated by the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 questionnaire (MSQoL-54). Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for comparisons. Linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate prediction value of gender, age and marital status on both physical and mental HRQOLResults:Women had significantly lower QOL scores then men in pain scale (55.00 vs. 76.67; p<0, 05). Younger patients had better physical (54.58 vs. 37.90; p<0.05) and mental health (59.55 vs. 45.90; p<0.05) composite scores. Patients with earlier age of onset scored significantly higher in health perception domain scale (45.00 vs. 32.50, p<0.05). Married patinets scored higher in physical and mental composite scores but with no significant difference except in sexual function (87,51 vs 70, 86, p<0,05) and emotional well being (66,67 vs 33,33; p<0,05) scales. Patient age retined its independent predictivity of physical health composite score (r2=0.063).Conclusion:Aging in MS proved to be important negative factor in predicting physical domains of QOL. Interventions for reducing difficulties caused by physical limitations in older patients, higher level of psychological support for patients with late onset disease and social support for those living alone are important factors in improving HRQOL in MS patients.

RESILIÊNCIA DE CUIDADORES FAMILIARES DE CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES COM CÂNCER E FATORES ASSOCIADOS: ESTUDO DE MÉTODOS MISTOS

ABSTRACT Objective to analyze the relationship between resilience and associated factors (stress, minor psychiatric disorders and quality of life) of family caregivers with children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Method mixed methods research, with sequential explanatory strategy, carried out with family caregivers of children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment in a public hospital in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Data collection took place from February to September 2018. The quantitative study was cross-sectional in nature, and the qualitative research was descriptive-exploratory. Participants included 62 family caregivers in the quantitative stage and 16 responded to semi-structured interviews. An instrument containing sociodemographic, economic, labor, health and resilience scales (CD-RISC-10-Br), minor psychiatric disorders (MPDs) (SRQ-20), quality of life (QOL) (WHOQO-Bref) and stress and semi-structured interview were applied. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. Results family caregivers had a moderate level of resilience (48.4%); high level of perceived stress (41%); suspicion for MPDs (45%). They presented satisfaction in the physical Qol domains (67.7%); psychological (62.9%); personal relationships (61.3%), and dissatisfaction in the environment domain (75.8%). The interviews reported for health changes that could trigger MPD, stress and changes in quality of life. Conclusion high level of stress; suspicion for MPD and low QoL, with the environment, were evidenced as associated factors for a lower level of resilience of family caregivers. The need to develop actions that strengthen resilience was percieved, as caregivers were essential for the effectiveness of the care plan for children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment.

A Study to Evaluate the Quality of Life of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the QOL of patients with Diabetes Mellitus.&#x0D; Study Design: This was a prospective, observational study.&#x0D; Duration of Study: The study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2021 in Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad.&#x0D; Methodology: Patients of either sex with ≥1year history of diabetes willing to give the consent were included in the study. Patients of either sex with &lt;1year history of DM, Pregnant/lactating women and patients not willing to give the consent were excluded from the study. Data on Blood glucose levels (FBS, PPBS) and HbA1C was also obtained and assessed. QOLID questionnaire was administered to the patients and assessed which consisted of a set of 34 items representing 8 domains such as Role limitation due to the physical health, Physical endurance, General health, Treatment satisfaction, Symptom botherness, Financial worries, Mental health, and Diet satisfaction).&#x0D; Results: A total of 200 patients were analysed in the study,108(54%) were males and 92(46%) were females. The average age of the patients was 58.5 years with majority being 51-70years (73.5%) of age. Patients with higher age and females had poor QOL compared to others. The correlation between various categorical variables with that of scores of QOL in various domains was assessed, Age of the patients influenced QOL score in various domains like RLPH (p value-0.038), PE (p value-0.0183), and SB (p value-0.0002), Gender has influenced QOL score in domains like RLPH (p value-0.0008), PE (p value-0.0106), TS (p value-0.0005) and Educational Qualification has influenced QOL score in RLPH (p value-0.0008), GH (p value-&lt;0.0001), TS (p value-&lt;0.0001), E/MH (p value-&lt;0.0001).&#x0D; Conclusion: The results concluded that overall QOL was noticeably low in Diabetic patients especially in Women and elderly thus indicating that Diabetes management is not restricted to treatment but also requires attention on QOL of patients.

