scholarly journals Responsiveness and minimally important difference of a generic quality of life measure for complementary health practices

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoaki Kimura ◽  
Kiyoshi Suzuki ◽  
Seiya Uchida ◽  
Hiroshi Katamura
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Minimally Important Difference ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Japanese Adults ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Generic Quality

Shorter and easier methods of conducting community health surveys would be useful. We conducted a study to demonstrate the responsiveness of the 10-item Mokichi Okada Association quality of life questionnaire (MQL-10) in a follow-up survey and to determine the minimally important difference (MID) for this measure. In 2007, Japanese adults participated in a survey on health prac- tices. We analyzed the MQL-10 scores (n=6365) together with the following factors: gender, age group, disease, reason for participation, and complementary health practices, such as food and eating. The mean baseline MQL-10 score was 26.4±5.83 [standard deviation (SD)] and the mean follow-up score was 27.6±5.45 SD with a mean change of 1.20±4.41 SD. The effect size for change was 0.21 and the standardized response mean was 0.27. The MQL-10 scores in the baseline condition were associated with gender, age group, disease, reason for participation and complementary health practices. Furthermore, the changes in the MQL-10 during the 12 weeks of study were associated with age group, disease, reason for participa- tion and complementary health practices. The increase in frequency of health practices was significantly associated with improvements in the participants’ quality of life (QOL). These results suggest that the MQL-10 is use- ful for assessing the effects of complementary health practices on QOL. The estimate of 3 points for the range of this measure (0-40) was higher than half of the SD of scores; therefore, it was considered reasonable for the MID.

scholarly journals Outcomes of prostate artery embolisation for benign prostatic hyperplasia in 10 cases at Steve Biko Academic Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatty G. Fischer ◽  
Farhana E. Suleman ◽  
Samia Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Prostate Volume ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Prostate Hyperplasia ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
The Mean

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) remains a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in ageing men in South Africa and can impact significantly on the quality of life (QOL) of these patients. The Urology Department at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) can generally only offer men with LUTS the following treatment options: watchful waiting, medical treatment and surgical management. In men with symptomatic BPH, who are refractory to medical treatment, where anaesthesia is contra-indicated because of co-morbidities or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is contra-indicated because of the prostate size, the Urology and Radiology departments at SBAH recently introduced prostate artery embolisation (PAE).Aim: To assess the outcome of PAE in 10 men with LUTS, secondary to BPH, by comparing their urinary symptoms, QOL and prostate volume before and 3 months after they underwent PAE in the Radiology Department at SBAH.Method: The review included the first 10 men who had undergone therapeutic PAE for symptomatic BPH from May 2016 to September 2016. The subjective symptomatic feedback was assessed according to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Global Quality of Life questionnaire, created by the American Urological Association (AUA). The reduction in the size of the prostate was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results: Embolisation was technically achieved in all 10 patients. Bilateral embolisation was performed on nine patients. One patient received unilateral embolisation secondary to unilateral tortuous and atherosclerotic changes of the iliac arteries. Within the 3-month follow-up, the mean IPSS score improved by 15.7 points (p < 0.0039), the mean QOL improved by 4.1 points (p < 0.0039) and the mean prostate volume reduction was 21.8 mL (p < 0.0039). Despite improvements observed, there was one clinical failure. No major complications were reported that increased hospital stay, required hospital readmission or required surgery.Conclusion: The study on the first 10 PAE performed in SBAH concludes that PAE is a safe and effective procedure with favourable short-term follow-up results. This indicates that PAE can safely be offered to patients, who are refractory to medical treatment and not suitable candidates for surgery, in urology departments such as in SBAH.

scholarly journals Take a stand against ageism: quality of life among elderly in a rural area of Himachal Pradesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 3582
Author(s):  
Bharti Chawla ◽  
Sumit Chawla ◽  
Shashikantha S. K. ◽  
Harpreet Kaur ◽  
Shashi Kumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The Mean

