Subjective Quality Of Life Research Articles

Subjective Quality of Life of Visually Impaired Patients in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the subjective quality of life and associated factors among visually impaired patients in Ogbomoso. Objectives: A: To determine the subjective quality of life among visually impaired patients in Ogbomoso (considering sustainable development goal 3-health and well-being). B: To determine the factors associated with the quality of life of visually impaired patients in Ogbomoso (considering sustainable development goals 1,4 and 17). Methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study among institutionalized and community-living patients with loss of vision in a training centre for the blind in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaires (for socio-demographics and WHO QOL BREF -World Health Organization Quality of Life Bref -) were applied to study subjects. Individual score per domain were summed up and the mean for all subjects per domain calculated. Individual score less than the mean was classified as poor quality of life, score greater than or equal to the mean was classified as good quality of life. Results: Out of the 143 study participants, of whom 41.6% had poor quality of life. Quality of life was found to be associated with increasing age (p = 0.000), unemployment (p = 0.000) and place of residence (p = 0.000). Conclusion: There is a relatively high poor quality of life among patients with visual impairment in Ogbomoso. Factors affecting their quality of life included increasing age, unemployment and place of residence.

COMMUNITY-BASED MUSICAL THEATER AND MEANING-MAKING IN LATER LIFE

Abstract This presentation will situate the impact of participating in artistic performances for the first time in later life in relevant scholarship. A growing body of research indicates that older adults benefit from active engagement in the arts, and that this can reduce loneliness, depression and isolation, and improve subjective well-being and quality of life. Benefits include strengthening social connections and a sense of belonging, as well as defining and asserting a sense of self. These outcomes can have a positive impact on physical health as well – older adults engaged in the arts experience lower rates of memory loss and balance issues, heart disease and other health challenges than peers not actively engaged with the arts or passively receiving arts. Participation in performance arts can also improve communication across generations and support processing of loss. Senior centers and community centers with senior members rarely, however, position engagement in performing arts such as musical theater front and center. Programming in visual arts (e.g., painting) and traditional arts (e.g., crochet) tends to take precedence, and this can be detrimental to center members for whom participation in performing arts can be transformative. The presentation will explore meaning-making processes embedded in arts performance and argue for promoting performance opportunities among older adults, as well as suggest ways to replicate the model in other settings.

Quality of Life in Female Patients with Overactive Bladder after Botulinum Toxin Treatment.

Manifestations of OAB can considerably diminish the quality of life. Botulinum toxin has emerged as a valuable treatment option in diseases whose symptoms cannot be controlled adequately with other available therapies. The aim of the present study was to compare the subjective quality of life of patients with OAB before the injection of botulinum toxin and three and six months after the intervention. This study was based on a diagnostic survey with three validated questionnaires, ICIQ-OAB, ICIQ-OABqol, and ICIQ-LUTSqol, and an additional questionnaire developed by the authors to collect sociodemographic characteristics and selected medical data. This study demonstrated significant differences between pre-treatment scores and those at three and six months post injection. At three and six months after the intervention, mean scores for all three instruments (ICIQ-OAB, ICIQ-OABqol, ICIQ-LUTSqol) were significantly lower than the respective pre-treatment values, implying a significant attenuation of OAB symptoms and their lower impact on the quality of life. However, the severity of OAB symptoms and their impact on the quality of life at six months post intervention were significantly higher than at three months, except for the social interaction domain. Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for OAB.

Daily Emotional Experiences in Persons with Parkinson Disease: Relations to Subjective Cognitive Complaints and Quality of Life

Aim This study aims to explore positive and negative emotional experiences during the performance of daily occupations in Persons with Parkinson Disease (PwPD). Methods This cross-sectional study included 32 PwPD and 14 healthy older adults. Participants completed three questionnaires that measured emotional experiences during daily occupations, subjective cognitive complaints, and quality of life. Results PwPD experienced higher rates of negative affect during all occupations. Lower rates of positive affect were found only during personal care tasks. Additionally, experiences of daily negative affect were positively associated with subjective cognitive complaints and negatively associated with quality of life. Conclusion Different rates of positive and negative affect are experienced by PwPD during daily occupations. The experience of daily emotions has implications for understanding emotional processing in neurological populations. Occupational therapy practitioners should consider the role of emotions when providing occupation-based interventions for PwPD.

