A Survey Comparing Tcm Diagnosis, Health Status and Medical Diagnosis in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meaghan Coyle ◽  
Caroline Smith

Introduction For many women, undergoing assisted reproductive technology can be a difficult experience, and can result in changes in physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Recent research has suggested that acupuncture may be helpful for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. To date, there is no information describing the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes seen in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology, or relationships between TCM and Western medicine diagnoses. Objective To examine the health status of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology from both Western and Chinese medicine perspectives. Methods One hundred and eighty women were included in the study. All underwent a TCM diagnosis, 177 (98.3%) completed the quality of life questionnaire SF36. Information about Western medicine diagnosis was collected from case notes and was available for 176 (97.7%) women. Results Women in the trial reported poorer health on several domains of the SF36 compared with the South Australian population. The most common TCM diagnosis was ‘Kidney Yang deficiency’, diagnosed for 53.9% of patients. A TCM diagnosis of Qi or ‘Blood stagnation’ was associated with poorer quality of life on the mental health, emotional role function and social function domains of the SF36. No associations were found between TCM diagnosis and physical or general health components of the SF36. Conclusions Associations between TCM and reproductive health diagnoses were demonstrated. Emotional health and wellbeing is an important aspect of patient care that needs to be addressed in clinical practice and research studies, as the findings suggest that this aspect of their health is often poorer during assisted reproductive technology.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwagbohunmi Awosoga ◽  
Claudia Steinke ◽  
Christina Nord ◽  
Jon Doan ◽  
Stephanie Varsanyi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Numerous studies have found negative outcomes between shift work and physical, emotional, and mental health. Many professional caregivers are required to work shifts outside of the typical 9 am to 5 pm workday. Here, we explore whether shift work affects the health and wellbeing of long-term care (LTC) and assisted-living (AL) professional caregivers. Method The Caring for Professional Caregivers research study was conducted across 39 LTC and AL facilities in Alberta, Canada. Of the 1385 questionnaires distributed, 933 surveys (67.4%) were returned completed. After identifying 49 questions that significantly explained variances in the reported health status of caregivers, we examined whether there was a relationship between these questions and reported health status of caregivers working night shifts. Results We found significant differences between responses from those working different shifts across six of seven domains, including physical health, health conditions, mental/emotional health, quality of life, and health behaviors. In particular, we found that night shift caregivers were more likely to report incidents of poor heath (i.e., they lacked energy, had regular presences of neck and back pain, regular or infrequent incidents of fatigue or low energy, had difficulty falling asleep, and that they never do exercise) and less likely to report incidents of good health (i.e., did not expect their health to improve, were not satisfied with their health, do not have high self-esteem/were happy, were unhappy with their physical appearance, and do not get a good night’s sleep), compared to caregivers working other shifts. Conclusions Our study shows that professional caregivers working the night shift experience poor health status, providing further evidence that night shift workers’ health is at risk. In particular, caregivers reported negative evaluations of their physical, mental/emotional health, lower ratings of their quality of life, and negative responses to questions concerning whether they engage in healthy behaviors. Our findings can support healthcare stakeholders outline future policies that ensure caregivers are adequately supported so that they provide quality care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Yao ◽  
Li Liu

Oral ulcer is a kind of ulcerative injury that occurs in the oral mucosa and is very common in clinic. In severe case, it can affect the quality of life of the patients. Western medicine treatment of oral ulcer is often prone to relapse, while the effect of traditional Chinese medicine treatment is remarkable.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 528-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine Hours ◽  
Inès Khati ◽  
Pierrette Charnay ◽  
Laetitia Chossegros ◽  
Hélène Tardy ◽  
...  

Objective.To compare health status, effect on family, occupational consequences, and quality of life (QOL) 1 year after an accident between patients with whiplash versus other mild injuries, and to explore the relationship between initial injury (whiplash vs other) and QOL.Methods.This was a prospective cohort study. The study used data from the ESPARR cohort (a representative cohort of road accident victims) and included 173 individuals with “pure” whiplash and 207 with other mild injuries. QOL at 1-year followup was assessed on the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Correlations between explanatory variables and QOL were explored by Poisson regression to provide adjusted relative risks, with ANOVA for the various QOL scores explored.Results.One year post-accident, more patients who had whiplash than other casualties complained of nonrecovery of health status (56% vs 43%) and of the occupational effect of pain (31% vs 23%). QOL and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were similar in the 2 groups. Impaired QOL did not correlate with whiplash when models were adjusted on sociodemographic variables and history of psychological distress. Whatever the initial lesion, PTSD was a determining factor for poorer QOL.Conclusion.Sociodemographic factors, preaccident psychological history prior to the accident, and PTSD were the main factors influencing QOL, rather than whether the injury was whiplash. PTSD may also be related to pain.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Xue Bai ◽  
Na Ta ◽  
Guo-Hua Gong ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Cheng-Xi Wei

