Quality Of Life Instruments Research Articles

Development and validation of the psoriasis scale among the system of quality of life instruments for chronic diseases QLICD-PS (V2.0)

Background and purposePsoriasis (PS) is difficult to cure with a high incidence. Therefore, the quality of life (QOL) of people with Psoriasis has caused widespread concern. Universal scales respond poorly to subtle changes caused by specific diseases, which makes it challenging to fully understand the impact of QOL in patients with psoriasis. In view of the deficiencies of the universal scale and the lack of a specific scale suitable for Chinese cultural background, this study aims to develop the psoriasis scale among the system of QOL instruments for chronic diseases QLICD-PS (V2.0).MethodsThe scale QLICD-PS (V2.0) was developed based on the procedural decision-making approach and the experience of establishing scales at home and abroad. 122 patients with psoriasis were participated in measuring QOL 3 times before and after treatments. The reliability was assessed by test–retest reliability (Pearson’s correlation coefficients) and also internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficients). Qualitative analysis was adopted to evaluate content validity; item-domain correlation analysis, multi-dimensional scaling analysis, and factor analysis were adopted to evaluate the construct validity; the SF-36 scale was used as the criterion to evaluate the criterion-related validity due to lack of gold standard. Paired t tests were performed to evaluate the responsiveness on each domain/facet as well as the total of the scale, with Standardized Response Mean (SRM) being calculated.ResultsThe QLICD-PS was composed of the general module including 3 domains (28 items) and the psoriasis specific module (13 items). The Cronbach's α of the specific module, the general module and the total scale of the QLICD-PS was 0.78, 0.87 and 0.74 respectively, the split-half reliability of the specific module, the general module and the total scale was 0.81, 0.91 and 0.81, respectively, both indicating high reliability. Correlation and factor analysis confirmed good construct validity and criterion-related validity. After treatments, the score changes in the total scale were statistically significant with SRM being 0.5, showing moderate responsiveness.ConclusionAs the first psoriasis-specific QOL scale developed by the modular approach in Chinese, the QLICD-PS showed good reliability, validity and responsiveness, and could be used to measure the QOL of Patients with psoriasis specifically and sufficiently.

Effects of Forest Healing Anti-Aging Program on Psychological, Physiological, and Physical Health of Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. Psychological indicators included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck depression inventory (BDI), profile of mood states (POMS), World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Physiological indicators included vital signs, body composition, and blood analysis. Physical indicators included the senior fitness test (SFT), muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, static balance, and dynamic balance. Psychological, physiological, and physical indicators were evaluated at first and second pre-measurement, post-measurement, and one-month follow-up. MMSE, BDI, POMS, WHOQOL, body composition, blood analysis, SFT, muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, and dynamic balance were significantly different between pre- and post-measurement. Beck depression inventory, POMS, WHOQOL, PSQI, SFT, muscle strength (elbow flexor muscle, knee extensor muscle), spatiotemporal parameter of gait significantly improved continually until the one-month follow-up. In conclusion, the forest healing program had a positive effect on the psychological, physiological, and physical health of older people with MCI.

Validity and Reliability Test of Vitiligo Quality of Life Index (VitiQoL) Indonesian Version in Vitiligo Patients

Background: Vitiligo is a multifactorial skin disorder that causes depigmentation. Vitiligo can affect a patient's quality of life due to aesthetic issue. The prevalence of vitiligo in the world is 0.5 – 1.0%. An instrument for measuring the quality of life that is specific to vitiligo patients in Indonesia is required. Purpose: This study aims to translate the Vitiligo Specific Quality of Life (VitiQoL) questionnaire into Indonesian: and assess the validity and reliability of the Indonesian language VitiQoL as a quality of life instrument. Methods: An observational method with analytical survey and cross-sectional approach was conducted on 48 vitiligo patients at Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta in May – September 2021. The research was carried out in 3 stages. The first stage was the translation of VitiQoL into Indonesian and then back into English. The second and third stages were measuring the validity and reliability of the VitiQoL Indonesian version. Result: The validity test using Pearson product moment showed that the average correlation coefficient for each question is 0.683. Reliability test using Cronbach's alpha of 0.924 VitiQoL. VitiQoL has 3 domains, namely limited participation, stigma, and behavior. The correlation of each domain has a value range of 0.756 - 0.918 with a variation of Cronbach's alpha value per item ranging from 0.808 - 0.89. The limited participation domain (84.2%) has the largest contribution to the value of quality of life. Conclusion: The Indonesian language VitiQoL as an instrument with good validity and reliability can be used to measure the quality of life of vitiligo patients in Indonesia.

