Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire Research Articles

Evaluating the safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for rectal endometriosis: results from a French prospective multicentre study including 60 patients.

Is increasing the intensity of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by 30% in the treatment of rectal endometriosis a safe procedure? This study demonstrates the safety of a 30% increase in the intensity of HIFU in the treatment of rectal endometriosis, with no Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications overall, and namely no rectovaginal fistulae. A feasibility study including 20 patients with rectal endometriosis demonstrated, with no severe complications, a significant improvement in digestive disorders, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and health status, although the volume of the endometriosis nodule did not appear to be reduced. A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 with 60 patients with symptomatic rectal endometriosis. Following the failure of medical treatment, HIFU treatment was offered as an alternative to surgery. As the main objective of this study was to examine safety, all adverse events observed during the 6 months of follow-up were analysed and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Clavien-Dindo classifications. Secondary objectives included evaluating the evolution of symptoms using validated questionnaires: gynaecological and digestive pain symptoms with a visual analogue scale, health status with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, average post-operative daily pain level, and analgesic medication required in the 10 days following treatment. MRI was also performed at Day 1 to detect early complications. Finally, we performed a blinded MRI review of the evolution of the nodule at 6 months post-treatment. The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia for 30% of the patients. The median duration of treatment was 32 min. Fifty-five patients left the hospital on Day 1. MRI scans performed on Day 1 did not highlight any early-onset post-operative complication. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, we listed 56.7% Grade I events, 3.4% Grade II events, and no events Grade III or higher. At 1, 3, and 6 months, all gynaecologic, digestive and general symptoms, as well as health status, had significantly improved. The evolution of the nodule was also significant (P < 0.001) with a 28% decrease in volume. The main objective was safety and not effectiveness. The study was not randomized and there was no control group. HIFU treatment for rectal endometriosis results in an improvement of symptoms with low morbidity; as such, for selected patients, it could be a valuable alternative to surgical approaches following the failure of medical treatment. The study was funded by the company EDAP TMS. Professors Dubernard and Rousset are consultants for EDAP TMS. Dubernard received travel support from EDAP-TMS. Dr F. Chavrier received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS. He has developed a device for generating focused ultrasonic waves with reduced treatment time. This device has been patented by EDAP-TMS. Dr Lafon received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS; he declares that EDAP-TMS provided funding directly to INSERM to support a young researcher chair in therapeutic ultrasound, which is unrelated to the current study. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04494568.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Foot and Ankle Disability Index

The Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) is one of the most commonly used tools for evaluating foot and ankle function. Due to the lack of a Korean version for properly evaluating Koreans, it was not possible to compare Korean data with data from other countries using FADI. Therefore, we created a Korean version of the FADI questionnaire and evaluated its reliability and validity. We translated the English version of FADI and FADI-sport into Korean and then back into English. The Korean version of the FADI and FADI-sport, the previously verified visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the previously validated Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) were administered to outpatients with chronic foot and ankle pain. A total of 64 patients who visited the outpatient clinic for chronic foot and ankle pain from January 2023 to March 2023 were included. To evaluate test-retest reliability and internal consistency, we used the intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. We also assessed the concurrent and construct validity of the Korean version of FADI and FADI-sport by comparing them with the VAS and SF-36. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.953 and 0.945 for the FADI and FADI-sport, respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The reproducibility was good, and a strong correlation was observed between FADI, VAS, and SF-36. Therefore, the validation of the Korean version of the FADI was successfully performed, and it is a reliable questionnaire for self-evaluation of a patient's foot and ankle condition.

Determinants of health-related quality of life across the spectrum of connective tissue diseases using latent profile analysis: results from the LEAP cohort.

Poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is well recognized in patients with CTD. We hypothesized that subgroups of patients across the spectrum of CTD experience different HRQoL patterns and aimed to determine patient-level characteristics associated with these different subgroups. Using the eight continuous domains of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire we performed data-driven clustering to derive latent profiles (LPs) of patients with distinct HRQoL patterns. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to determine patient-level characteristics associated with each HRQoL subgroup identified. A total of 309 CTD patients completed the SF-36 questionnaire. The most impaired SF-36 domains in each disease group were vitality, general health and bodily pain. The physical component of the SF-36 was consistently more impaired compared with the mental component, with similar scores across disease groups. Three LPs were identified with poor [n = 89 (29%)], average [n = 190 (61.4%)] and excellent [n = 30 (9.7%)] HRQoL. LPs were not associated with diagnostic grouping or autoantibody profiles. Black background [odds ratio (OR) 0.22 (95% CI 0.08, 0.63)], Indo-Asian background [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.19, 0.78)], concomitant fibromyalgia [OR 0.40 (95% CI 0.20, 0.78)], sicca symptoms [OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.32, 0.98)] and multimorbidity [Charlson Comorbidity Index; OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.67, 0.97)] were associated with the 'poor' HRQoL LP. Distinct HRQoL subgroups exist that are not primarily driven by a specific diagnosis or autoantibody profiles. We identified a number of key demographic and clinical factors associated with poor HRQoL. These factors need to be addressed across the whole CTD spectrum as part of a holistic management approach aimed at improving overall patient outcomes.

Triple-nerve decompression surgery for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy in lower extremities: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is often refractory to conventional medications. Triple-nerve decompression was proposed for painful DPN due to the frequent involvement of multiple nerve entrapments in diabetes. However, the role of decompressive surgery remains controversial. This trial aims to assess the efficacy of triple-nerve decompression for patients with painful DPN suggestive of nerve entrapment using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. This trial is a single-center RCT and will be conducted in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital. Enrolled subjects (n = 74) with painful DPN due to nerve compression, which can be detected by nerve conduction studies, will be randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio into surgical and non-surgical groups. The primary outcome will be measured by 50% responder rates, which is defined as the proportion of subjects with at least 50% reduction of the mean weekly visual analog score (VAS) of pain from baseline after 6 months of treatment. Mean weekly VAS will be additionally evaluated 1 week (W1), 1 month (M1), and 3 months (M3) after treatment to monitor the changes in pain intensity. The secondary outcomes include two-point discrimination (TPD), Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS), electrophysiological indexes, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the medical outcome study short-form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36). A quantitative analgesic questionnaire (QAQ) will be used as a secondary outcome to quantify the analgesic medication weekly. TPD and TCSS will be conducted at W1, M1, M3, and M6 after treatment. Electrophysiological tests, HADS, and SF-36 will be performed at M3 and M6. Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (SH9H-2-21-T323-2). It was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website (http://www.chictr.org.cn) on 16 August 2021 with the number ChiCTR2100050049. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The results of this trial will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals, mass media, and presentations at national and international academic conferences.

Ocular surface disorders affect quality of life in patients with autoimmune blistering skin diseases: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAutoimmune blistering skin diseases (AIBD) are a group of rare chronic autoimmune diseases which are associated with ocular surface diseases especially dry eye disease. This study is designed to investigate the relationship between ocular surface disorders and quality of life among patients with autoimmune blistering skin diseases.MethodsTwenty-four AIBD patients (18 pemphigus and 7 pemphigoid) and twenty-five non-AIBD controls were included. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), ocular surface evaluation, including slit-lamp examination, Schirmer I test, tear break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, lid-parallel conjunctival folds, meibomian gland evaluation, presence of symblepharon and corneal opacity were assessed. Life quality was evaluated by multiple questionnaires, including Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Questionnaire (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Ocular surface tests and quality of life were compared between AIBD patients and non-AIBD controls. In the AIBD patients, the associations between ocular surface parameters and quality of life were also evaluated.Results92% of AIBD patients and 87.5% of age- and sex-matched non-AIBD controls were diagnosed with dry eye in this study. Compared with non-AIBD controls, AIBD patients reported lower SF-36 scores (P < 0.05) and severer OSDI, Schirmer I test, tear break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, presence of symblepharon and corneal opacity measures (P < 0.05). OSDI, Schirmer I test were correlated with SF-36 composite scores or scores on the SF-36 subscales.ConclusionsAIBD patients experience reduced quality of life and more severe ocular surface disorders including dry eye, symblepharon and corneal opacity. Early treatments of dry eye and collaborations among multidisciplinary physicians are necessary in patients with AIBD.

