scholarly journals Features of the interaction of indicators of peculiarities of personality and characteristics of the quality of life of pupils and student youth by the cluster analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
M.R. Gzhegotsky ◽  
O.V. Tymoschuk ◽  
V.G. Cherkasov ◽  
S.V. Dmytrenko ◽  
O.M. Shapoval
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Role Physical

Recently, while conducting scientific research in the field of theoretical and preventive medicine, biomedical preventive anthropology and statistical processing of their results, one of the leading places is the cluster analysis procedure, which involves the search for the patterns of grouping as research objects and their leading features in separate local plural and subset, that is, in separate clusters. Researches that provided for determining the leading characteristics of the quality of life and the peculiarities of the course of psychological adaptation processes based on the use of commonly accepted psychohygienic practices of personal questionnaires were conducted on the basis of educational institutions in Ivano-Frankivsk. Statistical analysis of the obtained data provided for the use of descriptive statistics and cluster analysis procedures using the licensed standardized application package of the multivariate statistical analysis “Statistica 6.1 for Windows” (license number ВXXR901E245722FA). The results of the conducted research indicate the existence of an extremely stable structure of the identified groups, among which in all investigated cases, it necessary to note the cluster associated with the leading indicators of quality of life, which united in its structure characteristics of quality of life on the scales Bodily Pain (BP, scale (Physical Functioning), Mental Health (MH, Mental Health Scale), General Health (GH, General Health Scale), Vitality (VT, Viability Scale), and Social Functioning (SF, scale of social functioning), neuro-psychical cluster combining personal and situational anxiety, depressive and asthenic states, as well as an integral cluster that included in its structure the characteristics of quality of life on the scale of Role-Emotional (RE, role-playing role scale) and Role-Physical (RP, scale of role-physical functioning) and indicators of subjective control in health and disease and neuroticism. The obtained data should further find a proper place in the structure of diagnostic and preventive approaches to assess the state of health and functional state of the body of pupils and students.

Smoking and quality of life among elderly survivors of non-smoking related cancers in a prospective cohort study

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9600-9600
Author(s):  
S. Jang ◽  
A. Prizment ◽  
D. Lazovich
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
General Health ◽  
Sf 36

9600 Background: Although the effect of smoking on quality of life (QOL) has been examined among survivors of lung or head and neck cancers, little is known about how smoking affects QOL among elderly survivors of non-smoking related cancers. Methods: The Iowa Women's Health Study (IWHS), a prospective cohort study initiated in 1986, collected self-reported QOL using the SF-36 in 2004. Cancer diagnosis and treatment among cohort participants were obtained from Iowa's cancer registry. Behavioral and health characteristics, including smoking status, were collected from periodic follow-up questionnaires between 1986 and 2004. We included 1,920 women, aged 55 to 69 years at baseline, who developed breast, colorectal, or endometrial cancers and responded to the 2004 questionnaire. We compared age-adjusted and multivariate-adjusted mean scores for eight SF-36 scales between nonsmokers (no reported smoking in 1986 or 2004), quitters (reported smoking in 1986 but not 2004), and persistent smokers (reported smoking in 1986 and 2004). Results: Among 1,920 cancer survivors, 1,720 (89.6%) were nonsmokers, 141 (7.3%) were quitters, and 59 (3.1%) were persistent smokers. After age adjustment, quitters had lower scores for vitality, physical functioning, mental health, social functioning, and general health scales compared to nonsmokers. Persistent smokers scored worse on the physical functioning, mental health, role emotional, and social functioning scales compared to nonsmokers. Except for mental health, these differences in QOL scores were attenuated after further adjustment for physical activity. Accounting for other factors, including baseline general health perception and education, cancer type, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and length of survival, or occurrence of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke or fracture by 2004 did not change the differences observed between survivors who had ever reported smoking versus nonsmokers. Conclusions: Quitters and persistent smokers tended to fare worse than nonsmokers on many QOL scales. In most instances, these differences were explained by lower levels of physical activity which may have been a consequence of smoking. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Effects of Panax Ginseng on Quality of Life

