General Health Subscale Research Articles

Assessment of pain, care burden, depression level, sleep quality, fatigue and quality of life in the mothers of children with cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study were to evaluate pain, care burden, depression level, sleep quality, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) among a group of mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare their results with a group of healthy controls. The study involved 101 mothers who had children with CP and 67 mothers who had a healthy child as the control group. Pain, care burden, depression level, sleep quality, fatigue and QoL of all the participants were evaluated by the numerical rating scale, the Zarit care burden scale (ZCBS), the beck depression inventory (BDI), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the checklist individual strength (CIS) and the short form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Numerical rating scale value was 3.57 ± 2.96 in the patient group. When the two groups were compared, the CP group showed higher scores for ZCBS, BDI, PSQI, total CIS and SF-36 subscales of general health and vitality whereas the scores for role physical, role emotional, mental health and mental component summary were found to be lower in the patients, compared to the control group. Reducing caregiving burden of the mothers' by other family members and increasing psychosocial supports may help improve the mother's health status.

Disability and risk factors for unemployment in chronic fatigue syndrome: a comparison with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Aim: To compare disease impact on functioning in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Fifty-four patients with CFS after giardiasis, 43 patients with moderate MS and 96 healthy controls were included. Comprehensive evaluation included the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and these neuropsychological tests: Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Selective Reminding Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Long-term sickness disability was also registered. Results: Eighteen CFS patients were partly employed and among MS patients eight were partly and six fully employed. CFS and MS patients scored worse on the FSS and all subscores of SF-36 than controls (all p < .05). CFS patients scored worse (all p < .01) than patients with MS on these measurers: FSS, vitality subscale of the SF-36 and the HADS, whereas MS patients scored worse (p < .01) than CFS patients on most neuropsychological tests. Long-term sickness disability in CFS was associated with short illness duration, and the SF-36 physical function and general health subscales, whereas long-term sickness disability in MS was associated with FSS, PASAT, Symbol Digit Modalities, and the SF-36 physical function, bodily pain, role limitations due to physical problems, and social functioning subscales (all p ≤ .05). Conclusion: The main self-reported disabilities in CFS patients were associated with severe fatigue, low physical function and low social functioning, whereas disability in MS patients seems more multifactorial. Level of unemployment was higher in CFS patients compared to MS patients.

Reliability and validity of Simplified Chinese version of Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire: cross-cultural adaptation and validation.

To translate and cross-culturally adapt Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) Questionnaire into a Simplified Chinese version (QuickDASH-C), and evaluate the reliability and validity of the QuickDASH-C in patients with upper limb disorders. Cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to the internationally recognized guidelines of American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. A total of 150 participants were recruited in this study. Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine test-retest reliability. Construct validity was analyzed by evaluating the correlations between QuickDASH-C and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS) as well as the short form (36) health survey (SF-36). The original version of the QuickDASH was well cross-culturally adapted and translated into Simplified Chinese. QuickDASH-C was indicated to have excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.818, ICC = 0.907). QuickDASH-C correlated almost perfectly to DASH (r = 0.820, p < 0.001). Moderate to substantial correlations between QuickDASH-C and VAS (r= 0.463, p < 0.001), as well as physical function (r = - 0.630, p < 0.001), role physical (r = - 0.471, p < 0.001), bodily pain (r = - 0.563, p < 0.001) and general health (r = - 0.414, p < 0.001) subscales of SF-36, were observed. QuickDASH-C was demonstrated to have excellent acceptability, reliability, and validity in patients with upper limb disorders, which could be recommended for patients in mainland China. • This study translated and cross-culturally adapted Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire into a Simplified Chinese version. • The reliability and validity of Simplified Chinese version of QuickDASH were good in evaluating patients with upper limb disorders.

Health-related Quality of Life, Cognitive Performance, and Incident Dementia in a Community-based Elderly Cohort.

We hypothesized that higher quality of life would be associated with better cognitive function and a reduced risk of incident all cause dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) in older adults. Participants included 1183 older adults with an average age of 78.2 (SD=5.3) from Einstein Aging Study. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We investigated baseline associations between the cognitive domains of memory, executive function, and general fluid ability with 8 subscales of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, bodily pain, general health perceptions, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general mental health) and the 2 component summary scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Next, we used Cox proportional hazard models to assess the predictive validity of HRQoL subscales for the onset of incident dementia and incident AD. At baseline, higher scores (better HRQoL) on MCS and its 4 subscales (social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, and general mental health) were associated with higher performance on both memory and executive function domains. Higher scores in role limitation due to physical problems, role limitation due to emotional problems, and general mental health subscales were associated with reduced risk of incident dementia. Higher MCS, but not PCS, predicted a reduced incident of all-cause dementia and AD. These findings suggest that diminution of HRQoL precedes the onset of diagnosable dementia and may be useful in the prediction of dementia onset.

