Is Thyroid Autoimmunity per se a Determinant of Quality of Life in Patients with Autoimmune Hypothyroidism?

Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) were originally designed to replace endogenous erythropoietin in patients with anemia secondary to renal failure. Their use has subsequently been expanded to include patients with anemia of other causes, including cancer patients, in whom deficiency of erythropoietin, per se, is not the primary cause of anemia. Although early studies showed promise of ESA administration in reducing the need for transfusions and improving the quality of life in cancer patients, several large randomized clinical trials have recently shown a potential detrimental effect of ESA administration on tumor progression and survival in these patients. These studies have called into question the safety of ESAs as supportive therapy in patients being treated for oncologic conditions. However, numerous questions remain to be addressed regarding the design of these studies, the effect of various targeted hemoglobin levels, and the potential biologic mechanisms proposed to explain promotion of tumor progression and reduced survival.

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Quality of Life and Anxiety in Adolescents with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2012-1823 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 97 (10) ◽

pp. E1933-E1937 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Asaf Oren ◽

Melissa Anne Benoit ◽

Anne Murphy ◽

Fiona Schulte ◽

Jill Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer ◽

Lymph Node Involvement ◽

Autoimmune Hypothyroidism ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Node Involvement ◽

Anxiety Levels

Abstract Context: Adolescents with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) require lifelong monitoring with a high possibility of reoperation or radioactive iodine. Although adult DTC survivors have similar or slightly worse quality of life (QOL), this has not been evaluated in the pediatric population. Objective: Our objective was to compare QOL and anxiety in adolescents with DTC to patients with acquired autoimmune hypothyroidism. Design, Setting, and Patients: In this cross-sectional pilot study, three validated questionnaires were administered to 16 adolescents with DTC and 16 controls for assessment of QOL and anxiety levels. These included teen and parent PedsQL, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and Coddington Life Events Scales for Adolescents. The contribution of age, time since diagnosis, and biochemical variables were compared with the outcome measures. Results: There were 16 DTC patients (seven males); 13 had papillary carcinoma, one had follicular carcinoma, and two had mixed type. At diagnosis, five DTC patients had lymph node involvement and two had lung metastases, although at time of assessment, only one DTC patient had lymph node involvement. DTC patients were older than control subjects (P = 0.004) and had lower TSH levels than control subjects at time of assessment (P = 0.013). QOL and anxiety levels did not differ between DTC patients compared with control subjects and with previously reported scores in a healthy cohort. QOL and anxiety level parameters were not influenced by age, time since diagnosis, or free T4 levels measured at the time of assessment. Conclusions: Adolescents with DTC have similar QOL and anxiety levels compared with autoimmune hypothyroidism patients and with a healthy normative population.

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Disease-Specific as Well as Generic Quality of Life Is Widely Impacted in Autoimmune Hypothyroidism and Improves during the First Six Months of Levothyroxine Therapy

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0156925 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. e0156925 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Kristian Hillert Winther ◽

Per Cramon ◽

Torquil Watt ◽

Jakob Bue Bjorner ◽

Ola Ekholm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Autoimmune Hypothyroidism ◽

Generic Quality ◽

Disease Specific

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Expression of Value System in the Samogitian Daily Discourse of the 2nd Half of the 20th Century

Vilnius University Open Series ◽

10.15388/vllp.2020.7 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 134-162

Author(s):