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used, in conjunction with conventional Western medicine, in clinical practice around the world to treat breast cancer. The study systematically reviewed and summarized the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with integrated treatment method vs. conventional Western medicine. Methods. Eight databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Data knowledge service platform were searched in this study. The retrieval period was set from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020. Results. Twenty-two high-quality publications were included in this study. The total sample size was 1689 patients including 844 in the intervention group receiving traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional Western medicine and 845 patients in the control group receiving conventional Western medicine only. Compared with the single-used conventional Western medicine treatment, an integrated approach to treat breast cancer can increase quality of life measured by rating scales (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI (1.07, 1.52) and P = 0.01 ) and ranking scales (RR = 1.53, 95% CI (1.39 1.68) and P = 0.02 ) and also decrease adverse reactions measured by rating scales (Z = 10.89, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.258 , SMD = 1.03; and Group 2: I2 = 31.6%, P = 0.199 , SMD = 1.56). For further analysis, chemotherapy with epirubicin exhibited higher quality of life than the chemotherapy without epirubicin among breast cancer patients [Z = 19.80, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 62.4%, P = 0.070 , SMD = 1.61; and Group 2: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.359 , SMD = 1.04]. Despite the heterogeneity, which was due to a portion of relative low-quality literature or other factors, the results were satisfactory. In terms of secondary results, the patients with lower tumor markers (CEA and CA153) had better efficiency in quality of life with a statistically significant difference (SMD = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10,1.67) for rating scales. In addition, secondary results related to high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.20, 1.48)) and the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (RR = 1.50, 95% CI (1.28, 1.80))showed lower quality of life in the intervention group than the control group for ranking scales. Conclusion. Traditional Chinese medicine, when used in conjunction with the conventional Western medicine, could be an effective way in improving the quality of life and alleviating incidence of associated adverse symptoms such as gastrointestinal adverse reactions, value of tumor markers, and the incidence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome. Further investigation of larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and appropriate comparison groups is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Michela Di Trani ◽  

To evaluate the psycho-physical well-being of people coping with infertility who were forced to suspend ART treatment due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 global health emergency.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoudreza Peyravi ◽  
Mehdi Amirkhani ◽  
Faeze Abadi ◽  
Ali Abbasijahromi ◽  
Shima Sheidaie ◽  
...  

Background: Nowadays, the quality of life of hemodialysis patients has decreased, which doubled the need for educational interventions. Objectives: The current study investigated the effect of positive thinking training on different dimensions of quality of life of hemodialysis patients. Methods: This is a controlled clinical trial study conducted on 70 hemodialysis patients in Fasa, Fars province, in 2019. The patients were selected using the simple sampling method. Then, they were divided into two groups of intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 35). After obtaining informed consent, the researchers asked the participants to complete the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. The intervention group was trained positive thinking skills in 8 workshop sessions; each lasted for 90 minutes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. To analyze the data, statistical tests such as chi-square, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent, and t-test were used. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the patients’ quality of life in the intervention group increased from 35.95 ± 10.07 to 55.98 ± 11.71 (P < 0.001). The changes in patients’ quality of life before and after the intervention were also assessed in 8 dimensions, which showed that the quality of life of the patients did not change significantly in terms of physical function (P = 0.42) and physical pain (P = 0.62), but for other dimensions, it was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Positive thinking training improved the quality of life of hemodialysis patients, particularly in the dimensions of the emotional role, emotional health, energy and vitality, social performance, and general health is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-704
Author(s):  
Asmaa Zaidouni ◽  
Fatima Ouasmani ◽  
Amal Benbella ◽  
Fouad Ktiri ◽  
Zakaria Abidli ◽  
...  

