Showing papers on "Quality of life published in 1986"

Predictors and indicators of quality of life in patients with closed-head injury.

Abstract: This study examined predictors and indicators of quality of life in 71 patients with closed-head injury (CHI), 2-4 years postinjury. Predictors included premorbid characteristics and acute injury-related data. Indicators included follow-up data, e.g., neuropsychological functioning. Exploratory canonical correlation analyses demonstrated that the combination of the predictor variable, initial Glasgow Coma Scale score, and indicator variables of neuropsychological data in the areas of motor functioning, memory, and constructional ability were related most strongly to quality of life as reported by the patients. Severity of head injury and motor disability also related strongly to quality of life, based on reports by relatives (n = 68) on the Katz Adjustment Scale (Relatives' Form). These findings suggest that quality of life is adversely affected by increased severity of head injury and greater residual motor deficits. Implications of these findings for treatment and recovery are discussed.

Quality of life in patients 2 to 4 years after closed head injury.

Abstract: This study evaluated quality of life in 78 patients with closed head injury (CHI) 2 to 4 years postinjury. Using both interview data and mean data from the Sickness Impact Profile questionnaire, impaired quality of life was observed in the areas of psychosocial functioning, social role functioning, leisure activities, and, to a lesser extent, physical functioning, during chronic phases of recovery. Relatives and close friends reported by means of the Katz Adjustment Scale that the CHI patients showed a series of negative behavioral symptoms 2 to 4 years postinjury. These data suggest that CHI patients may experience impaired quality of life in a number of domains well beyond the acute postinjury phases. An attempt was also made to compare patients' and relatives' reports of patient quality of life. Preliminary analyses indicated modest correspondence between relatives' and patients' ratings of some areas of postinjury dysfunction, including cognitive and behavioral slowing and social withdrawal.

Measuring the Quality of Life

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the quality of life through objective measures. General affect (self perception of one's quality of life) was correlated with seven satisfaction measures an...

End-stage renal disease treatment modality and patients' quality of life. Longitudinal assessment.

Abstract: Quality of life assessments were obtained at two 18-month follow-up intervals from 97 end-stage renal disease patients. Data were compared for three stable treatment groups (transplant, home hemodialysis, in-center hemodialysis) and for two transfer treatment groups (hemodialysis to transplant, hemodialysis to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis). Home hemodialysis patients demonstrated the highest quality of life and lowest hospitalization rates over time. Transplant patients had higher employment and perceived health status but not necessarily higher subjective quality of life as compared to in-center hemodialysis patients, and transplant patients experienced more hospitalization. At follow-up, hemodialysis patients who obtained transplants assessed their quality of life as higher than did hemodialysis patients who went on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Quality of life of patients on long-term total parenteral nutrition at home

Abstract: Quality of life and quality-adjusted survival were measured for a cohort of 73 patients maintained on long-term parenteral nutrition at home (HPN) for periods ranging from six months to 12 years. Quality-adjusted survival was also modeled (although not directly observed) for this cohort under alternative therapeutic strategies (e.g., parenteral nutrition in hospital as needed). Using three utility assessment techniques (category scaling, time-tradeoff, direct questioning of objectives), quality of life was measured through interviews with 37 patients. The quality of life of the patients interviewed was good (mean value 0.73 where 0 represents death and 1.0 represents perfect health); for those who had experienced a period of chronic malnutrition before HPN, quality of life had improved. For the entire cohort, the estimate of quality-adjusted survival was four times greater with HPN than with the alternative therapeutic strategies (p<0.001). In comparison with alternative strategies, HPN significantly improves the quality of life of patients unable to sustain themselves with oral alimentation. Quality of life (utility) techniques can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for patients with chronic diseases.

Placement from community-based mental retardation programs: how well do clients do after 8 to 10 years?

Abstract: The placement success and quality of life of 85 mentally retarded persons placed into independent housing and competitive employment 8 to 10 years ago was evaluated. Three groups emerged on the basis of the clients' current programmatic status, living-work placement, and financial status. A number of variables were found to discriminate between successful and unsuccessful living and work outcomes, including family involvement, social-emotional behavior, number of disabilities, sensorimotor functioning, symbolic operations, and auditory-visual processing. For assessed quality of life, significant correlates included family involvement, income, number of disabilities, and age. Those who were successful had a higher assessed Quality of Life Index than those who were unsuccessful.

University faculty and administrator responses to job strains

Abstract: This study reports the relationships between job strain and several quality of life (QOL) indicators for a group of university faculty and administrators. The QOL indicators were in the domain of job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and health. Variables presumed to moderate the relationship between job strain and QOL were tested for their ability to buffer the strain effects. Analyses were carried out on faculty's and administrators' responses. The strong correlations obtained have both theoretical and practical consequences. Intervention strategies are discussed.

Quality-of-life measures: hospital interview versus home questionnaire.

