Seasonal Variation in Generic and Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Rhinologic Patients in Southern Finland

Background: Seasonal variation in exacerbations, hospitalisations, and mortality statistics has been reported for some diseases. To our knowledge, however, no published studies exist on the seasonality of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst rhinologic patients. Aims/Objectives: This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the possible seasonal variation in rhinologic patients’ HRQoL using the rhinologic disease-specific Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) and the generic 15D HRQoL instrument. Material and Methods: We enrolled unselected adult rhinologic patients requiring specialist care at the Helsinki University Hospital in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based prospective study during four seasons: February (winter), May (spring), August (summer), and November (autumn). Patients received SNOT-22 and 15D questionnaires via post. The Finnish Meteorological Institute supplied climate data from these months. Results: SNOT-22 and 15D data were available for 301 and 298 patients, respectively. We found no statistically significant differences (p = 0.948) between the mean monthly 15D scores or mean SNOT-22 scales. Furthermore, the mean SNOT-22 subscales did not differ between the monthly study periods. Conclusions and Significance: Our study shows that seasonality did not impact rhinologic patients’ SNOT-22 or 15D HRQoL scores. Thus, these questionnaires can be used for follow-up amongst rhinologic patients regardless of season.

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Do Rhinologic Patients have Seasonal Variation in Generic or Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life?

Value in Health ◽

10.1016/j.jval.2016.03.635 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. A76

Author(s):

ML Hytönen ◽

RP Roine ◽

R Ruuhela ◽

H Sintonen ◽

P Virkkula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Disease Specific ◽

Specific Health

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Mapping the ChOLE classification to hearing outcomes and disease-specific health-related quality of life

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology ◽

10.1007/s00405-020-06002-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 277 (10) ◽

pp. 2729-2738 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Nora M. Weiss ◽

David Bächinger ◽

Adrian Rrahmani ◽

Hans E. Bernd ◽

Alexander Huber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Ossicular Chain ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Mean ◽

Hearing Outcomes ◽

Disease Specific ◽

Specific Health

Abstract Objectives To investigate the association between the “ChOLE” classification, hearing outcomes and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods In two tertiary referral centers, patients requiring primary or revision surgery for cholesteatoma were assessed for eligibility. Audiometric assessment was performed pre- and postoperatively. The ChOLE classification was determined intraoperatively and via the preoperative CT scan. HRQoL was assessed pre- and postoperatively using the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21). Results A total of 87 patients (mean age 45.2 years, SD 16.2) were included in this study. ChOLE stage I cholesteatoma was found in 8 (9%), stage II cholesteatoma was found in 65 (75%), and stage III cholesteatoma was found in 14 (16%) patients. Postoperatively, the mean air–bone gap (0.5, 1, 2, 3 kHz) was significantly smaller than before surgery (14.3 dB vs. 23.0 dB; p = 0.0007). The mean ZCMEI-21 total score significantly decreased after surgery (26.8 vs. 20.7, p = 0.004). No correlation between the ZCMEI-21 total score and both the ChOLE stage and the extent of the cholesteatoma (ChOLE subdivision “Ch”) was found. A trend towards worse HRQoL associated with a poorer status of the ossicular chain (ChOLE subdivision “O”) was observed. The audiometric outcomes were not associated with the extent of the cholesteatoma. The ChOLE subdivision describing the ossicular status showed a strong association with the pre- and postoperative air conduction (AC) thresholds. Further, the ZCMEI-21 total score and its hearing subscore correlated with the AC thresholds. Conclusion The ChOLE classification does not show a clear association with HRQoL measured by the ZCMEI-21. The HRQoL neither seems to be associated with the extent of the disease nor with the ossicular chain status. Yet, surgical therapy significantly improved HRQoL by means of reduced ZCMEI-21 total scores, which were strongly associated with the AC thresholds. Intraoperative assessment of a cholesteatoma using the ChOLE classification and HRQoL complement each other and provide useful information.

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Explanatory Factors for Disease-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10081592 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1592

Author(s):

Laura Al-Dakhiel Winkler ◽

Claire Gudex ◽

Mia Beck Lichtenstein ◽

Michael Ejnar Røder ◽

Carol E. Adair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Explanatory Factors ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Disease Specific ◽

Specific Health

A better understanding of explanatory factors for disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in anorexia nervosa (AN) could help direct treatment providers to aspects of the most relevance for patient wellbeing and recovery. We aimed to investigate whether factors associated with HRQoL are the same for women with AN and normal-weight controls. The participants in this study were women with AN recruited from specialized eating disorder centers in Denmark and healthy, normal-weight controls invited via online social media. Participants completed online questionnaires on medical history, disease-specific HRQoL (Eating Disorders Quality of Life Scale, EDQLS) and generic HRQoL (SF-36), eating disorder symptomatology, depression, psychological wellbeing, and work and social adjustment. Questionnaires were fully completed by 211 women with AN (median age 21.7 years) and 199 controls (median age 23.9 years). Women with AN had poorer scores on all measures, i.e., worse HRQoL, psychological health, and work/social functioning. Eating disorder symptomatology affected EDQLS score in both groups, but poorer HRQoL in women with AN was also significantly associated with worse scores on bulimia, maturity fears, depression, vitality, and with older age. The factors investigated together explained 79% of the variance in EDQLS score. Management of disordered self-assessment and thought processes may be of particular importance to women with AN. Greater emphasis on these aspects alongside weight gain could enhance patient–clinician alliance and contribute to better treatment outcomes.

