scholarly journals The use of social networks in scientific research with questionnaires

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Soraya de Mattos Camargo Grossmann ◽  
Mariela Dutra Gontijo Moura ◽  
Michelle Danielle Porto Matias ◽  
Saul Martins Paiva ◽  
Ricardo Alves Mesquita

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the response rate of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire sent and received by mail and over a social network to caregivers of individuals with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in Brazil. Methods: All volunteers were first-degree relatives of patients with EB that directly spent time helping them with their basic activities of daily living. A maximum of two caregivers per patient could answer the questionnaire. Volunteers were divided into two groups: for group 1, questionnaires were sent to 53 members of a support association for the disease by mail, and for group 2, 798 members of the Facebook™ page of friends and relatives of patients with EB were invited to participate using an access link to Google Drive™ to gain access to the questionnaire. The data from both groups were analyzed 150 days after the start the study. Descriptive analysis was performed by EpiInfo8 and the return of questionnaires was evaluated according to age, sex, and time of return using the Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test. Results: After 150 days, 30 questionnaires were returned, 17 (56.7%) of which from group 1 and 13 (43.3%) from group 2. Approximately 12 questionnaires were returned by mail and 11 over the social network. Conclusions: The data collection of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire from caregivers of individuals with EB over a social network seems to be efficient mainly when it is necessary to collect results within a short timeframe, highlighting the importance of social networks as a means for conducting this type of research. However, in our study, the most efficient method was distributing the questionnaires by mail.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A522-A522
Author(s):  
Muhammad Fahad Arshad ◽  
Oluwafunto Ogunleye ◽  
Richard John M Ross ◽  
Miguel Debono

Abstract Background: Quality of life (QOL) in acromegaly has been a subject of interest in several published studies; however, there is no consensus on how QOL in patients who require medical treatment after surgery compares with those who achieve remission by surgery only. Aim: Quality of life after acromegaly treatment (QuaLAT) is a case-control questionnaire-based study with the aim to compare the QOL in those who were treated with surgery only with those who required medical treatment after surgery at a single tertiary centre for acromegaly. Methods: Patients with acromegaly attending endocrinology clinics were identified via our database. These were matched on the duration of disease into those who underwent surgery and went into disease remission biochemically (Group 1), and those who did not achieve biochemical remission after surgery and therefore required further medical treatment to control the disease (Group 2). Participants were then asked to fill three questionnaires to measure their QOL; Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (ACROQOL), and two generic questionnaires; 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF36) v2, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results: 20 patients from each group participated in the study. The mean±SD duration of acromegaly (years) was similar in the two groups (9.8±6.9 vs 9.7±6.9 p=0.653). The majority of patients in the medical group were on somatostatin analogues, either alone or in combination (n=14), with four and two patients on cabergoline and pegvisomant alone respectively. There was no difference in QOL scores between groups 1 & 2, as measured by ACROQOL (mean score±SD 54.4±24.8 vs 55.3±26.1 p=0.765), SF36v2 (Physical component score 40.1± 11.1 vs 45.6±12.0 p=0.235; mental component score 41.7±13.0 vs 43.1±16.4 p=0.601), or FSS (mean score±SD 4.4±2.2 vs 4.5±2.0 p=0.985) questionnaires. There was no difference in ages between both groups and there were 75% females in group 1 and 45% in group 2. When compared with healthy controls as reported in the published literature, all three QOL scores were lower in our cohort [1-3]. Conclusions: Medical treatment achieves similar QOL to surgically treated acromegaly patients in remission in the long term. When compared with healthy controls, QOL remains worse in treated acromegaly patients. References:1. Webb, S.M., et al., Validity and clinical applicability of the acromegaly quality of life questionnaire, AcroQoL: a 6-month prospective study. Eur J Endocrinol, 2006. 155(2): p. 269-77.2. Jenkinson, C., et al., Assessment of the SF-36 version 2 in the United Kingdom. J Epidemiol Community Health, 1999. 53(1): p. 46-50.3. Ongre, S.O., et al., Progression of fatigue in Parkinson’s disease -A nine-year follow-up. Eur J Neurol, 2020.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Szczygieł-Pilut ◽  
Elżbieta Mirek ◽  
Magdalena Filip ◽  
Daniel Pilut ◽  
Szymon Pasiut ◽  
...  

