Cochlear Implantation in the Elderly: Results and Quality-of-Life Assessment

2002 ◽  
Vol 111 (10) ◽  
pp. 890-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid R. Djalilian ◽  
Sharon L. Smith ◽  
Timothy A. King ◽  
Samuel C. Levine

To assess the efficacy, quality of life, and complication rate of cochlear implantation in patients over 60 years of age, we performed a retrospective chart review of 31 cochlear implant patients more than 60 years old at the time of surgery (mean, 70 years; range, 62 to 86 years). All patients had improvement in their audiological test results after operation. Twenty-eight patients (93%) are regular implant users at a median follow-up of 12 months. Major complications occurred in 2 patients (6%). We conclude that cochlear implantation in the elderly population has excellent results, with a complication rate similar to that in patients less than 60 years old, and yields an improved quality of life.

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (07) ◽  
pp. 483-492
Author(s):  
Michele Manahan ◽  
Pablo Baltodano ◽  
Myrna Reinhardt ◽  
Li Xie ◽  
Justin Muste ◽  
...  

Background Proper patient counseling regarding reconstruction after prophylactic mastectomy (PM) requires greater understanding of quality of life (QoL) and aesthetic outcomes. Our study evaluates these end points using the validated BREAST-Q and Garbay system. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of 1,254 mastectomy patients (July 2008 through July 2012). Of those with completed preoperative BREAST-Q and reconstruction with a minimum of 6-month follow-up, 18 underwent bilateral PM (BPM), 36 underwent contralateral PM (CPM), and 30 matched controls were selected who underwent unilateral therapeutic mastectomy (TM) with contralateral symmetry procedure. Preoperative and 6-month postreconstruction BREAST-Q scores were compared within and between groups. Subsequently, aesthetic evaluation of 21 of a group of randomly selected reconstructions (7 TM, 7 CPM, and 7 BPM) was performed by 14 plastic surgery researchers. Potential correlations between aesthetic evaluations and QoL outcomes were examined. Results Demographic characteristics, preoperative satisfaction scores, and postoperative morbidity rates were similar among all three groups. Although reconstruction after BPM was associated with improved aesthetic outcomes (p < 0.001), a significant postoperative increase in satisfaction with breasts was noted only in the TM group (p = 0.006). CPM was associated with improved psychosocial well-being (p = 0.039) in our study. No further significant differences were noted. Conclusion Although BPM with reconstruction is associated with higher aesthetic outcomes compared with CPM or TM, QoL is not significantly increased. Reconstruction after CPM, but not BPM, is associated with increased psychosocial well-being. These valuable findings should be taken into account during preoperative counseling regarding elective PMs.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
Seung Kim ◽  
Mireu Park ◽  
Eunyoung Kim ◽  
Ga Eun Kim ◽  
Jae Hwa Jung ◽  
...  

We share our experience on the implementation of a multidisciplinary aerodigestive program comprising an aerodigestive team (ADT) so as to evaluate its feasibility. We performed a retrospective chart review of the patients discussed at the monthly ADT meetings and analyzed the data. A total of 98 children were referred to the ADT during the study period. The number of cases increased steadily from 3.5 cases per month in 2019 to 8.5 cases per month in 2020. The median age of patients was 34.5 months, and 55% were male. Among the chronic comorbidities, neurologic disease was the most common (85%), followed by respiratory (36%) and cardiac (13%) disorders. The common reasons for consultation were suspected aspiration (56%), respiratory difficulty (44%), drooling/stertor (30%), regurgitation/vomiting (18%), and feeding/swallowing difficulty (17%). Following discussions, 58 patients received active interventions, including fundoplication, gastrostomy, laryngomicrosurgery, tracheostomy, and primary dilatation of the airway. According to the questionnaire of the caregiver, the majority agreed that the main symptoms and quality of life of patients had improved (88%), reducing the burden on caregivers (77%). Aerodigestive programs may provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary management for children with complex airway and digestive tract disorders.


2010 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Powell ◽  
M Tremlett ◽  
D A Bosman

AbstractObjective:To assess the quality of life of UK children with sleep-disordered breathing undergoing adenotonsillectomy, by using the Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 18 questionnaire and determining score changes and effect sizes.Design:Prospective, longitudinal study.Setting:The otolaryngology department of a university teaching hospital in Northern England.Participants:Twenty-eight children for whom adenotonsillectomy was planned as treatment for sleep-disordered breathing, and who had either a clinical history consistent with obstructive sleep apnoea or a polysomnographic diagnosis.Main outcome measure:The Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 18 questionnaire, a previously validated, disease-specific quality of life assessment tool; changes in questionnaire scores and effect sizes were assessed.Methods:The Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 18 questionnaire was administered to each child's parent pre-operatively, then again at the follow-up appointment. Questionnaire scores ranged from 1 to 7. Score changes were analysed using the paired t-test; effect sizes were calculated using 95 per cent confidence intervals.Results:Complete data were obtained for 22 children (mean age, 61 months). Ten had undergone pre-operative polysomnography. Twenty-one children underwent adenotonsillectomy (one underwent tonsillectomy). Median follow up was eight weeks (interquartile range, six to 11 weeks). Following surgery, the overall mean score improvement was 2.6 (p < 0.0001) and the mean effect size 2.4 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.9 to 2.8). There were significant improvements in each of the individual questionnaire domains, i.e. sleep disturbance (mean score change 3.9, p < 0.0001), physical suffering (2.2, p < 0.0001), emotional distress (2.0, p = 0.0001), daytime problems (1.8, p = 0.0001) and caregiver concerns (2.6, p < 0.0001).Conclusion:In these children with sleep-disordered breathing treated by adenotonsillectomy, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea 18 questionnaire results indicated significantly improved mean score changes and effect sizes across all questionnaire domains, comparing pre- and post-operative data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88
Author(s):  
Nataša Egeljić-Mihailović ◽  
Jelena Pavlović ◽  
Nina Brkić-Jovanović ◽  
Dragana Milutinović