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Ellis ◽  
Prabashni Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Panax Ginseng ◽  
General Health ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
General Health Status ◽  
Health Status Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To assess the time-dependent effects of Panax ginseng on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by use of a general health status questionnaire. METHODS: Subjects were randomized in a double-blind manner to P. ginseng 200 mg/d (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) for 8 weeks. The Short Form-36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2), a validated general health status questionnaire, was used to assess HRQOL at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. HRQOL between the groups was compared by use of repeated-measures analysis of covariance. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and SF-36v2 scores between the groups. After 4 weeks of therapy, higher scores in social functioning ( P. ginseng 54.9 ± 4.6 vs. placebo 49.2 ± 6.5; p = 0.014), mental health ( P. ginseng 52.2 ± 7.7 vs. placebo 47.2 ± 7.3; p = 0.075), and the mental component summary ( P. ginseng 51.3 ± 7.4 vs. placebo 44.3 ± 8.3; p = 0.019) scales were observed in patients randomized to P. ginseng; these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point. The incidence of adverse effects was 33% in the P. ginseng group compared with 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.40). Subjects given P. ginseng (58%) were more likely to state that they received active therapy than subjects given placebo (17%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: P. ginseng improves aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy, although these differences attenuate with continued use.

scholarly journals CHANGES OF LIFE QUALITY SCORE DEPENDING ON THE ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION DEGREE IN THE GENDER ASPECT

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
O.A. Alifer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Role Functioning ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Vital Force ◽  
Quality Of Life Indicators

Relevance. Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases, for which currently the goal of therapy is not so much recovery as improving circulatory function with a satisfactory quality of life. Objective: to determine the impact of different degrees of hypertension on quality of life in female and male patients. Materials and methods. 126 patients with arterial hypertension underwent examination, including 86 women (68%), 40 men (32%) aged 40 to 81 years (mean age 61.9 ± 0.3 years). Arterial hypertension of I degree had 19 people (15.1%), II degree - 65 patients (51.6%), III degree - 42 people (33.3%). The control group consisted of 43 healthy individuals who did not differ from the main group in terms of demographics. Surveys of patients to assess the quality of life conducted with the questionnaire SF-36 (Short Form-36) at each follow-up. Quality of life indicators has value in points. Results. The analysis of quality of life indicators in the group of healthy people found that the level of quality of life in men is much higher than in healthy women: "physical pain", "role functioning" - P1-P2> 0.5; "Physical functioning" - P1-P2 <0.001; "Physical health" - P1-P2> 0.5, except for the scale "general health" - P1-P2 <0.05 (77.2 ± 3.02 vs. 63.75 ± 2.81). The comparison of the quality of life of patients with hypertension of I degree and patients with arterial hypertension of III degrees found reliable differences on the scales "Vitality" (P1-P3 <0.001), and "Social functioning" (P1-P3 <0.5). In patients with II and III degrees of arterial hypertension indicators of quality of life were low in themselves and differed on a scale "role functioning" of the questionnaire: "Vital force" (P2-P3> 0,5); "Role functioning" (P2-P3 <0.5); "Mental health" (P2-P3> 0.5). Patients with hypertension of the I degree in comparison with arterial hypertension of the II degree had reliably higher indicators of quality of life on scales "vital force" (80,0 ± 3,93 points) and "role functioning" (77,1 ± 4,04 points) ), but reduced indicators of "social functioning" and "mental health" (48.7 ± 7.35 and 47.41 ± 2.39 points, respectively). Patients with hypertension of I degree and III degree showed reliable differences on the scales "vital force" (P1-P3 <0.001) and "social functioning" (P1-P3 <0.5); and patients with hypertension of II and III degrees showed a significant decrease in all indicators of quality of life, especially on the scales "social functioning" and "mental health" (up to 31.5 ± 5.19 and up to 40.31 ± 2.23 points, respectively). Patients with hypertension of I degree had a decrease in general health (87.1 ± 3.16), physical function (82.6 ± 2.86), and physical pain (87.1 ± 3.16). Patients with II degree of hypertension had a significant reduction in role functioning (32.4 ± 5.19), physical pain, and general health (36.0 ± 6.12 and 42.26 ± 2.68 points, respectively). Conclusions. Hypertension significantly affects the quality of life. The state of health of patients with hypertension significantly limited their physical activity.

