scholarly journals How Rich is Too Rich? Measuring the Riches Line

Author(s):  
Ingrid Robeyns ◽  
Vincent Buskens ◽  
Arnout van de Rijt ◽  
Nina Vergeldt ◽  
Tanja van der Lippe

AbstractIs it possible to identify a ‘riches line’, distinguishing the ‘rich’ from the ‘super-rich’? Recent work in political philosophy suggests that this is theoretically possible. This study examines for the first time the empirical plausibility of a riches line, based on novel data collected from a representative sample of the Dutch population. The data reveal that the Dutch indeed draw such a line, namely between 1 and 3 million euros. Strikingly, respondents agree on its approximate location irrespective of their own income and education. Although most do not consider extreme wealth itself a severe problem and object to the government’s enforcement of limits to wealth and income, widespread support exists for increased taxation of the super-rich if that would improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable members of society.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-151
Author(s):  
Markus A. Wirtz ◽  
Matthias Morfeld ◽  
Elmar Brähler ◽  
Andreas Hinz ◽  
Heide Glaesmer

Abstract. The association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL; Short-Form Health Survey-12; SF-12) and patient-reported morbidity-related symptoms measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) is analyzed in a representative sample of older people in the general German population. Data from 1,659 people aged 60 to 85 years were obtained. Latent class analysis identified six classes of patients, which optimally categorize clusters of physical symptoms the participants reported: musculoskeletal impairments (39.8%), healthy (25.7%), musculoskeletal and respiratory/cardiac impairments (12.8%), musculoskeletal and respiratory impairments, along with bowel and digestion problems (12.9%), general impairments (4.9%), and general impairments with no bowel and digestion problems (4.8%). The participants’ SF-12 Physical Health Scores (η2 = .39) and their Mental Health Scores (η2 = .28) are highly associated with these latent classes. These associations remain virtually identical after controlling for age. The results provide evidence that profiles of patient-reported physical impairments correspond strongly with reduced HRQoL independently from aging processes.


Author(s):  
Mohamad Hossein Pourhanifeh ◽  
Kazem Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi ◽  
Mohammad Goodarzi ◽  
Sara G.M. Piccirillo ◽  
Alimohammad Shafiee ◽  
...  

: Melanoma is the most life-threatening and aggressive class of skin malignancies. The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased. Metastatic melanoma is greatly resistant to standard anti-melanomatreatments such as chemotherapy, and 5-year survival rate of cases with melanoma who have metastatic form of disease is less than 10%. The contributing role of apoptosis, angiogenesis and autophagy in the pathophysiology of melanoma has been previously demonstrated. Thus, it is extremely urgent to search for complementary therapeutic approachesthat couldenhance the quality of life of subjects and reduce treatment resistance and adverse effects. Resveratrol, known as a polyphenol component present in grapes and some plants, has anti-cancer properties due to its function as an apoptosis inducer in tumor cells, and anti-angiogenic agent to prevent metastasis. However, more clinical trials should be conducted to prove resveratrol efficacy. : Herein, for first time, we summarize current knowledge of anti-cancerous activities of resveratrol in melanoma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Cuda ◽  
Sara Ghiselli ◽  
Alessandra Murri

Abstract Background Prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Its estimated prevalence is 40–50 % in people over 75 years of age. Recent studies agree that declinein hearing threshold contribute to deterioration in sociality, sensitivity, cognition, and quality of life for elderly subjects. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to verify whether or not rehabilitation using first time applied Hearing Aids (HA) in a cohort of old people with hearing impairment improves both speech perception in a noisy environment over time and the overall health-related quality of life. Methods The monocentric, prospective, repeated measurements, single-subject, clinical observational study is to recruit 100 older adults, first-time HA recipients (≥ 65 years).The evaluation protocol is designed to analyze changes in specific measurement tools a year after the first HA usage in comparison with the evaluation before HA fitting. Evaluations will consist of multiparametric details collected through self-report questionnaires completed by the recipients and a series of commonly used audiometric measures and geriatric assessment tools. The primary indicator of changes in speech perception in noise to be used is the Italian version of Oldenburg Satz (OLSA) test whereas the indicator of changes in overall quality of life will be the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) questionnaires. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will help in screening the cognitive state of the subjects. Discussion The protocol is designed to make use of measurement tools that have already been applied to the hearing-impaired population in order to compare the effects of HA rehabilitation in the older adults immediately before first HA usage (Pre) and after 1 year of experience (Post). This broad approach will lead to a greater understanding of how useful hearing influences the quality of life in older individuals, and therefore improves potentials for healthy aging. The data is to be analyzed by using an intrasubject endpoint comparison. Outcomes will be described and analyzed in detail. Trial registration This research was retrospectively registered underno. NCT04333043at ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/) on the 26 March 2020. This research has been registered with the Ethics Committee of the Area Vasta Emilia Nord under number 104, date of approval 17/07/2017.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Iacono Isidoro ◽  
Adriana Salvaggio ◽  
Anna Lo Bue ◽  
Salvatore Romano ◽  
Oreste Marrone ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morten Schrøder ◽  
Kirsten A. Boisen ◽  
Jesper Reimers ◽  
Grete Teilmann ◽  
Jesper Brok

AbstractPurposeWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies assessing quality of life in adolescents and young adults born with CHD compared with age-matched controls.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search of the literature published in Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library’s Database (1990–2013); two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for quality assessment of studies. A random effects meta-analysis model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2-test.ResultsWe included 18 studies with 1786 patients. The studies were of acceptable-to-good quality. The meta-analysis of six studies on quality of life showed no significant difference – mean difference: −1.31; 95% confidence intervals: −6.51 to +3.89, I2=90.9% – between adolescents and young adults with CHD and controls. Similar results were found in 10 studies not eligible for the meta-analysis. In subdomains, it seems that patients had reduced physical quality of life; however, social functioning was comparable or better compared with controls.ConclusionFor the first time in a meta-analysis, we have shown that quality of life in adolescents and young adults with CHD is not reduced when compared with age-matched controls.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Nakayama ◽  
Tetsuya Tsuji ◽  
Makoto Aoyama ◽  
Takafumi Fujino ◽  
Meigen Liu

Abstract Purpose To examine the rates, causes, and impact on quality of life (QOL) of urinary storage symptoms after gynecologic cancer surgery. Methods A questionnaire survey, including Japanese-language versions of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), was distributed to gynecologic cancer patients who underwent hysterectomy between 2008 and 2013. Results Of the 145 patients analyzed, 49 (33.8%) had urinary incontinence (UI) pre-surgery and 76 (52.4%) had UI post-surgery, including 34 (35.4%) first-time UI patients, with a significant difference between pre- and post-surgery. Of the 49 subjects with UI pre-surgery, 43 (87.7%) had stress incontinence, while of the 76 patients with UI post-surgery, 44 (57.1%) had stress incontinence, and 24 (31.2%) had mixed incontinence. Seven (4.8%) subjects had overactive bladder (OAB) pre-surgery, whereas 19 (13.1%) had OAB symptoms post-surgery (including 15 first-time OAB patients), with a significant difference between pre- and post-surgery. IIQ-7 scores were markedly higher for patients with mixed incontinence post-surgery than for those with stress incontinence, indicating a lower QOL. Logistic regression analysis identified the number of Cesarean sections and days of urinary bladder catheterization as risk factors for postoperative UI. Conclusions UI and OAB rates were higher after gynecologic cancer surgery than in the general female population. The mixed incontinence rate was markedly higher post-surgery; QOL was low for such patients due to the combination of urgency and stress incontinence. Multiple Cesarean sections and urinary bladder catheterization post-surgery were risk factors for post-surgical UI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Pölsler ◽  
Jaroslav Presl ◽  
Christian Brandtner ◽  
Alexander Gaggl ◽  
Jörg Hutter ◽  
...  

Abstract   Persisting anastomotic leak after oncological esophagectomy is a severe problem associated with high mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, treatment options with promising results are scarce especially when conventional operative and endoscopic methods have failed. Due to limitation of oral intake and need for artificial nutrition quality of life is reduced. Microvascular myocutaneous and cutaneous free flap (MFF) reconstruction could be a promising alternative. Methods This retrospective cohort study presents seven patients treated between March 2017 and November 2020 at our surgical department, with terminal esophagostomy after complicated oncological esophagus resection without further feasible treatment options. All Patients received anastomotic MFF reconstruction. We have examined postoperative outcomes, complications according to Clavien-Dindo-Classification and patient contentment with a questionnaire. Additionally, we described important procedure related facts. Results The included seven male patients had median age of 65.15 years (range: 48–75). MFF function was adequate in six out of seven patients, graft rejection appeared in one patient. Five patients initially had good results, surgical revision was performed in one patient to ensure graft function. Postoperative complications appeared in 6/7 patients (Table 1). Mean duration of inpatient care was 63 days (Range: 24–156). At time of evaluation, one patient has died cancer related. No more additional nutrition was needed in 3/6 patients with adequate graft function. The majority of patients reported an improved quality of life compared to preoperatively. Conclusion MFF free flap can be a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with terminal esophagostomy after complicated oncological esophagus resection without further treatment options or in patients with complicated postoperative course with complex combined defects. The renewed ability of oral food intake results in a significant improvement of quality of life for the patients. No procedure related mortality was observed. Number of patients with regained ability of oral intake is encouraging.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Anikha Widya Bestari

Handling CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) final stage is mostly done in Indonesia is hemodialysis. Hemodialysis can prevent death, but not fully restore the quality of life of patients as before. Psychosocial problems such as lack of family support sometimes be a severe problem that must be faced by the patient. While diabetes mellitus which is etiology of PGK can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality for patients. This study aimed to analyze influence of family support and DM status with hemodialysis patient’s quality of life. This study is an observational analytic study with cross sectional design. Samples of this study are 72 patients on hemodialysis Installation RSU Haji Surabaya, which is calculated using a simple random sampling from hemodialysis schedule. Data is collected using interviews and secondary data on the patient diagnosis document. The questionnaire is WHOQOL-BREF which assess quality of life and family support questionnaire in accordance with the theory of family support from House. The results showed that there is a influence between family support (p = 0.005) and diabetes status (p = 0.003) on the status of the patient's quality of life. From these two variables  known that DM status is strongest variable that influence quality of life. Therefore, interventions focused on controlling patients with DM and supportive therapy in the family. Keywords : Hemodialysis, Quality of Life, Family Support, Diabetes Mellitus (DM)


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