scholarly journals Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Patients who Underwent Subcutaneous Immunotherapy and Sublingual Immunotherapy in a Real-World Clinical Setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 310-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Schwanke ◽  
Eugene Carragee ◽  
Maria Bremberg ◽  
William R. Reisacher

Objective To compare changes in quality of life (QOL) that resulted from sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in a real-world clinical setting. Background SLIT is established as a viable alternative to SCIT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Although comparative trials are increasingly available, few studies have examined QOL outcomes between these two treatments. Methods One hundred and five participants who underwent immunotherapy for airborne allergies were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. Forty participants completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) at initiation of therapy, after 6 months, and after 1 year of therapy. Only patients with complete time points were included in the ultimate analysis. Twenty-nine of these participants underwent SCIT and 11 underwent SLIT. The effects of age, sex, and asthma history were also examined. Results The participants in both groups demonstrated improvements in QOL regarding allergic rhinoconjunctivitis over the study period. However, the change in the RQLQ score from both baseline to 6 months and baseline to 1 year was only statistically significant in the SCIT group (p = 0.002, 6 months and 1 year). The participants in the SCIT group also demonstrated statistically significant improvement from baseline to 1 year in the specific domains of practical and emotional functioning, nasal symptoms, non-nasal/eye symptoms, and sleep. After 1 year, both SCIT and SLIT demonstrated a minimally important difference from baseline in the overall RQLQ score. Age <35 years in the SCIT group had a significant positive impact on QOL improvement (p = 0.038). Conclusion Although improvements in QOL were noted in both groups, changes in overall scores and the majority of domains only achieved statistical significance in the SCIT group. A small study population and difficulties adhering to immunotherapy dosing schedules in the SLIT group may be contributing factors.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Eduardo Tolosa ◽  
Georg Ebersbach ◽  
Joaquim J. Ferreira ◽  
Olivier Rascol ◽  
Angelo Antonini ◽  
...  

Background: A greater understanding of the everyday experiences of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their carers may help improve clinical practice. Objective: The Parkinson’s Real-world Impact assesSMent (PRISM) study evaluated medication use, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of healthcare resources by people with PD and their carers. Methods: PRISM is an observational cross-sectional study, in which people with PD and their carers completed an online survey using structured questionnaires, including the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQuest) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Results: Data were collected from 861 people with PD (mean age, 65.0 years; mean disease duration, 7.7 years) and 256 carers from six European countries. People with PD reported a large number of different co-morbidities, non-motor symptoms (mean NMSQuest score, 12.8), and impaired HRQoL (median PDQ-39 summary score, 29.1). Forty-five percent of people with PD reported at least one impulse control behaviour. Treatment patterns varied considerably between different European countries. Levodopa was taken in the last 12 months by 85.9% of participants, and as monotherapy by 21.8% . Carers, who were mostly female (64.8%) and the partner/spouse of the person with PD (82.1%), reported mild to moderate burden (mean ZBI total score, 26.6). Conclusions: The PRISM study sheds light on the lives of people with PD and those who care for them, re-emphasising the many challenges they face in everyday life. The study also provides insights into the current treatment of PD in Europe.


Author(s):  
Santiago Nevot-Falcó ◽  
Eloina Gonzalez Mancebo ◽  
Antonio Martorell ◽  
Cristina Martorell Calatayud ◽  
Sheila Cabrejos Perotti ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> As the number of allergic sensitizations increases the severity of allergic respiratory diseases worsens. Multiple monoallergen immunotherapy can be accompanied by poor treatment adherence and high costs, single multiallergen immunotherapy needs to prove efficacy whilst maintaining a good safety profile. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Observational, retrospective, multicenter study using a 2-pollen single undiluted multiallergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in routine clinical practice in Spain. Patients with rhinoconjunctivitis, with/without controlled asthma, sensitized to grass, olive, Parietaria, Cupressus, plane tree and/or Salsola pollen were included. Primary and secondary clinical efficacy endpoints were quality of life (mini Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniRQLQ)) and visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively. All adverse events were documented. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ten centers included 97 patients, median age 32 years. SCIT treatment included combinations of grass mix with olive, Parietaria, Cupressus, plane tree or Salsola or olive with Parietaria, Cupressus or Salsola. The mean duration of SCIT was 1.8 years with a high treatment adherence (73%). Significant improvement in quality of life, nasal and ocular symptoms, activity limitations and practical problems (<i>p</i>&#x3c; 0.0001) and other symptoms (<i>p</i>= 0.024) was observed. Most patients did not develop asthma-like symptoms and a significant improvement of all allergic symptom severity was perceived. VAS showed a significant improvement in rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by patients and physicians. Twenty-nine patients experienced adverse reactions, 25 had local and 6 had systemic reactions. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Single undiluted multiallergen SCIT treatment of two different pollens is efficacious and safe in both children and adults, showing that it is a suitable option for the treatment of polyallergic patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Skingley ◽  
Stephanie De'Ath ◽  
Luci Napleton

