Quality of Life in Women with Defecatory Dysfunctions: Systematic Review of Questionnaires Validated in the Portuguese Language

Objective To identify the quality of life (QoL) assessment instruments related to the health of women with fecal incontinence (FI) or anal incontinence (AI). Data Sources Systematic review conducted in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), PubMed and Cochrane Library databases. The descriptors used were: Questionnaire, Questionnaires, Quality of life, validation, validation Studies, anal incontinence, fecal incontinence and constipation. The search was performed between December 26, 2017 and the beginning of January 2018. The limits used were female gender. Selection of Studies Initially, 5,143 articles were obtained in the search. The articles of validation for Portuguese of questionnaires for the evaluation of the impact of FI/AI on the QoL of women were considered eligible. Data Collection The article search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines. Data Synthesis Of the 5,143 articles, only 2 fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria: Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) and the Wexner scale (WS). The FIQL evaluates the QoL related to FI, not covering flatus incontinence. The WS assesses flatus incontinence and the severity of the AI. The WS obtained an interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.932 and a Cronbach α coefficient > 0.90. The FIQL obtained intraexaminer and interexaminer reproducibility ranging from 0.929 to 0.957 and from 0.944 to 0.969, respectively. Conclusions The WS and the FIQL have satisfactory reliability and validity for use during gynecological consultations.

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A systematic review of olfactory related questionnaires and scales

Rhinology Journal ◽

10.4193/rhin20.291 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

P. Han ◽

T. Su ◽

M. Qin ◽

H. Chen ◽

T. Hummel

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Medicine ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Clinical Intervention ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Research Areas ◽

The Impact

PURPOSE: Although neglected by science for a long time, the sense of olfaction has received increasing attention from research areas including psychology, neuroscience, clinical medicine and nutrition. With the rise of psychophysical and neuroimaging re- search into olfaction, psychometric tools (e.g. questionnaires and scales) are the basis for the quantitative exploration of inter-in- dividual variability regarding olfactory related responses. The current systematic review is to summarize existing olfaction related questionnaires and/or scales. METHODS: Peer-reviewed literature on scales and questionnaires related to perception of odors were searched from online databa- ses (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO). Twenty-one articles that meet the following criteria were included in the review: “hu- man species”, “no physical odor stimuli” and “describing the original development of the tool”, and “with specific focus on olfaction or odor related responses or behaviors”. The psychometric properties, advantages and possible disadvantages were discussed. RESULTS: Existing psychometric measures focus on various aspects of olfactory related responses and behaviors, including af- fective experiences of odor perception, awareness and attitude towards olfaction, olfactory function and the quality of life change due to olfactory dysfunction, and the ability to create vivid mental odor images. While most of them have been tested to have good reliability and validity, some were relatively time-consuming due to the number of questionnaire items. Besides, although many measures have been used in clinical populations, few have provided information on the predictive validity regarding effecti- veness of clinical intervention on changes of certain responses or behaviors. SUMMARY: The current review provides an overview of olfactory related questionnaires and scales, highlighting the emotional and affective impact of olfaction and the impact on quality of life due to olfactory dysfunction. With growing interest in olfaction as an important sense, the development and use of psychometrically sound measurements in conjunction with objective assess- ments will advance our understanding of human olfaction and olfactory dysfunction. The review provides a guide for researchers and clinicians alike to select olfactory scales suitable for olfactory research with different experimental purposes and specific samples.

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416 A NARRATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF POSTOPERATIVE REHABILITATION FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Diseases of the Esophagus ◽