Head and Neck Cancer: A Study on the Complex Relationship between QoL and Swallowing Function.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is linked to significant morbidity, adversely affecting survival and functional capacity. Post-treatment challenges such as pain, dysphonia, and dysphagia are common, prompting increased attention in survivorship research. Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaires, especially the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), are prevalent outcome measures in clinical studies but often lack parallel objective swallowing function evaluations, leading to potential outcome discrepancies. This study aimed to illuminate the relationship between subjective QoL (EQ-5D-5L and MDADI) measures and objective swallowing function (evaluated via Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, FEES) in patients with HNSCC. The analysis revealed a notable discordance between objective measures of swallowing function, such as the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and residue ratings in the vallecula or piriform sinus, and patients' subjective QoL assessments (p = 0.21). Despite the lack of correlation, swallowing-related QoL, as measured by the MDADI, was more indicative of disease severity than generic QoL assessments. Generic QoL scores did not demonstrate substantial variation between patients. In contrast, MDADI scores significantly declined with advancing tumor stage, multimodal therapy, and reliance on feeding tubes. However, the clinical significance of this finding was tempered by the less than 10-point difference in MDADI scores. The findings of this study underline the limitations of QoL measures as standalone assessments in patients with HNSCC, given their reliance on patient-perceived impairment. While subjective QoL is a crucial aspect of evaluating therapeutic success and patient-centric outcomes, it may fail to capture critical clinical details such as silent aspirations. Consequently, QoL assessments should be augmented by objective evaluations of swallowing function in clinical research and practice to ensure a holistic understanding of patient well-being and treatment impact.

Is an extended alloplastic replacement (eTMJR) device an option for the management of mandibular defects involving the temporomandibular joint? - A prospective cohort study

The reconstruction of large mandibular deficits involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be challenging. Extended alloplastic total temporomandibular joint reconstruction (eTMJR) is one treatment option.This single center, prospective, long-term observational study evaluates the objective and subjective outcomes of 21 eTMJR subjects followed >5 years postoperatively. The long-term stability of the eTMJR was determined by collecting objective data (mandibular kinematics, contralateral surface electromyography (sEMG), maximum voluntary clenching (MVC)) and subjective oral health related quality of life (oHrQoL).Except for mandibular deviation on opening, the objective variables markedly improved. A statistically significant decrease was found for ipsilateral condylar hypermobility (P = 0.001), and an increase in bilateral MVC (ipsilateral P = 0.029, contralateral P = 0.015). The subjective outcomes 'diet consistency’ (P = 0.001) and 'physical distress' (P = 0.043) improved significantly.Based on the stability of the eTMJR devices over the study period, improved objective and subjective variables, eTMJR appears to be a safe and effective predictable management option for patients with large mandibular deficits including the TMJ.

A framework for assessment of pedestrianization impacts on quality of life: Combining subjective and objective measures

