Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Quality of Life”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Compliance and quality in residential life. Quality, organization design, and standards.

Regulations and voluntary standards within the context of organizational design and mission as well as leadership in management for quality were discussed. Rules and regulations are closely associated with the structure and mission of the organization. Altering them may require fundamental redesign of organizational structure and purpose. Likewise, alterations in organizational design can change the need for rules and regulations. In addition, standards do not automatically yield quality. Rather, they define expected levels of performance from individuals, programs, and the organization. The senior management of organizations is responsible for exercising the leadership in managing for quality.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed2006

Life quality assessment among patients with atopic eczema.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of quality of life (QoL) related to disease severity is important in patients with atopic eczema (AE), because the assessment provides additional information to the traditional objective clinical scoring systems. OBJECTIVES: To measure health-related QoL (HRQoL) in patients with AE; to analyse discriminant, divergent and convergent validity by examining the association between various QoL methods; and to examine the association between disease severity assessed by an objective Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and QoL. METHODS: HRQoL was assessed at two visits at a 6-monthly interval in 101 patients with AE and 30 controls with one dermatology-specific questionnaire [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) or Children's DLQI (CDLQI)], one generic instrument (SF-36) and three visual analogue scales (VASs) of severity and pruritus. Objective SCORAD was used to measure disease severity. RESULTS: Patients with AE had significantly lower QoL than healthy controls and the general population. DLQI /CDLQI, pruritus, and patient and investigator overall assessment of eczema severity were significantly (P < 0.0001) and positively correlated with SCORAD, while the generic questionnaire showed only poor correlation. A gender difference was found for the mental component score of SF-36 (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: AE has an impact on HRQoL. Patients' mental health, social functioning and role emotional functioning seem to be more affected than physical functioning. A simple VAS score of patients' assessment of disease severity showed the highest and most significant correlations with most of the HRQoL methods used. There is evidence to support the ability of patients with AE to make an accurate determination of their disease severity and QoL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index: validity and reliability in patients with acne.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported quality of life is strongly affected by some dermatologic conditions. We developed a Japanese version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI-J) and used psychometric methods to examine its validity and reliability. METHODS: The Japanese version of the DLQI was created from the original (English) version, using a standard method. The DLQI-J was then completed by 197 people, to examine its validity and reliability. Some participants completed the DLQI-J a second time, 3 days later, to examine the reproducibility of their responses. In addition to the DLQI-J, the participants completed parts of the SF-36 and gave data on their demographic and clinical characteristics. Their physicians provided information on the location and clinical severity of the skin disease. RESULTS: The participants reported no difficulties in answering the DLQI-J items. Their mean age was 24.8 years, 77.2% were female, and 78.7% had acne vulgaris. The mean score of DLQI was 3.99(SD: 3.99). The responses were found to be reproducible and stable. Results of principal-component and factor analysis suggested that this scale measured one construct. The correlations of DLQI-J scores with sex or age were very poor, but those with SF-36 scores and with clinical severity were high. CONCLUSION: The DLQI-J provides valid and reliable data despite having only a small number of items.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validation of a comprehensive Freiburg Life Quality Assessment (FLQA) core questionnaire and development of a threshold system.

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) has become an important re- search topic in dermatology. We developed a series of modular, dermatology-specific HRQOL questionnaires: the Freiburg Life Quality Assessment (FLQA). Each FLQA questionnaire consists of a core module (FLQA-c) applicable to all skin diseases plus a number of items specific to distinct dermatological diseases. The objectives of the present study were: 1) to test the psychometric properties of the FLQA-c, and 2) to define a threshold indicating a significantly reduced HRQOL. 394 psoriasis patients, 253 atopic dermatitis patients, and 240 control subjects completed the FLQA-c. Cronbach's alphas were above 0.75 for all six scales except for "treatment". Discriminant validity, sensitivity to change, and convergent validity were satisfactory. On the different scales, the threshold indicating a marked reduction in HRQOL detected 33% to 68% of the patients. These data support the reliability and validity of the FLQA-c.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Clinical manifestations and life quality of patients with myocardial infarction during rehabilitation course with application of hypoxia in a pressure chamber].