The influence of caregivers’ burden on the quality of life for caregivers of older adults with chronic illness in Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1085-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Olayiwola Faronbi ◽  
Adenike Ayobola Olaogun
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Role Limitation ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:This study investigated the impact of caregivers’ burden on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the caregivers of older adults, and tested the predictive effect of burden and socio-demographic factors on HRQoL.Methods:The study employed a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twenty-five caregivers of older adults with chronic illness were purposively selected. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.Results:Findings revealed that 59.1% of caregivers experienced severe burden. In measuring the HQRoL, respondents performed poorly in seven domains: Role limitation due to emotional problems (19.69 ± 9.46), Energy/fatigue (43.47 ± 16.46), Emotional well-being, (45.83 ± 13.93), Social functioning (49.09 ± 18.46), Role limitation due to physical function (43.33 ± 10.15), Physical functioning (43.6 ± 18.73), and General health (37.31 ± 12.09). Respondents, however, showed a higher score in the pain domain (56.77 ± 35.79). Furthermore, findings revealed a positive correlation between caregivers’ burden and General health (r = 0.342), Emotional well-being (r = 0.222), and Physical functioning (r = 0.083). Similarly, there is a negative correlation between caregivers’ burden and Social functioning (r = –0.618), Role limitation due to physical activities (r = 0.459), Role limitation due to emotional well-being (r = –0.530), and Energy/fatigue domains (r = –0.509). In addition, burden of caregiving (β=–3.142119, p = 0.000) and age (β=0.612752, p = 0.011) are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.Discussion:This study concluded that there is a high prevalence of caregivers’ burden resulting in poor HQRoL. In addition, burden and age are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.

Health-related Quality of Life and Insulin Resistance: a Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazukauskiene Nijole ◽  
Podlipskyte Aurelija ◽  
Varoneckas Giedrius ◽  
Mickuviene Narseta
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Emotional Role ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate insulin resistance (IR) in association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among citizens of Palanga in a ten years follow-up. A randomized epidemiological study was performed out for 835 subjects. All study participants were evaluated according to for socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral factors, HRQoL and self-perceived health using questionnaires. Fasting blood samples were draw from all participants and biochemical tests were performed for the glucose, insulin. IR was evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). In subjects with IR, after adjusting with various factors, logistic regression analysis showed, that within 10 years, a significantly higher chance of deteriorating HRQoL in the areas of: physical functioning (odss ratio [OR] = 1.15, p < 0.001), emotional role limitations (OR = 1.07, p = 0.034), social functioning (OR = 1.26, p = 0.004), pain (OR = 1.09, p = 0.005) and general health perception (OR = 1.07, p = 0.022). People with IR have a worse HRQoL and as they age, they are significantly more likely to have a deterioration in their HRQoL compared to people without IR in the areas of physical functioning, emotional role limitations, social functioning, pain and general health perception.

Improved Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Hematological Disorders Receiving Deferasirox (Exjade®)

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1307-1307 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B Porter ◽  
Donald Bowden ◽  
Arnold Ganser ◽  
Gabor Domokos ◽  
Adam Gater ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Hematological Disorders ◽  
Role Emotional ◽  
Role Physical ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Domain Scores