10.1093/dote/doaa087.105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

P Prasad ◽

K Hardy ◽

J Chmelo ◽

M Navidi ◽

A Phillips

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

The Impact

Abstract Esophagectomy is a complex procedure with associated high levels of morbidity. Rehabilitation programmes are being developed and increasingly utilised in the perioperative period and comprise a variety of physical, nutritional and psychological interventions. Such strategies may help reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, mitigate sarcopenia, prevent progressive frailty and restore quality of life. This systematic review aimed to identify and analyse studies reporting outcomes of post-esophagectomy rehabilitative interventions. Methods Major reference databases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Google scholar) were interrogated and a systematic search with a pre-defined search strategy was performed up until January 2020. All eligible articles were screened in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) criteria for cohort studies and the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised studies. Results Three studies (n = 1 pilot study; n = 1 feasibility study and n = 1 randomised controlled trial) including some 108 patients were included in this narrative review, of whom 64 patients had undergone esophagectomy. Rehabilitative strategies utilised included a combination of physical activities such as walking and low- to moderate-intensity exercises, dietary counselling, psychological support and occupational therapy input. There was wide variation in the outcomes assessed between studies. Postoperative physical activity with exercises consistently demonstrated maximum positive impact upon cardiopulmonary fitness. The median MINORS score for included studies was 9 (8-10) and the risk of bias in the included randomised trial was low. Conclusion There is a paucity of data currently to help determine the impact that rehabilitation may have on clinical outcomes and quality of life following esophagectomy. While improved physical function has been demonstrated, there is a need to determine which interventions patients deem most important and acceptable to help them return to as close to baseline as possible. Additionally, there is a need to further understand the impact rehabilitation may have upon long-term outcomes.

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Acceptability, reliability, and validity of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 (SAQOL-39) across languages: a systematic review

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215517690017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (9) ◽

pp. 1201-1214 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Akram Ahmadi ◽

Seyed Abolfazl Tohidast ◽

Banafshe Mansuri ◽

Mohammad Kamali ◽

Gopee Krishnan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Selection Processes ◽

Study Selection ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to explore the acceptability, reliability, and validity of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life-39 (SAQOL-39) scale across languages. Data sources: We employed a systematic search of the online databases including MEDLINE (Pubmed), Science direct, Web of science, Psychinfo, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library published between 2003 and 2016. Review methods: We used PRISMA guidelines for conducting and reporting this review. Subsequently, screening of the titles and abstracts, extraction of data as well as the appraisal of the quality of relevant studies were carried out. Results: The initial search returned 8185 studies. Subsequent screening and study selection processes narrowed them to 20, needing detailed review. Forward-backward translation scheme was the preferred method for translation of the SAQOL-39 from English to other languages. Mainly, the socio-cultural and linguistic adaptations were performed in the translated versions. Most versions of the SAQOL-39 showed high test-retest reliability and internal consistency. However, several psychometric properties including the validity and responsiveness were seldom reported in these versions. Conclusion: The SAQOL-39 scale showed high acceptability, and reliability across the languages reviewed in this study. Future translations may additionally focus on reporting the validity and responsiveness of the instrument.

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The impact of hypoglycemia on quality of life and related outcomes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0260896 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0260896

Author(s):

Manon Coolen ◽

Melanie Broadley ◽

Christel Hendrieckx ◽

Hannah Chatwin ◽

Mark Clowes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Diabetes Distress ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

The Impact

Objective To conduct a systematic review to examine associations between hypoglycemia and quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods Four databases (Medline, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were searched systematically in November 2019 and searches were updated in September 2021. Studies were eligible if they included children and/or adolescents with type 1 diabetes, reported on the association between hypoglycemia and QoL (or related outcomes), had a quantitative design, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal after 2000. A protocol was registered the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42020154023). Studies were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted by outcome and hypoglycemia severity. Results In total, 27 studies met inclusion criteria. No hypoglycemia-specific measures of QoL were identified. Evidence for an association between SH and (domains) of generic and diabetes-specific QoL was too limited to draw conclusions, due to heterogenous definitions and operationalizations of hypoglycemia and outcomes across studies. SH was associated with greater worry about hypoglycemia, but was not clearly associated with diabetes distress, depression, anxiety, disordered eating or posttraumatic stress disorder. Although limited, some evidence suggests that more recent, more frequent, or more severe episodes of hypoglycemia may be associated with adverse outcomes and that the context in which hypoglycemia takes places might be important in relation to its impact. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence regarding the impact of hypoglycemia on QoL in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes at this stage. There is a need for further research to examine this relationship, ideally using hypoglycemia-specific QoL measures.