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. According to the World Health Organization, it accounts for 1% of the global burden of disease worldwide. Pharmacotherapy remains the primary therapeutic tool in this disease. However, more and more emphasis is placed on approaching this group of patients in an interdisciplinary manner, taking their various needs into account: social, professional, economic or psychological. Attention is also paid to the positive impact of physical activity on the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. The patients with diagnosed epilepsy often complain of a feeling of instability not reflected in standard neurological examination. Early detection of postural control disorders is possible using an objective research tool which is the modified CTSIB test (Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance). Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of targeted physical therapy on the quality of life among patients with diagnosed epilepsy of unknown etiology using the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Materials and methods: The study included 11 professionally active adults with diagnosed generalized epilepsy of unknown etiology, treated at the Department or Outpatient Clinic of Neurology at John Paul II Specialist Hospital in Kraków. Finally, out of the 11 recruited patients (5 women and 6 men), 1 patient was excluded from the study due to a history of craniocerebral trauma. Patients were examined 3 times every month using EEG and the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Additionally, between the 2nd and the 3rd month of the pilot study, the study group underwent physical therapy focused on balance disorders using the Biodex SD stabilometric platform. Results: Overall, the quality of life index measured using the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire in the study group improved after the completion of targeted physical therapy. Conclusions: 1. Generalized epilepsy of unknown etiology results in a significant deterioration in the quality of life of patients, which may also be accompanied by disorders of postural control. 2 A targeted program of physiotherapy in the treatment of patients with generalized epilepsy of unknown etiology may has a positive effect on their quality of life. null


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
S. Tokareva ◽  
R. Kupeev ◽  
Aleksandr Hadarcev ◽  
Sof'ya Belyaeva

The purpose of the work. To show the expediency of using a complex DPN therapy with thio-gammoy-600 in combination with TPP, B12-ankerman and febuxostat. Materials and research methods. The study involved 28 male patients suffering from DM2 aged 56-77 years, with an av-erage age of 64.6±0.7 years. The initial values of average fasting blood glucose were 7.8 ± 1.52 mmol/l, glycosylated hemoglobin 7.4 ± 0.13%. Two groups were identified: group 1 (main) – 14 people and group 2 (control) - 16 people. In group 2, basic DPN therapy was used (thiogamma 600 mg/day for 4 months). For the first 14 days, the drug was administered intravenously, and then administered orally. In group 1, in addition to basic DPN therapy, B12-ankerman and febuxostat (adenuric) – 80 mg/day were received. TPP was carried out on a portable device TPP-03 for 15 minutes daily. This treatment regimen was used for 4 months. The assessment of the quality of life (QL) was carried out using the MOS SF-36 questionnaire. Results and their discussion. Four months after the start of therapy, more pronounced changes were observed in patients of the first group. The total score of the NSS scale in this group increased by 28.9%, and in group 2 - by 18.8%. The positive effect of therapy with adenuric and TES on the course of DPN shows that the use of this treatment will naturally lead to an improve-ment in the quality of life of patients, the dynamics of which was studied according to the results of the SF-36 questionnaire.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
M.K. Rodrigues ◽  
I. Nunes Rodrigues ◽  
D.J. Vasconcelos Gomes da Silva ◽  
J.M. de S. Pinto ◽  
M.F. Oliveira

Background: Frailty is a biological syndrome that causes adverse events in the health of older adults. However, the Clinical Frailty Scale has not yet been culturally adapted and validated into Brazilian Portuguese language. Objectives: Our aim was to translate, reproduce and validate the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) for the Brazilian Portuguese language. Design: An observational cross-sectional study with senior patients was conducted between Jan 2018 and Nov 2018. Setting and Participants: Volunteers aged >60 and living in Brazil. The translation and cultural adaptation of the CFS into the Portuguese language, the principles and good practices were followed. Measurements: To conduct the validation and determine the reproducibility of an inter-observer evaluation, the patients answered the scale questions in Portuguese on two occasions, delivered by two separate examiners and separated by a 10-minute interval, on their first visit; the 36-item Short Form Survey quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36) was also applied. Seven days later, a second visit was undertaken to perform an intra-observer reproducibility assessment. Results: A total of 66 older individuals were enrolled (72 ± 8 years), the majority of which did not present frailty (63.6%) and reported a low physical limitation level in the SF-36. The CFS showed a significant correlation with the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire (r= −0.663; p<0.0001) and no statistical difference was observed between intra-rater (p=0.641) and inter-rater (p=0.350) applications, demonstrating the reproducibility and applicability of the instrument. The standard error estimate (SEE) was evaluated and there were no differences between the CFS and the SF-36 (SEE= 1.13 points). Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese language version of the CFS is a valid, reproducible and reliable instrument for evaluating the impact of frailty on the lives of senior patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishtpreet Mann ◽  
Manisha Khubber ◽  
Ashwani K Gupta ◽  
Prithpal Singh Matreja ◽  
Harbir K Rao

