The clinical use of quality-of-life scales in neurological disorders

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Corallo ◽  
Rosaria De Luca ◽  
Roberta Leonardi ◽  
Simona De Salvo ◽  
Placido Bramanti ◽  
...  

ObjectiveQuality of life (QoL) is a growing issue in medicine, particularly in the evaluation of rehabilitative care. The concept of QoL is included in and expands the definition of health given by the WHO (World Health Organization) and comprises complete physical, mental, and social well-being. It expresses the degree of satisfaction in various areas as a result of the opportunities that arise during one's lifetime despite the restrictions and impediments that life itself puts forth. The last decade has exponentially increased the number of studies on QoL, although they are still limited.MethodsWe performed a literature review on the QoL scales used in patients with neurological disorders.ResultsRecent studies have shown the importance of QoL assessment because standard treatments do not assess the treatment impact felt by the patient. In fact, by understanding the impact of treatment on survival and QoL, one can make a clearer interpretation of the health of the patient.ConclusionThis review has adopted an innovative holistic methodological approach, which allowed a global evaluation of the comfort reported by the patients. The scales applied in this study allowed to choose the most suitable therapeutic strategies and programme individual therapeutic treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Stanisz ◽  
Ewelina Kolak ◽  
Dorota Branecka-Woźniak ◽  
Renata Robaszkiewicz-Boukaz ◽  
Przemysław Ciepiela ◽  
...  

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women, and is usually treated surgically. Mastectomy has a great influence on the mental and physical condition of women. Breast reconstruction offers them a chance to improve their quality of life (QOL) and self-image.The main aim of the study was to gain knowledge about the impact of breast reconstruction on the QOL of women following mastectomy, and an analysis of the QOL after breast reconstruction, in the context of prosthesis effect assessment.Materials and methods: The study comprised 100 women following breast reconstructive surgery involved in 1 of the 7 “Amazon Clubs” (post-mastectomy women’s associations) in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, northwest Poland. The study was based on the author’s questionnaire, and a shortened standardized version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Statistical calculations were performed with StatSoft Statistica v10 software, adopting a significance level of p < 0.05.Results: The women who decided to have breast reconstruction surgery, noticed improved well-being (67%) and experiencedan increase in self-confidence (61%). The vast majority ofthe patients surveyed (93%) were satisfied with the effectof the prosthesis. Statistically significant differences in QOL were observed in the following spheres: rest and sleep, work capacity, negative feelings, and financial resources (p < 0.05) in relation to the evaluation of the prosthesis effect.Conclusions: 1. Breast reconstruction has a positive influence on improvements in well-being, increasing self-esteem, and the assessment of a more attractive appearance in women of all ages. 2. Breast reconstruction surgery has a positive impact on QOL and health in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains, especially in the women who are satisfied with the effects of the surgery. 3. A negative assessment of the breast reconstruction effect has an adverse influence on QOL. Identifying the factors affecting dissatisfaction with the post-operative outcome is crucial for a complete understanding of the subject, and for implementing measures aimed at improving the QOL of these women.Keywords: quality of life; mastectomy; breast cancer; breast reconstruction; breast surgery.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 354-362
Author(s):  
M. I. Kamel

The effect of schistosomiasis on quality of life [QOL] and productivity of workers was examined. In a textile factory in Alexandria, Egypt, personal, occupational and sociodemographic data were collected from 172 workers with schistosomiasis and 172 workers without schistosomiasis. Several indicators of productivity and the World Health Organization QOL brief were used to determine the impact of schistosomiasis. The disease affected the general, physical and independence, psychological and spiritual, and social domains of QOL. Although the productivity score of workers with schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from the control group, they had significantly lower additional hours of work and lower total incentives/month. A significant relationship was found between severity of schistosomiasis and QOL domains and productivity indicators.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (suppl 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Dias Francisquini ◽  
Marcos Hirata Soares ◽  
Fernanda Pamela Machado ◽  
Margarita Antonia Villar Luis ◽  
Julia Trevisan Martins

