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QOL Index (qol + index)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Device to promote pelvic floor muscle training for stress incontinence

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2003
KIMIO SUGAYA
Abstract Aim:, Many patients with stress urinary incontinence do not have enough motivation to continue pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) by themselves. Therefore, a device was created to support PFMT, and its effect was examined. Methods:, Forty-six women with stress urinary incontinence were assigned to a control group or a device group in order of presentation. A pamphlet on PFMT was given to control patients, while the same pamphlet plus the device and instructions on its use were given to patients in the device group. The device had a chime that was set to sound three times a day when exercise sessions were scheduled. PFMT consisted of fast and slow pelvic floor muscle contraction exercises that were performed for 2 min and followed a rhythm set by the device. Results:, After 8 weeks, 20 patients from the control group and 21 patients from the device group could be evaluated. In the control group, only the quality of life (QOL) index improved significantly. In the device group, however, the daily number of incontinence episodes, the number of pads used daily, the QOL index, and the pad weight in the pad test improved significantly. Patients in the device group said that they felt obligated to perform PFMT when the chime sounded. Forty-eight percent of patients from the device group were satisfied with the outcome of PFMT, while only 15% were satisfied in the control group. Conclusion:, This device may be useful to support the management of stress urinary incontinence. [source]

Application of a Quality of Life Measure, the Life Situation Survey (LSS), to Alcohol-Dependent Subjects in Relapse and Remission

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2000
J. H. Foster
Background: Recent studies have shown that quality of life (QOL) is improved significantly when subjects do not relapse to heavy drinking, and QOL deteriorates significantly on prolonged relapse. This article further investigates these relationships using a QOL index, the Life Situation Survey (LSS). Methods: Eighty-two DSM-IV alcohol-dependent subjects admitted for alcohol detoxification were studied at baseline and 12 week follow-up. Sociodemographic data were collected, and severity of alcohol dependence (SADQ) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were baseline indices only. The main outcome measure, the LSS, was administered at both time points. Results: Two subjects were lost to follow-up and one died during the study period. Thus, the relapse/nonrelapse analysis related to 79 subjects. Fifty subjects (63%) had relapsed to heavy drinking at 3 months follow-up. There was a significant correlation between LSS and GHQ-12 scores. Significant changes occurred in total LSS scores as a result of relapse and nonrelapse. The improvement in LSS scores associated with nonrelapse was larger than the deterioration that accompanied relapse. In those subjects who did not relapse to heavy drinking, the mean follow-up score remained in the poor/borderline LSS range. Remission from heavy drinking was accompanied by significant improvements in appetite, sleep, and self-esteem. Relapse to heavy drinking coincided with a significant deterioration in mood/affect, public support, and work/life role scores. Conclusion: QOL as assessed by the LSS in recently detoxified alcoholics is impaired significantly. In the nonrelapse group, there was a significant improvement in LSS scores after 3 months. Relapse was accompanied by a smaller deterioration in LSS scores. The LSS can play an important role in monitoring the clinical care and progress of alcohol-dependent subjects. [source]

Detrusor instability with equivocal obstruction: A predictor of unfavorable symptomatic outcomes after transurethral prostatectomy

NEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 5 2002
Rintaro Machino
Abstract Aims To elucidate whether preoperative urodynamic findings can predict outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P). Methods Sixty-two patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were categorized in three different ways based on findings of preoperative pressure-flow study (PFS) and cystometry: urodynamic obstruction (determined by the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram), detrusor instability (DI), and combination of both. Outcomes of TUR-P regarding symptom, function, and quality of life (QOL) were analyzed by changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS), maximum flow rate in uroflowmetry, and QOL index before and after TUR-P, respectively. Overall outcome was defined as success when all of the three categories showed successful improvement. Results Neither urodynamic obstruction alone nor DI alone predicted outcomes of TUR-P. However, symptomatic and overall outcomes were significantly worse in patients who were not obstructed but had DI. Postoperative persistent DI was more frequently noted in patients without clear obstruction (60%) than in those with obstruction (27%). Patients with equivocal obstruction showed less satisfactory symptomatic outcomes of TUR-P when DI was accompanied. Persistent DI might be the principle cause of unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions Preoperative evaluation of DI is of benefit because it enhances predictive value of the PFS. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:444,449, 2002. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Sustained beneficial effects of intraprostatic botulinum toxin type A on lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2006
Yao-Chi Chuang
OBJECTIVE To present a comprehensive experience with intraprostatic botulinum toxin-type A (BoNT-A) injection in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to assess the efficacy on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and quality of life (QoL). PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 41 men (mean age 69.1 years, sd 7.1 ) with an International Prostate Symptom Score of ,,8, peak flow rate of <12 mL/s, and who were refractory to medical treatment were injected with BoNT-A (Botox®, Allergan, Inc., CA, USA) at 100 U (21 men, for prostate volume <30 mL) or 200 U (20, for prostate volume >30 mL) into the prostate transperineally under transrectal ultrasonography guidance. Study exclusion criteria were confirmed or suspected malignancy, previous pelvic surgery or trauma and previous invasive treatment for BPH. The clinical effects were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS There were no significant local or systemic side-effects in any men. LUTS and QoL indices improved by >30% in 31 of the 41 men (76%), and four of five men with urinary retention for >1 month could void spontaneously at 1 week to 1 month after the BoNT-A injection. In 12 of 41 men (29%) there was no change in prostate volume, yet seven of these men still had a >30% improvement in maximum flow rate, LUTS and QoL. The efficacy was sustained at 12 months. CONCLUSION BoNT-A injected into the prostate is safe and effective for men with symptomatic BPH. The mechanisms of relief of symptoms might not depend totally on the volume shrinkage; the inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle tone and aberrant sensory function might also be important. [source]