Health Survey Questionnaire (health + survey_questionnaire)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome

JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 7 2008
Pía López-Jornet
Objective:, To study the quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS), our primary aim was to compare BMS patients with healthy controls and the secondary aim was to compare subgroups of BMS patients on the type of therapy received; using the Medical Outcome Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) as measurement instruments. Method:, Sixty consecutive patients (10 males and 50 females) with BMS were studied in the Department of Oral Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Murcia, Spain), while 60 healthy patients were used as controls. The Spanish version of the SF-36 was used to evaluate general quality of life, together with the OHIP-49 in its Spanish version. Results:, Regarding general quality of life as assessed with the SF-36, and on comparing the BMS vs. the control groups, lower scores were obtained in the former in all domains (P < 0.001). The OHIP-49 in turn yielded significant differences in each of the domains vs. the controls. No significant differences were found between the patients with BMS in any domain regarding parafunctional habits and the presence of dentures. In relation to the different treatments, significant differences were recorded in functional limitation (P = 0.02) and physical pain (P = 0.033). Conclusion:, Patients with BMS yield poorer scores on all scales vs. the healthy controls when applying the SF-36 and OHIP-49. [source]


Correlations Between Spiritual Beliefs and Health-Related Quality of Life of Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in Taiwan

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 7 2009
Tze-Wah Kao
Abstract This study evaluated the correlations between spiritual beliefs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Taiwan. Participants had to complete two questionnaires: the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire and the Royal Free Interview for Spiritual and Religious Beliefs. They were then divided into three groups according to their strength of spiritual beliefs,having no, weak, or strong beliefs. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data among groups were compared. Correlations between spiritual beliefs and HRQOL were then determined by the analysis of covariance and the post hoc Scheffe tests. Six hundred thirty-three patients completed the study. There were more women in the group of patients with strong beliefs (P = 0.005) and more less-educated patients in the group of patients with weak beliefs (P = 0.005). Patients with no or with strong spiritual beliefs had higher role physical (P = 0.01) and social functioning (SF) (P = 0.001) scores than patients with weak beliefs. After adjustment for gender, age, marital status, education, comorbidities, and time on dialysis, patients with no or with strong spiritual beliefs were found to have higher SF scores (P = 0.02) than patients with weak beliefs. HD patients with no or strong spiritual beliefs had higher SF HRQOL than those with weak spiritual beliefs. [source]


Relationship between oxidative stress-related biomarkers and antioxidant status with asthma and atopy in young adults: a population-based study

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 3 2009
V. García-Larsen
Summary Background and aim Enhanced oxidative stress has been described in adults who suffer from symptoms of asthma and poor lung function. This study assessed the relation between markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status and lung function, symptoms of asthma, atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in young adults. Methods A sub-sample of 589 individuals aged 22,28 years, selected from a total of 1232 included in a survey assessing early and current risk factors for chronic diseases, participated in the study. Participants were from an agricultural area of Chile, responded to a Spanish version of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire, were skin tested to eight allergens, and challenged with methacholine to assess BHR. Five hundred and eighty-five individuals had measures of plasma biomarkers ferric reducing ability of plasma, uric acid, protein carbonyls and 564 had 8-iso-prostaglandin F2, (8-iso-PGF2,) assessed. Results All participants had detectable plasma 8-iso-PGF2, and carbonyl levels. There was no indication for an association between markers of antioxidant status or oxidative stress with any of the outcomes studied. Conclusion The levels of oxidative stress-related biomarkers and antioxidant status in plasma may not be related to asthma in the general population in the absence of more severe symptoms or exacerbations. [source]


Impact of specific sensitization on asthma and rhinitis in young Brazilian and Chilean adults

