scholarly journals Quality of Life in the First Year of Cancer Diagnosis among Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal People Living in Regional and Remote Areas of Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 330
Author(s):  
Elaina Elder-Robinson ◽  
Abbey Diaz ◽  
Kirsten Howard ◽  
Darshit Rajeshkumar Parikh ◽  
Giam Kar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Capital City ◽  
First Year ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Remote Areas

Little is known of the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, where healthcare delivery is geographically challenged. This exploratory study describes QoL among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cancer patients in the NT, in the first year of diagnosis. Participants were recruited from the only cancer care centre in the NT and completed the Assessment of Quality-of-Life questionnaire (AQoL-4D). The results were descriptively analysed. The participants’ (n = 63; mean age 58.8 years) mean AQoL utility score was 0.72 (SD 0.26); patients scored lowest in the relationships and mental health dimensions of the questionnaire (mean 0.89, SD 0.19, and 0.89, SD 0.17, respectively). Participants living in remote and very remote areas (46%) reported higher QoL scores, compared with participants in the outer regional capital city of the NT in the overall (mean 0.76, SD 0.22 and 0.78, SD 0.20 vs. 0.67, SD 0.29, respectively), and mental health dimensions (mean 0.92, SD 0.09 and mean 0.94, SD 0.06 vs. 0.85, SD 0.22, respectively). The findings were suggestive of clinically meaningful differences across socioeconomic groups, cancer and treatment types, and comorbidity status. Mean QoL scores were consistent with previous reports in other Australian cancer cohorts. The findings suggest a need to support cancer patients’ mental health and relationships during the diagnosis and treatment phase of their cancer journey.

Psychometric properties of the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire in inpatient cancer rehabilitation in Germany

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
JÖRG DIRMAIER ◽  
SILKE ZAUN ◽  
UWE KOCH ◽  
TIMO HARFST ◽  
HOLGER SCHULZ
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Scale Structure ◽  
Cancer Rehabilitation ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Eortc Qlq C30 ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Objective: Recent years have shown an increase in the use of questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life to verify the quality of treatment in the field of oncology. An often used cancer-specific questionnaire is the “Quality of Life Core Questionnaire of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer” (EORTC QLQ-C30). The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 1) in order to determine the feasibility and appropriateness for its use in inpatient cancer rehabilitation in Germany with heterogeneous diagnoses.Methods: The questionnaire was administrated to a sample of 972 cancer patients at the beginning of treatment and to 892 patients after treatment. Besides descriptive analysis, the statistical analyses include confirmatory analysis and the multitrait/multimethod approach to test the questionnaire's postulated scale structure (factorial validity) and its reliability (internal consistencies). The analysis also includes a comparison of responsiveness indices (effect size, reliable change index) to test the sensitivity of the instrument.Results: The EORTC QLQ-C30 showed satisfactory levels of reliability and sensitivity, but the postulated scale structure could not be confirmed. The results illustrate that the varimax-rotated solution of a principal component analysis does not confirm the scale structure postulated by the authors. Correspondingly, the selected fit indices within the scope of the confirmatory factor analysis do not show satisfactory results either.Significance of results: We therefore consider version 1 of the EORTC QLQ-C30 to be only limitedly useful for the routine assessment of changes in the quality of life of cancer patients in inpatient rehabilitation in Germany, especially because of the instrument's length and possible redundancies. For this reason, a scoring procedure limited to a subset of items is suggested, revealing satisfactory to good psychometric indices. However, further psychometric tests are necessary, especially with regard to validity and sensitivity.

scholarly journals Health Behavior Patterns Among First-Year and Non-First Year College Students Attending a North Carolina Historically Black University

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dixie Dennis ◽  
Terence Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
College Students ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Patterns ◽  
First Year ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
First Year College ◽  
First Year College Students

The major purpose of this study was to conduct a baseline investigation of self-rated health behavior and quality of life among first-year and non-first-year college students. The authors used a quality of life questionnaire that was designed to gauge college students' health status, lifestyle, mental health, and living conditions. Results from this study were indicated that there were significan differences among health behavior patterns between first-year and non-first-year college students. Most importantly, this study provides compelling information regarding the physical and psychological health behaviors among a mostly African American student population who attended a historical Black university in North Carolina. Implications for university student personnel, counselors, and faculty are discussed.

scholarly journals GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE OF LIVING DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Isabel Roldo NOGUEIRA ◽  
Julio Cezar Uili COELHO ◽  
Micheli Fortunato DOMINGOS ◽  
Mônica Beatriz PAROLIN ◽  
Jorge Eduardo Fouto MATIAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
General Population ◽  
Living Donor ◽  
Living Donor Liver Transplantation ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Donor Liver ◽  
Donor Liver Transplantation

