Psychological Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients with Penile Cancer: Pilot Study on a Russian Sample

Research into the psychological aspects of oncological diseases is nowadays relevant and widespread; however, there are very few studies in patients with penile cancer (PC). Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the psychological characteristics and quality of life of patients with PC for further organization of psychological counseling. The study included 17 male patients (mean age 49.0 3.76 years) of the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology. The following techniques were used: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Big Five Inventory (BFI), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), Purpose in Life Test (PLT), Quality of Life of Cancer Patients (EORTC QLQ-C30). The patients overall health status was assessed by D.A. Karnofskys scale; a specific psychological structured interview was also conducted. The emotional state of most patients is characterized by low indexes of anxiety and depression. Most of them are purposeful, organized, emotionally stable, unwilling to form trusting relationships. They have high rates of life meaningfulness, a normative level of internality and a decreased purpose in life indicator. The patients are not prone to active and conscious overcoming stress compared to healthy men. The indexes of quality of life, as well as the rates of its specific parameters (cognitive, physical and emotional activity) in the studied group of patients exceed the same values in patients with different tumor localizations and are not consistent with the objectively estimated condition. Health-related quality of life is largely determined by the characteristics of patients value system, especially in oncological diseases that are related not only to a vital threat, but also to deep personal experiences, including the experience of patients male identity.

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Pain Characteristics and Associations with Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Lithuania

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56110596 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (11) ◽

pp. 596

Author(s):

Greta Veličkaitė ◽

Neringa Jucevičiūtė ◽

Renata Balnytė ◽

Ovidijus Laucius ◽

Antanas Vaitkus

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Neuropathic Pain ◽

Short Form ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

And Control

Background and objectives: Even though pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is common and possibly associated with reduced quality of life, its exact prevalence and characteristics remain vaguely understood. We aimed to estimate the true extent of pain and its associations with quality of life in Lithuanian MS patients and to compare this data with that of a control group. Materials and Methods: Data were collected prospectively at the Department of Neurology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics. A face-to-face structured interview and a questionnaire were used to collect demographic and clinical data of the MS (n = 120) and control (n = 120) groups. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to quantify disability in the MS group. Scores ≥4/10 in the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire were classified as neuropathic pain. Patients were evaluated using the anxiety and depression subsets of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D), the physical and mental component subsets of the Short Form-12 questionnaire (PSC-12 and MSC-12). Results: The MS and control groups did not differ in pain prevalence (76.7% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.064) or intensity. Lhermitte sign, lower limb, and face pain were more common in the MS group, whereas subjects in the control group were more often affected by lower back, neck, and joint pain. Neuropathic pain and pain lasting longer than 2 years were more common among pain-affected MS patients than among controls. MS patients with pain had higher EDSS, HADS-D, and HADS-A and lower PSC-12 scores than those without pain; however, no difference was found regarding the duration of MS or age. Males with MS and pain had higher MSC-12 and HADS-D scores in comparison to the same subset of females. Conclusions: Pain affects approximately three out of four patients with MS in Lithuania and is negatively associated with the mental and physical aspects of quality of life.

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P–478 Quality of life assessment in women undergoing assisted reproduction. A study of FertiQol and HADS

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

N Figueras-Puigderrajols ◽

A Ballesteros ◽

D Guerra

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Mobile App ◽

Life Assessment ◽

Fertility Treatment ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Gamete Donation

