Quality Of Life Range Research Articles

Impact of Real-Time CGM Data Sharing on Quality of Life in the Caregivers of Adults and Children With Type 1 Diabetes.

To examine caregivers' experiences with real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) data sharing and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and health outcomes. Parents of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (N = 303) and spouses/partners of T1D adults (N = 212) using the Dexcom G5 Mobile or G6 RT-CGM system and who were actively following their T1Ds' RT-CGM data completed a survey examining their perceived value of data sharing, the impact of sharing on their own QoL and their child/partner's health, and how they used RT-CGM data to support their T1Ds' diabetes management. Regression analyses examined whether their actions were linked to reported changes in QoL and health outcomes. Respondents were predominantly non-Hispanic White (91.1% parents; 88.7% partners), female (78.2% parents; 54.7% partners), and college-educated (65.3% parents; 61.8% partners). The majority reported that data sharing had enhanced hypoglycemic confidence (97.7% parents; 98.1% partners), overall well-being (60.4% parents; 63.2% partners), and sleep quality (78.0% parents; 61.3% partners). Of note, three positive caregiver actions were broadly consistent and significant predictors of QoL and health benefits for both parents and partners: celebrating success related to glycemic control, providing encouragement when glycemic control is challenging, and teamwork discussions about how the caregiver should respond to out-of-range values. RT-CGM data sharing was associated with a range of QoL and health benefits for caregivers. Degree of benefits was influenced by the collaborative actions taken by caregivers to support their child's or partner's diabetes management. To determine the most effective strategies for collaborative data sharing, longitudinal trials are needed.

Quality of life and social functioning of former long-stay psychiatric patients transferred into the community: a 10 year follow up study

Deinstitutionalisation in Ireland began following the impetus of the successful transfer of psychiatric patients into the community in other countries. This study sought to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and social functioning (SF) of former long-stay institutionalised patients with severe and enduring mental illness who had been relocated into local community settings and followed up 10years later. One month prior to hospital closure, 87 former long-stay psychiatric patients, the majority of whom had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, were assessed on a range of QoL and SF measures. Patients were followed-up 10years later in the community, to evaluate baseline predictors of quality of life and social functioning. Study completers (n = 35) improved significantly on a range of QoL and SF measures over the 10year period. Specific improvements were noted in domestic skills (t = -2.8, p < 0.0008), community skills (t = -4.9, p < 0.001), as well as the activity and social relations measure (t = -4.1, p < 0.001). Increased social function (t = -6.3, p < 0.001) and improvement on the social behaviour scale (t = 7.6, p < 0.001) were noted at follow-up. Linear regression analysis found that less social behaviour problems at baseline predicted QoL 10 years later (t = -2.6, p < 0.02). This study demonstrated that transfer into the community from an institutional environment was associated with long-term improvements in quality of life and social functioning, even in those who spent many years in the institution. Those who demonstrated the greatest improvement in QoL had less social behavioural problems at baseline assessment, providing further evidence of the success of community living for former long-stay patients.