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.

Measuring quality of life in stroke.

Abstract: Little attention has been focused on quality of life in stroke outcome research. The purpose of this review is to outline the meaning of the concept, describe important methodological issues and methods of assessment, review existing quality of life measures, and discuss criteria for selecting an appropriate instrument.The following 10 quality of life instruments were reviewed: COOP Charts; Euroqol; Frenchay Activities Index; Karnofsky Performance Status Scale; McMaster Health Index Questionnaire; Medical Outcomes Study 20-Item Short-Form Health Survey; Nottingham Health Profile; Quality of Life Index; Quality of Well-being Scale; and the Sickness Impact Profile. They were evaluated in terms of length, time needed to complete, content, scoring, and psychometric characteristics.Emphasis should be placed on further psychometric evaluation of existing quality of life measures rather than on generating new instruments. There is particular need for supplementary data on the responsiveness of the instruments to...

Patient burden and quality of life in atopic dermatitis in US adults: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract: Background The patient burden and quality of life (QOL) impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the United States population is not well established. Objective To elucidate the patient burden of AD in the US population. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based study of 602 adults was performed. Atopic dermatitis was determined using modified UK Diagnostic Criteria for AD. Its severity was assessed using self-reported global AD severity, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), Patient-Oriented Scoring AD (PO-SCORAD), PO-SCORAD-itch, and sleep. Quality of life was assessed using short-form (SF-)12 mental and physical health scores and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results Adults with AD reported higher proportions of having only fair/poor overall health (25.8% vs. 15.8%), being somewhat/very dissatisfied with life (16.7% vs 11.4%), lower weighted mean (standard deviation [SD]) SF-12 mental (45.9 [9.9] vs 50.9 [9.2]) and physical health subscores (53.0 [2.5] vs 53.5 [2.3]) and higher DLQI (4.9 [6.5] vs 1.1 [2.8]). In multivariable regression models adjusting for sociodemographics and multiple comorbid health disorders, significant stepwise decreases by AD severity (self-reported, POEM, PO-SCORAD) of overall health, life satisfaction, SF-12 mental health, and increases of DLQI scores were seen. The SF-12 physical health scores were only associated with moderate AD. Concurrently, severe PO-SCORAD, POEM, or PO-SCORAD-itch was associated with very low mean SF-12 mental health (34.7) and high DLQI scores (24.7). Atopic dermatitis commonly limited lifestyle (51.3%), led to avoidance of social interaction (39.1%), and impacted activities (43.3%). The most burdensome AD symptoms were itch (54.4%), excessive dryness/scaling (19.6%), and red/inflamed skin (7.2%). Conclusion These data support the heavy burden that AD places on patients, particularly those with moderate and severe AD.

Randomized controlled trial of the effects of aerobic exercise on physical functioning and quality of life in lymphoma patients

Abstract: Purpose Lymphoma patients commonly experience declines in physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) that may be reversed with exercise training. Patients and Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, between 2005 and 2008 that stratified 122 lymphoma patients by major disease type and current treatment status and randomly assigned them to usual care (UC; n = 62) or 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise training (AET; n = 60). Our primary end point was patient-rated physical functioning assessed by the Trial Outcome Index-Anemia. Secondary end points were overall QoL, psychosocial functioning, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition. Results Follow-up assessment for our primary end point was 96% (117 of 122) at postintervention and 90% (110 of 122) at 6-month follow-up. Median adherence to the supervised exercise program was 92%. At postintervention, AET was superior to UC for patient-rated physical functioning (mean group difference, +9.0; 95% CI, 2.0 to ...

Exergames for subsyndromal depression in older adults: a pilot study of a novel intervention.

Abstract: Objectives Subsyndromal depression (SSD) is several times more common than major depression in older adults and is associated with significant negative health outcomes. Physical activity can improve depression, but adherence is often poor. The authors assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term efficacy and safety of a novel intervention using exergames (entertaining video games that combine game play with exercise) for SSD in older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults (N = 19, aged 63–94 years) with SSD participated in a 12-week pilot study (with follow-up at 20–24 weeks) of Nintendo's Wii sports, with three 35-minute sessions a week. Results Eight-six percent of enrolled participants completed the 12-week intervention. There was a significant improvement in depressive symptoms, mental health-related quality of life (QoL), and cognitive performance but not physical health-related QoL. There were no major adverse events, and improvement in depression was maintained at follow-up. Conclusions The findings provide preliminary indication of the benefits of exergames in seniors with SSD. Randomized controlled trials of exergames for late-life SSD are warranted.