Associations of overweight and metabolic health with successful aging: 32-year follow-up of the Helsinki Businessmen Study

Prognostic significance of metabolically healthy overweight and obesity (MHO) is under debate. However the relationship between MHO and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is less studied. We compared successful aging (longevity plus HRQoL) in men with MHO, metabolically healthy normal weight (MHN) and metabolically unhealthy overweight and obesity (MUO). In the Helsinki Businessmen Study longitudinal cohort, consisting of men born 1919 to 1934. In 1985/86, overweight (BMI≥25kg/m2) and metabolic health were determined in 1309 men (median age 60 years). HRQoL was assessed using RAND-36/SF-36 in 2000 and 2007, and all-cause mortality retrieved from registers up to 2018. The proportion of men reaching 90 years was also calculated. Of the men, 469 (35.8%), 538 (41.1%), 276 (21.1%), and 26 (2.0%) were MHN, MHO, MUO and MUN, respectively. During the 32-year follow-up, 72.3% men died. With MHN as reference, adjusted hazard ratio with all-cause mortality was 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93 to 1.27) for MHO, and 1.18 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.47) for MUO. During follow-up, 273 men reached 90 years. With MHN as reference, adjusted odds ratio for MHO was 0.82 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.14) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.95) for MUO. Men in MHN group scored generally highest in RAND-36 HRQoL subscales in 2000 and 2007, of those significantly better in Physical functioning, Role physical, Role emotional, Bodily Pain, and General health sub-scales compared to MHO group in 2000. As compared to MHN, MHO in late midlife does not increase mortality, but impairs odds for successful aging.

Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

BackgroundHashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US. Despite medical management with thyroid hormone replacement, many individuals with HT continue to experience symptoms and impaired quality of life. Given the limited number of efficacious treatments outside of hormone replacement and the overall burden of continued symptomatic disease, this pilot study was designed to determine the efficacy of a multi-disciplinary diet and lifestyle intervention for improving the quality of life, clinical symptom burden, and thyroid function in a population of middle-aged women with HT.Materials and methodsThe study recruited 17 normal or overweight (body mass index (BMI) <29.9) female subjects between the ages of 20 and 45 with a prior diagnosis of HT. The 17 women participated in a 10-week online health coaching program focused on the implementation of a phased elimination diet known as the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine’s Medical Symptoms Questionnaire (MSQ) were used to measure the participant’s health-related quality of life (HRQL) and clinical symptom burden, respectively, before and after the 10-week program. The participants completed serologic testing that included a complete blood cell count (CBC) with differential, complete metabolic profile (CMP), thyroid function tests, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total and free T4, and total and free T3, thyroid antibodies, including thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGA), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). ResultsSixteen women (n = 16) completed the SF-36 and MSQ before and after the 10-week program. There was a statistically significant improvement in HRQL as measured by all eight subscales of the SF-36 with the most marked improvements noted in the physical role functioning, emotional role functioning, vitality, and general health subscales. The clinical symptom burden, as measured by the MSQ, decreased significantly from an average of 92 (SD 25) prior to the program to 29 (SD 20) after the program. There were no statistically significant changes noted in any measure of thyroid function, including TSH, free and total T4, free and total T3 (n = 12), as well as thyroid antibodies (n = 14). Inflammation, as measured by hs-CRP (n = 14), was noted to significantly decrease by 29% (p = 0.0219) from an average of 1.63 mg/L (SD 1.72) pre-intervention to 1.15 mg/L (SD 1.31) post-intervention.ConclusionsOur study suggests that an online diet and lifestyle program facilitated by a multi-disciplinary team can significantly improve HRQL and symptom burden in middle-aged female subjects with HT. While there were no statistically significant changes noted in thyroid function or thyroid antibodies, the study’s findings suggest that AIP may decrease systemic inflammation and modulate the immune system as evidenced by a decrease in mean hs-CRP and changes in white blood cell (WBC) counts. Given the improvements seen in the HRQL and participants’ symptom burden as well as markers of immune activity and inflammation, further studies in larger populations implementing AIP as part of a multi-disciplinary diet and lifestyle program are warranted.