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 11 2008
R. J. Rona
Summary Background The pattern of associations and the attributable fractions (AF) of atopic conditions due to specific sensitizations vary between countries. Objective To assess the level of associations and AF between sensitization to five allergens and atopic conditions in two settings. Methods We studied 2063 Brazilians and 1231 Chileans of both sexes using representative samples selected at birth in the 1970s. Information on asthma and rhinitis was based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. We assessed bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine and sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, cat, dog, grass blend and Alternaria alternata. Results The prevalence of sensitization to one or more allergens was 50% in Brazilians and 22% in Chileans. The level of associations varied according to the outcome used. Strong associations between sensitization and asthma, defined as wheeze or awakening with breathlessness at night and positive BHR, were found for each of the five allergens in Chileans [varying from odds ratio (OR) 3.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47, 7.15 for D. pteronyssinus to 8.44, 95% CI 3.82, 18.66 for cat], whereas the level of associations was restricted to D. pteronyssinus, cat and dog in Brazilians and was somewhat weaker (highest OR 3.90, 95% CI 2.80,5.44). The AF of sensitization on asthma was 54% in Brazil and 44% in Chile. D. pteronyssinus and cat made an independent contribution to asthma in the two samples. The patterns of associations between sensitization and rhino-conjunctivitis were similar to those for asthma. Conclusion The associations between sensitization, and asthma and rhinitis were high in Chile and moderately high in Brazil, but the AF were higher in Brazil, reflecting a higher prevalence of sensitization. In Brazil, dust mite had the greatest impact on atopic conditions while in Chile several allergens had an impact. Sensitization is as serious a problem in Chile and Brazil as in developed countries. [source]


Alcohol drinking pattern and subjective health in a population-based study

ADDICTION, Issue 9 2006
Saverio Stranges
ABSTRACT Aims Some patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g. binge drinking, drinking outside of meals) have been associated with detrimental effects on health outcomes. Subjective health provides a global assessment of health status and is a strong predictor of total mortality; however, little is known about its relationship with alcohol drinking pattern. The association between several drinking patterns (i.e. drinking intensity and frequency, frequency of intoxication, drinking outside of meals, and beverage type) and subjective health was examined in a random sample of 3586 women and men. Design A population-based cross-sectional study. Methods Subjective health was assessed using the physical and mental health component summaries of the Short Form-36 health survey questionnaire. Alcohol consumption refers to the 30 days before the interview. Analysis of covariance compared gender-specific mean scores across alcohol drinking patterns. Findings Overall, non-current drinkers reported poorer physical and mental health than life-time abstainers and current drinkers, while no consistent differences were found between life-time abstainers and current drinkers. In female current drinkers, daily drinking, beer and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better mental health. In male current drinkers, moderate alcohol consumption (2,2.9 drinks per day), wine and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better physical health. Intoxication and liquor consumption were associated with poorer mental health in women and poorer physical health in men. No consistent associations were found for drinking outside meals. Conclusions Aspects of drinking pattern may affect subjective health differentially in women and men. Overall, intoxication and liquor drinking are associated with poorer self-perceived health status than regular, moderate consumption of other alcoholic beverages. [source]


Laparoscopic nephropexy: Treatment outcome and quality of life

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 1 2004
YOSHIYUKI MATSUI
Abstract Background:, The recent introduction of laparoscopic procedures has markedly altered urological surgery. Laparoscopic nephropexy has attracted the attention of urologists as a treatment for nephroptosis. Herein, we describe our experiences and quality-of-life outcome of laparoscopic nephropexy and discuss its indications and surgical techniques. Methods:, From May 1998 to February 2002, six female patients, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years (median age 39.8 years), with symptomatic nephroptosis underwent laparoscopic nephropexy. Mean preoperative downward kidney displacement was 2.25 vertebral bodies (range 2,2.5) and all affected kidneys were tilted at orthostasis. One patient underwent nephropexy through the transperitoneal approach and the remaining patients underwent nephropexy through the retroperitoneal approach. To evaluate surgical results, postoperative follow-up interview (pain visual analog scale and the short-form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire) and objective examinations were performed. Results:, All procedures were accomplished without complication. Postoperative intravenous pyelography correctly confirmed fixed kidney in both supine and erect positions. All patients reported an improvement of symptoms approximately 1 month after nephropexy and no symptoms have recurred during the follow-up period (range 6.3,50.7 months). On the SF-36, two domains, including role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) and mental health (MH), exhibited significant improvement postoperatively (P = 0.0405 and P = 0.0351, respectively). Conclusions:, Laparoscopic, in particular retroperitoneoscopic, nephropexy yields excellent outcomes and greatly improves general health-related quality of life, particularly mental status, as a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic nephroptosis. [source]


