Evaluation and Management of Severe Tinnitus: An Evidence-Based Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-142
Author(s):  
Lori Zitelli

Purpose Tinnitus is reported by millions of Americans and is significantly problematic for many people. Commonly, individuals suffering from tinnitus report disturbances in the areas of sleep, hearing, emotional well-being, and so forth. This case report presents the evaluation and treatment of an adult female with severe tinnitus and multiple relevant comorbidities. This case includes the onset, evaluation, and management of significantly bothersome tinnitus in a 60-year-old woman. Tinnitus was first reported after she was treated with an Epley maneuver intended to resolve benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. An evaluation of tinnitus (including a comprehensive audiometric evaluation, an assessment of the impact of tinnitus on her life, and psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus perception) was completed. The tinnitus was reported to have a severely negative impact on her overall health, mental state, and quality of life. Method This patient opted to manage her tinnitus with a combination of pharmaceuticals, sound therapy, and education (the latter two in the form of tinnitus retraining therapy). Results The course of her active treatment spanned approximately 18 months, and, at the completion of her treatment, she demonstrated significant improvements in all areas of her life that had been impacted by tinnitus. She has become an active advocate for tinnitus management and has made herself available as a resource for other individuals who are struggling to cope with intrusive tinnitus. Conclusion Tinnitus retraining therapy is a treatment option that may significantly improve the quality of life of individuals suffering from severely bothersome tinnitus.


Author(s):  
Germina-Alina Cosma ◽  
Alina Chiracu ◽  
Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽  
Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽  
Marian Costin Nanu ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.



2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S603
Author(s):  
J. Cabral ◽  
C. Barreto Carvalho ◽  
P. Castilho Freitas ◽  
C. Pato

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.



2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Guimarães Abreu ◽  
Camilo Aquino Melgaço ◽  
Mauro Henrique Abreu ◽  
Elizabeth Maria Bastos Lages ◽  
Saul Martins Paiva

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this article was to assess the perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ oral health -related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of a sample of 280 parents/caregivers of 11 and 12-year-old adolescents who answered the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Parent-assessed quality of life of adolescents was the dependent variable. The main independent variable was adolescents’ malocclusion which was diagnosed by means of the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Based on DAI cut-off points, adolescents were classified into four grades of malocclusion, with different orthodontic treatment recommendations assigned to each grade: no need/slight treatment need, elective treatment, highly desirable treatment and mandatory treatment. Adolescents’ age and sex, as well as family monthly income, were considered as confounding variables. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Of the 280 parents/caregivers initially accepted in this study, 18 refused to answer the P-CPQ. Therefore, 262 individuals participated in this assessment, providing a response rate of 93.5%. The severity of adolescents’ malocclusion was significantly associated with a higher negative impact on parents’/caregivers’ perception on the oral symptoms (p< 0.05), functional limitations (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), and social well-being (p < 0.001) subscale scores as well as on the overall P-CPQ score (p < 0.001), even after having been adjusted for the controlling variables. Conclusions: Parents/caregivers reported a negative impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ OHRQoL. Increased severity of malocclusion is associated with higher adverse impact on OHRQoL.



2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Sawicka-Gutaj ◽  
Paulina Ziółkowska ◽  
Klaudia Wojciechowska ◽  
Sara Shawkat ◽  
Agata Czarnywojtek ◽  
...  

AbstractThyroid diseases may cause a variety of functional and structural body changes, including eye and vision abnormalities, which can have a negative impact on a patient’s well-being. However, only a few studies on the impact of other benign thyroid diseases on the visual process are available in the literature. In this study, using the Polish version of the thyroid-specific quality of life (ThyPROpl) questionnaire, we aimed to determine the self-reported influence of benign thyroid diseases (e.g., nodular goiter, toxic nodular goiter, Graves’ disease, thyroid orbitopathy, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and surgical hypothyroidism) on patients’ eyes and vision. This was a prospective study. In total, 374 randomly selected euthyroid patients and 255 control subjects responded to the ThyPROpl questionnaire and the results were evaluated. Nearly 69% of the respondents reported that the most frequent condition was “reduced sight.” Men most often reported wet/tearing eyes (66%). The occurrence of eyelid sacks or swollen eyelids (64%), ophthalmalgia (62%), and eye dryness (61%) was marked almost as often. In total, 29% of the patients reported diplopia, and it was found to be most prevalent among those with thyroid orbitopathy. Other complaints were similarly prevalent among all the subgroups. A positive correlation was also observed between the scores of the “eye symptoms” and other ailments. Except for swelling around the lower eyelids, patients with thyroid diseases more frequently experienced all of the ocular complaints analyzed in this study compared with controls. This study showed that eye complaints are common in patients with benign thyroid diseases and ocular disturbances have a negative impact on the overall quality of life of patients.



Author(s):  
Antonella Demma ◽  
Caterina Suitner ◽  
Emilia Ferruzza ◽  
Chiara Nicolini ◽  
Massimo Donini

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease involving not only epidermic damages but also psychological distress for patients and their family caregivers. Little is known about the effects of a psychological support for psoriatic patients on their caregivers’ well-being. The goal of the present study was to investigate the indirect effects of the participation in a dynamic focus group reserved for psoriatic patients on their caregivers in terms of quality of life. The study involved 52 psoriatic patients and 41 family caregivers. Patients’ wellbeing was assessed using the dermatology quality of life index, hospital anxiety and depression scale. The impact of the disease on caregivers was assessed using the family dermatology life quality index (FDLQI). Data were analyzed with linear mixed models. The caregivers of psoriatic patients involved in the psychodynamic focus group reported levels of FDLQI that decreased over time, therefore showing an improvement in their quality of life in relation to the pathology of their relatives; the caregivers of patients who did not participate in the psychodynamic focus group, instead, had levels of FDLQI that were stable over time. The results provide preliminary evidence that the group setting of the Psychodynamic Focus Group may alleviate the negative impact of psychosomatic disease on the caregivers.



