Quality of life and distress assessed with self and external assessment screening tools in patients with hematologic malignancies attending treatment in an acute hospital

Abstract Purpose In this study, we examined distress levels and quality of life (QoL) of patients with hematologic malignancies under treatment in an acute setting. We used external- and self-assessment instruments for distress. Additionally, we investigated the relation between distress and QoL as well as whether highly distressed patients differed from less distressed patients concerning their QoL. Methods A cross-sectional study with patients of the Medical Clinic II of the University Hospital Frankfurt was conducted. One hundred and nine patients were assessed with an expert rating scale and completed self-report questionnaires. Data were exploratively analyzed and group comparisons between patients who scored above the cut-off of the respective screening instruments and those who did not were conducted. Results Patients with hematologic malignancies experience high levels of distress and low QoL. Especially, role and social functioning are affected. Patients suffer most from fatigue, appetite loss, and insomnia. Using established cut-offs, all screening instruments were able to differentiate between patients regarding distress and QoL. Patients scoring above the cut-off were significantly more distressed and had a lower QoL. There was a medium-to-strong correlation between distress and QoL indicators. Conclusion Cancer-specific screening instruments seem to be able to identify treatment needs more specifically. They also allowed a better differentiation concerning QoL. The close link between distress and QoL needs to be recognized to enable a holistic approach to treatment and thereby optimize the quality of treatment.

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Depressive Symptoms, Pain, and Quality of Life among Patients with Nonalcohol-Related Chronic Pancreatitis

Pain Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2012/978646 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Wendy E. Balliet ◽

Shenelle Edwards-Hampton ◽

Jeffery J. Borckardt ◽

Katherine Morgan ◽

David Adams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pancreatitis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Depressive Symptomology ◽

The Mean

Objective. The present study was conducted to determine if depressive symptoms were associated with variability in pain perception and quality of life among patients with nonalcohol-related chronic pancreatitis. Methods. The research design was cross-sectional, and self-report data was collected from 692 patients with nonalcohol-related, intractable pancreatitis. The mean age of the sample was 52.6 (); 41% of the sample were male. Participants completed the MOS SF12 Quality of Life Measure, the Center for Epidemiological Studies 10-item Depression Scale (CESD), and a numeric rating scale measure of “pain on average” from the Brief Pain Inventory. Results. Depressive symptoms were significantly related to participants’ reports of increased pain and decreased quality of life. The mean CESD score of the sample was 10.6 () and 52% of the sample scored above the clinical cutoff for the presence of significant depressive symptomology. Patients scoring above the clinical cutoff on the depression screening measure rated their pain as significantly higher than those below the cutoff () and had significantly lower physical quality of life () and lower mental quality of life (). Conclusion. Although causality cannot be determined based on cross-sectional, correlational data, findings suggest that among patients with nonalcoholic pancreatitis, the presence of depressive symptoms is common and may be a risk factor associated with increased pain and decreased quality of life. Thus, routine screening for depressive symptomology among patients with nonalcoholic pancreatitis may be warranted.

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Study protocol: A profile of physical performance variables in an outpatient adult population with narcolepsy

HRB Open Research ◽

10.12688/hrbopenres.13086.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 42

Author(s):

Ragy Tadrous ◽

Deirdre O'Rourke ◽

Niamh Murphy ◽

Lisa Slattery ◽

Gillian Quinn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Performance Test ◽

Self Report ◽

University Hospital ◽

Performance Variables

Background: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness and significantly impacts quality of life. People with narcolepsy demonstrate many potential barriers to being physically fit and active, such as sleepiness and social isolation. Very little is known about how physical performance variables may be affected in people with narcolepsy. This study aims to profile the physical fitness of adults with narcolepsy and to explore the relationship between physical fitness and quality of life, symptom severity and disease duration in this cohort. Methods and Analysis: In this cross-sectional observational study, participants will undergo a comprehensive physical performance test battery that will investigate cardiopulmonary fitness, objective measures of physical activity, muscle strength and endurance. Furthermore, quality of life, symptom severity and physical activity will be ascertained through self-report questionnaires. The study population will consist of adults with narcolepsy aged 18-65 years attending the National Narcolepsy Centre located in St. James’s Hospital as an outpatient. Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the St. James’s Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital Research Ethics Committee, and this study is presently underway. The results obtained from this study will be used to help tailor exercise and possible rehabilitation strategies for this population. Dissemination will be sought through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conferences, and through engagement with service user groups. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04419792; registered on 5 June 2020.