Abstract Study question The present study aims to explore infertility-related psychosocial outcomes, including fertility quality of life (QoL), as well as anxiety and depression levels, in women diagnosed with infertility. Summary answer Differences on fertility-related QoL appeared when comparing treatment types (gamete donation vs own gamete). Furthermore, statistically significant associations were found between QoL and anxious-depressive symptomatology. What is known already Those who wish to have children and do not achieve their objective just like other peers can see their goals and expectations with pessimism, generating concern and a series of negative emotions. Several psychological implications of infertility have been described, such as increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem, mood and hope, or poor relationship adjustment. The emotional impact of infertility in people’s life cycle can be so strong that reducing it only to biological aspects would lead to a dangerous situation of neglect. For this reason, QoL assessment in ART becomes an important need. Study design, size, duration FertiQol stands as the most widely used tool to assess infertility-related QoL, overcoming the limitations of other instruments that only target specific medical conditions. The present is a multi-site cross-sectional study over patients with infertility (n = 104), aiming to explore their fertility-QoL, as well as their anxiety and depression levels, which are symptoms that have been previously associated.Questionnaire administration, and sociodemographic and medical data gathering took place between January 2019 and December 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were 104 female patients (M.age= 39.8) undergoing or expecting a fertility treatment. The FertiQol Spanish version was administered through mobile app, and its paper version distributed at medical/psychological appointments. QoL was self-reported through FertiQol, assessing the influence of infertility problems in various areas (e.g. impact on self-esteem, emotions, general health, family, partners, social relationships, work, life projects...). Additionally, HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was provided as a measurement of anxiety and depression levels. Main results and the role of chance Regarding treatments, 50.6% of participants were currently undergoing gamete donation while 44.3% were undergoing treatments that involved using their own gametes. After comparing QoL between these treatment types, results showed that patients who underwent egg donation, compared to those who used their own eggs, reported statistically significantly lower scores of QoL in the Social Subscale (p = .03), but not in the other psychological outcomes. Also, statistically significant negative correlations were found between HADS and all core FertiQol subscales (p< .05). Results are consistent with previous studies showing similar associations between fertility QoL and anxiety and depression, as well as with increased psychological negative implications of gamete donation. The majority of participants reported non-pathological scores of anxiety and depression when considering the cut off value of 8 for HADS, thus suggesting the presence of a relatively healthy sample. The number of treatments that patients had previously taken and the years of infertility were not associated with any of the psychological variables. Limitations, reasons for caution Some limitations to consider are presence of co-morbid diagnosis, differences in medication, or patient’s cultural backgrounds.Also, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously since the design doesn’t allow causal inferences. Further investigations should consider a continuous assessment to explore changes in psychological well-being at different points of intervention, specially with gamete donation. Wider implications of the findings: The great advantage we’ve seen so far when using FertiQol is the possibility to identify more accurately the true impact on other aspects of patient’s well-being besides the emotional area.ART professionals, including psychologists and counselors,will have more information within a small amount of time about QoL when using this tool. Trial registration number 1503-BCN–019-DG

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An auditory brainstem implant for treatment of unilateral tinnitus: protocol for an interventional pilot study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026185 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e026185

Author(s):

Minke J C van den Berge ◽

Marc J M C van Dijk ◽

Jan D M Metzemaekers ◽

Bert Maat ◽

Rolien H Free ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Vestibular Function ◽

Neurofibromatosis Type ◽

Auditory Brainstem ◽

Auditory Brainstem Implant ◽

Link Type ◽

Institutional Review

IntroductionTinnitus may have a very severe impact on the quality of life. Unfortunately, for many patients, a satisfactory treatment modality is lacking. The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was originally indicated for hearing restoration in patients with non-functional cochlear nerves, for example, in neurofibromatosis type II. In analogy to a cochlear implant (CI), it has been demonstrated that an ABI may reduce tinnitus as a beneficial side effect. For tinnitus treatment, an ABI may have an advantage over a CI, as cochlear implantation can harm inner ear structures due to its invasiveness, while an ABI is presumed to not damage anatomical structures. This is the first study to implant an ABI to investigate its effect on intractable tinnitus.Methods and analysisIn this pilot study, 10 adults having incapacitating unilateral intractable tinnitus and ipsilateral severe hearing loss will have an ABI implanted. The ABI is switched on 6 weeks after implantation, followed by several fitting sessions aimed at finding an optimal stimulation strategy. The primary outcome will be the change in Tinnitus Functioning Index. Secondary outcomes will be tinnitus burden and quality of life (using Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires), tinnitus characteristics (using Visual Analogue Scale, a tinnitus analysis), safety, audiometric and vestibular function. The end point is set at 1 year after implantation. Follow-up will continue until 5 years after implantation.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands (METc 2015/479). The trial is registered atwww.clinicialtrials.govand will be updated if amendments are made. Results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.Trial registration numberNCT02630589.Trial statusInclusion of first patient in November 2017. Data collection is in progress. Trial is open for further inclusion. The trial ends at 5 years after inclusion of the last patient.

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Psychological distress in adults with congenital heart disease: focus beyond depression

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951118002068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 185-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Lacey P. Gleason ◽

Lisa X. Deng ◽

Abigail M. Khan ◽

David Drajpuch ◽

Stephanie Fuller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Congenital Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Congenital Heart ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms

AbstractBackgroundAdults with congenital heart disease face psychological challenges although an understanding of depression vs. anxiety symptoms is unclear. We analyzed the prevalence of elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression and explored associations with demographic and medical factors as well as quality of life.MethodsAdults with congenital heart disease enrolled from an outpatient clinic completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and two measures of quality of life: the Linear Analogue Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Medical data were obtained by chart review.ResultsOf 130 patients (median age = 32 years; 55% female), 55 (42%) had elevated anxiety symptoms and 16 (12%) had elevated depression symptoms on subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Most patients with elevated depression symptoms also had elevated anxiety symptoms (15/16; 94%). Of 56 patients with at least one elevated subscale, 37 (66%) were not receiving mental health treatment. Compared to patients with 0 or 1 elevated subscales, patients with elevations in both (n=15) were less likely to be studying or working (47% vs. 81%; p=0.016) and reported lower scores on the Linear Analogue Scale (60 vs. 81, p<0.001) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (14 vs. 28, p<0.001).ConclusionsAmong adults with congenital heart disease, elevated anxiety symptoms are common and typically accompany elevated depressive symptoms. The combination is associated with unemployment and lower quality of life. Improved strategies to provide psychosocial care and support appropriate engagement in employment are required.

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Quality of life among Ethiopian cancer patients

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-020-05398-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (11) ◽

pp. 5469-5478

Author(s):

Yemataw Wondie ◽

Andreas Hinz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

European Organization ◽

Eortc Qlq C30 ◽

Eortc Qlq

Abstract Purpose Cancer is of increasing prevalence in less-developed countries. However, research on the patients’ quality of life (QoL) in these countries is very limited. The aim of this study was to examine QoL of cancer patients in Africa. Method A sample of 256 cancer patients treated in an Ethiopian hospital was examined with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A group of 1664 German cancer patients served as a comparison group. Results Most of the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 showed acceptable reliability in the Ethiopian sample. Compared with the German cancer patients, the Ethiopian patients showed lower QoL in most dimensions, especially in financial difficulties, physical functioning, pain, and appetite loss (effect sizes between 0.52 and 0.75). Illiteracy, tumor stage, and treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) were associated with QoL in the Ethiopian sample. QoL was strongly correlated with fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a suitable instrument for measuring QoL in Ethiopia. The detriments in QoL in the Ethiopian patients indicate specific cancer care needs for the patients in a developing country.

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Feasibility and Acceptability of Digital Legacy-Making: An Innovative Story-Telling Intervention for Adults With Cancer

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/1049909120971569 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 104990912097156

Author(s):

Susan DeSanto-Madeya ◽

Jennifer Tjia ◽

Christina Fitch ◽

Amy Wachholtz

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Digital Video ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Life Outcomes ◽

Hospital Anxiety ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Pilot Intervention ◽

General Fact

Background: This study examined the feasibility, burden and acceptability of a legacy-making intervention in adults with cancer and preliminary effects on patient quality-of-life (QOL) measures. Method: We conducted a Stage IB pilot, intervention study. The intervention was a digital video legacy-making interview of adults with advanced cancer to create a digital video of their memories and experiences. Baseline and post-video QOL assessments included: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G), Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Emotional Thermometers for distress, anxiety, anger, help and depression. Participants received a final copy of the digital video for distribution to their families. Results: Adults (n = 16) ages 38-83 years old with an advanced or life-limiting cancer diagnosis completed an intervention. Feasibility and acceptability was strong with 0% attrition. While the pilot study was not powered for quantitative significance, there were changes from baseline to post-intervention in the participants’ total or subscale FACT-G scores, PDI, HADS anxiety or depression scores, and Emotional Thermometer scores. Conclusions: A digital video legacy-making intervention is feasible for adults with cancer without significant negative outcomes for individuals completing the study. It remains unclear whether this intervention contributes to positive quality of life outcomes.

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Comparison of Quality of Life among Patients with Oro-Hypopharyngeal Cancer after Tonsillectomy and Panscopy Using Transoral Robotic Surgery: A Pilot Study

Case Reports in Oncology ◽

10.1159/000509743 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1295-1303

Author(s):

Amir M. Salehi ◽

Lena Norberg-Spaak ◽

Torben Wilms ◽

Simon Vallin ◽

Linda Boldrup ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Robotic Surgery ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Hypopharyngeal Cancer ◽

Transoral Robotic Surgery ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Conventional Surgery ◽

Self Assessment

Studies have shown lower treatment-related morbidity when using transoral robotic surgery (TORS) compared to conventional surgery. Patients investigated for oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer (T1, T2) were compared concerning quality of life (QoL) after tonsillectomy and TORS using validated QoL questionnaires: QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35. The patients treated with TORS showed a higher pain score and thus also a higher need for painkillers, whereas they had lower values on self-assessment of anxiety/depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score. The pre- and postoperative information given did not meet the expectations of the patients treated with conventional surgery. The present data show advantages of the TORS technique from the patients’ perspective. Even if patients treated with TORS are in need of more painkilling treatment, they cope better with the long-term effects of treatment, as judged by self-assessment of anxiety and depression.

