Military Injuries - Understanding Post-Traumatic Epilepsy (MINUTE), Health, and Quality-of-Life Effects of Caregiving: Protocol for a Longitudinal Mixed Methods Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin D Bouldin ◽  
Roxana Delgado ◽  
Kimberly Peacock ◽  
Willie Hale ◽  
Ali Roghani ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Veterans with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), particularly those with comorbidities associated with epilepsy and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI), have poorer health status and higher symptom burden than their peers without PTE. One area that has been particularly poorly studied is that of the role of caregivers in the health of Veterans with PTE and the impact caring for someone with PTE has on the caregivers themselves. OBJECTIVE This will address the following aims: Aim 1: Describe and compare the health and quality of life of Veterans and caregivers of Veterans with and without PTE. Aim 2: Evaluate the change in available supports and unmet needs for services among caregivers of post-9/11 Veterans with PTE over a 2-year period, and compare supports and unmet needs to those without PTE. Aim 3: Identify Veteran and caregiver characteristics associated with the two-year health trajectories of caregivers and of Veterans with PTE compared to Veterans without PTE. METHODS We will conduct a prospective cohort study of the health and quality of life among four groups of Veterans and their caregivers: Veterans with (1) PTE, (2) nontraumatic epilepsy, (3) TBI only, and (4) neither epilepsy nor TBI. We will recruit participants from previous related studies and will collect information about both the Veteran and their primary informal caregivers on health, quality of life, unmet needs for care, PTE/TBI symptoms and treatment, relationship, and caregiver experience. Data sources will include existing data supplemented with primary data: (1) survey data collected at baseline, (2) intermittent brief reporting using ecological momentary assessment, and (3) qualitative interviews. We will make both cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons, using Veteran-caregiver dyads, along with qualitative findings to better understand risk and promotive factors for quality of life and health among Veterans and caregivers, as well as the bi-directional impact of caregivers and care recipients on one another. RESULTS This study has been approved by the University of Utah and the Salt Lake City VA IRBs and is under review at the Human Research Protection Office of the US Army Medical Research and Development Command. The Service Member, Veteran, and Caregiver Community Stakeholders Group has been formed and the study questionnaire will be finalized once the panel reviews it. We anticipate beginning recruitment and primary data collection in summer, 2021. CONCLUSIONS New national initiatives aim to incorporate the caregiver into the Veteran’s treatment plan; however, we know little about the impacts of caregiving – both positive and negative – on the caregivers themselves and on the Veterans for whom they provide care. We will identify specific needs in this understudied population, which will inform clinicians, patients, families, and policy makers about the specific impacts and needs to equip caregivers in caring for Veterans at home.

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (17) ◽  
pp. S24-S30
Author(s):  
Geraldine Walpole ◽  
Mary Kelly ◽  
Joy Lewis ◽  
Avril Gleeson ◽  
Ann-Marie Cullen ◽  
...  

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with a high disease burden, reduced quality of life and shortened survival. The aim of this questionnaire was to gain patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the impact of living with an MPN in the Republic of Ireland. An Irish adaptation of the ‘Global MPN Landmark survey’ was conducted. Fifty-one patients and 44 caregivers completed the questionnaire. Patients reported a wide variety of symptoms at the time of questionnaire completion; fatigue, bone pain and pruritus being most frequently reported. Approximately one-third of respondents from each of the groups (patients and caregivers) reported a negative impact of MPNs on their emotional wellbeing and daily lives. The study findings revealed that, despite treatment, symptom burden remains high, and several unmet needs exist, including educational, emotional and peer group support. Interventions that focus on reducing symptom burden and addressing these unmet needs, may improve the quality of life for patients with MPNs and their caregivers.


2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002190
Author(s):  
Amanda Drury ◽  
Sheila Payne ◽  
Anne-Marie Brady

ObjectiveCancer survivors’ perceptions of healthcare have been identified as a predictor of quality of life (QoL) outcomes. This study aims to explore colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors’ perceptions of how cancer-related healthcare affects their QoL.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 22 CRC survivors receiving follow-up care between 1 and 5 years post diagnosis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.ResultsFive themes described the impact of healthcare experiences on CRC survivors’ QoL. While cancer survivors spoke positively of their relationships with healthcare professionals, many experienced a range of unmet information and supportive care needs. Participants described a range of positive and negative experiences, as power dynamics and navigation of healthcare systems had implications for their QoL. Where negative healthcare events aligned, survivors’ autonomy, dignity and confidence were undermined, and survivorship issues could be inadequately addressed. To address persistent unmet needs, survivors developed a safety net(work) of supports to bridge the gap of unmet needs in healthcare with varying outcomes.ConclusionsCancer survivors’ experience of follow-up and healthcare can positively or negatively affect their QoL. Preparation for cancer survivorship must be incorporated into the acute phase of diagnosis and treatment and interlinked with clear pathways of survivorship care and accessible supportive care, which support survivors to be equal partners in their healthcare. Understanding cancer survivors’ knowledge, expertise and mastery of their condition is essential to ensure delivery of person-centred supportive care that adequately addresses the survivor’s unmet needs.