Jūratė Pajėdienė

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

20Th Century ◽

Common Sense ◽

Ethnic Community ◽

Ethical Values ◽

Life Changes ◽

Value System ◽

The Gift ◽

Per Se

The analysis of the material found in the sources of the Samogitian discourse of the second half of the 20th century, which builds upon the model of the categorization of values proposed by Viktor E. Frankl, makes it clear that the Samogitian daily discourse mainly focuses on creative values. Work is described as essential to everyone and making no harm to the human being. The person’s diligence is associated with one’s abilities, agility, understanding and trustworthiness, because many jobs require people’s collective action. Samogitians are convinced that diligence enables the person to live, to get rich and experience the meaning of life. Both personally and as a member of an ethnic community a Samogitian construes diligence as a quality giving an advantage over others and providing good grounds to brag. The possibility of subsistence and the quality of life are linked with work. However, excessive diligence is considered harmful, and therefore Samogitians advise not to forget common sense while working.The values which are based on experience and feeling are discussed far less commonly. In the sources of Samogitian discourse the expression of exper iential values is linked with joy and surprise about simple objects from the daily environment and the intention to draw the interlocutor’s attention towards them. Love is described as a universal feeling, but Samogitians are not prone to talk openly about it, unless they speak about the stories of their past.The person actualizes attitudinal values whenever he or she is confronted with the restrictions of life and reacts to the suffering sent by one’s fate. Samogitians are used to describe every person’s situation as resulting from the higher force or determined by one’s fate. The gift of life is described as meaningful per se and providing self-confidence.Hardships, troubles and pain are described as temporary conditions, which are easier to live through when one knows that it is always better to be alive than dead. Ethical values always require people to refuse certain temptations. Circumspection allows individuals to avoid deception in the form of abuse or flattery and to keep one’s dignity. The promotion of respect towards another and self-respect is based on the principle of equality by proposing not to treat others as you would not want them to treat you.The available sources of Samogitian discourse include a number of observations that the continuously improving conditions of life and work change people’s behaviour and values: an easier life changes people’s communication towards seclusion and alienation, reduces diligence and concern over the future, promotes effeminacy and lack of self-restraint expressed through the choice of a less virtuous lifestyle. According to interlocutors, the Samogitian language itself changes as well.

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Headache and Shunt-Related Impact on Activities of Daily Life in Patients Growing Up with a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

Journal of Neurological Surgery Part A Central European Neurosurgery ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1606852 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 79 (03) ◽

pp. 196-199

Author(s):

Lina Bellstädt ◽

Hans-Jakob Steiger ◽

Sevgi Sarikaya-Seiwert ◽

Thomas Beez

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Headache ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Daily Life ◽

Future Research ◽

Psychosocial Outcome ◽

Growing Up ◽

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts ◽

Per Se

Background/Aims Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) are a mainstay of treatment for hydrocephalus. Morbidity related to infection and dysfunction is well known, whereas data on psychosocial outcome and quality of life are scarce. Our aim was to assess headache burden and shunt-related impact on daily life in children growing up with a VPS. Methods Patients between 3 and 21 years of age were identified and their families were contacted. A set of standardized questionnaires was used to assess headache and quality of life. Results Fifteen patients with a mean age of 12 years agreed to participate in this study. Satisfaction with the VPS and improvement of the patient's condition was reported by 87%. A total of 67% denied negative impact on everyday life, reported a headache less than once a month, and never or rarely miss school. However, 53% take precautions before special activities. Conclusions The results demonstrate that modern VPS systems are tolerated very well and do not per se reduce quality of life. However, patients adapt to the presence of a VPS by avoiding risks and taking precautions. Chronic headache is not a major problem and not necessarily attributed to the VPS. Nevertheless, most patients asked for technical improvements, which might guide future research and the technical development of VPS.

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Relationship between Thyroid Autoimmunity and Depression, Quality of Life, and Disease Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Turkish Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.5152/tjr.2010.16 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 130-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bedriye Mermerci Baskan ◽

Filiz Sivas ◽

Lale Akbulut Aktekin ◽

Fatma Gul Yurdakul ◽

Nilay Kilic Cinar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

Disease Symptoms

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A Commentary on the Social Perspective on Creativity

Creativity Theories – Research – Applications ◽

10.1515/ctra-2015-0003 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 21-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Mark A. Runco

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Divergent Thinking ◽

Social Recognition ◽

Social Perspective ◽

The Social ◽

Per Se ◽

Creativity Studies

AbstractThis commentary examines the social perspective on creativity, as presented in the featured article. There are several attractive aspects to the social perspective, but serious limitations as well, which are detailed in this commentary. The assumptions of the social perspective are also discussed. The most questionable of these assumes that social recognition and impact are inherent parts of creativity. The parsimonious alternative is to define creativity such that it includes only what is related to creativity per se and to recognize that social recognition may follow creation and is certainly extricable from it. A defence of this parsimonious view is presented. A brief discussion of possible crises in the field of creativity studies is also presented, with one suggestion being that the diverse approaches used in the field represent a kind of divergent thinking and as such represent progress, even though it is not linear. This commentary concludes with a discussion about creativity being vital for quality of life. That perspective differs dramatically from the product view of creativity which is often tied to a social perspective.