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure and correlate the degree of psychological well-being, quality of life, and dispositional hope in family caregivers of schizophrenic people. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with 117 relatives of schizophrenic people. We applied a questionnaire of sociodemographic variables was applied, and the instruments World Health Organization 5-Item Well-Being (WHO-5), World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated (WHOQOL-Bref), and Dispositional Hope Scale. We used The Kruskal Wallis, Jonckheere-Terpstra, and Spearman correlation tests at the level α <0.05. Results: It was possible to observe statistical significance when comparing schooling and age with Disposal Hope; and when comparing the scales used. Conclusion: The study considered that well-being, quality of life, and hope are variables that negatively influence caregiver burden, suggesting schooling as an inverse correlation variable with Dispositional Hope.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando ◽  
Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella ◽  
Tamanda Hiwa ◽  
Sangwani Salimu ◽  
Mwai Banda ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Kangaroo mother care is known to help save the lives of preterm and low birthweight infants, particularly in resource-limited health settings, yet barriers to implementation have been documented. Mothers and their families are very involved in the process of providing kangaroo mother care and the impact on their well-being has not been well explored. The objective of this research was to investigate the perspectives and experiences of a mother’s quality of life while delivering facility-based kangaroo mother care. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of the qualitative data collected within the “Integrating a neonatal healthcare package for Malawi” project. Twenty-seven health workers and 24 caregivers engaged with kangaroo mother care at four hospitals in southern Malawi were interviewed between May–August 2019. All interviews were face-to-face and followed a topic guide. Content analysis was conducted on NVivo 12 (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia) based on the six World Health Organization Quality of Life domains (physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationships, environment, spirituality). Results Fifty-one interviews were conducted with 24 caregivers and 14 health workers. Mothers experienced multidimensional challenges to their quality of life while delivering facility-based KMC. Though kangaroo mother care was considered a simple intervention, participants highlighted that continuous kangaroo mother care was difficult to practice. Kangaroo mother care was an exhausting experience for mothers due to being in one position for prolonged periods, compromised sleep, restricted movement, boredom, and isolation during their stay at the hospital as well as poor support for daily living needs such as food. Discussion A heavy burden is placed on mothers who become the key person responsible for care during kangaroo mother care, especially in resource-limited health settings. More focus is needed on supporting caregivers during the delivery of kangaroo mother care through staff support, family inclusion, and conducive infrastructure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 990-998
Author(s):  
Shigeko Umezaki ◽  
Yusuke Shinoda ◽  
Akitake Mukasa ◽  
Shota Tanaka ◽  
Shunsaku Takayanagi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with glioma remain unclear; particularly, the impact of symptoms on quality of life has not been studied comprehensively. This study aims to document the quality of life of patients with glioma and clarify the impact of symptoms. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from patients at The University of Tokyo Hospital and from patients who were registered at the Japan Brain Tumor Alliance. We included adult patients with World Health Organization grade II–IV glioma and excluded those with disturbances of consciousness or aphasia. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and BN20 to evaluate quality of life and the symptoms. Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate the impact of symptoms on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer global health status and QLQ-C30 social functioning. In addition, we performed univariate subgroup analyses classified by World Health Organization grade and history of chemotherapy. Results This study included 76 patients. Seven symptoms occurred in more than 50% of the patients: fatigue, future uncertainty, drowsiness, communication deficit, financial difficulties, motor dysfunction and weakness of legs. Multiple regression analyses showed that insomnia affected their global health status, and appetite loss, financial difficulties and motor dysfunction were significantly related to their social functioning. In subgroup analysis, the number of symptom subscales that were significantly related to global health status and social functioning was larger in World Health Organization grade II patients compared with grade III/IV patients. Conclusions In addition to neurological deficits, symptoms were associated with poor quality of life in patients with glioma. This study provided the basis on further investigation of usefulness of symptom evaluation on quality of life improvement.