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Side effects of treatment and quality of life among patients with schizophrenia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(11)73155-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (S2) ◽

pp. 1450-1450

Author(s):

J. Ben Thabet ◽

I. Feki ◽

R. Sallemi ◽

J. Masmoudi ◽

L. Zouari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Side Effects ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

University Hospital ◽

Average Score ◽

Treatment Side Effects ◽

Impaired Quality

The aim of our study was to assess the treatment side effects and their implications on quality of life in a population of schizophrenic patients.We included 50 patients with schizophrenia treated at Hthe psychiatry department of the university hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). We used the PANSS, the UKU side effect rating scale and the SF-36 to assess, respectively, the severity of disease, the treatment side effects and the quality of life. The statistical analysis was carried out by software SPSS.The assessment of quality of life revealed a global average score of 59.11 and an alteration in 54% of patients. Impaired quality of life was significantly correlated with irregular follow-up (p = 0.02), bad treatment compliance (p = 0.016) and polytherapy (p = 0.024). The presence of side effects which affect either moderately or severely daily activity was significantly correlated with impaired quality of life (p = 0.007). The presence of side effects was correlated in a significant way with altered quality of life (p = 0,007).Our study showed a relatively high frequency of side effects of treatment in patients with schizophrenia. They were correlated with impaired quality of life. They are also factors of bad compliance. Reduction and prevention of side effects requires the use of atypical antipsychotics which are better tolerated and more active on negative symptoms. However, they pose the problem of high costs. But it must be noted here that the overall cost of disease is higher with conventional antipsychotics than with atypical ones.

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Predictors of quality of life ratings for persons with dementia simultaneously reported by patients and their caregivers: the Cache County (Utah) Study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610212000063 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 1094-1102 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Trevor Buckley ◽

Elizabeth B. Fauth ◽

Ann Morrison ◽

JoAnn Tschanz ◽

Peter V. Rabins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Population Based ◽

Self Report ◽

Clinical Dementia Rating ◽

Proxy Report ◽

Dementia Severity ◽

Cache County

ABSTRACTBackground: Quality of life (QOL) is frequently assessed in persons with dementia (PWD) through self- and/or proxy-report. Determinants of QOL ratings are multidimensional and may differ between patients and caregiver proxies. This study compared self- and proxy-reported QOL ratings in a population-based study of PWD and their caregivers, and examined the extent to which discrepancies in reports were associated with characteristics of the PWD.Methods: The sample consisted of 246 patient/caregiver dyads from the initial visit of the Cache County Dementia Progression Study, with both members of the dyad rating PWD QOL. PWD age, gender, cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination), neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory; NPI), dementia severity (Clinical Dementia Rating), medical comorbidities (General Medical Health Rating), and functional impairment (Dementia Severity Rating Scale) were examined as correlates of self- and proxy-reported QOL ratings and the differences between the QOL reports.Results: Self- and proxy-reported PWD QOL ratings were only modestly correlated. Medical comorbidity was associated with self-report whereas NPI was associated with proxy-report. Dementia severity was associated with discrepancies in self- and proxy-report, with worse patient cognition associated with poorer proxy-reported QOL ratings.Conclusions: PWD self- and proxy-reported QOL ratings are associated with different variables. Discrepancies between PWD and caregiver perceptions of PWD QOL should be recognized, particularly in cases of more severe dementia.

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A Patient with Symptoms Caused by Electric Shock Treated with Traditional Korean Medicine

Journal of Acupuncture Research ◽

10.13045/jar.2020.00192 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 193-201

Author(s):

Young Rok Lee ◽

Beom Seok Kim ◽

Ye Ji Lee ◽

Hyo Bin Kim ◽

Ki Jung Sung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Electric Shock ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Pain Scale ◽

Self Report ◽

Vertebral Compression Fractures ◽

Functional Disorder ◽

Korean Medicine

This case report describes a 60-year-old female patient diagnosed with intercostal neuropathy and vertebral compression fractures which occurred following an electric shock injury. The patient received acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herbal medicine administration between February 10th, 2020 and April 25th, 2020. The pain level in the thoracic and left intercostal areas was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale. The Self-report of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale were used to diagnose neuropathic pain. The Neuropathic-Pain -Scale was used to evaluate the degree of neuropathic symptoms. The Oswestry Disability Index and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions were used to assess quality of life scales and functional disorder. Following combined Korean medicine treatment, the patient exhibited reduced levels of pain and significant improvement in functional disorder symptoms and quality of life.