Abstract Introduction: Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is essential in removing excess iron deposited in body organs, ultimately preventing organ failure and extending the lives of patients (pts) with transfusion-dependent hematological disorders such as β-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). As a life-long treatment, traditional ICT (deferoxamine, Desferal®, DFO) is based on a burdensome regimen (subcutaneous delivery 5–7 times a week) that has been shown to negatively impact on pts’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The oral chelator deferasirox (Exjade®) is less burdensome to pts offering 24-hour ICT, 7 days a week. Methods: This substudy was part of a single arm, multicenter, 1-year open-label trial (the EPIC study) to investigate the efficacy/safety of deferasirox. The first 558 pts with a variety of hematological disorders were recruited. These pts came from sites in seven countries: Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, UK, Greece, and Italy. Treatment-naïve pts and those having previously received ICT (DFO or deferiprone [Ferriprox®] exclusively, or combined) participated (n=558). Pts were asked at baseline, week 4 and week 52 (end of study [EOS]) to complete the 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36). The SF-36 is a self-administered questionnaire and measures eight HRQoL domains: physical functioning; role-physical; bodily pain; general health; vitality; social functioning; role-emotional; and mental health. Mean change in SF-36 domain scores were calculated for all pts who had completed data at baseline and week 4, as well all those with completed data at baseline and EOS. All domains are scored so that higher scores indicate a better QoL. Results: Overall, the mean age of the 558 pts (274 β-thalassemia, 168 MDS, 50 sickle cell disease and 66 other anemias) recruited to take part in this substudy was 40.8 years (SD=22.58); 51.5% of patients (n=289) were male and 48.5% (n=272) were female. Within this sample, 337 pts aged ≥16 years completed the SF-36 at baseline, 322 at week 4 and 277 at EOS. Mean domain scores for pts at baseline, week 4 and EOS are presented in Table 1. With the exception of role-emotional (mean=0.78, SD=40.56), mean change in SF-36 domain scores significantly improved (P&lt;0.05) for all domains between baseline and week 4: physical functioning (mean=2.42, SD=17.44); role-physical (mean=5.67, SD=41.70); bodily pain (mean=5.96, SD=24.15); general health (mean=0.33, SD=14.44); vitality (mean=2.54, SD=15.93); social functioning (mean=2.51, SD=23.38); mental health (mean=1.98, SD=14.71). At EOS, mean change in SF-36 domain scores improved for all domains with the exception of social functioning, role-emotional and mental health. However, unlike results at week 4, none of the mean change domain scores at EOS reached statistical significance, possibly due to sample size decrease between week 4 and EOS. Table 1. SF-36 domain scores at baseline, week 4 and EOS in pts aged 3 16 years and treated with deferasirox SF-36 domains Baseline mean (SD) Week 4 mean (SD) End of study mean (SD) Physical functioning 66.32 (25.98)&#x2028; n=336 69.70 (25.98)&#x2028; n=317 71.67 (26.95)&#x2028; n=275 Role-physical 54.33 (42.43) n=331 61.03 (42.69) n=315 62.38 (41.71) n=270 Bodily pain 65.80 (26.89)&#x2028; n=336 74.67 (26.16)&#x2028; n=322 73.11 (27.20)&#x2028; n=276 General health 46.62 (21.15)&#x2028; n=330 48.01 (22.32)&#x2028; n=311 48.42 (22.19)&#x2028; n=269 Vitality 51.12 (21.28)&#x2028; n=328 54.57 (22.06)&#x2028; n=316 55.80 (23.06)&#x2028; n=272 Social functioning 71.73 (25.74)&#x2028; n=336 74.77 (23.72)&#x2028; n=321 73.05 (24.71)&#x2028; n=276 Role-emotional 68.05 (40.92)&#x2028; n=326 69.60 (41.60)&#x2028; n=313 69.81 (40.44)&#x2028; n=270 Mental health 67.04 (19.85)&#x2028; n=328 70.40 (19.73)&#x2028; n=316 67.85 (20.19)&#x2028; n=272 Conclusions: Since mean change scores were often of the magnitude of 3 to 5 units for role-physical and bodily pain, these results indicate clinically meaningful improvement for pts with hematological disorders receiving deferasirox.

