Aspects Of Quality Of Life Research Articles

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale: Development and Validation of the General Measure.

We developed and validated a brief, yet sensitive, 33-item general cancer quality-of-life (QL) measure for evaluating patients receiving cancer treatment, called the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale. The five-phase validation process involved 854 patients with cancer and 15 oncology specialists. The initial pool of 370 overlapping items for breast, lung, and colorectal cancer was generated by open-ended interview with patients experienced with the symptoms of cancer and oncology professionals. Using preselected criteria, items were reduced to a 38-item general version. Factor and scaling analyses of these 38 items on 545 patients with mixed cancer diagnoses resulted in the 28-item FACT-general (FACT-G, version 2). In addition to a total score, this version produces subscale scores for physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being, as well as satisfaction with the treatment relationship. Coefficients of reliability and validity were uniformly high. The scale's ability to discriminate patients on the basis of stage of disease, performance status rating (PSR), and hospitalization status supports its sensitivity. It has also demonstrated sensitivity to change over time. Finally, the validity of measuring separate areas, or dimensions, of QL was supported by the differential responsiveness of subscales when applied to groups known to differ along the dimensions of physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being. The FACT-G meets or exceeds all requirements for use in oncology clinical trials, including ease of administration, brevity, reliability, validity, and responsiveness to clinical change. Selecting it for a clinical trial adds the capability to assess the relative weight of various aspects of QL from the patient's perspective.

The Association of Dry Eye Disease with Functional Visual Acuity and Quality of Life

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common chronic condition with increasing prevalence. Standard discriminative visual acuity is not reflective of real-world visual function, as patients can achieve normal acuities by blinking. Methods: Participants recruited from a tertiary referral eye centre were divided into two groups—Severe DED (with significant, central staining) and Mild DED (absence of such staining). Functional Visual Acuity (FVA) in both groups was assessed using the DryeyeKT mobile application and Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire to assess quality of life (QOL). Results: Among the 78 participants (74.4% women), 30 (38.5%) had Severe DED and 48 (61.5%) Mild DED. In women, Severe DED produced a significantly worse FVA of 0.53 ± 0.20 vs. 0.73 ± 0.30 in the Mild DED group (p = 0.006). FVA decreased with increasing age, showing a significant inverse correlation (r = −0.55). A poorer FVA ≤ 0.6 was seen in older patients (68.2 years ± 7.68) vs. an FVA > 0.6 in younger patients (58.9 years ± 10.7), p < 0.001. When adjusting for age, FVA was still 0.107 lower in the Severe DED group, p = 0.003. There was significant difficulty in performing specific daily activities in the Severe DED group, after adjusting for age, gender and FVA. Conclusions: FVA is reduced in severe DED and older people. Severe DED significantly impacts certain aspects of QOL. However, no significant relationship was found between FVA and QOL. FVA is not the only reason for the compromise of health-related QOL in severe dry eye.

Measuring population health and quality of life: Developing and testing of the significant quality of life measure (SigQOLM)

Quality of life (QOL) should ideally be determined by a broader spectrum of measurable parameters. This study aims to develop and validate a study instrument that is designed to determine a holistic measure of health and non-health aspects of QOL, and it is called the ‘Significant Quality of Life Measure’ (SigQOLM). This study involves five phases which aim to (i) explore and understand the subject matter content, (ii) develop a questionnaire, (iii) assess its content validity and face validity, (iv) conduct a pilot study, and lastly (v) perform a field-test by using the questionnaire. For the field-testing phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted which elicited responses from healthcare workers via a self-administered survey for all the SigQOLM items. Based on the results, the overall framework of the SigQOLM consists of four elements, 18 domains with 69 items. The element of “Health” is measured by nine domains, while “Relationships”, “Functional activities, and “Survival” are measured by three domains respectively. The SigQOLM has been developed successfully and then validated with a high level of reliability, validity, and overall model fit. Therefore, the SigQOLM will provide researchers and policymakers another viable option to elicit a more comprehensive outcome measure of QOL which shall then enable them to implement specific interventions for improving the QOL of all the people, both healthy or otherwise.