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The physiological and psychological effects of cognitive behavior therapy on patients with inflammatory bowel disease before COVID-19: a systematic review

BMC Gastroenterology ◽

10.1186/s12876-021-02003-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jie Chen ◽

Xuejie Chen ◽

Yuhao Sun ◽

Ying Xie ◽

Xiaoyan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Bowel Disease ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objective Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is now included in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in many settings. However, different clinical trials report different outcomes without consensus. This study aims to evaluate the impact of CBT on the mental state, quality of life and disease activity of patients with IBD. Design Systematic review. Methods This systematic review searched eligible studies from 1946 to December 8, 2019, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, PsycINFO, Web of Science for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT). Results Among the initial identified 1807 references, 11 studies met inclusion criteria. CBT was shown to improve patient's quality of life and reduce the level of depression and anxiety post-intervention but was not sustained. Evidence is not enough for the effect of CBT on disease activity, or C-reactive protein level. Conclusions CBT has shown short-term positive psychological effects on IBD patients, but there is insufficient evidence for sustained physical and psychological improvements of IBD patients. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019152330.

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Outcomes Related to Percutaneous Nephrostomies (PCN) in Malignancy-Associated Ureteric Obstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10112354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2354

Author(s):

Francesca J. New ◽

Sally J. Deverill ◽

Bhaskar K. Somani

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Previous Treatment ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Ureteric Obstruction ◽

Survival Times ◽

Advanced Malignancies ◽

The Impact

Background: Malignant ureteric obstruction occurs in a variety of cancers and has been typically associated with a poor prognosis. Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) can potentially help increase patient longevity by establishing urinary drainage and treating renal failure. Our aim was to look at the outcomes of PCN in patients with advanced cancer and the impact on the patients’ lifespan and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A literature review was carried out for articles from 2000 to 2020 on PCN in patients with advanced malignancies, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar. All English-language articles reporting on a minimum of 20 patients who underwent PCN for malignancy-associated ureteric obstruction were included. Results: A total of 21 articles (1674 patients) met the inclusion criteria with a mean of 60.2 years (range: 21–102 years). PCN was performed for ureteric obstruction secondary to urological malignancies (n = −633, 37.8%), gynaecological malignancies (n = 437, 26.1%), colorectal and GI malignancies (n = 216, 12.9%), and other specified malignancies (n = 205, 12.2%). The reported mean survival times varied from 2 to 8.5 months post PCN insertion, with an average survival time of 5.6 months, which depended on the cancer type, stage, and previous treatment. Conclusions: Patients with advanced malignancies who need PCN tend to have a survival rate under 12 months and spend a large proportion of this time in the hospital. Although the advent of newer chemotherapy and immunotherapy options has changed the landscape of managing advanced cancer, decisions on nephrostomy must be balanced with their survival and quality of life, which must be discussed with the patient.

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Family reported outcomes, an unmet need in the management of a patient's disease: appraisal of the literature

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01819-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

R. Shah ◽

F. M. Ali ◽

A. Y. Finlay ◽

M. S. Salek

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Family Members ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Chronic Health Condition ◽

Family Quality Of Life ◽

Good Reliability ◽

Huge Impact ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background A person’s chronic health condition or disability can have a huge impact on the quality of life (QoL) of the whole family, but this important impact is often ignored. This literature review aims to understand the impact of patients' disease on family members across all medical specialities, and appraise existing generic and disease-specific family quality of life (QoL) measures. Methods The databases Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, ASSIA, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for original articles in English measuring the impact of health conditions on patients' family members/partner using a valid instrument. Results Of 114 articles screened, 86 met the inclusion criteria. They explored the impact of a relative's disease on 14,661 family members, mostly 'parents' or 'mothers', using 50 different instruments across 18 specialities including neurology, oncology and dermatology, in 33 countries including the USA, China and Australia. These studies revealed a huge impact of patients' illness on family members. An appraisal of family QoL instruments identified 48 instruments, 42 disease/speciality specific and six generic measures. Five of the six generics are aimed at carers of children, people with disability or restricted to chronic disease. The only generic instrument that measures the impact of any condition on family members across all specialities is the Family Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16). Although most instruments demonstrated good reliability and validity, only 11 reported responsiveness and only one reported the minimal clinically important difference. Conclusions Family members' QoL is greatly impacted by a relative's condition. To support family members, there is a need for a generic tool that offers flexibility and brevity for use in clinical settings across all areas of medicine. FROM-16 could be the tool of choice, provided its robustness is demonstrated with further validation of its psychometric properties.

