SF-36 Health Survey (sf-36 + health_survey)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Topiramate treatment in bulimia nervosa patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2005
Cerstin Nickel MD
Abstract Objective The aim of the current study was to test the influence of topiramate on behavior, body weight, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in bulimic patients. Method Thirty patients with bulimia nervosa were treated with topiramate in a 10-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive topiramate (topiramate group [TG]; n = 30) or a placebo (control group [CG]; n = 30). Primary outcome measures were changes in the frequency of binging/purging, in body weight, and on the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36) scales. Results In comparison to the CG group (according to the intent-to-treat principle), significant changes in the frequency of binging/purging (a > 50% reduction: TG, n = 11 [36.7%]; CG, n = 1 [3.3%]; p < .001), body weight (difference in weight loss between the two groups: 3.8 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = ,5.4 to ,2.1; p < .001), and SF-36 (all ps < .001) could be seen. All patients tolerated topiramate well. Conclusion Topiramate appears to safe and effective in influencing the frequency of binging/purging, body weight, and HRQOL in bulimic patients. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Differences in health-related quality of life between older nursing home residents without cognitive impairment and the general population of Norway

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 9 2008
Jorunn Drageset RN
Aim., To advance the understanding of health-related quality of life among older nursing home residents by assessing their health-related quality of life and comparing this with norms from the general population. Methods., The study used a two-group cross-sectional comparative design. The samples comprised 227 nursing home residents aged 65,102 years with at least six months' residence and a representative population sample of 1137 Norwegian citizens aged 65,102 years. All nursing home residents had a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score ,0·5 and were capable of conversing. The respondents provided demographic information and were surveyed using the SF-36 Health Survey. We used univariate and multivariate linear models to identify possible differences in health-related quality of life between the nursing home residents and the general population, controlled for age, sex, marital status and education. Results., After adjustment for age, group, sex, marital status and education, the nursing home residents scored significantly higher on bodily pain and on physical and emotional role limitation and significantly lower on the other SF-36 subscales, except social functioning, with the largest differences for physical functioning (mean nursing home 23·2 and mean general population 62·9). The general population scores on all subscales generally increased with increasing education but not among the nursing home residents. Conclusions., The mean SF-36 scale scores differed markedly between the nursing home residents and the general population, with the nursing home residents generally scoring lower. The association with background variables known to be related to health-related quality of life differed between the groups. Healthcare professionals should increase attention to health-related quality of life among nursing home residents, periodically assess health-related quality of life and consider interventions that may improve health-related quality of life in older institutionalised populations. Relevance to clinical practice., This study highlights the role of nurses and other health professionals in ensuring that nursing home residents have opportunities to improve their health-related quality of life. [source]


Innovative approach to health promotion for the over 45s: using a health check log

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OLDER PEOPLE NURSING, Issue 4 2008
BAppSc (AN), June N. Sheriff CM, MHPEd
Objectives., To determine effectiveness of the health check log (HCL) in promoting health-related quality of life and health awareness, health monitoring skills and timely consultation with health professionals for a cohort of community-dwelling people over 45 years, compared with a similar cohort not recording the HCL. Design., An exploratory longitudinal study using a quasi-experimental methodology and data triangulation. Outcome measures included the SF-36 health survey; a semi-structured participant feedback survey and participant focus group discussions. Sample., A convenience sample (n = 309) of community dwellers over the age of 45 living in the South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia. Results., The majority of participants recording the HCL reported health benefits. The SF-36 health survey found younger age is a predictor for positive change in ,social functioning' (, = ,0.14, t = 2.25, P < 0.05), while non-pension income was a predictor of positive ,physical functioning' (, = 0.12, t = 2.02, P < 0.05) and ,general health' (, = 0.13, t = 2.11, P < 0.05). Alternatively, full-time employment (, = ,0.12, t = 2.02, P < 0.05) and not living alone (, = 0.18, t = 3.09, P < 0.01) predicted negative change in ,role , physical'. Participant reactions to recording the HCL via feedback survey and focus group discussions were mostly positive. Conclusions., The majority who maintained the HCL benefited by achieving improved health and knowledge of health monitoring, which was, however, moderated by age, income source, employment status and living arrangements. [source]


Potential outcome measures and trial design issues for multiple system atrophy,

MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 16 2007
Susanne May PhD
Abstract Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder exhibiting a combination of parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia, and autonomic failure. A disease-specific scale, the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), has been developed and validated to measure progression of MSA, but its use as an outcome measure for therapeutic trials has not been evaluated. On the basis of twelve months of follow-up from an observational study of 67 patients with probable MSA, we evaluated three disease-specific scores: Activities of Daily Living, Motor Examination, and a combined score from the UMSARS and two general health scores, the Physical Health and Mental Health scores of the SF-36 health survey, for their use as outcome measures in a therapeutic trial. We discuss related design issues and provide sample size estimates. Scores based on the disease-specific UMSARS seemed to be equal or superior to scores based on the SF-36 health survey. They appeared to capture disease progression, were well correlated and required the smallest sample size. The UMSARS Motor Examination score exhibited the most favorable characteristics as an outcome measure for a therapeutic trial in MSA with 1 year of follow-up. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society [source]


Randomized trial of parathyroidectomy in mild, asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism as measured by the SF-36 health survey

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 9 2000
G. B. Talpos
Background Management of patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) remains controversial despite a National Institutes of Health consensus statement on this issue. As part of the above statement, a randomized clinical trial was recommended since none exist to address this issue. Methods Informed consent was obtained from 53 asymptomatic patients with confirmed primary HPT who agreed to participate in this randomized clinical trial of parathyroidectomy versus observation. Upon entry to the study and 24 months later the patients completed the SF-36 health survey which is an instrument that measures nine different levels of function. Scores were tabulated and the difference over 24 months between operated and non-operated patients was compared with Student's t test. Results Fifty-three patients (42 women and 11 men) with asymptomatic, mild primary HPT (serum calcium 10·1,11·5 mg dl,1) who agreed to participate were randomized into either a surgical group or an observation group. Mean serum calcium for these patients was 10·3 mg dl,1. The only demographic difference between the groups was age; the operated group was older (66·7 versus 62·6 years; P < 0·03). Scores on three of the nine domains (health perception, emotional problems and social functioning) on the SF-36 were significantly different (P < 0·05), all favouring the operated group. Conclusion Improved function, as measured by the SF-36 health assessment tool, is seen after parathyroidectomy compared with non-operated patients. This work supports surgical management of mild primary HPT at the time of diagnosis since many patients have reversible non-classical symptoms of the disease. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]