Quality Of Life In Adults Research Articles

Quality of life in adults with food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome

Quality of life in adults with food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome

POST-COVID SYNDROME: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary complications and their impact on quality of life in adults: An integrative literature review

POST-COVID SYNDROME: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary complications and their impact on quality of life in adults: An integrative literature review

Somatosensory and dynamic balance improvement in older adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy through sensorimotor exercise: A multisite randomized controlled trial

PurposeTo examine the effect of the Feldenkrais method on lower legs and foot somatosensory postural control-related function, dynamic balance, fear of falling and quality of life in adults with diabetic polyneuropathy in the short and mid-term. MethodsA single-blinded, parallel, multicentric randomized control trial was conducted in two health hospitals. Subjects with diabetic polyneuropathy and older than 55 years with a history of falls or dynamic balance dysfunction were recruited from the hospital databases and randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received 16 sessions of sensorimotor training based on the Feldenkrais method. Both groups received diabetic foot care instructions. The results were measured at the 3 and 6-month follow-up periods. ResultsThe mean age was 70 ± 8. A total of 44 participants were enrolled in the study, and 27 completed the process. No adverse events were reported. After the intervention, significant somatosensory results were obtained (p < 0.001). The results of the Up and Go and POMA tests were significant after the intervention (p < 0.001) and during the 3-month follow-up period for POMA (p = 0.018). The fear of falling showed significant results at the 3-month follow-up period (p = 0.03), and the quality of life in all measurements. ConclusionsSignificant short-term effects were obtained on somatosensory postural control-related function, dynamic balance, and fear of falling. Significant short and mid-term effects were achieved on quality of life. Older adults with diabetic polyneuropathy, dynamic balance impairment, or a history of falls can improve their abilities through the Feldenkrais method. Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT05262946.

Composite Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes in Adults Operated for Cloacal Malformation

IntroductionComposite long-term outcomes of cloacal malformations remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate bowel and bladder control, sexual function, reproductive health, and quality of life in adulthood. MethodsA Nordic multi-center cross-sectional observational study evaluating the outcome of adult patients with cloacal malformations was performed. Patient characteristics were retrieved from case records. Established questionnaires were sent to the patients to evaluate bowel- bladder- and sexual function and quality of life. ResultsThirty-four of 48 (70%) eligible patients with median age 28 years (18–45) responded. Eight (24%) patients had a common channel >3 cm. Imaging-confirmed spinal and sacral abnormalities were present in 4 and 17 patients respectively. 85% (n = 29/34, four patients with permanent urinary diversions after bladder neck closure excluded) reported no urinary leakage without physical activity or urge to urinate. Three patients had a permanent enterostomy. 42 % (n = 11/26) reported acceptable bowel function according to Bowel Function Score (with eventual ongoing bowel management). The median Profile of Female Sexual Function Score was below normative values. Quality of life was comparable to the reference population, but thirty percent scored within the distress domains. Eight patients (24%) had been pregnant (15 pregnancies), resulting in seven live births, but the need of assisted reproduction techniques (40%, n = 6/15) and miscarriage (40%, n = 6/15) was common. ConclusionsAdequate spontaneous bowel control was rare, while most patients were dry for urine without additional procedures. Cloacal malformation also have a negative impact on sexual function health related quality of life and reproductive health. Long-term follow-up is crucial, not only regarding bowel and bladder function, but also for sexual and reproductive function, which may be important negative factors for health-related quality of life. Level of EvidenceLevel IV.

Navigating dementia feeding decisions in Asia: a mixed methods study of caregivers.

Tube feeding is discouraged among older adults with advanced dementia; nevertheless, caregivers often find feeding decisions challenging to navigate. This study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of tube feeding among community-dwelling older adults with advanced dementia in Singapore and its relationship to older adult quality of life (QoL) and caregiver psychological distress. We use a convergent mixed-methods design, synthesising analysis of qualitative caregiver interviews (n= 25) and two-year prospective, longitudinal cohort survey data (n= 215, 1018 observations). Findings from the qualitative interviews revealed caregivers' expectations of reduced QoL for older adults with feeding tubes and their own distress related to making feeding decisions and fears prompting plans to tube-feed. Sixteen percent of community-dwelling older adults with advanced dementia relied on feeding tubes during the two-year study period. Adjusting for potential confounding and using instrumental variables estimation, tube feeding was associated with reduced older adult QoL (P< .05) and increased caregiver anxiety and depression (P< .10). Consistent with expert guidelines, we found that tube feeding was associated with significantly reduced QOL among older adults living with dementia and increased distress among caregivers relative to those of older adults without feeding tubes. Despite caregivers' recognition of reduced QOL associated with older adult use of feeding tubes, many expressed angst related to feeding choices. Our findings suggest the need for decision tools to support caregivers in making informed decisions concordant with their values.

