Postoperative quality of life after laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy compared With laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy: A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey

The objective of this study was to compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) of patients with early cancer of the body of the stomach who were treated with pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) and those treated with distal gastrectomy (DGR), and to evaluate the relationship between postoperative QOL and gastric emptying function (GEF). Patients with early cancer of the body of the stomach are often treated with PPG to preserve gastric function, and their QOL appears to be better after PPG than after DGR. Differences in postoperative GEF are thought to be a factor, but the relationship between GEF and postoperative QOL has not been well investigated. A total of 60 patients [23 PPG and 37 DGR (Billroth I)] completed QOL surveys [SF-36, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)] and underwent 13C-breath tests to evaluate GEF in two groups (≤12 months postoperatively and >12 months postoperatively). The time until the percentage of breath 13CO2 reaches a peak during the 13C-breath test (Tmax), which is an index of gastric emptying velocity, was evaluated. For the SF-36, there were no significant differences between the two procedures. For GSRS, a trend toward better scores was seen after PPG; abdominal pain and total scores at >12 months postoperatively were significantly better with PPG. Tmax was significantly longer for PPG patients. For each procedure, symptoms significantly worsened when Tmax was <21 minutes at >12 months after surgery. Although postoperative GEF evaluated by 13C-breath tests did not affect overall QOL measured by the SF-36, it did affect disease-specific QOL measured by GSRS.

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Work aggravated asthma in Great Britain: a cross-sectional postal survey

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423618000063 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 561-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lisa Bradshaw ◽

Jade Sumner ◽

Julian Delic ◽

Paul Henneberger ◽

David Fishwick

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Great Britain ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Postal Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

Utility Index ◽

Self Reported Health Status

ObjectiveWork aggravated asthma (WAA), asthma made worse by but not caused by workplace exposures, can have a negative impact on personal, social, financial and societal costs. There is limited data on prevalence levels of WAA in Great Britain (GB). The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of WAA in GB, and to assess its potential causes.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional postal questionnaire study was carried out. A total of 1620 questionnaires were sent to three populations of adults with asthma. The questionnaire recorded; demographic details, current job, self-reported health status, presence of asthma and respiratory symptoms, duration and severity of symptoms and medication requirements. Questions relating to work environment and employers’ actions were included, and each participant completed an assessment of health-related quality of life using the EuroQol Research Foundation EQ-5D.ResultsThere were 207 completed questionnaires; response rates were 6% primary care, 45% secondary care and 71% Asthma UK. This represented a 13% overall response rate. Self-reported prevalence of WAA was 33% (95% CI 24.4–41.6%). In all, 19% of workers had changed their job because of breathing problems. Workers with WAA reported higher levels of work-related stress. Quality of life using the EQ-5D utility index was lower in those with WAA.ConclusionWAA is a common problem in asthmatics in GB. This result is in keeping with international prevalence rates. Further research could assist the understanding of the most significant aggravants to asthma at work and help define appropriate interventions by workplaces.

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Use of Complimentary/Alternative therapy for chronic pain

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2016.05.022 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 124-124

Author(s):

Thorbjörg Jonsdottir ◽

Helga Jonsdottir ◽

Sigridur Gunnarsdottir

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Family Income ◽

Alternative Therapy ◽

Postal Questionnaire ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Aims To investigate the use of Complimentary/Alternative therapy for chronic pain in nationwide sample. Methods In this cross-sectional study a postal questionnaire measuring socio-demographic variables (e.g. gender, education, income and residence), pain characteristics (severity and interference with daily life), health related quality of life and use of Complimentary/Alternative therapy for chronic pain, was sent to a sample of 4500 individuals randomly drawn from the national population of Iceland. The relationships between sociodemographic and pain related variables and pain related use Complimentary/Alternative therapy among participants reporting chronic pain (≥3 months) were tested. Results The prevalence of chronic pain (≥3 months) among respondents was 47.5%. Among participants reporting chronic pain, 45.5% (n = 343) reported having consulted some kind of Complimentary or Alternative therapy for their pain the previous six months and this was more prevalent among women than men. Most usual kind of therapists consulted was Acupuncturists (21.4%) and Chiropractors (18.3%). There were some gender differences in what kind of therapy people had consulted. Women were more likely than men to have consulted Acupuncturist while men consulted a Chiropractor more often than women. Logistic regression analysis showed that predictors for use of Complimentary/Alternative therapy for chronic pain were gender, urban residence and pain severity. The use of Complimentary/Alternative therapy was not related to education, family income or health related quality of life. Conclusions Women and urban residents are more likely than men and rural residents to seek Complimentary/Alternative therapy for chronic. People are more likely to seek Complimentary/Alternative care for chronic pain the more severe pain is.

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