scholarly journals The assessment of quality of life in clinical practice in patients with schizophrenia

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-195 ◽  

The aim of the present article is to review QoL scales used in studies investigating patients with schizophrenia over the past 5 years, and to summarize the results of QoL assessment in clinical practice in these patients. Literature available from January 2009 to December 2013 was identified in a PubMed search using the key words "quality of life" and "schizophrenia" and in a cross-reference search for articles that were particularly relevant. A total of n=432 studies used 35 different standardized generic and specific QoL scales in patients with schizophrenia. Affective symptoms were major obstacles for QoL improvement in patients with schizophrenia. Though positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive functioning may be seen as largely independent parameters from subjective QoL, especially in cross-sectional trials, long-term studies confirmed a critical impact of early QoL improvement on long-term symptomatic and functional remission, as well as of early symptomatic response on long-term QoL. Results of the present review suggest that QoL is a valid and useful outcome criterion in patients with schizophrenia. As such, it should be consistently applied in clinical trials. Understanding the relationship between symptoms and functioning with QoL is important because interventions that focus on symptoms of psychosis or functioning alone may fail to improve subjective QoL to the same level. However, the lack of consensus on QoL scales hampers research on its predictive validity. Future research needs to find a consensus on the concept and measures of QoL and to test whether QoL predicts better outcomes with respect to remission and recovery under consideration of different treatment approaches in patients with schizophrenia.

2019 ◽  
Vol 166 (E) ◽  
pp. e13-e16
Author(s):  
Eelco Huizinga ◽  
F J Idenburg ◽  
T T C F van Dongen ◽  
R Hoencamp

IntroductionThroughout history, diseases and non-battle injuries (DNBI) have threatened deployed forces more than battlefield injuries. During the Dutch involvement in Afghanistan, the amount of DNBI that needed medical evacuation out of theatre (60%) exceeded the number of battle injuries (40%). The aim of this study is to explore the long-term quality of life (QoL) of Dutch service members that acquired a DNBI, warranting repatriation during their deployment to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2014.MethodsObservational cross-sectional cohort study in a selected group of Dutch service members who deployed to Afghanistan 2003–2014 and were repatriated due to DNBI. Using the 36-item Short Form, EuroQol-6D, Symptom Checklist 90 and Post Deployment Reintegration Scale questionnaires, their outcomes were compared with a control group of deployed service members who did not sustain injuries or illnesses.ResultsGroups were comparable in age, rank, number of deployments and social status. There were significant differences found in terms of physical functioning, pain and health perspective. No differences were seen in emotional or psychological outcomes.ConclusionThe amount of military service members who contract a DNBI is significant and imposes a burden on the capacity of the medical support, readiness of deployed units and sustainability of ongoing operations. However, regarding QoL, being forced to leave their units and to be repatriated to their home country due to a DNBI seems to have no significant impact on reported psychological symptoms of distress and reintegration experiences. Future research should focus on more in-depth registration of illnesses and not combat related diseases and injuries and even longer-term outcomes.


Author(s):  
Anna Lee ◽  
Kathleen Knafl ◽  
Marcia Van Riper

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the family and child quality of life variables that have been studied in relation to one another in children with Down syndrome, the frequency with which different relationships have been studied, and the extent to which family variables were the focus of the research aims. A literature search was conducted to find studies published between January 2007 and June 2018. The initial search yielded 2314 studies; of these, 43 were selected for a final review. Researchers most often addressed family resources and family problem-solving and coping concerning child personal development and physical well-being. Little attention to child emotional well-being was observed, with none considering family appraisal of child emotional well-being. The relationship between family variables and child QoL rarely was the primary focus of the study. Methodologically, most reviewed studies used cross-sectional designs, were conducted in North America and based on maternal report. From future research considering the issues found in this review, healthcare providers can obtain an in-depth understanding of relationships between children and family variables.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S582-S582
Author(s):  
M.F. Molina López ◽  
M.C. Cancino Botello ◽  
A. Peña Serrano ◽  
M.D.L.A. Canseco Navarro

Introductionlong acting injectable formulations of antipsychotics are a valuable option for patients with schizophrenia, offering continuous medication delivery and stable dosage levels. Aripiprazole once-monthly is the first dopamine partial agonist available in long acting formulation approved in Europe for Schizophrenia with excellent results so far.Aimsto conduct a current review of articles related to the use and efficacy of Aripiprazole once monthly in patients with Schizophrenia.Methodssystematic review of the literature in English using the following keywords: “aripiprazole once-monthly”, “aripiprazole long acting formulation”, “schizophrenia”. PubMed database.ResultsAripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) formulation efficacy has been proven in many studies. The importance of maintaining an oral overlap during 14 days is highlighted in all studies that have been reviewed in order to reach therapeutic level; therefore, it can be used in patients with acute decompensations. Recent studies comparing AOM versus Paliperidone Palmitate once monthly (PP) have shown that patients with AOM had greater clinical improvement and, even though both drugs were well tolerated, when Quality of Life Style Scale was analyzed an important improvement in empathy, sense of purpose, emotional interaction and curiosity in the AOM group was observed.Conclusionslong acting injectable antipsychotics increase long-term adherence treatment and reduce risk of relapse. Because of its unique mechanism of action, Aripiprazole once-monthly improves positive and negative symptoms, giving the patient an opportunity to have a better quality of life.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1309-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne F. Olieman ◽  
Corine Penning ◽  
Marten J. Poley ◽  
Elisabeth M.W.J. Utens ◽  
Wim C.J. Hop ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-356
Author(s):  
Octavia Căpățînă ◽  
◽  
Cristina Pojoga ◽  
Bogdan Savu ◽  
Mihaela Fadgyas-Stănculete ◽  
...  

