scholarly journals Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health of Copd and Nsclc Caregivers: Relevance for Palliative Care Implementation in Serbia

Author(s):  
Dragana Maric ◽  
Dragana Jovanovic ◽  
Ljudmila Nagorni Obradovic ◽  
Tatjana Adzić Vukicevic ◽  
Spasoje Popevic ◽  
...  

Abstract The purpose: In context of forthcoming implementation of palliative care in Serbia we aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms level of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caregivers and to analyze the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as the correlation of patients' quality of life with the quality of life of caregivers.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 200 caregivers and the patients they care for was undertaken in a three-year period. The Medical Outcomes 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (Serbian version) was used to measure caregivers and patient’s health-related quality of life and Standard 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was given to each study participant (patient and caregiver) in order to explore feelings and attitudes relating to general depressive status. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.Results of our study did not show a significant difference in most QoL domains and depressive symptoms of the two caregiver groups, but it did show a difference in the domain of general health (GH) and physical health (PHC) measured by the SF-36 (p=0.003 and p=0,038, respectively) in COPD caregivers. Conclusion: Particularly vulnerable caregiver group, the one that cared for patients with COPD, perceived their own general and physical health significantly worse compared to NSCLC caregivers. More depressed caregivers and those with a longer duration of unemployment (regardless of the disease type) reported poorer quality of life and represented a groups with greater support needs.

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Henry Pålsson ◽  
Ib Rasmussen ◽  
Patrik Lundström ◽  
Johanna Österberg ◽  
Gabriel Sandblom

Background. Assessment of gallstone surgery’s impact on quality of life (QoL) requires a reliable instrument with sufficient responsiveness. The instrument should also enable estimation of each individual’s expected condition in an unaffected state. Materials and Methods. The Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) registers indications, complications, results, and QoL-outcome of gallstone surgery. In 2008, 68 hospitals were registered in GallRiks. Between 2007 and 2008, SF-36 (a short form health survey) was filled in 1-2 weeks pre- and 6–9 months postoperatively at five of the units. Expected scores were determined from an age- and gender-matched Swedish population (AGMSP). Results. Of the 330 patients, 212 responded to SF36 pre- and postoperatively (RR = 64%; 212/330). Standardized response means ranged from 0.20 to 0.93 for the SF-36 subscores. Highest responsiveness was seen for bodily pain. Preoperatively, all subscores were significantly lower than in the AGMSP (all ). Six months postoperatively, there was no significant difference between any of the observed and expected quality of life subscales. Conclusion. SF-36 is a useful instrument for measuring the impact of gallstone surgery on QoL. The postinterventional health status equalled or even exceeded the AGMSP for all subscales.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-164
Author(s):  
Branka Gvozdic ◽  
Dragica Milenkovic-Petronic ◽  
Nebojsa Ladjevic ◽  
Aleksandar Vuksanovic ◽  
Otas Durutovic

Background/Aim. Urolithiasis is one of the most common urological illnesses with a continual rise in incidence and prevalence in the population. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial; hence, its consequences are serious problems that can significantly impact the quality of life of patients. In the last years, operational modes of urolithiasis treatment had undergone evolution changes towards minimally invasive treatment techniques aimed at improving its efficacy and patients' life quality. The aim of the study was to examine and evaluate the quality of life of the patients with urolithiasis depending on the applied treatment method. Methods. This research was designed as a panel study ? a combination of a cross-sectional and cohort study. The sample included patients with urolithiasis treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or ureteroscopic lithotripsy (Lithoclast). The research was carried during one year period and 100 respondents met the inclusion criteria. They were divided into two equal groups considering the applied method of the stone disintegration: the Lithoclast group (URSL) and the ESWL group. The instrument used for measuring the quality of life was Short Form (SF) 36 questionnaire. It was administrated to the patients immediately before the operation and one month after the operation. Results. The statistical analysis of the scores obtained preoperationally on the SF 36 questionnaire revealed the decrease in the quality of life of patients with urolithiasis in almost all dimensions of life. The statistically relevant difference in preoperative SF scores between the two groups of patients was not established except in the domain of the role of physical health and the domain of mental health. In the domain of the role of physical health, the Lithoclast group had a statistically significant higher score than the ESWL group, but in the domain of mental health, the ESWL group had a statistically significant higher score than the Lithoclast group. The postoperative statistical analysis of SF questionnaire and the examination of the impact of the treatment mode on the quality of life showed that the use of the Lithoclast method resulted in the much higher, statistically significant score at SF36 questionnaires regarding several life dimensions than the ESWL method. The application of the ESWL method even resulted in the decrease in the postoperational score for some life dimensions. Conclusion. The assessment of the quality of life is an adequate tool for the evaluation of treatment modes in the clinical practice. By using the SF 36 questionnaire in this study, we established that the ureteroscopic lithotripsy (the Lithoclast method) is a method that postoperatively results in much higher and statistically significant improvement of the quality of life of patients with urolithiasis in several health domains than the ESWL method.