Over 50% of self-reported burnout among Latin American orthopaedic surgeons: A cross-sectional survey on prevalence and risk factors

ObjectiveAssess the prevalence of self-reported burnout and identify risk and protective factors based on demographic and life quality aspects, among Latin American orthopaedic surgeons. MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional analytical design. An original design survey was developed using multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions to gather self-reported burnout, demographic, work-related, social, personal, and mood-related data. The survey was electronically distributed to the Chilean Orthopaedic Surgery Society and the Latin American Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Sports Medicine members. Statistical analysis included Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to determine associations between self-reported burnout and other variables. Subsequently, a multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify key risk and protective factors (p ​< ​0.05). ResultsThe survey's response rate was 20 ​% (n ​= ​358) out of the 1779 invitations that were sent. The most representative age range was 41–60 years (50 ​%) and 94 ​% were men. Of those surveyed, 50 ​% reported a burnout episode more than once per year, 60 ​% depersonalization when treating patients at least yearly, 13 ​% anhedonia, 11 ​% a depressive mood more than half of the month or almost every day, and 61 ​% weariness at the end of a working day. Burnout was statistically associated with age under 40 years old (p ​= ​0.012), fewer years as a specialist (p ​= ​0.037), fear of lawsuits (p ​< ​0.001), a non-healthy diet (p ​= ​0.003), non-doing recreational activities (p ​= ​0.004), depersonalization when treating their patients (p ​< ​0.001), weariness (p ​< ​0.001), anhedonia (p ​< ​0.001), depressive mood (p ​< ​0.001), and career dissatisfaction (p ​< ​0.001). The logistic regression demonstrated that fear of lawsuits (p ​< ​0.001), weariness at the end of a workday (p ​= ​0.016), and anhedonia (p ​= ​0.019) were those variables with stronger direct associations with self-reported burnout. A healthy diet was the strongest protective variable (p ​< ​0.001). ConclusionOver 50 ​% of the Latin American orthopaedic surgeons who participated in the survey reported experiencing burnout episodes more than once a year, along with depersonalization when treating their patients at least once a year. Additionally, nearly 10 ​% of respondents experienced weekly depressive symptoms. Among the noteworthy risk factors for self-reported burnout were fear of lawsuits, weariness at the end of the workday, and anhedonia. Conversely, maintaining a healthy diet emerged as the most potent protective factor. Level of evidenceLevel III.

Physical capacity determines physical and mental health in patients with chronic heart failure - a case control study