Context: Infertility is one of the most painful experiences that can have a negative impact in many areas of an individual’s life. Providing quality care to infertile couples requires health professionals to explore their experiences and needs to plan effective supportive interventions. Objectives: To explore the experiences and needs of Moroccan infertile couples in Assisted Reproductive Technology. Material and Methods: This is a qualitative exploratory study. It involves 40 infertile couples (men and women) and 5 health professionals as key informants. Infertile couples were selected among those attending the first public center for Assisted Reproductive Technology in Morocco located in Rabat during the period 2017-2018. In-depth unstructured interviews, field notes were used with couples and semi-structured interviews with health professionals. The analysis of the interview data was based on a conventional content analysis method. Results: Five types of needs were identified among infertile Moroccan couples, namely: i. Infertility and social support; ii. Infertility and financial support; iii. Infertility and spiritual support; iv. Infertility and informational support; v. Infertility and emotional support. Conclusion: Infertile moroccan couples experienced many emotional, psychosocial and economic difficulties that can negatively affect their quality of life. Thus, to meet the needs and expectations of these couples alongside their medical treatment, it’s necessary to develop couple-centered approaches, which can improve their quality of life, treatment outcomes and mitigate negative psychosocial consequences. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(4) 2020 p.697-704


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510292093307
Author(s):  
Alessia Renzi ◽  
Michela Di Trani ◽  
Luigi Solano ◽  
Elisa Minutolo ◽  
Renata Tambelli

Infertility is a deeply distressing experience, which can threaten important personal and martial goals, frequently affecting the psychophysical health. A supportive relationship and a secure romantic attachment appear to reduce infertility stress, as well as play a relevant role in the success of assisted reproductive technology treatments. The principal aim of the study is to investigate the predictive effect of romantic attachment, couple characteristics, quality of life and age on assisted reproductive technology outcome. A total of 88 infertile women, enrolled in an assisted reproductive technology Centre of Rome, completed the Experience in Close Relationship-Revised, the Couple Relationship Inventory, the Fertility Quality of Life and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The participants completed the questionnaires at the beginning of the medical treatment. Data analyses showed significant associations among Experience in Close Relationship-Revised dimensions, Couple Relationship Inventory and Fertility Quality of Life Scales. Assisted reproductive technology outcome was negatively correlated to Experience in Close Relationship-Revised Avoidance and positively related to Couple Relationship Inventory Dependence. A multi-variable logistic regression revealed that Experience in Close Relationship-Revised Avoidance decreased the probability of pregnancy. The present findings partially confirmed the study hypotheses since several associations among couple characteristics, attachment anxiety and avoidance dimensions, infertility-related quality of life in infertile women were found. Furthermore, according to a definition of Avoidance, assisted reproductive technology positive outcome appears to be associated to lower levels of fear of dependence and interpersonal intimacy, and to a low need both for self-reliance and for reluctance to self-disclose within the romantic relationship. Further investigations are needed both to confirm this preliminary finding and for promoting focused therapeutic interventions for couples facing assisted reproductive technology.


2016 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 978-987.e4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Santulli ◽  
Mathilde Bourdon ◽  
Marion Presse ◽  
Vanessa Gayet ◽  
Louis Marcellin ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berend J. Slotman ◽  
Murielle E. Mauer ◽  
Andrew Bottomley ◽  
Corinne Faivre-Finn ◽  
Gijs W.P.M. Kramer ◽  
...  

Purpose Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) leads to significantly fewer symptomatic brain metastases and improved survival. Detailed effects of PCI on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are reported here. Patients and Methods Patients (age, 18 to 75 years; WHO ≤ 2) with ED-SCLC, and any response to chemotherapy, were randomly assigned to either observation or PCI. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and patient-reported symptoms were secondary end points. The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer core HRQOL tool (Quality of Life Questionnaire C30) and brain module (Quality of Life Questionnaire Brain Cancer Module) were used to collect self-reported patient data. Six HRQOL scales were selected as primary HRQOL end points: global health status; hair loss; fatigue; and role, cognitive and emotional functioning. Assessments were performed at random assignment, 6 weeks, 3 months, and then 3-monthly up to 1 year and 6-monthly thereafter. Results Compliance with the HRQOL assessment was 93.7% at baseline and dropped to 60% at 6 weeks. Short-term results up to 3 months showed that there was a negative impact of PCI on selected HRQOL scales. The largest mean difference between the two arms was observed for fatigue and hair loss. The impact of PCI on global health status as well as on functioning scores was more limited. For global health status, the observed mean difference was eight points on a scale 0 to 100 at 6 weeks (P = .018) and 3 months (P = .055). Conclusion PCI should be offered to all responding ED SCLC patients. Patients should be informed of the potential adverse effects from PCI. Clinicians should be alert to these; monitor their patients; and offer appropriate support, clinical, and psychosocial care.


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