The subjects of the study were 85 men aged 49.7 +/- 6.4 years with myocardial scarring after myocardial infarction (MI). The purpose was to evaluate effects of rehabilitation measures on clinical manifestation of the disease and patients' quality of life (QL). The method of adaptation to periodical hypoxia in a pressure chamber was applied to the main group, and classic physical adaptation--to the control group. Positive clinical effect was achieved in 91% of patients in the main group, which was manifested by reduction of symptoms of the disease, as well as non-specific complaints. The study revealed concrete factors causing QL decline. Analysis of AMPI data showed that psychological profile parameters in MI patients were within normal limits. The patients on barotherapy displayed significant improvement of QL according to Medicosocial Questionnaire and Life Quality of a Stenocardia Patient Questionnaire immediately upon the rehabilitation course completion; no such result was achieved in the control group.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

[Life quality of patients after cholecystectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life in patients who underwent laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystolithiasis. METHODS: A prospective survey was made on 25 patients receiving laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group) and 26 patients receiving open cholecystectomy (OC group). The quality of life was measured with the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GLQI) preoperatively, and at 2, 5, 10 and 16 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: The mean preoperative GLQI scores of all dimensions of the quality of life were 112.5 and 110.3 in the LC and OC groups respectively. In the LC group, the quality of life was not considerably reduced at 2 weeks after operation, with a mean GLQI score of 110. There was a significant improvement both in total mean score and in the aspects of symptomatology, emotional and physiological status from 5 to 16 weeks after LC operation. In the OC group, the GLQI score reduced to 102.0 at 2 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). There were significant reductions in the aspects of symptomatology, physiological and social status as well. The GLQI scores reached to the preoperative level of 115.6 at 10 weeks after the operation (P > 0.05). The patients experienced significant improvements of GLQI at 16 weeks after OC operation (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The LC group showed better GLQI scores than did the OC group for up to 10 weeks postoperatively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LC is betler or more rapidly than OC is improving the quality of life postoperatively. The assessment of the quality of life is valuable for measuring the outcome of surgical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Life quality and psychological morbidity with an ileostomy.

The recent introduction of restorative proctocolectomy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis has reopened the debate about the effects of ileostomy on quality of life. This study analysed life quality and psychological morbidity in 113 patients with an ileostomy using a postal questionnaire which included questions about their opinion of the pouch operation. Of the questionnaires, 73 per cent were suitable for analysis. A total of 93 per cent of those responding were happy with the ileostomy and appeared to have adapted to a normal life with it. Some 87 per cent stated that they would keep the ileostomy in preference to an ileoanal pouch. In addition, psychological morbidity as assessed by the General Health Questionnaire occurred in only 5 per cent of patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Definition of life quality from a patient versus health care professional perspective.

Quality of life assessment is increasingly acknowledged as an important component in selecting optimal health interventions for persons with cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that cardiac out-patients have the same perception of what comprises quality of life as do their health care providers. A list of items was compiled from all quality of life measures and quality of life research. Staff members, cardiac out-patients and family members were asked what they considered important to the patients' quality of life by rating the relative importance of each item on the list. The three groups differed in their ratings. Of the top ten items ranked by patients, only three items appeared on the staff top ten list, and five on the family member's list. The patients, in contrast with staff and family, chose aspects of QL that reflected the positive aspects of life. These differences were more marked in the physical, psychological, and activity domains than in the social domain. The study suggests that QL measures developed from the perspective of primary caregivers are probably invalid and therefore QL measures should be developed from a patients perspective.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Canada Wide Standard for particulate matter and ozone: cost-benefit analysis using a Life Quality Index.

The adverse impacts of particulate air pollution and ground-level ozone on public health and the environment have motivated the development of Canada Wide Standards (CWS) on air quality. In cost-benefit analysis of air-quality options, valuation of reduction in mortality is a critical step as it accounts for almost 80% of the total benefits and any bias in its evaluation can significantly skew the outcome of the analysis. The overestimation of benefits is a source of concern since it has the potential of diverting valuable resources from other needs to support broader health care objectives, education, and social services that contribute to enhanced quality of life. We have developed a framework of reasoning for the assessment of risk-reduction initiatives that would support the public interest and enhance safety and quality of life. This article presents the Life Quality Index (LQI) as a tool to quantify the level of expenditure beyond which it is no longer justifiable to spend resources in the name of safety. It is shown that the LQI is a compound social indicator comprising societal wealth and longevity, and it is also equivalent to a utility function consistent with the basic principles of welfare economics and decision analysis. The LQI approach overcomes several shortcomings of the method used by the CWS Development Committee and provides guidance on the compliance costs that can be justified to meet the Standards.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Effects of lamotrigine on the symptoms and life qualities of patients with post polio syndrome: a randomized, controlled study.

