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QOL Measures (qol + measure)
Selected AbstractsQuality of life in dementia: a 2-year follow-up studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2007Pierre Missotten Abstract Objectives To examine the evolution of quality of life (QOL) in demented subjects at base-line, one and 2 years later and to determine clinical variables associated with QOL. Method Longitudinal study of a cohort of 127 subjects living at home or in a long-term care institution. A QOL measure (Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life; ADRQL) was administered three times. In addition, several clinical instruments (MMSE, IADL, ADL and CDR/M) were also administered. Results ADRQL data analysis did not reveal significant modifications of QOL over the 2-year period, whereas results from clinical instruments showed a significant deterioration. On the group, the variations of ADRQL scores were limited, with some improvement after the first year followed by some deterioration after the second year. On the other hand, ADRQL scores fluctuated every year by at least 10 points for more than 50% of subjects. With dementia evolution, it was observed that the clinical variables were more strongly correlated with ADRQL scores and were more significant predictors. This varied from 5.9% (MMSE) in 2002 to 40.01% in 2004 (MMSE and CDR/M). Conclusions QOL did not develop in a strictly linear manner following the deterioration of clinical state. This suggests that the evolution of QOL is also determined by other variables relating to the physical and social environment of the patients. Their role seems particularly important for the mild to moderate stages of dementia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Less is more, or almost as much: A 15-item quality-of-life instrument for myasthenia gravisMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 2 2008Ted M. Burns MD Abstract We describe the process whereby a recently developed myasthenia gravis (MG)-specific quality-of-life (QOL) instrument was reduced from 60 items to 15 items while maintaining potential usefulness in the clinic and in prospective treatment trials. In data from a recently completed prospective trial of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in MG, the MG-QOL15 correlated as highly as the 60-item MG-QOL for physical and social domains of the 36-item health survey of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). Correlation coefficients for the MG-QOL15 were similar to the 60-item MG-QOL for the Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG), MG-specific Manual Muscle Testing (MG-MMT), and the MG-specific Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores at week 0 and for change in scores from week 0 to week 12 in the MMF trial. Using the physician global impression at week 12 of the trial as the "gold standard," the MG-QOL15 demonstrated high sensitivity. Because the MG-QOL15 instrument can be quickly and easily administered and interpreted, it is a potential QOL measure for treatment trials and the clinical evaluation of patients with MG. Muscle Nerve, 2008 [source] A qualitative investigation of school-aged children's answers to items from a generic quality of life measureCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2007J. Cremeens Abstract Background, The development of instruments to measure child self-reported quality of life (QOL) is dependent on whether children can understand the concepts behind items. Researchers need more information on how children are interpreting and answering items. This paper aims to investigate the strategies school-aged children use to answer QOL items. Methods, A generic 30-item QOL measure (the TedQL) was administered to 266 healthy children (5,6, 7,9 years old). Children were asked to ,think aloud' while answering a selection of 10 TedQL items (n = 4 ability, n = 4 social, n = 2 mood items), and their responses were recorded verbatim. Results, The strategies children reported using when answering items were coded into five categories: (1) social comparisons; (2) stable character references; (3) concrete examples; (4) other reasons; or (5) no reason given. Concrete examples were used most frequently by children. Strategy type was dependent on age, with 7,9-year-olds reporting social comparisons and concrete examples more frequently than 5,6-year-olds. Five-to-six-year-olds gave no reasons for their response choices more frequently than 7,9-year-olds. Strategy type also differed by item type, with social comparisons used more frequently for ability items, and stable character references for social items. However, concrete examples were used consistently highly across ability and social items. Conclusions, Children aged 5,9 years most commonly report using concrete examples of specific instances when answering QOL items. However, strategy use varies as a function of age and types of items. Our results highlight the importance of keeping in mind children's developmental age when interpreting responses from child QOL instruments. [source] Psychosocial effects in long-term head and neck cancer survivorsHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2005Richard L. Holloway PhD Abstract Background. To identify and rate the importance of several psychosocial and physiologic influences on quality of life (QOL) among a cohort of 5-year head and neck cancer survivors, we conducted a cross-sectional study of a convenience sample that used both questionnaires and physiologic evaluations. Methods. QOL was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) and the FACT Head and Neck additional concerns (FACT-H&N) questionnaires. Psychosocial characteristics (or risk factors) potentially influencing QOL were measured by the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI) and the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQSR). Physiologic risk factors were measured in examinations that included shoulder and neck range of motion, whole and stimulated saliva measurements, and oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency. We evaluated the association of selected QOL measures with three groups of potential risk factors: psychosocial factors, consisting of selected MBHI and SSQSR scales; physiologic factors, consisting of selected physical ability measures; and a combination of psychosocial/physiologic factors. Results. The entire study population of 105 subjects completed the FACT and FACT-H&N questionnaires; 86 of these completed the physiologic tests as well. Combined psychosocial/physiologic models best predicted all QOL measures considered. Psychosocial models alone, compared with physiologic models alone, better predicted FACT physical and social/family well-being measures. Physiologic models alone, compared with psychosocial models alone, better predicted FACT-H&N additional concerns measures. Premorbid pessimism (MBHI) was consistently the best predictor of QOL measures. Conclusions. Both psychosocial and physiologic factors influence QOL in patients with head and neck cancer, but many QOL measures are most strongly influenced by psychosocial considerations. Physicians and surgeons caring for long-term head and neck cancer survivors should be cognizant of the importance of psychosocial risk factors in the QOL of their patients. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck27: XXX,XXX, 2005 [source] The physical environment influences neuropsychiatric symptoms and other outcomes in assisted living residentsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2010Mark C. Bicket Abstract Objective Although the number of elderly residents living in assisted living (AL) facilities is rising, few studies have examined the AL physical environment and its impact on resident well-being. We sought to quantify the relationship of AL physical environment with resident outcomes including neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), quality of life (QOL), and fall risk, and to compare the effects for demented and non-demented residents. Methods Prospective cohort study of a stratified random sample of 326 AL residents living in 21 AL facilities. Measures included the Therapeutic Environmental Screening Scale for Nursing Homes and Residential Care (TESS-NH/RC) to rate facilities and in-person assessment of residents for diagnosis (and assessment of treatment) of dementia, ratings on standardized clinical, cognitive, and QOL measures. Regression models compared environmental measures with outcomes. TESS-NH/RC is modified into a scale for rating the AL physical environment AL-EQS. Results The AL Environmental Quality Score (AL-EQS) was strongly negatively associated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total score (p,<,0.001), positively associated with Alzheimer Disease Related Quality of Life (ADRQL) score (p,=,0.010), and negatively correlated with fall risk (p,=,0.042). Factor analysis revealed an excellent two-factor solution, Dignity and Sensory. Both were strongly associated with NPI and associated with ADRQL. Conclusion The physical environment of AL facilities likely affects NPS and QOL in AL residents, and the effect may be stronger for residents without dementia than for residents with dementia. Environmental manipulations that increase resident privacy, as well as implementing call buttons and telephones, may improve resident well-being. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Oral Health of Young Children in Mississippi Delta Child Care Centers: A Second Look at Early Childhood Caries Risk AssessmentJOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2008Linda H. Southward PhD Abstract Objectives: To identify the predictors of early childhood caries and urgent dental treatment need among primarily African-American children in child care centers in the Delta region of Mississippi. The purpose of this study was to replicate predictors of caries and urgent dental treatment needs that were identified in an earlier study conducted in Delta child care centers and to assess additional caries risk factors not collected in the original study. Methods: Children in 19 child care centers were examined by the dentists, and the parents provided data on oral health practices, oral health history, and on children's oral health-related quality of life (QOL). The dentists also assessed visible plaque and tested levels of mutans streptococci. Predictors of caries and treatment need among children 24 to 71 months of age were examined using logistic regression. Results: Two parent predictors of caries identified in the earlier study (parent flossing and soft/sugary drink consumption) were not predictive in the current study. Parent history of abscess continued to predict their child's urgent need for treatment. Young children's level of salivary mutans streptococci, maxillary incisor visible plaque, and parents' reports of child oral health-related QOL measures predicted the presence of both caries and urgent treatment need. Some expected predictors, such as frequency of child's toothbrushing, were not predictive of caries. Conclusions: Parental abscess and parent's report of the child's oral health-related QOL are risk indicators for poor oral health outcomes that could be used by nondental personnel to identify young children in need of early preventive intervention and dental referral. [source] Does Rurality Affect Quality of Life Following Treatment for Breast Cancer?THE JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2010Stephanie A. Reid-Arndt PhD Abstract Purpose: The present research examined the extent to which rural residence and social support seeking are associated with quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients following chemotherapy. Methods: Female breast cancer patients (n = 46) from communities of varying degrees of rurality in a Midwestern state completed psychological and QOL measures at 1-month postchemotherapy. Analyses assessed the relationships between QOL outcomes, rurality, and social support seeking. Findings: Using age and education as covariates, regression analyses were conducted to determine the extent to which QOL was related to social support seeking and rural/urban residence. Analyses revealed that social support seeking was associated with lower scores on multiple indices of QOL, and it was associated with higher self-reported symptoms of depression. Several significant associations with rural/urban residence were noted as well. Specifically, increasing rurality, as defined by USDA Rural-Urban continuum codes, was associated with lower overall QOL, lower functional well-being, and increased complaints of breast cancer specific symptoms. Conclusions: These findings highlight the relevance of continued efforts to address social support needs among women with a history of breast cancer living in rural and urban communities. They also suggest that individuals in more rural communities may be at risk for lowered QOL in the early