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 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in a midwestern US urban clinic.

BACKGROUND: The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a self-administered general dermatology quality of life instrument, was originally developed and published in a dermatology clinic at University Hospital of Wales. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to test the feasibility of having patients answer the DLQI in a busy dermatology clinic and to find out to what extent results vary from those published in Wales. We also wanted to examine the validity of the index in terms of the correlation between DLQI scores and stage of illness (disease severity). METHODS: We administered the DLQI to 200 consecutive patients who were seen in a dermatology clinic at Indiana University Medical Center. Results were examined in light of results found by those who originated the DLQI. A pilot group of patients were given the DLQI and rated for severity of disease by means of the Dermatology Index of Disease Severity (DIDS). RESULTS: Overall, the DLQI is easy to administer and can be completed within 3 minutes. The scores in our study were compatible with those previously reported by the DLQI originators. There was a "ceiling" effect in that 11% of the patients indicated no quality of life impairment on the DLQI rating. This index shows stratification with severity of disease. CONCLUSION: The DLQI is an easy and efficient instrument for assessing quality of life in dermatology patients. Patients needed minimal assistance with the form. Our results were similar to those of the DLQI originators, and this further shows reliability and validity of the DLQI. In addition, this study further supports the use of DLQI as a quality of life instrument suitable for use in international studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Comparative characterization of life quality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after surgical treatment].

The parameters of life quality were comparatively analyzed in 59 patients aged 18 to 63 years, operated on for tuberculomas and cavitary masses of the lung in 1995 to 2002. Each patient underwent atypical pneumonectomy in the volume of not more than 2 segments via anterolateral access. Life quality was assessed, by using the Medical Outcomes Study Shirt Form (SF-36) developed by John E. Ware (Health Institute, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts). This study demonstrates that timely surgery in combination with chemotherapy can significantly improve all the constituents of life quality in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The assessment of the trend of life quality parameters helps to optimize a management policy and individualize further physical, psychoemotional, social, and working rehabilitation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Effects of depressive disorders on objective life quality criteria].

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the extent to which depression affects specific objective life quality parameters. The respective life quality parameters were investigated on a long-term basis and concern the social and material resources of those persons surveyed. METHOD: The database used for statistical evaluations originates from the longitudinal survey "Zurich Study" initiated in 1979. In this work the evaluations are limited to those persons who participated in all six structured interviews which took place between 1979 and 1999 (278 of initially 591 Persons). The effects of depression on the objective parameters of life quality were analyzed by linear and logistical regressions. RESULTS: According to this study, people suffering from depression show disadvantages regarding their living situation and their civil status. Among them one finds increased divorce and separation quota and they live more frequently alone than persons without depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The findings refer to possible social withdrawal tendencies among people suffering from depression. Social withdrawal tendencies should be counteracted as far as possible by upholding or developing a network of firm contacts and relationships. Special attention should be paid in the therapy of depression patients to working out strategies for solving marriage crises or relationship conflicts.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Side-effects burden, psychological adjustment, and life quality in women with breast cancer: pattern of association over time.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the side-effects burden experienced over time by 53 women who were receiving treatment for breast cancer and to describe the association of side-effects burden with psychological adjustment and life quality. DESIGN: Data were drawn from the Self-Help Intervention Project (SHIP), an intervention study designed to test the effectiveness of nursing interventions for women receiving treatment for breast cancer. SETTING: Subjects were interviewed in their homes or treatment locations three times over a period of four to five months. SAMPLE: 53 women randomly assigned to the control group of the SHIP. METHODS: The researchers collected data after treatment was initiated, six to eight weeks later, and three months after that. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Side-effects burden, psychological adjustment, and life quality. FINDINGS: Fatigue was the most problematic side effect over time. Other problematic side effects included sore arm(s), difficulty sleeping, hair loss, and skin irritation. Significant associations were evident for psychological adjustment with symptom extension and number of side effects at Time 2 and Time 3. Depression burden and anxiety burden were associated significantly with psychological adjustment at all three times. Overall life quality and present life quality was associated negatively with symptom extension and number of side effects at all three times. Fatigue burden was associated negatively with life quality at Time 2 and Time 3 with depression burden and anxiety burden negatively associated with life quality at all three times. CONCLUSIONS: Over time, evidence showed that negative feelings, in particular depression burden and anxiety burden, persist. Depression burden and anxiety burden each were negatively associated with overall and present life quality at all three times. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: A need exists for clinically individualized nursing interventions that will reduce the side effects burden of women receiving treatment for breast cancer. Interventions can do much to reduce the perception of illness severity so that psychological adjustment and life quality can be maintained.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