Development and validation of the health-related quality of life instrument for Chinese infertile couples: a mixed-methods study protocol

BackgroundInfertility and its treatment have negative impacts on a couple’s marital relationship, sexual life, psychological state and interpersonal relationships, causing personal distress. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important component of health outcomes. HRQoL instruments developed in western culture are not always appropriate for use in China due to cultural differences. Probably due to the unique concept of fertility in China, infertility patients can be looked down upon and the family may feel shameful. This study aims to develop a HRQoL instrument for infertile couples based on the Chinese social and cultural setting.MethodsComplementary mixed methods will be used to develop a new HRQoL instrument for Chinese infertile couples. The study consists of four stages: the first stage will involve a systematic review and qualitative interviews to construct draft candidate items. In the second stage, quantitative research [e.g., exploratory factor analysis (EFA), item response theory (IRT)] and cognitive interviews will be used for item selection. The third stage will be instrument validation, in which classical test theory (CTT) and IRT will be applied. In the final stage, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) will be calculated by using distribution-based methods and anchor-based methods (e.g., logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve).DiscussionThe new HRQoL instrument for Chinese infertile couples will be developed, which will provide a standard and effective HRQoL instrument in clinical outcome assessment and health outcome measurement.

Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients with Sinonasal, Nasopharyngeal, and Anterior Skull Base Tumors.

This article will review functional and QOL outcomes among patients treated predominantly for sinonasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies. Treatment advances and interdisciplinary supportive care help to lessen the functional impairments and the reduction in quality of life (QOL) that were once accepted as inevitable tradeoffs for cure. Recent progress in QOL and Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) instruments for this population will be covered. Sinonasal and nasopharyngeal tumors affect patients' quality of life, appearance, and critical functions. Tumors arise in proximity of vital structures including the orbit, cranial nerves, carotid artery, brain, cervical spine, and pituitary gland. Surgical morbidity, along with acute and late effects of systemic therapy and radiotherapy on normal tissues in this functionally critical region, may result in wide-ranging symptoms. Patients with skull base tumors report a high symptom burden at presentation, prior to treatment, relative to other malignancies in the head and neck region.

Self-Reported Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity: Is It Useful for Clinical Practice?

IntroductionHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is considered to be the most burdensome dermatosis, with a well-documented negative influence on quality of life (QoL). The patient’s perception of the disorder, assessed as the self-reported severity, has been used in other dermatoses but not in HS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of self-reported HS severity in clinical practice.MethodsThe study was performed on a group of 130 Spanish HS patients. HS severity was assessed for all the subjects. Hurley staging and patient self-reported severity were used. Moreover, QoL impairment was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life 24 (HSQoL-24) questionnaire.ResultsThe severity of HS according to the Hurley staging was most commonly assessed as Hurley II (47.7%), indicating moderate disease, followed by severe disease (Hurley III, 26.9%) and mild disease (Hurley I, 25.4%). According to the patient self-reported HS severity, most of the patients reported having mild disease (76 patients, 58.5%), followed by moderate disease (31 patients, 23.8%). Only 23 patients (17.7%) assessed their disease as severe. Moreover, men reported mild disease significantly more frequently than women (70.9% and 49.3%, respectively; p = 0.014).The self-reported HS severity correlated positively with the effect of the disease on patient QoL assessed with DLQI (r = 0.288, p < 0.001). Likewise, a strong positive correlation was found between self-reported HS severity and QoL impairment assessed with HSQoL-24 (r = 0.404, p = 0.001). No statistically significant correlation between Hurley severity stage and DLQI or HSQoL-24 was found. Moreover, there were significant differences in both DLQI and HSQoL-24 total score between different self-reported HS severities. This was not seen for any of the QoL instruments or for Hurley severity staging.ConclusionThe results show that self-assessment severity may reflect patients’ subjective feelings more adequately than popular objective instruments, and there should be a place for its use in daily clinical practice.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-022-00701-5.

