A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Quality of Life Among Healthcare Professionals in North-Central Saudi Arabia: Implications for Workforce Well-Being and Policy Development

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the demographic factors affecting Quality Of Life (QOL) of hemodialysis (HD) patients.Methods: This observational study was conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore. Patients of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and on maintenance HD for more than three months were included during the period March to June 2012. Patient of ESRD not on dialysis and Acute Renal Failure were excluded. One hundred and twenty five patients who fulfilled the criteria were included. Demographic data containing age, sex, residence, socio economic status, education, mode of traveling for dialysis, total time consumed in dialysis were collected by the investigators. QOL index was measured using 26 items, WHO QOL BREF.Results: There were 89(71.2%) male and 36(28.8%) female patients. Environmental domain score was highest (p=0.000) than all other domains in HD Patients. In overall analysis age, marital status and total time consumed in getting HD effect QOL significantly (p=<0.05). In domain wise analysis, male has better QOL in social relationship domain than female. Age has negative relationship with physical health and psychological health domain. QOL of unmarried and literate patients is significantly better (p=<0.05) in physical health domain. Employed patients have better QOL in physical, psychological and social relationship domain (p=<0.05) than unemployed patients. Patients of residence of rural areas have better QOL in physical and environment domain. Financial status of HD patients affect QOL in social domain. Distance covered to reach hospital effect QOL in psychological domain (p=<0.05). Patients traveling in private transport have better QOL in environmental domain (p=<0.05). Total time consumed in getting HD effect social relation in QOL (p=<0.05). According to linear regression model, marital status is positive predictor and unemployment is negative predictor of QOL in physical health domain. Age is negative predictor of QOL in psychological domain, monthly income is positive predictor of QOL in domain. Unemployment is positive predictor of QOL in social relation domain. Monthly income and place of residence is positive predictor of QOL in environment domain.Conclusion: Gender, age, marital status, unemployment, residence of rural area, economical status, distance covered to reach hospital, mode of transport, total time consumed in getting HD, effect QOL in HD patient. Education level is a positive factor for improving QOL of HD patients.

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease marked by social and repetitive or restricted behaviors, as well as communication difficulty. Objectives This survey aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) of parents with ASDs in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia using the brief form of the World Health Organization (WHO-QOL) questionnaire. Furthermore, we sought to measure the severity of discrimination experienced by parents of children with ASDs and their impact on QoL. Methodology Using a Google form, a cross-sectional study was carried out online between March and April 2023. The patient records from four different regions of Saudi Arabia were used to recruit study participants. The survey was distributed through well-known social media channels (Instagram, Telegram, Facebook). Results A total of 99 parents were included in this study. The Southern region accounted for the bulk of participants (81.8%, n=81), nearly three-fourths of the children were boys (70.7%), mothers were more common among respondents (65.7%, n=65) than fathers, 66.7% of respondents reported being married, and 78.8% fall into the middle economic class category. The main source of information among the studied population was the Internet (39.4%, n=39), followed by relatives (23.0%, n=23), physicians (8.1%, n=9), and finally books (4%, n=4). The mean scores for the various domains are as follows: physical (58.48 ± 13.84), psychological (62.04 ± 18.08), social relations (61.20 ± 23.24), environment (24.12 ± 14.62), general QoL (72.93 ± 4.30), and general health (73.94 ± 4.63). Nearly half (46.5%) of parents have encountered stigma or discrimination toward their child or family. Individuals who reported experiencing discrimination exhibited significantly lower mean scores in multiple QoL domains than those who did not report discrimination for physical (54.11, ± 14.36vs, 62.26±12.28, p=0.003), psychological (55.80 ± 20.33 vs 67.45 ± 13.94, p=0.002), and social relations (55.43± 24.17 vs 66.20 ± 21.40, p=0.022). Multivariate analysis revealed that discrimination was the only significant predictor of QoL (p < 0.001). Conclusions The QoL of parents having a child with autism is low, moreover, the coincidence of discrimination and stigma significantly lowered QoL.