Evidence-based treatment and quality of life in heart failure

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 3 2006
Daniela Dobre MD MPH
Abstract Objectives, To explore whether prescription of evidence-based drug therapy is associated with better quality of life (QoL) in patients with heart failure (HF). Methods, Patients (n = 62) were recruited in the outpatient clinic of Groningen University Hospital. Inclusion criteria were previous diagnosis of HF, age 40,80 years; ejection fraction of less than 45%, free from other serious disease (such as cancer) and psychiatric problems in the last year. QoL was assessed with the RAND 36-item health survey questionnaire, on five scales: physical functioning, mental health, social functioning, vitality and general health perception. Medication prescribed for 1 to 6 months before the QoL assessment was classified as either evidence-based treatment or under-treatment, according to the 2001 European guidelines on optimal HF treatment. The study had a cross-sectional design. Results, QoL did not differ significantly between evidence-based and under-treated patients, unadjusted or after adjustment for significant patient imbalances. Conclusions, Conventional step-up medication approach in HF may have a positive impact on survival or morbidity, but it seems not beneficial in relation to QoL. Other interventions should be designed to improve QoL of patients with HF. [source]


Health-related quality of life in Huntington's disease: A comparison of two generic instruments, SF-36 and SIP

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 11 2004
Aileen K. Ho PhD
Abstract Whereas several clinical endpoints in monitoring the response to treatment in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) have been explored, there has been a paucity of research in the quality of life in such patients. The aim of this study was to validate the use of two generic health-related quality of life instruments (the Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire [SF-36] and the Sickness Impact Profile [SIP]) and to evaluate their psychometric properties. We found that both instruments demonstrated acceptable convergent validity and reliability for patients and carers. However, there was an advantage in using the SF-36 because of its more robust construct validity and test,retest reliability; furthermore, motor symptoms appeared to influence some strictly nonmotor dimensions of the SIP. On a pragmatic level, the SF-36 is shorter and quicker to administer and, therefore, easier for patients at various stages of the disease to complete. Thus, the SF-36 would appear to be the recommended instrument of choice for patients with HD and their carers, although further work needs to be done to investigate the sensitivity of this instrument longitudinally. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society [source]


Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence in the UK,

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 6 2004
M. E. D. Jarrett
Background: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an effective therapy for faecal incontinence. Published studies derive largely from single centres and there is a need to determine the broader applicability of this procedure. Methods: Prospective data were collected for all patients undergoing SNS in the UK. Records were reviewed to determine the outcome of treatment. Results: In three UK centres 59 patients underwent peripheral nerve evaluation, with 46 (78 per cent) proceeding to permanent implantation. Of these 46 patients (40 women) all but two had improved continence at a median of 12 (range 1,72) months. Faecal incontinence improved from a median (range) of 7·5 (1,78) to 1 (0,39) episodes per week (P < 0·001). Urgency improved in all but five of 39 patients in whom ability to defer defaecation was determined, improving from a median of 1 (range 0,5) to 10 (range from 1 to more than 15) min (P < 0·001). Maximum anal squeeze pressure and sensory function to rectal distension changed significantly. Significant improvement occurred in general health (P = 0·024), mental health (P = 0·008), emotional role (P = 0·034), social function (P = 0·013) and vitality (P = 0·009) subscales of the Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire. There were no major complications. One implant was removed. Conclusion: SNS is a safe and effective treatment, in the medium to long term, for faecal incontinence when conservative treatment has failed. Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]