scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Parosmia and Phantosmia among Smell Disorders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Pellegrino ◽  
Joel D Mainland ◽  
Christine E Kelly ◽  
Jane K Parker ◽  
Thomas Hummel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Odor Source ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Disorder ◽  
Smell Disorders ◽  
Odor Sensitivity

Among those many individuals who suffer from a reduced odor sensitivity (hyposmia/anosmia) some individuals also experience disorders that lead to odor distortion, such as parosmia (i.e., distorted odor with a known source), or odor phantoms (i.e., odor sensation without an odor source). We surveyed a large population with at least one olfactory disorder (N = 2031) and found that odor distortions were common (46%), with respondents reporting either parosmia (19%), phantosmia (11%), or both (16%). In comparison to respondents with hyposmia or anosmia, respondents with parosmia were more likely to be female, young, and suffered from post-viral olfactory loss (p < 0.001), while phantosmia occurred most frequently in middle-aged respondents (p < 0.01) and was more likely to be caused by head trauma than parosmia (p < 0.01). A higher prevalence of odor distortion was observed 3 months to a year after their olfactory symptom onset (p < 0.001), which coincides with the timeline of physiological recovery. Additionally, we observed that the frequency and duration of distortions negatively affects quality of life, with parosmia showing a higher range of severity than phantosmia (p < 0.001). Previous research often grouped these distortions together, but our results show that they have distinct patterns of demographics, medical history, and loss in quality of life.

Understanding quality of life and treatment history of patients with Bertolotti syndrome compared with lumbosacral radiculopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua L. Golubovsky ◽  
Arbaz Momin ◽  
Nicolas R. Thompson ◽  
Michael P. Steinmetz
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Lumbosacral Radiculopathy ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Age And Sex

OBJECTIVEBertolotti syndrome is a rare spinal condition that causes low-back pain due to a lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV), which is a pseudoarticulation between the fifth lumbar transverse process and the sacral ala. Bertolotti syndrome patients are rarely studied, particularly with regard to their quality of life. This study aimed to examine the quality of life and prior treatments in patients with Bertolotti syndrome at first presentation to the authors’ center in comparison with those with lumbosacral radiculopathy.METHODSThis study was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with Bertolotti syndrome and lumbosacral radiculopathy due to disc herniation seen at the authors’ institution’s spine center from 2005 through 2018. Diagnoses were confirmed with provider notes and imaging. Variables collected included demographics, diagnostic history, prior treatment, patient-reported quality of life metrics, and whether or not they underwent surgery at the authors’ institution. Propensity score matching by age and sex was used to match lumbosacral radiculopathy patients to Bertolotti syndrome patients. Group comparisons were made using t-tests, Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U-tests, Cox proportional hazards models, and linear regression models where variables found to be different at the univariate level were included as covariates.RESULTSThe final cohort included 22 patients with Bertolotti syndrome who had patient-reported outcomes data available and 46 propensity score–matched patients who had confirmed radiculopathy due to disc herniation. The authors found that Bertolotti syndrome patients had significantly more prior epidural steroid injections (ESIs) and a longer time from symptom onset to their first visit. Univariate analysis showed that Bertolotti syndrome patients had significantly worse Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) mental health T-scores. Adjustment for prior ESIs and time from symptom onset revealed that Bertolotti syndrome patients also had significantly worse PROMIS physical health T-scores. Time to surgery and other quality of life metrics did not differ between groups.CONCLUSIONSPatients with Bertolotti syndrome undergo significantly longer workup and more ESIs and have worse physical and mental health scores than age- and sex-matched patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. However, both groups of patients had mild depression and clinically meaningful reduction in their quality of life according to all instruments. This study shows that Bertolotti syndrome patients have a condition that affects them potentially more significantly than those with lumbosacral radiculopathy, and increased attention should be paid to these patients to improve their workup, diagnosis, and treatment.