Relationship between body composition, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

IntroductionBioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can be used to estimate Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI). However, the use of directly measured BIA variables, such as phase angle (PhA), has gained attention. The...

Haemoglobin as a biomarker for clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In COPD, anaemia is associated with increased morbidity, but the relationship between haemoglobin over its entire observed range and morbidity is poorly understood. Such an understanding could guide future therapeutic targeting of haemoglobin in COPD management. Leveraging the COPDGene study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of haemoglobin from COPD participants, examining symptoms, quality of life, functional performance, and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Haemoglobin was analysed both as a continuous variable and categorised into anaemia, normal haemoglobin, and polycythaemia groups. Fractional polynomial modelling was used for continuous analyses; categorical models were multivariable linear or negative binomial regressions. Covariates included demographics, comorbidities, emphysema, diffusing capacity, and airflow obstruction. From 2539 participants, 366 (14%) were identified as anaemic and 125 (5%) as polycythaemic. Compared with normal haemoglobin, anaemia was significantly associated with increased symptoms (COPD Assessment Test score: p=0.006, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnoea Score: p=0.001); worse quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score: p<0.001; Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire (SF-36) General Health: p=0.002; SF-36 Physical Health: p<0.001), decreased functional performance (6-min walk distance (6MWD): p<0.001), and severe AECOPD (p=0.01), while polycythaemia was not. Continuous models, however, demonstrated increased morbidity at both ends of the haemoglobin distribution (p<0.01 for mMRC, SGRQ, SF-36 Physical Health, 6MWD, and severe AECOPD). Evaluating interactions, both diffusing capacity and haemoglobin were independently associated with morbidity. We present novel findings that haemoglobin derangements towards either extreme of the observed range are associated with increased morbidity in COPD. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether haemoglobin derangement drives morbidity or merely reflects systemic inflammation, and whether correcting haemoglobin towards the normal range improves morbidity.

Claudicating patients with peripheral artery disease have meaningful improvement in walking speed after supervised exercise therapy

ObjectiveSupervised exercise therapy (SET) is a first-line treatment for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The efficacy of SET is most commonly expressed by significant statistical improvement of parameters that do not clarify how each individual patient will benefit from SET. This study examined the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in walking speed in claudicating patients with PAD after SET. MethodsA total of 63 patients with PAD-related claudication (Fontaine stage II PAD) participated in a 6-month SET program. Self-selected walking speed was measured before and after SET. Distribution and anchor-based approaches were used to estimate the MCID for small and substantial improvement. The ability to walk one block and the ability to climb one flight of stairs questions were chosen as anchor questions from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form questionnaire. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were performed to detect the threshold for MCID in walking speed after treatment. ResultsThe distribution-based method estimated 0.03 m/s as a small improvement and 0.08 m/s as a substantial improvement after SET. Small and substantial improvements according to the anchor question walking one block were 0.05 m/s and 0.15 m/s, respectively. For the climbing one flight of stairs anchor question, 0.10 m/s was a small improvement. Receiver operating characteristics curve analyses identified an increase of 0.04 m/s and 0.03 m/s for improvement based on walking one block and climbing one flight of stairs, respectively. ConclusionsWe report our findings for the MCID for walking speed among claudicating patients receiving SET. Claudicating patients who increase walking speed of 0.03 m/s or greater are more likely to experience a meaningful improvement in walking impairment than those who do not. The MCID reported in this study can serve as a benchmark for clinicians to develop goals and interpret clinically meaningful progress in the care of claudicating patients with PAD.