DIGEST Scale Predictis More Quality of Life Than PAS: The Residue Influence on Supracricoid Laryngectomy.

Introduction Supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL CHEP) removes ∼ 70% of the larynx, resulting in structural rearrangement and modification of the swallowing mechanism, promoting chronic dysphagia. One of the consequences of this new physiology is the formation of pharyngeal residues that can increase the possibility of aspiration. The formation of residues after SCL CHEP, its functional consequences, and its influence on quality of life (QOL) is still poorly described in the literature. Objective To investigate and compare the association between self-reported QoL and objective assessments of swallowing function in patients undergoing SCL CHEP. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from 2018 to 2020 in a reference service for head and neck surgery in Brazil. A total of 860 swallowing videofluoroscopy images were evaluated using the Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST). Results In a group of 86 patients, there was a significant relationship between oncological staging and the global ( p < 0.001) and total ( p = 0.002) QoL domains. There was a negative correlation between the DIGEST scale and the emotional domain of the QoL protocol ( p = 0.045). The swallowing function proved to be relevant for QoL. Conclusion The PAS scale did not show any correlation with QoL. The functional performance of swallowing according to the DIGEST scale was coherent with the QOL scores. It is suggested that the residue may be a more relevant aspect for QoL than the aspiration, making DIGEST a promising tool in the assessment of dysphagic patients.

Systematic review of 29 self-report instruments for assessing quality of life in older adults receiving aged care services

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) outcomes are used to monitor quality of care for older adults accessing aged care services, yet it remains unclear which QoL instruments best meet older adults’,...

Quality of Life After Partial or Whole Breast Irradiation After Breast-Conserving Surgery for Low-Risk Breast Cancer: 1-Year Results of a Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial

We conducted a phase 2 randomized trial comparing partial breast irradiation (PBI) with whole breast irradiation (WBI) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with low-risk breast cancer. Here, we report the quality of life (QoL) at 1 year.Women aged≥45 years with low-risk breast cancer after BCS were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either PBI (40 Gy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks), or WBI (43.5 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks) using tangential-field based IMRT technique. The primary endpoint, the incidence of ³ grade 2 acute and late toxicities, will be reported when participants have completed 5 years of follow-up. QoL was assessed at baseline (T0), end of radiotherapy (T1), and at 6 (T2), 12 (T3) months after radiotherapy (RT), using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires. We calculated scores for all QOL domains, and focused on the difference in mean scale. Manne-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference between the two groups. Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used to examine the difference between T1, T2, T3 and T0 respectively in each group. The longitudinal analysis of QoL changes over time and between groups were assessed with generalized estimating equations (GEE) with log link function for mean scores. An interaction term between time and treatment group was used to assess if mean scale score change over time was statistically different between the two arms. Longitudinal analyses were mainly focused on selected subscales of the QLQ-C30 (global health status, physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain, dyspnea, financial difficulties), and of the QLQ-BR23 (body image, future perspective, breast symptoms, and arm symptoms). The patients who completed the questionnaires at T0 and at least one other timepoint were eligible for analysis. All analysis was done according to treatment received (per protocol population). Two-sided P value<0.01 was considered statistically significant.Between June 2017 and January 2019, 140 women were randomly assigned to receive PBI (n = 70) or WBI (n = 70). Fifty- nine patients treated with PBI and 56 patients treated with PBI were eligible for QoL analysis. There were no significant differences in all subscales between the PBI and WBI groups at T0, T1, T2 or T3. Compared with T0, most QoL subscales that was influenced by RT recovered to the similar or better level within 1 year after RT, except for dyspnea. Longitudinal analysis showed that treatment, and the interaction term between treatment and time had no significant impact on the selected subscales. Time since RT showed significant impact on role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, pain, dyspnea, financial difficulties, body image, breast symptom and arm symptom.PBI using IMRT technique provides comparable QoL with WBI. Most QoL subscales that was influenced by RT recover to the similar or better level as compared to baseline within 1 year after RT.