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are chronic disorders, inadequate management of these two disorders leads to several complications and end organ damage that can impair health related quality of life (HRQoL) in these individuals. Several studies in hypertensive patients concluded that hypertension reduced HRQoL and participants with diabetes also reported comparably decreased HRQoL. The data on HRQoL in patients suffering from both hypertension and diabetes is limited hence we designed this study to assess health related quality of life in patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes mellitus.Methodology: This single centre, cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months between April and August 2013 in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Patients suffering from hypertension were recruited in study and were divided into two groups, Group 1 consisted of patient suffering from hypertension and diabetes mellitus whereas Group 2 consisted of patients suffering from hypertension. Patients were assessed on Short form health Survey (SF-36) and the WHOQOL – Bref scores. Results: A total of 85 patients were screened out of which 41 patients were enrolled in the study, 21 patients in Group 1 and 20 patients in group 2. The SF-36 Scores showed significantly (p<0.05) worse pain scores in patients in Group 2. Patients in Group 1 had a better quality of life as compared to other group as evident by higher scores in most of the parameters of SF-36 and WHO-QOL Bref Score, though it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both groups had compromised quality of life; patients with hypertension and diabetes had a better quality of life.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(1) 2016 p.84-89


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
Ludmila A. Belova ◽  
V. V. Mashin ◽  
V. V. Abramova ◽  
A. N. Proshin ◽  
A. N. Ovsyannikova

Aim. To study the neuroprotective effect of a repeated course of low dose cortexin therapy on the quality of life in the early rehabilitative period after hemispheric ischemic stroke (IS). Materials and methods. 90 patients were divided into group 1 treated with cortexin (10 mg i/m twice daily (morning and afternoon) in addition to basal treatment, group 2 given the repeated course of the same treatment, and control group (basal therapy alone). The standard SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. Results. Treatment of patients following acute hemispheric ischemic stroke with cortexin (10 mg i/m twice daily) and the repeated course of the same treatment after 10 days resulted in the accelerated and more complete normalization of the quality of life in the early rehabilitation petriod (starting from days 21-27 days after the onset of disease) than in the patients given a single course of cortexin therapy or basal treatment alone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140
Author(s):  
Yuliya Ivanchuk ◽  
Ludmila Tribuntceva ◽  
Andrey Budnevsky ◽  
Yanina Shkatova ◽  
Evgeniy Ovsyannikov ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate levels of leptin, adiponectin, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, oxidative damage, and antioxidant status in patients with bronchial asthma (BA), compared to patients who suffer from both BA and osteoarthritis (OA), and analyze the quality of life in such patients. Methods and Results: The study included 103 patients (34 men and 69 women) diagnosed with moderate asthma aged from 30 to 70 years (mean age of 58.52±7.14 years). The levels of IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, leptin, total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidative damage (TOD) were measured. Two questionnaires were used in this study: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and Asthma Control Test (АСТ). The levels of leptin, TNF-α, and Il-6 were significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. On the contrary, the IL-4 level was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. The TAS value was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P=0.0001). The TOD value was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P=0.0000). The domains of AQLQ(S) activity, symptoms, and emotions were decreased in patients of Group 2. The values of the ACT test were 18.0±2.61 points and 16.78±1.92 points in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P=0.0077). Conclusion: In patients with both asthma and osteoarthritis, levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as leptin, IL-6, and TNF-α, are significantly elevated as well as values of total oxidative status, which correlate with poorer asthma control and quality of life.