A short dance-exercise intervention as a strategy for improving quality of life in inactive workers

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 936-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Sandra Mandic ◽  
Susana Paz-Viteri ◽  
Marcela Guerendiain ◽  
FaustoVinicio Sandoval ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
General Health ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Emotional Role

Objective: To investigate the effects of a short exercise intervention based on the use of a Zumba Fitness® programme on the quality of life (QoL) in inactive adult workers. Design: Non-experimental pre-test/post-test study involving one experimental group of inactive university workers. Setting: Riobamba in the Andean region of central Ecuador. Methods: A total of 60 inactive adults working at a university (age: 39 ± 1.0 years; 80% women, who used to perform < 150 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week) completed a 5-week Zumba Fitness® exercise intervention (three classes per week, 60 minutes per class; outside of work hours). QoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) administered at baseline, post-intervention and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analysed using a per-protocol analysis. Results: The 5-week intervention improved six out of eight subscales of QoL, including general health (baseline: 63.6±2.51; post-intervention: 68.0±2.5; p = .007), physical role (baseline: 82.1±3.8; post-intervention: 90.6±3.3; p = .029), emotional role (baseline: 71.3±5.0; post-intervention: 88.3±3.9; p = .001), social functioning (baseline: 76.9±2.6; post-intervention: 83.9 ± 2.6; p = .010), vitality (baseline: 60.4±2.8; post-intervention: 69.8±2.4; p < .001), mental health (baseline: 72.4±2.5; post-intervention: 80.4±2.3; p < .001) and the health transition perception item (baseline: 53.9±3.5; post-intervention: 63.6±3.1; p = .001). No statistical differences were found between post-intervention and 2-month follow-up; however, the majority of subscales which improved post-intervention (general health, emotional role, social functioning, vitality and mental health) were maintained at 2-month follow-up showing differences ( p < .05) compared to baseline. Conclusion: A 5-week exercise intervention based on Zumba Fitness® programme could improve QoL in inactive adult workers and most improvements could be maintained at 2 months post-intervention.

scholarly journals Health-Related Quality of Life Among Vietnamese Breast Cancer Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327481986278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Huong Tran ◽  
Ngoc Linh Trinh ◽  
Yen Hoang ◽  
Thuy Linh Nguyen ◽  
Thu Thao Vu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

The aim of the study was to investigate health-related quality of life among Vietnamese breast cancer women who were treated at National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2018. Information about physical functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health of 200 patients with breast cancer was collected through face-to-face interview, using short form-36 questionnaire. We found that the older patients (older than 50 years) had higher score of Mental Health than patients at age 50 and lower ( P < .05). The patients who had better economic status had significantly higher score of Vitality ( P < .05). Patients who were married and living with their partners/husband had better quality of life in General Health ( P<0.05). The patients who had less than 6 months of treatment had better physical functioning score ( P < .05) than the patients who had treatment longer than 6 months. Patients with caring supports from family members had higher scores of Bodily Pain, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health. Patients who have stressed feelings had significantly lower scores of all domains, except for Physical Functioning. The participants who usually stay up late reported lower scores of all components except for Physical Functioning and Role Physical. In conclusion, it is needed to develop psychosocial services, enhance early screening, and diagnose for the women in Vietnam.

scholarly journals A functional electric orthesis on the paretic leg improves quality of life of stroke patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Renata Fernandes ◽  
Luciane B.C. Carvalho ◽  
Gilmar F. Prado
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Normal Life ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Before And After

CONTEXT: Hemiparesia changes quality of life of patients with stroke making difficult a normal life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Functional Eletric Orthesis (FEO) applied over the paretic leg in the quality of life of stroke patients. METHOD: The quality of life of 50 stroke patients of Associacao de Assistencia a Crianca Deficiente (AACD) was evaluated with SF-36 questionnaire before and after the treatment with a FEO for rehabilitation of walking. We analyzed data according to gender and affected hemisphere. RESULTS: The average values from all domains of SF-36 improved significantly (p<0.001). Female patients improved more than male in Emotional Domain (p=0.04) and presented a trend to be better regarding Bodily Pain and Social Functioning. Patients with right hemiparesia improved more than those with left hemiparesia (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: FEO over a paretic leg is efficient to improve quality of life of stroke patients, mainly Physical Functioning.

Quality of life during the first 6 months of interferon-b treatment in patients with MS

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342
Author(s):  
J HA Arnoldus ◽  
J Killestein ◽  
L EMA Pfennings ◽  
B Jelles ◽  
B MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Bodily Pain ◽  
Significant Linear Trend ◽  
Role Physical ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
The Impact

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.

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