Vascular chronic Q fever: quality of life

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (13) ◽  
pp. 2903-2909 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. J. P. HAGENAARS ◽  
P. C. WEVER ◽  
S. O. A. SHAMELIAN ◽  
A. S. VAN PETERSEN ◽  
M. HILBINK ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life in patients with vascular chronic Q fever at time of diagnosis and during follow-up. Based upon the SF-36 questionnaire, the mean physical and mental health of each patient were assessed at 3-month intervals for up to 18 months. A total of 26 patients were included in the study. At time of diagnosis, the mean physical health and mental health score was 50·6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 46·7–54·4] and 44·6 (95% CI 41·6–47·5), respectively. During treatment, the mean physical health score declined significantly by 1·7 points each 3 months (P < 0·001) to 40·8 (95% CI 34·4–45·1). The mean mental health score significantly and steadily increased towards 51·2 (95% CI 46·9–54·3) during follow-up (P = 0·026). A total of 23% of patients were cured after 18 months of follow-up. In conclusion, quality of life at time of diagnosis for patients with vascular chronic Q fever is lower compared to a similar group of patients, matched for age and gender, with an aortic abdominal aneurysmal disease, and physical health decreases further after starting treatment. Considering the low percentage of cure, the current treatment of vascular chronic Q fever patients may require a separate strategy from that of endocarditis in order to increase survival.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-137
Author(s):  
Mohammad Vafaee-Shahi ◽  
Mehrnoosh Purfallah ◽  
Elham Shirazi ◽  
Samileh Noorbakhsh

Background & Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health disorder among young children that affects the mothers’ lifestyles The aim of the present study was to consider the quality of life in Iranian mothers with ADHD children. Objective: In this comparative study, we compared the quality of life between mothers of ADHD children and mothers of normal children. Methods: In this descriptive study (2018-2019), a total of 75 mothers with ADHD children and 75 mothers with normal children, who were referred to referral educational hospital (Rasoul Hospital; Tehran, Iran) were evaluated. ADHD criteria were assessed by means of the SNAP-IV questionnaire, while the quality of life was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. All data were analyzed by SPSS software. The environmental, mental, social physical, health and quality of life were compared between 2 groups. Results: The economic situation of mothers with normal children was average (73.3%) to good (16%), while in mothers with ADHD children the economic situation was average (45.3%) to poor (37.3%). Mothers’ employment in normal children group was 41.3%, but it was 14.6% in mothers with ADHD children. A significant difference was reported between two groups in the mean of environmental health score (p <0.05), social relationships (p <0.05), mental health (p <0.05), physical health (p <0.01) and quality of life (p <0.01). The mean score of environmental health, social relationships, mental health, physical health and quality of life in ADHD mothers was significantly lower than mothers with normal children. Conclusion: The difficulties in the management of ADHD children negatively affect the quality of mothers’ lifestyles. Therefore, preventive, educational and therapeutic interventions are recommended to improve the mental health and the quality of life of mothers.


Author(s):  
Zouhour Samlani ◽  
Yassine Lemfadli ◽  
Adil Ait Errami ◽  
Sofia Oubaha ◽  
Khadija Krati

Introduction:The majority of epidemiological reports focus on confirmed cases of COVID-19. In this study, we aim to assess the health and well-being of adults not infected with Covid-19 after two months of quarantine in Morocco.Materials and methods:Two months after the declaration of quarantine in Morocco following the Covid-19 epidemic, we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study of 279 Moroccan citizens. We used the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) as a determinant of quality of life, which is based on eight dimensions of health. The data were collected using an electronic questionnaire distributed online. The participants also indicated their socio-demographic data, their knowledge and practices regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and whether they had chronic health problems.Results:The quality of life of all participants was moderately disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic with a mental health score (MCS) of 34.49 (&plusmn; 6.44) and a physical health score (PCS) of 36.10 (&plusmn; 5.82). Participants with chronic diseases scored lower with 29.28 (&plusmn; 1.23) in mental health (MCS) and 32.51 (&plusmn; 7.14) in physical health (PCS). The seriousness of COVID-19 has an impact on the quality of life and health well-being of people and this impact is more marked in patients with chronic health problems.Conclusion: Our results confirm the need to pay attention to the health of people who have not been infected with the virus. Our results also point out that uninfected people with chronic illnesses may be more likely to have well-being problems due to quarantine restrictions.


