scholarly journals Time course of exercise capacity in patients recovering from COVID-19-associated pneumonia

2021 ◽  
pp. e20210076
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Zampogna1 ◽  
Nicolino Ambrosino2 ◽  
Laura Saderi3 ◽  
Giovanni Sotgiu3 ◽  
Paola Bottini4 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Exercise Limitation ◽  
Predicted Values

Objective: High prevalences of muscle weakness and impaired physical performance in hospitalized patients recovering from COVID-19-associated pneumonia have been reported. Our objective was to determine whether the level of exercise capacity after discharge would affect long-term functional outcomes in these patients. Methods: From three to five weeks after discharge from acute care hospitals (T0), patients underwent a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and were divided into two groups according to the distance walked in percentage of predicted values: <75% group and =75% group. At T0 and three months later (T1), patients completed the Short Physical Performance Battery and the Euro Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale, and pulmonary function and respiratory muscle function were assessed. In addition, a repeat 6MWT was also performed at T1. Results: At T0, 6MWD values and Short Physical Performance Battery scores were lower in the <75% group than in the =75% group. No differences were found in the Euro Quality of Life Visual Analogue Scale scores, pulmonary function variables, respiratory muscle function variables, length of hospital stay, or previous treatment. At T1, both groups improved their exercise capacity, but only the subjects in the <75% group showed significant improvements in dyspnea and lower extremity function. Exercise capacity and functional status values returned to predicted values in all of the patients in both groups. Conclusions: Four weeks after discharge, COVID-19 survivors with exercise limitation showed no significant differences in physiological or clinical characteristics or in perceived health status when compared with patients without exercise limitation. Three months later, those patients recovered their exercise capacity.

scholarly journals Efektivitas imunoterapi terhadap gejala, temuan nasoendoskopik dan kualitas hidup pasien rinosinusitis alergi

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuwan Pradana ◽  
Teti Madiadipoera ◽  
Melati Sudiro ◽  
Arif Dermawan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Specific Immunotherapy ◽  
Drug Intake ◽  
Allergen Specific Immunotherapy ◽  
Nasal Symptoms ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

Background: Rhinosinusitis is one of major health problems which increased the economic burden. With symptoms include nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, facial pain, and sometimes reduced or loss of smell, this condition may impair work productivity and quality of life (QOL). Rhinosinusitis is one of the comorbidity of allergic rhinitis. Allergen specific immunotherapy provides protection against the occurence of allergic symptoms and inflammatory reactions due to allergen exposure, that results in improvement  of QOL of allergic rhinosinusitis patients.   To assess the effectiveness of immunotherapy in the  severity of the disease, nasal symptoms, nasoendoscopic findings, drugs intake, and the QOL in allergic rhinosinusitis patients treated with specific immunotherapy. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study conducted at the Rhinology-Allergy Clinic of ORL-HNS Department, Dr.Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, on January - December 2011, towards 25 patients, by anamnesis, severity of the disease using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), nasal symptoms from Weeke, Davis and Okuda, nasoendoscopic findings from Lund-Kennedy, drug intake score, and QOL assesment using Rhinoconjuctivitis Quality of Life Questionaire. Results: There was a significant correlation (p<0,05) between specific immunotherapy for 1 year observed by reduced disease severity, reduced nasal symptoms, nasoendoscopic findings improvement, reduced drug intake, and increased Quality of Life which shows significant results from 3 months after immunotherapy using Wilcoxon differential test (p<0,001). Conclusion: Immunotherapy for 1 year was significantly reduced disease severity, reduced nasal symptoms, improved nasoendoscopic findings, reduced drug intake, and improvement of QOL in patients with allergic rhinosinusitis began from 3 months after immunotherapy and maintained afterwards. Key words: allergic rhinosinusitis, nasal symptoms, nasoendoscopy, specific immunotherapy, quality of life    Abstrak :  Latar belakang: Rinosinusitis merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan yang semakin meningkat sehingga menjadi beban besar terhadap perekonomian masyarakat. Dengan gejala berupa hidung tersumbat, rinore, nyeri pada wajah dan dapat disertai berkurang atau hilangnya penciuman, kondisi ini dapat menurunkan produktivitas kerja dan kualitas hidup. Rinosinusitis merupakan salah satu komorbiditas dari rinitis alergi. Imunoterapi alergen spesifik bertujuan untuk memberikan perlindungan terhadap timbulnya gejala alergi dan reaksi inflamasi akibat pajanan alergen, sehingga dapat meningkatkan kualitas hidup pasien rinosinusitis. Tujuan: Membuktikan efektivitas imunoterapi terhadap tingkat beratnya penyakit, gejala hidung, nasoendoskopi, penggunaan obat dan kualitas hidup pasien rinosinusitis alergi yang diberikan pengobatan imunoterapi selama 3, 6, dan 12 bulan. Metode: Dilakukan penelitian deskriptif retrospektif, di Poliklinik Rinologi Alergi Ilmu Kesehatan THT-KL RSHS Bandung, dalam periode JanuariDesember 2011 pada 25 pasien, menggunakan anamnesis, tingkat berat penyakit berdasarkan Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), gejala hidung  berdasarkan Weeke, Davis dan Okuda, pemeriksaan nasoendoskopi berdasarkan Lund-Kennedy, penggunaan obat dan penilaian kualitas hidup dengan Rhinoconjuctivitis Quality of Life Questionaire. Hasil: Didapatkan hubungan bermakna berdasarkan uji chi-kuadrat-Friedman   antara imunoterapi selama 1 tahun (p<0,05) terhadap penurunan tingkat berat penyakit, penurunan gejala hidung, perbaikan temuan nasoendoskopi, penurunan penggunaan obat, serta peningkatan kualitas hidup. Didapat perbaikan secara bermakna sejak 3 bulan pasca imunoterapi (p<0,001) berdasarkan uji beda Wilcoxon. Kesimpulan: Imunoterapi selama 1 tahun efektif terhadap penurunan tingkat berat penyakit, penurunan gejala hidung, perbaikan temuan nasoendoskopi, penurunan penggunaan obat, serta peningkatan kualitas hidup pada pasien rinosinusitis alergi, dengan perbaikan sejak 3 bulan dan bertahan hingga 1 tahun pasca-imunoterapi. Kata kunci: rinosinusitis alergi, gejala hidung, nasoendoskopi, imunoterapi, kualitas hidup 