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Psychological Distress during Cancer: A Prospective Observational Study Involving Liver Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 576-585
Author(s):  
Madeeha Malik ◽  
Iqra Parveen Kiyani ◽  
Shazana Rana ◽  
Azhar Hussain ◽  
Muhammad Bin Aslam Zahid
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Past Medical History ◽  
Symptom Scale

Introduction: Liver Cancer is aggressive cancer and patients are mostly screened and diagnosed when they become symptomatic at advanced. Disease severity, depression, fatigue, joint pain, and poor appetite have been reported as strong determinants of quality of life (QoL) among liver cancer patients. Aims: The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life and depression among liver cancer patients in Pakistan. Study Design:  A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in healthcare facilities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan between June 2020-December 2020. Methodology: Two pre-validated questionnaires i.e. EORTC QLQ-C30 and HADS were self-administered to a sample of 100 liver cancer patients selected using a convenience sampling technique for measuring QoL and depression, respectively. After data collection, data was cleaned, coded, and entered in SPSS. Results: The results highlighted that the lowest scores observed in the domain of symptom scale were: Nausea and Vomiting (23.72, ± 28.238), Dyspnea (25.27, ± 26.90), Constipation (26.03, ± 34.75) followed by Diarrhea (22.63, ± 28.42), whereas highest scores in the symptom scale were observed in the domain of fatigue (37.69, ± 20.06), pain (40.37, ± 18.44), insomnia (41.65, ± 32.37) and financial difficulties (60.33, ± 33.830). On the other hand, highest score on the functional scale was observed for physical functioning (64, ± 21.76) and the lowest score was observed in social functioning (53.19, ± 20.66). Conclusion: The present study concluded that liver cancer had a negative impact on risk factors/past medical history, co-morbidities, and poor socio-economic of life across all domains along with moderate depression in liver cancer patients. Illiteracy, advanced liver cancer stage, risk factors/past medical history, co-morbidities and poor socio-economic status negatively affected functional and symptom scale. Appropriate health educational and psychological interventional programs targeting patients should be initiated to improve awareness and reduce depression among liver cancer patients.

Quality of Life in Patients With Olfactory Loss Is Better Predicted by Flavor Identification Than by Orthonasal Olfactory Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 371-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Oleszkiewicz ◽  
Dahae Park ◽  
Katarzyna Resler ◽  
Julia Draf ◽  
Anja Schulze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Olfactory Testing

Abstract To date, most studies on the relationship between chemosensory performance and quality of life have focused on orthonasal measures of olfactory function. In the current investigation, we examined the predictive value of orthonasal and flavor identification indices of olfactory function on a wide spectrum of health and sociopsychological factors, including quality of life, life satisfaction, overall health, and depressive symptoms. Participants were 178 ENT patients (Mage = 58 ± 1), representing various causes of olfactory loss: idiopathic smell loss (n = 51; Mage = 63 ± 2), sinunasal disease (n = 27; Mage = 56 ± 3), head trauma (n = 33; Mage = 51 ± 2), and infections of the upper respiratory tract (n = 67; Mage = 59 ± 2). They completed self-report questionnaires and underwent olfactory testing using Sniffin’ Sticks (orthonasal olfactory testing) and “Taste Powder” (intraorally applied flavors for retronasal olfactory testing, additionally inducing taste sensation). Data were analyzed with hierarchical regression models wherein the first step included subjects’ sex, age, and orthonasal olfaction score. In the second step, we included the “Taste Powder” score. Tested models revealed that the first step was not significantly predicting variables of interest; however, there was an improvement of the model’s predictive value when the “Taste Powder” score was added. Results of this study suggest that flavor identification significantly improves predictions of health and sociopsychological functioning of ENT patients with various etiologies.

Fatigue control in metastatic colon cancer treated with capecitabine and oxaliplatin.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19628-e19628
Author(s):  
Fernanda Maris Peria ◽  
Lilian Andrade Sá ◽  
Harley Francisco Oliveira ◽  
Josiane Cheli Vettori ◽  
Daniela Pretti da Cunha Tirapelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Palliative Chemotherapy ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Concurrent Chemotherapy ◽  
Metastatic Colon Cancer ◽  
Chemotherapy Treatment ◽  
Chi Squared

e19628 Background: Fatigue is one of the most frequent symptoms in cancer patients, characterized by profound fatigue that is not relieved by rest. This symptom can be identified at the time of diagnosis and could affects up to 90% of patients undergoing cancer treatment. There are some instruments available in the literature that can characterize the presence of fatigue through clinical questioning. Methods: Considering the large population of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy and the prevalence of fatigue in these patients, this study evaluated the presence of fatigue in 27 metastatic colon cancer patients before the first, second, third and fourth cycles of fist line palliative chemotherapy regimen containing CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) by applying the evaluation questionnaire FACIT-F fatigue. Results: The results post Friedman chi-squared test demonstrated that there was no improvement of fatigue during these four cycles of CAPOX palliative chemotherapy (p=0,2574). The FACIT-G analysis demonstrated no worsening of quality of life (p=0,2411) during and between the four cycles of chemo. All different parameters included in FACIT-F questionnaires: emotional (p=0,2629), physical (p=0,3199), familiar (p=0,1456), functional (p=0,8662) and specific fatigue topic (p=0,7569) confirmed no difference between the cycles. Conclusions: Despite the metastatic stage of colon cancer patients and concurrent chemotherapy treatment, there was no fatigue improvement during the four first CAPOX chemo cycles courses and there was the maintenance of quality of life.