The Impact of a Previous Ankle Injury on Current Health-Related Quality of Life in College Athletes.

There has been an increased interest in understanding how ankle injuries impact patient outcomes; however, it is unknown how the severity of a previous ankle injury influences health-related quality of life (HRQOL). To determine the impact of a previous ankle injury on current HRQOL in college athletes. Cross-sectional study. Athletic training clinics. A total of 270 participants were grouped by the severity of a previous ankle injury (severe = 62, mild = 65, and no injury = 143). Participants completed the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the Short Form 12 (SF-12). A 2-way analysis of variance with 2 factors (injury group and sex) was used to identify interaction and main effects for the FAAM and SF-12. No interactions were identified between injury group and sex. Significant main effects were observed for injury group, where the severe injury group scored lower than athletes with mild and no injuries on the FAAM activities of daily living, FAAM Global, and SF-12 mental health subscale scores. In addition, a main effect was present for sex in the SF-12 general health, social functioning, and mental health subscales in which females reported significantly lower scores than males. Our findings suggest that a severe ankle injury impacts HRQOL, even after returning back to full participation. In addition, females tended to report lower scores than males for aspects of the SF-12, suggesting that sex should be considered when evaluating HRQOL postinjury. As a result, clinicians should consider asking athletes about their previous injury history, including how much time was lost due to the injury, and should mindful of returning athletes to play before they are physiologically and psychologically ready, as there could be long-term negative effects on the patients' region-specific function as well as aspects of their HRQOL.

Universal Medicine Associated with Improved Physical and Mental Health in Women: Results from a Regression Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Universal Medicine Associated with Improved Physical and Mental Health in Women: Results from a Regression Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey

Effect of Catheter Ablation vs Antiarrhythmic Medication on Quality of Life in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Quality of life is not a standard primary outcome in ablation trials, even though symptoms drive the indication. To assess quality of life with catheter ablation vs antiarrhythmic medication at 12 months in patients with atrial fibrillation. Randomized clinical trial at 4 university hospitals in Sweden and 1 in Finland of 155 patients aged 30-70 years with more than 6 months of atrial fibrillation and treatment failure with 1 antiarrhythmic drug or β-blocker, with 4-year follow-up. Study dates were July 2008-September 2017. Major exclusions were ejection fraction <35%, left atrial diameter >60 mm, ventricular pacing dependency, and previous ablation. Pulmonary vein isolation ablation (n = 79) or previously untested antiarrhythmic drugs (n = 76). Primary outcome was the General Health subscale score (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) at baseline and 12 months, assessed unblinded (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]). There were 26 secondary outcomes, including atrial fibrillation burden (% of time) from baseline to 12 months, measured by implantable cardiac monitors. The first 3 months were excluded from rhythm analysis. Among 155 randomized patients (mean age, 56.1 years; 22.6% women), 97% completed the trial. Of 79 patients randomized to receive ablation, 75 underwent ablation, including 2 who crossed over to medication and 14 who underwent repeated ablation procedures. Of 76 patients randomized to receive antiarrhythmic medication, 74 received it, including 8 who crossed over to ablation and 43 for whom the first drug used failed. General Health score increased from 61.8 to 73.9 points in the ablation group vs 62.7 to 65.4 points in the medication group (between-group difference, 8.9 points; 95% CI, 3.1-14.7; P = .003). Of 26 secondary end points, 5 were analyzed; 2 were null and 2 were statistically significant, including decrease in atrial fibrillation burden (from 24.9% to 5.5% in the ablation group vs 23.3% to 11.5% in the medication group; difference -6.8% [95% CI, -12.9% to -0.7%]; P = .03). Of the Health Survey subscales, 5 of 7 improved significantly. Most common adverse events were urosepsis (5.1%) in the ablation group and atrial tachycardia (3.9%) in the medication group. Among patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation despite use of antiarrhythmic medication, the improvement in quality of life at 12 months was greater for those treated with catheter ablation compared with antiarrhythmic medication. Although the study was limited by absence of blinding, catheter ablation may offer an advantage for quality of life. clinicaltrialsregister.eu Identifier: 2008-001384-11.

Childhood Trauma, Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, Anxiety and Depression Levels in People with Bruxism.

