The Quality of Life of Female Informal Caregivers: From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean Sea

IntroductionThere are personal and societal benefits from caregiving; however, caregiving can jeopardise caregivers’ health. The Further Enabling Care at Home (FECH+) programme provides structured nurse support, through telephone outreach, to informal caregivers of older adults following discharge from acute hospital care to home. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the FECH+ programme on caregivers’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after care recipients’ hospital discharge.Methods and analysisA multisite, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded baseline and outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis, adhering to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines will be conducted. Participants (N=925 dyads) comprising informal home caregiver (18 years or older) and care recipient (70 years or older) will be recruited when the care recipient is discharged from hospital. Caregivers of patients discharged from wards in three hospitals in Australia (one in Western Australia and two in Queensland) are eligible for inclusion. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The intervention group receive the FECH+ programme, which provides structured support and problem-solving for the caregiver after the care recipient’s discharge, in addition to usual care. The control group receives usual care. The programme is delivered by a registered nurse and comprises six 30–45 min telephone support sessions over 6 months. The primary outcome is caregivers’ HRQOL measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life—eight dimensions. Secondary outcomes include caregiver preparedness, strain and distress and use of healthcare services. Changes in HRQOL between groups will be compared using a mixed regression model that accounts for the correlation between repeated measurements.Ethics and disseminationParticipants will provide written informed consent. Ethics approvals have been obtained from Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group, Curtin University, Griffith University, Gold Coast Health Service and government health data linkage services. Findings will be disseminated through presentations, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12620000060943.

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FRI0233 IMPACT AND ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS ITALIAN PATIENTS: CORRELATION WITH GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS, MOOD DISTURBANCES AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5470 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 700.2-700

Author(s):

G. De Luca ◽

G. Natalello ◽

G. Abignano ◽

C. Campochiaro ◽

D. Temiz Karadağ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Research Support ◽

Work Impairment ◽

Gi Symptoms ◽

The Mediterranean

Background:Gastrointestinal involvement(GI) is a common feature of systemic sclerosis(SSc) and can be highly disabling, representing a major cause of morbidity and reduced quality of life(QoL). The impact of dietary habits on GI symptoms, mood and QoL has not been extensively evaluated.Objectives:To evaluate the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet(MD) in an Italian multicenter cohort of SSc patients, and its impact on GI symptoms and other disease features, depression, anxiety and overall QoL.Methods:Consecutive SSc(ACR/EULAR2013) patients from 4 Italian cohorts were enrolled. Dietary habits and adherence to the MD were assessed using the 14-item MEDAS and QueMD questionnaires. Presence and severity of depressive/anxious symptoms and QoL were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) and the SSc-HAQ(S-HAQ). GI symptoms were assessed with the Reflux Disease Questionnaire(RDQ) and the UCLA SCTC GI Tract 2.0 questionnaire(USG). Associations with patients’ lifestyle, disease characteristics, and nutritional status were explored.Results:265 patients (94.7% females; age 55.8±13.6years; disease duration 9.1±7.0years; diffuse SSc 31.8%; Scl70 + 35.8%;ulcers 23.4%;ILD 29.4%;BMI 23.7±4.4 Kg/m2; obese 11.3%,overweight 23.4%,underweight 4.9%) were enrolled.Overall MD adherence was moderate(7.5±1.9) according to MEDAS and it correlated with QueMD score(4.53±1.96)(R=.371,p<0.001). MD adherence was optimal in 39 patients(14.7%), more frequently from Central-Southern Italy(p=0.036); 189 patients(71.3%) had a good and 37(14.0%) a poor MD adherence.GI symptoms were moderate/severe according to USG in 37(14.0%) patients(USG:0.41±0.40), and heartburn was the most common GI symptom(35.2%). The prevalence of significant anxiety and depression was 24.1% and 17.0%.An inverse correlation was found between MD adherence and mood disturbances at HADS(MEDAS; R=-0.181,p=0.04), work impairment(QueMD;R=-0.247,p=0.005) and reduced QoL, both for GI (constipation at USG: R=-0.133,p=0.032) and general S-HAQ items(bowel:R=-0.181,p=0.04;severity R=-0.202,p=0.01;Raynaud:R=-0.217,p<0.001;ulcers: R=-0.207,p=0.01). MD adherence directly correlated with lung function(MEDAS;R=0.181,p=0.023 for FVC and R=0.170,p=0.03 for DLCO). Patients with MD optimal adherence had lower HADS depression(p=0.04) and S-HAQ scores(HAQ,p=0.04; Raynaud,p=0.005; ulcers,p=0.02) and lower work impairment and lost work time(p=0.03). No significant correlation emerged between MD adherence and BMI, or specific symptoms. Depression and anxiety directly correlated with the severity of reported upper GI symptoms according to both scales (RDQ-GERD:R=0.261,p=0.001; USG:R=0.263,p<0.001) and general S-HAQ items (HAQ: R=0.136,p=0.032;severity R=0.233,p<0.001;bowel: R=0.135,p=0.04;breath: R=0.133,p=0.03; ulcers: R=0.132,p=0.037). Results were confirmed after exclusion of psychiatric(11.7%) and fibromyalgic(15.5%) patients.Conclusion:Unsatisfactory MD adherence is associated with a low mood, impaired QoL, work impairment, GI and vascular symptoms in Italian SSc patients. The promotion of a healthy lifestyle could positively impact on QoL and disease status of SSc patients.References:[1]Gnagnarella P, et a. NMCD 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2018.06.006[2]Jaeger VK et al. PLoS One, 2016.[3]Dinu M et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 2018. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2017.58.[4]Khanna D, et al.Arthritis Rheum. 2009. doi: 10.1002/art.24730.Acknowledgments:GILSDisclosure of Interests:Giacomo De Luca Grant/research support from: SOBI, Speakers bureau: SOBI, Novartis, Pfizer, MSD, Celgene, Gerlando Natalello: None declared, Giuseppina Abignano: None declared, Corrado Campochiaro Speakers bureau: Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, GSK, SOBI, Duygu Temiz Karadağ: None declared, Maria De Santis: None declared, Elisa Gremese Speakers bureau: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Jannsen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB, Silvia Laura Bosello Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Boehringer, Lorenzo Dagna Grant/research support from: Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, MSD, Mundipharma Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SG, SOBI, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, BMS, Celltrion, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, SG, and SOBI

