A life worth living? Quality of life in older age

2009 ◽  
pp. 123-139
Author(s):  
Bryan Appleyard
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living

Application of psychometrics to assess quality of life in animals.

2021 ◽  
pp. 125-140
Author(s):  
Jacky Reid ◽  
Andrea Nolan ◽  
Marian Scott
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Assess Quality

Abstract Animal welfare research is gradually moving towards inclusion of positive welfare, with the consideration of how animals can be provided a good life or a life worth living. The concept of quality of life, which originates from human medical sciences, definitely contributes to this. In this chapter the developers of the health-related quality of life tool for dogs share their expertise.

Human rights, the capability approach and Quality of Life: an integrated paradigm of support in the quest for social justice

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica De Maeyer ◽  
Hanne Vandenbussche ◽  
Claudia Claes ◽  
Didier Reynaert
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Capability Approach

Purpose This paper highlights the integrative character of orthopedagogics. Quality of Life (QoL), as guiding the normative framework in orthopedagogics is explicitly connected with the framework of human rights and the capability approach (CA) in the quest for social justice and human dignity. The purpose of this paper is to question that how these three specific frameworks can cross-fertilize each other and result in the development of an integrated normative foundation for supporting people living in socially vulnerable situations. Design/methodology/approach This paper reflects on the question on how the human rights framework, the CA and the framework of QoL can be integrated in the support of people who find themselves in a socially vulnerable situation. Findings The core features of each framework are described. Originality/value To conclude the paper, commonalities and the added value of integrating these three frameworks are explored. By integrating these three frameworks, they could function as a shared agenda that gives direction to the daily actions of professionals, with attention for aspects at the micro, meso and macro levels. Each framework and their interrelatedness urge for an integrative approach of orthopedagogics where the strengths of different frameworks are recognized and used in order to support people in socially vulnerable situations to achieve a life worth living.

scholarly journals A139 IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER ENDOSCOPIC THERAPY FOR BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS AND EARLY ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Author(s):  
T Jeyalingam ◽  
M Woo ◽  
S E Congly ◽  
J David ◽  
P J Belletrutti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression ◽  
Barrett’S Esophagus ◽  
Barrett's Esophagus ◽  
Endoscopic Therapy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Older Age ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background In patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE), endoscopic therapy reduces the risk of progression to invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Data on the impact of endoscopic therapy on patient quality of life (QoL) is limited. Aims We aimed to assess: (1) change in QoL during the course of endoscopic therapy for BE, (2) factors which predict this change, (3) whether achieving complete remission of dysplasia (CRD) or intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) affect the degree of change. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study using a prospectively maintained database of BE patients treated in Calgary, Alberta from 2013–2020 containing data on demographics, BE disease characteristics and therapeutics, QoL, and follow-up. QoL was determined prior to initiation of therapy and after each treatment session using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated and change in QoL was compared using a Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Backwards multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of change in QoL. Results Of 130 BE patients, 112 (86.1%) were male and 104 (80%) had dysplastic histology or intramucosal carcinoma on index endoscopy. Mean (SD) age was 65.6 (12.0) years. At time of analysis, 76 patients (58.5%) had completed endoscopic therapy, of whom 69 (90.8%) achieved CRIM; 54 patients (41.5%) were still undergoing treatment. There was significant improvement in all QoL measures during the treatment course except for “depression” (Table 1). Patients with CRIM or CRD had reductions in “sleep difficulty” and “negative impact on life” to a significantly greater degree vs patients not achieving CRIM (Δ sleep -0.45 vs 0.0, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.4 vs -0.05, P=0.014) or CRD (Δ sleep -0.40 vs +0.60, P=0.002; Δ negative impact -0.40 vs +0.20, P=0.04). Multiple linear regression revealed older age (B=-0.03, P=0.008) and fewer number of EMR sessions (B=0.254, P=0.008) were correlated with greater improvement in QoL. Conclusions Endoscopic therapy improves QoL in BE patients, especially in those achieving CRIM/CRD. Older age and fewer EMRs are correlated with greater improvement in QoL. These results further reinforce the role of endoscopic therapy as the first line treatment of BE and early EAC. Funding Agencies None

scholarly journals Associations between Demographics and Quality of Life in Children in the First Year of Cancer Treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Raybin ◽  
Verna Hendricks-Ferguson ◽  
Paul Cook ◽  
Catherine Jankowski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Symptom Distress ◽  
Older Age ◽  
First Year ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Biologic Marker