2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill H McCarberg ◽  
Bruce D Nicholson ◽  
Knox H Todd ◽  
Trish Palmer ◽  
Leslie Penles

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra S. Macy ◽  
Jonathan N. Theo ◽  
Sonia C. V. Kaufmann ◽  
Rassil B. Ghazzaoui ◽  
Paul A. Pawlowski ◽  
...  

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a profound impact with a high disease burden. In order to truly understand the scope of the effect OCD has on the patient population, one must take into account not only the relentless symptoms beleaguering the patients but also examine their overall ability to enjoy their life. Quality of life (QOL) assessments/improvements are becoming an increasingly important component of healthcare, especially in the mental health field. This review examines QOL in OCD, as well as the influence of comorbidities, and the impact that OCD treatment has on QOL. We searched MEDLINE/PUBMED and PsycINFO databases from 1980–2011 using keywords “obsessive compulsive disorder” OR “OCD” AND “quality of life” OR “QOL.” Fifty-eight studies meeting specific selection criteria were ultimately included in this review. The results show that QOL in OCD is significantly impaired when compared to QOL in the general population and in patients with other psychiatric and medical disorders. Likewise, QOL in OCD also appears to be largely affected by comorbid conditions, which should be taken into account when developing a treatment plan. Furthermore, QOL in OCD has been shown to improve with medications and with both individual and group psychotherapy, albeit not to the levels enjoyed by community norms. QOL assessment in both clinical and research settings is important to examine the disease burden, to monitor treatment effectiveness, and to determine full recovery from OCD. Treatment providers should strive to not only reach symptom abatement, but also to assure that patients have regained satisfaction and functioning in their daily lives.


2019 ◽  
Vol IV (III) ◽  
pp. 132-139
Author(s):  
Haidar Farooq ◽  
Sabahat Subhan ◽  
Yasir Riaz

This research study examines the impact of remittances on quality of life. In order to accomplish the objectives, the study uses primary data which are collected from 403 households of District Dir Lower, Pakistan. Results summarized that incoming foreign remittances have a positive effect on education. Foreign remittances improve the household income level, this income is further utilized for different educational expenses. Therefore, remittance recipient families spend more than that of non-receiving families on education. In addition, remittances also increase the probability of children’s enrollment in schools. On the other hand, remittances are positively associated with family health status. The results revealed that 83% of the remittance recipient families have the ability to access basic healthcare needs, whereas 64% of non-receiving households have no access to basic health facilities. Additionally, remittances receiving families mostly prefer a private doctor and private hospitals, whereas non-receiving household usually uses government hospital facilities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Obuobi-Donkor ◽  
Ejemai Eboreime ◽  
Jennifer Bond ◽  
Natalie Phung ◽  
Scarlett Eyben ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND First responders are confronted with the traumatic event(s) in their work that has a significant toll on their psychological health and that may contribute to or result in post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) for many responders. Persons with a PTSI usually seek management therapies, which they hope will be effective. Evidence indicates that digital delivery of these therapies is an innovative, efficient and effective way to improve PTSI symptoms as in-person delivery. OBJECTIVE This project aims to implement and provide accessible, convenient and economical SMS text messaging services, known asText4PTSI, to first responders in Alberta, Canada, to prevent and improve the symptoms of PTSI among first responders and to improve their overall quality of life. We will evaluate post-traumatic symptoms and the impact of Text4PTSI on stress, anxiety and depression in relation to correspondent's demographic backgrounds. METHODS First Responders who subscribe to Text4PTSI receive daily supportive and psychoeducational text messages for six months. The text messages are pre-programmed into an online software program delivering messages to subscribers. Baseline and follow-up data are collected through online questionnaires using validated scales at enrollments of 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks (endpoint). In-depth interviews will be conducted to assess satisfaction with the text-based intervention. RESULTS We hypothesize that participants who enrol in this program will have improved PTSI symptoms, increased or improved quality of life and significant reduction of associated stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, among other psychological concerns. Improvement will be determined in comparison to established baseline parameters. CONCLUSIONS Text4PTSI is a practical, economic and easily accessible intervention, which provides supportive text messages and serves as an acceptable and evidence-informed way of preventing and managing symptoms associated with PTSI for first-responders. Results from this research will be beneficial for practitioners and will inform policy and decision making regarding psychological interventions for PTSI.


Author(s):  
Meghana Dutta ◽  
Rooha K

Cancer is a public health concern amongst millions of humans and claims hundreds of lives every year. The maximum worry-inducing side effect of cancer treatment is nausea and vomiting. Therefore, stopping and managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is an important part of a cancer patient’s treatment plan. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and quality of life provided by two commonly used antiemetic regimens in the management and prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in cancer patients. We assessed patient-reported nausea, vomiting, use of rescue medication, and Functional Living IndexEmesis (FLIE) questionnaire results, and used them as parameters to make comparisons. We also examined the percentage of patients showing complete response (CR; no emesis and non-use of rescue antiemetics), and the impact of CINV on patient’s daily life during the acute and delayed phases. The results show that the complete response is achieved by 26 patients in group-B and 18 patients in group-A, from the total 60 patients, while the FLIE scores indicated better quality of life is maintained in group-B (76.6%). In the study, the predominance of Netupitant and Palonosetron regimen to Ondansetron was demonstrated.


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