Modern society in recent decades is facing a large increase in the share of people over 65 in the total population. The research shows that the trend of increasing the number of the elderly is such that it is estimated that the share of people aged 65 and over in the world population will increase significantly (by 56%), from 901 million (12.3%) in 2015 to 1.4 billion (16.5%) in 2030. Nursing homes for the accommodation and care of the elderly are safe places that provide the elderly with reduced physical and other abilities and a life worthy of a human being. A wide field of interest for the research is the perception and experience of home care users about what a quality life in this environment could represent. As part of the quality of life assessment, different domains are assessed, and a certain degree of subjective assessment is included in the choice of quality of life domains. Given the demographic changes that have led to an aging population, as well as longer life expectancy, new measures of social and health policy towards the elderly are increasingly aimed at raising the quality of life of the elderly, while scientific research is increasingly focused on identifying factors that affect the quality of life of the elderly.


Author(s):  
Ruben Berrocal Timmons

Objective: Treatment of joint pain with an injection of the amniotic membrane has not been adequately studied. This study retrospectively reviewed Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and analgesic usage data from patients treated with the injection of cryopreserved amniotic membrane (CAM) in their knees to determine the impact of treatment on patients’ pain, quality of life, and analgesic usage. Methods: Chart review was conducted on 40 patients. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained prior to initiation of the project. The membrane was utilized as per the FDA guidance of 21CFR1271. Retrospective data, including demographics, medical history, pain score, quality of life score, analgesic usage and adverse events, were collected from their medical records for each consenting patient through 6 months after CAM injection. Results: A total of 40 patients were considered in the final analysis. Mean VAS for pain level improved from 7.0 to 2.6 (p<0.001). WOMAC daily activity function score improved from a mean score of 52 to 28 (p<0.001). Opioid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage decreased from 97% to 25% (p<0.001). No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Mean values for VAS and WOMAC scores significantly improved at all time points and the number of patients who used analgesics decreased as compared to baseline. CAM injection into painful knee joints decreases pain, improves physical function, and decreases the use of analgesics in the absence of adverse events.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. e244018
Author(s):  
Hasan Gökcer Tekin ◽  
Karin Andersen ◽  
Vivi Bakholdt ◽  
Jens Ahm Sørensen

Scrotal elephantiasis (SE) is a condition considered rare in western industrialised countries but common in filaria prone regions. If no apparent causes are found for SE, it is called idiopathic SE. Medical and conservative therapies are ineffective against idiopathic SE, and surgical intervention is mandatory to treat this disabling condition. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether surgical intervention improves quality of life among patients with idiopathic SE. Herein, we report a case of a 41-year-old man who underwent acute scrotal resection and reconstruction, secondary to haemorrhage from his idiopathic SE. The aim of this study was to describe the operative approach and assess patient satisfaction after surgical treatment. The patient had no recurrence of SE after surgical treatment at 6 months follow-up and had considerable improvements assessed by general and disease-specific quality of life questionnaires.


Author(s):  
Reva B. Klein

Aggression and violence are often overlooked in the aging population. Changes in personality, behavior, and mood are well known in psychiatric disorders, but they are also seen in neurologic conditions, often where there is alteration in brain chemistry, as in metabolic disorders; or alteration in brain structure, as in degenerative disorders, strokes, subdural hematomas, and tumors; or with alteration in brain function, as in epileptic and nonconvulsive status. This chapter provides an overview of specific behaviors, the underlying neurochemistry and pathophysiology behind specific disorders, and some treatment approaches. The consequences of unrecognized and untreated behavioral changes in the elderly can have dire consequences on quality of life—for example, leading to early institutionalization. Regular follow-up that includes questions about behavior would allow for early work-up and treatment to prevent out-of-control escalation. Family education, support, caregiver relief, and prevention of complications can go a long way in improving the quality of life for patients and their families.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 1207-1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Hastings ◽  
Malika Garg ◽  
Elizabeth T. Lynn ◽  
Celia M. Divino

Ileovesical fistulas (IVFs) are an uncommon complication of Crohn's disease. The aim of this study is to compare long-term surgical outcomes, assess quality of life, and quantify patient satisfaction after IVF repair. A retrospective chart review followed by a prospective survey was carried out. Survey questions focused on patient satisfaction and quality of life after repair of IVF. Fifty-one patients were identified from an administrative database. Mean follow-up was 4.3 years with a response rate of 51 per cent. At the time of the study, 0 per cent mortality and 16 per cent morbidity were recorded. No recurrence was noted. There was no statistical significance in incidence of complications between laparoscopic and open surgery. Statistically significant differences in single-stage versus multistage operations were found in postoperative day of discharge ( P < 0.001) and patient satisfaction ( P = 0.049). Ninety-eight per cent of patients reported extreme satisfaction with their surgery and an improvement in quality of life. A low incidence of morbidity and recurrence supports early surgical intervention in IVFs.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document