Pedestrianization is a useful strategy to tackle the challenges resulting from increased vehicular movement on the road that adversely affects the Quality of Life (QOL). Evidence from developed economies shows that pedestrianization has an optimistic influence on cities by advocating liveability and QOL. However, more information is needed about the effect of pedestrianization on QOL in developing economies like India. This study examines the QOL consequences of the pedestrianized urban street by integrating subjective information obtained through revealed preference surveys and objective street environment conditions. The research involves data collected when the pedestrianization measure was implemented in an urban street in Bengaluru, India, as a testbed. The strategy was enforced on all weekends from November 2020 to February 2021. The association between perceived QOL and latent factors is analyzed using the ordered response model to estimate the subjective QOL indicator. The principal component analysis is applied to objective variables including pollution, mobility, and cleanliness, to determine the Objective QOL indicator. Then, the subjective and objective QOL indicators are linearly aggregated to formulate a composite Local QOL index. Results from subjective analysis indicate that satisfaction with health, safety, comfort, and security due to pedestrianization positively affects QOL. Males and married people exhibit positive QOL consequences compared to females and unmarried people. Pedestrian footfall and pollution levels hold high weightage in determining the Objective QOL indicator. The combined evaluation demonstrates that the composite index falls under the category “A” explaining a strong positive influence on QOL. The proposed composite index classification can serve as a unique tool to evaluate the outcomes of pedestrianization measure and support decision-makers in effective strategy enforcement.

Early screening for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in subjects with age‐related macular degeneration: Associated risk factors and impact on their quality of life

AbstractBackgroundAge‐associated macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of central vision loss in one or both eyes, Multiple studies have shown that AMD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have risk factors and histopathological changes in common, such as the constitution of protein deposits.MethodCase‐control type analysis study, On a sample of 236 subjects, of whom 118 present AMD (cases) from the Colombian Ophthalmology Center in the city of Bogotá and 118 non‐DMR (controls) an analytical study of biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (ApoE) is performed to establish the degree of association between AMD and AD. After performing anamnesis and risk factors questionnaire, the fundus of the eye is studied by means of a Topcon TRV‐50VT type non midritic camera confirming the AMD, and Neuropsychological evaluation for cognitive impairment (MMSE, MOCA, MOCA BASICA and MOCA BLIND) for detection of MCI or AD and QOLIE quality of life questionnaire.ResultStudy in progress, in the phase of recruitment of subjects to participate, in the ophthalmological center in Bogotá. Visual abnormalities are prominent in AD and are believed to develop before cognitive decline, with our study we proposed the hypothesis of correlation for biomarkers (+) especially for ApoE 4 in blood for subjects with AMD and AD/MCI. On the other hand, we propose Correlation of ApoE2 or ApoE3 for biomarkers in the control group. In addition, we hope to correct the risk factors in both pathologies, we also plan a significant impact on quality of life for subjects with AMD and AD/MCI compared to the other groups.ConclusionMany of the protein accumulations associated with druses have been identified as responsible for the pathogenesis of other diseases such as AD, arteriosclerosis and amyloidosis, opening the possibility of common origins. Apo E is a cholesterol‐carrying protein that is present in hard and soft druses, in the brain one of the functions of Apo E is to regulate cholesterol during the process of neuronal remodeling. The apolipoprotein E allele inheritance is involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and AD but with a decreased risk of exudative AMD.

Daily Speaking Time and Voice Intensity before and after Hearing Aid Rehabilitation in Adult Patients with Hearing Loss

Introduction: Hearing loss (HL) strongly impacts communication abilities and impairs social interactions. Moreover, it modifies the vocal parameters of affected patients. The effects of hearing rehabilitation through hearing aids (HA) on the vocal production of patients suffering from HL have not been thoroughly analyzed in the literature. The aim of this study was to use the ambulatory phonation monitor (APM), a portable vocal dosimeter, to evaluate the variations in the vocal production of a group of patients suffering from moderate-to-severe HL treated with HA and the relationship between such modifications and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients suffering from a variable degree of HL and treated with HA have been enrolled. Each of them underwent an evaluation before and 4 months after rehabilitation with HA. The analysis of daily voice production was carried out with the APM, while subjective QoL data were collected through the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities questionnaire (SSQ) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). The differences in phonatory measurements and subjective evaluations before and after HA rehabilitation were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between phonatory measurements, auditory measurements, and SSQ scores. Results: Significant differences in the APM parameters before and after HA rehabilitation were found. After 4 months of HA use, we recorded a significant increase in phonation time and percentage of phonation time and a significant decrease in average amplitude in dB SPL. We also found a significant increase in the SSQ scores after HA rehabilitation. Finally, we were able to detect low but significant correlations between phonatory measurements and SSQ results. Conclusions: The APM proved to be a useful instrument in the evaluation of the benefits of HA and its measurements can be used as indicators of the participation in communication and social life of patients with HL, which are strongly related to QoL.

