scholarly journals The impact of community-based health promotion on quality of life: The need to control for general health trends. The Northern Sweden MONICA Study in 2014

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Spegel ◽  
Kristina Ek ◽  
Stefan Söderberg ◽  
Mats Eliasson

Abstract Background: The Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) is a public health promotion programme in northern Sweden aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases. Its positive effects on disease risk factors and on the risk of coronary heart disease itself have been reported, although the evidence is not unequivocal. Since only historical controls have been used, effects from sources other than the programme have largely been uncontrolled for and health-related quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated.Methods: By using the neighbouring county of Norrbotten (NB) as a reference population, we compare QoL in Västerbotten (VB) and NB. In 2014, the World Health Organization’s Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA) Study was implemented in northern Sweden, where random samples from VB and NB were examined. In total, 1112 participants between the ages of 40 to 74 participated: 516 in VB, and 594 in NB. Their QoL was measured with the three-level EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Differences in mean QoL between VB and NB were analysed via the Student’s t-test and the Pearson chi-square test.Results: Average QoL measured by the EQ-5D index was 0.798 in VB and 0.811 in NB, i.e. a difference of 0.013 (p = 0.2; confidence interval/CI -0.009 to 0.036). For participants aged 45–54, the QoL was lower in VB than in NB, showing a difference of 0.048 (p = 0.041; CI 0.002 to 0.0094). In NB, QoL decreased with age – a pattern not seen in VB. Men had higher QoL than women, and participants with a university education had higher QoL than those without one. The vertical visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) showed similar results. Participants from NB and from VB did not differ regarding age, gender or level of education.Conclusions: We found similar levels of health-related QoL in VB and NB.Trial registration: Not applicable

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256872
Author(s):  
Elin Spege ◽  
Kristina Ek ◽  
Stefan Söderberg ◽  
Mats Eliasson

Background The Västerbotten intervention program (VIP), is a public health promotion program in northern Sweden with the aim of preventing cardiovascular disease. Positive effects have been reported although the evidence is not unequivocal. Since only historical controls have been used, effects from other sources than the program have largely been uncontrolled for and health related quality of life (HRQoL) has not been evaluated. Purpose By using the neighbouring county of Norrbotten (NB) as the reference population, we compare HRQoL in Västerbotten (VB) and in NB. Methods In 2014 the Northern Sweden survey, Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA), examined a random sample from the two counties. HRQoL was measured with the EQ-5D-3L. In total, 1112 subjects aged 40–74 years participated, 516 in VB and 594 in NB. Differences in mean QoL between VB and NB were analysed via Student’s t-test and the Pearson chi-square test. Results Average HRQoL measured by the EQ-5D-index was 0.798 in VB and 0.811 in NB, a difference of 0.013 (p = 0.2, CI -0.009 to 0.036). For subjects aged 45–54 years, the HRQoL was lower in VB than in NB, a difference of 0.048 (p = 0.041; CI 0.002 to 0.0094). Men had higher HRQoL than women, and university educated had higher HRQoL than those without university education. EQ-VAS showed similar results. Subjects from NB and from VB did not differ regarding age, gender and level of education. In NB, HRQoL decrease with age, a pattern not seen in VB. Conclusions We found similar levels of HRQoL in VB and in NB.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Spegel ◽  
Kristina Ek ◽  
Stefan Söderberg ◽  
Mats Eliasson

Abstract Background: The Västerbotten intervention program (VIP), is a public health promotion program in northern Sweden with the aim of preventing cardiovascular disease. Positive effects on risk factors and risk of coronary heart disease have been reported although the evidence is not unequivocal. Since only historical controls have been used, effects from other sources than the program have largely been uncontrolled for and health related quality of life (QoL) has not been evaluated. Aim: By using the neighbouring county of Norrbotten (NB) as the reference population, we compare QoL in Västerbotten (VB) and in NB. Method: The Northern Sweden MONICA survey in 2014 examined a random sample from the two counties. QoL was measured with the EQ-5D-3L. In total, 1112 subjects participated aged 40-74 years, 516 in VB and 594 in NB. Results: Average QoL measured by the EQ-5D-index was 0.798 in VB and 0.811 in NB, a difference of 0.013 (p=0.2, CI -0.009 to 0.036). For subjects aged 45-54 years, the QoL was lower in VB than in NB, a difference of 0.048 (p=0.041; CI 0.002 to 0.0094). In NB, QoL decreased with age, a pattern not seen in VB. Men had higher QoL than women, and university educated had higher QoL than those without university education. EQ-VAS showed similar results. Subjects from NB and from VB did not differ regarding age, gender and level of education. Conclusion: We found similar levels of QoL in VB and in NB.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenika Jiratchayaporn ◽  
Siriorn Sindhu ◽  
Acharaporn Seeherunwong ◽  
Rungnapa Panitrat ◽  
Chukiat Viwatwongkasem

PurposeAlthough health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become an important outcome, specifically in regard to the impact of illness and treatment in patients with depression, few studies have explored the HRQOL of patients from different types of hospitals. This study aimed at examining a change in HRQOL of patients from various types of hospitalsDesign/methodology/approachA repeated measure was used in this study. Thirty participants in psychiatric outpatient units per center from the different types of hospitals, including a psychiatric hospital, regional hospital, general hospital and community hospital, were assessed with the Thai version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI) questionnaire at the first visit, and after the 6th and 12th weeks of the treatment course.FindingsThe HRQOL scores for the participants were increased in each type of hospital from their first visit to the 6th week and 12th week (p < 0.001; except for the 6th week in the regional hospital, p < 0.01).Originality/valueThe findings reflected HRQOL in patients with depression in terms of the resources available in different types of hospitals that could be used as baseline data for the development of Thai mental health service systems.


2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 228-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chirag Solanki ◽  
Divya Sadana ◽  
Arivazhagan Arimappamagan ◽  
K. V. L. N. Rao ◽  
Jamuna Rajeswaran ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: The incidence of long-term survival in glioblastoma (GBM), i.e., >3 years, ranges from 3% to 5%. Although extensive research is performed in novel therapies for prolonging survival, there is a scarcity of research focusing on the impact of tumor and treatment on cognitive, psychological, and social status of survivors. This study is an attempt to look into this poorly addressed important issue. Materials and Methods: Nine patients (six adults and three children) with GBM who had survived >3 years were included in the study. The quality of life (QOL) functions were assessed with the World Health Organization QOL Questionnaire BREF questionnaire. The neuropsychological assessment was done using the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences neuropsychology battery for adults and children. The scores were compared with normative data. Results: The physical and psychological health-related QOL of long-term GBM survivors were affected considerably due to fatigue, poor quality of sleep, inability to concentrate, presence of depression, financial burden with impaired personal and social relationships (P < 0.05). Different domains of cognitions such as motor speed (P = 0.0173), mental speed (P = 0.0022), sustained attention (P = 0.0001), long-term memory (P = 0.0431), mental flexibility (P < 0.05), and planning and executive functions (P < 0.05) were significantly impaired affecting personal, social, and professional lives. Conclusion: The health-related QOL and cognition are significantly impaired in GBM long-term survivors. As the incidence of long-term survival is very less, there is a need for larger multicenter studies to come up with definitive results, which in turn can help in formatting the rehabilitative and support programs for these patients.


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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document