Symptom distress and decreased quality of life (QOL) among children with cancer are well documented. Research is emerging on the child’s voice in QOL-symptom reports, but existing QOL questionnaires are burdensome and objective biologic markers are lacking. We examined children’s symptoms and QOL from parent and child perspectives and compared the results to one biologic marker (body posture). A cross-sectional secondary analysis of prospective data from children receiving creative arts therapy explored potential associations among demographics with and between QOL measures (PedsQL, Faces Scale, posture). Children (n = 98) ranged in age from 3-17 years (M = 7.8) and were in the first year of cancer treatment. No significant associations were found among the child’s sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), or distance from hospital and total PedsQL. Older age was associated with worse total PedsQL, pain, nausea, worry, and posture (all ps < .05). Greater worry (β = 0.51) and worse posture (β = 0.41) were the QOL variables most strongly correlated with older age. Poorer posture was associated with worse child PedsQL (total score, nausea, treatment anxiety, cognitive) and parent PedsQL (pain, nausea). Worse scores on the Faces Scale, PedsQL, and posture were all correlated (rs = .21 - .39, all ps < .05). Interventions to improve QOL could target nausea, worry, and older patients. Accuracy and interpretation of symptom distress in children is problematic. The Faces Scale and posture may be suitable, readily obtained measures of QOL in pediatric oncology that hold promise.

Why We Ought to Accept the Repugnant Conclusion

Utilitas ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torbjorn Tannsjo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Derek Parfit ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Repugnant Conclusion ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Hedonistic Utilitarianism ◽  
Sentient Beings ◽  
Very High

Derek Parfit has famously pointed out that ‘total’ utilitarian views, such as classical hedonistic utilitarianism, lead to the conclusion that, to each population of quite happy persons there corresponds a more extensive population with people living lives just worth living, which is (on the whole) better. In particular, for any possible population of at least ten billion people, all with a very high quality of life, there must be some much larger imaginable population whose existence, if other things are equal, would be better, even though its members have lives that are barely worth living. This world is better if the sum total of well-being is great enough, and it is great enough if only enough sentient beings inhabit it. This conclusion has been considered by Parfit and others to be ‘repugnant’.

scholarly journals Aspects of xerostomia prevalence and treatment among rheumatic inpatients

Medicina ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Žygimantas Guobis ◽  
Nomeda Basevičienė ◽  
Pajauta Paipalienė ◽  
Irena Niedzelskienė ◽  
Giedrė Januševičiūtė
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Significant Evidence ◽  
Sicca Symptoms ◽  
Rheumatic Patients

Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of xerostomia among inpatients with rheumatic disorders at the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine (HKUM) and its association with age, sex, and xerophthalmia. Determining adequate treatment for xerostomia was also important, because untreated xerostomia may become aggravated and thus significantly impair patient’s quality of life. Material and methods. The authors designed a special questionnaire for conducting all studyrelated enquiries. Patients for this study were selected according to their case records ranging from 1998 to 2004. In total, there were 483 cases chosen based on prevalent rheumatic diseases, which were most conducive to xerostomia. Results. The results showed no significant evidence that the prevalence of xerostomia increased with age. Also, women were more susceptible to rheumatic diseases than men (W:M = 10:1) and are more likely to be affected by xerostomia and xerophthalmia (W:M = 2.5:1). A significant correlation was found between xerostomia and xerophthalmia. Only 17.7% of xerostomia-positive patients were treated for xerostomia, in comparison with xerophthalmia-positive patients who were treated for xerophthalmia in 84.8% of cases. It was shown that the modalities of treatment administered for xerostomia were neither sufficient nor up-to-date according to current recommendations found in medical literature. Conclusions. Xerostomia is closely correlated with xerophthalmia in rheumatic diseases. Xerostomia is more prevalent in older segments of population, especially in women, but we failed to prove statistical significance of older age in prevalence of sicca symptoms. Treatment administered to rheumatic patients for xerostomia in the HKUM is neither sufficient nor adequate.

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