Long-term Follow-up of Sexual Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Surgery in Patients with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

We performed a long-term follow-up to quantify the impairment of sexual quality of life (SQL) and health-related QL (HRQL) in sexually active women after laparoscopic excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Prospective case-control study. Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. A total of 193 patients (after dropout and exclusions) were divided into 2 groups: one hundred twenty-nine premenopausal women with DIE (DIE group) and 64 healthy women who underwent tubal ligation (C group). All patients underwent laparoscopic surgery: laparoscopic endometriosis surgery in the DIE group and laparoscopic tubal ligation in the C group. All women were followed for at least 36 months, and they completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short form questionnaire to assess their HRQL and 3 self-administered questionnaires that evaluate different aspects of SQL: the generic Sexual Quality of Life-Female questionnaire, the Female Sexual Distress Scale to evaluate "sexually related distress," and the Brief Profile of Female Sexual Function to screen hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The patients with DIE as well as the controls completed the 4 questionnaires before surgery, and the patients with DIE also completed the questionnaires at 6 and 36 months after surgery. A comparison of the patients and controls before surgery showed a statistically significant impairment in SQL and HRQL among the patients with DIE. A statistically significant improvement in SQL and HRQL was observed in the DIE group 6 months after surgery, with scores being similar to those of the C group. An evaluation 36 months after surgery showed that SQL and HRQL were better than presurgical SQL and HRQL in the DIE group, with a slight reduction compared with the 6-month evaluation. SQL and HRQL improved in patients with DIE undergoing complete laparoscopic endometriosis resection and were comparable to those of healthy women at 6 months after surgery, showing a slight reduction at 36 months of follow-up.

The associations of pregnancy-related symptoms with health-related quality of life at midpregnancy: the PregnActive project

Aim To analyze the associations between the wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms and health-related quality of life. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was developed among 155 healthy low-risk pregnant women, aged 18–45 years, participated in the study at midpregnancy. Health-related quality of life and pregnancy symptoms were assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item short form questionnaire and the Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory, respectively. Simple correlations, hierarchical linear regressions and standard multiple regressions were performed. Results Significant correlations, after adjusting for sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, were found between five pregnancy-related symptoms and physical component of health-related quality of life and between thirteen pregnancy-related symptoms and mental component. However, when all pregnancy symptoms were entered simultaneously into a multiple regression model, back pain and shortness of breath on the physical components, and feeling depressed and anxiety on the mental component were the main explanatory factors of health-related quality of life. Conclusion Among the wide range of pregnancy-related symptoms, back pain, hip or pelvic pain, shortness of breath, and feeling depressed and anxiety are the main symptoms affecting the physical and the mental components of health-related quality of life, respectively. An early detection of the pregnancy-related symptoms that may affect health-related quality of life enables early interventions aimed at ameliorating their negative impact on health-related quality of life and daily living activities at midpregnancy.

Dentists have a high occupational risk of neck disorders with impact on somatosensory function and neck mobility

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the neck and shoulder region may be associated with significant impairment of quality of life and well‐being. The study was to determine the prevalence of painful MSDs in Chinese dentists and evaluate somatosensory function and neck mobility compared with non‐dental professional controls.MethodsOne hundred dentists (age: 36.5 ± 9.8 years) and 102 controls (age: 36.2 ± 10.0 years) were recruited between September 2019 and December 2020. The Medical Outcome Study 36‐item short‐form health survey questionnaire and information of MSDs history were recorded. The cervical range of motion (CROM) with and without pain, and the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the facial and neck muscles were tested. Chi‐square test, Mann‐Whitney U test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The factors in the multiple linear regression analysis were occupation, working age, and gender.ResultsThe prevalence rate of neck pain was significantly higher in dentists (73.0%) compared with the controls (52.0%) (P = .002). The regression models of cervical range of posterior extension, lateral flexion and rotation were statistically significant (P ≤ .001). The regression models of PPTs of the tested facial and neck muscles were statistically significant (P < .001).ConclusionDentists are at higher risk of neck pain. The bigger cervical range of left rotation of dentists could be related to the working posture. The lower PPTs in dentists may reflect a hypersensitivity in the facial and neck muscles. Preventive measures are needed to reduce occupational hazards in dentists.

