Pilot study investigating the feasibility of an ulcer-specific quality of life questionnaire

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
P D Venkatraman ◽  
S C Anand ◽  
C Dean ◽  
R Nettleton ◽  
A EL Sawi ◽  
...  

Objective: This study explores the feasibility and reliability of a modified ulcer-specific quality of life (QOL) questionnaire on patients suffering from venous leg ulcers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a cohort of patients suffering from venous leg ulcers who had been registered at Rochdale Infirmary to participate in a clinical trial. A self-administered six-page questionnaire – Freiburger Lebensqualitäts Questionnaire Assessment (FLQA) – on the QOL along with a checklist was used to collect data from March 2002 to June 2003. The feasibility and reliability of the venous leg ulcer specific questionnaire, the patient-reported QOL and their perspective on compression therapy were chosen as the main outcomes of the study. Results: A response rate of 94% was obtained, of which 56% were women and 44% were men with an average age of 63 years. Approximately 72% of respondents reported that the questionnaire was suitable to reflect their perspectives on QOL and compression therapy. The questionnaire took an average of 20 minutes to complete. The average QOL score was 45.27 in all the eight domains, where 0 reflected good QOL and 100 reflected poor QOL, indicating that the respondents' QOL had been adversely affected due to venous leg ulcers. Men had an average score of 52.0 in all the eight domains and women scored 39.0 in a 0–100 scale. Hence, comparatively, men had poorer QOL than women. Reliability was assessed using measures of internal consistency and test–retest analysis. Cronbach's alpha, α = 0.934 indicated that the survey items were highly inter-correlated. Test–retest analysis indicated that there was moderate-to-strong correlation in seven out of eight domains, which meant that the reproducibility of the FLQA questionnaire was consistent. Conclusions: The pilot survey conducted on a representative sample of patients indicated that the questionnaire is suitable and has the potential to reflect the perspective on compression therapy and overall QOL of patients suffering from venous leg ulcers. The survey tool demonstrated the clinical and research utility as a QOL outcome measure for clinical trials evaluating wound care products on patients suffering from venous leg ulcers.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Sup6) ◽  
pp. S20-S26
Author(s):  
Emily Fulcher ◽  
Neil Gopee

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a common health problem in older adults, for which the widely used method of treatment includes compression therapy. There are various compression bandages and hosiery systems available for use, but it remains unclear as to which types of compression systems are most effective in enabling healing of VLUs. This study aimed to determine which type of the two most commonly used compression bandaging (four-layer and two-layer) is more effective in providing complete ulcer healing of VLUs. Key search terms were identified using the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) model, with distinct inclusion and exclusion criteria, in a strategic search of electronic databases (e.g. CINAHL and MEDLINE) along with wider sources, including Google Scholar. More studies favoured the four-layer compression system than two-layer for providing better healing rates in the treatment of VLUs, but two-layer bandaging tends to provide a better quality of life and may be more cost-effective, although comorbidities and other factors also need to be considered. In choosing the type of compression bandage for the management of leg ulcers, the healing rate achieved by the chosen bandage needs to be carefully monitored, while also taking into consideration other factors such as the quality of life for the patient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Sup6) ◽  
pp. S10-S20
Author(s):  
Amy Cox ◽  
Chrissie Bousfield

The first-line treatment for venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is compression therapy, most commonly, with compression bandages. A similar treatment measure is used for lymphoedema in the form of Velcro compression wraps (VCWs). However, the use of VCWs for VLUs is less evident, and a direct comparison to compression bandaging is not evident. This review explores the evidence to support the use of VCWs for the treatment of VLUs in order to raise awareness of alternative forms of compression therapy. Nine primary research studies were analysed, from which four key themes emerged: quality of life, cost of treatment, ulcer healing time and pressure maintenance. The findings suggest that VCWs decrease material costs by at least 50%, and further savings may be realised by reducing the costs associated with nursing time. The benefits of promoting self-care, maintaining compression, and eliciting greater healing rates are clearly evident, and the impact on quality of life is substantiated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (20) ◽  
pp. S21-S26
Author(s):  
Leanne Atkin ◽  
Alison Schofield ◽  
Anita Kilroy-Findley