Abstract: Measures adapted from social survey research were used to assess the quality of life of 33 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in a 2-week test-retest design that varied both location and format of administration (hospital interview vs. home self-administered questionnaire). The measures were found to have substantial consistency over time, location, and format. These results indicate that quality of life is a stable construct and support the usefulness of questionnaire quality-of-life measures for evaluating medical interventions.

Quality of life in an alternative lifestyle: The smallholding movement

Abstract: While the notion of alternative lifestyle usually evokes the stereotype of groups or individuals who live on the margin of the socially acceptable, the focus of this study, the smallholding movement, is a description and analysis of individuals whose alternative lifestyle is grounded in traditional values through the return to semi-subsistence agriculture on small parcels of land. The analysis operationalizes five quality of life (QoL) indicators and then through zero-order correlations and step-wise regression, attempts to predict the correlates of QoL. Prominent in the study are six value scales that are intended to capture the central concerns of the smallholding movement. The value scales, however, were relatively weak predictors of general QoL, while the actual lived experience of smallholding (community approval, employment of alternative technology) were relatively good predictors. In reference to specific satisfaction with smallholding as a way of life, however, values did become relatively good predictors of QoL. Notable by their absence as predictors of either general or specific QoL were urban based status factors such as education, occupation, and income, even though the small-holders themselves possess relatively high educational and income levels, and are employed in professional and technical occupations.

Quality of life in small island nations in the Indian Ocean

Abstract: Quality of Life (QOL) is a difficult yet valuable concept to use in regional analysis. It is more telling than purely economic measures, such as per capita GNP, but requires caution in the choice of indicators. The Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) is used to evaluate the small island developing countries (SIDCs) of the Indian Ocean. It employs infant mortality, life expectancy at age one, and literacy, which are broadly indicative of a wider range of social and physical attributes. In the Indian Ocean, a bimodalism of results is seen, with Reunion, Mauritius, and Seychelles consistently performing very well, while Maldives and Comoros perform poorly. Other QOL measures are examined as supplementary indicators. The PQLI is seen as an excellent comprehensive device for regional QOL analysis.

Quality of Life in Small Island Nations in

Abstract: Quality of Life (QOL) is a difficult yet valuable concept to use in regional analysis. It is more telling than purely economic measures, such as per capita GNP, but requires caution in the choice of indicators. The Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) is used to evaluate the small island developing countries (SIDCs) of the Indian Ocean. It employs infant mortality, life expectancy at age one, and literacy, which are broadly indicative of a wider range of social and physical attributes. In the Indian Ocean, a bimodalism of results is seen, with Reunion, Mauritius, and Seychelles consistently performing very well, while Maldives and Comoros perform poorly. Other QOL measures are examined as supplementary indicators. The PQLI is seen as an excellent comprehensive device for regional QOL analysis.

Physical quality of life indices for South Africa

Abstract: The Physical Quality of Life Index is a new measure of development progress designed to capture significant human consequences of economic growth. Using newly available data, PQLIs are calculated for each race in South Africa, for males and females and for the country as a whole. International comparisons are developed as is a comparison with existing subjective measures of life quality. Implications for development priorities as well as critical needs for additional research are derived. Limited time series data are reviewed to conclude that significant progress has recently been made improving the quality of life for all population groups in South Africa.

[Data collection from patients treated for Hodgkin's disease. Relation to quality of life].

Abstract: One hundred and fifty patients treated for Hodgkin's disease (stage I to IIIA) in a cooperative trial, answered a questionnaire dealing partly with their information, after 2 to 7 years of complete remission. This information appears insufficient for the majority of patients (52%), at least as far as treatment and its complications are concerned. There are many significant relations with other parameters which suggest that a good level of information may improve quality of life of patients. These observations tend to increase information of patients with Hodgkin's disease, provided it is adapted to each patient.

Quality of life in cancer patients.

Abstract: It is time to begin regarding the quality of life as a parameter equally important in the treatment of tumors as survival duration. Estimates of the quality of life are feasible if methodology is carefully considered, and such estimates should be an integral part of certain clinical trials. Continuing evaluation of performance status, times of hospitalization, quality of life and quality of terminal care should be necessary requirements, and the attitudes and opinions of patients and relatives should be taken into account.

The quality of life of individuals with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract: A descriptive study which investigated the relationship between behavior-morale, social dependency, life change and quality of life for individuals with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Four scales were administered to a convenience sample of 30 individuals with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. The subjects ranged in age from 20 to 63 years old. There were 19 women and 11 men in the sample, with approximately one-half of the sample using inten­ sive insulin therapy, and the rest of the sample using conventional insulin therapy. The data supported a positive relationship between quality of life and social dependency (r=.4661, p<.05). There was also a positive relationship between quality of life and life change (r=.4635, p<.05). No significant relationship was found between quality of life and behavior-morale.