2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
Velya Apro ◽  
Susi Susi ◽  
Desy Purnama Sari

Caries is one of the most common dental and oral health problems in the world and attacks all ages. According to WHO in 2016 the prevalence of caries in school children is 60-90%. Caries affects the disruption of children's activities and will have an impact on the quality of life. The quality of life is an individual perceptions of physical, psychological, social, and environmental conditions in someone daily life. Purpose: to review the impact between caries and children's quality of life using an instrument. The caries assessments we used are DMF-T/dmft index, PUFA/pufa, and the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Index and the quality of life assessment instrument is the Child Perceptions Questionnaire. Results: The results of the literature review show that caries has an impact on daily activities that will affect on the quality of life of the children, where children with dental caries have a worse quality of life than children without caries. Based on the Child Perception Questionnaire instrument, the negative impact of caries are oral symptoms, functional limitation, emotional well-being and social well-being. Conclusion: The impact by the child can cause disruption of growth and development and other daily activities that will affect the child's social environment.



2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 267-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Taskiran ◽  
Zeliha Matur ◽  
Günay Gül ◽  
Nerses Bebek ◽  
Betül Baykan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Context: Seizures and accompanying situations including social, medical, and psychiatric problems threaten the quality of life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy. The World Health Organization defines health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Aims: This study examines the prevalence of both depression and anxiety symptoms and also impact of the affective state on QOL in patients with focal epilepsy in Turkey. Settings and Design: One hundred and five patients with focal epilepsy over 18 years old were included in this study. The patients were classified into four groups according to the presence of AS and seizure control. Subjects and Methods: Patients’ affective symptoms (AS) and QOL were examined using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and QOL in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31). Statistical Analysis Used: We used descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis H-test, and also Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation test for correlations. Results: There were positive correlations between total QOLIE-31 score and epilepsy surgery, employment, and seizure freedom, whereas negative correlations were found with antiepileptic drug use, anxiety, and depression. Statistically significant differences were found in QOLIE-31 totals and subscores between Groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of AS has a negative impact on QOL in patients with focal epilepsy. Physicians should be aware that psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy have a severe impact and epilepsy treatment requires comprehensive management.



2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Silva Barreto ◽  
Ankilma do Nascimento Andrade Feitosa ◽  
Raquel Prudente de Carvalho Baldacara ◽  
Leonardo Baldacara ◽  
Elisangela Vilar de Assis ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the impact of COVID-19 second wave on quality of life (QoL) of Brazilian medical students. Methods: The data from 210 medical students were collected through a web-based survey between February and March 2021. We assessed information about sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, electronics tools-related to physical activity (PA-eTool), and health-associated QoL. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify the potential QoL predictors. Results: The psychological domain was the most affected, showing lower score during COVID-19 second wave. Being male was a positive predictor in the physical health domain. Spending too much time indoors and sexual minority-group membership were associated with lower perception on psychological well-being. Personal benefit from having PA-eTool accessed and higher income were positively associated with psychological and environmental domains, respectively, and in the overall QoL. Conclusions: Psychological well-being impairment is a long-term negative impact among Brazilian medical students during COVID-19. By evidencing that students' QoL has been worsened in this global crisis, supportive interventions provided by community and universities are required to aid those vulnerable students facing mental health or QoL impairment.



QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elham Mohammad Hossny ◽  
Amira Fouad El-Hattab ◽  
Batoul Mohamed Abdel Raouf ◽  
Mahmoud Ramadan Hassan

Abstract Background Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome measure in understanding the impact of chronic illness. Aim of the Work We saught to measure the amplitude of physical disability in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in relation to HRQOL. Patients and Methods This analytical cross sectional study was conducted on children with JIA following up at the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University in the period from May 2018 to May 2019 The sample included 119 patients who were enrolled consecutively by using The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM Version 4.0 (PedsQLTM). Results Physical problem score showed negative correlation with age, age at onset (years) and disease duration (years). The older the child was and the longer the duration of the illness the more severe was his awareness of physicaical disability. Conclusion Juvenile idiopathic arthritis has a negative impact on physical abilities in child which influence their quality of life.



2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000541
Author(s):  
Richard James Harris ◽  
Louise Downey ◽  
Trevor R Smith ◽  
J R Fraser Cummings ◽  
Richard Felwick ◽  
...  

ObjectiveCOVID-19 has disrupted the normal way of life in the UK, but for some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the impact of this unprecedented global emergency was far greater. We aimed to assess the experience of patients with IBD during the COVID-19 lockdown.DesignWe designed a survey focused on the impact of COVID-19 on IBD healthcare, social and psychological well-being and quality of life. To capture those most likely to be affected we targeted survey invitations at our British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) defined high and moderate-risk IBD population. Access to the survey was also available via our trust’s social media pages.Results685 responses were received. 76% of respondents categorised themselves in BSG defined moderate or high-risk groups, requiring stringent social distancing or shielding. 87% did not change their IBD medication, with most reported changes initiated by the IBD team. 39% were worried about their IBD care, but most services were largely uninterrupted. 90% received ‘at-risk’ notification often from multiple sources, but 17% not until May. The majority reported a negative impact of COVID-19 on their quality of life and significantly increased perceived stress. Patients expressed a strong wish of having future care delivered remotely.ConclusionCOVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on psychological well-being of patients with IBD. Local IBD services must have a robust data set of vulnerable patients and be designated future responsibility for prompt communication of advice to avoid delayed and sometimes conflicting information. Remote patient management systems should be further developed and embedded in clinical practice.



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