2021 ◽  
pp. 35-37
Author(s):  
Selvakumar Jagannathan ◽  
Kannan Ramiah ◽  
Valarmathy Selvakumar

Background:For populations with chronic disease, measurement of QOLprovides a meaningful way to determine the impact of health care when cure is not possible. Revicki and colleagues (2000) dene QOL as "a broad range of human experiences related to one's overall well-being. It implies value based on subjective functioning in comparison with personal expectations and is dened by subjective experiences, states and perceptions. The World Health Organization (2010) denes mental health as a state of positive mental condition in which one realizes his/her capabilities, manages the life stresses, put effort effectively and efciently, and is competent enough to put some contribution to his/her society. According to mental health model (Veit & Ware, 1983), there are two components of mental health, rst is psychological well-being and the other is psychological distress. Therefore, studying the relationship between quality of life and mental health of People with type II diabetes will reveal that to what extend a good quality of life have a relationship in maintaining better mental health in order to cope up with diabetes complications. Objective:The present study was undertaken to know the relationship between quality of life and mental health of people with Type II diabetes. Sample: 30 Type II diabetes were selected from the Diabetes Management Clinic in Rural areas for the assessment of quality of life and mental health. Methodology:The quality of life was assessed using “The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)” by John Flanagan (1970) and Mental health was assessed using “Mental health inventory (MHI)-18 items by Veit and ware (1983). Finding and Conclusion: The study revealed that there is a signicant relationship between quality of life and mental health of people with Type II diabetes


2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo T Berlim ◽  
Marcelo P A Fleck

Since the '70s, the assessment of quality of life (QOL) has grown from a 'small cottage' industry to a formal discipline within a coherent theoretical framework, accepted methods, and manifold applications. In recent years, QOL has become increasingly popular as a useful variable tailored to assess the overall impact of diseases and medical treatments from the patient's point of view. In this updating paper, we describe the most frequently used instruments, and discuss the conceptual and practical issues concerning QOL evaluation, as applied to the study of mental disorders. In addition, we present a unifying definition of QOL that has recently been developed by the World Health Organization. Finally, we conclude that QOL measures are potentially useful methods to be applied to research and clinical practice in psychiatry - especially when used to demonstrate the impact of mental illnesses and the possible benefits of therapeutic interventions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-31
Author(s):  
Maria Carla Da Silva ◽  
Paulo Henrique Pires De Aguiar

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization health is not merely the abscence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. To measure health and the effects of health care implies to assess changes in the frequency and severity of diseases and an estimation of well being. This can be done by measuring the improvement in the patient's quality of life. Quality of life is a broad and complex concept that involves the individual's perception of their life and is affected  by the person's physical health, psychological state, personal beliefs, social relationships and their interaction with the environment. Objective: To review articles on QOL assessment in patients with glioma. Material and method: A critical analysis of the literature was made. Conclusion: There are many QOL instruments available but very few designed for brain tumor patients. Brain tumors have an impact in someone's life that goes beyond physical impairment. Characteristics of the tumor itself and its treatment affect not only cognition but also social and emotional aspects of the patient's life. QOL assessment complements neurological and cognitive examination and provides valuable information for the development of new treatment. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (Especial 5) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Beatriz Cristina Bincoleto ◽  
Kemelli Adriana P.B. de Almeida ◽  
Sandra Silva Lustosa ◽  
Meire Aparecida Judai

The present study aimed to verify the relationship between quality of life and respiratory its influence on the physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals who present oral, oronasal and nasal breathing. 30 participants, of both sexes, were investigated: 15 oral and oronasal breathers, 15 nasal breathers, between 13 and 60 years old. A valid quality of life protocol - the World Health Organization quality Life - WHOQOL-BREF (WHOQ) Portuguese version was used. the existence of association between the groups studied in social and physical domains, with values (p <0.05) arbitrated, where mean of oral or nasal breath scores, was nasal respirator has better quality of life between domains. The study revealed that oral and oronasal breathers have worse quality of life than nasal breathers in physical and social aspects.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
S. Boucher ◽  
G. Duval ◽  
C. Annweiler

«Healthy aging», defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as « the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being » (1), needs the involvement of various physicians. The WHO-ICOPE (Integrated Care for Older People) approach was developed to early identify, diagnose and treat older adults’ frailties defined as impairments of at least one of the six intrinsic capacities (i.e., hearing, vision, mood, cognition, mobility and nutrition), which could precipitate functional loss and alter the quality of life (2). Among these intrinsic abilities, hearing is the sense of communication and socialization, and may influence the quality and accuracy of the medical examination and interview. Hearing impairment usually develop insidiously and is unrecognized or insufficiently self-reported by older patients. However, by 2050, the number of people with hearing loss will increase to over 900 million worldwide, mainly due to aging population.


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