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Precision Medicine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.750380 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Martina Ferrari ◽

Francesca Ragusa ◽

Giusy Elia ◽

Sabrina Rosaria Paparo ◽

Valeria Mazzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Autoimmune Thyroiditis ◽

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

Liquid Solution ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases ◽

Autoimmune Thyroid ◽

Organ Specific ◽

New Treatments ◽

And Function

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are T-cell-mediated organ specific autoimmune disorders, deriving from an altered response of the immune system that leads to the immune attack to the thyroid. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD) are the two principal AITD clinical presentations. Hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are, respectively, the clinical hallmarks of HT and GD. Patients with autoimmune thyroiditis are treated daily with synthetic L-thyroxine (L-T4) at the dose of 1.5–1.7 μg/kg. Various L-T4 formulations are commercially available (tablet, liquid solution, or soft gel capsule). L-T4 in tablets is generally prescribed to treat hypothyroidism, whereas the liquid formulation, or soft gel capsules, can be administered in hypothyroid patients in case of malabsorption or in patients in therapy with drugs interfering with L-T4 absorption. Furthermore, myoinositol has a crucial role in thyroid autoimmunity and function. Clinical studies reported a significant decline in TSH and antithyroid autoantibodies levels after treatment with myoinositol + selenium in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis. Moreover, thyroidectomy can be rarely recommended in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, with cosmetic reasons for a goiter, or with important signs or symptoms of local compression, or nodular disease with a “suspicious” cytology for malignancy. Furthermore, a recent randomized trial suggested that total thyroidectomy can improve quality of life and fatigue, while medical therapy did not. In this review, we overview currently available evidence in personalized medicine in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. Further research is needed in larger population to investigate the effect of these new treatments on quality of life.

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Self-Compassion and Quality of Life in Adults Who Stutter

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-20-00055 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 2097-2108

Author(s):

Robyn L. Croft ◽

Courtney T. Byrd

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

The Self ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Adults Who Stutter ◽

And Gender ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify levels of self-compassion in adults who do and do not stutter and to determine whether self-compassion predicts the impact of stuttering on quality of life in adults who stutter. Method Participants included 140 adults who do and do not stutter matched for age and gender. All participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale. Adults who stutter also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering. Data were analyzed for self-compassion differences between and within adults who do and do not stutter and to predict self-compassion on quality of life in adults who stutter. Results Adults who do and do not stutter exhibited no significant differences in total self-compassion, regardless of participant gender. A simple linear regression of the total self-compassion score and total Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering score showed a significant, negative linear relationship of self-compassion predicting the impact of stuttering on quality of life. Conclusions Data suggest that higher levels of self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connectedness (i.e., self-compassion) are related to reduced negative reactions to stuttering, an increased participation in daily communication situations, and an improved overall quality of life. Future research should replicate current findings and identify moderators of the self-compassion–quality of life relationship.

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Misophonia: An Evidence-Based Case Report

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2020_aja-19-00111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 685-690

Author(s):

C. S. Vanaja ◽

Miriam Soni Abigail

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Case Report ◽

Case History ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Management Option ◽

Pure Tone Audiogram

Purpose Misophonia is a sound tolerance disorder condition in certain sounds that trigger intense emotional or physiological responses. While some persons may experience misophonia, a few patients suffer from misophonia. However, there is a dearth of literature on audiological assessment and management of persons with misophonia. The purpose of this report is to discuss the assessment of misophonia and highlight the management option that helped a patient with misophonia. Method A case study of a 26-year-old woman with the complaint of decreased tolerance to specific sounds affecting quality of life is reported. Audiological assessment differentiated misophonia from hyperacusis. Management included retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy based on the principles described by P. J. Jastreboff and Jastreboff (2014). A misophonia questionnaire was administered at regular intervals to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. Results A detailed case history and audiological evaluations including pure-tone audiogram and Johnson Hyperacusis Index revealed the presence of misophonia. The patient benefitted from intervention, and the scores of the misophonia questionnaire indicated a decrease in the severity of the problem. Conclusions It is important to differentially diagnose misophonia and hyperacusis in persons with sound tolerance disorders. Retraining counseling as well as desensitization and habituation therapy can help patients who suffer from misophonia.

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