scholarly journals Impacts of Respiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Functions, Maximal Exercise Capacity, Functional Performance, and Quality of Life in School-Aged Children with Postoperative Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Samah A. Moawd ◽  
Alshimaa R. Azab ◽  
Zizi M. Ibrahim ◽  
Anju Verma ◽  
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Respiratory Muscle Training ◽  
Muscle Training ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Maximal Exercise Capacity

Objectives. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a birth defect affecting the respiratory functions, functional performance, and quality of life (QOL) in school-aged children. Rarely have studies been conducted to evaluate the impacts of respiratory muscle training on school-aged children with postoperative CDH. The current study was designed to evaluate the impacts of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, maximal exercise capacity, functional performance, and QOL in these children. Methods. This study is a randomized control study. 40 children with CDH (age: 9-11 years) were assigned randomly into two groups. The first group conducted an incentive spirometer exercise combined with inspiratory muscle training (study group, n=20), whereas the second group conducted only incentive spirometer exercise (control group, n=20), thrice weekly for twelve consecutive weeks. Respiratory functions, maximal exercise capacity, functional performance, and pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) were assessed before and after the treatment program. Results. Regarding the posttreatment analysis, the study group showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (FVC%, p<0.001; FEV1%, p=0.002; VO2max, p=0.008; VE/VCO2 slope, p=0.002; 6-MWT, p<0.001; and PedsQL, p<0.001), whereas the control group did not show significant changes (p>0.05). Conclusion. Respiratory muscle training may improve respiratory functions, maximal exercise capacities, functional performance, and QOL in children with postoperative CDH. Clinical commendations have to be considered to include respiratory muscle training in pulmonary rehabilitation programs in children with a history of CDH.

Comparison of an epicondylitis bandage with a wrist orthosis in patients with lateral epicondylitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halil Ekrem Akkurt ◽  
Hilal Kocabaş ◽  
Halim Yılmaz ◽  
Cemile Eser ◽  
Zafer Şen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Lateral Epicondylitis