Background and ObjectivesPrevalence of nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) has increased along with a growing consensus that person-centered ADRD care in nursing homes should maximize quality of life (QoL). However, concerns about whether residents with ADRD can make appropriate QoL judgments persist. This study assesses the stability and sensitivity of a self-reported, multidomain well-being QoL measure for nursing home residents with and without ADRD.Research Design and MethodsThis study linked the 2012–2015 Minnesota Nursing Home Resident QoL and Satisfaction with Care Survey, Minimum Data Set 3.0 (nursing home assessments), and Minnesota Department of Human Services Cost Reports. The QoL survey included cohort–resident pairs who participated for 2 consecutive years (N = 12 949; 8 803 unique residents from 2012–2013, 2013–2014, and 2014–2015 cohorts). Change in QoL between 2 years was conceptualized as stable when within 1.5 SD of the sample average. We used linear probability models to estimate associations of ADRD/Cognitive Function Scale status with the stability of QoL summary and domain scores (eg, social engagement) and the absolute change in QoL summary score, controlling for resident and facility characteristics.ResultsMost (86.82%) residents had stable QoL summary scores. Residents with moderate to severe cognitive impairment, irrespective of ADRD, were less likely to have stable summary scores than cognitively capable residents without ADRD (p < .001), but associations varied by QoL domains. Among those with stable summary QoL scores, changes in health/functional status were associated with absolute changes in summary QoL score (p < .001), suggesting sensitivity of the QoL measure.Discussion and ImplicationsQoL scores were similarly stable over time for most residents with and without ADRD diagnoses and were sensitive to changes in health/functional status. This self-reported QoL measure may be appropriate for nursing home residents, regardless of ADRD diagnosis, and can efficaciously be recommended to other states.

IntroductionInfertile patients are more likely to experience psychiatric illnesses than fertile patients, therefore it is important to have early intervention for psychiatric illnesses in infertile patients.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the clinical factors affecting psychological distress and quality of life (QoL), and investigate the association between psychological distress and QoL in infertile women.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 100 infertile women who voluntarily agreed to participate at their first visit from November 2018 to May 2019. Psychological distress and QoL were evaluated using the 2 questionnaires (SCREENIVF and FertiQoL) specifically designed for infertility.ResultsThe prevalence screening positive for anxiety and depression risk were 42% and 29%, respectively. The number of miscarriage and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments were significantly associated with helplessness risk factor. Furthermore, women with 2 or more IVF treatments had lower emotional, and mind/body QoL domain scores than women with less than 2 IVF treatments. Regarding the association between the levels of psychological distress and QoL in infertile women, the largest association was observed between helplessness risk factor and mind/body QoL domain (r=-0.795, p < 0.001). Patients with more risk factors for psychological distress had the worse emotional, and mind/body QoL domain scores.ConclusionsThe levels of psychological distress were significantly associated with QoL in infertile women. These psychologically vulnerable infertile women may receive psychological evaluations and interventions from various angles with conventional treatments for infertility.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