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact on health and well-being of participation in dance and arts activities by older people living in the community. Design/methodology/approach – A small-scale, mixed methods research design comprising pretest-posttest evaluation of a three month dance and arts programme. Two groups of older people underwent physical measures and completed a self-report quality of life questionnaire. Written comments and interview data were also gathered. Findings – Physical tests (n=14) demonstrated improvements in posture, shoulder mobility and balance in both groups following the intervention, with some measures reaching statistical significance. Quality of life evaluations (n=21) also showed improvement, with the mental health subscale reaching statistical significance. Qualitative data showed that participants enjoyed the programme and felt physical, psychological and social benefits. Research limitations/implications – The research involved only a small sample of volunteers and a limited programme length which limits its generalisability. The absence of a control group means that causality cannot be inferred. Future research should extend recruitment to a wider geographical area and a longer intervention which includes a control group. Practical implications – Future arts interventions for older people should include consultation prior to, and throughout the project. Commissioners should consider supporting arts for health projects, building in additional funding for evaluative work. Originality/value – This study has added to the evidence base through combining art forms within a mixed methods framework, illustrating the interplay between the art forms, the outcomes and the potential role of social context.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. S81
Author(s):  
E. Louis ◽  
A. Roughly ◽  
R.B. Thakkar ◽  
M. Skup ◽  
M. Yang ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary S. Morris ◽  
Amanda Lowery ◽  
Demetrios S. Theodoropoulos ◽  
R. Daniel Duquette ◽  
David L. Morris

Due to its excellent safety profile, ease of administration, and economic considerations, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is becoming a preferred form of allergen specific immunotherapy. The efficacy of SLIT is still debated. The purpose of this act of practice trial is to evaluate quality of life outcomes in patients treated with SLIT. Fifty one patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis demonstrated by skin testing completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) at initiation, at four months and at 10–12 months of SLIT. Significant improvement () on six of seven domain categories of the RQLQ questionnaire was noted. Total RQLQ scores also showed significant improvement. This study supports SLIT as a modality effective in controlling allergic symptoms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Almeida Barbosa ◽  
Rhodrigo Goldner Cesca ◽  
Thatiana Egizi Dias Pacífico ◽  
Isabel Cristina Gonçalves Leite

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with breast cancer, after surgical intervention, attended at the regional Oncology Referral Hospital in Juiz de Fora (MG). Methods: 121 women were evaluated and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLC 30 BR23) was applied. After the descriptive analysis, a multiple linear regression model was created. The SPSS 14 was used to build the database and to conduct the analysis. Results: the mean values of the EORTC QLC 30 BR23 showed a tendency for good HRQoL, thus, the functional scale showed the most impairment with the worst mean scores observed. There was statistical significance among the symptoms scale and obese women who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy and those who had a greater number of dissected lymph nodes. The subjective perceptions influenced all the EORTC QLC 30 BR23domains. Conclusions: after controlling the variable by functional hand, and time of surgery, the BMI variables, breast reconstruction, heavy feeling in the arm, range of motion (ROM) reduction of the shoulder, and the tight shirt-sleeve sensation proven capable of explaining HRQoL. HRQoL appears to be relatively good, but negatively influenced by subjective perceptions, in addition to treatment factors.


Author(s):  
SA Uriarte ◽  
H Grönlund ◽  
A Wintersand ◽  
J Bronge ◽  
J Sastre

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of and immunologic changes caused by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients with allergy to cat and dog. Methods: Patients presenting rhinitis and/or asthma with allergy to cat or dog from a previous safety study were included. All had specific IgE to cat and/or dog. Using an infusion pump (IP), SCIT maintenance dose was administered over one 4-hour session, followed by monthly administration over 6 months. Data were gathered on clinical outcomes, pulmonary function, FeNO, rhinitis and asthma symptoms, quality of life (QoL), asthma control test (ACT), and symptom visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and then at 1, 3, and 6 months. Specific IgE and IgG antibody responses to different cat and dog allergens were determined. Results: Sixty-one patients having a mean age of 35.6 ± 9.7 years were included, 40 of whom underwent cat SCIT. A significant improvement was observed in rhinitis and asthma symptoms and in QoL, use of medication, VAS, and ACT at 1 month; these improvements persisted at month 6. Clinical improvement with cat extract was significantly higher than with dog. An increase of >0.9 in ESPRINT-15 health-related quality of life in allergic rhinitis) was observed in 49.09% of patients, and 58.18% showed an increase of >0.5 in AQLQ(asthma quality of life questionnaire), at month 6, both differences indicating the minimal important difference. A significant increase was observed in specific IgG and IgE to different allergens at 3 and/or 6 months. Conclusions: Ultrarush SCIT with cat and dog extracts has substantial clinical value in many patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereydoon Laal ◽  
Mohammad Jafari Modrek ◽  
Davoud Balarak ◽  
Mahdi Mohammadi ◽  
Mahdieh Rakhshani ◽  
...  