Abstract Background Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL), but underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this study we aimed to assess determinants of both physical and mental functioning in patients with and without chronic heart failure and investigated the impact of physical capacity (PC). Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis conducted in two cohorts using a case-control design. Both, the case cohort (RoC-HF, n=205) and the control cohort (BioPersMed, n=1022) were prospective, single center cohort studies. The case cohort included patients with diagnosed CHF with a current left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &amp;lt;50%, while the control cohort included apparently healthy individuals with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Laboratory parameters, transthoracic echocardiography, PC (Biopersmed: 6-minute walking distance [6MWD]; RoC-HF: 4-meter gait speed [4MGS]), and SF-36 health survey parameters as the main read-out of this study, were available in all participants. Results Cases and controls were matched by age, sex and body mass index yielding a study sample of 188 vs. 188 individuals. Medians with interquartile range of NT-proBNP and LVEF were 985 (325 – 2183) pg/dl and 37 (30 – 44) % in cases, and 72 (33 - 118) pg/dl and 64 (60 – 68) % in controls. Cases had lower levels than controls regarding all eight QoL aspects of the SF-36 HS (Figure 1). Both within the case and the control cohort, measures of heart failure severity (LVEF, NT-proBNP, TAPSE) were not or only marginally associated with SF-36 HS scales. PC parameters correlated significantly with physical component summary score (PCS) both within cases and controls, and with mental component summary score (MCS) only in cases (Figure 2). Multivariate linear regression analyses with adjustment for age, sex, eGFR, LVEF, NT-proBNP and TAPSE were conducted in each cohort, respectively. Within cases, 4MGS, but not LVEF, NT-proBNP and TAPSE, was significantly associated with MCS (adjusted beta 0.228, P=0.011) and PCS (beta = 0.318, P&amp;lt;0.001). Within controls, 6MWD was significantly associated with PCS (beta = 0.332, P&amp;lt;0.001), but not with MCS (beta = -0.62, P=0.472). Conclusion In patients with CHF, impairment of both physical and mental functioning is determined by physical capacity, but not by measures of cardiac function and congestion. By contrast, only physical functioning, but not mental functioning, can be explained by PC in healthy controls. Given the increasing relevance of QoL as a patient-oriented outcome in CHF, assessment and improvement of PC should be considered essential aspects in CHF care, besides biomarker-guided improvements in cardiac function and congestion. Whether targeting PC, for instance by medical and device therapies, translates into better physical and mental well-being in CHF should be specifically addressed in randomized controlled trials.

Physical Activity Behavioral Intervention for type 2 DM Patients: A Literature Review

Various chronic and acute conditions as comorbid diseases are highly influential to the everyday life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, including in physical, psychological, economic, family burden, and quality of life aspects. The protocol and evaluation of this literature review used the PRISMA checklist. Using four databases; Pubmed, Science-direct, Scopus/Web of Science, and ProQuest. Five main physical activity behavioral intervention models for diabetes mellitus patients were discovered: 1. empowerment (individual and familial); 2. diabetes self-management education; 3. web-based digital health intervention; 4. motivational interviewing; and 5. SMS-based education. The five models focused on strengthening the importance of physical activity in diabetes mellitus patients’ self-management.

Quality of life measures in children with Down syndrome with disorders of gut-brain interaction.

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with multiple medical comorbidities. Perhaps related to such, caregivers of individuals with DS report lower quality of life (QoL) compared to individuals without DS. It has been shown that disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) such as functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common in individuals with DS. We measured caregiver-reported QoL in individuals with DS with a DGBI and compared them to individuals with DS without a DGBI via a cross-sectional national survey. All measures of QoL were lower in those with DS who meet criteria for a DGBI compared to those with DS without a DGBI. Males and females with DS and at least one DGBI had similar QoL scores. While FC was the most common DGBI seen in individuals with DS, there was no difference in any aspect of QoL in subjects with FC when compared to individuals with other DGBIs. However, all measures of QoL were lower in those with IBS compared to individuals with other DGBIs. These findings suggest that management of gastrointestinal symptoms from DGBIs, particularly IBS, may serve as a target for increasing QoL in a notable subset of individuals with DS.

A Digital Mental Health Support Program for Depression and Anxiety in Populations With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Feasibility and Usability Study.