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Disparity between High Satisfaction and Severe Pain in Patients after Caesarean Section: A Prospective Observational-Controlled Investigation

Anesthesiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2018/2634768 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Thomas Hesse ◽

Andreas Julich ◽

James Paul ◽

Klaus Hahnenkamp ◽

Taras I. Usichenko

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

University Hospital ◽

Surgical Patients ◽

Patients Satisfaction ◽

High Satisfaction ◽

High Level ◽

The University

Objectives. Recent advances in the treatment of postoperative pain (POP) have increased the quality of life in surgical patients. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of POP management in patients after CS in comparison with patients after comparable surgical procedures. Methods. This was a prospective observational analysis in patients after CS in comparison with the patients of the same age, who underwent comparable abdominal gynaecological surgeries (GS group) at the university hospital. A standardised questionnaire including pain intensity on the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS-11), incidence of analgesia-related side effects, and incidence of pain interference with the items of quality of life and patients’ satisfaction with the treatment of POP was used. Results. Sixty-four patients after CS reported more pain on movement than the patients after GS (N=63): mean 6.1 versus 3.6 (VRS-11; P<0.001). The patients after CS reported less nausea (8 versus 41%) and vomiting (3 versus 21%; P<0.001) and demonstrated better satisfaction with POP treatment than the patients after GS: 1.4 (0.7) versus 1.7 (0.7) (mean (SD); VRS-5; P=0.02). Conclusion. The disparity between the high level of pain and excellent satisfaction with POP treatment raises the ethical and biomedical considerations of restrictive pharmacological therapy of post-CS pain.

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Aspects Of Quality Of Life In Depression

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1521 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S421-S422

Author(s):

M.G. Puiu ◽

M.C. Manea ◽

I.A. Andrei ◽

A.M. Cristache ◽

A.A. Frunza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Antidepressant Treatment ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

International Classification Of Diseases ◽

Social Adaptation ◽

Self Report

IntroductionThe quality of life in patients with depression may be a measure of the efficiency of its management. Although quality of life is a subjective concept, difficult to assess, it may be reflected by the degree of social adaptation and the individual's level of functioning.ObjectiveThe study evaluates the time evolution of depressive symptoms and of some parameters attesting the quality of life in patients diagnosed with depression who are on antidepressant treatment.AimsHighlighting the evolution in time of depressive symptoms and patients’ perceptions on some aspects of quality of life.MethodsThere were included 23 patients who met the criteria of depressive episode, single or within recurrent depressive disorder, according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10-AM), requiring antidepressant treatment. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Sheehan disability scale (SDS), Social Adjustment Scale – Self-report (SASS).ResultsStatistically significant decrease in mean HAMD scores was observed in the second administration. There were registered statistically significant differences of scores obtained in the two administrations for the 17 items of the SASS scale. Correlations with statistical significance between HAMD scores and some of the SDS areas were observed.ConclusionsResults showed a favorable course of depressive symptoms while under treatment and differences in time of subjects’ perception on several aspects evaluated on SASS for the group studied. Correlations with statistical significance between HAMD scores and some SDS areas were observed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Coping and quality of life in one hundred and thirty five subjects with multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458506071170 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 393-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

S.R. Montel ◽

C. Bungener

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Disease Course ◽

Depression And Anxiety

Introduction and objective The aim of this study was to compare coping strategies and quality of life (QoL) in multiple sclerosis (MS), as they relate to the course of the disease (relapsing-remitting (RR), secondary progressive (SP), primary progressive (PP)), while taking depression and anxiety into account. Methods A total of 135 MS subjects were seen for a semi-structured interview in order to collect socio-demographic and clinical information, after which there was an assessment of their mental and cognitive states (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Depressive Mood Scale (EHD), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)). All subjects then completed three self-report questionnaires; two about coping strategies (Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC), Coping with Health, Injuries and Problems Scale (CHIP)) and one about QoL (SEP59). Results The mental health (depression and anxiety) and the psychological and social dimensions of QoL were relatively unaffected. However, after controlling for age and disability, the disease course had a strong effect on both mental health and QoL, with the poorest condition for SPMS and the best condition for PPMS. The SPMS patients tend to use emotional coping strategies extensively, while the PPMS patients use more instrumental strategies. Discussion Our study clearly demonstrated that psychological and social well-being were substantially affected by the disease course. These results encourage us to develop interventions focused on coping strategies and which are better adapted to individual patients. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 393- 401. http://msj.sagepub.com