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common causes of elbow pain. It is generally observed in people between the ages of 40 and 50 years, and the dominant extremity is more frequently affected. Various noninvasive methods are frequently used; however, studies investigating the effectiveness of the orthoses are limited and with controversial outcomes. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a hand-wrist resting orthosis and an epicondylitis bandage in lateral epicondylitis. Study design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: In total, 82 patients diagnosed with unilateral lateral epicondylitis were enrolled into the study. Hand-wrist resting orthosis was applied to 45 patients and epicondylitis bandage was applied to 41 patients. Patients were evaluated before treatment and at 6 weeks after treatment with a Visual Analogue Scale; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; the Short Form 36; and a determination of hand grasping force. Results: Both groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, gender, frequency of lateral epicondylitis on the dominant side, dominant extremity, and duration of complaints ( p > 0.05). A statistically significant recovery was detected in both groups between the pre-therapy values and the values at the sixth week in terms of Visual Analogue Scale scores; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnarie scores; hand grasping forces; and the Short Form 36 mental and physical component scores ( p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences detected between the two therapy methods before the therapy and at the sixth week of treatment in all parameter values ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that both epicondylitis bandage and hand-wrist resting orthosis are effective treatment options for lateral epicondylitis–induced pain, functional status, muscle strength, and quality of life. Furthermore, neither treatment option was superior to the other. Large, randomized studies are necessary for more clear statements. Clinical relevance Epicondylitis bandage and hand-wrist resting orthosis are equally effective treatment options for lateral epicondylitis–induced pain, functional status, muscle strength, and quality of life.

scholarly journals Applicazione della sulfadiazina argentica 1% in crema per il trattamento e la prevenzione delle infezioni nelle ulcere croniche degli arti inferiori/Use of silver sulfadiazine 1% cream for the treatment and prevention of infected chronic leg ulcers

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Giacinto ◽  
Elisabetta Giacinto ◽  
Mario Giacinto ◽  
Filomena Casciani ◽  
Domenica Ciuffoletti
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Silver Sulfadiazine ◽  
Leg Ulcers ◽  
Systemic Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Life Scale

Il trattamento delle lesioni cutanee è complesso per la varietà delle eziologie, della presentazione della ferita, del decorso e delle elevate comorbidità associate. La risoluzione di un’eventuale infezione, che rappresenta la condizione indispensabile per la successiva guarigione della lesione, è da considerarsi l’obiettivo primario di qualsiasi intervento. Numerose sono le evidenze presenti in letteratura che attestano la superiorità di un trattamento antibiotico topico rispetto a una terapia antibiotica sistemica in presenza di una ferita infetta. È stato evidenziato come la sulfadiazina argentica 1% crema (SSD Ag 1%), un antibiotico chemioterapico topico, sia efficace nella prevenzione e cura delle lesioni cutanee acute e croniche infette e/o suscettibili di superinfezioni. Lo scopo di questo studio è quello di verificare l’efficacia della SSD nel migliorare la qualità di vita di pazienti affetti da lesioni. La ricerca è stata condotta presso l’Ambulatorio sperimentale di Vulnologia nel CAPT di Praia a Mare (ASP Cosenza, Italia); ha coinvolto 86 pazienti nell’arco di 4 mesi, trattati in parte in ambulatorio ed in parte in assistenza domiciliare, con età media di 69,6 anni, per la profilassi (50/86, 58%) o per il trattamento (36/86, 42%) di ulcere interessanti principalmente gli arti inferiori. I risultati ottenuti dall’utilizzo della SSD Ag 1% hanno evidenziato che, nei pazienti in cui il prodotto è stato applicato come trattamento, la percezione del dolore è diminuita in 18 su 24 pazienti, con un’aumentata qualità di vita valutata attraverso la Visual Analogue Scale-Quality of Life Scale. L’efficacia della SSD Ag 1% è stata dimostrata dai 23 casi di guarigione in 12 settimane e dai 5 casi in 4 settimane e dai 10 casi di risoluzione della sola infezione. La SSD Ag% si dimostra essere un ottimo prodotto sia per la profilassi (per prevenire l’insorgenza dell’infezione nelle ulcere a rischio) che per il trattamento dell’infezione delle ferite, coniugando efficacia e tollerabilità. Treating skin lesions is complex due to the variety of aetiologies, the presentation of the wound, the course of the injury and the high number of associated comorbidities. The main aim of any treatment is to resolve any infection, as this is the essential condition for the lesion to subsequently heal. There is a lot of evidence in literature that a topical antibiotic treatment is better than a systemic antibiotic therapy for infected wounds. Silver sulfadiazine 1% cream (SSD Ag 1%), a topical chemotherapy antibiotic, has been proved to be effective for the prevention and cure of acute and chronic skin lesions that are infected or susceptible to superinfection. The purpose of this study is to confirm the efficacy of SSD Ag 1%in improving the quality of life of patients with lesions. The study was conducted at the Experimental Wound Treatment Outpatients Department of the Praia a Mare Local Healthcare Centre (Cosenza Health Authority, Italy); it involved 86 patients during a 4-month period, some of whom were treated in the outpatients department and some at home, with an average age of 69.6, for prophylaxis (50/86, 58%) or to treat ulcers, primarily leg ulcers (36/86, 42%). The results of using SSD Ag 1% cream showed that for patients on whom the product was used as treatment, pain perception fell in 18 out of 24 patients, with improved quality of life assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale-Quality of Life Scale. The efficacy of SSD Ag 1% was shown by 23 cases of healing in 12 weeks and 5 cases in 4 weeks and by 10 cases of resolution of the infection only. SSD Ag 1% was shown to be an excellent product both for prophylaxis (to prevent infections in high-risk ulcers) and for treating wound infections, combining efficacy and tolerability.