A pragmatic randomized controlled exploratory trial of the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy for psychotic disorder

BackgroundPeople with severe mental illness are often excluded from trials related to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Principal concerns are that they may not tolerate treatment, might risk relapse or that psychotic symptoms may worsen. There is however building evidence of a traumatogenic etiology of psychotic disorder that may benefit therapeutically from EMDR. However, EMDR in this role is done mainly in specialist tertiary settings. AimTo conduct a randomized exploratory trial of prospective treatment of EMDR for people with psychotic disorder and a history of trauma in an adult community mental health service. MethodsA randomized exploratory trial with a controlled pilot design was employed to conduct a prospective treatment and six-month follow-up study with an interim 10-week analysis in a rural county in the UK (population 538,000). We recruited participants with psychotic disorder who had a reported history of trauma and were interested in receiving trauma therapy. They were then randomized to either receive EMDR or treatment as usual (TAU). The primary instrument used was the Impact of Events Scale (IES) with secondary instruments of Positive and Negative Symptoms of Psychotic Disorder (PANSS), PTSD Checklist (PCL-C), and subjective Quality of Life (MANSA). ResultsIES scores showed significant improvements in the EMDR group (n = 24, age 42.0 SD (14.5), 42% male) compared to the TAU group (n = 12, age 34.4 SD (11.3), 50% male) at 10 weeks and at six months (p < 0.05). There were significant improvements in PCL-C and PANSS negative symptoms scores associated with treatment (p < 0.05). All other scales showed positive trends. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that EMDR can reduce the impact of traumatic events for patients with a psychotic disorder in a clinical setting in the UK. The improvements in psychotic disorder persisted for six months after treatment. Trial registrationISRCTN43816889.

The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Sleep Quality, Sleepiness and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Adult Day-Care Center

Background: Various physical and mental problems and diseases may develop with aging. Poor sleep quality is the third most common major problem in older adults, affecting all aspects of life. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can be used to treat the disease in older adults. Objectives: This interventional study attempted to investigate the effect of EFT on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. The selection of the participants was based on the convenience sampling method. Twenty-one people participated in the study and were divided into two groups of interventions. The study was conducted in the adult day-care center. In one group, 11 people and in the other group, 10 people were included. First, an educational session regarding sleep hygiene was held. Then, the EFT was administered for 4 weeks, 2 sessions per week, and each session lasted for 30 - 45 minutes in the intervention group by the student (first author); sleep hygiene training was also provided for the second group. Study measures included the PSQI (Pittsburgh sleep quality index), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Quality-of-Life Scale. Follow-ups were performed after the intervention and one month later. The statistical tests used were repeated measures and chi-Square tests. A P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The trend of changes in sleep quality (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively) and sleepiness (P = 0.023, P = 0.001, respectively) was incremental and significant before and after the intervention and one month later in each of the groups, but results show that there was no significant interaction effect for any subscale, including subjective sleep quality (P = 0.786), sleepiness (P = 0.568), and quality of life (P = 0.289). Conclusions: According to the results, the EFT was effective on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults in the adult day-care center, and sleep hygiene was influential.

Comparison of health-related quality of life measures in asthma-COPD overlap.