Regardless of the amount of literature and evidence on leg ulcer management, there are still significant variations in treatment. Implementing a standardised leg ulcer pathway to ensure patients are appropriately and timely assessed could help reduce nursing time and overall costs, while improving healing outcomes and patients' quality of life. Such a pathway was introduced in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, UK, to treat venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The results showed improved healing times, reduced costs and fewer nurse visits, among other findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Orlova ◽  
Galina Dikke ◽  
Gisele Pickering ◽  
Eliso Djobava ◽  
Sofya Konchits ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of magnesium (Mg)-vitamin B 6 replenishment and its correlation with clinical status in pregnant women (PW), and quality of life in women with hormone-related conditions (HRCW) and hypomagnesemia (HME). Data collected in four observational studies were pooled and analysed. All women received Mg supplementation for 4 weeks. The proportion of women with normalized Mg level, and the correlation between serum Mg dynamics and number of symptoms/complaints (PW) or changes in World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire scores (WHOQOL; HRCW) were evaluated. 869 PW and 957 HRCW were included in the study. Normalization of serum Mg level to ≥ 0.66 mmol/L occurred in 92.1% of PW and 78.4% of HRCW, and to ≥ 0.8 mmol/L in 73.8% and 58.9%, respectively. Mg normalization was accompanied by a median decrease of 1 symptom and 1 complaint in PW. Serum Mg level increase by 0.1 mmol/L was associated to significant changes in the WHOQOL scores in HRCW. Treatment of HME with the Mg for approximately 4 weeks provided a high response rate of Mg serum level, was associated with an improvement in symptom severity and complaints in PW, and WHOQOL score in HRCW. A 0.8 mmol/L cut-off appeared to be more relevant in terms of patient-reported outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Ilsa Hunaifi ◽  
Pujiarohman Pujiarohman

troke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Indonesia.  Post stroke patients has a higher disability hence results in poor quality of life compared with normal population. In Indonesia, studies related to the quality of life of post-stroke patients are scarce, so studies are required to explore the quality of life of post-stroke patients, particularly in West Nusa Tenggara. Aim of this study is to determine the epidemiology of quality of life for post-stroke patients in West Nusa Tenggara. Methods of this study is An Observational with cross-sectional design was performed in population of post-stroke patients admitted to West Nusa Tenggara General Hospital. The quality of life of post stroke patient was evaluated with SSQOL (Stroke Specific Quality of Life) questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by the appropriate test. Result of this study is the average age of subject is 60.33±10.68 years. Hypertension is a major risk factor of stroke. The average SSQOL score is 177.02±45.75. SSQOL assesses 4 dimension are physical, functional, psychological and social health. Based on the physical dimension, the average score is 17.00, the functional dimension, the average score is 14.91, the psychological dimension, the average score is 13.17 and the social health dimension  the average score is 13.44.  The quality of life for post-stroke patients in West Nusa Tenggara General Hospital is good.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Monefah Al-Shammari ◽  
Amani Khalil

Background and objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide, diagnosis and treatment and the months following primary therapy associated with different psychological symptoms that affect quality of life (QoL) in most women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between depression and quality of life QoL among Saudi women with breast cancer.Methods: Design: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Methods: A convenience sample of 370 women with breast cancer was recruited from the out-clinic in King Faisal Specialist Hospital \& Research Center (KFSH&RC). Data were collected using self-report tools derived from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Emotional Distress-Depression-Short Form; the EORTC quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) (EORTC QLQ-C30, v.3.0 and EORTC QLQ-BR23); and from the Demographic and Clinical Data Sheet.Results: The correlation between depression and global health status with functioning subscales for the women was negative (Pearson’s r = -.357, p < .001; r = -.368, p < .001); whereas a positive correlation was found between depression and symptom subscales, together with its items.Conclusions: This study shows that depression is associated with QoL among Saudi women diagnosed with breast cancer. Therefore, depression affects upon QoL among the breast cancer population. However, enhancement of mental health statuses and psychological interventions helps to reduce the severity of depression and improves health related QoL among this population.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Mathews