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Determinants and consequences of malnutrition in hospitalized patients at a Norwegian University Hospital

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120003444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Marte A. Trollebo ◽

Ingrid Revheim ◽

Hanne Rosendahl-Riise ◽

Mette H. Morken ◽

Randi J. Tangvik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Food Intake ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Screening Tools ◽

University Hospital ◽

Nutritional Risk ◽

Control Group ◽

High Degree

AbstractBackground:Malnutrition is a serious condition that is frequent in hospitalized patients even in countries with high healthcare standards, and may affect up to 30% of all hospitalized patients in tertiary hospitals. Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition (hereafter referred to as malnutrition) strongly relate to clinical outcomes and mortality, even after adjustment for age and co-morbidities. There is a great need for improved methods for detecting and treating malnutrition in this population.Objective:Investigate factors that are associated with malnutrition at hospitalization, and provide data on specific nutrient deficiencies that are associated with malnutrition. Analyse the association of malnutrition with nutritional biomarkers, quality of life, disease-related functions and re-hospitalization, morbidity and mortality.Design:The study is s a prospective case-control study including patients from different Departments of a tertiary hospital (Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway). As part of the patients security programme, all hospitalized patients are routinely screened for nutritional risk using NRS-2002. The result allocates the patient to either the case- or the control group. Included patients undergo extensive examinations; standardized assessments of quality of life, socio-economic status, lifestyle habits, dietary habits and food intake, and anthropometric measurements (mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis). Blood and urine samples are collected to assess nutritional biomarkers related to malnutrition.Results:The study recruitment is ongoing and up to April 2019, 220 patients have been recruited (n = 90 (41%) at nutritional risk, n = 130 (59%) not at nutritional risk. Most of the patients are recruited from the Department of Heart Disease, n = 69 (31%) and Thoracic Medicine, n = 98 (45%). The recruitment of patients faces many challenges, including a high degree of non-participation (about one in four patients), and a high degree of misclassification (patients falsely categorized as ‘not at nutritional risk’).Conclusion:The study is unique due to the integration of patient-derived data on quality of life, food intake, and socio-economic factors with multiple and complementary nutritional biomarkers. A first result from the recruitment period is the need for specification of the specificity and sensitivity of screening tools for malnutrition in hospitals under realistic circumstances. This should ideally be tested in a multicentre study

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The Vietnamese Version of the Health-related Quality of Life Measure for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25): Reliability

MedPharmRes ◽

10.32895/ump.mpr.1.1.9/suffix ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 9-14

Author(s):

Tri Doan ◽

Tuan Tran ◽

Han Nguyen ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Good Practice ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Life Measure ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Parent Proxy

Purpose: This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the self-report and parent-proxy Health-Related Quality of Life Measure for Children with Epilepsy (CHEQOL-25) into Vietnamese and to evaluate their reliability. Methods: Both English versions of the self-report and parent-proxy CHEQOL-25 were translated and culturally adapted into Vietnamese by using the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process. The Vietnamese versions were scored by 77 epileptic patients, who aged 8–15 years, and their parents/caregivers at neurology outpatient clinic of Children Hospital No. 2 – Ho Chi Minh City. Reliability of the questionnaires was determined by using Cronbach’s coefficient α and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Both Vietnamese versions of the self-report and parent-proxy CHEQOL-25 were shown to be consistent with the English ones, easy to understand for Vietnamese children and parents. Thus, no further modification was required. Cronbach’s α coefficient for each subscale of the Vietnamese version of the self-report and parent-proxy CHEQOL-25 was 0.65 to 0.86 and 0.83 to 0.86, respectively. The ICC for each subscale of the self-report and parent-proxy CHEQOL-25 was in the range of 0.61 to 0.86 and 0.77 to 0.98, respectively. Conclusion: The Vietnamese version of the self-report and parent-proxy CHEQOL-25 were the first questionnaires about quality of life of epileptic children in Vietnam. This Vietnamese version was shown to be reliable to assess the quality of life of children with epilepsy aged 8–15 years.

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