The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and COPD assessment test (CAT) are used to assess the health status of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respectively. However, whether these questionnaires are appropriate in patients with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) has not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the AQLQ and CAT in subjects with ACO. Subjects were enrolled from two previously described observational studies in Beijing, China. ACO was defined by a consensus definition from a roundtable discussion. All subjects completed the AQLQ, CAT, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), pulmonary function tests, and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)-5. Cross-sectional construct validity was evaluated by correlating the AQLQ and CAT with SGRQ score and other measures of asthma and COPD severity. 147 subjects with ACO were recruited. There were floor effects on non-respiratory components of the CAT, and ceiling effects on emotion domains of the AQLQ. Both questionnaires were significantly correlated with ACQ-5 score but were not correlated with FEV1% predicted or FVC% predicted. The AQLQ and CAT were strongly correlated with SGRQ score (r = -0.657 and r = 0.623, respectively). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the AQLQ (standardized β-coefficient = -0.449, p < .001) had a stronger association with SGRQ score compared with CAT (standardized β-coefficient = 0.211, p = .023). The AQLQ and CAT were both valid for assessing the health-related quality of life in subjects with ACO, but the AQLQ performed better than CAT.

Short-term association of fine particulate matter and its constituents with oxidative stress, symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: A panel study

BackgroundShort-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its specific constituents might exacerbate allergic rhinitis (AR) conditions. However, the evidence is still inconclusive. MethodWe conducted a panel study of 49 patients diagnosed with AR > 1 year prior to the study in Taiyuan, China, to investigate associations of individual exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents with oxidative parameters, symptoms, and quality of life among AR patients. All participants underwent repeated assessments of health and PM exposure at 4 time points in both the heating and nonheating seasons from June 2017 to January 2018. AR patients’ oxidative parameters were assessed using nasal lavage, and their subjective symptoms and quality of life were determined through in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire. Short-term personal exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents was estimated using the time-microenvironment-activity pattern and data from the nearest air sampler, respectively. We applied mixed-effects regression models to estimate the short-term effects of PM2.5 and its constituents. ResultsThe results showed that exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents, including BaP, PAHs, SO42−, NH4+, V, Cr, Cu, As, Se, Cd, and Pb, was significantly associated with increased oxidative stress, as indicated by an increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) index. Exposure to PM2.5 and its components (V, Mn, Fe, Zn, As, and Se) was associated with decreased antioxidant activity, as indicated by a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) index. Additionally, increased visual analog scale (VAS) and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) scores indicated that exposure to PM2.5 and its constituents exacerbated inflammatory symptoms and affected quality of life in AR patients. ConclusionExposure to PM2.5 and specific constituents, could exacerbate AR patients' inflammatory symptoms and adversely affect their quality of life in the heavily industrialized city of Taiyuan, China. These findings may have potential biological and policy implications.

Second Generation Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics in Schizophrenia: The Patient's Subjective Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Satisfaction.

Schizophrenia (SZ) is among the twenty most disabling diseases worldwide. Subjective quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction are core elements to achieving personal recovery from the disorder. Long-acting injectable second-generation antipsychotics (SGA-LAIs) represent a valid therapeutic option for the treatment of SZ as they guarantee good efficacy and adherence to treatment. The aim of this rapid review is to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of SGA-LAIs in improving subjective quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction. The PubMed database was searched for original studies using SGA, LAI, risperidone, paliperidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, SZ, and psychosis as keywords. Twenty-one studies were included: 13 clinical trials, 7 observational studies, and 1 post hoc analysis. It has been shown that SGA-LAIs bring an improvement to specific domains of subjective and self-rated quality of life, well-being, or satisfaction in prospective observational studies without a control arm and in randomized controlled trials versus placebo. The superiority of SGA-LAIs as compared with oral equivalents and haloperidol-LAI has been reported by some randomized controlled and observational studies. Although promising, the evidence is still limited because of the lack of studies and several methodological issues concerning the choice of the sample, the evaluation of the outcome variables, and the study design. New methodologically sound studies are needed.