Background: In order to pursue recovery, Quality of life (QoL) and general functioning in patients with schizophrenia are milestones that need to be addressed in the treatment of the disease. The major aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between QoL, functionality and symptoms, and clinical characteristics of the disease, and to identify whether the two domains of negative symptoms, avolition/apathy and diminished expression, are predictive factors for the quality of life and functionality in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. In the present cross-sectional study, 87 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia completed a thorough battery of instruments evaluating: clinical symptoms, stigma, QoL, functionality, socio-demographic and clinical variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the significance of predictor variables for QoL and functionality. Multiple regression analyses revealed that internalized stigma, depression, and excitement were significant predictors for the variability of QoL, and experiential deficit and cognitive symptoms were significant predictors of the variability of functioning. In patients with schizophrenia, functioning and quality of life are two related but different constructs. Even though they are strongly associated, they have different predictive factors. The clinical implication of these results is that both of these constructs should be assessed and that the strategies for improving them should be different.


2017 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Lutgendorf ◽  
Eileen Shinn ◽  
Jeanne Carter ◽  
Susan Leighton ◽  
Keith Baggerly ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 186-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maartje S. Klapwijk ◽  
Monique A.A. Caljouw ◽  
Marjoleine J.C. Pieper ◽  
Jenny T. van der Steen ◽  
Wilco P. Achterberg

Background: To determine which characteristics are associated with quality of life (QOL) in residents with moderate to very severe dementia in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a cluster randomized controlled study in 12 Dutch LTCFs that enrolled 288 residents, with moderate to severe dementia assessed with the Reisberg Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg GDS) and QOL with the QUALIDEM. Characteristics that were hypothesized to be associated with the six domains of QOL (applicable to very severe dementia) included demographic variables, activities of daily living (Katz ADL), cognitive performance (Cognitive Performance Scale; CPS), pain (Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate; PACSLAC-D), neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version; NPI-NH) and comorbidities. Results: Multivariate logistic regression modelling showed associations with age in the domain Social isolation [odds ratio, OR, 0.95 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.91-0.99)], ADL level in the domain Positive affect [OR 0.89 (95% CI 0.83-0.95)] and the domain Social relations [OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.93)], severity of dementia in the domain Social relations [OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.12-0.62)] and in the domain Social isolation [OR 2.10 (95% CI 1.17-3.78)], psychiatric disorders in the domain Positive affect [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.17-0.87)] and pulmonary diseases in the domain Negative affect [OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.03-0.61)] of the QUALIDEM. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were independently associated with all six domains of the QUALIDEM [OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) to OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.99)]. Pain was associated with the domains Care relationship [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.84-1.00)] and Negative affect [OR 0.92 (95% CI 0.85-1.00)]. Conclusion: QOL in dementia is independently associated with age, ADL, dementia severity, pain, psychiatric disorders, pulmonary diseases and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is possible to detect persons with dementia at risk for a lower QOL. This information is important for developing personalized interventions to improve QOL in persons with dementia in LTCFs.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AnnaLynn M Williams ◽  
Sedigheh Mirzaei Salehabadi ◽  
Mengqi Xing ◽  
Nicholas Steve Phillips ◽  
Matthew Ehrhardt ◽  
...  

Long-term survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) experience high burden of chronic health morbidities. Correlates of neurocognitive and psychosocial morbidity have not been well established. 1,760 survivors of HL (mean[SD] age 37.5[6.0] years, time since diagnosis 23.6[4.7] years, 52.1% female) and 3,180 siblings (age 33.2[8.5] years, 54.5% female) completed cross-sectional surveys assessing neurocognitive function, emotional distress, quality of life, social attainment, smoking, and physical activity. Treatment exposures were abstracted from medical records. Chronic health conditions were graded according to NCI CTCAE v4.3 (1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe/disabling, 4=life-threatening). Multivariable analyses, adjusted for age, sex, and race, estimated relative risk (RR) of impairment in survivors vs. siblings and, among survivors, risk of impairment associated with demographic, clinical, treatment factors and grade 2+ chronic health conditions. Compared with siblings, survivors had significant higher risk (p's<0.05) of neurocognitive impairment (e.g. memory 8.1% vs. 5.7%), anxiety (7.0%%vs. 5.4%),depression (9.1% vs. 7%), unemployment (9.6% vs. 4.4%), and impaired physical/mental quality of life (e.g. physical function 11.2% vs. 3.0%). Smoking was associated with higher risk of impairment in task efficiency (RR=1.56[1.02-2.39]), emotional regulation (RR=1.84[1.35-2.49]), anxiety (RR=2.43[1.51-3.93]), and depression (RR=2.73[1.85-4.04]). Meeting CDC exercise guidelines was associated with lower risk of impairment in task efficiency (RR=0.70[0.52-0.95]), organization (RR=0.60[0.45-0.80]), depression (RR=0.66[0.48-0.92]), and multiple quality of life domains. Cardiovascular and neurologic conditions were associated with impairment in nearly all domains. Survivors of HL are at elevated risk for neurocognitive and psychosocial impairment, and risk is associated with modifiable factors that provide targets for interventions to improve long-term functional outcomes.


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