[Characterization of life quality in patients with respiratory tuberculosis treated in the outpatient setting].

The overall Life Quality-100 questionnaire recommended by the World Health Organization was used to survey 29 patients with active respiratory tuberculosis and 19 healthy persons. Life quality (LQ) was assessed by 24 items pooled to form 6 categories. There were significant differences in the overall life quality and in the mental health scale. The activity, mobility, physical status of the patients were impaired. The survey revealed the aspects lowering LQ in patients with active respiratory tuberculosis. It is concluded that individual psychosocial correction of the status of a patient with tuberculosis is promising in making his/her life quality normal.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Improvement of life-quality after surgery for breast reduction].

PURPOSE: Within this study the improvement of life quality in patients after surgery for breast reduction should be evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In total 70 patients, who had undergone an operation for breast reduction in the University Women's Hospital of Heidelberg from May 1998-June 2000, were chosen for this study. They were invited to an interview with three different standardized questionnaires concerning life quality. In total the questionnaires of 37 patients could be evaluated. They were about 12 months after operation. RESULTS: It could be shown, that all patients had a significant improvement of their functional symptoms, the main part of them were totally free of symptoms after the operation. Most patients felt more female than before. They regarded themselves as more active, productive and sociable. This resulted in an improved self-confidence. In both groups the improvement was based mostly on a release of their functional complaints such as pain in th back or in the shoulders, but also on the psychological relief of the physical shame. The reduction of the breast masses, which were before well hidden by clothes, led to an improved self-confidence and self-assurance. CONCLUSION: Either women, who underwent the operation due to medical reasons, as well as women, who had mainly esthetic reasons for the operation, reach an improvement of life quality after surgery. The reached satisfaction of the patients and the improvement of life quality were absolutely independent from the weight of the resected tissue.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Botulinum A toxin improves life quality in severe primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Focal hyperhidrosis is a condition that may disturb emotional, social and professional life. Treatment options for severe cases are surgical sympathectomy and local chemical sweat gland denervation by intradermal injections of botulinum toxin A (Btx A). The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a simple validated questionnaire designed to measure and compare disability in different skin diseases. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life with the DLQI before and after treatment with botulinum toxin injections in a group of patients with severe hyperhidrosis. DLQI was administered to 58 randomly chosen patients before and after treatment. All patients answered the DLQI questionnaire prior to treatment and 53/58 at mean 5.2 months after treatment. The mean DLQI score in the 58 patients before treatment was 10.3 (2-23). In the group of 16/53 patients who had a relapse of sweating when answering the DLQI a second time, no significant improvement was seen [score 10.6 before and 8.8 after treatment (P = 0.21)]. In patients without relapse, a 76% improvement was obtained (DLQI was reduced from 9.9 to 2.4; P < 0.0001). The study showed that focal hyperhidrosis may considerably reduce life quality and the disability experienced by the patients can be largely reversed by botulinum toxin injections.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Algorithm of life quality evaluation for patients with psychosomatic diseases].