Is a single-item visual analogue scale as valid, reliable and responsive as multi-item scales in measuring quality of life?

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.G.E.M. de Boer ◽  
J.J.B. van Lanschot ◽  
P.F.M. Stalmeier ◽  
J.W. van Sandick ◽  
J.B.F. Hulscher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Single Item

scholarly journals Treatment restrictions in patients with severe stroke are associated with an increased risk of death

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein Geurts ◽  
Floor AS de Kort ◽  
Paul LM de Kort ◽  
Julia H van Tuijl ◽  
Ghislaine JMW van Thiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Modified Rankin Scale ◽  
Severe Stroke ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Treatment Restrictions

Introduction Treatment restrictions in the first 2 days after intracerebral haemorrhage have been independently associated with an increased risk of early death. It is unknown whether these restrictions also affect mortality if these are installed several days after stroke onset. Patients and methods Sixty patients with severe functional dependence at day 4 after ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage were included in this prospective two-centre cohort study. The presence of treatment restrictions was assessed at the day of inclusion. Information about mortality, functional outcome (modified Rankin scale) score and quality of life (visual analogue scale) was recorded 6 months after stroke onset. Poor outcome was defined as modified Rankin scale >3. Satisfactory quality of life was defined as visual analogue scale ≥ 60. Results At 6 months, 30 patients had died, 19 survivors had a poor functional outcome and 9 patients had a poor quality of life. Treatment restrictions were independently associated with mortality at 6 months (adjusted relative risk, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.59; p = 0.01), but not with functional outcome. Discussion Our findings were observed in 60 selected patients with severe stroke. Conclusion The instalment of treatment restrictions by itself may increase the risk of death after stroke, even if the first 4 days have passed. In future stroke studies, this potential confounder should be taken into account. Quality of life was satisfactory in the majority of the survivors, despite considerable disability.

scholarly journals The Role of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Sickle Cell Anemia Related Pulmonary Damage due to Recurrent Acute Chest Syndrome Attacks

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcu Camcıoğlu ◽  
Meral Boşnak-Güçlü ◽  
Müşerrefe Nur Karadallı ◽  
Şahika Zeynep Akı ◽  
Gülsan Türköz-Sucak
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Respiratory Muscle ◽  
Acute Chest Syndrome ◽  
Respiratory Muscle Strength ◽  
Muscle Training ◽  
Functional Exercise ◽  
Functional Exercise Capacity

Background. The sickling of red blood cells causes a constellation of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary manifestations. A 32-year-old gentleman with sickle cell anemia (SCA) had been suffering from recurrent acute chest syndrome (ACS).Aim. To examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary functions, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, and quality of life in this patient with SCA.Methods. Functional exercise capacity was evaluated using six-minute walk test, respiratory muscle strength using mouth pressure device, hand grip strength using hand-held dynamometer, pain using Visual Analogue Scale, fatigue using Fatigue Severity Scale, dyspnea using Modified Medical Research Council Scale, and health related quality of life using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL measurement.Results. A significant improvement has been demonstrated in respiratory muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, pain, fatigue, dyspnea, and quality of life. There was no admission to emergency department due to acute chest syndrome in the following 12 months after commencing regular erythrocytapheresis.Conclusion. This is the first report demonstrating the beneficial effects of inspiratory muscle training on functional exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, pain, fatigue, dyspnea, and quality of life in a patient with recurrent ACS.