There is no study on the quality of life (QOL) of parents of children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although QOL is increasingly gaining more attention and the interactions between children and their parents are bi-directional. The aim of the present study was therefore to survey the QOL of parents of children with ADHD in Hong Kong, and explore the relationships of sociodemographic and clinical variables with QOL. Seventy-seven parents of children with ADHD were consecutively selected and the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the parents and their children were assessed. Compared with the general population in Hong Kong, significantly lower scores in physical, psychological, social and environmental QOL domains were found in the parents of children with ADHD. On multivariate analysis, for the children with ADHD, the severity of emotional and hyperactivity/inattention symptoms, and having a comorbid pervasive developmental disorder were significantly correlated with one or more domains of QOL; while for the parents, educational level, household monthly income and having major medical conditions were significantly correlated with one or more domains of QOL. Parents of children with ADHD have low QOL and research is needed to understand the underlying problems.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of life in one way or the other may it be physical, mental or spiritual. The consequences following COVID-19 had a significant effect on quality of life (QOL) of all the people irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Methods: The present study was conducted among health care professionals (HCPs) in a tertiary care hospital in Jammu city of UT of Jammu and Kashmir. To measure the mental health, DASS-21 scale was used to ascertain the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress. To assess the quality of life, the tool used was World Health Organisation quality of life scale (WHO QOL- BREF). Results: The data thus collected was analysed and chi square test was used as a test of significance. A total of 250 health care professionals were assessed and prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was found to be 51.2%, 18% and 45.2% respectively. Gender was significantly associated with anxiety (p&lt;0.05) while education levels had a statistically significant associated with anxiety and stress (p&lt;0.05). All domains of QOL were found to be on higher side among male health care professionals and respondents living in urban areas. There was a statistically significant association between QOL and level of education (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The study has demonstrated that COVID-19 was negatively related to health care professionals’ mental health and QOL. In this context authors recommend targeted interventions to ameliorate both mental health as well as QOL.

Background: The number of people suffering from Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is continuously rising. Chronic diseases, especially for the elderly population, have an immense impact on quality of life (QoL), which serves as a crucial indicator of overall health and well-being. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the QoL of elderly T2DM patients and identify the associations between demographic factors and QoL domains. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to July 2024 at Mayo Hospital Lahore, involving 94 Out door T2DM patients aged 60 years and above. Using Urdu version of demographic and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, data collection involved self-administration or one-on-one interviews. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 by conducting t-test, ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey test, and correlation coefficient. Results: The findings showed a mixed picture of QoL. While 38% of elderly diabetic patients expressed satisfaction with their health and 40% reported a good QoL, an almost equal number expressed dissatisfaction (39%), with 29% of people denoting their life quality as poor. Significant positive correlations (p-values &lt;0.001) existed among all QoL domains. Physical (47.32) and environmental (48.38) domains displayed lower average scores compared to psychological (53.24) and social (53.37) domains. Considerable associations were found between QoL domains and demographic factors.Older age, lower income, unemployment, loss of spouse, and duration of diabetes (&gt;10 years)negatively impacted QoL. Hypertension and CVDs had no considerable impact on overall life quality of elderly T2DM patients. Conclusions: Chronic conditions like DM affect the QoL of elderly patients but the QoL varies across domains and individuals due to factors like age and duration of disease. Lower mean scores of environmental and physical domains with significant correlations among demographic influences and domains were noted.

This study assessed quality of life (QOL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of 203 adolescents with cerebral palsy (111 males, 92 females; mean age 16y [SD 1y 9mo]). Participants were classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), as Level I (n=60), Level II (n=33), Level III (n=28), Level IV (n=50), or Level V (n=32). QOL was assessed by self (66.5%) or by proxy (33.5%) with the Quality of Life Instrument for People With Developmental Disabilities, which asks about the importance and satisfaction associated with the QOL domains of Being, Belonging, and Becoming; HRQOL was captured through proxy reports with the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3 (HUI3), which characterizes health in terms of eight attributes, each having five or six ordered levels of function. GMFCS level was not a source of variation for QOL domain scores but was significantly associated with the eight HRQOL attributes and overall HUI3 utility scores (p<0.05). Some QOL domain scores varied significantly by type of respondent (self vs proxy; p<0.05). Overall HUI3 utility values were significantly but weakly correlated with QOL Instrument scores for Being (r=0.37), Belonging (r=0.17), Becoming (r=0.20), and Overall QOL (r=0.28), and thus explain up to 14% of the variance (r(2)). These findings suggest that although QOL and HRQOL are somewhat related conceptually, they are different constructs and need to be considered as separate dimensions of the lives of people with functional limitations.