Time-dependent effect of antipsychotic discontinuation and dose reduction on social functioning and subjective quality of life–a multilevel meta-analysis

Meta-analyses indicate superiority of antipsychotic maintenance treatment over discontinuation within up to 24 months after treatment initiation for patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. In terms of functional recovery, long-term trials show improved functioning after discontinuation, suggesting a time-dependent effect of antipsychotic maintenance. However, these trials were not included in previous meta-analyses. We therefore investigated whether the effect of antipsychotic maintenance treatment vs. discontinuation on social functioning and quality of life varies by trial length. The study was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42021248933). PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase and trial registers were systematically searched on 8th November 2021 and updated on 25th June, 2023 and 10th August, 2023 for studies that compared antipsychotic maintenance to discontinuation and reported data on social functioning or subjective quality of life in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Risk of bias was assessed with the RoB 2, the ROBINS-I and the RoB-ME tools. Quality of evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We included k=35 studies (N=5924) with follow-ups between one month and 15 years. Overall, maintenance and discontinuation did not differ on social functioning (k=32; n=5330; SMD=0.204; p=0.65; 95% CI [-0.69, 1.10]) or quality of life (k=10; n=943; SMD=-0.004; p=0.97; 95% CI [-0.22, 0.21]), whilst subgroup analyses of middle- (2-5 years; k=7; n=1032; SMD=0.68; 95% CI [0.06, 1.28]) and long-term follow-ups (>5 years; k=2; n=356; SMD=1.04; 95% CI [0.82, 1.27]) significantly favoured discontinuation. However, the quality of evidence was rated as very low. Although our findings suggest a time-dependent decrease in the effect of maintenance treatment on social functioning, interpretation of these findings is limited by the serious risk of bias in middle- and long-term trials. Therefore, any conclusions regarding the long-term benefits of antipsychotic treatment or discontinuation for functional recovery are premature and more high-quality trials tailored to comparing state of the art maintenance treatment vs. discontinuation are needed. None.

Non-Invasive Treatment of Early Diabetic Macular Edema by Multiwavelength Photobiomodulation with the Valeda Light Delivery System.

Diabetes is associated with ocular complications including diabetic macular edema (DME). Current therapies are invasive and include repeated intravitreal injections and laser therapy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a treatment (Tx) that utilizes selected wavelengths of light to induce cellular benefits including reduction of inflammation and edema. This single-center, open-label, post-hoc analysis explored the utility of multiwavelength PBM in subjects with DME. Analysis included review of data from patients undergoing standard clinical care with an approved and marketed PBM medical device, the Valeda® Light Delivery System. Subjects with early-stage DME with good vision (Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) > 20/25, logMAR > 0.1) were evaluated in clinic and treated with one series of multiwavelength PBM (Tx delivered 3x/week over 3-4 weeks; total of 9 Tx sessions). Clinical, anatomical, and safety parameters were assessed in addition to subjective quality of life. A total of 30 eyes (19 subjects) were analyzed. Subjects were predominately male (68.4%) with a mean age of 56 ± 14 years. Reductions in central retinal thickness (CRT), resolution of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and improvement in diabetic retinopathy severity scale scores were observed following PBM treatment in select patients. Baseline BCVA remained stable over the follow-up observation period of 3 months post-PBM. Approximately 64% of patients reported subjective improvements in their ocular condition and decreased influence in everyday life. Detailed OCT evaluations confirmed no safety issues related to phototoxicity up to 16 months. Early-stage DME subjects treated with Valeda multiwavelength PBM showed improvements in clinical and anatomical parameters. The Valeda multiwavelength PBM approach demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no signs of phototoxicity following an independent OCT review. PBM therapy may offer an alternative, non-invasive treatment strategy with a unique mechanism and modality for patients with early-stage DME.