Comprehensive Quality-of-Life Outcomes With Invasive Versus Conservative Management of Chronic Coronary Disease in ISCHEMIA.

ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches) compared an initial invasive treatment strategy (INV) with an initial conservative strategy in 5179 participants with chronic coronary disease and moderate or severe ischemia. The ISCHEMIA research program included a comprehensive quality-of-life (QOL) substudy. In 1819 participants (907 INV, 912 conservative strategy), we collected a battery of disease-specific and generic QOL instruments by structured interviews at baseline; at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months postrandomization; and at study closeout. Assessments included angina-related QOL (19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire), generic health status (EQ-5D), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), and, for North American patients, cardiac functional status (Duke Activity Status Index). Median age was 67 years, 19.2% were female, and 15.9% were non-White. The estimated mean difference for the 19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire Summary score favored INV (1.4 points [95% CI, 0.2-2.5] over all follow-up). No differences were observed in patients with rare/absent baseline angina (SAQ Angina Frequency score >80). Among patients with more frequent angina at baseline (SAQ Angina Frequency score <80, 744 patients, 41%), those randomly assigned to INV had a mean 3.7-point higher 19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire Summary score than conservative strategy (95% CI, 1.6-5.8) with consistent effects across SAQ subscales: Physical Limitations 3.2 points (95% CI, 0.2-6.1), Angina Frequency 3.2 points (95% CI, 1.2-5.1), Quality of Life/Health Perceptions 5.3 points (95% CI, 2.8-7.8). For the Duke Activity Status Index, no difference was estimated overall by treatment, but in patients with baseline SAQ Angina Frequency scores <80, Duke Activity Status Index scores were higher for INV (3.2 points [95% CI, 0.6-5.7]), whereas patients with rare/absent baseline angina showed no treatment-related differences. Moderate to severe depression was infrequent at randomization (11.5%-12.8%) and was unaffected by treatment assignment. In the ISCHEMIA comprehensive QOL substudy, patients with more frequent baseline angina reported greater improvements in the symptom, physical functioning, and psychological well-being dimensions of QOL when treated with an invasive strategy, whereas patients who had rare/absent angina at baseline reported no consistent treatment-related QOL differences. URL: https://www. gov; Unique identifier: NCT01471522.

Quality of life assessment instruments in adult patients receiving home parenteral and enteral nutrition: A scoping review.

Quality of life (QoL) assessment is important to evaluate the effect of the intervention for patients treated with home parenteral and enteral nutrition (HPEN). The purpose of this scoping review is to describe, evaluate, and recommend QoL instruments used in adult patients receiving HPEN. We used the Arksey and O'Malley framework and performed literature searches in five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) to identify possibly relevant articles that focused on QoL of adult patients receiving HPEN. Of the studies that qualify for full-text screening, two independent researchers extracted data. Twenty-seven QoL instruments were identified, consisting of seven generic instruments, 12 disease-specific instruments, and eight therapy-specific instruments. The Short Form-36 was the most widely used generic instrument and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 was the most commonly employed disease-specific instrument. The recently developed therapy-specific tools, NutriQoL and HPN-QoL, were increasingly employed in studies either alone or in combination with other types of instruments. Important aspects of each instrument were summarized to aid clinicians and researchers in selecting an appropriate instrument when measuring the QoL of adult HPEN patients. Findings could also help to identify the necessity to develop new tools or to modify pre-existing ones to measure QoL of HPEN patients.

Salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy following focal ablation with irreversible electroporation: feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes

BackgroundTo report the feasibility, oncological and functional outcomes of salvage robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (sRARP) for recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) after irreversible electroporation (IRE).MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent sRARP by a single high-volume surgeon after IRE treatment in our institution. Surgical complications, oncological and functional outcomes were assessed.Results15 patients with at least 12 months follow up were identified out of the 234 men who underwent primary IRE between 2013 and 2019. The median [IQR] age was 68 (62–70) years. The median [IQR] time from focal IRE to sRARP was 42 (21–57) months. There were no rectal, bladder or ureteric injuries. The T-stage was pT2 in 9 (60%) patients and pT3a in 6 (40%) patients. Only one (7%) patient had a positive surgical margin. At a median [IQR] follow up of 22 (16–32) months no patient had a biochemical recurrence (PSA > 0.2). All 15 patients were continent (pad-free) by 6 months and 9 (60%) patients had erections sufficient for intercourse with or without PDE5 inhibitors. No predisposing factors were identified for predicting erectile dysfunction after sRARP.ConclusionsIn patients with recurrent or residual significant PCa after focal IRE ablation it is feasible to obtain good functional and oncological outcomes with sRARP. Our results demonstrate that good outcomes can be achieved with sRARP, when respecting close monitoring post-IRE, good patient selection and surgical experience. The limitations of this study are that it is a small series, with short follow up and a lack of standardised quality of life instruments.

Association of functional outcomes by decision-making approach in men with metastatic prostate cancer (mPC).

78 Background: Multiple treatments with similar efficacy exist for mPC resulting in multifaceted treatment choices. Shared decision-making (SDM) engages patients and may be associated with superior outcomes in men with prostate cancer. We assessed the association of decision locus of control (DLOC) (SDM vs. physician- or patient-directed decisions) and measures of patient quality of life (QOL), including patient reported functional outcomes, and decision satisfaction. Methods: Patients completed surveys of decision-making practices after a clinic visit in which a decision occurred. Patients also completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 QOL instrument at baseline (time of decision), and 2- and 4-months. Scores for each QOL dimension and pain were calculated for each time point, and the least-squared means were compared among DLOC groups to evaluate for associations using a mixed effects model. Results: 101 patients participated, with median age of 69 years [range: 49-92]. Most patients were white (80%) and married (82%). A majority of patients reported experiencing SDM in the clinic visit assessed (63, 62%). At baseline, there was no significant difference in patient reported QOL dimensions among DLOC groups, but patients reporting physician-directed decisions reported significantly greater baseline pain than the SDM group (Table). At 4 months, patient reported physical functioning was superior among patients reporting patient-directed (p=0.005) or SDM (p=0.03) than those who reported physician-directed decision-making. There was a trend toward greater decision satisfaction among patients who reported patient-directed (p=0.06) or SDM (p=0.10) at 4-months compared to men reporting physician-directed decision-making. There were no differences at 4 months for social, emotional, cognitive, or role functioning between DLOC groups. Conclusions: Patients who reported greater control during treatment decisions had superior physical functioning and a trend toward greater decision satisfaction at 4 months compared with patients reporting physician-directed decisions, suggesting measurable domains of benefit from involvement in the decision-making process. Continued research evaluating the association between physical and psychological outcomes and DLOC is needed, including larger studies within more diverse populations.[Table: see text]

Exploring the Quality of Life for Saudi Patients Utilizing Dental Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review.

Over three billion people globally are affected by oral diseases. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has declared a new vision for 2030, which includes an aim to improve the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom while maintaining the efficacy of spending. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is a quality of life instrument that helps evaluate health status. This study aims to evaluate equity in accessing dental services and the integration of different types of dental services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A systematic review of the MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EBSCOhost Research Databases was conducted on August 1, 2021. To answer the research question, the SPIDER search tool that identified the sample, the phenomenon of interest, design, evaluation, and research type prior to conducting the review was adapted. Multiple steps were followed to identify the results. The first step was scanning and selecting the related titles. The second step involved reviewing the abstracts, and the third step involved scanning the full manuscript for all criteria to determine and validate the eligibility of the articles. Twenty-two articles remained in the final stage of the study. The first study applying the OHIP instrument in the KSA was in 2010, and the latest was in 2021. In terms of cities, nine cities accounted for research within eight administrative regions. Of the 4794 patients recruited within these reviewed articles, the highest number of patients reported was 1141 for fashion braces, while the minimum number of patients was 32 for conventional complete dentures. This study shows that the Arabic OHIP tool was successfully adapted by multiple dental studies in the KSA with various dental services and results were reported. The reviewed studies suggest that equity and integration of dental health services are well established in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the major role of dental academic researchers has been identified.