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Randomized controlled study of the impact of a participatory patient care plan among primary care patients with common chronic diseases: a one-year follow-up study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06716-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nina Tusa ◽

Hannu Kautiainen ◽

Pia Elfving ◽

Sanna Sinikallio ◽

Pekka Mäntyselkä

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Patient Care ◽

Usual Care ◽

Care Plan ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Disease Specific

Abstract Backround Chronic diseases and multimorbidity are common in the ageing population and affect the health related quality of life. Health care resources are limited and the continuity of care has to be assured. Therefore it is essential to find demonstrable tools for best treatment practices for patients with chronic diseases. Our aim was to study the influence of a participatory patient care plan on the health-related quality of life and disease specific outcomes related to diabetes, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. Methods The data of the present study were based on the Participatory Patient Care Planning in Primary Care. A total of 605 patients were recruited in the Siilinjärvi Health Center in the years 2017–2018 from those patients who were followed up due to the treatment of hypertension, ischemic heart disease or diabetes. Patients were randomized into usual care and intervention groups. The intervention consisted of a participatory patient care plan, which was formulated in collaboration with the patient and the nurse and the physician during the first health care visit. Health-related quality of life with the 15D instrument and the disease-specific outcomes of body mass index (BMI), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) and blood pressure were assessed at the baseline and after a one-year follow-up. Results A total of 587 patients with a mean age of 69 years were followed for 12 months. In the intervention group there were 289 patients (54% women) and in the usual care group there were 298 patients (50% women). During the follow-up there were no significant changes between the groups in health-related quality and disease-specific outcomes. Conclusions During the 12-month follow-up, no significant differences between the intervention and the usual care groups were detected, as the intervention and the usual care groups were already in good therapeutic equilibrium at the baseline. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02992431. Registered 14/12/2016

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Health-related quality of life in different trimesters during pregnancy

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes ◽

10.1186/s12955-021-01811-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Huailiang Wu ◽

Weiwei Sun ◽

Hanqing Chen ◽

Yanxin Wu ◽

Wenjing Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background Pregnant women experience physical, physiological, and mental changes. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a relevant indicator of psychological and physical behaviours, changing over the course of pregnancy. This study aims to assess HRQoL of pregnant women during different stages of pregnancy. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed using the The EuroQoL Group’s five-dimension five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) to assess the HRQoL of pregnant women, and demographic data were collected. This study was conducted in a regional university hospital in Guangzhou, China. Results A total of 908 pregnant women were included in this study. Pregnant women in the early 2nd trimester had the highest HRQoL. The HRQoL of pregnant women rose from the 1st trimester to the early 2nd trimester, and dropped to the bottom at the late 3rd trimester due to some physical and mental changes. Reports of pain/discomfort problem were the most common (46.0%) while self-care were the least concern. More than 10% of pregnant women in the 1st trimester had health-related problems in at least one dimension of whole five dimensions. In the whole sample, the EuroQoL Group’s visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was 87.86 ± 9.16. Across the gestational stages, the HRQoL remained stable during the pregnancy but the highest value was observed in the 1st trimester (89.65 ± 10.13) while the lowest was in the late 3rd trimester (87.28 ± 9.13). Conclusions During pregnancy, HRQoL were associated with gestational trimesters in a certain degree. HRQoL was the highest in the early 2nd trimester and then decreased to the lowest in the late 3rd trimester due to a series of physical and psychological changes. Therefore, obstetric doctors and medical institutions should give more attention and care to pregnant women in the late 3rd trimester.

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Commentary on “Health economics and the value of therapy in Alzheimer's disease.” Quality of life in dementia: Development and use of a disease-specific measure of health-related quality of life in dementia

Alzheimer s & Dementia ◽

10.1016/j.jalz.2007.04.384 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 166-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sube Banerjee

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Health Economics ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Specific Measure ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Disease Specific Measure ◽

Disease Specific

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Impact of dental caries on oral health related quality of life among preschool children: perceptions of parents

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01396-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mina Pakkhesal ◽

Elham Riyahi ◽

AliAkbar Naghavi Alhosseini ◽

Parisa Amdjadi ◽

Nasser Behnampour

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Oral Health ◽

Dental Caries ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Dmft Index ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Childhood dental caries can affect the children’s and their parents’ oral health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of oral and dental health conditions on the oral health-related quality of life in preschool children and their parents. Methods In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, samples were selected from children 3 to 6 years old enrolled in licensed kindergartens using "proportional allocation" sampling. Then, the parents of the children were asked to complete the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Results In this study, 350 children aged 3 to 6 years were evaluated with a mean age of 4.73 years. The mean dmft index (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) was 3.94 ± 4.17. The mean score of oral health-related quality of life was 11.88 ± 6.9, which 9.36 ± 5.02 belongs to the impact on children and 2.52 ± 3.20 to parents' impact. Conclusions The mean score of ECOHIS increased with the dmft index increase in children, indicating a significant relationship between the dmft and ECOHIS score. These outcomes can be used as proper resources to develop preventive policies and promote oral health in young children.

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