Author(s):  
Stefano Tozza ◽  
Dario Bruzzese ◽  
Daniele Severi ◽  
Emanuele Spina ◽  
Rosa Iodice ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patients, daily life is mainly influenced by mobility and ambulation dysfunctions. The aim of our work was to evaluate the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on daily life in CMT1A patients and its difference on the basis of age, gender, disability, and quality of life. Methods Forty-one CMT1A patients underwent neurological assessment focused on establishing clinical disability through the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score (CMTNS) and quality of life through the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. We identified from CMT disturbances 5 categories [weakness in lower limbs (WLL), weakness in upper limbs (WUL), skeletal deformities (SD), sensory symptoms (SS), balance (B)] and patients classified the categories from the highest to the lowest impact on daily life (1: highest; 5: lowest). Ranking of the 5 categories, in the overall sample and in the different subgroups (dividing by gender, median of age and disease duration, CMTNS, domains of SF-36), was obtained and differences among subgroups were assessed using a bootstrap approach. Results Rank analysis showed that WLL was the most important disturbance on daily life whereas WUL had the lowest impact. In the older CMT1A group, the most important disturbance on daily life was B that was also the most relevant disturbance in patients with a greater disability. SD influenced daily life in younger patients. SS had less impact on daily life, with the exception of patients with a milder disability. Discussion Our findings demonstrated that the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on CMT1A patients’ daily life changes over the lifetime and with degree of disability.


Author(s):  
Eman M. Khedr ◽  
Rania M. Gamal ◽  
Sounia M. Rashad ◽  
Mary Yacoub ◽  
Gellan K. Ahmed

Abstract Background Depression is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is an unmeasured risk factor, yet its symptoms can be neglected in standard disease evaluations. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and the impact of depression on quality of life in SLE patients. We recruited 32 patients with SLE and 15 healthy control volunteers in the study. The following investigations were undertaken in each patient: clinical and rheumatologic assessment, SLE Disease Activity Index-2k (SLEDAI-2k), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and routine laboratory tests. Results There was a high percentage of depression (46.9%) in the SLE patients. Regarding quality of life (SF-36), there were significant affection of the physical and mental composite summary domains (PCS and MCS) scores in lupus patients compared with controls (P < 0.000 for both) with the same significant in depressed compared with non-depressed patients. SF-36 subscales (physical function, limit emotional, emotional wellbeing, and social function) were significantly affected in depressed lupus patients compared with non-depressed patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the score of MCS domain of SF-36 with BDI (P < 0.000) while positive correlation between SLEDAI score with depression score. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between MCS or PCS with age, duration of illness, or SLEDAI-2K. Conclusions Depression is common in SLE patients and had a negative impact on quality of life particularly on MCS domain and positive correlation with disease severity score. Trial registration This study was registered on clinical trial with registration number: NCT03165682 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03165682 on 24 May 2017.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342
Author(s):  
J HA Arnoldus ◽  
J Killestein ◽  
L EMA Pfennings ◽  
B Jelles ◽  
B MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during the initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-b (IFN-b). Furthermore, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability, emotional state, therapeutic expectations or side effect profile. Background: IFN-b has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-b treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is important to know how this treatment affects QoL. Surprisingly, the impact of treatment with IFN-b on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so far. Methods: Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS scores, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-b was obtained at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form about their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects. Results: During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improvement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F1,50=4.9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month 1 was found in the scale for bodily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F1,50=19.8, P50.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADRAS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F1,24=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse event scores and several domains of QoL. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IFN-b therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-b is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects.