scholarly journals Effects of l-Carnitine Supplementation in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 708-714
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Hurot ◽  
Michel Cucherat ◽  
Margaret Haugh ◽  
Denis Fouque
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Serum Triglycerides ◽  
Anemia Management ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

ABSTRACT. There are many causes for carnitine depletion during maintenance hemodialysis. Supplementation with l-carnitine in animals has been associated with improvement in some abnormalities also present in chronic renal failure. However, it is still controversial whether restoring plasma or tissue carnitine will correct clinical or biologic symptoms observed in maintenance hemodialysis. A systematic review is here performed to determine the effects of l-carnitine in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Eighty-three prospective trials were identified from 1978 to 1999 in which l-carnitine was randomly allocated in 21 trials. Change in serum triglycerides, cholesterol fractions, hemoglobin levels, erythropoietin dose, and other symptoms (muscle function, exercise capacity, and quality of life) were examined. A total of 482 patients in 18 trials were considered for analysis. There was no effect of l-carnitine on triglycerides, total cholesterol, or any of its fractions. Before the erythropoietin (EPO) era, l-carnitine treatment was associated with improved hemoglobin (P < 0.01) and with a decreased EPO dose (P < 0.01) and improved resistance to EPO when patients routinely received EPO. Muscle function, exercise capacity, and quality of life could not be reliably assessed because of the noncombinable nature of end points and the limited number of trials. In conclusion, l-carnitine cannot be recommended for treating the dyslipidemia of maintenance hemodialysis patients. By contrast, this review suggests a promising effect of l-carnitine on anemia management. The route of l-carnitine administration should be evaluated because there is no evidence as to the most efficient method of administration in maintenance hemodialysis.

Well-being and belief in a just world among rest home residents

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramzi Nasser ◽  
Jacqueline Doumit ◽  
James Carifio
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Just World ◽  
Rest Home ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Eq Vas

Several theorists have contended that belief in a just world may be one way elderly rest home residents cope with anxiety, fear, and depression and thus maintain their well-being. In this study we explored belief in a just world and length of time elderly have been residing in rest homes in Lebanon in relation to their levels of self-rated quality of life. A sample of 354 cognitively able elderly people were selected from 36 nursing homes. Interview questionnaires including a translated and validated Self-beliefs in a Just World Scale (BJW-S; Lipkus, Dalbert, & Siegler, 1996) and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS; Brooks, 1996) that measures respondents' quality of life on a 20cm visual analogue scale. The relationship between Arabic BJW-S scores and length of stay measured on the EQ-VAS was examined using analysis of variance. The findings showed significant main effects for belief in a just world on levels of EQ-VAS, but no significant effects of length of time in rest home on levels of EQ-VAS. Residents who had strong beliefs in a just world seem to have better abilities to cope with negative life events and better self-rated feelings of well-being than did residents who did not believe the world was just and who rated their own well-being lower.

scholarly journals Depression in elderly patients with Alzheimer dementia or vascular dementia and its infl uence on their quality of life

2011 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 027-032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaroslav Winter ◽  
Alexei Korchounov ◽  
Tatyana V Zhukova ◽  
Natalia Epifanova Bertschi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Visual Analogue Scale ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Alzheimer Dementia ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression

ABSTRACT Background: Alzheimer dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) are the most common causes of dementia in the elderly. Depression is an important co-morbid disorder in these diseases, which is often challenging to recognize. We investigated the prevalence of depression in patients with AD and VD and estimated the influence of depression on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in these patients. Materials and Methods: We evaluated prevalence of depression in consecutively recruited patients with AD or VD (n= 98). Depression was diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and scored using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The EuroQol (EQ-5D and visual analogue scale) was applied to evaluate HrQoL. The severity of cognitive impairment was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting severity of depression. Results: The prevalence of depression in AD/VD was 87%. In comparison to the general population, HrQoL measured on the visual analogue scale was reduced by 54% in patients with AD/VD. In the dimension “anxiety/depression” of the EQ-5D, 81% of patients with AD/VD had moderate or severe problems. Depression showed significant association with reduced HrQoL (P < 0.01). Independent predictors of more severe depression were older age, male gender, better MMSE scores and being not married. Conclusions: Depression is a prevalent psychiatric co-morbidity in patients with AD/VD, which is often under-diagnosed being masked by cognitive impairment. Depression is a predictor of reduced HrQoL in elder people with AD/VD. Therefore, they should be screened for presence of depressive symptoms and receive adequate antidepressant treatment.

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