Author(s):  
Zouhour Samlani ◽  
Yassine Lemfadli ◽  
Adil Ait Errami ◽  
Sofia Oubaha ◽  
Khadija Krati

Introduction: The majority of epidemiological reports focus on confirmed cases of COVID-19. In this study, we aim to assess the health and well-being of adults not infected with Covid-19 after two months of quarantine in Morocco. Materials and methods: Two months after the declaration of quarantine in Morocco following the Covid-19 epidemic, we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study of 279 Moroccan citizens. We used the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) as a determinant of quality of life, which is based on eight dimensions of health. The data were collected using an electronic questionnaire distributed online. The participants also indicated their socio-demographic data, their knowledge and practices regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and whether they had chronic health problems. Results: The quality of life of all participants was moderately disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic with a mental health score (MCS) of 34.49 (&plusmn; 6.44) and a physical health score (PCS) of 36.10 (&plusmn; 5.82). Participants with chronic diseases scored lower with 29.28 (&plusmn; 1.23) in mental health (MCS) and 32.51 (&plusmn; 7.14) in physical health (PCS). The seriousness of COVID-19 has an impact on the quality of life and health well-being of people and this impact is more marked in people with chronic health problems. Conclusion: Our results confirm the need to pay attention to the health of people who have not been infected with the virus. Our results also point out that uninfected people with chronic illnesses may be more likely to have well-being problems due to quarantine restrictions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Dzhus

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is known to persist into adulthood which is associated with the development of a large number of long-term consequences, including low quality of life.         The objective of the research was to evaluate quality of life in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to analyze the risk factors for the development of its low level using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.     Materials and methods. There were examined 135 adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis without severe comorbidity at the age of 18 to 40 years and 25 apparently healthy young adults of the same age and gender. Quality of life was evaluated using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey.     Results. In patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the physical health score (44.8±9.9) was lower (p=0.001) as compared to healthy individuals (55.7±6.9). Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis had lower indicators of physical functioning (p=0.001), role functioning (p=0.001) and bodily pain (p=0.001) than healthy individuals. However, in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the indicators of the mental health score and associated vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems and mental health did not differ from those in the control group. Prolonged morning stiffness (p<0.05) and polyarticular variant of joint damage (p<0.05) were the risk factors for the development of low physical health score in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. According to the articular juvenile arthritis damage index (p<0.001), the presence of long-term articular damage was associated with high physical health score. There were found no risk factors for the development of low mental health score.      Conclusions. Young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of 18 to 40 years had worse quality of life than healthy individuals of the same age and gender. They had worse physical well-being scores including physical functioning, role functioning and bodily pain. The risk factors for the development of low physical health score in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis were the presence of prolonged morning stiffness as a manifestation of disease activity and polyarticular variant of joint damage, while the presence of prosthetic joints improved their physical health score.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng-Rong Luo ◽  
Dong-Shan Liao ◽  
Liang-Wan Chen

Abstract Background To compare postoperative sexual dysfunction (SD) and quality of life (QOL) in Type A Aortic Dissection (AAD) Patients of Different Ages. Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, 204 AAD postoperative survivors in Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University were selected and were divided into young group (less than 50 years old) and elderly group (more than 50 years old). We evaluated SD according to the male International Erectile Dysfunction Index (IIEF-5) and female sexual function index (FSFI). The Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were used to investigate the QOL, Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to investigate depressive symptoms. Results One hundred seventy-five patients completed all the questionnaire (85.8%). The total SD prevalence rate was 38.9% (68 cases), with 27.4% of the young (20 cases) and 47.1% of the elderly (48 cases). The age of non-SD and SD patients was 49.0 ± 11.5 and 56.9 ± 10.8 years, respectively (P = 0.03). Compared with non-SD patients, the total physical health of SD patients was significantly worse (P = 0.04), however, the mental health was not significantly worse (P = 0.77); the depressive symptoms did not expressed a significant difference between the SD and non-SD groups (QIDS-SR P = 0.15, BDI-II P = 0.06). Total physical health scores in the young SD group did not show significant better than elderly SD group (P = 0.24), however, total mental health scores showed significantly worse (P = 0.04), depressive symptoms scores were significantly higher (QIDS-SR P = 0.03, BDI-II P = 0.04). Conclusion The postoperative AAD SD prevalence of elderly is higher than that of young, and the total physical health of SD patients is poorer than those without SD patients. The young SD patients did not show a significant higher physical health scores than the elderly SD patients, instead, the young SD patients were more psychologically affected than the elderly SD patients, whose mental health was worse, and depression symptoms were more obvious, suggesting that the factors affecting the QOL of postoperative SD patients are related to physical factors, but the young postoperative SD patients mainly affected by psychological factors.