The aim of this study is to find out if lamotrigine gives symptomatic relief and enhances quality of life in patients with post-polio syndrome. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive lamotrigine treatment. Lamotrigine at a daily dose of 50-100 mg was given to the fifteen patients, and fifteen patients were used as the control group. Interventional advice and home exercises were given to all of the patients. Clinical assessments were made at baseline and repeated at the second and fourth weeks by the physician who was unaware of medication. The severity of pain, fatigue and muscle cramps were rated on a visual analogue scale. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Nottingham Health Profile. The patient's perceived level of fatigue was assessed using Fatigue Severity Scale. Comparing to the baseline values, statistically significant improvements were obtained in the mean scores of VAS, NHP and FSS at two weeks and four weeks in the patients on lamotrigine. No significant improvements were reported in the control group. These preliminary results indicate that lamotrigine relieves the symptoms and improves the life qualities of patients with post polio syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Speech, deglutition and life quality after intraoral tumour resection. A prospective study.

The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the functional sequelae and postoperative development of quality of life after intraoral tumour surgery in 40 consecutive patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. Immediate reconstruction of intraoral soft tissues after tumour resection was accomplished by local flaps (cheek and tongue) (n=27) and by revascularized transfer of small bowel grafts (n=5) and myocutaneous/fasciocutaneous flaps (n=8). Mobility of the tongue was assessed by ultrasound. Quality of speech was analysed using the Freiburg speech intelligibility test. Life quality was assessed by the functional living index-cancer preoperatively and six months postoperatively. A significant decrease in both mobility of the tongue and quality of speech was registered. The most substantial effect on quality of speech resulted from decreased movement of the base and the dorsum of the tongue. A significant increase in life quality at the end of the study period occurred only in the group of patients without substantial reduction of intelligibility of speech, while no significant improvement of postoperative life quality of patients with more severe deterioration of speech quality was found.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Visceral pain and life quality in persons with spinal cord Injury: a brief report.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the prevalence of visceral pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), and virtually no studies have looked at the relationship between visceral pain and self-reported quality of life. We examined the frequency of reported visceral pain at 5, 10, and 15 years after injury to determine whether the presence of visceral pain is related to quality of life, and to determine to what extent visceral pain should be of concern to clinicians treating patients with SCI. METHODS: Visceral pain and quality of life in persons with SCI were compared from a combined Craig Hospital and National Model SCI Systems database at 5 (N = 33), 10 (N = 132), and 15 (N = 96) years after injury. RESULTS: The rates of visceral pain increased at each measurement (10% at year 5, 22% at year 10, and 32% at year 15); although these numbers reflect cross-sectional data, they do show a clear statistical change. Only a limited true longitudinal sample was available, but at 10 years after injury, individuals who had reported visceral pain at any time reported a significantly lower quality of life than those never experiencing visceral pain, F1,188 = 3.95, P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Although visceral pain may not be as prevalent as the more researched neuropathic and musculoskeletal subtypes of pain, it may account for a higher percentage of people with SCI who report pain than previously recognized. More quantitative and longitudinal research is needed to examine the relationship of visceral pain with overall quality of life and to pursue interventions.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2006

[Criteria of life quality after reconstructive breast cancer surgery].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of women after a breast cancer surgery. The question was if women which had reconstructive breast cancer surgery experience a higher quality of life than women who, for various distinct reasons, had not undergone reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The participants of this study were women who had either received a mastectomy or those who at the same time underwent a breast reconstruction using implants during the time period from 1/1/2000 until 31/10/2003 at the University Hospital for Women of Heidelberg and Mannheim. With the help of three standardised questionnaires, the women could describe their post-surgical physical and psychological condition as well as the perceived quality of life. The study included 33 patients who had received breast implants and 31 patients without reconstruction. RESULTS: Women who had breast cancer surgery with reconstruction through implants had less problems and restrictions concerning their physical condition as well as their functional status. Moreover, compared to those participants with no reconstruction, their cognitive and emotional burdens were not as pronounced and they also they were able to better cope with the disease. Thus, their overall quality of life was superior than that of the other women. CONCLUSION: Breast reconstruction after primary and secondary mastectomy is an important contribution in order to improve the self-esteem and quality of a patient's life. Furthermore, it plays an essential role in coping with the psychological effects of breast cancer.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Pancreas transplantation: assessing secondary complications and life quality.