Author(s):  
N. L. Perelman

Aim. To compare the nature and degree of influence of different types of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) on the general and specific quality of life (QoL) of patients with asthma and control over the disease.Materials and methods. 234 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, aged from 18 to 60 years old, were interviewed and examined. Depending on the presence of one or another type of AHR, 4 groups were formed: group 1 included 60 patients with cold AHR, group 2 – 75 patients with hypoosmotic AHR, group 3 – 35 patients with hyperosmotic AHR, group 4 – 64 patients with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). QoL and the state of the emotional sphere were assessed using the SF-36, AQLQ, HADS questionnaires. The level of asthma control was determined using the ACT questionnaire. Lung function was assessed by spirometry.Results. When comparing QoL between groups, statistical differences were obtained for most of the SF-36 scales, with the exception of the domains “Role Physical” (RP) and “Bodily Pain” (BP), and their presence and significance varied depending on the types of AHR being compared. The lowest QoL indices were found in group 1 of patients with cold AHR according to the domains “Physical Activity” (PA), RP, BP, and “Role Emotional” (RE). The lowest indices for the domains “General Health” (GH), “Vitality” (V) and “Mental health” (MH) were found in the respondents of the 2nd group. Most of the highest QoL indicators in the compared groups were found in patients of group 4 with EIB in the domains PA, RP, V, RE, and MH. When carrying out a comparative analysis, the maximum number of significant differences was found between the groups with cold AHR and EIB. A comparative study of QoL using a special AQLQ questionnaire showed the lowest indices for the “Activity” and “Symptoms” domains in groups 1 and 2 of asthma patients. In addition, in group 1, the minimum QoL values were recorded for the “General QoL” domain (3.6±0.2 points), and in group 2, for the “Environment” domain (2.9±0.3 compared with 3.9±0.2 points in group 3, p<0.01).Conclusion. This study has demonstrated the multifaceted effect of AHR on health-related QoL, dependent on sensitivity to a particular physical stimulus and the season of maximum trigger action. The subjective assessment of psychosocial functioning is most differentiated according to the GH domain of the SF-36 questionnaire. The greatest negative impact on the QoL indices is exerted by the cold and hypoosmotic AHR, the least – by the EIB. The assessment of QoL allows to get a full picture of the perception of the patient's health level at the moment and in the given conditions.


Genes ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Luis Alfredo Utria Acevedo ◽  
Aline Morgan Alvarenga ◽  
Paula Fernanda Silva Fonseca ◽  
Nathália Kozikas da Silva ◽  
Rodolfo Delfini Cançado ◽  
...  

Background: Hemochromatosis is a genetic condition of iron overload caused by deficiency of hepcidin. In a previous stage of this study, patients with suspected hemochromatosis had their quality of life (QL) measured. We observed that QL scores differed among genotypic groups of patients. In this reported final phase of the study, the aims were to compare QL scores after a treatment period of approximately 3 years and to analyze a possible association of the serum ferritin values with QL scores. Methods: Sixty-five patients were enrolled in this final phase and divided into group 1 (patients that showed primary iron overload and homozygous genotype for the HFE p.Cys282Tyr mutation) and group 2 (other kinds of genotypes). Short Form 36 (SF-36) was performed and consisted of eight domains with a physical and also a mental component. Results: Both groups had a significant decrease in serum ferritin concentrations: group 1 had a variation from 1844 ± 1313 ng/mL to 281 ± 294 ng/mL, and group 2 had a variation from 1216 ± 631 ng/mL to 236 ± 174 ng/mL. Group 1 had a smaller mean value for these six SF-36 domains compared with group 2, indicating a worse QL. Conclusions: In this final stage, six domains demonstrated a difference among genotypic groups (role emotional and mental health, adding to the four of the initial phase), reassuring the impact of the identified genotype on the QL of hemochromatosis patients. Furthermore, despite that both patient groups demonstrated similar and significant decreases in serum ferritin values, no association was found between the decrease in this biological parameter and the SF-36 domains.


Gut ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Chassany ◽  
P Marquis ◽  
B Scherrer ◽  
N W Read ◽  
T Finger ◽  
...  

BACKGROUNDDyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome are suitable conditions for assessment of quality of life. Their similarities justify the elaboration of a single specific questionnaire for the two conditions.AIMSTo examine the process leading to the validation of the psychometric properties of the functional digestive disorders quality of life questionnaire (FDDQL).METHODSInitially, the questionnaire was given to 154 patients, to assess its acceptability and reproducibility, analyse its content, and reduce the number of items. Its responsiveness was tested during two therapeutic trials which included 428 patients. The questionnaire has been translated into French, English, and German. The psychometric validation study was conducted in France, United Kingdom, and Germany by 187 practitioners. A total of 401 patients with dyspepsia or irritable bowel syndrome, defined by the Rome criteria, filled in the FDDQL and generic SF-36 questionnaires.RESULTSThe structure of the FDDQL scales was checked by factorial analysis. Its reliability was expressed by a Cronbach’s α coefficient of 0.94. Assessment of its discriminant validity showed that the more severe the functional digestive disorders, the more impaired the quality of life (p<0.05). Concurrent validity was supported by the correlation found between the FDDQL and SF-36 questionnaire scales. The final version of the questionnaire contains 43 items belonging to eight domains.CONCLUSIONSThe properties of the FDDQL questionnaire, available in French, English, and German, make it appropriate for use in clinical trials designed to evaluate its responsiveness to treatment among patients with dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document