Quality Of Life In Russia Research Articles

313 Health-related quality of life in Russia: Data on the CFQ-R in children with cystic fibrosis

Objectives: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic, progressive and life-shortening disease. Life expectancy has increased substantially in recent decades due to early diagnosis and improved treatment. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures are patient-centered and provide information about the patient’s own assessment of his respiratory symptoms, physical, social, and emotional functioning and wellbeing. Methods: 40 children with CF completed the age-appropriate Russian version of the CFQ-R. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1% predicted), body mass index (BMI) and intravenous antibiotic treatment (IV) were utilized as measures of health status. Conclusion: On average, scaled scores on the CFQ-R were as follows: Physical Functioning (70.9±25.5), Emotional Functioning (72.2±15.6), Eating Disturbances (69.7±25.7), Treatment Burden (74.4±18), Social Functioning (63.7±17.7), Body Image (82.7±21.6), Respiratory Symptoms (67.7±25.7) and Digestive Symptoms (72.5±24.9). Intraclass correlation coefficients measuring parent–child agreement ranged from r = 0.47 to 0.74 (p’s <0.001), indicating very good agreement. Significant associations were also found between lung function and CFQ-R Physical Functioning (r = 0.36, p = 0.02) and Respiratory Symptoms (r = 0.55, p = 0.000). No associations were found between BMI and CFQ-R scales. A trend was also found between number of IV courses and CFQ-R Physical Functioning (r = −0.43, but p = 0.07). This pilot study of the Russian version of the CFQ-R demonstrated strong convergent validity. This Russian translation of the CFQ-R can be used to evaluate HRQOL in children with CF, including use in drug trials and observational studies.

Public health in the system of regional indicators of the quality of life in Russia and Ukraine

We discuss the methodological aspects of using the public health indices in indication and assessment of the quality of life in regions of Russia and Ukraine. We examine the relationship between the notions “public health” and “quality of life” and outline the methods of analysis and comparative assessment of public health at the level of the countries and their regions. The influence of the public health level on interna-tional ratings of Russia and Ukraine is considered in terms of the potential of human development. We investigate the factors and conditions of the spatial differentiation of public health indices in regions of Russia and Ukraine.

Interregional differentiation of quality of life in Russia

Interregional differentiation of quality of life in Russia

Social and lifestyle determinants of depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders and self-evaluated quality of life in Russia

The paper investigates social and lifestyle determinants of depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders and self-evaluated low quality of life in a population sample from the northwest of Russia. Altogether 1968 men and 1737 women aged 18-90 years participated in a population-based study in Arkhangelsk, Russia, in the period 1999-2000. Depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders were evaluated by a questionnaire with the formulations that have been previously used in population studies in Northern Norway. Alcohol dependence was diagnosed by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Quality of life was evaluated by a 10-score Cantril Ladder. A score lower than five was defined as low quality of life. Relations between depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders and socioeconomic/lifestyle factors were tested by logistic regression analyses. Women reported significantly higher prevalence of depression, anxiety and/or sleeping disorders than men: 68.7% and 32.3%, respectively. Depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders and low quality of life were positively associated with self-evaluation of nutrition as "poor", low consumption of food, and with low-paid professional status. Depression and sleeping disorders were associated with smoking, hazardous level of alcohol drinking and alcohol dependence. Anxiety and low quality of life were associated with alcohol dependence. Depression, anxiety, sleeping disorders and low quality of life had a strong positive association with circulatory diseases and gastrointestinal diseases, the association remained significant after adjustment for smoking and alcohol variables. A considerable part of the examined Russian population experienced depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders that were strongly positively associated with poor nutrition, low socioeconomic status and adverse health behaviors (alcohol use disorders, smoking).