The aim was to investigate the relation between sociodemographic features, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, childhood trauma experiences, and quality of life and bruxism determining the risk factors in people with bruxism. A total of 200 people were included in the study. Of the patients, 100 were diagnosed with bruxism and 100 were included in the control group. Sociodemographic Data Form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD), The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Childhood Trauma Scale (CTS), Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were used. While there was no significant difference between the case group and the control group in terms of age, gender, marital status, and working status, there was a significant difference between educational levels. When the groups were compared a significant difference was found with regard to HAD-A (p<0.05), HAD-D (p<0.01), PSQI (p<0.01) and CTS (p<0.05) scores. While a significant difference was found when KF-36 subscales were examined, with regard to Physical Function (p<0.01), Pain (p<0.05), Social Function (p<0.05) and Mental Health (p<0.01) scores, no significant difference was detected between the subscales of Role Strength (p>0.05), General Health (p>0.05), Vital Energy (p>0.05) and Emotional Role (p>0.05). Regression analysis shows, (PSQI), HAD-D CTS scores predicted bruxism. Higher depression scale scores, bad sleep quality, traumatic childhood experiences increase the risk for bruxism. Paying attention to the mental state of people diagnosed with bruxism in the treatment process and incorporating the psychiatrists in this process may increase the success rate of the treatment.

Quality of Life and Disability in Patients Candidate for Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

Background: As life expectancy in the society increases, the rate of degenerative diseases of the spine surge dramatically. Therefore, the number of patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery rises; however, the effectiveness of this operation is still controversial.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate disability and quality of life in patients undergoing spinal fusion and compare the results with a matched general population sample.Methods: In this prospective study, which was conducted during 2015 - 2016 in Iran, data were collected from 100 patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery at Baqiyatallah and Shariati Hospitals. We also recruited 100 people from the general population in the hospital matched with the patients with regard to sex, age, and smoking status. The participants filled out the 36-item short form (SF-36) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaires. The collected data on the quality of life and disability of patients, before and three and six months after the surgery were compared.Results: The patient and general population groups were matched in terms of sex, age, educational level, body mass index (BMI), employment status, and smoking status (P > 0.05). Preoperative ODI score in the patients was 54.8 (SD 15.7), and six months after the surgery, it diminished to 24.8 (SD 9.25). ODI score in the general population sample was 17.5 (SD 8.3). Although disability improved significantly six months after surgery, it did not reach the level of the general population sample (P 0.05). They did not reach the general population sample in other subscales of SF-36 (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Despite the significant improvement in disability and all subscales of quality of life in the patients, they did not reach the general population sample in disability index, physical function, general health, physical role, social function, and pain subscales of the SF-36. However, they reached general population sample level in emotional, mental health, and vitality subscales of the SF-36.

Health-related quality of life among elderly Americans diagnosed with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

BackgroundHealth-related quality of life (HRQOL) among elderly Americans diagnosed with upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is unknown. We compared HRQOL in patients from before and after UTUC diagnosis and among different tumor stages after UTUC diagnosis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey database. Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the 14 cohorts (1998–2013) of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey to identify elderly Americans (≥65years) diagnosed with UTUC and with completed HRQOL surveys (the Short Form-36 or Veterans Rand-12). Patient surveys were grouped into pre- (Group A) and postdiagnosis (Group B) surveys. HRQOL was reported as least squares means of the physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and 8 subscales, adjusted for covariates. HRQOL least squares means-differences were estimated from separate multivariable regression models. Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons on subscales. ResultsQualifying patients were identified (n = 408; Group A = 177; Group B = 231). Mean PCS and MCS were similar between the 2 groups. However, Group B had significantly worse HRQOL outcomes on general health (P = 0.015), vitality (P = 0.016), and social functioning (P = 0.003) subscales, compared to Group A. Mean MCS was the lowest within 1 year of diagnosis (P < 0.001), compared to patients with >1 year before diagnosis, but mean PCS did not change. Mean PCS and MCS were similar across UTUC stages. ConclusionsUTUC affected some aspects of patients’ HRQOL. Most significant decline in mental health was within 1 year of diagnosis. HRQOL measures were not different among different stages. Attention to and provision of remedy to these HRQOL deficits are warranted.