AIM: To elaborate the algorithm for evaluation of quality of life (QL) in patients with psychosomatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: AMPI, Spilberger-Khanin anxiety test, the procedures 'general state, activity, mood" and "personality differential". RESULTS: The algorithm of QL evaluation comprises a questionnaire consisting of 48 questions divided into 3 blocks. Quality of the somatic state was assessed by restrictions in exercise, self-care, everyday activity. A psychological component of QL was determined by the presence of depression, anxiety, emotional effects on everyday and professional activity; the social component--by relations in office, family, medical personal. The procedure was standardized, so QL should be considered as high at 97-144 points, good 87-96, satisfactory 44-86, unsatisfactory results were at 26-43 points, poor--at 0-25 points. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique of QL of psychosomatic patients proved its validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be recommended for design of psychosocial and medical rehabilitative measures as well as for assessment of efficacy of these measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pain and life quality within 2 years of spinal cord injury.

The prevalence and classification of pain were investigated in 46 patients admitted consecutively with traumatic spinal cord injury to a rehabilitation hospital. All were studied within 2 years of trauma. Forty-six percent experienced pain of moderate-to-severe intensity. The patients with pain were classified into five categories: diffuse pain, segmental pain, root pain, visceral pain and non-neurogenic pain. Most patients experienced more than one type of pain. Pain appeared more intense in the evening than in the morning or at noon. Older age (median 40 years vs 24 years) was related to increased prevalence of pain. Significantly more patients with pain (70%) than without pain (24%) had a case-score on the 20-item version of the General Health Questionnaire, indicating psychological distress and reduced quality of life. The present study indicates that pain causes emotional distress in addition to the distress associated with the spinal cord injury itself.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Provision and receipt of social support and disregard: what is their impact on the marital life quality of infertile and fertile couples?

A longitudinal study examined perceptions of received and provided social support and disregard among members of 248 infertile and fertile married couples. Correlational and structural equation modeling analyses were conducted. Women's and men's perceptions of the amount of social support they gave to and received from their partner were highly positively related. In contrast, agreement between spouses about the amount of provided support was moderate. Both social support and disregard mediated the relationships between stress and marital quality of life. Overall, highly similar patterns of results were found for members of infertile and fertile couples. These results demonstrate the perceptual element of received support and disregard as well as the importance of considering the provider's perspective.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1981

[Continent ileostomy - improvement of life quality].

Fifteen patients who had undergone proctocolectomy and conversion of conventional ileostomy into continent ileostomy as devised by KOCK were investigated an average of 4 1/2 years after continent ileostomy. The aspects investigated were skin problems, frequency of ileal pouch emptying, continence, and quality of life. It is concluded that successful conversion to continent ileostomy has eliminated most of the drawbacks of conventional ileostomy. The technically complex method of continent ileostomy should be employed only by surgeons experienced in this type of surgery and at centers where more experience with the method can be accumulated.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of mildronate on life quality of patients with chronic heart failure].

AIM: To study quality of life (QL) of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and QL changes resultant from mildronate therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: QL was studied in 30 IHD patients with CHF of NYHA class II-IV, ejection fraction > 45%; 40 IHD patients without CHF and 30 healthy subjects. CHF patients were treated for 30 days with oral mildronate (250 mg 4 times a day). QL was assessed according to the method SF-36 Health Status Survey. RESULTS: QL in CHF patients is much lower than that of the controls. Objective severity of the disease and subjective satisfaction with life do not always coincide. Mildronate in a dose 1 g/day per os may be beneficial for LQ of CHF patients. CONCLUSION: It is thought desirable to include QL in analysis of efficiency of managing patients with CHF. SF-36 is a tool able to follow up changes in QL of CHF patients within a short-term treatment period.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

[Comparative study of life quality in patients with cycloid and schizophrenic psychoses].

BACKGROUND: Cycloid psychoses represent a nosological entity not adequately recognised by contemporary psychiatry. They show full recovery after each episode and thus have a favourable prognosis. METHODS: Course, psychiatric status, social function, and quality of life (QoL) of 33 patients with cycloid psychosis and 44 schizophrenics were compared (CGI, PANSS, GAF, Strauss-Carpenter,WHOQOL-BREF).Also, 48 controls were asked to rate their QoL. RESULTS: The schizophrenics developed symptoms earlier in life (P=0.009) and were hospitalized longer (P=0.001) and more frequently(P=0.01) than patients with cycloid psychosis. The latter showed better scores in the applied scales (P<0.0001). In QoL measures, cycloid psychotic patients were more satisfied than schizophrenic patients in three of four domains(P<0.01). Only in one domain did they differ from controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cycloid psychoses display better course, outcome, and QoL than schizophrenia.Thus, they appear to present a useful concept deserving more clinical and scientific attention.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of cost-efficiency of improved life quality: methodological problems].

