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.

Determinants of quality of life in patients with psoriasis: A study from the US population

Abstract: Background Psoriasis is a common disease with substantial effects on quality of life. Few quality of life studies have been performed in psoriasis patients from the general US population. Objective To describe the determinants of quality of life in psoriasis patients from the US population. Methods Patients were randomly selected from the US population. Patients who identified themselves as having been diagnosed with psoriasis by a physician were invited to complete a more detailed survey about quality of life. Results Two hundred sixty-six psoriasis patients from the US population completed the detailed survey. Body surface area showed the strongest association with decrements in quality of life (Spearman 0.50, P Conclusion Patients with more extensive skin involvement have greater reductions in quality of life. Female patients and young patients are affected to a greater extent.

Physical and Psychological Morbidity After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection for Breast Cancer

Abstract: PURPOSE: Alternatives to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) are being developed amid controversy surrounding the therapeutic benefit and overall utility of this routine surgical procedure. Although potential negative side effects associated with ALND are known, we set out to examine whether these side effects contribute significantly to patient reports of quality of life and mental health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We surveyed 222 women who had received an ALND as part of breast cancer surgery. All women underwent a physical therapy assessment of range of arm/shoulder motion and completed the Modified Post-operative Pain Questionnaire, the Pain Disability Index, the McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Mental Health Inventory. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of the women experienced arm/shoulder pain, weakness, or numbness in the week before the interview, and range of motion of the affected arm/shoulder w...

Patient‐Validated Content of Epilepsy‐Specific Quality‐of‐Life Measurement

Abstract: Summary: Purpose: To study the effects of epilepsy from the patients’perspective and assist determination of content validity of health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) measures. Methods: We asked 81 consecutive patients with moderately severe epilepsy to list in order of importance their concerns of living with recurrent seizures. To minimize investigator bias, patients completed the procedure in a private setting without staff involvement. Results: Twenty-four distinct domains were generated by the patients. Concerns about driving (64%), independence (54%), employment (51%), social embarrassment (36%), medication dependence (33%), mood/stress (32%), and safety (31%) each were listed by >30% of patients. Driving was listed as the most important concern by 28% of patients, followed by employment (21%), independence (9%), safety (6%), antiepileptic-drug side effects (5%), seizure unpredictability (5%), and seizure aversion (5%). Conclusions: The effect of epilepsy on HRQOL is not vague or obscure from the patients’perspective but is defined by a limited number of domains. Independence is an important concern that may not be evaluated adequately by currently available HRQOL instruments.

Physical activity and quality of life in multiple sclerosis: Intermediary roles of disability, fatigue, mood, pain, self-efficacy and social support

Abstract: Physical activity has been associated with a small improvement in quality of life (QOL) among those with multiple sclerosis (MS). This relationship may be indirect and operate through factors such as disability, fatigue, mood, pain, self-efficacy and social support. The present study examined variables that might account for the relationship between physical activity and QOL in a sample (N = 292) of individuals with a definite diagnosis of MS. The participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days and then completed self-report measures of physical activity, QOL, disability, fatigue, mood, pain, self-efficacy and social support. The data were analysed using covariance modelling in Mplus 3.0. The model provided an excellent fit for the data (chi(2) = 51.33, df = 18, p < 0.001, standardised root mean squared residual = 0.03, comparative fit index = 0.98). Those who were more physically active reported lower levels of disability (gamma = -0.50), depression (gamma = -0.31), fatigue (gamma = -0.46) and pain (gamma = -0.19) and higher levels of social support (gamma = 0.20), self-efficacy for managing MS (gamma = 0.41), and self-efficacy for regular physical activity (gamma = 0.49). In turn, those who reported lower levels of depression (beta = -0.37), anxiety (beta = -0.15), fatigue (beta = -0.16) and pain (beta = -0.08) and higher levels of social support (beta = 0.26) and self-efficacy for controlling MS (beta = 0.17) reported higher levels of QOL. The observed pattern of relationships supports the possibility that physical activity is indirectly associated with improved QOL in individuals with MS via depression, fatigue, pain, social support and self-efficacy for managing MS.

Report of the Substudy Assessing the Impact of Neurocognitive Function on Quality of Life 5 Years After Cardiac Surgery

Abstract: Background and Purpose— The importance of perioperative cognitive decline has long been debated. We recently demonstrated a significant correlation between perioperative cognitive decline and long-term cognitive dysfunction. Despite this association, some still question the importance of these changes in cognitive function to the quality of life of patients and their families. The purpose of our investigation was to determine the association between cognitive dysfunction and long-term quality of life after cardiac surgery. Methods— After institutional review board approval and patient informed consent, 261 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled and followed for 5 years. Cognitive function was measured with a battery of tests at baseline, discharge, and 6 weeks and 5 years postoperatively. Quality of life was assessed with well-validated, standardized assessments at the 5-year end point. Results— Our results demonstrate significant correlations between cognitive funct...