Variation of Minimum Clinically Important Difference by Age, Gender, Baseline Disability, and Change of Direction in Adult Spinal Deformity Population: Is It a Constant Value?

The minimum clinically important difference (MCID), an important concept to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, might not be a single "magical" constant for any given health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scale. Thus, we analyzed the effects of various factors on MCIDs for several HRQoL measures in an adult spinal deformity population. Surgical and nonsurgical patients from a multicenter adult spinal deformity database who had completed pretreatment and 1-year follow-up questionnaires (Core Outcome Measures Index [COMI], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form questionnaire, 22-item Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes questionnaire, and an anchor question of "back health"-related change during the previous year) were evaluated. The MCIDs for each HRQoL measure were calculated using an anchor-based method and latent class analysis for the overall population and subpopulations stratified by age, gender, and baseline scores (ODI and COMI) separately for patients with positive versus negative perceptions of change. Patients with a baseline ODI score of <20, 20-40, and >40 had an MCID of 2.24, 11.35, and 26.57, respectively. Similarly, patients with a baseline COMI score of <2.75, 2.8-5.4, and >5.4 had an MCID of 0.59, 1.38, and 3.67 respectively. The overall MCID thresholds for deterioration and improvement were 0.27 and 2.62 for COMI, 2.23 and 14.31 for ODI, and 0.01 and 0.71 for 22-item Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes questionnaire, respectively. The results from the present study have demonstrated that MCIDs change in accordance with the baseline scores and direction of change but not by age or gender. The MCID, in its current state, should be considered a concept rather than a constant.

The effect of alpha blocker treatment prior to prostate biopsy on voiding functions, pain scores and health-related quality-of-life outcomes: A prospective randomized trial

To evaluate the effect of alpha-blocker treatment prior to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) on voiding functions, pain scores and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. From January 2018 to April 2019, a total of 112 patients underwent TRUS-Bx due to elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination findings. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether they received pharmacological treatment before biopsy. Group 1 consisted of patients with no alpha-blocker treatment prior to biopsy and Group 2 consisted of patients who received Tamsulosin for one week before biopsy continuing for one week after biopsy. Voiding function was evaluated three times using the validated International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry (maximal flow rate (Qmax) and residual volume (PVR)). The Turkish version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Pain scores were rated according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) just after the biopsy procedure. Mean IPSS and Qmax on the post-biopsy 7 day were significantly in favor of Group 2 (P<0.001, P=0.004). Although post-biopsy day 7 PVR was similar between the groups, Δ1 PVR was significantly in favor of Group 2 (P=0.004). Mean VAS score was 2.7±2.3 for the Tamsulosin group and 4.2±2.2 for the control group (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between two groups according to baseline and postoperative 1st month SF-36 scores. Alpha-blocker therapy prior to TRUS-Bx is effective in preventing voiding dysfunction and biopsy-related pain in patients undergoing TRUS-Bx. 2.

The Prevalence of Frailty and its Association with Cognitive Dysfunction among Elderly Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study from South India.

Data are scarce regarding the prevalence of frailty in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in India. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study aimed to study the prevalence of frailty and cognitive dysfunction in patients aged 75 years or more undergoing maintenance HD in three tertiary care hospitals and associated stand-alone dialysis centers in North Kerala. Frailty was ascertained by two methods. In method 1 (physical performance measurement based), dichotomous scoring (0 or 1) of five domains, namely weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, weak grip, and slow walking, was done, and a score of 3/5 was used to define frailty. In method 2 (self-report measure based), scores on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item Questionnaire (SF-36) physical function domain were used instead of hand grip strength and walking speed, and a score of <75 was defined as meeting the criteria for weakness and slow walking. Cognitive function was documented using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Instrument. A total of 899 patients were screened, of whom 44 were aged 75 years or more and 39 met the criteria for inclusion. The majority (n = 31, 79.5%) had ages between 75 and 80 years and were male. Dialysis vintage was <1 year in 15.4%, 1-3 years in 51.3%, and >3 years in 33.3% of patients. Frailty was documented in 22 (56.4%) patients by method 1 and in 25 (64.1%) by method 2. There was a statistically significant difference between the two methods in documenting frailty (P < 0.001, Chi-square test). Cognitive impairment was present in 89.7% of patients and significantly associated with frailty (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Frailty and cognitive dysfunction are highly prevalent in elderly people undergoing maintenance HD in North Kerala. Physical performance and self-report measure-based methods correlate well in frailty documentation.

