Health-related quality of life among cervical cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Background Previous study showed that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was adversely affected during treatment of cervical cancer, with a worsening global score. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the HRQoL of cervical cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed among cervical cancer patients. All eligible consecutive samples of 103 cervical cancer patients were included in the study. Following consent, patients were interviewed using The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire 30 (EORTC QLQ-30) and Cervical Cancer Module CX24 (EORTC QLQ-CX24). The data were entered and analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0 software. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate the predictors of HRQoL. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The majority (69%) of the patients had a poor overall quality of life while 31% of study participants had a good quality of life. Patients with early-stage disease were 7.3 times (AOR = 7.3, 95% CI = 2.4–21.7, p = 0.000) more likely to have a good HRQoL than patients with advanced-stage disease. Patients with no comorbidities were 3.1 times (COR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.1–9.1, p = 0.037) more likely to have a good HRQoL than patients with comorbidities. Conclusion The overall HRQoL among cervical cancer patients was poor in the setting. Advanced stage of disease and presence of comorbidities were the significant predictors of poor quality of life.

Simple Prediction of Reasonable Lumbar Lordosis Based on Patient's Postoperative Quality of Life Score

Background: Scarce information exists on the relationship between lumbar lordosis (LL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after lumbar surgery. The aim of this study was to derive a predictive equation for lordosis using pelvic incidence and to establish a simple lumbar lordosis prediction method to improve the quality of life after surgery.Methods: A number of 146 patients with lumbar surgery were included in the study. Spinopelvic parameters and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured at the final follow-up. At the 75th percentile cut-off value, patients with ODI were assigned to a good HRQOL group. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between parameters and ODI, and simple linear regression analysis was conducted to deduce the predictive equation for the recovery of reasonable LL by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).Results: In the good HRQOL group, we included 108 patients with an ODI score less than 29 (75% cut-off value) at the last follow-up. All patients had had completed their posterior lumbar interbody fusion (L4-S1) by the same experienced surgeon. Multiple regression analysis revealed that LL (P < 0.001) was significantly associated with ODI as radiological parameters. The close relationship between PI and LL is highly evident from the value of the regression coefficient (r = 0.765, P < 0.001). Based on the correlation established between the above parameters, the following prediction equation for PI and LL was derived: LL = 0.59 × PI + 12 (r = 0.765, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This simple calculation method can provide a more effective and simple prediction of lumbar lordosis in the Chinese population. This approach can be used as a decision-making tool for restoring LL in lumbar correction surgery and plays an important role in improving the quality of life of patients after lumbar surgery.

Quality of life after traumatic brain injury: a cross-sectional analysis uncovers age- and sex-related differences over the adult life span

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability in the working population and becomes increasingly prevalent in the elderly. Thus, TBI is a major global health burden. However, age- and sex-related long-term outcome regarding patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is yet not clarified. In this cross-sectional study, we present age- and sex-related demographics and HRQoL up to 10 years after TBI using the Quality of Life after Brain Injury (QOLIBRI) instrument. The QOLIBRI total score ranges from zero to 100 indicating good (≥ 60), moderate (40–59) or unfavorable (< 40) HRQoL. Two-thirds of the entire chronic TBI cohort (102 males; 33 females) aged 18–85 years reported good HRQoL up to 10 years after TBI. TBI etiology differed between sexes with females suffering more often from traffic- than fall-related TBI (p = 0.01) with increasing prevalence during aging (p = < 0.001). HRQoL (good/moderate/unfavorable) differed between sexes (p < 0.0001) with 17% more females reporting moderate outcome (p = 0.01). Specifically, older females (54–76-years at TBI) were affected, while males constantly reported good HRQoL (p = 0.017). Cognition (p = 0.014), self-perception (p = 0.009), and emotions (p = 0.016) rather than physical problems (p = 0.1) constrained older females’ HRQoL after TBI. Experiencing TBI during aging does not influence HRQoL outcome in males but females suggesting that female brains cope less well with a traumatic injury during aging. Therefore, older females need long-term follow-ups after TBI to detect neuropsychiatric sequels that restrict their quality of life. Further investigations are necessary to uncover the mechanisms of this so far unknown phenomenon.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Treatment Satisfaction and Adherence Outcomes of Haemophilia Patients Living in a German Rural Region

In the context of the ‘Mobile Haemophilia Outpatient Care (MHOC)’ project we aimed to gather insights into the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), treatment satisfaction (TS) and adherence of persons with haemophilia (PWHs) who get treated at the Saarland University Hospital Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC). PWHs were visited at home at least twice (baseline, follow-up) by trained medical staff. Individual interviews were performed to measure patients' HRQoL and TS with validated questionnaires (Haem-A-QoL/Haemo-QoL and Hemo-SatA/Hemo-SatP). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. In total, 79 PWHs were enrolled; 56 adults with a mean age of 37.4 ± 16.4 years (17–78) and 23 children [mean age of 9.8 ± 4.2 years (3–16)]. In total, 62% were severely affected; 48.1% received prophylaxis. Patients reported good HRQoL (adults: 23.1 ± 17.1; kids: 24.3 ± 11.1). Patients (M = 11.2 ± 9.5) and parents (M = 14.3 ± 7.4) were very satisfied with their provided treatment. The majority of study participants were evaluated to have a good treatment adherence. After 1-year follow-up of the MHOC, a significant improvement in HRQoL was seen in adults (p < 0.033) and in proxy ratings of parents (p < 0.0001); TS remained high with no change by MHOC intervention. Patients reported good HRQoL and TS. Most of them were evaluated as having a good treatment adherence. After implementation of the MHOC, adult patients reported a better HRQoL. Such a mobile medical care service is considered beneficial for patients, especially with limited access to a HTC.

Effectiveness of reminiscence therapy on health related quality of life among the old age people residing at a selected old age home, Bengaluru, India

Background and Objectives: The well being of oneself, happiness with one’s situation in life and ability to perform and control the different situation of life is HRQoL. Reminiscence therapy is a way for residents of assistant living facilities to become better acquainted with one another and strengthen the personal value and self esteem. The objective of this study was to assess the HRQoL while application of Reminiscence Therapy among the old age people who are residing at a selected old age home in Bengaluru, India. Materials and Methods: For this study quasi experimental research design was selected and convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from 60 samples staying at old age home by using the SF-36 scale. The samples in experimental group receive 10 sessions of reminiscence therapy each session last for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The experimental group was divided into 6 groups each group having five members for group discussion related to the topics like childhood memories, education pattern, first job and first salary, marriage, first child etc. Post test data was collected after a week of implementation of Reminiscence Therapy. Then the data was analyzed and interpreted. Results: The findings of the study with regard to pretest HRQoL reveals that 86.7% has poor HRQoL, 13.3 % moderate HRQoL and no one was having good HRQoL in experimental group. In control group 56.7% has poor HRQoL, 43.3% moderate HRQoL and no one was having good HRQoL. But in posttest, only in experimental group there was significant improvement in HRQoL as 83.3% has good HRQoL, 13.3% moderate HRQoL and 3% poor HRQoL. Conclusion: This study concluded that with significant improvement in the SF-36 Scale score after administration of the reminiscence therapy and seen improvement in HRQoL.