Effects of Detraining on Physical Capacity and Its Relationship With Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life and Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study.

Detraining is the partial or complete loss of physical training-induced adaptations as a result of exercise interruption or reduction. The COVID-19 pandemic led to the discontinuation of many older adult exercise programs and led to increased depressive symptoms (DS), increased sedentary behavior (SB), and decreased quality of life (QoL). To evaluate the effects of detraining, in the pandemic, on physical capacity and its relationship with DS, QoL, and SB of community-dwelling older adults. The physical capacity (static balance, dynamic balance, and lower limb and handgrip strength) of 35 participants was assessed prepandemic and after 18 and 24 months of the pandemic. DS, QoL, and SB were evaluated only at 18-month period. The analysis of variance for repeated measures or the Friedman and Pearson or Spearman tests were used for statistical analysis. There was a decline in dynamic balance (p < .001) and strength in the lower limbs (p < .001) in the first 18months, as well as maintenance in the following 6months. The reduction in dynamic balance during the 18months of the pandemic was associated with greater DS (p = .015; r = .414) and worse QoL (p = .024; r = -.381) in this period. More time spent on SB (p = .024; r = .386) in the 18th month was associated with worse dynamic balance in the following 6months. Detraining in the pandemic setting led to long-lasting harmful effects, which can last for 2years, on the physical capacity of community-dwelling older adults. Our findings highlight how periods of detraining can interfere in physical and mental health of older adults.

Mild Behavioral Impairment and Quality of Life in Community Dwelling Older Adults.

Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a dementia risk indicator in older adults characterized by later-life emergent and persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms. Quality of life (QoL) is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. QoL aims to measure and quantify perceptions of individual health, well-being, standard of living, personal fulfillment, and satisfaction. As MBI symptoms may arise from early-stage neurodegenerative disease, MBI may contribute to declining QoL before dementia onset. In this study, we investigated the relationship between symptoms of MBI and QoL in older adults. The sample comprised 1107 individuals aged ≥ 50years from the Canadian Platform for Research Online to Investigate Health, Quality of Life, Cognition, Behavior, Function, and Caregiving in Aging (CAN-PROTECT). Multivariable linear regressions were used to model the associations between MBI symptom severity (exposure), measured using the MBI Checklist (MBI-C), and QoL (outcome) assessed by the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D, higher score=poorer QoL) and the novel Quality of Life and Function Five Domain Scale (QFS-5) (QFS-5, lower score=poorer QoL). Covariates were age, sex, cognition, education, ethnocultural origin, marital status, employment status, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Moderation analysis explored potential sex differences. A sensitivity analysis was performed removing anxiety/depression items from the EQ-5D score. Across the sample (mean age=64.4±7.2, 79.4% female) every 1-point increase in MBI-C score was associated with a 0.06-point standard deviation (SD) increase in EQ-5D score (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.06, p<0.001) and 0.08 SD decrease in QFS-5 score (95% CI: -0.09 to -0.08, p<0.001). Neither association depended on sex (p=0.59 and p=0.41, respectively). The association remained significant after removing anxiety/depression items from the EQ-5D score (β=0.04, 95% CI: 0.03- 0.04, p<0.001). The study shows that MBI is associated with poorer QoL, independent of sex, on two QoL scales. We addressed depression/anxiety items in the EQ-5D as a potential confounder for the observed MBI-QoL association by conducting a sensitivity analysis that excluded those items from the EQ-5D total score and by employing a novel measure of QoL (QFS-5) that excludes psychiatric symptoms from measurement of QoL. Associations of MBI with the novel QFS-5 were similar to associations between MBI and the EQ-5D. Finding interventions to reduce the burden of MBI symptoms might improve quality of life.