Two sequential studies of life quality among pancreas transplant recipients are reported. The first study (n = 32) investigated symptoms of neuropathy, enteropathy and retinopathy, along with well-being post successful transplantation. Patients noted improvement in secondary complications, were satisfied with the procedure and expressed hope for the future. The second study compared physical and social function, burden of symptoms, emotional/mental state and sense of well-being in successful (n = 31) and successful (n = 13) pancreas transplant recipients. Patient satisfaction with pancreas transplantation was high. Successful transplant patients perceived their health to be good, believed it would continue to be good, with life quality becoming better over time. The failed group expected life quality to become worse.

Depression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of indicators for comprehensive assessment of life quality].

The paper presents a procedure for quantitative sociomedical and hygienic assessment of the quality of life. Several combinations of factors that have the greatest influence on the quality of life and human health: medicodemographic indices; the prevalence and incidence rates of all classes of diseases in different age population groups; health care quality; socioeconomic conditions; natural, climatic, and sanitary conditions; quality of the population's nutrition; sociological assessment of living conditions. Based on the performed study, the indicators were estimated by each combination of factors. The quantitative determination of the integrated index of life quality may be used to assess the socioeconomic position, the health status of the population in some administrative districts and regions over time.

Guidelines as Topic↗
PubMed1997

The differential effects of mood on patients' ratings of life quality and satisfaction with their care.

The recent directives to improve both the quality and the efficiency of mental health service delivery systems have emphasized the need for evidence based treatment efficacy data, yet recent evidence suggests that quality of life data may be confounded with psychiatric symptomatology. The objective of the current inquiry was to determine whether responses to patient satisfaction measures are equally effected by mood-congruent response bias. Thirty-seven patients from a mood disorders clinic in an urban acute care hospital were asked to rate their current mood, satisfaction with their care, and quality of life. While patient rating of mood were highly correlated with specific quality of life scales and predicted 21% of the variance in global quality ratings, the more objective satisfaction indicators were not. For the clinician, these data suggest that clinically depressed patients may view their support system and care givers in negative or biased perspective.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Long-term life quality and family needs after traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: This investigation assessed the life quality and long-term family needs of caregivers of persons with brain injury. DESIGN: Respondents completed the Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Family Needs Assessment Survey. SETTING: Community-based sample. PARTICIPANTS: Respondents included 57 caregivers of persons with traumatic brain injury who were at least 4 years after injury and who resided in Virginia. Respondents ranged in age from 19 to 82 years and were primarily women and Caucasian. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ) and quality of life questions. RESULTS: Results indicate diminished life quality after injury. With regard to family needs, Health Information (51.43%) and Involvement with Care (47.93%) needs were most often rated as met. Instrumental Support (31.52%) and Professional Support (28.38%) needs were most often rated as not met. CONCLUSIONS: Family needs and support systems for those needs change over time. This investigation provides evidence that unmet family needs extend well beyond the acute setting and that caregiver life quality diminishes over time. The importance of appreciating long-term family needs and other life quality issues should not be underestimated.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The importance of the health education in life quality improvement in patients with psoriasis.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the psoriatic patient knowledge of the disease on the quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 149 patients with psoriasis. All patients answered on anonymous questionnaire, in according to Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI). RESULTS: Almost 43% patients could not show any factor which provoked their disease, 31.5% could not tell any recommendations for cure and care of the psoriatic lesions and 32.2% patients could not point out any methods to avoid psoriatic lesions spread. Almost 60% of the group admitted that their quality of life fell because of the disease. At the same time, patients who did not have enough information concerning the disease had lower quality of life index. CONCLUSIONS: The level of the disease knowledge in the patients with psoriasis influences their quality of live. Therefore it is indicated for the patiens and their families to be involved in the proper educational program.

Adult↗