Dynamics of Quality of Life Indices in Case of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Paranoid Schizophrenia on the Background of Atypical Neuroleptic Agents Application and Improvement of Comorbidity

The objective of the research was to study the features of quality of life dynamics depending on clinical and psychopathological symptoms in patients with paranoid schizophrenia asso ciated with metabolic syndrome on the background of long-term neuroleptic therapy and to study the eff ectiveness of concomitant corrective therapy. 140 patients with paranoid schizophrenia (F20.0) were examined and divided into three groups. Group I included 40 patients who received haloperidol at an ave rage daily dose of 4.6 ± 1.3 mg/day, Group II consisted of 40 patients who received risperidone (3.7 ± 1.8 mg/day), Group III included 40 patients who received quetiapine (413 ± 116 mg/day). Half of the patients in each of the presented groups continued to receive neuroleptic therapy according to the above mentioned regimen, and the other half of the patients received metformin hydro chloride at a dose of 500 mg/day in addition to the standard therapy. The cont rol group consisted of 20 patients diag nosed with "paranoid schizophrenia, remission", without metabolic syndrome signs, who had not received neuroleptics for the past six months. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36) were used to study the patients’ mental health in detail. In this research, we monitored the impact of comorbidity on quality of life indices in the patients with long-lasting treatment of schizophrenia by neuroleptic agents, and noted that concomitant corrective therapy was appropriate in terms of compliance increase and quality of life indices improvement in the studied category of patients. Keywords: paranoid schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome, atypical neuroleptic agents, quality of life

1599P - The relation between the symptom burden of hospitalized patients with incurable cancer and the quality-of-life of their family caregivers

BackgroundFamily caregivers (FCs) play important roles in the care provided to patients with incurable cancer. These patients experience a wide range of distressing symptoms. This symptom burden may add to the burden of FCs and consequently may have a negative impact on their quality of life (QoL). This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the symptom burden in a cohort of patients with incurable cancer and the QoL of their FCs. MethodsThe study included 94 dyads of hospitalized incurable cancer patients and one of their FCs. The symptom burden among patients was assessed using the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) and the QoL of their FCs was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (MOS SF-36) questionnaire. ResultsNausea was the most common symptom to associate with poorer QoL scores. There was a significant negative correlation between nausea and the following MOS SF-36 scales: physical functioning (r=-0.219, p=0.034), role limitations due to physical health (r =-0.0228, p=0.027), pain (r=-0.404, p<0.001), general health (r =-0.222, p=0.031) and health change (r=-0.317, p=0.002). Other symptoms that correlated significantly with at least one of the MOS SF-36 scales were weakness, drowsiness, lack of appetite, shortness of breath, depression and wellbeing. The total ESAS-r score correlated significantly with poorer scores on the pain (r=-0.248, p=0.016) and health change (r=-0.311, p=0.002) scales of MOS SF-36. In addition; older FCs age, hours of care per day, total period of care, FCs employment and inadequate income correlated significantly with poorer scores of at least one of the MOS SF-36 scales. ConclusionsThe high symptom burden experienced by patients with incurable cancer may have a negative impact on the QoL of their FCs, especially the physical aspect. Legal entity responsible for the studyClinical Oncology Department, Menofia University. FundingHas not received any funding. DisclosureAll authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Posttraumatic stress and health-related quality of life in parents of children with cardiac rhythm devices.