Impact of family structure on the quality of life of older adults, its stability, and gender differences in the European context

The most important roles in later life – those of parent, spouse, and grandparent – are all located within a family. Thus, the family structure and availability of close relatives is an important predictor of the subjective quality of life (QoL). At the same time, the current demographic, economic, and cultural changes cause the increasing importance of intergenerational relationships within a broader family structure. This research examines the association between various forms of individual family structure and the subjective QoL in the European context, including its gender differences. Whilst the role of having a partner is beneficial only for men, most of the associations are similar regardless of gender. The relationship between family structure and the subjective QoL is generally stable but rather weak (parents, siblings) or negligible (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren). Furthermore, most associations are stable over time and geographical context, which is also true for the milder positive role of partnership and number of siblings, and the negative association of a number of living parents. Theoretical (fluent, optional relationships; solidarity vs ambivalence model), practical (no negative long-term impact of less stable partnerships), and methodological (quality of relationships) implications are addressed in the discussion.

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.

The Relationship between Exercise Capacity and Muscle Strength, Physical Activity, Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer Cachexia

Background Exercise capacity is a significant determinant of mortality for cancer patients, so knowing the possible determinants of exercise capacity will produce physical and psychological benefits for individuals with cancer cachexia. Purpose To investigate the relationship between exercise capacity on peripheric and respiratory muscle strength, physical activity, fatigue and quality of life in subjects with cancer cachexia. Methods The study included 31 patients diagnosed with cancer cachexia. Functional capacity was assessed by 6-Minute Walk Test, hand grip strength and proximal muscle mass by hand dynamometer, respiratory muscle strength by the Maximum Expiratory Pressure and Maximum Inspiratory Pressure measurements, physical activity by International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, fatigue by Brief Fatigue Inventory, and quality of life by EORT-QLQ-C30. The relationship between functional capacity and continuous independent variables was determined using Spearman’s or Pearson’s tests. Results A strong positive correlation was observed between exercise capacity and expiratory muscle strength (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), activity level (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and quality of life global health status (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). Conversely, a strong negative correlation was found between exercise capacity and fatigue severity (r = −0.64, p < 0.001). Conclusion Higher exercise capacity in cancer cachexia patients is linked to reduced fatigue, improved respiratory muscle strength, increased physical activity levels, and enhanced quality of life. When designing rehabilitation programs or exercise interventions for individuals with cancer cachexia, it is crucial to assess their exercise capacity and tailor the programs accordingly.

Group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) for borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled study

Recent evidence supported the notion that add-on group therapy should be provided to individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who already undergo individual psychotherapy. The present 20 week-study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the adjunction of group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) to individual interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for BPD - revised (IPT-BPD-R) in comparison with individual IPT-BPD-R alone in a group of BPD patients. In addition, demographical and clinical characteristics that can be considered predictors of response to add-on group therapy were investigated. Forty-six patients were randomly assigned to 1) IPT-BPD-R plus IPT-G or to 2) IPT-BPD-R in the waiting list for IPT-G. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 20 weeks with: the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Severity item (CGI-S); the Social Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS); the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P); the Borderline Personality Disorder Severity Index (BPDSI); the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS); the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF); the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32); and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). Statistical analyses included: ANOVA for repeated measures to compare score changes of the rating scales within groups (trial duration) and between groups (treatment modalities), and multiple regression analysis to identify which clinical factors are significantly and independently related to the difference of BPDSI score between baseline and week 20 (Δ BPDSI). The significance level was P ≤ 0.05. Both significant within-subjects effects (duration) and between-subjects effects (treatment modalities) were found for the following rating scales: MOAS; BPDSI items “feelings of emptiness”, “outbursts of anger,” and “affective instability”; RMET; SAT-P items “work” and “sleep, food, free time”; and IIP-32 scale “domineering/controlling”. At the multiple regression analysis BPDSI item “impulsivity”, RMET, and the subscale “socially inhibited” of the IIP-32 were significantly and independently related to Δ BPDSI score. In conclusion, the add-on of IPT-G produced higher improvement in core BPD symptoms, social cognition, a dysfunctional interpersonal style, and subjective quality of life. Subjects who were less impulsive, less socially inhibited, and with higher abilities in social cognition obtained greater benefits from the adjunction of group therapy. Clinical trials registration numberACTRN12623000002684, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).