This study investigated whether spirituality/religiosity (S/R) plays an important role in the lives of cancer patients and in the work of health professionals who provide care for these patients. The correlations between spiritual quality of life (QOL) and the other QOL domain scores of patients and health professionals were also assessed. Moreover, QOL domain scores were compared between patients and health professionals. In this cross-sectional study, 1050 participants (525 oncology patients and 525 health professionals) were interviewed. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization quality of life spiritual, religious, and personal beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB). To compare the groups with respect to the instruments’ domains, a quantile regression and an analysis of covariance model were used. The WHOQOL-Bref and WHOQOL-SRPB domains were correlated by performing Pearson and partial correlation tests. It was demonstrated that 94.1% of patients considered it important that health professionals addressed their spiritual beliefs, and 99.2% of patients relied on S/R to face cancer. Approximately, 99.6% of the patients reported that S/R support is necessary during cancer treatment; 98.3% of health professionals agreed that spiritual and religious support was necessary for oncology patients. Positive correlations between spiritual QOL and the other QOL domains were observed. When compared among themselves, patients exhibited significantly higher levels of spiritual QOL. In conclusion, S/R was an important construct in the minds of cancer patients and health professionals. Both groups often use S/R resources in their daily lives, which seems to positively affect their perceptions of QOL. Further studies are needed to determine how health professionals effectively address S/R during oncology practice.

370 Background: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines quality of life (QOL) as “overall enjoyment of life.” Increasingly, cancer treatments like chemotherapy are focused on not only increasing survival time but on maintaining and/or improving QOL. Interpersonal support has been shown to have an impact on QOL. Assessment of both can help focus efforts to improve quality of care for cancer patients. Methods: This study enrolled patients from the Lifespan Cancer Institute at The Miriam Hospital (TMH) in Rhode Island who were adults 18+ and on chemotherapy infusion treatment with an active cancer diagnosis. Patients were randomly selected for an in-person interview during scheduled chemotherapy infusion appointments from February 9 to April 26, 2024. We collected patient demographics and study staff administered the 16-item Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) and 12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL). Results: Of 432 total eligible cancer patients at TMH, 96 (22%) completed the prospective survey. The average (SD) age was 68.4 years old (10.3). The majority of patients were male (51%), Caucasian (80%), married (65%), on Medicare (62%), diagnosed in 2023 or 2024 (59%), and the most common cancers were gastrointestinal (30%), genitourinary (24%), and breast (17%). Overall, patients demonstrate mostly high satisfaction in certain QOL and interpersonal support domains with variation across others. Over 80% of patients are “delighted” or “pleased” with their material comforts, close family and friends, entertainment, and independence. However, approximately 50% of patients report a mixed or worse level of satisfaction with their health, participation in organizations/public affairs, and active recreation and varying levels of satisfaction with other QOL domains. Over 60% of patients report the highest level of perceived interpersonal support across all domains (appraisal, belonging, tangible) with indication of stronger appraisal support compared to belonging and tangible. Conclusions: Our results indicate a strong satisfaction among patients with their close interpersonal networks rather than external affairs or activities. Satisfaction with health and active recreation among chemotherapy patients is much more variable. These findings suggest possible benefits of wellness and health maintenance programs during treatment. Lowest areas of interpersonal support indicate a need to build more comprehensive support resources for tangible tasks like moving, assisting with chores, or other physical activities and building support groups to increase belonging. Opportunities to build community among chemotherapy patients or utilize clinical social workers will likely improve satisfaction in many of the more low and variable QOL and interpersonal support domains, particularly for patients navigating a new or first-ever cancer diagnosis.

Aim: To find associations between types of activity participated in by healthy Asian retirees and 7 quality of life (QOL) domains. Methods: Fiftyfour retireeswere recruited. An inventory of 16 types of activity was used. Satisfaction levels on QOL domains were measured using modified Comprehensive QOL Scale Adult questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed. Results: Socialactivities had positive impact on material well-being, health, productivity, and safety satisfaction. Participation in fine art and travel activities also reportedhigher satisfaction in QOL domains. Conclusion: Social engagement is crucial inenhancing QOL. Artistic and travel activities help retirees build closer relationships with others.