Utilizing Patient Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Measures in the Management of Obesity.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). These tools can facilitate assessment of weight-related successes and challenges. Implement surveys to better understand individual experiences with obesity and explore factors that may be associated with HRQOL. Patients completed Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life Instrument (OWLQOL) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global-10 surveys. Three scores were calculated from survey results: global physical health (GPH), global mental health (GMH), and OWLQOL. The association between these scores and body mass index (BMI) was examined using multiple linear regression analyses. 114 surveys were analyzed. GPH and OWLQOL scores were negatively associated with BMI. OWLQOL scores were higher in those who lost more than 10% body weight compared to those who lost less weight. OWLQOL scores for return patients were significantly higher than those for new patients. Various factors may affect HRQOL. Higher BMI may adversely affect HRQOL, but weight loss greater than 10% and an ongoing clinical relationship may have a positive effect.Implications for NursingThese surveys can promote quality care, providing relevant information to enhance the clinical visit and offering another means to evaluate interventions over time.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Primary Caregivers of People Receiving Palliative Home Care.

Primary caregivers face constant challenges because of changes in the clinical situation of the person receiving palliative home care. These changes can alter the health-related quality of life and all its dimensions. This study aimed to describe the health-related quality of life of 137 primary caregivers of people enrolled in a palliative home care program in Bogotá, Colombia, applying a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research design. The Caregiver's Quality of Life Instrument, initially developed by Ferrell, and the sociodemographic characteristics form for caregivers of people with chronic disease, both previously validated in the Colombian population, were used. The results showed that the primary caregivers have a good and adequate overall health-related quality of life; however, they presented some alterations in the physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Therefore, nursing and interdisciplinary palliative care teams should aim their interventions not only at patients but also at primary caregivers during palliative home care.

Comparing Disease-Specific and Generic Quality of Life in Korean Breast Cancer Survivors Using the FACT-B and QLI: The Importance of Instrument Selection.

Background:Quality of life (QOL) has become an important indicator for evaluating patients’ symptoms and their overall satisfaction with life. Thus, examining QOL is essential for fully understanding the life satisfaction of breast cancer survivors (BCS). However, selecting the appropriate instrument for QOL measurement is challenging, and few studies have compared disease-specific and generic QOL measures and how they reflect the impact of cancer-related symptoms on QOL in BCS. We examined QOL in BCS using both disease-specific and generic instruments and compared their representation of the QOL impacts of anxiety, depression, sleep, fatigability, and posttraumatic growth.Methods:This study involved analysis of follow-up data for an exercise intervention called the BLESS (Better Life after cancer, Energy, Strength, and Support) program, which included 40 BCS treated at 1 medical center in South Korea. Their QOL was assessed using both the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and Quality of Life Index (QLI).Results:Both FACT-B and QLI total scores revealed that Korean BCS had low levels of QOL. Furthermore, both FACT-B and QLI total scores were significantly related to anxiety, depression, sleep, fatigability, and posttraumatic growth in the participants. Notably, multivariate regression analysis of FACT-B and QLI total scores showed different predictors for QOL: with the FACT-B, depression was the only significant predictor, while with the QLI, posttraumatic growth was the only significant predictor.Conclusion:The selection of a given QOL instrument may affect the overall findings and interpretation of the impacts of related symptoms. The FACT-B should be considered for studies of symptoms such as depression, while the QLI is more appropriate for examining overall QOL and posttraumatic growth.