Effects of intermittent pneumatic compression treatment on clinical outcomes and biochemical markers in patients at low mobility with lower limb edema

ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) in patients at low mobility with leg edema. MethodsA pilot, two-arm, randomized controlled clinical trial was performed. Fifty patients (age, 58.4 ± 9 years; male, 14), randomly allocated to a group (IPC) undergoing 1 month (n = 29) of an in-home cycle of IPC and to a control (C) group (n = 21), were studied. Leg edema was evaluated by measuring subcutaneous thickness (high-resolution ultrasound) and circumferences (metric tape), both assessed at different levels of the lower limbs, and volume (water plethysmography). Ankle range of motion (ROM, goniometer), quality of life (QoL) by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and a pool of plasma inflammatory markers were also evaluated. ResultsEdema significantly decreased in the IPC group (for all outcome measures, P < .0001), whereas it significantly increased in the C group (P < .0001). Ankle ROM was significantly enhanced in the IPC group (dorsiflexion, P < .0001; plantar flexion, P = .002) and remained stable in the C group. QoL showed an improvement in the IPC group, particularly significant for the general health subscale (P = .004), whereas no changes were highlighted in the C group. The two groups exhibited different trends and variations for some plasma inflammatory markers, mainly for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. ConclusionsIn a sample of patients at reduced mobility with leg edema, IPC treatment was effective in reducing the edema, improving the ankle ROM, and determining a positive impact on QoL together with a slight modulation of some plasma inflammatory markers.

Impact of chronic urticaria on quality of life and work in Japan: Results of a real-world study.

Little attention has been given to the burden of chronic urticaria (CU) in Japan compared with other skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. The primary objective of the RELEASE study was to evaluate the real‐life quality‐of‐life impairment in CU patients in Japan. Data were collected from 1443 urticaria, 1668 AD and 435 psoriatic patients; 552 urticaria patients who presented urticaria symptoms for over 6 weeks were defined as CU. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) total score was 4.8, 6.1 and 4.8 in CU, AD and psoriatic patients, respectively. Disease control of urticaria evaluated by the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) and DLQI exhibited a strong correlation with a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of −0.7158. CU and AD patients had relatively higher scores in all Work Productivity and Activity Impairment – General Health subscales except for absenteeism. At the time of the survey, approximately 64% of CU patients reported UCT scores of <12 and demonstrated higher work productivity loss and activity impairment versus patients with UCT scores of ≥12. Patients with lower UCT scores also displayed a higher percentage of dissatisfaction with their health state and the treatment they received. Approximately 85% of patients with CU had visited dermatology clinics, and less than 20% had visited hospital, indicating existence of a highly burdened population outside specialized centers. These results highlight the unmet medical needs of CU patients, suggesting the need to increase awareness of CU burden among both physicians and patients and to pursue improved real‐life patient care.

Reliability of translation of the RAND 36-item health survey in a post-rehabilitation population

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of the RAND 36-item Health survey as a measure of health-related quality of life in a general Dutch post-rehabilitation population. A total of 752 ex-rehabilitation patients were invited to complete the Dutch RAND 36-item health survey. After 2 weeks, the people who responded to the first questionnaire were asked to complete the same questionnaire again. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was expressed as Cronbach's α. Test-retest reliability was expressed as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and presented in Bland-Altman plots. Internal consistency was found acceptable for all subscales (n=276; Cronbach's α ranged from 0.81 to 0.95). Test-retest reliability was found acceptable for research and group comparisons for all subscales (n=184; ICC ranged from 0.71 to 0.88). Overall, test-retest reliability of the physical functioning (ICC=0.86), pain (ICC=0.87), and general health (ICC=0.88) subscale was relatively high, and that of health change (ICC=0.71) was relatively low. Reliability of the questionnaire did not notably differ between participants who indicated stable health and participants who indicated health change during the past weeks. In conclusion, the Dutch translation of the RAND 36-item health survey is reliable for research and group comparisons in a general post-rehabilitation population. However, the RAND 36-item health survey is not sufficiently reliable for individual comparisons within this population.

Regulation of Dietary Habits: The effect of losing weight on quality of life.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effects of regulation of nutritional habits on quality of life by applying Short Form (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale.Methods:SF-36 was administered through face-to-face interviews to a total of 129 individuals (112 female, 17 male) aged 18-65 years. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index, and waist circumference measurement were undertaken simultaneously. The changes in weight, body mass index, waist circumference measurement, and SF-36 scores were compared at baseline and three months after modification of dietary habits.Results:At three months after the regulation of dietary habits, a statistically significant decrease was found in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference measurements (p<0.05). Overall improvement was observed in all the quality of life parameters assessed with SF-36, and among them, the sub-scales of general health, bodily pain and vitality were statistically significant (p<0.05). The improvement in these sub-scale scores was similar to the literature.Conclusion:The individuals who lost weight through adopting healthy dietary habits had increased SF-36 scores, indicating the positive effect of regulating diet on their quality of life.

Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Suspected Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Subjects and Methods: Three hundred thirty-two patients (236 males and 96 females) with suspected NASH from the Amol cohort study were included in this study. MetS was diagnosed based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and HRQOL was measured using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire (with 8 subscales and 2 summary components). A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the independent effect of MetS on HRQOL. Results: The mean age of the study population was 42 ± 13 years (range 18–82). The prevalence of MetS was 43.4% (n = 144) and the mean scores on the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary were 72.4 ± 20.86 and 42.7 ± 12.42, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model showed that MetS was negatively associated with 4 subscales of HRQOL that included: role limitations due to physical problems (RP) (B = –14.05, p = 0.004), bodily pain (BP) (B = –7.37, p = 0.02), vitality (VT) (B = –7.72, p = 0.022), and role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) (B = –12.67, p = 0.005) after adjustment for other variables. Also, MetS had a borderline association with the general health and mental health subscales and the PCS (p < 0.1). Conclusion: In this study, there was a strong association between MetS and 4 subscales (RP, BP, VT, and RE) of HRQOL in patients with suspected NASH; this could be considered as a part of health policy to improve general health.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on the quality of life in diabetic patients with muscle cramps.

Diabetic patients often suffer from muscle cramps. This study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) of diabetic patients with and without muscle cramps and to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in diabetic patients with muscle cramps. A total of 91 patients with diabetes were enrolled in this study: 69 patients with muscle cramps and 22 patients without muscle cramps. Muscle cramps and QOL were evaluated using the muscle cramp questionnaire and the Short Form 36 health survey version 2 (SF-36), respectively. Clinical characteristics were compared between diabetic patients with and without muscle cramps. In the prospective portion of the study, 25 diabetic patients with muscle cramps received L-carnitine supplementation (600 mg/day orally) for 4 months. The questionnaires were administered before and after supplementation. The SF-36 scores in diabetic patients with muscle cramps were lower than those in patients without muscle cramps on the subscales of physical function, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, general health, and social function. In the 25 patients with muscle cramps who received L-carnitine supplementation, the monthly frequency of muscle cramps and Wong-Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale scores were significantly decreased. Scores on the following SF-36 subscales improved after L-carnitine supplementation: body pain, vitality, social function, and role emotional. This study demonstrated that muscle cramps decrease the QOL in patients with diabetes, and L-carnitine supplementation may improve the QOL by reducing the frequency and severity of muscle cramps in these patients.

Universal Medicine associated with improved physical and mental health in women: results from a regression analysis of a cross-sectional survey

1.1 Background There are a small number of communities with unusually good health and longevity but their impact on our understanding of health has been limited. Women associated with Universal Medicine (UM), a complementary-to-medicine Australian and UK-based healthcare organisation, are placed above average on many indicators of physical and mental health. Our objective was to expand on these findings by investigating associations between demographic variables and health indicators, and assessing how the SF-36 questionnaire surveys women of above-average health. 1.2 Methods The study described in this paper is part of a quantitative, cross-sectional survey of 449 women who are UM participants living in 15 countries. The women answered 43 questions from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH), allowing a comparison between the two populations. Multivariable regression discerned associations between demographic variables and health scales. SF-36 summary scores resulting from orthogonal and oblique coefficients were also investigated. 1.3 Results Length of association with UM was a predictor of lower levels of stress, depression, emotional distress, and higher (better) levels of numerous physical and mental health indicators. No associations were found for the perceived control scale, SF-36 general health and social functioning subscales. The SF-36 showed measurement weaknesses in assessing respondents with above-average levels of both physical and mental health due to ceiling effects; however, the instrument was still useful in discerning associations between SF-36 scores and UM respondents’ demographic variables. UM respondents with a previous serious illness or precursor to a chronic illness did not differ substantially in their physical or mental health from the other respondents. UM respondents have a much lower mean BMI of 21 than the ALSWH respondents’ BMI of 26. 1.4 Conclusions The UM respondents report notably lower BMI and higher levels of physical and mental health than does the general population of women. Time of association with Universal Medicine is connected with better scores on most health scales and matching scores on all other health scales. Investigating whether the relationship between UM and better health is causal, and whether any causality can be transferred to the general population seem to be worthwhile research goals.

Patient-Reported Quality of Life (QoL) Following CTL019 Infusion in Adult Patients (pts) with Relapsed/Refractory (r/r) Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Patient-Reported Quality of Life (QoL) Following CTL019 Infusion in Adult Patients (pts) with Relapsed/Refractory (r/r) Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)