scholarly journals Emergency department utilization among individuals with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-163
Author(s):  
Sean Murphy ◽  
Daniel L. Friesner ◽  
Robert Rosenman ◽  
Carin S. Waslo ◽  
Johnathan Au ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Emergency Department Utilization ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shunt Procedure

Purpose Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can be a debilitating disorder that is difficult to identify and treat. Failure to adequately manage IIH symptoms may force patients to present at emergency departments (EDs) seeking symptom relief. The purpose of this paper is to empirically characterize ED use by previously diagnosed IIH patients. Design/methodology/approach Patients diagnosed with IIH, and who registered with the Intracranial Hypertension Registry by 2014, were solicited for study inclusion. A survey was designed to elicit ED use during the period 2010–2012. Information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, IIH signs and symptoms, time since diagnosis, perspectives of ED use and quality of life was collected. Quality of life was assessed using an adaptation of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric hypothesis tests. Findings In total, 39 percent of IIH patients used emergency services over the study period; those that did used the services intensely. These patients were more likely to be non-white, live in households making less than $25,000 annually, have public insurance and have received a diversional shunt procedure. Patients who used the ED were less likely to live in households making $100,000, or more, annually and have private insurance. Participants who used the ED had significantly lower quality-of-life scores, were younger and had been diagnosed with IIH for less time. Originality/value ED staff and outside physicians can utilize the information contained in this study to more effectively recognize the unique circumstances of IIH patients who present at EDs.

scholarly journals Evaluation of edna: arts and dance for older people

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Skingley ◽  
Stephanie De'Ath ◽  
Luci Napleton
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Older People ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Art Forms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact on health and well-being of participation in dance and arts activities by older people living in the community. Design/methodology/approach – A small-scale, mixed methods research design comprising pretest-posttest evaluation of a three month dance and arts programme. Two groups of older people underwent physical measures and completed a self-report quality of life questionnaire. Written comments and interview data were also gathered. Findings – Physical tests (n=14) demonstrated improvements in posture, shoulder mobility and balance in both groups following the intervention, with some measures reaching statistical significance. Quality of life evaluations (n=21) also showed improvement, with the mental health subscale reaching statistical significance. Qualitative data showed that participants enjoyed the programme and felt physical, psychological and social benefits. Research limitations/implications – The research involved only a small sample of volunteers and a limited programme length which limits its generalisability. The absence of a control group means that causality cannot be inferred. Future research should extend recruitment to a wider geographical area and a longer intervention which includes a control group. Practical implications – Future arts interventions for older people should include consultation prior to, and throughout the project. Commissioners should consider supporting arts for health projects, building in additional funding for evaluative work. Originality/value – This study has added to the evidence base through combining art forms within a mixed methods framework, illustrating the interplay between the art forms, the outcomes and the potential role of social context.

Hypofractionated Palliative Radiotherapy (17 Gy per two fractions) in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma Is Comparable to Standard Fractionation for Symptom Control and Survival: A National Phase III Trial

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein Sundstrøm ◽  
Roy Bremnes ◽  
Ulf Aasebø ◽  
Steinar Aamdal ◽  
Reidulv Hatlevoll ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Significant Difference

Purpose To investigate whether the effect of hypofractionated thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) is comparable to more standard fractionated radiotherapy (RT) in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods A total of 421 patients with locally advanced stage III or stage IV NSCLC tumors were included. Inclusion criteria were inoperable, disease too advanced for curative radiotherapy, and chest symptoms or central tumor threatening the airways. Patients were randomly assigned to three arms: A, 17 Gy per two fractions (n = 146); B, 42 Gy per 15 fractions (n = 145); and C, 50 Gy per 25 fractions (n = 130). Four hundred seven patients were eligible for the study; 395 patients (97%) participated in the health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and EORTC QLQ-lung cancer–specific module (LC13) were used to investigate airway symptom relief and changes in HRQOL. Assessments were performed before TRT and until week 54. Clinicians' assessments of symptom improvement were at 2, 6, and 14 weeks after completion of TRT. The patients were observed for a minimum of 3 years. Results Baseline prognostic data were equally distributed in the treatment groups. Patient compliance with respect to the HRQOL investigation was minimum 74%. HRQOL and symptom relief were equivalent in the treatment arms. No significant difference in survival among arms A, B, and C was found, with median survival 8.2, 7.0, and 6.8 months, respectively. Conclusion Our data indicate that protracted palliative TRT renders no improvement in symptom relief, HRQOL, or survival when compared with short-term hypofractionated treatment in advanced NSCLC.