Longitudinal trajectory of the association between quality of life and depression among people living with HIV in China: a mixed effects model

ABSTRACT Although depression has been associated with low QOL, limited research has quantified the change of depression to improvement of QOL among naïve PLHIV using ART in Shanghai, China. This study examined the association between depression symptoms and QOL among Chinese PLWH in a six-month longitudinal study. Data were collected from 111 people living with HIV at baseline, 3rd month and 6th month after initiating ART, using the WHOQOL-HIV BREF and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and analyzed using a mixed effects model. QOL is improved after initiating ART, while the symptoms of depression did not decrease significantly. The depression symptoms were strong and negatively associated with QOL and all domains of QOL, and the strength of this association decreased over time in the six months follow-up. ART had different impacts on depression symptoms and QOL. Besides, depression symptoms were strong and negatively associated with QOL among PLHIV over time. Mental health practitioners and nurses should consider the ART and time factors when designed interventions to improve QOL by targeting depression symptoms. Interventions designed to improve QOL and depression symptoms should be developed targeting both ART and self-management among PLHIV.

Quality of Life of the Homeless and Restored Women with Psychosis

The present study endeavoured to evaluate the quality of life of the homeless and restored women with psychosis. The influence of their living conditions in three different psycho-social milieus and the disability levels on their Quality of Life was also examined. This study was carried out on women clients with sychosis who received medical and psycho-social care under three different programs of Iswar Sankalpa (a Kolkata - based NGO), India. Methods : A matched group design using mixed method technique was adopted for the study. The sample of 50 clients with psychosis was comprised of 16 homeless clients under the Out-reach program, 18 homeless clients under the Shelter home program and 16 previously homeless clients under the Restoration program. The sample was evaluated using the IDEAS and WHOQOL-BREF. After collection of data, statistical analysis was done using the SPSS- version 22. Results : The results mirrored that a statistically significant negative correlation exists between the clients’ disability and two domains of QOL, these are- social relationships and environment. Regarding the psychological health and environment domains of QOL, the Shelter home and the Restoration groups significantly differed from the Outreach group. The mildly disabled clients differed significantly from the severely disabled clients in respect to the social relationships domain of the QOL. Conclusion : The knowledge of specific areas of dissatisfaction in QOL of the women with psychosis may have implications for the service providers and service planners for more improved medico and psychosocial intervention.Key Words : QOL- Quality of Life, SZ- Schizophrenia.

Acceptance of illness, quality of life and nutritional status of patients after lower limb amputation due to diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases with a high number of sufferers worldwide. Diabetic neuropathy and diabetic angiopathy lead to serious infectious complications which are very difficult to combat and may finally lead to the amputation of a lower limb. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life, the level of acceptance of the illness and the nutritional status of patients after lower limb amputation due to diabetes. Ninety-nine patients (23 men and 76 women) were enrolled into the study. They had all undergone lower limb amputation due to diabetic foot and were treated in the Department of General and Oncological Surgery. The following questionnaires were used: the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and the anonymous specific socio-demographic characteristics questionnaire. The diabetes-related amputees were revealed to have a higher QoL within the social domain (mean score 64.48), an intermediate QoL - within the environmental domain (mean score 63.04) and the mental domain (mean score 59.61), and a lower QoL - within physical (somatic) domain (mean score 54.69). There was no statistical correlation between genders or between all the domains of QoL (P > 0.05). The mean MNA score was 22.66, which means that patients were at risk of malnutrition. There were statistical differences between women and men as regards nutritional status (P=0.034). The mean AIS score was 27.65 (27.09 women and 29.48 men), which means that the respondents accept their disease. There was no statistical correlation between gender and the acceptance of the disease (P=0.288). There was not statistical correlation between age and QoL (P > 0.05). There were statistical differences between age and nutritional status (P < 0.05), and between age and acceptance of the illness (P=0.044). The better the quality of life was in all the domains, the better the level of acceptance of illness was. The less malnourished the patient was, the better their quality of life was in all the domains.