Background: Quality of life (QOL) among elderly is an important area of concern which reflects the health status and well-being of this vulnerable population. The WHOQOL-BREF contains a total of 26 questions which measures QOL is being used in this study.Methods: It is a community based observational study with cross-sectional design carried out on 100 elderly (60+year age) in a rural area of Solan district using pre-designed, pretested and semi-structured interview schedule, which is based on WHOQOL-BREF standard quality of life questionnaire. Appropriate statistical tests were used for analysis using SPSS software.Results: Majority 60% of the subjects were in the age group of 60-70 years, 62% of them were males and 38% of them were females. The mean score value of physical domain, psychological growth, social relations and environment domain among the subjects was found to be 52.50±10.56, 52.86±13.25, 61.15±16.06 and 63.92±11.10 respectively. The mean score of all four domains was found higher among age group 60-70 than age group >70 and It was statistically significant in social domain with p value of 0.017. By gender, mean score of all four individual domains was found higher among males as compared to females but this difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions: The overall quality of life was poor among the study subjects. The subjects who were illiterate, unmarried/widow/widower/divorced/separated, belonged to nuclear family had poor quality of life compared to those who were literate married and belonged to joint family. Males had comparatively better quality of life compared to females in the study area.

scholarly journals Postoperative Results of Off-Pump Coronary By-pass Grafting in Elderly Patients: A Single Center Experience

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Biçer ◽  
B Özdemir ◽  
R İşçimen ◽  
D Saba ◽  
M Yanar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Coronary Bypass ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Postoperative Results ◽  
Off Pump ◽  
The Mean

Aim: We aimed to report our postoperative results in elderly patients that had off-pump coronary bypass grafting. Method: Data of 173 patients with isolated coronary bypass 70 years of age or older were retrospectively evaluated. One month follow-up data were evaluated in all patients. After getting verbal informed consent a total of 91 patients were included in the quality of life assessment via EuroQoL form. The data of patients with age of 70-74 and 75 or older were compared. Results: The mean ages of patients at age of 70-74 and ≥75 were 71.69±0.16 and 76.81±0.23 years; respectively. Eleven cases had in-hospital mortality (%6 of 173 patients). The mean follow-up period for the group that were reached for EuroQoL assessment was 46,3 ± 20,8 months. The percent of cases among the whole study group that had participated in the quality of life questionnaire were in good condition in terms of mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression were %75, %87, %81, %92 and %89; respectively. Discussion: Off-pump coronary bypass operation may be safely used in elderly patients with high quality of life and low morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals The Effect of Laughter Yoga on the Quality of Life of Elderly Nursing Home Residents

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
Sajjad Rezaei ◽  
◽  
Maryana Mahfeli ◽  
Seyed Valiollah Mousavi ◽  
Shima Poorabolghasem Hosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Old age is associated with the physical and psychological problems that affect the Quality of Life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Laughter Therapy (LT) on the QoL of elderly people in nursing homes. Materials & Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with‌ pre-test and post-test with the control and experimental group and one-month follow-up conducted in 2017. The statistical population consisted of 44 elderly people in the Mehr Aein nursing home in Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh City, Iran. Based on the inclusion criteria, 32 old people were selected and randomly assigned to experimental ‌(n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group received an interventional program consisting of Madan Kataria Laughter Therapy, showing comic films, and reading comic books for one month, over 12 sessions of 100 minutes. After the end of laughter intervention, the elderly of both groups responded to the elderly quality of life questionnaire (LIPAD). The obtained data were analyzed using covariance analysis of repeated measures. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups with regard to their QoL‌ (P<0.01).‌ That is, the adjusted mean of the experimental group in the QoL was significantly higher than the mean of the control group‌ (P<0.01). Also, in the experimental group, the mean follow-up score was higher than the mean score of the pre-test, which indicates the stability of the intervention effects after one month‌ (P<0.01). Conclusion: Laughter Therapy intervention has a positive effect on improving the QoL of the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary that authorities consider this program at nursing home centers as a complementary method besides the existing treatments for reducing the mental health problems and improving the QoL of the elderly.