Relationship between quality of life and physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Cuesta Vargas ◽  
David Perez Cruzado ◽  
Alejandro Rodriguez Moya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Aerobic Condition ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Purpose People with intellectual disabilities have lower levels of physical fitness compared with peers without intellectual disability, because of the high levels of sedentary behaviour in this population. This study aims to know the relationship between quality of life and physical fitness in adults with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach Ninety-six adults with intellectual disability were assessed with quality of life questionnaire and physical fitness tests, which involve balance, muscle strength, flexibility and aerobic condition. Findings Adults with higher self-reported levels of quality of life reported higher levels of physical fitness in balance, muscular strength and flexibility. In contrast, in aerobic condition were not found significant correlations with self-reported quality of life. Originality/value These findings support the hypothesis that people with intellectual disability with lower levels of physical fitness could influence in their levels of quality of life. This insight is useful for improving treatments to improve physical fitness in this population.

scholarly journals Intracranial Pressure Directly Predicts Headache Morbidity in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mollan ◽  
Benjamin Wakerley ◽  
Zerin Alimajstorovic ◽  
James Mitchell ◽  
Ryan Ottridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Headache Severity ◽  
Cutaneous Allodynia

Abstract Objective: Headache is the predominant disabler in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim was to characterise headache and investigate the association with intracranial pressure.Methods: IIH:WT was a randomised controlled parallel group multicentre trial in the United Kingdom investigating weight management methods in IIH. Participants with active IIH (evidenced by papilloedema) and a body mass index (BMI) ≥35kg/m2 were recruited. At baseline, 12 months and 24 months headache characteristics and quality of life outcome measures were collected and lumbar puncture measurements were performed.Results: Sixty-six women with active IIH were included with a mean age of 32.0 years (SD ± 7.8), and mean body mass index of 43.9 ± 7.0 kg/m2. The headache phenotype was migraine-like in 86%. Headache severity correlated with ICP at baseline (r=0.285; p=0.024); change in headache severity and monthly headache days correlated with change in ICP at 12 months (r=0.454, p=0.001 and r=0.419, p=0.002 respectively). Cutaneous allodynia was significantly correlated with ICP at 12 months. (r=0.479, p<0.001). Boot strap analysis noted a positive association between ICP at 12 and 24 months and enabled prediction of both change in headache severity and monthly headache days. ICP was associated with significant improvements in quality of life (SF-36).Conclusions: We demonstrate a positive relationship between ICP and headache and cutaneous allodynia, which has not been previously reported in IIH. Those with the greatest reduction in ICP over 12 months had the greatest reduction in headache frequency and severity; this was associated with improvement of quality of life measures.Classification of evidence: This work provides Class IIa evidence of the association of raised intracranial pressure and headache. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02124486.

Antipsychotic pitfalls: idiopathic intracranial hypertension and antipsychotic-induced weight gain

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e236161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirofumi Namiki
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Blurred Vision ◽  
Poor Vision ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotics

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition associated with poor vision and headaches that can cause disability and reduced quality of life. The onset of IIH is typically associated with sudden weight gain and obesity, which may be due to first-generation or second-generation antipsychotics. This case involved the use of quetiapine in an obese, 28-year-old woman; she gained significant weight after starting the antipsychotic and later developed headaches and blurred vision. Reducing quetiapine and administering acetazolamide significantly improved her symptoms within 4 weeks. This case reminds physicians to consider IIH as a cause of headache and vision loss in patients who have gained weight after starting or increasing quetiapine.

scholarly journals Quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension at diagnosis: IIH Treatment Trial results

Neurology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (24) ◽  
pp. 2449-2456 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. Digre ◽  
B. B. Bruce ◽  
M. P. McDermott ◽  
K. M. Galetta ◽  
L. J. Balcer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension ◽  
Treatment Trial
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