period following cancer treatment. Future research is needed to replicate these results with larger and more diverse samples of rural and urban dwelling individuals, and to determine whether these effects may be attributed to identifiable characteristics of rural communities (eg, fewer cancer-related resources). [source] Impact of Aspirin Intolerance on Outcomes of Sinus Surgery,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2007Jamie L. Robinson MD Abstract Objectives: To compare objective and quality of life (QOL) outcomes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in aspirin (ASA)-tolerant patients and ASA-intolerant patients over intermediate and long-term follow-up. Study Design: Prospective analysis of a cohort of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods: Preoperative computed tomography (CT), pre- and postoperative endoscopy, and two validated disease specific QOL instruments, the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) and Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS), were collected. Differences in the proportions of patients who improved were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Results: Nineteen ASA-intolerant patients and 104 ASA-tolerant patients were followed for a mean of 17.7 months. Patients with ASA intolerance had significantly worse preoperative CT (P < .0001) and endoscopy scores (P < .0001). After ESS, 57% to 74% of patients improved on endoscopy scores, 63% to 71% improved on the RSDI, and 58% to 73% improved on the CSS; improvement did not significantly differ by ASA status. Conclusions: Similar proportions of ASA-tolerant and ASA-intolerant patients showed improvement on endoscopy and QOL measures after ESS. [source] Assessment of quality of life in adults receiving long-term growth hormone replacement compared to control subjectsCLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 1 2003I. A. Malik Summary objective There are few studies of quality of life (QOL) in adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) compared to matched control populations without GHD. These have shown impairments in a variety of QOL measures, which improve but do not normalize after short-term replacement with GH. There is little information on QOL in long-term treated GHD patients compared with controls without GHD. patients and methods A total of 120 adults with GHD who had received GH replacement for at least 1 year were identified from the neuroendocrine clinic. Patients were asked to complete eight QOL questionnaires and an Energy Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results were compared with 83 control subjects without GHD from the local population who agreed to complete seven of the QOL questionnaires (excluding Disease Impact scale) and the energy VAS. The eight questionnaires were a combination of generic and disease-specific questionnaires used to assess health related QOL, namely: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Disease Impact, Life Fulfilment and Satisfaction scales, Mental Fatigue Questionnaire (MFQ) and Self Esteem scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale and QOL-AGHDA (assessment of GHD in adults). results Eighty-nine patients returned questionnaires and 85 (71%) had complete data for analysis. The mean (SD) duration of GH replacement was 36·0 ± 26·4 (range 13,159) months. Mean age was 43·9 ± 15·8 years (37 males) in treated GHD patients compared to a mean age 41·7 ± 10·5 years (32 males) in the controls. Mean IGF-1 levels were 22·5 ± 13·6 nmol/l in the GHD patients and the mean dose of GH replacement was 1·2 ± 0·4 IU daily. Analysis of the QOL questionnaires from the GH treated patients revealed highly significant impairments in all measures (most P , 0·0001, except life fulfilment-material, P = 0·33) compared to the control population. conclusions This large population with treated GH deficiency have significant impairments in multiple aspects of QOL despite replacement with GH and other pituitary hormones for at least 1 year (mean 3 years). It is likely therefore that other factors in addition to GH deficiency must influence QOL in these patients. Further strategies to improve QOL in these individuals should therefore be considered, e.g. psychological support and treatments and physical treatments (such as exercise programmes). [source] The conceptual relationship between health indicators and quality of life: results from the cross-cultural analysis of the EUROHIS field studyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 1 2005Silke Schmidt The aim of this study was to determine the performance of various health indicators to predict quality of life, mental health and general health from a conceptual point of view. The EUROHIS study (see Nosikov and Gudex, 2003) includes a broad range of health care and health behaviour related indicators, such as preventive care, health care utilization, use of medicine, physical health, mental health, alcohol consumption, physical activity and quality of life. Data on various health indicators and quality of life were collected from 10 countries, amounting to a sample size of 4849 (2750 females and 2099 males). An analytical approach was employed to investigate the interrelationship between indicators of each particular indicator set (such as alcohol consumption) and between conceptually different indicator sets. Regression analyses as well as structural equation modelling were employed, pooled across all countries as well as separately for different groups of countries. Findings indicate a higher extent of cross-cultural variation in health behaviour and the QOL measures than in mental health and physical health. In regression analyses, results showed strong and consistent effects of various health behaviour indicators to predict quality of life (R2 = 0.48), mental health (R2 = 0.48) or general health (R2 = 0.45). However, a differential effect of socio-demographic variables, in particular education, and health behavioural determinants was found in different groups of countries. In the structural equation modelling, good fit indices were observed for the model determining physical and mental health factors by different health behaviour factors. Findings suggest that quality of life rather mediates mental outcomes in this particular set of health indicators in a European sample than functions as an outcome variable. However, it was not possible to include sociodemographic data in the whole model but only in each of the