Quality of Life and Satisfaction Outcomes of Endodontic Treatment

Endodontic treatment entails the removal of pulpal tissue, the filing and contouring of root canals, the obturation of the root canal space, and the placement of a permanent replacement for the tooth. The extent to which a person appreciates the essential possibilities of life is defined as quality of life. Oral disorders, including diseaserelated symptoms, can have a substantial influence on people's daily life. As a result, there has been a significant interest in determining the degree to which individual oral disorders impose a weight of illness on afflicted communities and the usefulness of health services in alleviating that burden in recent years. Patient reports of oral health-related quality of life have only lately begun to supplement the limited professional assessment based solely on clinical data. This allows for the creation of treatment regimens that are more closely customized to the preferences and demands of the patients. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about the quality of life and satisfaction outcomes of endodontic treatment. The ability to compare endodontic treatment results to those of other dental and medical procedures, as well as undertake health economic studies, makes determining the impact of endodontic treatment on health-related quality of life appealing. Dental treatment has a substantial impact on overall happiness and quality of life. Treatment with endodontics increases one's quality of life. By stressing the broader personal and societal repercussions of oral diseases and disorders, quality of life instruments and dental satisfaction scores can be used to bring dentistry into line with contemporary ideas of health care.

Validation of the Brazilian version of the hepatitis B quality of life evaluation instrument - HBQOL, and its application to patients with chronic hepatitis B in Cascavel - PR

The objective of this study is to validate the specific questionnaire for Hepatitis B HBQOL (Hepatitis B Quality of Life Instrument, version 1.0) for the Brazilian version, in addition to testing its applicability in patients with hepatitis B under treatment and comparing the quality of life between patients using first-line drugs (tenofovir and entecavir). For the validation, the back-translation technique was used in a sample of 47 patients. Factor analysis was performed between the items in each domain of the questionnaire and the internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's α coefficient. In assessing the applicability of the validated questionnaire, interviews were carried out with 124 patients. Sociodemographic and treatment data were collected to characterize the sample and perform correlation analyzes. The results demonstrate that the Brazilian version of the questionnaire was successfully validated. In the analysis carried out among the 124 patients, the domains psychological well-being and stigma obtained the highest scores in quality of life and the lowest level of education conferred better results in these two domains. The comparison between tenofovir and entecavir showed no significant difference in patients' quality of life. The use of this validated instrument can make therapeutic decisions more rational.

Impact of moderate and severe primary open-angle glaucoma on quality of life due to activity limitation.

Purpose:To study the impact of moderate and severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) on the quality of life (QoL) due to activity limitation using glaucoma-specific questionnaires.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 122 participants, 50% (n = 61) being controls and 50% were diagnosed cases of moderate/severe POAG. Three orally administered glaucoma-specific QoL instruments were used: Glaucoma Activity Limitation (GAL-9), Glaucoma Quality of Life (GQL-15), and Viswanathan questionnaires. The questions related to activity limitation were identified and analyzed for each questionnaire separately.Results:The mean age of the participants was 61.04 ± 9.88 years and a majority were males (64.8%, n = 79). The mean scores in controls, moderate glaucoma, and severe POAG patients for GAL-9 questionnaire were 9.77 ± 1.36 (P = 0.44), 13.75 ± 4.76 (P < 0.001), and 23.45 ± 5.62 (P < 0.001), for GQL-15, these were 16.39 ± 2.18 (P = 0.5), 22.75 ± 7.89 (P < 0.001), and 39.34 ± 9.42 (P < 0.001), respectively, while for the Viswanathan questionnaire, they were 9.49 ± 0.94 (P = 0.38), 7.91 ± 1.59 (P < 0.001), and 4.41 ± 2.20 (P < 0.001), respectively. The GQL-15 and GAL-9 questionnaires concluded that activity limitation pertaining to dark adaptation-related tasks affected the QoL the most in moderate as well as severe POAG (P < 0.001). Using the Viswanathan questionnaire, it was observed that the peripheral vision-related activity limitation was most significant for the decrease in QoL in moderate POAG while near vision-related activity limitation affected the QoL the most in severe POAG (P < 0.001).Conclusion:All three questionnaires concluded that the activity limitation due to moderate and severe glaucoma has a negative impact on the QoL. The limitation of the tasks involving dark adaptation/glare and peripheral vision has the most significant impact on the QoL in moderate glaucoma. As the disease progresses to a severe category, the limitation of activities requiring central and near vision causes the most significant worsening in QoL.