scholarly journals Physical Activity Dimensions Differentially Predict Physical and Mental Components of Health-Related Quality of Life: Evidence from a Sport for All Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13370
Author(s):  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Bruna R. Gouveia ◽  
Élvio R. Gouveia ◽  
Boris Cheval ◽  
Marcelo de Maio Nascimento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Health Profile ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between different dimensions of physical activity (PA) (i.e., work, sport, leisure) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (i.e., overall, physical component, mental component) in an adult lifespan sample of 381 active individuals (age range: 18–88 years; 38.8% men), while controlling for important covariates in terms of sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history. HRQoL was assessed using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Usual (i.e., previous 12 months) PA was assessed during face-to-face interviews using the Baecke questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses showed in Step 1 that the three PA dimensions work, sport, and leisure (entered simultaneously) together predicted 8%, 10%, and 4% of the variance in SF-12 total score, SF-12 physical component, and SF-12 mental component, respectively. In the final model, adjusting for sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history, sport emerged as the only PA dimension predicting SF-12 total score and the SF-12 physical component. In conclusion, health-policy targets at the community level should include the promotion of lifelong engagement in PA, especially sport, to allow the sustainability of HRQoL across the lifespan of our society.

scholarly journals Long Covid in adults discharged from UK hospitals after Covid-19: A prospective, multicentre cohort study using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Sigfrid ◽  
Tom M Drake ◽  
Ellen Pauley ◽  
Edwin C Jesudason ◽  
Piero Olliaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

Structured Abstract Objectives: The long-term consequences of severe Covid-19 requiring hospital admission are not well characterised. The objective of this study was to establish the long-term effects of Covid-19 following hospitalisation and the impact these may have on patient reported outcome measures. Design: A multicentre, prospective cohort study with at least 3 months follow-up of participants admitted to hospital between 5th February 2020 and 5th October 2020. Setting: 31 hospitals in the United Kingdom. Participants: 327 hospitalised participants discharged alive from hospital with confirmed/high likelihood SARS-CoV-2 infection. Main outcome measures and comparisons: The primary outcome was self-reported recovery at least ninety days after initial Covid-19 symptom onset. Secondary outcomes included new symptoms, new or increased disability (Washington group short scale), breathlessness (MRC Dyspnoea scale) and quality of life (EQ5D-5L). We compared these outcome measures across age, comorbidity status and in-hospital Covid-19 severity to identify groups at highest risk of developing long-term difficulties. Multilevel logistic and linear regression models were built to adjust for the effects of patient and centre level risk factors on these outcomes. Results: In total 53.7% (443/824) contacted participants responded, yielding 73.8% (327/443) responses with follow-up of 90 days or more from symptom onset. The median time between symptom onset of initial illness and completing the participant questionnaire was 222 days (Interquartile range (IQR) 189 to 269 days). In total, 54.7% (179/327) of participants reported they did not feel fully recovered. Persistent symptoms were reported by 93.3% (305/325) of participants, with fatigue the most common (82.8%, 255/308), followed by breathlessness (53.5%, 175/327). 46.8% (153/327) reported an increase in MRC dyspnoea scale of at least one grade. New or worse disability was reported by 24.2% (79/327) of participants. Overall (EQ5D-5L) summary index was significantly worse at the time of follow-up (median difference 0.1 points on a scale of 0 to 1, IQR: -0.2 to 0.0). Females under the age of 50 years were five times less likely to report feeling recovered (adjusted OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.64 to 15.74), were more likely to have greater disability (adjusted OR 4.22, 95% CI 1.12 to 15.94), twice as likely to report worse fatigue (adjusted OR 2.06, 95% CI 0.81 to 3.31) and seven times more likely to become more breathless (adjusted OR 7.15, 95% CI 2.24 to 22.83) than men of the same age. Conclusions: Survivors of Covid-19 experienced long-term symptoms, new disability, increased breathlessness, and reduced quality of life. These findings were present even in young, previously healthy working age adults, and were most common in younger females. Policymakers should fund further research to identify effective treatments for long-Covid and ensure healthcare, social care and welfare support is available for individuals with long-Covid.  

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