A total of 1 in 2 adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggles with major depressive or anxiety disorders. The co-occurrence of these disorders adds to the complexity of finding utility in as well as adherence to a treatment option. Digital therapeutic solutions may present a promising alternative treatment option that could mitigate these challenges and alleviate symptoms. This study aims to investigate (1) the feasibility and acceptance of a digital mental health intervention, (2) participants' engagement and retention levels, and (3) the potential efficacy with respect to anxiety and depression symptoms in a population with ADHD. Our main hypothesis was that a digital, data-driven, and personalized intervention for adults with coexisting ADHD and depressive or anxiety symptoms would show high engagement and adherence, which would be accompanied by a decrease in depressive and anxiety symptoms along with an increase in quality of life and life satisfaction levels. This real-world data, single-arm study included 30 adult participants with ADHD symptomatology and coexisting depressive or anxiety symptoms who joined a 16-week digital, data-driven mental health support program. This intervention is based on a combination of evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and positive psychology techniques. The targeted symptomatology was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV. Quality of life aspects were evaluated using the Satisfaction With Life Scale and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and user feedback surveys were used to assess user experience and acceptability. The study retention rate was 97% (29/30), and high engagement levels were observed, as depicted by the 69 minutes spent on the app per week, 5 emotion logs per week, and 11.5 mental health actions per week. An average decrease of 46.2% (P<.001; r=0.89) in depressive symptoms and 46.4% (P<.001; r=0.86) in anxiety symptoms was observed, with clinically significant improvement for more than half (17/30, 57% and 18/30, 60%, respectively) of the participants. This was followed by an average increase of 23% (P<.001; r=0.78) and 20% (P=.003; r=0.8) in Satisfaction With Life Scale and Life Satisfaction Questionnaire scores, respectively. The overall participant satisfaction level was 4.3 out of 5. The findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and value of the examined digital program for adults with ADHD symptomatology to address the coexisting depressive or anxiety symptoms. However, controlled trials with larger sample sizes and more diverse participant profiles are required to provide further evidence of clinical efficacy.

Threshold effect of unmet walking needs on quality of life for seniors

Walking is positively related to seniors’ Quality of Life (QoL). However, existing studies neglected the role of unmet walking needs. To address this gap, this study evaluates if and to what extent unmet walking needs affect different aspects of QoL. Ordered logistic models were applied to analyze survey data of 533 seniors from China, results suggest that unmet walking needs have overall negative correlations with all four dimensions of QoL including overall QoL, Physical Health (PhyH), Psychological Health (PsyH), and Social Health (SH). Results also support the assumption that tolerance thresholds exist when detecting correlations between unmet walking frequencies and different aspects of QoL. PsyH has the smallest tolerance threshold, followed by overall QoL and PhyH, and SH has the largest tolerance threshold. These findings provide evidence for policymakers to establish effective strategies on how to reduce unmet walking frequencies and minimize its negative effects on QoL of seniors.

Exploring Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Anal Fistulas: A Comprehensive Study.

Anal fistulas often cause significant impairment to patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the HRQOL between patients with anal fistulas with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and those without, hypothesizing significant differences in HRQOL scores between these groups. The secondary objectives were to identify specific aspects of life quality most affected and explore potential variables influencing HRQOL. The study was conducted at the Clinical Emergency Hospital "Pius Brinzeu" in Timisoara, Romania, using a convenience sample of 175 adult patients diagnosed with anal fistulas, stratified into IBD and non-IBD groups. Quality of life was evaluated at initial hospital admission and three months post-treatment using four questionnaires: SF-36, GIQLI, HADS, and the WHOQOL-BREF. Initial SF-36 scores were marginally lower in the IBD group, with mean physical and mental scores of 52.0 and 54.5, respectively. Both groups showed an improvement after intervention, but the mean difference was higher in the IBD group, with an increase of 1.1 in physical score. Initial GIQLI scores were significantly lower in the IBD group (110) compared to the non-IBD group (116). Post-intervention, the mean scores increased to 116 and 121, respectively. HADS scores suggested higher anxiety levels in the non-IBD group (7.5 vs. 6.1), although depression scores were similar. Post-intervention, anxiety scores decreased more substantially in the non-IBD group (-0.9 vs. -0.3). The WHOQOL-BREF scores were lower across all domains for the IBD group at the initial test (physical health: 12.4, psychological health: 14.9, social relationships: 14.4, environment: 13.0). Post-intervention, scores increased marginally in the IBD group (physical health: 12.7, psychological health: 15.9, social relationships: 14.1, environment: 13.8) but varied in the non-IBD group. HRQOL, as measured by multiple questionnaires, is impacted differently in anal fistula patients with and without IBD. These findings highlight the importance of a tailored approach to managing this patient population to improve their quality of life post-treatment.