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the US. Approximately one in four patients with stroke is disabled. Providing daily care to stroke survivors long term is very burdensome to the family. The wellbeing and respite of the care givers (CG) has not been studied well in the past. In this study, we focused on quality of life (QOL) of the CGs of stroke survivors. The Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp (RRSC), initiated in 2004, offers respite, opportunities to develop new relationships, and provides education/access to resources to CG. Methods: QOL of a convenience sample of stroke CG attending the Retreat and Refresh Stroke Camp (RRSC) in 2016 -2018 was assessed using the Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire (ACQOLQ). The ACQOLQ addresses 8 subcategories of QOL: support for caring, caring choice, caring stress, financial matters, personal growth, sense of value, ability to care, and care satisfaction. A high (11+) subcategory score indicates high quality of life in that category and a low score (0-5) indicates a low quality of life and potential difficulties. Emails were sent to all CG with a link to the survey on Survey Monkey. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student t test was used to compare QOL between females and males. Results: A total of 149 CG were assessed including 123 (83%) females and 26 (17%) males. The majority (91%) were Caucasian Americans. The average age was 61.8 (SD=11.7) years old with a range of 27 to 86 years. More than half (56.1%) worked over 40 hours per week. The average of caring time was 7 (SD=6.6) years. The average total score of ASQOLQ was 62.4 (SD=8.9) and the average score in eight subcategories varied between 6.4 and 10.1, indicating a moderate quality of life. Females had a higher score of caring stress than males (6.7 vs 5.2, p=0.027), but no difference was found in other subcategories. Conclusion: Women are the primary caregivers for stroke survivors and bear a significantly higher burden of caring stress. Society should focus more attention to provision of resources to assist in relieving this burden. A camp opportunity for supporting caregivers and survivors may help in providing respite to these family members


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 220-225
Author(s):  
Annemarie Brown

Venous leg ulcers commonly recur. Annemarie Brown highlights some self-care strategies that patients can use to reduce their risk Chronic venous leg ulcers are commonly seen in general practice and although healing rates for leg ulcers have improved, recurrence rates are high with around 60–70% reported to recur after healing. The primary prevention strategy is the life-long wearing of compression hosiery; however, compliance is low for several reasons including lack of understanding of the need to wear compression hosiery and difficulties applying and removing it. Self-care strategies such as physical exercise and mobility, leg elevation and appropriate skin care, can help to prevent recurrence of venous leg ulcers. Practice nurses are ideally placed to provide this advice, which can help improve patient's quality of life while reducing the financial burden of treating open ulceration for the NHS.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e033867
Author(s):  
Irushi Ratnayake ◽  
Susannah Ahern ◽  
Rasa Ruseckaite

BackgroundTo determine patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) which may be suitable for incorporation into the Australian Cystic Fibrosis Data Registry (ACFDR) by identifying PROMs administered in adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) populations in the last decade.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases for studies published between January 2009 and February 2019 describing the use of PROMs to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adult and paediatric patients with CF. Validation studies, observational studies and qualitative studies were included. The search was conducted on 13 February 2019. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments Risk of Bias Checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies.ResultsTwenty-seven different PROMs were identified. The most commonly used PROMs were designed specifically for CF. Equal numbers of studies were conducted on adult (32%, n=31), paediatric (35%, n=34) and both (27%, n=26) populations. No PROMs were used within a clinical registry setting previously. The two most widely used PROMs, the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire—Revised (CFQ-R) and the Cystic Fibrosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (CFQoL), demonstrated good psychometric properties and acceptability in English-speaking populations.DiscussionWe found that although PROMs are widely used in CF, there is a lack of reporting on the efficacy of methods and timepoints of administration. We identified the CFQ-R and CFQoL as the most suitable for incorporation in the ACFDR as they captured significant effects of CF on HRQoL and were reliable and valid in CF populations. These PROMs will be used in a further qualitative study assessing patients’ with CF and clinicians’ perspectives toward the acceptability and feasibility of incorporating a PROM in the ACFDR.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019126931.


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