Studies have shown a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among parents of children with life-threatening diseases. However, it is yet unknown whether parents of children with cardiac rhythm device develop posttraumatic stress symptoms or even PTSD. This cross-sectional investigation is part of a comprehensive single-center study of long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes in pediatric patients with pacemaker (PM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). 69 patients (78%) were included in the study, with the participation of 69 mothers and 57 fathers. Parents completed the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 item questionnaire. Child's medical data was collected retrospectively from patients' hospital records. At assessment, the patients (39% females) were on average 11.2years old. The predominant device type was PM in 56 cases (81%). The mean time since device implantation was 6.3years (SD = 4.3). Full heart-disease related PTSD was diagnosed in one mother and no father, while partial heart-disease-related PTSD was diagnosed in 3 mothers (4%) and 2 fathers (4%). Parental HRQoL-especially regarding the mental health dimension-was affected in both parents. In both parents, total PTSD symptom severity scores were a significant predictor for mental health summary scores after controlling for child age at implantation, presence of other non-cardiac disease in the child, parental age, and presence of own chronic disease. Special attention should be given to parental PTSD symptoms in the clinical follow-up of PM and ICD patients as some parents might probably benefit from psychological support.

Long-Term Outcome and Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly Patients After Meningioma Surgery

The incidence of meningiomas increases with increasing age. Because the median age for the diagnosis is 65 years, the patients' general health condition, comorbidities, and procedural risks will influence the postoperative functional outcomes. The aim of our study was to assess the long-term impairments of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after meningioma resection in different age groups of elderly patients. We analyzed the HRQOL of 133 patients aged >54 years at surgery who had undergone surgical meningioma resection from 2004 to 2010. The median age was 67.3 ± 7.4 years. The average interval between surgery and questionnaire completion was 3.8 ± 2.5 years. Six different 5-year age groups were established. The patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study short-form 36-item questionnaire, and the results were compared with general population values. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. We found significantly lower levels of physical function, vitality, social role functioning, mental health, and general health perception and significantly greater levels of pain between the older age groups (in particular, 75-79 years) and younger patients aged 55-59 years. The physical component summary showed a steadily and stepwise decline from younger to older patients. However, the most significant differences in HRQOL were not related to age but to comorbidities. Our findings suggest that Karnofsky performance scale and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores have a strong effect on long-term HRQOL, especially for older patients after meningioma resection. These data should be a substantial consideration in the preoperative decision-making process.

Dutch Translation of the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire: Reassessment of Reliability and Validity.

The Manchester-Oxford Foot questionnaire (MOxFQ) is a 16-item patient reported outcome measure developed and validated for use in clinical trials involving foot surgery. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Dutch translation of the MOxFQ in patients who had undergone a hallux valgus correction. A total of 79 patients who had undergone hallux valgus correction completed the Medical Outcomes Study short-form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) and MOxFQ before and after surgery. We evaluated the construct validity of the SF-36 versus the MOxFQ and the test-retest reliability. The test-retest reliability was excellent. The internal consistency of the Dutch MOxFQ was high (Cronbach's α of 0.74 to 0.86). The construct validity can be regarded as good, with moderate to high correlations between the Dutch MOxFQ and Dutch SF-36 subscales. In conclusion, the Dutch version of the MOxFQ demonstrated good reliability and validity compared with the SF-36 for use in patient groups that have undergone hallux valgus correction.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Foot Function Index

Although translated versions of the Foot Function Index (FFI) in several languages are available, the absence of a Korean version has precluded comparing the data from Korea with the data from other countries using the FFI. We, therefore, evaluated the reliability and validity of the adapted Korean version of the FFI. We translated the English version of the FFI into Korean and back into English. We mailed the Korean version of the visual analog scale, FFI, and the previously validated Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) to 121 patients with treated foot complaints. To evaluate the test-retest reliability and internal consistency, we used the intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's α, respectively. We also evaluated the concurrent and construct validity of Korean version of the FFI by comparing the visual analog scale and SF-36. Cronbach's α was 0.91 and 0.95 for the pain and disability subscales, respectively. The reproducibility was good, and a strong correlation between the FFI and the SF-36 and visual analog scale with related content was observed, indicating good construct validity.The Korean version of the FFI is a reliable and valid questionnaire for the self-assessment of pain and disability in Korean patients with foot complaints.