Risk Factors For Low Quality Of Life Research Articles

Disparities in Quality of Life Among European Cancer Survivors Aged 50 and Over

Abstract Background This study aims to investigate regional disparities of quality of life (QoL) among older cancer survivors across European countries. Methods This is a longitudinal study based on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project. European-level, regional and national QoL among cancer survivors were investigated using mixed-effect regression models based on demographic and health-related factors. Findings The prevalence of low QoL vary from 12.4 (Denmark) to 84.9 (Greece) for women and from 10.4 (Denmark) to 74.6 (Greece) for men. Cancer survivors had higher risks of low QoL (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47 - 1.71) than general population. Numbers of mobility limitations has the largest effects on QoL (NL mobility =1: PR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.45 -1.64; NL mobility ≥ 2: PR = 2.59, 95% CI = 2.47 - 2.73), followed by several other factors (e.g., age, gender, BMI, civil status, employment status, education level and geographical region). Most of the effects kept stable or decreased slightly after subjects survived more than 5 years. Conclusions Significant disparities of QoL were observed across Europe. Cancer survivors face a substantially increased risk of decreased QoL comparing to general population. Several factors were identified as risk factors for lower QoL. Key messages • QoL in general population show significant disparities across Europe. • Further steps should focus on improving QoL of cancer survivors simultaneously across European countries.

Assessment of quality of life among elderly in urban and peri-urban areas, Yangon Region, Myanmar.

BackgroundIn the context of an aging population, quality of life (QOL) is an important consideration for the well-being of the elderly. However, there is limited information on the QOL of the elderly in Myanmar. This study aimed to explore the risk factors for low QOL among the elderly in urban and peri-urban areas of the Yangon Region, Myanmar.MethodsA community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among the elderly aged 60 years or older in two urban and two peri-urban townships in the Yangon Region from July to September 2019. A multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit study participants using a pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 616 (305 males and 311 females) elderly people were interviewed using a face-to-face interview technique. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on the four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationship, and environment) of QOL measured with the WHOQOL-BREF.ResultsIncome level and having intimate friends influenced the QOL scores of the elderly in all domains, while education level and marital status influenced psychological health, social relationship, and environment domains. Social interaction with neighbors increased the QOL scores for physical health, social relationship, and environment domains. Living in peri-urban areas was associated with lower QOL scores for physical health, psychological health, and environment, while participation in group activities increased QOL scores in these domains. Having comorbidities affected the QOL for psychological health and environment domains, while the frequency of going out affected physical health, and the frequency of religious performance affected social relationship.ConclusionResidential location, education level, marital status, income, comorbidities, social interactions with neighbors and friends, participation in group activities, and frequencies of going out and religious activities should be considered in planning and implementing programs for the elderly in Myanmar. Peri-urban development, strengthening healthcare and social security systems, and encouraging social interaction and participation in group activities play critical roles in improving the QOL for elderly residing in Myanmar.

Factors associated with the quality of life in women with perimenopausal and postmenopausal status: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey from China