The quality of life in primary school children according to the teaching format and motor activity

Objective. To study the impact of the duration of distance learning on the quality of life (QOL) in primary school children. Subjects and methods. An open cohort prospective study of primary school children and their parents was conducted using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory PedsQL 4.0ТМ. A study group included 182 children (and their parents) who had learned in the distance format for 6 months (Lugansk). A comparison group consisted of 234 primary school children (and their parents) who had had distance learning for 2 months (Rostov-on-Don). Results. The analysis of the results indicated that the first ranking place showing in discomfort and the greatest decrease in the QoL indicators in the study group was displayed by the physical functioning scale (6-month distance learning). The second ranking place belonged to school functioning, the level of which in the study group decreased by 1.27 scores compared to the baseline level. The third ranking place is shown by social functioning of primary school children, the indicators of which in the study group were 18.49 scores lower than the initial levels. Conclusion. Prolonged education of primary school children in a distance format affects all aspects of QOL. The greatest decrease in QOL indicators in younger schoolchildren during the formation of basic learning skills is observed in the field of physical, school and social functioning. The assessment of QOL by primary school children and their parents differs.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Quality of Life Aspects in Patients with Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).

To define frailty in older cancer patients, the aim of this study was to assess the geriatric status and quality of life (QoL) aspects in patients suffering from recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC) under palliative treatment. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed on 21 r/m HNSCC patients at two defined assessments, and the QoL aspects and the impact of descriptive data were evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman's rho correlation, and two-way mixed ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. All patients were found to be "frail". Pain, fatigue, and the burden of illness were the highest-rated symptoms. Oral function and orofacial appearance were highly impaired. A significant impact of descriptive data on the CGA and QoL results was found (all p ≤ 0.05). Thus, the CGA results revealed high frailty, severe comorbidities, and high impairments in QoL aspects. The CGA and QoL results were negatively affected by the primary HNSCC treatment approach, the need for prosthetic treatment, and worse oral functional capacity. Therefore, frailty in r/m HNSCC patients seems to be multidimensional. The evaluation of the CGA and QoL aspects in r/m HNSCC patients can be recommended to detect special needs, organize aftercare, and improve the support for frail and vulnerable cancer patients to create a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Individual and Family Determinants for Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Inborn Errors of Metabolism Requiring a Restricted Diet: A Multilevel Analysis Approach

ABSTRACT Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) requiring a restricted diet can have a significant impact on both children and their caregivers. Previous research has shown conflicting findings in the quality of life (QoL) of caregivers specifically, as many factors can influence daily interactions: home care demands, the potential for acute health crises and hospitalization, dietary constraints, medications, and others. Influencing factors have previously been reported to include emotional, adaptive, and socioeconomic factors, and previous research has varied greatly in sample characteristics, methods of collecting data and measuring QoL, and methods of analysis. This study was performed to clarify previous findings and provide a clearer picture of QoL in parents of children with IEMs requiring a restricted diet compared with the general population based on parent self-report. The final analysis included 785 parents of 578 children with IEMs requiring a restricted diet. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF and was compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects from the general population. Parents of children with IEMs requiring a restricted diet in this study population experienced a significantly lower QoL in the areas of physical health (mean, −6.09 [SD, 15.01]) and social relationships (mean, −6.82 [SD, 17.71]), as well as a significantly higher QoL in psychological health (mean, +3.10 [SD, 14.25]). Multivariate models were examined to determine factors responsible for these differences in QoL; parental anxiety was negatively associated with all QoL domains. Other factors negatively associated with at least 1 domain included being a father (physical health and social relationships), older parent (physical and psychological health), having an education higher than high school (psychological health), and using more social support–seeking coping strategies (physical health and environment). Factors positively associated with at least 1 domain included having an education level higher than high school (environment), being a working parent (physical and psychological health, environment), and using more positive thinking coping strategies (psychological health). Child-related factors negatively associated with parental QoL included having at least 1 disease complication (social relationships and environment) and a higher number of hospital medical providers (physical health). A child being older positively impacted parental QoL in the environment domain. It is not uncommon for parents of children with chronic diseases or impairments to experience a lower QoL. In this study, some aspects of QoL were enhanced by the demands of caregiving, and some were negatively impacted. Discrepancies in previous literature may be partially attributed to varying tests, variable characteristics within a sample (eg, longer time since diagnosis), or differences in analysis methods. The results in this study indicate a potential need for resources to support parents of children with IEMs requiring a restricted diet. Previous literature has shown efficacy in providing in-home health care professionals for occasional relief of caregiving duties for parents, as well as support groups of parents in similar situations. Parental anxiety in particular was shown to impact QoL negatively in all domains, and thus targeting interventions toward reducing parental anxiety might be one way to improve QoL. The adaptation of parents to their child's condition and to the demands of caregiving could explain some aspects of the QoL difference from the general population, but these differences should still be addressed to improve QoL.

Vaginal health and quality of sexual life of postmenopausal women on hyaluronic acid and Biosaccharide Gum-1 vaginal gel.

To evaluate the efficacy of daily vaginal gel containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and Biosaccharide Gum-1 (BG-1) on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and on sexual function and quality of life (QoL). One hundred-four postmenopausal women with VVA were enrolled in the nonrandomized comparison cohort study. Of them, 50 women on HA/BG-1 participated in the study group and 54 women on lubricants/moisturizers on-demand as a control group. The primary endpoint was the efficacy of the vaginal gel on VVA evaluated by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) score. Secondary endpoints included sexual behavior by the self-administered female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire, and quality of life (QoL), by the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). All symptoms of AVV improved after 12 weeks of treatment in women on HA/BG-1. The VMI, although improved at the 12-week follow-up compared to baseline, it connoted a low estrogenic stimulation value. Sexual function improved significantly in women on HA/BG-1. Moreover, women reported a significant improvement in the somatic aspects of QoL. No benefits were obtained by the women in the control group. Treatment with HA/BG-1 could have used in postmenopausal women who complain of vaginal dryness. The amelioration of VVA-related signs could improve sexual function and QoL.

The Effect of Dysphagia on Quality of Life in Stroke Patients

Purpose: Dysphagia is a prevalent condition following a stroke. Dysphagia and its implications negatively affect quality of life (QOL) aspects. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of dysphagia on QOL aspects, and to explore its association with sociodemographic factors.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 31 stroke patients with dysphagia. The effect of dysphagia on QOL aspects was measured using the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI). Demographic variables included gender, age, educational level, annual family income and the time of onset of dysphagia.Results: The majority of the participants (61.3%) were male, and 67.7% were between 60-70 years old. The onset of dysphagia was less than three months for most of the patients (61.3%). The mean±SD of the DHI total score was 53.5±9.6. Furthermore, the study’s findings revealed significant mean differences in the physical subscale (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=0.003), emotional subscale (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=0.020), and the DHI total score (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;=0.005) between groups with different onsets of dysphagia. This means that the effect of dysphagia on physical and emotional aspects, as well as overall quality of life, diminishes over time following a stroke.Conclusions: This study’s results underscore the adverse effect of dysphagia on QOL aspects in stroke patients, with a gradual reduction in this impact over the post-stroke period.

