scholarly journals The physical and mental impact of surviving sepsis – a qualitative study of experiences and perceptions among a Swedish sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Apitzsch ◽  
Lotta Larsson ◽  
Anna-Karin Larsson ◽  
Adam Linder

Abstract Background Sepsis is a critical illness with high morbidity and mortality rates. Each year, sepsis affects about 48.9 million people all over the world. This study aims to illuminate how sepsis survivors experience sepsis and the impact of sepsis, as well as the health-related quality of life thereafter. Methods An interview study with eight sepsis survivors was carried out in Sweden with an inductive qualitative method. The data were analyzed with content analysis. Results Four themes were identified during the analysis; The experience of health care and being a sepsis patient, New circumstances´ impact on life, Family and social interactions, and The psychological impact on life. The lack of information about how sepsis can impact the survivors’ lives and what to expect can lead to prolonged agony. The long recovery time comes as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise to those affected. Initially, the sepsis survivors are almost euphoric that they have survived, which can later lead to chock and trauma when they realize that they could have died. This insight needs to be processed in order to reach reconciliation with life after sepsis. Conclusion Sepsis has a huge impact on both physical and mental aspects of life. Many survivors suffer from persistent residual symptoms of varying degrees, to which they have to adapt. The sepsis survivors need individually adjusted information about the sepsis recovery trajectory, and what to expect during and after the hospital stay.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Apitzsch ◽  
Lotta Larsson ◽  
Anna-karin Larsson ◽  
Adam Linder

Abstract Background: This study aims to illuminate how sepsis survivors experience sepsis and the impact of sepsis as well as the quality of life thereafter. Methods: A qualitative open interview study with eight sepsis survivors was performed. A content analysis inspired by Burnard was made. Results: Four main categories emerged during the analysis; The experience of health care and being a sepsis patient, New circumstances´ impact on life, Family and social interactions, and The psychological impact on life. The lack of information on how sepsis can impact the survivors’ lives and what to expect can lead to prolonged agony. The long recovery time comes as an unexpected and unpleasant surprise to those affected. Initially, the sepsis survivors are almost euphoric that they have survived, which can later lead to chock and trauma when they realize that they could have died. This insight needs to be processed in order to reach reconciliation with how life will turn out after sepsis. Conclusion: Sepsis has a huge impact on both physical and mental aspects of life. Many survivors suffer from persistent residual symptoms of varying degrees to which they have to adapt. The sepsis survivors need individually adjusted information about the sepsis recovery trajectory and what to expect during and after the hospital stay.


Author(s):  
Gurkiran Birdi ◽  
Michael Larkin ◽  
Rebecca C Knibb

Background: atopic dermatitis (AD) has been related to poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults and there is lack of qualitative research that explores how this long-term condition affects the lives of adults. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of AD on the HRQoL of adults through semi-structured interviews. Study design: this was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Methods: adults with a clinical diagnosis of AD were recruited by advertising on a university campus and through social media sites. All participants completed a screening questionnaire on AD diagnosis, treatment, duration, and severity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted either face-to-face or on the telephone then audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: the study group (n=19) consisted of 10 White and nine Black and ethnic minority participants, aged 19–52, of whom 18 were female. Three superordinate themes emerged from the analysis: 1) visibility of AD; 2) threats to inner sense of self; and 3) contrasting reactions and support from others. There were qualitative differences in the narratives of those who were diagnosed with AD at an early age compared to a later age, and across ethnic groups. Conclusions: AD has a great impact on the QoL of adults. Participants in this study discussed issues that have not been reported in quantitative research, particularly around the lack of understanding of the psychological impact of AD and the stigma attached to it. Consideration of these factors may enhance disease management and improve HRQoL. Understanding and recognition of AD as a complex long-term condition involving significant psychosocial impact is crucial. The findings from this study suggest more integrated and accessible psychological support is required for people with AD. Males were under-represented in this study, and further exploration of the impact on AD in males is needed.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e018108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Herrera de la Muela ◽  
Enrique García López ◽  
Laura Frías Aldeguer ◽  
Paloma Gómez-Campelo

IntroductionThe completion of postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) in women with breast cancer can last from months to years, and to our knowledge, there is a lack of studies that analyse how the different types and times of reconstruction impact on the patient’s quality of life and psychosocial adjustment.The primary aim of the BREast Cancer Reconstruction (BRECAR Study) is twofold. First, to describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL), overall satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact (body image, self-esteem, depression and anxiety) on women who will have undergone a mastectomy with planned BR, considering the varied timing of BR procedures (immediate BR (iBR), delayed BR (dBR) and two-stage BR (2sBR)). To measure the impact on surgical outcomes, we will obtain data prior to and after surgery (6–9 and at 18 months of follow-up). Second, to analyse sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors associated with HRQoL, satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact.Methods and analysisA prospective, observational, clinical cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer who have an indication for mastectomy treated at La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).Patients will be classified into one of three groups under conditions of routine clinical practice, based on the type of BR planned: the iBR group, the dBR group and the 2sBR group.Under typical clinical practice conditions, we will perform three visits: baseline visit (presurgery), V1 (6–9 months after diagnosis) and V2 (18 months after diagnosis). A sample size of 210 patients is estimated.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol and informed consent form have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of La Paz Hospital (no. PI-2036). Dissemination of results will be via journal articles and conference presentations.


