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Quality of life

About: Quality of life is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 42912 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1198363 citations. The topic is also known as: life quality.


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Journal ArticleDOI
01 May 2002
TL;DR: The strengths and weaknesses of single items and summated scores (from multiple items) as QOL measures are described and the use of single global measures vs multiple subindices as measures of QOL is addressed.
Abstract: How many items are needed to measure an individual's quality of life (QOL)? This article describes the strengths and weaknesses of single items and summated scores (from multiple items) as QOL measures. We also address the use of single global measures vs multiple subindices as measures of QOL. The primary themes that recur throughout this article are the relationships between well-defined research objectives, the research setting, and the choice single item vs summated scores to measure QOL. The conceptual framework of the study, the conceptual fit with the measure, and the purpose of the assessment should all be considered when choosing a measure of QOL. No "gold standard" QOL measure can be recommended because no "one size fits all." Single items have the advantage of simplicity at the cost of detail. Multiple-item indices have the advantage of providing a complete profile of QOL component constructs at the cost of increased burden and of asking potentially irrelevant questions. The 2 types of indices are not mutually exclusive and can be used together in a single research study or in the clinical setting.

255 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
D S P Yong1, A O L Kwok1, D M L Wong1, Margaret Suen1, W T Chen1, Doris M.W. Tse1 
TL;DR: Fatigue, cold aversion, pruritus, lower torso weakness and difficulty sleeping were the five most prevalent symptoms in both palliative care and dialysis groups, and were also among the most intense symptoms.
Abstract: Palliative care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is developing in Hong Kong. This is the first local study to explore the symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) of ESRD patients on chronic dialysis and palliative care. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted on ESRD patients in a hospital in Hong Kong from January 2006 to April 2007. Data collected included demographics, socioeconomic status, modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), prevalence and intensity of 23 ESRD-related symptoms as rated by numerical rating scale (0-10), Brief Pain Inventory and QOL by MOS SF-36. A total of 179 ESRD patients completed the study; 45 patients (25.1%) were in the palliative care group and 134 patients (74.9%) in the dialysis group. The palliative care group were older (73.1 +/- 7.1 vs 58.2 +/- 11.4 years, P < 0.001), had marginally higher modified CCI (8.5 +/- 1.9 vs 6.1 +/- 2.4, P = 0.05), had more diabetics (62.2 vs 35.8%, P < 0.001) and were of poorer socioeconomic status than the dialysis group. The mean number of symptoms was 8.2 +/- 3.9 and 9.3 +/- 4.7 in the palliative care and the dialysis group, respectively (P = NS). Fatigue, cold aversion, pruritus, lower torso weakness and difficulty sleeping were the five most prevalent symptoms in both groups, and were also among the most intense symptoms. QOL was significantly impaired in both groups. Scores of all QOL domains correlated negatively with the number of symptoms (P < 0.001). Our ESRD patients under palliative care and dialysis had overlapping symptom prevalence and intensity, significant symptom burden and impaired QOL.

255 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The menopausal transition showed little impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL) when adjusted for symptoms, medical conditions, and stress.
Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to examine changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL) during the menopausal transition, controlling for chronological aging, symptoms, and other covariates. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal study of women aged 42 to 52 years at baseline recruited at seven US sites (N = 3,302) in the multiethnic Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Women eligible for the cohort had an intact uterus, had at least one ovary, were not currently using exogenous hormones, were either premenopausal or early perimenopausal, and were self-identified as one of the study's designated racial/ethnic groups. Data from the baseline interview and six annual follow-up visits are reported. HRQL was assessed with five subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey, with reduced functioning defined as being in the lowest 25% on a subscale. Covariates included symptoms, medical conditions, sociodemographics variables, physical activity, and psychological factors. Results With adjustment for baseline age, chronological aging, and relevant covariates, the odds of reduced role-physical functioning were significantly greater at late perimenopause (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.08-1.99) and postmenopause (odds ratio, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.09-2.04) compared with premenopause. Menopause status was unrelated to bodily pain, vitality, role-emotional, or social functioning. Hormone therapy users were more likely to report reduced functioning. Other variables significantly related to HRQL across all domains included vasomotor symptoms, urine leakage, poor sleep, arthritis, depressed mood, perceived stress, and stressful life events. Conclusions The menopausal transition showed little impact on HRQL when adjusted for symptoms, medical conditions, and stress.

255 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is considerable evidence for the major damage done to QoL by MD which is underestimated by health status and utility measures, and difficulties associated with inappropriate use of health status measures and misinterpretation of utility values asQoL measures are considered.
Abstract: The Age-related Macular Degeneration Alliance International commissioned a review of the literature on quality of life (QoL) in macular degeneration (MD) with a view to increasing awareness of MD, reducing its impact and improving services for people with MD worldwide. A systematic review was conducted using electronic databases, conference proceedings and key journal hand search checks. The resulting 'White Paper' was posted on the AMD Alliance website and is reproduced here. MD is a chronic, largely untreatable eye condition which leads to loss of central vision needed for tasks such as reading, watching TV, driving, recognising faces. It is the most common cause of blindness in the Western world. Shock of diagnosis, coupled with lack of information and support are a common experience. Incidence of depression is twice that found in the community-dwelling elderly, fuelled by functional decline and loss of leisure activities. Some people feel suicidal. MD threatens independence, especially when comorbidity exacerbates functional limitations. Rehabilitation, including low vision aid (LVA) provision and training, peer support and education, can improve functional and psychological outcomes but many people do not receive services likely to benefit them. Medical treatments, suitable for only a small minority of people with MD, can improve vision but most limit progress of MD, at least for a time, rather than cure. The White Paper considers difficulties associated with inappropriate use of health status measures and misinterpretation of utility values as QoL measures: evidence suggests they have poor validity in MD. There is considerable evidence for the major damage done to QoL by MD which is underestimated by health status and utility measures. Medical treatments are limited to a small proportion of people. However, much can be done to improve QoL by early diagnosis of MD with good communication of prognosis and continuing support. Support could include provision of LVAs, peer support, education and effective help in adjusting to MD. It is vital that appropriate measures of visual function and QoL be used in building a sound evidence base for the effectiveness of rehabilitation and treatment.

255 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the association of DPN and DPN-P with other diabetic complications, the impact on quality of life (QoL) and pain management were also investigated, and two validated tools (Neuropen (R) and DN4 questionnaire) were used to diagnose the two conditions.

254 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
202234
20213,682
20203,334
20192,964
20182,699
20172,902