To identify quality of life (QoL) domains and subdomains relevant to patients with different spondyloarthritis (SpA) subtypes in Singapore, and to assess how identified QoL domains and subdomains map onto currently used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Nine focus group discussions (FGDs), including two previously conducted FGDs from the Updating the Psoriatic Arthritis Core Domain Set Study, were conducted with patients with SpA in Singapore. The FGDs were organized by SpA subtype and language spoken. All FGDs were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim. After thematic analysis through open and axial coding, the domains were organized using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) framework. Identified QoL domains and subdomains were mapped to currently used PROMs. The nine FGDs included 51 patients. In total, 27 domains and 92 subdomains were identified and then organized within the 7 broad categories of the WHOQOL framework. Patients in Singapore were more concerned about "financial resources, " "work satisfaction" and "positive feelings" while less concerned about "freedom, physical safety and security" than patients in Western countries. "Home environment" and "work satisfaction" emerged as unique QoL domains relevant to patients with axial SpA (axSpA). PROMs for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can capture both identified domains of PsA and axSpA. A wide range of QoL domains and subdomains are relevant to SpA patients in Singapore, and there appears to be minimal differences in their relative importance between SpA subtypes. This study supports the development and validation of common QoL-specific PROMs for usage in SpA.

Introduction: Outcomes in clinical research are often reduced to a dichotomous “good” or “poor” outcome. Quality of life (QOL), however, may be different across domains (mobility, applied cognition, etc.). Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that a typical definition of “good outcome” would be representative of some domains of QOL, but not others. Methods: We prospectively identified patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracerebral hemorrhage. We obtained functional outcomes with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS, a validated clinical scale from 0, no symptoms to 6, death) at three months with a validated questionnaire and used the NIH clinical trials definition of mRS 0-2 as “good outcome.” Simultaneously, we obtained multiple domains of QOL with NIH Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and Neuro-QOL with computer adaptive questionnaires. We matched QOL scores to the mRS at that time. We performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of QOL scores compared to good outcome. Results: Of 143 patients identified, 104 were known to be alive at 28 days, and we collected QOL data in 78 of these. At three months, mobility QOL scores were strongly associated with good outcome, (area under the curve [AUC] estimate 0.91, 95%CI 0.8 - 1, P<0.001), and applied cognition - executive function scores were associated with good outcome (AUC 0.82, 95%CI 0.62 - 1, P=0.007). Conversely, depression QOL scores were not related to good outcome (AUC 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 - 0.5, P=0.08), nor was fatigue (AUC 0.29, 95% CI 0.05 - 0.5, P=0.1). Results at 28 days were similar to three months follow-up. Conclusions: Compared to the standard dichotomous mRS, “good outcome” represents good mobility and applied cognition QOL, but is not associated with depression (accepted as an important complication after critical care and stroke) or fatigue. Global “good outcome” scores may miss important domains of QOL. Reporting domain-specific outcomes is likely to provide a more complete understanding of outcomes in clinical research, as certain interventions or complications may impact different domains of QOL.

Associations of Quality of Life with Treatment Burden, Treatment Quality, and Antiretroviral Therapy Process in HIV Patients in Uganda

Problematic use of internet (PUI) may have negative impacts on psychological distress and quality of life (QoL). This situation might be more profound in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to poorer behavioral control and regulatory capacity. However, there is little evidence regarding mediated effects in the associations between PUI, psychological distress, and QoL in people with ADHD. To investigate mediating effects of psychological distress in the associations of problematic smartphone use (PSPU), problematic use of social media (PUSM), and problematic gaming (PG) with QoL in individuals with ADHD. PUI behaviors of participants with ADHD (n = 99) were assessed using the Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder-Short Form. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale and QoL using the Kid-KINDL. Psychological distress mediated the associations between PUI and different domains of QoL, except for self-esteem QoL. There were also positively direct effects between PG and physical QoL, PUSM and friends' QoL, and PSPU and physical QoL. PUI may associate with poor QoL in people with ADHD via psychological distress. Programs on reducing PUI for people with ADHD are needed.