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Associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and quality of life in cardiac arrest survivors and informal caregivers: A pilot survey study

Resuscitation Plus ◽

10.1016/j.resplu.2021.100085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 100085

Author(s):

Alex Presciutti ◽

Mary M. Newman ◽

Jim Grigsby ◽

Ana-Maria Vranceanu ◽

Jonathan A. Shaffer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cardiac Arrest ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽

Survey Study ◽

Pilot Survey ◽

Stress Symptoms

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A Proposal of an innovative program for informal caregivers of patients with mood disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.943 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S603-S603

Author(s):

J. Cabral ◽

C. Barreto Carvalho ◽

P. Castilho Freitas ◽

C. Pato

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Compassion Focused Therapy ◽

The Impact

IntroductionIntervention with informal caregivers (IC) of psychiatric patients is internationally recognized as relevant and a priority. However, the existing responses in this area are still insufficient, especially regarding caregivers of individuals with mood disorders (MD). Mindfulness and compassion focused therapy have proven to be an effective approach in stress reduction and in improving emotional and social well-being of caregivers of patients with other conditions. However, no studies testing these new approaches in IC of patients with MD have been carried out. The objective of this work is to present a research project that aims to develop, implement and empirically test the effectiveness of an innovative group program to help informal caregivers of individuals with mood disorders to cope with the negative impact of the disease and reduce caregiver burdens.MethodsThe design of this experimental study to test the program's efficacy is a non-randomised controlled trial (nrct) with 12 months follow-up, with a mixed assessment methodology (quantitative and qualitative analysis). A sample of 60 informal caregivers of individuals with chronic MD will be constituted (n = 30 Control group; n= 30 Experimental group).ResultsWe expect the program to promote significant changes in participants in terms of several emotional variables (eg: burden, stress, resilience, compassion and quality of life).ConclusionsFurther efforts to continue studying the impact of interventions in caregivers should be carried out, as a way to improve the quality of life of caregivers and their ability to provide informal care to MD patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Civil Activities to Promote the Quality of Life and Environment in the Mediterranean – the Example of Israel

Mediterranean Policies from Above and Below ◽

10.5771/9783845220444-592 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 592-608

Author(s):

Angelika Timm

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

The Mediterranean

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Exploring the association between optimism and quality of life among informal caregivers of persons with dementia - CORRIGENDUM

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610218002351 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 435-435 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pablo Ruisoto ◽

Israel Contador ◽

Bernardino Fernández-Calvo ◽

David Palenzuela ◽

Francisco Ramos

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Informal Caregivers

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Gymnorhynchus gigas in Lepidopus caudatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Trichiuridae): prevalence and related effects on fish quality

Czech Journal of Food Sciences ◽

10.17221/330/2013-cjfs ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 320-325 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

F. Giarratana ◽

D. Muscolino ◽

Ch. Beninati ◽

G. Ziino ◽

A. Giuffrida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Total Volatile ◽

Fish Quality ◽

Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen ◽

Basic Nitrogen ◽

Hygienic Quality ◽

High Prevalence ◽

The Mediterranean

We evaluated the effects of Gymnorhynchus gigas on the freshness and hygienic quality of Lepidopus caudatus. Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N), Trimethylamine Nitrogen (TMA-N), as well as Specific Spoilage Organisms (SSOs) are the most important freshness indicators in fish. Our study was carried-out on 65 specimens of L. caudatus kept in ice and stored at 2°C for different period of time. The microbiological charge of SSOs recovered on a portion of parasitised muscles (MP) was compared with those recovered on portions of parasite-free muscles (M). The contents of TVB-N and TMA-N on MP, M, and G. gigas larva/ae were measured using the Conway microdiffusion method. High prevalence (72.31%) of G. gigas in the specimens of L. caudatus from the Mediterranean sea was observed. No statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between M and MP were found during storage. However, massive infestation of G. gigas on the muscle of the silver scabbardfish could negatively influence TVB-N values, without compromising the sensorial characteristic of fish.

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