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Exercise efficacy and prescription during treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-020-07733-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dominic O’Connor ◽

Malcolm Brown ◽

Martin Eatock ◽

Richard C. Turkington ◽

Gillian Prue

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Adjuvant Therapy ◽

Physical Function ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Surgical resection remains the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Patients eligible for surgery, increasingly receive neo-adjuvant therapy before surgery or adjuvant therapy afterward, inherently exposing them to toxicity. As such, optimizing physical function through exercise during treatment remains imperative to optimize quality of life either before surgery or during rehabilitation. However, current exercise efficacy and prescription in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to summarise the published literature on exercise studies conducted in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment with a focus on determining the current prescription and progression patterns being used in this population. Methods A systematic review of four databases identified studies evaluating the effects of exercise on aerobic fitness, muscle strength, physical function, body composition, fatigue and quality of life in participants with pancreatic cancer undergoing treatment, published up to 24 July 2020. Two reviewers independently reviewed and appraised the methodological quality of each study. Results Twelve studies with a total of 300 participants were included. Heterogeneity of the literature prevented meta-analysis. Exercise was associated with improvements in outcomes; however, study quality was variable with the majority of studies receiving a weak rating. Conclusions High quality evidence regarding the efficacy and prescription of exercise in pancreatic cancer is lacking. Well-designed trials, which have received feedback and input from key stakeholders prior to implementation, are required to examine the impact of exercise in pancreatic cancer on key cancer related health outcomes.

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Effectiveness of massage therapy on fatigue and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental Translational and Clinical ◽

10.1177/20552173211022779 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 205521732110227

Author(s):

Shahin Salarvand ◽

Mohammad Eghbal Heidari ◽

Kazem Farahi ◽

Erfan Teymuri ◽

Mohammad Almasian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Massage Therapy ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Clinical Value ◽

Significant Trial

Background Fatigue and pain are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and frequent complaint in MS patients, which reduce their quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of massage therapy on pain and fatigue in MS Patients. Method The original and Persian databases were searched included PubMed, web of science, embase, ovid, scopus, and the Cochrane Library, SID, and Iranedex from inception to November 2020. Studies that reported the effect of massage on fatigue and pain were included. Two investigators extracted all relevant data, independently. For deriving analysis, mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used. Result Ten studies were eligible acoording criteria. The effect of massage on fatigue showed significant improvement (−1.62; 95% CL −2.40, −0.83; p < .00001), also results of the systematic review showed a significant reduction in pain severity. Conclusion Massage as a complementary and non-pharmacological therapy might have been associated with alleviating fatigue and pain in M.S. patients. Based on the current study, massage intervention for MS patients could have possible clinical value for palliating pain and fatigue and improving quality of life; however, this matter needs further and more significant trial studies.

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Quality of Life following Chemoradiotherapy for Localized Muscle Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Bladder Cancer ◽

10.3233/blc-210011 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Ben-Max De Ruiter ◽

Abel N. Keijzer ◽

Maarten C.C.M. Hulshof ◽

Adriaan D. Bins ◽

Theo M. de Reijke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Sexual Function ◽

Bladder Carcinoma ◽

Bowel Function ◽

Definitive Treatment ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Muscle Invasive ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important factor regarding treatment for localized Muscle Invasive Bladder Carcinoma (MIBC), as it may affect choice of treatment. The impact of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for MIBC on HRQoL has not yet been well-established. OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate evidence regarding HRQoL as assessed by validated questionnaires after definitive treatment with CRT for localized MIBC. METHODS: We performed a critical review of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in October 2020. Two reviewers independently screened articles for eligibility and assessed the methodological quality of the included articles using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. RESULTS: Of 579 articles identified, 11 studies were eligible for inclusion, including three RCTs and 8 non-randomized studies, reporting on HRQoL data for 606 CRT patients. Global health declined at End of treatment (EoT), and recovered 3 months following treatment. Physical function declined from baseline at EoT and recovered between 3 and 24 months and was maintained at 5 years follow up. CRT had little effect on social and emotional function in the short-term, but HRQoL results in the long-term were lower compared to the general population. Urinary function declined from baseline at EoT, but returned to baseline at 6 months following CRT. After initial decline in bowel function, a complete return to baseline occurred 4 years following treatment. The majority of studies assessing sexual function showed no to little effect on sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL recovers to baseline within 3 months to 2 years in almost all domains. The amount of available evidence regarding HRQoL following CRT for MIBC is limited and the quality of evidence is low.

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