Author(s):  
Petri K. M. Purola ◽  
Janika E. Nättinen ◽  
Matti U. I. Ojamo ◽  
Seppo V. P. Koskinen ◽  
Harri A. Rissanen ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To study the prevalence and incidence of the most common eye diseases and their relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, psychological distress, and visual impairment in the aging population of Finland. Methods Our study was based on two nationwide health surveys conducted in 2000 and 2011. Eye disease status data were obtained from 7379 and 5710 individuals aged 30 + years, of whom 4620 partook in both time points. Both surveys included identical indicators of HRQoL (EuroQol-5 Dimension [EQ-5D], 15D), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12 [GHQ-12]), visual acuity, and self-reported eye diseases. We assessed the impact of known eye diseases on these factors, adjusted for age, gender, and co-morbidities. Results Prevalence of self-reported eye diseases was 3.1/2.7% for glaucoma, 8.1/11.4% for cataract, and 3.4/3.8% for retinal degeneration in 2000 and 2011, and the average incidence between 2000 and 2011 was 22, 109, and 35 /year/10,000 individuals, respectively. These eye diseases were associated with a significant decrease in EQ-5D and 15D index scores in both time points. BDI and GHQ-12 scores were also worsened, with some variation between different eye diseases. Impaired vision was, however, the strongest determinant of declined HRQoL. During the 11-year follow-up the effect of eye diseases on HRQoL and mental health diminished. Conclusion Declined HRQoL associated with eye diseases is more related to impaired vision than the awareness of the disease itself, and this declining effect diminished during the follow-up. Therefore, information directed to the public on the risks and prevention of blindness can and should be strengthened to prevent the deleterious effects of visual impairment.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio E. Tatsui ◽  
R. Jason Stafford ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Jonathan N. Sellin ◽  
Behrang Amini ◽  
...  

OBJECT High-grade malignant spinal cord compression is commonly managed with a combination of surgery aimed at removing the epidural tumor, followed by spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) aimed at local tumor control. The authors here introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (SLITT) as an alternative to surgery prior to SSRS. METHODS Patients with a high degree of epidural malignant compression due to radioresistant tumors were selected for study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and quality of life were obtained before and within 30 and 60 days after treatment. A laser probe was percutaneously placed in the epidural space. Real-time thermal MRI was used to monitor tissue damage in the region of interest. All patients received postoperative SSRS. The maximum thickness of the epidural tumor was measured, and the degree of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) was scored in pre- and postprocedure MRI. RESULTS In the 11 patients eligible for study, the mean VAS score for pain decreased from 6.18 in the preoperative period to 4.27 within 30 days and 2.8 within 60 days after the procedure. A similar VAS interrogating the percentage of quality of life demonstrated improvement from 60% preoperatively to 70% within both 30 and 60 days after treatment. Imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean thickness of the epidural tumor from 8.82 mm (95% CI 7.38–10.25) before treatment to 6.36 mm (95% CI 4.65–8.07) after SLITT and SSRS (p = 0.0001). The median preoperative ESCC Grade 2 was scored as 4, which was significantly higher than the score of 2 for Grade 1b (p = 0.04) on imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUTIONS The authors present the first report on an innovative minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the management of spinal metastasis. In their early experience, SLITT has provided local control with low morbidity and improvement in both pain and the quality of life of patients.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne H Lo ◽  
Anne M Chang ◽  
Janita P Chau ◽  
Glenn E Gardner