Author(s):  
Susen Lailach ◽  
Theresa Langanke ◽  
Thomas Zahnert ◽  
Susan Garthus-Niegel ◽  
Marcus Neudert

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative depressive symptoms influence health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after middle ear surgery in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). Methods This prospective clinical case study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. All 102 patients who had undergone middle ear surgery for COM were assessed clinically and by audiometric testing (pure tone audiometry) in pre- and postoperative settings. Disease-specific HRQOL was assessed by the validated chronic otitis media outcome test 15 (COMOT-15) and the Zurich chronic middle ear inventory (ZCMEI-21). General HRQOL was measured using the short form 36 (SF-36). Depressive symptoms were assessed using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-D). The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was used to classify comorbidities. The middle ear status was determined using the ossiculoplasty outcome parameter staging (OOPS) index. Results After middle ear surgery, the total COMOT-15 and ZCMEI-21 scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). General HRQOL (total SF-36 score) was unaffected by surgery (p < 0.05). Patients without elevated depressive symptoms had significantly better total scores for the COMOT-15 (p < 0.01), ZCMEI-21 (p < 0.001), and for SF-36 (p < 0.001) postoperatively. The results of the multiple regression analyses show that, after adjusting for the OOPS, CCI, and hearing improvement, preoperative depressiveness was significantly associated with worse postoperative COMOT-15 and ZCMEI-21 outcome scores (β = 0.425 and β = 0.362, p < 0.001). Conclusion Preoperative depressiveness was an essential predictive factor for HRQOL in patients with COM. This should be considered during patient selection to provide more suitable preoperative counseling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 799-807
Author(s):  
Sehnaz Basaran ◽  
Halil İbrahim Tas

ABSTRACT Background: Investigating predictive factors of reduced quality of life (QOL) of patients and their association with focal epilepsy can improve management and treatment strategies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between affective temperaments, depression, anxiety, disease characteristics, and QOL and to explore the predictors of QOL in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). Methods: A total of 50 patients with TLE, 51 patients with ETLE, and 70 controls were enrolled. Affective temperaments were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). QOL was assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to explore depression and anxiety severity, respectively. Results: Compared with the controls, patients with TLE and ETLE had significantly higher scores on all TEMPS-A scales, except on hyperthymic temperament. All the SF-36 subscale scores were lower in the TLE and ETLE groups. Linear regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms, anxiety, depressive and irritable temperament, and seizure frequency were significant predictors of QOL in TLE. Patients with ETLE with temperamental disturbances, depressive symptoms, and polytherapy had a poorer QOL. Conclusions: Affective temperaments, psychiatric disorders, and clinical factors may predict impaired QOL in patients with TLE and ETLE. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of QOL in various epilepsy subtypes.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Francescato Veiga ◽  
Fabíola Soares Moreira Campos ◽  
Leda Marques Ribeiro ◽  
Ivanildo Archangelo Junior ◽  
Joel Veiga Filho ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: to compare the impact of mastectomy and conservative surgery on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: an assessment was made of the quality of life of patients undergoing mastectomy or segmentary mastectomy, at the Pouso Alegre Clinical Hospital, in the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais, using SF-36. The patients were grouped by age (<50 years and >50 years) and years of schooling (<8 years and >8 years). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups with regard to the age and schooling domains of SF-36. RESULTS: a significant difference between the two groups was found in the domains of "physical functioning" (p=0.04) and "pain" (p=0.01): with the patients undergoing a mastectomy registering the worst scores. Young patients who had undergone a mastectomy displayed the worst quality of life in terms of "physical functioning" (p=0.03), "pain" (p=0.01) and "social functioning" (p=0.01); those undergoing conservative surgery aged over 50 years scored worst on "role emotional" (p=0.05). Patients undergoing a mastectomy with lower levels of schooling scored lower in "physical functioning" (p=0.01), "role physical" (p=0.05) and "pain" (p=0.05). Among those who had attended school for more than eight years, those having undergone a mastectomy scored less in the "pain" domain (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: patients who had undergone a mastectomy had worse results in the physical component of the evaluation of quality of life and this negative impact was more strongly felt among younger patients and those with lower levels of schooling.