Author(s):  
Phillippa Carnemolla ◽  
Catherine Bridge

The multi-dimensional relationship between housing and population health is now well recognised internationally, across both developing and developed nations. This paper examines a dimension within the housing and health relationship – accessibility – that to date has been considered difficult to measure. This paper reports on the mixed method results of larger mixed-method, exploratory study designed to measure the impact of home modifications on Health-Related Quality of Life, supported by qualitative data of recipients’ experiences of home modifications. Data was gathered from 157 Australian HACC clients, who had received home modifications. Measurements were taken for both before and after home modifications and reveal that home modifications were associated with an average 40% increase in Health-Related Quality of Life levels. The qualitative results revealed that participants positively associated home modifications across six effect themes: increased safety and confidence, improved mobility at home, increased independence, supported care-giving role, increased social participation, and ability to return home from hospital. This exploratory research gives an insight into the potential for accessible architecture to impact improvements in community health and wellbeing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads G. Jørgensen ◽  
Navid M. Toyserkani ◽  
Frederik G. Hansen ◽  
Anette Bygum ◽  
Jens A. Sørensen

AbstractThe impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) on long-term quality of life is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of BCRL on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment. This regional population-based study enrolled patients treated for breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection between January 1st 2007 and December 31th 2017. Follow up and assessments of the included patients were conducted between January 2019 and May 2020. The study outcome was HRQoL, evaluated with the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the Short Form (36) Health Survey Questionnaire. Multivariate linear logistic regression models adjusted for confounders provided mean score differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals in each HRQoL scale and item. This study enrolled 244 patients with BCRL and 823 patients without BCRL. Patients with BCRL had significantly poorer HRQoL than patients without BCRL in 16 out of 18 HRQoL subscales, for example, in physical function (MDs 27, 95%CI: 24; 30), mental health (MDs 24, 95%CI: 21; 27) and social role functioning (MDs 20, 95%CI: 17; 23). Age, BMI, BCRL severity, hand and dominant arm affection had only minor impact on HRQoL (MDs < 5), suggesting a high degree of inter-individual variation in coping with lymphedema. This study showed that BCRL is associated with long-term impairments in HRQoL, especially affecting the physical and psychosocial domains. Surprisingly, BCRL diagnosis rather than clinical severity drove the largest impairments in HRQoL.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A203-A203
Author(s):  
Maurice Ohayon ◽  
Y J Chen ◽  
Marie-Lise Cote

Abstract Introduction Chronic nausea and vomiting (CNV), common symptoms in patients with GI disorders like gastroparesis, can be a debilitating health problem with considerable impact on patients’ health-related quality of life during daytime. Yet, little is known about how CNV may impact on sleepiness and fatigue during the daytime. Our aim was to examine the impact of CNV on daytime sleepiness and fatigue based on the data from a longitudinal study. Methods Prospective longitudinal study with two waves: 12,218 subjects interviewed by phone during wave 1 (W1); 10,931 during wave 2 (W2) three years later. The sample was representative of the US general population. Analyses included subjects participating to both waves (N=10,931). CNV was defined as episodes of nausea and vomiting occurring at least twice a month for at least 1 month (outside pregnancy). Logistic regression models were employed to determine whether CNV is a predictive variable for excessive sleepiness or fatigue. Results Out of all W1 participants, 9.8% (95% CI: 9.2%-10.4%) reported nausea only while 3% (95% CI: 2.7%-3.3%) reported CNV. In W2, 7.7% (95% CI: 7.2%-8.2%) reported nausea only and 2.5% (95% CI: 2.2%-2.8%) reported having CNV. Of the subjects who participated in both W1 and W2, 25.7% of them reported CNV in W1. CNV subjects reported more frequently excessive daytime sleepiness (53.5% vs. 25.9%) and being moderately or severely fatigued (38.6% vs, 5.4%) compared with the participants without nausea or vomiting. After controlling for age, sex, BMI, health status, alcohol intake, sleep disorders and psychiatric disorders that might impact on daytime sleepiness or fatigue, it was found that subjects with CNV at both W1 and W2 had a significantly higher relative risk of reporting daytime sleepiness (RR: 2.7 (95% CI:1.9–3.9) p&lt;0.0001) and fatigue (RR: 4.9 (95% CI:3.2–7.5) p&lt;0.0001) at W2, compared with the participants without nausea or vomiting. Conclusion Many factors are likely to influence daytime sleepiness. CNV appears to be an important contributor even after controlling for several factors that can explain the sleepiness. This underlines the extent to which alertness could be disturbed and impacted by chronicity of nausea/vomiting symptoms. Support (if any) This analysis study was funded by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company


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