Impact of empagliflozin add-on therapy on quality of life in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension: A prospective study.

Diabetes has a negative impact on patient's quality of life (QoL). Comorbidities and polypharmacy further worsen their QoL. Thus, in addition to glycemic control, assessment of QoL is also gaining importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate QoL in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with hypertension after add-on empagliflozin to triple drug therapy (metformin, teneligliptin, and glimepiride). A prospective research was done on T2DM patients with hypertension, who visited a tertiary care referral institute's endocrine outpatient clinic. For 3 months, empagliflozin, 25 mg once daily, was administered as an add-on treatment with metformin, teneligliptin, and glimepiride. In addition to clinical assessment, an Urdu-translated QoL instrument for Indian diabetes patients was used to conduct QoL study. The QoL outcomes prior to empagliflozin add-on were compared with those obtained at the conclusion of the 3 months of treatment. Empagliflozin as an add-on therapy significantly improved various aspects of QoL like role limitation due to physical health, physical endurance, general health, symptom botherness, financial worries, emotional/mental health, and diet satisfaction (P < 0.001). It also improved glycemic and blood pressure parameters significantly. QoL is an essential measure with respect to patient-centered treatment approach. Empagliflozin, as an add-on medication, improved QoL, glycemic parameters and blood pressure in T2DM patients with hypertension. It can be recommended as an add-on, but more research with a larger sample size is required.

Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life in patients with bipolar disorder

Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) has been associated with an earlier onset, rapid cycling, worsening severity and outcome, and increased suicidality. Patients with BD have been reported to have poor quality of life (QOL) even during remission. Estimate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity and assess the QOL in patients with BD, and find the associated sociodemographic and clinical variables. This cross-sectional study was done in a general hospital psychiatric unit on 100 patients (both inpatients and outpatients) with DSM-IV-TR BD in partial or complete remission. Patients were assessed using a semi-structured pro forma, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview 6.0 - Hindi version, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression or Young Mania Rating Scale and World Health Organization QOL instrument, short-form (WHOQOL-BREF), Hindi Version. Sixty-one percent of the sample had at least one psychiatric comorbidity, and the commonest comorbid disorders were substance use disorders (SUD) (30%) and anxiety disorders (AD) (28%). Male gender was identified as a predictor for comorbidity in BD. The mean QOL-BREF score was 85.96 ± 14.35. Poor QOL was associated with older age at onset of comorbidity, multiple comorbidities, mixed episodes, rapid cycling, partial remission, and increased severity of depression while patients with current hypomanic symptoms were found to have better QOL. BD with comorbidity had worse QOL than those without comorbidity. The majority of patients with BD had at least one comorbidity. SUD were the most common comorbid disorders. QOL, already poor in BD patients, was poorer in cases with comorbidity.

Quality of life of diabetes patients in North India

Background: India is witnessing a dramatic rise in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. In this study, quality of life (QOL) of patients with diabetes and its determinants were assessed. Second, the valuation of QOL using different methods of measurement was examined. Methods: A community-based survey comprising 306 adults diagnosed with diabetes was undertaken in an urban slum area of Chandigarh city. Direct methods of QOL assessment such as time trade-off (TTO) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) along with indirect like EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level Instrument (EQ-5D-5L) and the QOL Instrument for Indian Diabetes Patients (QOLID) were used. Multiple linear regression was used to compute coefficients to assess point estimate of QOL using the Indian QOLID tool. Results: Overall, health utility scores for a person with diabetes were 0.68 (with TTO method), 0.60–0.64 (with VAS) analog scale, and EQ-5D-5L method, respectively. Valuation of QOL using direct methods yielded utility values which were significantly higher than indirect methods (EQ-5D-5L). Conclusion: Overall, this study found that diabetes is responsible for physical, psychological, and social role disturbance among the patients. In addition, choice of using direct or indirect methods of utility estimation may have practical implications while calculating incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.