Background: Many factors may influence the quality of life (QOL) of women with perimenopausal and postmenopausal status; however, systematic research is lacking. The purpose of the current study was to determine factors associated with specific dimensions of the QOL for perimenopausal and postmenopausal Chinese women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed and initially included 403 women aged 36-76 years who visited the menopause clinic at Peking University First Hospital between September 2012 and December 2013. Participants completed the modified Kupperman index (mKMI), overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and SF-36 (QOL) questionnaires. Single factor logistic regression and multiple binary logistic regression were performed to evaluate the risk factors for low QOL for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Results: A total of 320 women were included in the final study sample. The average age was 52.55±5.96 years, average height was 159.99±5.70 cm, the average weight was 61.37±8.47 kg, the average BMI was 23.91±3.14kg/m2, the average total score of QOL was 492.51±145.35, the average score of mKMI was 21.72±9.79, and the average score of OABSS was 2.13±2.313. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed current smoking [OR=10.132, 95%CI (1.142, 89.882), p = 0.038], mKMI [OR=9.151, 95%CI (1.996, 41.957), p = 0.004], passive attitude towards menopause [OR=3.465, 95%CI (1.878, 6.392), p = 0.000], and OABSS (OR=2.410, 95%CI (1.253, 4.636), p = 0.008] showed statistical significance towards total score of QOL. Multiple logistic regression analysis towards different dimension of QOL: factors associated with physical functioning (PF) are age, current smoking, mKMI, and OABSS. Factors associated with physical role (PR) are low frequency of sexual intercourse in the last six months, mKMI, passive attitude towards menopause, dancing, and OABSS. Factors associated with bodily pain (BP) are height, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) relieving menopause symptoms. Factors associated with general health (GH) are height, TCM relieving, mKMI, and passive attitude towards menopause. Factors associated with vitality (VT) are living with husband, mKMI, and passive attitude towards menopause. Factors associated with social functioning (SF) are mKMI, passive attitude towards menopause, and OABSS. Factors associated with emotional (ER) are passive smoking, low frequency of sexual intercourse in the last six months, mKMI, passive attitude towards menopause, and OABSS, Factors associated with mental health (MH) are mKMI, passive attitude, and OABSS. Linear-regression showed the different combination of relieving methods of perimenopausal symptoms, complications, relatives, and various exercises have different effects on the each dimension of QOL. Conclusion: Current smoking, mKMI, passive attitude towards menopause, and OABSS are risk factors towards the total QOL score for perimenopausal and postmenopausal Chinese women. Age, low frequency of sexual intercourse in the last six months, using TCM to relieve menopause symptoms, and passive smoking are risk factors towards some dimensions of the QOL for women during this period of life. Dancing, height, and living with husband are protective factors towards some dimensions of the QOL. Fully exploring the factors affecting women during this special period can help make more precise and effective treatments that may improve the QOL.

Contact sensitisation in hand eczema patients–relation to subdiagnosis, severity and quality of life: a multi‐centre study

Contact sensitisation has been identified as a factor associated with poor prognosis for patients with hand eczema. To study implications of contact sensitisation with respect to severity, quality of life (QoL) and subdiagnosis of hand eczema. The study was performed as a multi-centre, cross-sectional study from 10 European clinics. All patients were patch tested, and severity of hand eczema assessed by Hand Eczema Severity Index. A multi-variate analysis was performed to explore which factors influenced severity, QoL and sick leave. A total 416 patients were included, and 63% had contact sensitisation to one or more of the tested allergens. More women (66%) than men (51%) were sensitized. No significant association was found between sensitisation to specific allergens, disease severity, QoL or diagnostic subgroups. High age, male sex, atopic eczema and presence of contact sensitisation were independent risk factors for increased severity as measured by Hand Eczema Severity Index. Furthermore, the severity of hand eczema increased by the number of contact sensitisations detected (P = 0.023). High age and personal history of atopic eczema were independent risk factors for low QoL, as measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index, and atopic eczema as well as allergic contact dermatitis as subdiagnosis was associated with increased sick leave. Diagnostic subgroups were not found to be related to specific allergens. Contact sensitisation was found to be a risk factor for increased severity of hand eczema, as did high age, male sex and atopic eczema.

Quality of life and depression in a population of occupational hand eczema patients

Occupational hand eczema (OHE) is the most frequently recognized occupational disease in Denmark, and despite governmental attempts to reduce exposure to harmful occupational allergens, the number of new cases has remained almost unchanged since the mid-1990s. Some studies have indicated that OHE has considerable impact on quality of life (QoL) and may lead to depression. The aims of the study were to determine risk factors for low QoL, the frequency and severity of depression among OHE patients and changes in QoL and depression after 12 months of follow up. The study population, 758 patients, comprised all new recognized cases from the Danish National Board of Industrial Injuries Registry between October 2001 and November 2002. All patients received a questionnaire to determine impairment of QoL and depressive symptoms. A similar follow-up questionnaire was posted after 1 year. The response rate was 82% at baseline and 91% at follow up. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index total score was 5.5 for all patients and 7.8 for severe OHE cases. Severe OHE cases and lower socioeconomic status were independently associated with low QoL. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe depression was 9%. Only minor changes in QoL and depressive symptoms were found after 12 months of follow up.