Specific Health-related Quality Of Life Scale Research Articles

Giving room to subjectivity in understanding and assessing problem gambling: A patient-centered approach focused on quality of life.

Background and aimsProblem gambling is characterized by high stigma and self-stigma, making relevant measurement of the burden of the disorder complex. The aim of our qualitative study was to describe health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impacted by problem gambling from the patients’ perspective.MethodsWe conducted 6 focus groups with 25 current or lifetime at-risk problem gamblers to identify key domains of quality of life impacted by problem gambling. A content analysis from the focus groups data was conducted using Alceste© software, using descendant hierarchical classification analysis, to obtain stable classes and the significant presences of reduced forms. The class of interest, detailing the core of impacted quality of life, was described using a cluster analysis.ResultsThematic content analysis identified three stable classes. Class 1 contained the interviewers’ speech. Class 3 was composed of the vocabulary related to gambling practice, games and gambling venues (casino, horse betting, etc.). Class 2 described the core of impact of gambling on quality of life and corresponded to 43% of the analyzed elementary context units. This analysis revealed seven key domains of impact of problem gambling: loneliness, financial pressure, relationships deterioration, feeling of incomprehension, preoccupation with gambling, negative emotions, and avoidance of helping relationships.ConclusionsWe identified, beyond objective damage, the subjective distress felt by problem gamblers over the course of the disorder and in the helping process, marked in particular by stigma and self-stigma. Four impacted HRQOL areas were new and gambling-specific: loneliness, feeling of incomprehension, avoidance of helping relationships, and preoccupation with gambling. These results support the relevance of developing, in a next step, a specific HRQOL scale in the context of gambling.

Health related quality of life in chronic venous disease: Systematic literature review

Excepting life-threatening situations, improvement of health-related quality-of-life is the main therapeutic goal in chronic disease. The purpose of this review was to study the different ways of assessing Quality-of-Life (QoL) in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) (CEAP classes C3 to C6). A literature search was conducted with three databases: MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE and COCHRANE LIBRARY in order to identify articles with the PRISMA reporting guidelines. Then we compared psychometric performance of general and specific QoL questionnaires for a French population with CVD. A total of 481 articles were identified, from which 25 were selected and analyzed. CIVIQ 20, CIVIQ 14 and VEINES Qol/sym are the specific health related QoL scales validated for a French population with CVD. VEINES Qol/sym was specifically validated in patients with leg ulcer or post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). CIVIQ 14 is a CIVIQ 20 optimized to be used more widely in international studies and validated in milder forms of the CVD spectrum (C0 à C4). The general health related QoL scales are SF-36, SF-12 and EQ-5D. EQ-5D is simple and provides health state utility values. CIVIQ 14 is a simple specific health-related QoL scale for less severe CVD. VEINES Qol/sym was developed for severe CVD and PTS but clinically relevant point scales remain to be assessed. EQ-5D is a generic scale to be preferred to assess economic impact based on a cost-utility analysis.

L31 The Quality Of Life Of Spanish Patients With Huntington's Disease Measured With H-qol-i And Eq-5d

Background Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with wide-ranging effects on motor, cognitive and behavioural effects and a great impact on patient’s health- related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL measures are increasingly used in clinical assessment to evaluate intervention effectiveness. Such assessments allow decision makers to consider patient and caregiver perspectives. Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate the HRQoL of Spanish HD patients and to compare results provided by EQ-5D and H-QoL-I instruments. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted in Spain on the burden of disease (BoD) and HRQoL of HD patients and caregivers. HD Patients were recruited through a neurologist in a clinical setting. Several clinical, functional, BoD and HRQoL measures were collected (we present only HRQoL data). The EuroQOL five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and Huntington Quality of Life Instrument (H-QoL-I: a new validated HD specific HRQoL scale) were voluntarily self-completed. Pearson’s correlation tests were computed. Results 55 patients were recruited. The mean ± SD age was 50 ±14 years. 51% were female. Results from H-QoL-I indicated that the psychological dimension was the most altered dimension, slightly greater than the motor dimension (scores: 58.06 and 56.96 respectively) whereas social dimension was not altered (score 80.93). Usual activities and anxiety/depression were the most altered dimensions based on the EQ-5D whereas pain was the least altered dimension. All Pearson’s correlations between the H-QoL-I and EQ-5D were statistically significant (p Conclusion The quality of life of the Spanish HD patients included in this study was seriously affected by the disease. Motor and psychological dimensions were the most affected whereas pain and social dimensions were less affected. Better therapeutic options to improve motor function, and hence, HRQoL are needed.

Quality of Life after Stroke: The Importance of a Good Recovery

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a recognized and important outcome after stroke. An increased survival and the presence of moderate impairment in long-term stroke survivors impact their HRQoL. Methods: HRQoL measures and HRQoL determinants in stroke survivors are reviewed. Results: Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in western countries. Specific HRQoL scales have been developed in the last years, such as the Stroke Impact Scale, the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale, the Stroke and Aphasia HRQoL Scale, and the Burden of Stroke Scale. Disability and poststroke depression are consistent determinants of HRQoL. Other determinants include female sex, coping strategies, and social support. Poststroke depression affects HRQoL, functional recovery, cognitive function and healthcare use in stroke survivors. Stroke caregivers have lower HRQoL, greater prevalence of stress and depression, economical burden, and changes in social relationships. Advancing age and anxiety in patients and caregivers, high dependency and poor family support identify caregivers at risk of adverse outcomes. Conclusions: Physical and psychosocial well-being is greatly affected in stroke survivors and their caregivers.