Cathartic Effect of Suicide Attempts Not Limited to Depression

Crisis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Sarfati ◽  
Blandine Bouchaud ◽  
Marie-Christine Hardy-Baylé
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Short Term

Summary: The cathartic effect of suicide is traditionally defined as the existence of a rapid, significant, and spontaneous decrease in the depressive symptoms of suicide attempters after the act. This study was designed to investigate short-term variations, following a suicide attempt by self-poisoning, of a number of other variables identified as suicidal risk factors: hopelessness, impulsivity, personality traits, and quality of life. Patients hospitalized less than 24 hours after a deliberate (moderate) overdose were presented with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression and Impulsivity Rating Scales, Hopelessness scale, MMPI and World Health Organization's Quality of Life questionnaire (abbreviated versions). They were also asked to complete the same scales and questionnaires 8 days after discharge. The study involved 39 patients, the average interval between initial and follow-up assessment being 13.5 days. All the scores improved significantly, with the exception of quality of life and three out of the eight personality traits. This finding emphasizes the fact that improvement is not limited to depressive symptoms and enables us to identify the relative importance of each studied variable as a risk factor for attempted suicide. The limitations of the study are discussed as well as in particular the nongeneralizability of the sample and setting.

scholarly journals Nutrition Study People over 80 Years

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Javier Benítez ◽  
Nieves Perejón ◽  
Marcelino Arriaza ◽  
Pilar Bellanco
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Nutrition Study ◽  
Geriatric Evaluation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Elderly Living

Loneliness has always been associated and reported as a risk factor of malnutrition in the elderly. People over 80 who live alone have deserved this study to detect their situation and potential for action to improve their quality of life. Objectives: To determinate the nutritional status of people over 80 living alone in the area of “La Laguna”, Cádiz. Material and method: In PIAMLA`80 program analyse those parameters and their possible correlations in a group of 342 elderly living alone over 80 years old. Different parameters were measured: Integral Geriatric Evaluation, Barthel, Lawton-Brody, Lobo, Gijon, specific analytical blood chemistry and MNA. Results: In a population of 984 people, were selected 342 initially, but finally the group decreases to 247 people. The mean Barthel was 80.42 points, 5.76 Lawton and Gijon from 11.3 Lobo 26.48. The MNA for the whole population was 24.25/30 detecting only a risk age group in women of 85-95. Correlation between nutrition and the biochemical test values showed positive for haemoglobin (0.19), total protein (0.26), Fe (0.32) and albumin (0.46). Conclusions: In our research we have not detected malnutrition in any age group or gender. The use of nutrition test MNA and its MINI version must be generalized as an accurate, clear, quick and easy tool to use.

scholarly journals Utilization of laser interstitial thermotherapy guided by real-time thermal MRI as an alternative to separation surgery in the management of spinal metastasis

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio E. Tatsui ◽  
R. Jason Stafford ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Jonathan N. Sellin ◽  
Behrang Amini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Spinal Metastasis ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Interstitial Thermotherapy

OBJECT High-grade malignant spinal cord compression is commonly managed with a combination of surgery aimed at removing the epidural tumor, followed by spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS) aimed at local tumor control. The authors here introduce the use of spinal laser interstitial thermotherapy (SLITT) as an alternative to surgery prior to SSRS. METHODS Patients with a high degree of epidural malignant compression due to radioresistant tumors were selected for study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and quality of life were obtained before and within 30 and 60 days after treatment. A laser probe was percutaneously placed in the epidural space. Real-time thermal MRI was used to monitor tissue damage in the region of interest. All patients received postoperative SSRS. The maximum thickness of the epidural tumor was measured, and the degree of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) was scored in pre- and postprocedure MRI. RESULTS In the 11 patients eligible for study, the mean VAS score for pain decreased from 6.18 in the preoperative period to 4.27 within 30 days and 2.8 within 60 days after the procedure. A similar VAS interrogating the percentage of quality of life demonstrated improvement from 60% preoperatively to 70% within both 30 and 60 days after treatment. Imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure demonstrated a significant reduction in the mean thickness of the epidural tumor from 8.82 mm (95% CI 7.38–10.25) before treatment to 6.36 mm (95% CI 4.65–8.07) after SLITT and SSRS (p = 0.0001). The median preoperative ESCC Grade 2 was scored as 4, which was significantly higher than the score of 2 for Grade 1b (p = 0.04) on imaging follow-up 2 months after the procedure. CONCLUTIONS The authors present the first report on an innovative minimally invasive alternative to surgery in the management of spinal metastasis. In their early experience, SLITT has provided local control with low morbidity and improvement in both pain and the quality of life of patients.