Introduction: Health-related quality of life is a significant outcome of stroke survivors’ recovery. The 49-item English version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL) (Williams et al., 2009) is a stroke-specific assessment of stroke survivors’ health-related quality of life in 12 domains. However there has been no Chinese version of the scale for Chinese stroke survivors in Hong Kong. Aim: To examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL-C) in stroke survivors. Methods: SSQOL was translated into Chinese and blind back-translated by independent bilingual baccalaureate nursing students. Content validity was reviewed by an expert panel which consisted of one nurse academic, one nurse manager, three advanced practice nurses, and two registered nurses. A cross-sectional study was conducted to validate the translated version. A convenience sample of 135 adult stroke survivors were recruited from three community centres and a stroke support group in Hong Kong. Internal consistency analysis was performed. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between SSQOL-C, SF-36, and Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) to determine the convergent validity. Results: Content validity index of SSQOL-C was 0.99. SSQOL-C had high internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94 for the total scale, and between 0.65 and 0.90 for the 12 domains. The total SSQOL-C scores showed significant positive correlations with SF-36 physical health (r=0.58, p<0.01) and mental health (r=0.54, p<0.01) component scores, and FAI score (r=0.59, p<0.01). SSQOL-C physical subtotal scores showed significant positive correlations with SF-36 physical health (r=0.55, p<0.01) and mental health (r=0.43, p<0.01) component scores, and FAI score (r=0.54, p<0.01). SSQOL-C psychosocial subtotal scores showed significant positive correlations with SF-36 physical health (r=0.52, p<0.01) and mental health (r=0.56, p<0.01) component scores, and FAI score (r=0.56, p<0.01). Conclusion: The results showed SSQOL-C had good content and convergent validity, and reliability in Chinese stroke survivors. Further evaluation of factor structure of SSQOL-C will be conducted to determine its validity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
F. Mantovani ◽  
G. Bozzini ◽  
P. Acquati ◽  
S.S. Di Pierro ◽  
M.G. Spinelli ◽  
...  

AIMS: In order to analyse the effect of tolterodine on the Quality of life (QoL) of patients with overactive bladder (OB) we conducted a prospective multicentre clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were questioned at entry and 4, 12 and 24 weeks later about the number of micturitions and incontinent and urgency episodes/day, using a micturition diary. The mean volume voided per micturition and the number of pads used per day was also recorded. The QoL was measured using the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). A total of 179 patients entered the study: 59 dropped out (4 due to lack of efficacy, 10 due to adverse events, 25 because of lack of interest in the study/other reason and 20 were lost at follow up), leaving 120 patients for analysis. One hundred and eight patients (90%) were female, their mean age was 56.5 years (SD 11.2); 87 had never received treatment for OB/UI (80.6%) and their mean weight was 70.0 Kg (SD 12.7). RESULTS: The mean number of micturitions/day was 9.3 at trial entry and it decreased to 6.8 by the end of the study. The corresponding values for the number of urge episodes, incontinence episodes and number of pads used per day were 3.5, 2.7 and 1.2 and 0.8, 0.9 and 0.4 respectively. The mean volume voided per micturition increased from 146 ml. to 178 ml. All the differences between trial entry and end of study values were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Considering the results of the KHQ, the values of all the different areas/domini (?) decreased markedly and in a statistically significant way between the start of treatment and the end of study evaluations. Similar findings emerged when we considered values of the IIQ. The decrease was constant and marked during the first three months and remained constant thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: This study, conducted in a population of subjects with dry and wet OB, shows that tolterodine given for six months lowers the frequency of urgency episodes and incontinence episodes without troublesome adverse effects. These clinical effects are mirrored in the QoL, KHQ and IIQ questionnaire scores, which improved by about 50% over the same period.


Author(s):  
Benedicte Deforche ◽  
Jasmine Mommen ◽  
Anne Hublet ◽  
Winnie De Roover ◽  
Nele Huys ◽  
...  

Evidence on the effectiveness of workplace mental health promotion for people with disabilities is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief mental health promotion intervention in social enterprises. It had a non-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial design with follow-up one and four months after the intervention. In total 196 employees agreed to participate (86 intervention and 110 control). Empowerment was the main outcome; secondary outcomes were resilience, palliative behavior, determinants of four coping strategies of mental health, quality of life, and life satisfaction. A brief participant satisfaction survey was conducted after the intervention. No significant intervention effect on empowerment was found. However, at one month follow-up, significant favorable effects were found on perceived social support for coping strategies for mental health and on palliative behavior. At four months follow-up, favorable intervention effects were found on quality of life, but unfavorable effects were found on unjustified worrying. In addition, the intervention was well received by the employees. This brief intervention might be a promising first step to improve mental health in people with disabilities working in social enterprises. Nevertheless, additional monitoring by professionals and managers working in the organizations might be needed to maintain these effects.


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