Lower Healthcare Access and Its Association With Individual Factors and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Rare Diseases in Switzerland.

This study aims to determine clusters of access to healthcare among adults with rare diseases in Switzerland, identify associated individual characteristics of access, and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Swiss adults (N = 341) diagnosed with a rare disease completed an online survey including the Perception of Access to Healthcare Questionnaire (PAHQ) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). We employed partition around medoids algorithm to identify patient clusters based on the PAHQ. Various sociodemographic/disease-related factors and HRQoL were assessed. We identified two patient clusters: higher (n = 227) and lower access (n = 114). Significantly associated with lower access were an unstable disease course (p < 0.05), increased number of misdiagnoses (p < 0.05), and diseases affecting the nervous system (p < 0.01). Membership in the lower access cluster was significantly associated with worse HRQoL (p < 0.05). Findings highlight the need for comprehensive assessment of healthcare access in adults with rare diseases and identifies potential targets for tailored interventions.

Income effect of prenatal sunlight exposure: Empirical evidence from China.

Despite a growing interest in the impacts of prenatal factors on adulthood quality of life, economists have not estimated the income effects of sunlight exposures by mothers during pregnancy. This paper estimates such effects using data from China General Social Survey and China National Meteorological Data Service Center. The results show that the income effects of prenatal sunlight exposure in the second trimester are significantly positive. The effects differ for individuals born in different months and the effects are larger for female employees, older employees, those born in rural areas, in the pre-reform period, or whose mothers are less-educated. Finally, we investigate the possible mechanisms via the human capital pathway, discovering that fetuses with longer sunlight exposure in the second trimester are healthier and do more exercises in adulthood. It is suggested that families, communities, policymakers should pay attention to prenatal sunlight exposure, especially for pregnant women in the developing world who are less educated or live in rural areas.

Effect of automated insulin delivery systems on person-reported outcomes in people with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusive evidence on the benefits of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems on person-reported outcomes (PROs) is missing. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and GoogleScholar) were searched from inception up to August 7th, 2024. All types of studies were included if studies reported on PROs in people with diabetes using an AID system. All types of control groups in randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included. Summary data were extracted by three reviewers. Main outcomes focused on diabetes distress, fear of hypoglycaemia and quality of life. Meta-analyses were conducted for RCTs and observational studies separately. When five or more studies could be pooled, random-effects meta-analysis was used, otherwise common-effects meta-analysis was used. Risk of bias was evaluated with Cochrane tools. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022352502. A total of 62 studies (n=9253) were included reporting on 45 different questionnaires. Twenty-seven studies were RCTs and 25 were observational studies. RCT meta-analyses showed reduced diabetes distress (standardised mean difference [95% CI]:-0.159 [-0.309,-0.010], I2=23.0%), reduced fear of hypoglycaemia (-0.339 [-0.566,-0.111], I2=42.6%), and improved hypoglycaemia unawareness (-0.231 [-0.424,-0.037], I2=0.0%), quality of life in adults (0.347 [0.134, 0.560], I2=0.0%) and children/adolescents (0.249 [0.050, 0.448], I2=0.0%). Observational meta-analyses corroborated improvements in diabetes distress (-0.217 [-0.403,-0.031], I2=68.5%), fear of hypoglycaemia (-0.445 [-0.540,-0.349], I2=0.0%), hypoglycaemia unawareness (-0.212 [-0.419,-0.004], I2=0.0%), and showed improved sleep quality (-0.158 [-0.255,-0.061], I2=0.0%). We found low to moderate effect sizes indicating that AID therapy is associated with reduced burden and improved well-being in people with diabetes. Evidence comes from both RCTs and observational studies. However, for some PROs only a limited number of studies could be pooled with a large heterogeneity in questionnaires used. More research is needed with a more uniformed assessment of PROs to demonstrate the added value of AID therapy on psychosocial outcomes. None.

Association between under-dose of enzyme replacement therapy and quality of life in adults with late-onset Pompe disease in China: A retrospective matched cohort study.