scholarly journals TOLTERODINE IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER, WITH OR WITHOUT URINARY INCONTINENCE: A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER STUDY

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
F. Mantovani ◽  
G. Bozzini ◽  
P. Acquati ◽  
S.S. Di Pierro ◽  
M.G. Spinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Overactive Bladder ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Prospective Multicenter Study ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Trial Entry ◽  
The Mean

AIMS: In order to analyse the effect of tolterodine on the Quality of life (QoL) of patients with overactive bladder (OB) we conducted a prospective multicentre clinical study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were questioned at entry and 4, 12 and 24 weeks later about the number of micturitions and incontinent and urgency episodes/day, using a micturition diary. The mean volume voided per micturition and the number of pads used per day was also recorded. The QoL was measured using the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). A total of 179 patients entered the study: 59 dropped out (4 due to lack of efficacy, 10 due to adverse events, 25 because of lack of interest in the study/other reason and 20 were lost at follow up), leaving 120 patients for analysis. One hundred and eight patients (90%) were female, their mean age was 56.5 years (SD 11.2); 87 had never received treatment for OB/UI (80.6%) and their mean weight was 70.0 Kg (SD 12.7). RESULTS: The mean number of micturitions/day was 9.3 at trial entry and it decreased to 6.8 by the end of the study. The corresponding values for the number of urge episodes, incontinence episodes and number of pads used per day were 3.5, 2.7 and 1.2 and 0.8, 0.9 and 0.4 respectively. The mean volume voided per micturition increased from 146 ml. to 178 ml. All the differences between trial entry and end of study values were statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Considering the results of the KHQ, the values of all the different areas/domini (?) decreased markedly and in a statistically significant way between the start of treatment and the end of study evaluations. Similar findings emerged when we considered values of the IIQ. The decrease was constant and marked during the first three months and remained constant thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: This study, conducted in a population of subjects with dry and wet OB, shows that tolterodine given for six months lowers the frequency of urgency episodes and incontinence episodes without troublesome adverse effects. These clinical effects are mirrored in the QoL, KHQ and IIQ questionnaire scores, which improved by about 50% over the same period.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the quality of life of patients with oral cancer in Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Paula de Andrade ◽  
José Leopoldo Ferreira Antunes ◽  
Marcelo Doria Durazzo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Posterior Part ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
The Impact

This study performed a field trial of a Portuguese version of the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire (UW-QOL, 3rd version), aiming at appraising its ability to identify different patterns of health-related quality of life of patients with oral cancer in Brazil. Patients (N = 100) were interviewed as they were undergoing treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma at a large Brazilian hospital ("Hospital das Clínicas", School of Medicine, University of São Paulo). The results were compared based on categories of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. At a one-year follow-up, 20 patients had died, and 24 were considered dropouts. The remaining patients accounted for the longitudinal assessment of modifications in the self report of quality of life. Patients with larger tumours and neoplasms in the posterior part of the mouth presented significantly (p < 0.05) poorer indications of quality of life. Chewing was the poorest rated domain (35.0/100.0), and presented the highest proportion of complaints both at the baseline and at the follow-up assessments. The questionnaire allowed the identification of important contrasts (while comparing clinical characteristics) and similarities (while comparing socio-demographic status) among subsets of respondents, and it can contribute to reduce the impact of treatments and improve subsequent patient management.

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