<p>With the development of science and technology, occupational accidents, as one of the most important problems in the world, result in negative effects on physical and psychological health, and also the quality of life of workers. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life among workers with and without accident. In a cross-sectional study, 93 workers were selected, 31 who experienced accident and 62 as control group. To gather the data, a researcher-made questionnaire for demographic characteristics and the quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) were used. Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. The mean and standard deviation of age was 30.81±7.29 and 30.56±7.19 in workers with accident (case group) and control group, respectively. Homogeneity was ensured in terms of age and work experience and the two groups had no significant difference in this regard (p&gt;0.05). Most of the participants were high school graduates (67.7%). The majority of accidents (68.8%) had occurred in the manufacturing sections. The most common accident type was sprayed chemical substances (19.4%) and the less frequent was electrocution (3.2%). The mean total score for the quality of life was 37.61±14.29 and 74.92±12.95 in the case and control groups with a statistical significance difference (p&lt;0.001). The results of this study indicate that the incident could affect the quality of life of workers. Therefore, promoting the safety culture can help to reduce the occupational accidents.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Raquel de Carvalho Viana ◽  
Cláudia Jeane Lopes Pimenta ◽  
Gerlania Rodrigues Salviano Ferreira ◽  
Jacira dos Santos Oliveira ◽  
Tatiana Ferreira da Costa ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective to correlate health-related quality of life and adherence to treatment of patients with breast and prostate cancer. Method an exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, conducted with 305 patients with breast and prostate cancer, in a state oncology hospital in Paraíba, Brazil, between June and November 2019. For data collection, a semi-structured instrument was used to obtain data regarding the sociodemographic and clinical profile, from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire “core” 30 items, from the specific module Quality of Life Questionnaire-Breast Cancer, and from the Adherence Determinants Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results the correlation between health-related quality of life and adherence of patients with prostate cancer showed statistical significance (p≤0.05) between the Global health Scale and the Functional Scale, Intentions domain; emotional function and intentions; insomnia and subjective norms; financial difficulty and subjective norms. In women, there was statistical significance (p≤0.05) between role performance and subjective norms; fatigue and intentions; financial difficulty and total adherence; sexual desire, sexual satisfaction and perceived support/severity; breast symptoms and intentions. Conclusion health-related quality of life directly impacts on treatment adherence of patients with breast and prostate cancer.


Author(s):  
Joelma Magalhães da Costa ◽  
Aline de Carvalho Santos ◽  
Renata Bezerra Braga ◽  
Tairine Correa de Melo ◽  
Raisa Seabra Carvalho ◽  
...  

Introduction: Bruxism is characterized by the parafunctional act of tightening or grinding the teeth, which may occur in a conscious or unconscious way, during sleep or in wakefulness. It has become a growing concern in recent years due to its negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and also because it is considered an important risk factor for temporomandibular disorders. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the QOL related to bruxism in physiotherapy teachers from a private institution through a questionnaire and their perception for such parafunction. Method: A cross-sectional, quantitative and exploratory study. The self-perception of bruxism was assessed through three questions from the Fonseca Anamnestic Indexand the perspective of QLV through the Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36), with a sample of 38 teachers of both genders. Results: Based on the results found, the level of statistical significance was set at p<0,05 for all tests. Among the 38 interviewees, 47,4% (n = 18) of professionals were observed with bruxism, with a higher prevalence in the female gender. Regarding the comparisons of QOL in relation to bruxism, a statistically significant difference was found in relation to the dimension of Pain (p=0,014), in which the mean for the bruxism group was (59,8) and without bruxism (78,5). Conclusion: There is a relation of the bruxism with the quality of life of the interviewees, and this habit mainly interferes in the domain of pain. Another aspect that was shown to be significantly associated with bruxism was nervous tension, in which the tense and nervous professionals were associated with self-perception of bruxism.


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