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Vision-Related Quality of Life and Emotional Impact in Children with Strabismus: A Prospective Study

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/147323000903700415 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 1108-1114 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Y Chai ◽

Y Shao ◽

S Lin ◽

K-Y Xiong ◽

W-S Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Short Form ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Summary Score ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Surgical Interventions ◽

Related Quality

The potential impact of the surgical correction of strabismus on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) and the symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with strabismus remain unclear. The present study included 60 children with strabismus: 30 with heterophoria and 30 with heterotropia. A healthy age-and gender-matched control group ( n = 60) was also recruited. The psychological instruments that were used were the short-form 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results demonstrated that eight of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 subscales were significantly impaired in children with strabismus compared with matched controls. Compared with pre-operative values, significant improvements were noted after surgery in the NEI-VFQ-25 summary score, and the anxiety and depression scores. This study demonstrated that the NEI-VFQ-25 instrument can be used in strabismus children and that surgical interventions can improve VRQOL, anxiety and depression in strabismus patients.

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Impact of Preventive Therapy with Nadolol and Topiramate on the Quality Of Life Of Migraine Patients

Cephalalgia ◽

10.1111/j.1468-2982.2007.01367.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 27 (8) ◽

pp. 920-928 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

JC Garcia-Monco ◽

N Foncea ◽

A Bilbao ◽

I Ruiz de Velasco ◽

M Gomez-Beldarrain

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Preventive Therapy ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Physical Domain ◽

Depressive State ◽

Migraine Frequency ◽

Sf 36 ◽

The Impact

Preventive therapy is aimed at reducing migraine frequency, but should also improve the much deteriorated quality of life of the migraneur. We aimed to evaluate the impact of preventive therapy with two widely employed drugs (topiramate and nadolol) on the quality of life of migraine patients. A population of consecutive migraineurs aged ≥16 years, with frequent migraines, was selected prospectively for evaluation at baseline and after 16 weeks of therapy with nadolol or topiramate (40 mg and 100 mg daily, respectively) by generic and specific quality of life questionnaires (SF-36 and MSQOL) and by an anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Preventive therapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in physical domains of the SF-36, whereas mental domains remained almost unchanged. Despite this improvement, all domains remained below the population norms. The HADS revealed a moderate depressive state at baseline that did not change with therapy. The MSQOL global score also revealed statistically significant improvement. Both drugs were similarly effective, although topiramate was superior on the role physical domain compared with nadolol. Preventive therapy with nadolol and topiramate significantly improves the quality of life of migraineurs, although additional efforts are needed to place them in a nearer-to-normal situation compared with the general population.

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Psychophysical functioning and quality of life in 94 patients affected by oropharyngeal cancer and treated with different therapeutic approaches.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.15_suppl.6039 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 6039-6039

Author(s):

Fulvia Pedani ◽

Mario Airoldi ◽

Massimiliano Garzaro ◽

Riccardo Torta ◽

Luca Raimondo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Psychological Functioning ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Stage Iv ◽

Stage Iii ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Impact

6039 Background: The treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) may heavily affect patient’s quality of life (QoL). Aim of our study was the evaluation of the impact of different treatments on physical and psychological functioning and on QoL of patients affected by stage III-IV disease. Methods: The enrolled sample was composed by 94 OSCC patients divided into 3 subgroups based on treatment modalities: surgery + adjuvant radiotherapy (S + RT: 30 patients), exclusive concomitant chemo-radiotherapy (CT + RT: 30 patients) and exclusive chemotherapy (CT) in 34 patients not suitable for surgery and/or radiotherapy. Psycho-oncological assessment included: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale (MADRS), Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale (MINI-MAC), EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire with the specific module Head and Neck 35 (H&N35). Results: The 60 patients primarily treated with S + RT or CT + RT presented superimposeable clinical and tumour characteristics while those treated with exclusive CT were affected by stage IV disease and in the 90% of cases underwent to previous treatment exclusive or combined treatment such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In the following table, data about physical and psychological functioning and on QoL of the 3 subgroups of patients are summarized. Conclusions: In stage III-IV OSCC treatments have a strong influence on QoL and coping styles. Patients treated with CT + RT were characterized by a lower percentage of self-reported anxiety and depression and higher EORTC Global QoL score. More than one third of patients treated with S + RT had overt symptoms of anxiety and depression. Stage IV patients treated with palliative CT had elevated level of anxiety, depression and low quality of life. Auto-evaluation is less effective in depression assessment. The role of concomitant psychological supportive care should be evaluated in these patients treated with different approaches. [Table: see text]

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