2004 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tathiana Pagano ◽  
Luciana Akemi Matsutani ◽  
Elisabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira ◽  
Amélia Pasqual Marques ◽  
Carlos Alberto de Bragança Pereira

CONTEXT: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, and by a low pain threshold at specific anatomical points. The syndrome is associated with other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, morning stiffness and anxiety. Because of its chronic nature, it often has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life and anxiety level of patients with fibromyalgia. TYPE Of STUDY: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Rheumatology outpatient service of Hospital das Clínicas (Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo). METHODS: This study evaluated 80 individuals, divided between test and control groups. The test group included 40 women with a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The control group was composed of 40 healthy women. Three questionnaires were used: two to assess quality of life (FIQ and SF-36) and one to assess anxiety (STAI). They were applied to the individuals in both groups in a single face-to-face interview. The statistical analysis used Student's t test and Pearson's correlation test (r), with a significance level of 95%. Also, the Pearson chi-squared statistics test for homogeneity, with Yates correction, was used for comparing schooling between test and control groups. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.000), thus indicating that fibromyalgia patients have a worse quality of life and higher levels of anxiety. The correlations between the three questionnaires were high (r = 0.9). DISCUSSION: This study has confirmed the efficacy of FIQ for evaluating the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life. SF-36 is less specific than FIQ, although statistically significant values were obtained when analyzed separately, STAI showed lower efficacy for discriminating the test group from the control group. The test group showed worse quality of life than did the control group, which was demonstrated by both FIQ and SF-36. Even though STAI was a less efficient instrument, it presented significant results, showing that fibromyalgia patients presented higher levels of anxiety, both on the state and trait scales. Thus, patients with fibromyalgia had higher levels of tension, nervousness, preoccupation and apprehension, and higher propensity towards anxiety. CONCLUSION: The three instruments utilized showed efficiency in evaluating fibromyalgia patients. FIQ was found to be the most efficient instrument for discriminating and assessing the impact of fibromyalgia on their quality of life. It can be concluded that such patients have a worse quality of life and higher levels of anxiety.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1429-1435
Author(s):  
Ji-Yeon Lee ◽  
Seung-Hui Baek ◽  
Yoon-Mi Lee ◽  
Ji-Hyung Cho ◽  
Jun-Chul Kim ◽  
...  

This study aims to examine the effect of a 12-week intradialytic exercise program on patients’ blood indices, physical performance, and quality of life. Forty-six outpatients who were diagnosed with end-stage renal failure by a nephrologist and received hemodialysis therapy for six months or longer were recruited. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to analyze the continuous variables. Among blood indices, Hematocrit decreased significantly after aerobic and complex exercise; hemoglobin dropped only after complex exercise; P and Ca×P increased for a considerable amount only after complex exercise, but the postexamination results show no significant difference. As for physical performance, sit-to-stand (STS)-5 decreased with resistance and complex exercise (p < .01), while there was a significant increase in STS-30 after aerobic, resistance, and complex exercise (p < .01). 6-minute walk test (MWT) grew significantly in all groups (p < .01), but alongside gait speed, and grip strength, it diminished significantly in the non-exercise group (p< .05). When it comes to SF-36, there was a significant rise in the physical component score (PCS) (p< .01) with resistance and complex exercise. In the meantime, mental component summary (MCS) went up significantly after all types of exercises (p < .01). In contrast, Beck depression inventory (BDI) showed a significant decline only with complex exercise (p < .01). To sum up, this study suggests intradialytic complex exercise appears to be effective in enhancing Short Form (SF)-36 and BDI as well as physical performance, which is why we recommend this type of complex exercise program for hemodialysis patients.


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