Due to the high cost of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), most of adults with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) who received ERT used the medication with insufficient dosefs in China. To compare the change in quality of life (QoL) between adults with LOPD receiving under-dose ERT and no ERT, and identify factors associated with the change of QoL. A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted among adult patients with LOPD in a nationwide Pompe registry in China. Eligible participants were those who completed two investigations, and didn't expose to ERT at baseline or before. The treated group were those who used ERT during follow-up; the untreated group received general care. The treated and untreated group were matched with a ratio of 1:2. QoL was assessed by the SF-12 and EQ-5D-5L. The dose of ERT was evaluated by the ratio of actual vials patients used divided by the indicated vials patients should use. The treated patients were further classified into mild and severe under-dose users by the median ratio. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the average treatment effect in the treated groups and identify factors associated with the changes of QoL scores. The study sample included 5 mild under-dose users, 6 severe under-dose users, and 22 untreated participants. Compared with the untreated group, mild under-dose ERT had no significant effect on the changes of QoL scores. In contrast, severe under-dose ERT was associated with a decline of physical QoL (β = -6.19, p = 0.001), but an increase of overall health state (β = 19.69, p = 0.032). A higher score of physical QoL (β = -0.74, p = 0.001) and overall health state (β = -0.69, p<0.001) at baseline was associated with decline in corresponding scores at follow-up. Being female was a contributor to the worsening of the overall health state (β = -22.79, p = 0.002), while being employed or at school was a predictor of improvement in mental QoL (β = 5.83, p = 0.002). A Pompe-disease specific instrument based on patient experiences is warranted to closely monitor changes in QoL on a routine basis. It is desirable for patients with severe under-dose ERT to discuss with physicians whether to adjust treatment strategies.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour on Cardiovascular Risk and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review analysed the association between objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour with cardiovascular risk and HRQoL in adults without previous CVD. Additionally, we analysed the impact of the intensity of the physical activity in this association. The search was carried out in three electronic databases with access until February 2023 to find studies with an observational design. For quality assessment, we used The National Institute of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. We identified 5819 references, but only five studies were included. One study shows a positive association between physical activity and HRQoL, while sedentary behaviour was negatively related to HRQoL. Another study showed an association between high-intensity physical activity with a better physical component of HRQoL and low-intensity physical activity with a better mental component of HRQoL. Three studies concluded that higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower levels of cardiovascular risk and higher levels of sedentary behaviour are associated with higher levels of cardiovascular risk. Our findings suggested that people who spend more time being active and spend less time being sedentary appear to have lower cardiovascular risk and higher HRQoL.

Patient-reported outcome measures for acute rhinosinusitis in adults and children: a systematic review of the quality of existing instruments

BackgroundAcute rhinosinusitis (ARS) is a self-limiting inflammation of the nose and sinuses caused by viral or bacterial infections that requires primarily symptomatic treatment. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are suitable tools for the assessment of the effectiveness of remedies for ARS from the patient’s perspective in clinical trials and real-world studies. Data regarding the quality of existing PROMs for ARS are limited.PurposeTo conduct a systematic review of the quality of existing disease-specific PROMs for use in adults and children with ARS according to the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology, and to derive recommendations for use of the identified instruments in future clinical studies.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science and Embase for studies reporting on the development and/or validation of PROMs for ARS. We assessed the methodological quality of each included study, evaluated the quality of measurement properties per PROM and study, and graded the evidence. Based on the overall evidence, we derived recommendations for use of the instruments.ResultsWe identified four studies on three PROMs measuring symptoms of ARS and quality of life in adults (Sinonasal Outcome Test-16, SNOT-16; Measurement of Acute Rhinosinusitis, MARS; Rhinosinusitis Quality-of-Life Assessment, RhinoQoL). For ARS in children, we identified two studies on two PROMs measuring symptoms of ARS (Pediatric Rhinosinusitis Symptom Scale, PRSS; Sinus Symptom Questionnaire, S5). Our assessment of measurement properties indicates that all instruments require further validation before they can be unrestrictedly recommended for use in future research (COSMIN category B). In particular, there were no content validity studies for any of the identified instruments, but also data on other important measurement properties, e.g., structural validity, are lacking.ConclusionCurrently, no PROM for ARS in adults and children can be unrestrictedly recommended based on the evaluation of their quality. Further validation is required for all identified PROMs. Content validation involving patients and experts should be given priority.Systematic review registrationOSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VAP8U).