Qol-P-01 - Interviews with patients and their spouses to capture personal descriptions of early treatment experience with mogamulizumab for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS)

<h3>Background:</h3> Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are rare and chronic non-Hodgkin lymphomas that present in skin and can progress to involve extracutaneous sites. For many patients, skin lesions are disfiguring with an intractable itch. Other symptoms can include difficulty regulating body temperature and sleep disturbance. Symptomatic MF and SS can have a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). Mogamulizumab is approved in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with MF or SS after at least one prior systemic therapy based on the efficacy and safety demonstrated in the phase 3 MAVORIC trial (NCT01728805). <h3>Objectives:</h3> To capture personal descriptions from patients and their spouses of the burden of MF and SS before starting mogamulizumab treatment and their early treatment experience. <h3>Methods:</h3> Five patients and three spouses were recruited at two hospital clinics in the UK. Following informed consent, 1:1 semi-structured, 60-minute telephone interviews were conducted. Participants were asked about their experience of symptoms and impact of their condition on domains of HRQL prior to starting treatment with mogamulizumab, and any changes during the first six months of treatment. Spouses were also asked about any impact on their role as a carer since mogamulizumab treatment was initiated. Interviews were transcribed, responses coded, and narrative summary provided. <h3>Findings:</h3> Prior to treatment with mogamulizumab, patients and their spouses reported moderate-to-severe problems with all skin-related symptoms and regulating their body temperature. The majority described fatigue and sleep problems, with spouses also reporting patients' moderate-to-severe problems with those symptoms. On starting mogamulizumab, both patients and their spouses described rapid improvement in itching, with gradual improvement in skin flaking, redness, and pain/discomfort. Similarly, body temperature regulation, fatigue and sleep quality gradually improved in the first six months of treatment. There was a wide distribution in the reported level of disease impact on HRQL domains prior to treatment with mogamulizumab including emotional well-being, ability to self-care, activities of daily living, social well-being, and family relationships. Symptom presentation on hands and feet was associated with greater impact on these QoL domains. For those with moderate-to-severe problems pre-treatment, patients and spouses described a meaningful reduction in the level of impairment, sometimes within the first few months of treatment. Spouses reported that their everyday life as a carer had positively changed since their partner had received treatment with mogamulizumab. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> Participants described multiple symptoms and the detrimental impact on their HRQL prior to treatment with mogamulizumab. There was a rapid improvement in itching with improvement in other symptoms and overall HRQL in the first six months of mogamulizumab treatment.

Health Related Quality of Life in Egyptian Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy

Background: Childhood epilepsy is one of the most significant and prevalent neurological condition in the developing years. The aim of the study was to explore the current status of health related quality of life (HR-QOL) in Egyptian children and adolescents with epilepsy using (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Patients and Methods: This case control study was carried out in Pediatric Neurology Unit and Outpatient Clinic in Department of Pediatrics at Zagazig University Children's Hospital on 110 children, divided into 2 groups, case group included 55 children with epilepsy and control group included 55 apparently healthy children without epilepsy of matched age, sex and social class. All the children were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and assessment of QOL. Results: There was a significant decrease in all domains and total score of WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire in the case group. There was a significant –ve correlation between age and psychological domain score, also between number of school failure and both psychological and environmental domain. Disease duration and treatment duration were negatively significantly correlated with all QOL domains. A significant +ve correlation was found between social class score and both general and environmental domain. There was a significant decrease in general and environmental domain score between cases with generalized and partial seizers compared to cases with absent seizers. Conclusion: Diminished QOL is common in children with epilepsy than other children. Patients with epilepsy had lower mean scores of all domains of QOL, especially those with frequent fits, those with long duration, and in patients with generalized fits.

Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Patients on Hemodialysis.

Background:Hemodialysis in end-stage renal disease patients causes disability in different domains of patient's lives, leading to impaired (quality of life [QOL]). Studies measuring the QOL in patients on renal replacement therapy are limited in the Indian scenario.Aims:To evaluate the QOL in adult patients on maintenance hemodialysis by applying the World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL)-BREF scale.Material and Methods and Study Design:Health-related QOL was evaluated in 100 adult patients on maintenance haemodialysis for 3 months or more in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. The WHOQOL-BREF was applied in these patients and the physical, psychological, social, and environmental health domains were assessed.Results:Most common age group was 31–60 years (56%) with a mean age of 54.44 years, male: 74%. Patients with age more than 60 years had better QOL scores in the social domain which was statistically significant (P = 0.005). Male patients had better scores in all four domains and was significant in the social domain (P = 0.025). Married patients had better QOL scores in social domain. Duration of dialysis had a reverse correlation with QOL scores in physical domain with better scores in dialysis duration of <12 months. Frequency of dialysis did not significantly affect the QOL scores. QOL scores were directly related to the monthly family income in all four domains with the highest income group showing better scores (P < 0.05).Conclusion:The present study provided an insight into the factors that affect the QOL in hemodialysis patients. Patients with age >60 years had better QOL scores in the social domain. Female gender, low serum proteins, HD duration of more than 1 year, and low monthly income were found to be associated with impaired QOL domains in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Eating Habits, and Social Bounds in Nurses during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Qatar (The PROTECTOR Study): A Cross-Sectional, Comparative Study.

There have been numerous concerns regarding the physical and mental health of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stress, sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression potentiated nurses’ vulnerability to poor eating habits. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the differences between nurses’ characteristics with COVID-19 facility designation, and sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, eating habits, social bonds, and quality of life. Design: A cross-sectional, comparative study. Methods: An online survey was sent using the corporation’s email to nurses working in three hospitals in Qatar from September to December 2020. One of them is a designated COVID-19 facility. The sleep quality, depression, eating habits, social bonds, and quality of life were measured using The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Results: A total of 200 nurses participated in the study (RR: 13.3%). No statistically significant association was found between designated facility (COVID-19 vs. not COVID-19) or nurses’ characteristics and ISI categories (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.54, 2.44). Nurses working in COVID-19 facilities had increased odds of having higher EEQ categories by 2.62 times (95% CI 1.18, 5.83). Similarly, no statistically significant associations were found between any of the nurses’ characteristics and OSSS-3 categories. On the other hand, no statistically significant associations were found between any of the nurses’ characteristics and QOL domains except for the gender and social relationships’ domain. Conclusion: Overall, the quality of life of nurses in Qatar is on a positive level whether they are assigned to a COVID-19 facility or not. Although no significant difference was found with regard to the sleep quality, stress, anxiety, depression, and eating habits between nurses in a COVID-19 facility and in a non-COVID-19 facility, special interventions to diminish stressors need to be implemented and maintained.

Clusters Across Multiple Domains of Health-Related Quality of Life Reveal Complex Patient Outcomes After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were prospectively identified. Clinical data were prospectively recorded. Health-related quality of life was prospectively assessed at 3-month follow-up using the National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and neuro-quality of life in the domains of mobility, cognitive function, satisfaction with social roles, and depression. We used k-means clustering to analyze prospectively recorded health-related quality of life data, identifying clusters of complex patient outcomes. Decision tree analysis identified index hospital stay factors predictive of a patient having a particular complex patient outcome at follow-up. Academic medical center. One hundred three survivors of subarachnoid hemorrhage. None. We analyzed 103 patients, of whom 75 (72.8%) were female, and mean age was 53.6 ± 13.4 years. There were three complex patient outcomes: health-related quality of life greater than 1 sd better than the U.S. mean across all domains (n = 23, 22.3%), health-related quality of life greater than 1 sd worse than U.S. mean across all domains (n = 26, 25.2%), and satisfaction with social roles greater than 0.5 sd worse than U.S. mean with cognitive function, depression, and mobility scores near the U.S. mean (n = 54, 52.4%). In decision tree analysis, hospital disposition and Hunt and Hess Grade were associated with complex patient outcome. Complex patient outcomes across multiple domains of health-related quality of life at follow-up after subarachnoid hemorrhage are distinct and may be predictable.

Quality of life and associated factors among women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia

BackgroundObstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between the vagina and bladder or rectum. Women affected by obstetric fistula are often abandoned by their husbands, stigmatized by the community, physically debilitated and blamed for their conditions. These factors lead the victims to low self esteem, depression and prolonged emotional trauma. The physical, emotional and social suffering associated with continuous leakage of urine has a profound impact on women quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and associated factors among obstetric fistula patients in Ethiopia, and it will have a significant role for further intervention.ObjectiveTo assess quality of life and associated factors among obstetric fistula patients in Ethiopia, 2017.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study design was conducted at fistula centers in Ethiopia. Systematic sampling technique was used to recruit a total of 289 women with obstetric fistula. The World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) Version was used to assess quality of life. We computed simple and multiple linear regression analysis to assess factors associated with quality of life and P-value < 0.05 was declared statistically significant. Adjusted unstandardized β coefficient of multiple linear regressions was used to describe associated factors of quality of life.ResultOf 289 women studied, only 12.1% felt satisfied with their general state of health and quality of life. In the physical health domain, the mean quality of life score was 40.78 ± .78. In the psychological domain, the mean quality of life score was 39.96 ± .82. In the social and environmental domain, the mean quality of life score was 32.9 ± .95, 36.45 ± .8, respectively. Duration of incontinence (β = − 3.8,95% CI(− 6.95, − .62), patients coming for surgical procedure (β = − 4.4, 95% CI(− 7.64, − 1.2), poor social support(β = − 6.14, 95%CI (− 8.8, − 3.4), co-morbid anxiety (β = − 4, 95% CI (− 7,-1.1) and depression (β = − 9.2, 95% CI (− 12, − 6.4) were negatively associated with physical domain of quality of life. Co-morbid anxiety (β = − 11,95% CI (− 14.8, − 7.3), employment (β = 9.1,95% CI (.5, 17.6), number of children(β = 2.1,95%CI(.8, 3.4), and depression(β = − 6.3,95%CI(− 9.7, − 2.9) were associated with a psychological domain. Duration of incontinence (β = − 8.1, 95%CI(− 12.82, − 3.4), poor social support (β = − 7.8(− 12, − 3.6), patients coming for surgical procedure (β = − 12, 95%CI (− 17.4, − 6.4) and co-morbid anxiety (β = − 9.2, 95% CI (− 13.8, 4.5) were negatively associated with social domain of quality of life. Number of children present (β = 2.4, 95%CI (.82, 3.6), and poor social support (β = − 5.5, 95%CI (− 9.5, − 1.5) were significantly associated with an environmental domain of quality of life.Conclusion and recommendationCo-morbid depression and anxiety, poor social support, duration of urine incontinence, employment, number of children, and duration of hospital stay were factors significantly associated with domains of QOL. Treating co-morbid depression and anxiety, and social support are necessary to increase women’s quality of life. In addition, it is better to have a plane of income generation victims, and awareness creation about early treatment of the problem for community by the concerned body to improve women quality of life.

Impact of Gastrointestinal Diseases on Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients in Pakistan.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Pakistani patients.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st January 2019 to 15th February 2019 at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan by employing a self-administered questionnaire called Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Questionnaires were distributed among the patients presenting to outpatient gastroenterology clinics to evaluate their HRQoL.ResultsA total of 199 patients were included in this study, and their mean GIQLI score was 87.8 ± 17.8. Results showed that more severe core symptoms can lead to a poorer QoL. Overall GIQLI scores and most of its domain scores were lower in females as compared to males (p-value: 0.02). Obese patients had an overall lower mean GIQLI score including in the GI, psychological, and social domains while advanced age was associated with a higher disease-specific GIQLI score.ConclusionBased on our findings, GI diseases negatively impact the HRQoL in patients. Physicians need to consider the different domains of QoL as part of a holistic approach to treating these patients.

Quality of life in urologic cancer patients: importance of and satisfaction with specific quality of life domains

PurposeQuality of life (QoL) has been the subject of increasing interest in oncology. Most examinations of QoL have focused on health-related QoL, while other factors often remain unconsidered. Moreover, QoL questionnaires implicitly assume that the subjective importance of the various QoL domains is identical from one patient to the next. The aim of this study was to analyze QoL in a broader sense, considering the subjective importance of the QoL components.MethodsA sample of 173 male urologic patients was surveyed twice: once while hospitalized (t1) and once again 3 months later (t2). Patients completed the Questions on Life Satisfaction questionnaire (FLZ-M), which includes satisfaction and importance ratings for eight dimensions of QoL. A control group was taken from the general population (n = 477).ResultsHealth was the most important QoL dimension for both the patient and the general population groups. While satisfaction with health was low in the patient group, the satisfaction ratings of the other seven domains were higher in the patient group than in the general population. The satisfaction with the domain partnership/sexuality showed a significant decline from t1 to t2. Multiple regression analyses showed that the domains health and income contributed most strongly to the global QoL score at t2 in the patient group.ConclusionHealth is not the only relevant category when assessing QoL in cancer patients; social relationships and finances are pertinent as well. Importance ratings contribute to a better understanding of the relevance of the QoL dimensions for the patients.

The effects of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on neuropathic pain and quality of life in diabetic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Objectiveto determine massage lavender essential oil on neuropathic pain and quality of life in diabetic patients. MethodsA randomized three-group control trial with the pre-post design was performed from 2019 to 2020 on 75 diabetic neuropathic patients. The patients were randomly allocated into aromatherapy (n = 26), placebo (n = 26), and control (n = 26) groups. Patients in the intervention group used 2.5 cc of 3% lavender oil on their feet as a gentle massage for 10 min every night before bedtime for a month. Data collected using the Visual analog scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathic 4 (DN4) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF36). ResultsThe mean difference of pain scores in short-term and long-term in the aromatherapy group was significantly reduced compared to the placebo and control groups (P < 0.001).In addition, after four weeks, a significant increase was found in the QoL domains in the aromatherapy group (P < 0.001). ConclusionAromatherapy massage with lavender oil helped reduce neuropathic pain two to four weeks after the intervention and improved the patients' QoL without causing any side effects. Thus, nurses are recommended to use it as a complementary method to reduce neuropathic pain and improve patients’ QoL.

Health-related quality of life in transplant eligible multiple myeloma patients with or without early ASCT in the real-world setting

There is no comparative health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) data of transplant eligible (TE) multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing early autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and those without in the era of novel drugs. This study prospectively evaluated the serial HR-QoL in TE-MM using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and MY20 questionnaires. Barring the transient worsening in QoL one-month after ASCT, there was a comparable improvement in most QoL domains in both early-ASCT and no-early ASCT cohorts. Post-early-ASCT patients had higher global health scores (71.9 vs. 60.8, p < .05) than no-early ASCT at 12-months. Patients belonging to lower socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely not to undergo ASCT than middle-high SES patients (38.6% vs. 74.5%, p < .05). While age, gender had no impact on QoL, performance status, staging, and induction therapy impacted QoL. This study shows that early ASCT maintains QoL and should be encouraged in all TE-MM patients.

Nutritional status and quality of life of patients after pacemaker implantation

Introduction. Nutritional status is one of the factors determining the quality of life of patients. However, there are few reports on the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life in the group of patients with implanted cardiac pacing system.Purpose of research. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of nutritional status on the quality of life of patients with implanted pacemakers.Material and methods. 100 patients after pacemaker implantation, hospitalized at the cardiology clinic and treated at the SPSK 4 cardiology clinic in Lublin were examined. Standardized research tools were used - the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire to assess the quality of life and the shortened scale to assess the nutritional status (MNA-SF). The results of the obtained research are summarized in the statistical analysis.Results. The average result of the respondents obtained in the MNA scale was 11.86 points with a standard deviation of 2.26. The nutritional status of the most of respondents (61%) was normal. In the studied group 35% were at risk of malnutrition, while 4% were malnourished. Statistically significant relationships between the nutritional status and quality of life were demonstrated in all domains. If the nutritional status of the respondents was better, their overall quality of life was higher, as well as their self-assessment of health.Conclusions. The overall assessment of the nutritional status of the studied patients is within the normal ranges. Nutritional status has an impact on the quality of life of respondents after pacemaker implantation in all QoL domains. High quality of life conform to the correct assessment of the nutritional status in the most of the studied patients.