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Receptors of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have higher rate of postoperative biliary and vascular complications that may reduce posttransplant quality of life (QOL) due to the need of invasive and repetitive treatments. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to assess the various aspects of QOL of receptors undergoing LDLT after 10 years of transplantation and to identify potential factors that might be associated with impaired QOL. METHODS: Data of all patients with more than 10 years of LDLT were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were interviewed through a quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). RESULTS: From a total of 440 LT performed in 17 years (from September 1991 through December 2008), 78 patients underwent LDLT, of which 27 were alive and 25 answered completely the questionnaire. There were 17 (68%) men and 8 (32%) women, with a mean age of 38.6±18.5 years at the time of transplantation and mean follow up time of 15.1±1.9 years. The average MELD was 16.4±4.9 and the main indication for LT was hepatic cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus (32%). When compared to the general population, LDLT patients had lower mental health score (66.4 vs 74.5, P=0.0093) and higher vitality score (87.8 vs 71.9, P<0.001), functional aspects (94.6 vs 75.5, P=0.002), social aspects (93 vs 83.9, P=0.005), physical aspects (92 vs 77.5, P=0.006), and emotional aspects (97.33 vs 81.7, P<0.001). General health status (73.28 vs 70.2, P=0.074) and pain (78.72 vs 76.7, P=0.672) scores were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the various aspects LDLT recipients’ QOF are similar to those of the general population more than a decade after the transplant, except for the mental health domain which is lower.

Psychological Distress and Health-Related Quality of Life among Head and Neck Cancer Patients during the First Year after Treatment

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Benedetta Ninu ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
Francesco Bulli ◽  
Alessio De Massimi ◽  
Maria Grazia Muraca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
First Year ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Baseline characteristics of breast and gynecological cancer patients enrolled in the trial of a multidisciplinary survivorship care model in an Asian national ambulatory cancer center.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 37-37
Author(s):  
Yu Ke ◽  
Patricia Soek Hui Neo ◽  
Grace Meijuan Yang ◽  
Shirlynn Ho ◽  
Yee Pin Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Baseline Characteristics

37 Background: Accessible Cancer Care to Enable Support for Cancer Survivors (ACCESS) is a multidisciplinary survivorship care model launched at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) in 2019. ACCESS employs routine distress and problem screening to triage cancer patients with varying care needs and complexities for tailored care. Here, we described the study design to evaluate ACCESS, and reported the baseline characteristics of our study cohort to characterize the profile of prospective target recipients of the new care model. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was initiated to assess the effectiveness of ACCESS on quality of life and symptom burden, with each cluster unit defined at the oncologist level. Clusters were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive ACCESS or usual care. Eligible patients were ≥21 years, newly diagnosed with breast or gynecological cancer, and receiving follow-up care in NCCS. Patients were followed up for one year and patient-reported outcomes were collected every three months using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Results: By May 2021, 91 patients and 89 patients in the usual care and ACCESS arm were recruited, respectively. Both groups (usual care vs. ACCESS) had comparable mean age (56.2±10.9 vs. 56.2±10.7, P = 0.998) and racial composition (P = 0.760). Employment status was similar in both arms (48.4% vs. 56.2% employed, P = 0.293) and most patients were covered by health insurance (89.8% vs. 88.1%, P = 0.920). At baseline, patients in both arms had comparable mean quality of life scores (65.1±19.8 vs. 66.9±17.6, P = 0.51) and reported high physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning levels (all mean scores > 70). No statistically significant differences in physical symptom and psychological distress levels were observed. Prevalent symptoms reported included fatigue (82.4% vs. 71.9%), pain (68.1% vs. 55.1%), and insomnia (57.1% vs. 55.1%). Almost half of the cohort reported financial difficulties (45.1% vs. 46.1%). Conclusions: Comparable baseline characteristics suggested the absence of systematic differences in care needs and demand among patients cared by different oncologists. Despite high functioning statuses at baseline, participants reported impaired quality of life with active physical and financial problems. These results support our hypothesis that routine screening would be valuable to identify such problems promptly for management via standardized care pathways. Results from this ongoing trial will determine the effectiveness of ACCESS on quality of life and functional recovery through treatment and survivorship. Clinical trial information: NCT04014309.

Test/retest study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life Questionnaire.

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1249-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Hjermstad ◽  
S D Fossa ◽  
K Bjordal ◽  
S Kaasa
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Eortc Qlq C30 ◽  
Eortc Qlq ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

PURPOSE The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) is a well-validated instrument that assesses health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer patients. It is used in cancer clinical trials in Europe, Canada, and the United States, and has demonstrated high reliability and validity in different groups of cancer patients. Despite thorough testing of reliability and validity, we have not identified any reports on its test/retest reliability; thus, a test/retest study was performed at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). MATERIALS AND METHODS Cancer patients from the outpatient clinic who were off treatment for > or = 3 months were eligible for the study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was given to the patients when they presented for their visit. The second questionnaire was received by the patients 4 days later. Of 291 eligible patients, 270 (93%) agreed to participate and 190 (73%) completed both questionnaires. RESULTS The test/retest reliability measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient was high for all functional scales, with a range from .82 for cognitive and role function to .91 for physical function. The r value for global HRQOL was .85. For the symptom scales--nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and pain--the coefficients were .63, .83, and .86, respectively. The single-item coefficients ranged from .72 for diarrhea to .84 for financial impact. The Spearman rank correlation was in the same range for all dimensions. CONCLUSION The EORTC QLQ-C30 seems to yield high test/retest reliability in patients with various cancer diagnoses whose condition is not expected to change during the time of measurement.

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