latent factors. This finding still requires replication, both in different clinical groups and in longitudinal data.,Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Quality of life in dementia: care recipient and caregiver perceptions of quality of life in dementia: the LASER-AD studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2007Juanita Hoe Abstract Background Quality of Life (QoL) is a key outcome in dementia. Aim To compare care recipients' (CR) and caregivers' (CG) views on CRs' QoL and identify determinants. Methods CRs and CGs completed the Quality of Life - Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD) scale. Results One hundred and ninety-one CR/CG dyads were interviewed. There were differences between determinants of the CRs and CGs views about QoL. Family-CGs rated CRs' QoL higher when CRs had fewer depressive symptoms, less irritability, less apathy, less daily living impairment and lived at home. Fewer depressive symptoms, living at home and taking acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors (AChEI) predicted higher CR rated QoL. Conclusion Proxy ratings in dementia do not replicate CRs' views of QoL. This is the first study to employ a validated QoL measure for people with dementia taking AChEIs. Randomised controlled trials are needed before drawing conclusions about their effect on QoL. Interpretation of correlations between QoL and symptoms should be cautious as QoL is designed to reflect the impact of psychological and physical symptoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Individual quality of life of people with severe mental disordersJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2009A. PITKÄNEN mnsc People with mental disorders have been found to suffer from impaired quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the assessment of QoL has become important in psychiatric research. This explorative study was carried out in acute psychiatric wards. Thirty-five patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related psychosis were interviewed. QoL was rated by the Schedule for Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life which is a respondent-generated QoL measure using semi-structured interview technique. Patients named five areas of life important to them and then rated their current status and placed relative weight on each QoL area. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. The most frequently named areas for QoL were health, family, leisure activities, work/study and social relationships, which represented 72% of all QoL areas named. Patients' average satisfaction with these QoL areas ranged 49.0,69.1 (scale 0,100). The mean global QoL score was 61.5 (standard deviation 17.4; range 24.6,89.6; scale 0,100). Awareness of patients' perceptions of their QoL areas can enhance our understanding of an individual patient's QoL and reveal unsatisfactory areas where QoL could be improved with individually tailored needs-based interventions. [source] The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of lifeJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2003C. I. Coleman Pharm D SummaryPanax ginseng is marketed and used to maintain natural energy, increase mental and physical abilities, improve mood and promote general health and well-being. Panax ginseng has been studied in a number of randomized clinical trials investigating its effect on physical and psychomotor performance, cognitive function, immunomodulation, diabetes mellitus and herpes simples type-II infections. Equivocal results have been demonstrated for many of these indications. P. ginseng is also commonly used to promote quality of life (QoL). As a result, ginseng's effect on QoL has become an increasingly important endpoint in clinical trials. We reviewed all studies (n = 9) that determined the effect of P. ginseng on QoL. P. ginseng's has been evaluated at dosages of 80,400 mg. Study duration has spanned from 2 to 9 months. Several QoL measures have been used, ranging from widely accepted core instruments to unpublished investigator-derived questionnaires. In addition, many of the investigators utilized ginseng extracts that were supplemented with vitamins and minerals while others used only standardized ginseng extract. Populations evaluated also differed in terms of underlying morbidity. Nearly every study evaluated (n = 8) demonstrated some degree of QoL improvement. Beneficial effects were evident within instrument summary component scores but improvement in overall composite scores of QoL was rarely seen. However, findings were equivocal. While populations evaluated varied in terms of underlying morbidity, there did not appear to be a substantial difference in their response to ginseng with respect to QoL. Despite some positive results, improvement in overall health-related quality of life cannot, given the current research, be attributed to P. ginseng. However, the possibility that various facets of QoL may have improved and the potential of early transient effects cannot be discounted. [source] Quality of life in adult enteral tube feeding patientsJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 6 2007A. M. Brotherton Abstract Background, Enteral tube feeding may impact significantly on patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this paper is to review studies that have measured QoL in adult patients receiving enteral tube feeding to determine the factors that are associated with feeding that impact on the patients' QoL. Methods, An electronic search of CINAHL, MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken to identify articles that had measured QoL in adults receiving enteral tube feeding. Results, Ten studies were included in the review. Quality of life in patients receiving enteral tube feeding generally appeared poor compared with control groups. Factors that were found to impact on patients' quality of life included symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and fatigue. Issues around body image, inability to go out and discomfort while carrying out activities of daily living also impacted on QoL. Conclusions, Although the presence of underlying disease and the use of different QoL measures made comparison of the results difficult, issues requiring further consideration in clinical practice include effective symptom management, assessment of psychological and emotional issues and support for patients to enable them to cope with the resulting social isolation. [source] | ||||||||||