Effects of yoga compared with health promotion on health-related quality of life in adults with post-COVID-19 condition: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPost-COVID-19 condition (post COVID, also known as long COVID) is a global public health issue estimated to affect over 100 million people. Common symptoms include fatigue, dyspnoea and cognitive dysfunction...

Sleep and quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis: cross sectional study.

Background.Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disease that causes sleep disturbances and worsens quality of life.However, few studies have been conducted on sleep in adults with atopic dermatitis. This study aimed to evaluate sleep and quality of life in adults with AD. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 36 adults diagnosed with AD and 21 healthy volunteers (controls), who completed questionnaires on sleep, itching, and quality of life. Disease severity was estimated using SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). All participants wore actigraphy watches for one week to objectively assess sleep quality. Results. Adults with AD slept worse than controls as measured by self-report (Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, mean ± SD, 9.33 ± 3.59 vs 5.00 ± 2.30, p < 0.001) and by actigraphy (sleep efficiency, SE), mean ± SD, 74.48 ± 11.63 vs 85.6 ± 6.53, p < 0.001). Actigraphy showed that adults with AD slept, on average, almost one hour less (p = 0.010), stayed awake during sleep for almost 44 minutes more (p < 0.001), and woke up 25% more than the controls (p = 0.047). In the AD group, SE and total sleep time were significantly inversely correlated with SCORAD (rs = -0.601, p < 0.001 and rs = -0.604, p < 0.001, respectively), but no significant correlation was found between itch and SE. A decreased quality of life was observed in adults with AD (DLQI, mean ± SD, 8.75 ± 6.7). Conclusions. Adults with AD slept worse than the controls and had a diminished quality of life. Actigraphy is a useful tool to objectively measure sleep quality in adults with AD especially those with moderate to severe disease.

Effectiveness of educational intervention on quality of life in adults with thalassemia major: A quasi-experimental study based on PRECEDE model.

Due to the adverse effects of their disease, patients with thalassemia major face many problems such as a lack of proper growth, enlarged spleen and liver, bone disorders, especially the bones of the head and face. As a result of the long treatment process of this disease, other aspects of their life are also affected. The physical and mental problems in this population of patients will lead to frustration and lower social performance and quality of life. The present study aimed to explore the effect of an educational intervention based on the PRECEDE model on quality of life of adults with thalassemia major in Hormozgan province. The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 234 adults with major thalassemia who visited the thalassemia medical centers in Hormozgan province in 2022. The participants were selected through a simple randomization from two cities of Hormozgan province (Bandar Abbas as the intervention group and Minab as the control). Each group had an equal number of participants (n = 117). The data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, a researcher-made questionnaire based on the model constructs and the SF-12 quality of life questionnaire. The instruments were once administered before the intervention and once again 4 months after the intervention. The educational intervention included 3 sessions a week, each 60 min in length, shared in WhatsApp and Telegram. The data were analyzed in statistical package for the social sciences version 24 using Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, Wilcoxon's test, and analysis of covariance. The results showed that after the educational intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, enabling afctors, reinforcing factors and the mean score of overall quality of life increased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control (p < 0.05). The covariance analysis showed when the effect of the pretest score is removed, the mean scores of the model constructs and the quality of life are significantly different in the two groups. Educational interventions based on the PRECEDE model can help identify factors affecting the quality of life on many aspects in patients with thalassemia major. Thus, these interventions help improve patients' quality of life. The present findings can guide health policy makers and experts use modern educational interventions to develop the educational content to promote a healthy lifestyle and self-management in certain diseases such as thalassemia major.