Two-year evolution of quality of life following radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer

ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the trajectory of quality of life (QoL) over a two-year period after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC), addressing the gap in long-term QoL information. MethodsEmploying a prospective longitudinal observational design, we tracked 58 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, analyzing their QoL using Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2 (SF36v2), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life head and neck-35 (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35) questionnaires for two years post-discharge. The data underwent repeated measures analysis of variance. ResultsOver the two-year follow-up, 10 patients (17.2%) succumbed, and 8 (13.8%) dropped out. SF36v2 physical and role-social component summary scores declined during treatment, requiring 1–2 years for recovery. The mental component summary score remained stable. EORTC-QLQ-30 revealed global health status recovery within one year post-discharge. EORTC-QLQ-H&N35 items like “swallowing,” “senses problems,” “trouble with social eating,” “dry mouth,” “sticky saliva,” “coughing,” and “felt ill” worsened pre-discharge. “Trouble with social contact” improved within a year, while “pain,” “swallowing,” “senses problems,” “trouble with social eating,” and “coughing” improved within two years. “Dry mouth” and “sticky saliva” persisted throughout the two-year follow-up, common symptoms of HNC and treatment side effects. ConclusionsRecovery of specific QoL aspects in HNC patients treated with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may require up to two years. Prolonged monitoring and management of oral symptoms could enhance QoL. Future research should extend follow-up beyond two years for comprehensive interventions enhancing patient QoL.

Translation, Transcultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Hebrew Language Version of the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire for the Assessment of Quality of Life in Orthognathic Patients.

Dentofacial deformities impose a negative impact on quality of life (QOL). Orthognathic surgery is the main pillar of treatment for these conditions and has proven its impact on the improvement of the functional and psychosocial aspects of QOL. The Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), developed by Cunningham and colleagues, is a well-established instrument for assessing QOL in patients with dentofacial deformities. The aim of this study was to perform a translation, transcultural adaptation, and validation of a Hebrew version of the OQLQ. Transcultural adaptation was done following guidelines proposed by Beaton and colleagues resulting in a pilot study conducted on 20 patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Internal consistency, reliability, and sensitivity were evaluated by means of Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (test-retest), and Wilcoxon test, respectively. Validity was assessed by comparing the OQLQ with the Hebrew version of the Oral Health Impact Scale-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile Scale-14) using the Spearman correlation test. Internal consistency showed a good correlation between domains and excellent test-retest reliability. Sensitivity to change was statistically significant in all but 3 questions. The Hebrew version of the OQLQ exhibited a strong correlation with Oral Health Impact Profile Scale-14 in total score and moderate to high correlations among domains. The Hebrew version of the OQLQ is a valid and reliable and specific instrument to measure QOL for Hebrew-speaking patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

Hypopharyngeal cancer trends in a high-incidence region: A retrospective tertiary single center study.

Hypopharyngeal cancer has the bleakest prognosis among head and neck cancers due to its extensive submucosal involvement, advanced tumor stage, and limited surgical reconstruction options. Its primary causes include alcohol consumption, tobacco use, genetic predisposition, 1` diet, and socioeconomic conditions. While squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 95% of hypopharyngeal tumors, it remains a rare form, comprising only 3%-5% of all SCC cases in the head and neck region. Globally, Central and Eastern Europe have the highest incidence rates for males (3.9 per 100000) and the third highest for females (2.26 per 100000), underscoring the significance of this seemingly uncommon condition. In Romania, hypopharyngeal cancer ranked 24th in incidence rate, with 634 new cases in 2020. To study the incidence, treatment and survival rates of hypopharyngeal tumor cases in a major ear, nose, throat (ENT) surgical center. A retrospective epidemiological clinical study was conducted on patients diagnosed and treated for hypopharyngeal cancer at the ENT department of "Carol Davila Central University Emergency Military Hospital" in Bucharest between January 2018 and August 2022. The study included 53 patients and was authorized by the Ethics Committee of Titu Maiorescu Doctoral School (Bucharest, Romania) and the Ethics Committee of Carol Davila Central University Emergency Military Hospital (Bucharest, Romania). Inclusion criteria required a positive histopathological diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer, tumor localization in the hypopharyngeal region, and informed consent for data usage. Exclusion criteria involved major psychiatric pathologies and disagreement for data usage. Diagnosis was based on ENT assessment, imaging reports, and laboratory data. Treatment methods were determined based on various factors. Additional tools, such as Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 and Karnofski Performance Status Scale, were used for risk assessment and functional capacity evaluation. Quality of life aspects were measured using the European Organisation for Reasearch and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck-35 questionnaire. Our retrospective study examined 53 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer between January 2018 and August 2022. The majority of patients were male (94.3%), with an average age at diagnosis of 62.5 years. Among the patients, 20.75% were employed, 66.03% were retired, and 9.43% were unemployed. Smoking was prevalent among 69.81% of patients, while alcohol consumption was frequent in 32.07% of cases. The tumors were mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage (stage IV) and were predominantly SCC. Comorbidities were present in 83.01% of patients, with cardiovascular diseases being the most common. Dysphagia and neck mass were the most common symptoms reported. Treatment methods included surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. A favorable treatment response was observed in 22.64% of cases, while relapse occurred in 6 cases. Follow-up data was unavailable for some patients. In summary, our findings align with existing literature; however, we observed a higher severity.

Exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise program for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention for patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or lung cancer. MethodsA prospective, single-arm study was conducted, enrolling patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. Participants engaged in a 12-week exercise intervention comprising personalized bi-weekly aerobic and resistance training tailored to individual baseline conditions. The primary study outcomes focused on safety (absence of serious adverse events) and feasibility. Secondary outcomes included assessments of functional capacity using the "Six minutes walking test", strength measured through handgrip and leg press tests, anthropometric measures including body mass index and waist–hip ratio, quality of life (QoL), and changes in blood parameters. ResultsThe study involved twelve patients (mean age 57.66 ​± ​7.40 years), with seven having pancreatic cancer and five having lung cancer. The recruitment rate was 50%, and assessment adherence was 100%, with an 84% adherence to the exercise program and no dropouts. No exercise-related adverse events were recorded, while three non-severe, non-exercise-related adverse events were observed: treatment-related dermatitis (Grade 2), axillary lymphadenopathy (Grade 2), and migraine (Grade 1). Significant enhancements in functional capacity, emotional well-being, and social functioning within the QoL domains were observed. Anthropometric measures, specifically waist–hip ratio and body mass index, remained stable. ConclusionsThe findings suggest that a tailored 12-week exercise intervention is both feasible and safe for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. This intervention appears to enhance functional capacity, specific aspects of QoL, and contribute to maintaining body weight.

The physical and psychological aspects of quality of life mediates the effect of radiation-induced urgency syndrome on disability pension in gynecological cancer survivors.

Radiation-induced fecal urgency syndrome is highly prevalent in gynecological cancer survivors. It is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and with disability pension. The literature remains unclear about the mediating role of physical and psychological aspects of QoL in the association between urgency syndrome and disability pension. Identifying the pathways between urgency syndrome and disability pension may help to create effective and timely interventions for increasing QoL and reducing disability pension among gynecological cancer survivors. We used patient-reported outcome measures from working-age gynecological cancer survivors (n = 247) and data on their disability pension from the official register. The mediating role of physical and psychological aspects of QoL was studied by utilizing mediation analysis based on the counterfactual framework, appropriate for binary outcome, binary mediator with an exposure-mediator interaction. The total effect (TE) was divided into direct and indirect effects using single mediation analysis. Adjusted relative risks and percentage mediated (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided. Urgency syndrome increased the risk of disability pension both directly and indirectly (via QoL). Satisfaction with sleep mediated half of the TE (RR = 2.2 (1.1-4.1)) of urgency syndrome on disability pension. Physical health also mediated a similar proportion of the TE (RR = 2.1 (1.2-3.9)). The proportions mediated were higher for physical aspects of QoL (35%-71%) than for psychological aspects (2%-47%). The investigated aspects of the self-assessed QoL of gynecological cancer survivors may play a role in these women's continuing work-life. It appears that physical health, satisfaction with sleep, psychological well-being, and other investigated aspects of QoL mediate the urgency syndrome-disability pension association.