The paper deals with theoretical approaches to and practical methods of economic interpretation and measurement of negative changes in human health, quality of life. There is evidence that it is necessary to evaluate the health status as guidelines for estimating the cost effectiveness of hygienic recommendations. The authors propose guidelines for determining the contribution of individual pollution sources. The aspects of calculation of the damage caused by water and soil pollution are considered. The lines of reforming law services to enhance the effectiveness of preventive medicine are proposed. The fact that there is a need for forming medical law is substantiated.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2004

Assessing the impact of oral health on the life quality of children: implications for research and practice.

Traditionally, child oral health has been assessed using clinical parameters of disease and deformity. However, there is a growing interest in the psychosocial impact of oral health among children. This commentary outlines the value and need for assessing child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL). COHQoL has implications for oral health needs assessment (at an individual and population level) and for evaluating outcomes from specific treatments, initiatives and dental services overall. In addition, it could prove to be a useful adjunct tool for evidence-based dentistry research and practice. Theoretical and practical considerations in assessing the complex psychosocial construct of oral health among children are discussed: the use of general versus oral health-specific measures, the development of tools for children, the use of generic versus condition-specific measures, and the measurement of 'positive' oral health. Recommendations for research and practice are presented.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Some aspects of life quality after surgery for acoustic neuroma.

This investigation was performed to describe some aspects of the quality of life in subjects after translabyrinthine removal of an acoustic neuroma, resulting in unilateral total deafness. Two hundred ninety-three subjects who had been operated on during 1976 through 1990 and who were living outside the Copenhagen (Denmark) City and County received a postal questionnaire, to which 93% (n = 273) responded: 118 men and 155 women with a median age of 58 years (range, 18 to 81 years). The median observation period from surgery to the questionnaire was 6 years (range, 6 months to 14 years), and the median age at operation was 52 years (range, 15 to 76 years). Among the subjects, 22% had received postoperative hearing rehabilitation with various types of hearing aids in the ear not operated on. In 62%, tinnitus was experienced in the ear with tumor before surgery, and at the time of the questionnaire, 49% experienced tinnitus in the ear operated on. Half a year after surgery, 56% still experienced dizziness. Sixty-four percent reported damage to the facial nerve in relationship to the operation. At the time of the questionnaire, 12% indicated a total loss of facial nerve function. No vocational consequences were found in 74% after surgery. Information concerning different symptoms related to surgery was insufficient in 29%, while the quality of information in relation to surgery was more satisfying. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that deafness, dysequilibrium, and reduced facial nerve function caused the most severe problems. Improved information to patients before surgery may reduce the frequency of negative experiences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Measures of life quality, role performance, and functional status in asthma research.

Recently a consensus has emerged that health care research should address outcomes important to patients, especially quality of life, role performance, and functional status. The assessment of such outcomes is beset by conceptual and methodological difficulties that may be especially problematic for asthma. Nevertheless, several broad conclusions may be drawn about the use of measures of these outcomes in asthma research. Asthma usually is reasonably well controlled if patients are moderately adherent to their recommended regimens. Consequently, the beneficial impacts of interventions are likely to be small, and large samples are required to detect them. Outcome assessment should combine asthma-specific measures with generic measures applicable to a variety of conditions. Generic measures aimed at severely debilitating disease are less appropriate than measures designed for use in the general population. Asthma-specific measures should emphasize the incidence and impact of such symptoms as coughing, wheezing, sputum production, and shortness of breath. Current procedures for computing utility scores and cost-benefit ratios based on them have serious measurement limitations, and use of such scores should be postponed until those limitations are overcome. These assessment issues should be addressed separately for adults and children.

Activities of Daily Living↗