Effect of Structured Education Booklet on Self-efficacy, Self-care practices and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Effect of Structured Education Booklet on Self-efficacy, Self-care practices and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Quality of Life, Its Determinants, and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study From North India.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is awell-controlled genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) syndrome with a favourable prognosis but the long-term outcome is still controversial due to the presence of personality traits, executive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders inherent to this condition. Also, the existing literature on quality of life (QoL) in adolescent patients of JME is sparse. This study was done to assess the QoL, its determinants, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in JME. The study was a hospital-based observational cross-sectional study of 50 participants done over 18 months. Patients of JME aged over 11 yearsfulfilling the diagnostic and electroencephalographic criteria were included in the study. Adolescentand adult JME participants were interviewed with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-Adolescents-48 (QOLIE-AD-48) and patient-weighted Quality Of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31-P), respectively, for assessment of QoL, the domains affected, and its impact on overall QoL. They were also screened for psychiatric disorders with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 7.0.2 (M.I.N.I. 7.0.2), a brief diagnostic-structured interview that has modules for each diagnostic category. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) was used for further diagnostic categorization. Fifty patients with JME were enrolled. The mean age was 24.14 ± 7.7 years, of which 32 (64%) were female patients. The overall QOLIE-31-P score in adult JME participants was fair (62.29 ± 25.02). The impacted subdomains in adults were of seizure worry (47.73 ± 24.62) and cognitive functioning (46.41 ± 25.32). Themean QOLIE-48-AD score of adolescent JME study participants was fair (69.71 ± 13.13). The physical functioning (57.36 ± 18.94) and health perception (56.5 ± 16.9) domains were found to be impacted in adolescents. Five (10%) of the patients had anxiety and three (6%) of the participants had depression. A significant association was seen between the occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) frequency (per year) and the presence of psychiatric comorbidity (p-value < 0.05). JME may have a negative impact on overall QoL in both adolescents and adults despite adequate seizure control. Fear of seizure recurrence, cognitive issues, negative perception of health, and comorbid psychiatric disorders need to be addressed simultaneously and treated holistically as part of comprehensive epilepsy care to improve long-term outcomes.

Impact of chronic pain and depressive symptoms on the quality of life of adults with Chiari Malformation type I: A comparative study.

Chiari Malformation type I (CM-I) is a neurological disorder characterized by cerebellar tonsillar herniation. Chronic pain, particularly headaches, is a prevalent symptom in CM-I patients, significantly impacting their quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceived quality of life in adults with CM-I and examine the influence of chronic pain and comorbid symptoms on their well-being. 26 CM-I patients (8 with decompressive surgery) and 26 matched healthy controls were recruited. Participants completed the following questionnaires: WHOQOL-BREF, HDI, NDI, OLBPDQ and HADS. CM-I patients exhibited significantly lower scores across all domains of quality of life when compared to healthy controls. Chronic pain, including headache, neck pain, and low back pain, was more pronounced among CM-I patients and demonstrated a significant correlation with depressive symptoms. Notably, after controlling for chronic pain, the differences in quality of life between CM-I patients and controls diminished. The results suggest that chronic pain, especially headaches, and comorbid depressive symptoms exert a substantial impact on the quality of life of CM-I patients. Surgical intervention alone may not fully address these issues, highlighting the importance of considering psychological interventions as part of the comprehensive treatment. Further research with larger samples and pre-post-surgery assessments is needed to validate these findings and explore the potential benefits of psychological therapies in enhancing the quality of life for CM-I patients.

Correlation between disease severity indices and quality of life measurement tools in atopic dermatitis patients

Reports regarding the correlation and effect size of change of the full spectrum of quality of life and disease severity measures applied in-person to patients with atopic dermatitis are scarce. To assess quality-of-life with 3 different instruments and to evaluate disease severity indices and to determine their correlation and effect size of change between two measurements. Patient-level data were obtained through two in-person visits. Sociodemographic information and data related to disease distribution, severity (through the BSA, EASI, SCORAD, POEM, and itching scales), and the impact of atopic dermatitis on quality of life using the DLQI and Skindex-29, and EQ-5D, were assessed. The correlation between change in quality-of-life scores and disease severity scores in addition to the standardized effect size were also evaluated. Only 139 out of 212 patients completed the follow-up visit. BSA highly correlated with SCORAD and EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The best correlation of pruritus VAS was found with sleep disturbance. The SCORAD score highly correlated with EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The magnitude of the effect at initiation of the study vs follow-up was in average moderate to important. Patients with atopic dermatitis experience a substantial burden on quality of life. Disease activity correlates better with quality-of-life measurements when the disease is less severe after starting therapy. POEM and Skindex-29 seem to be optimal to determine disease severity and quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis.