Quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis C after PEG-Interferon a-2a therapy

Health-related quality of life (QOL) is defined as a patient's subjective perception of his or her own health. Insufficient data exist on QOL of patients who undergo a hallux valgus (HV) operation. We used a 36-item short form survey (SF-36) to measure QOL of such patients. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of HV on QOL and to identify QOL determinants. Fifty patients who underwent surgery for HV between 2015 and 2017 were included in the study. The SF-36 questionnaire was applied to the patients before and after surgery. Patients' medical records were examined to identify possible factors affecting QOL such as age, gender, body mass index, duration of symptoms, or smoking. The mean age of the patients was 55.6 ± 3.8 years, and 42 of the 50 patients were women. The mean duration of disease was 12 ± 3.7 years. The surgery improved QOL scores for general health, emotional well-being, role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, physical functioning and bodily pain. However, the changes in scores for vitality and social functioning were not statistically significant. Lower postoperative QOL scores for emotional well-being and bodily pain were significantly associated with age and duration of the symptoms. Compared to the mean QOL of healthy adult Turkish population, all scores in subdimensions were lower. This study shows that HV in adults has a negative impact on general health, bodily pain, physical functioning, physical and emotional well-being rather than social well-being and vitality.

The article analyzes the physical and psychological components of the quality of life (QOL) in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DP) on the background of type I and II diabetes mellitus (DM) with comorbidity. Has been demonstrated the prevalence of more frequent multimorbidity in this nosology and its effect on patients’ QOL. QOL is recognized as an integral part of a comprehensive analysis of new methods of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, quality of treatment and medical assistance [2]. With the highest frequency in DM detect sensory or sensorimotor forms of distal symmetrical DP. However, there are motor symptoms in DM, including cranial neuropathy and Bruns-Garland syndrome (diabetic amyotrophy) [3], which interfere with the satisfactory functioning of patients. The purpose of our work was to assess the extent of physical and mental functioning of people with DP on the background of multimorbidity. Materials and methods. We examined 92 patients with DP on the background of type I and II DM, aged from 19 to 69 years, which were divided into 2 groups: from DP on the background of type 1 DM (group I) and type II (group II). We distinguished such subgroups: DP on the background of type I DM and concomitant cardiovascular pathology (CVP) (group A), DP on the background of type II DM and concomitant CVP (group B), DP on the background of type I DM and gastroenterological pathology (GEP) (group C), DP on the background of type II DM and GEP (group D), DP on the background of type I DM and pathology of the thyroid gland (thyroid) (group E), DP on the background of type II DM and thyroid pathology (group F). Patients underwent clinical and neurological examination, laboratory tests and ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity and thyroid gland, electromyography (EMG). Static calculation was done in MS Excel 2003. Results and discussion. In groups A and B with the highest frequency among CVP was arterial hypertension - 91% vs 97% and coronary heart disease - 27% vs 41%. In group C - chronic hepatitis (40%), chronic cholecystitis (40%), chronic pancreatitis (40%), chronic gastroduodenitis (40%). In people of group D, gallstone disease was diagnosed more often than in other pathologies (43%). The leading place in group E was occupied by autoimmune thyroiditis (29%), idiopathic hypothyroidism (29%), thyrotoxicosis (29%), in group F - nodular goiter (57%). The longest duration of DM was observed in group A - 24.54 ± 2.46 years, the smallest in group D - 7.14 ± 1.01 years. Diabetic foot syndrome was diagnosed in patients of groups A and B in 14%, group C - in 2%. In patients of group I, the indicators of QOL were higher than in group II. The highest indicators were of groups I and II in the domains social (SF) and physical functioning (PF) - 66.75 ± 2.41; 65.5 ± 3.23 and 63.39 ± 3.54; 61.42 ± 3.88. In group A, the level of QOL was slightly higher than in group B, in particular in the domains of mental health (MH) - 53.09 ± 3.12, bodily pain (BP) - 50.90 ± 4.05. In addition, the manifestations of DP in such group of individuals (group A) were manifested by the absence or mild pain, which causes in people of this group higher rate of QOL. QOL in patients of group C was higher than in group D, in particular, the indicators of physical functioning (PF) - 68.75 ± 5.88, social functioning (SF) - 65.62 ± 5.35, role emotional (RE) - 58.33 ± 18.75, mental health (MH) - 54 ± 5.36. In group D, the data were high in the domains of social functioning (SF) 60.71 ± 16.0 and physical functioning (PF) 57.14 ± 8.37. In the examined patients of group F the level of QOL was higher than in group E, it was, in the domains of physical functioning (PF) - 76.42 ± 7.99, bodily pain (BP) - 61.28 ± 11.18, general health (GH) - 60.85 ± 7.33. Physical health (PH) was low in all groups, but slightly higher in group F (47.90 ± 3.45). The mental health (MH) was low in all groups of patients, slightly higher in group C (47.89 ± 3.59). Conclusions. The level of QOL in persons with DP on the background of type I and II DM with multimorbidity was generally not high. Patients in group D showed the lowest levels of QOL, they also had a level of glycated hemoglobin much higher than in other groups. In group F, the data of QOL were higher, because people with DP on the background of type I DM (group E) had a higher frequency of concomitant thyroid damage, the manifestations of which significantly complicate the course of the underlying disease and reduce levels of functioning. Often manifestations of diabetic foot occur in the onset of DP, when the fibers responsible for sensitivity were damaged, which causes the appearance of the neuropathic component of pain, so in persons of group B the lowest among all groups was the level of QOL in the domain of pain intensity. In addition, it was convenient to monitor the results of treatment by conducting a QOL survey several times a year. Careful analysis of QOL in all areas of functioning in patients with DP allowed detecting early mental disorders and timely start treatment, including psychotherapy sessions. Keywords: quality of life, diabetic polyneuropathy, comorbidity, diabetic foot.

To investigate the quality of life ( QOL) of inpatients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis( CWP) and analyse its influential factors, and to provide a theoretical basis for effective control measures. Eighty-eight CWP patients in a hospital were included in the study. A questionnaire survey was conducted in them using a self-designed QOL scale. A database was established by software EpiData3.1, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed by software SPSS 16.0. Of the 88 patients, 73( 82.9%) had middle-level QOL, with a mean QOL loss rate of 36.2%; the loss rates of physical function and somatic sensation were the highest ( 44.2% and 41.5%). The patients with stage II CWP had significantly lower physical function than those with stage I and III CWP; the physical function and social function of patients significantly decreased with age; the personal income, household income, and housing condition of the patients had a marked impact on their physical and psychological functions, and the housing condition and education level had a marked impact on their social function. The multivariate analysis showed that old age, low income,and poor housing condition were the main adverse factors for the QOL of inpatients with CWP. The QOL of inpatients with CWP declines significantly, and their QOL is related to the age, income, and satisfaction with housing condition.

Health-related quality of life in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis has become a fundamental criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, promoting the overall well-being of this population. The study aims to identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis in Huancayo, Peru, from September to November 2022. Observational, descriptive, single-center, cross-sectional study in which sociodemographic data associated with health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients were identified using the SF-36 instrument. The SF-36 questionnaire on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was administered to 88 hemodialysis patients, of whom 68.2% were men, and 87.5% were undergoing outpatient dialysis. The main cause of chronic kidney disease was hypertension, affecting 46.6% of participants. Additionally, 80.7% had been on hemodialysis treatment for less than five years. In the bivariate analysis, significant differences were observed in the vitality dimension concerning educational level (p = 0.011) and sex (p = 0.049). Likewise, there was a significant difference between the average values of the emotional role dimension (p = 0.038) of the SF-36 in the nutritional status levels and a significant difference between the average total scores of the SF-36 in the salary levels (p = 0.048). The multivariate analysis identified correlations between nutritional status and pain; educational level and vitality; nutritional status and physical role; economic income; educational level and social function; and nutritional status and emotional role. Patients on hemodialysis have a total health-related quality of life score ranging from low to moderate (90.8%). The factors associated with a lower quality of life are being male, poor nutrition, low educational level, and a poor emotional state. Early identification of these factors will allow the development of interventions to improve these patients' quality of life. It is crucial to design interventions focused on improving nutrition and preventing mental health disorders, paying special attention to men with low educational levels.

Objective: To explore the quality of life (QOL) of patients with spinal tumors and its influencing factors, so as to provide references for formulating targeted nursing interventions to improve their QOL. Methods: Eighty patients with spinal tumors admitted to our hospital from September 2022 to August 2023 were selected as the research subjects. All patients received surgical nursing care. Basic data of all patients were collected to identify the influencing factors of QOL in patients with spinal tumors, and logistic regression multivariate analysis was used for analysis. Results: The analysis showed that patients’ age, gender, number of involved vertebral bodies, concomitant underlying diseases, and primary tumors had no significant impact on the QOL of patients with spinal tumors (P > 0.05). However, factors such as pain severity, walking ability, self-care ability, physical function, social function, emotional role, and mental health were univariate influencing factors for QOL in these patients (P Conclusion: Clinical nursing should focus on early identification of factors such as pain severity, walking ability, self-care ability, physical function, social function, emotional role, and mental health. During the nursing care of spinal tumors, the impact of these factors should be emphasized, and targeted nursing interventions should be carried out to improve patients’ QOL.

Qol-P-03 - Quality of life in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a review of the literature

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly being used to treat patients in end-stage heart failure to facilitate survival to cardiac transplant or as a bridge to myocardial recovery. The technical innovation of the LVAD has a significant benefit on the patients' physical functioning. However, within the United Kingdom, there has been no systematic evaluation of the psychological adjustment and quality of life (QoL) of patients currently living with an LVAD, or of the differences in QoL for patients who are either explanted or transplanted. To assess the differences in QoL and psychological adjustment for current LVAD patients, patients who have been transplanted from an LVAD and patients in whom the device has been explanted. Twenty-two patients involved in an LVAD programme were recruited (18 men and four women; age range 18-60). Eight patients had an LVAD in situ, six patients had the LVAD explanted and eight had undergone transplantation. QoL and psychological functioning were assessed using previously validated measures. Although there were no significant differences between the three groups, there was a trend for the LVAD patients to have higher levels of anxiety and depression and a lower QoL compared with transplanted or explanted patients. For patients with an LVAD in situ, there was a trend for QoL and psychological functioning to be poorer than for transplanted and explanted patients. Larger studies will be needed to confirm these findings, but psychological assessment and interventions to reduce psychological morbidity and improve QoL will be important in these patients, particularly in view of the increasing numbers of LVADs being implanted and the possibility of their use for long-term "destination" therapy.

Knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of pain and functional limitation in adults. Neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) programs are designed to improve sensorimotor control and functional joint stabilization. This study evaluated the effects of a NEMEX program on pain, range of motion, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis patients. A repeated measure quasi-experimental study with a control group was conducted at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. Sixty adult knee osteoarthritis patients were conveniently sampled, with 30 in the intervention group receiving the NEMEX program and 30 in the control group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up using the Knee Range of Motion Assessment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and Knee Osteoarthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire. The general linear model (GLM) showed the intervention group had significant improvements in knee flexion (F = 44.106, η2 = 0.432), extension (F = 43.972, η2 = 0.431), and total range of motion (F = 69.411, η2 = 0.545) compared to controls (p < 0.001). Pain scores improved more in the intervention group (F = 201.037, η2 = 0.776). The intervention group also improved stiffness (F = 77.547, η2 = 0.572) and physical function (F = 127.420, η2 = 0.687). Physical activities (F = 164.155, η2 = 0.739) and mental health (F = 76.279, η2 = 0.568) showed significant group differences, but social functioning had a more negligible effect (F = 25.164, η2 = 0.303). These findings indicate that the NEMEX program effectively improved the range of motion, reduced pain, and enhanced quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, the effect on social functioning was more minor. The program appears to have positively impacted the physical and psychosocial aspects of the participants' health and well-being. These findings support incorporating NEMEX into Knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation to enhance functionality, lower discomfort, improve patient outcomes, and improve the general QOL for those managing this illness.

Although several studies have determined quality of life in patients with lung cancer, there is still little information about the use of generic questionnaires [e.g. the 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36)] and utility questionnaires [e.g. the EuroQOL instrument (EQ-5D)] in this disease. To (i) measure quality of life and utility in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using the SF-36 and the EuroQOL questionnaires; (ii) to evaluate the impact of some clinical variables on quality of life and utility; (iii) to assess the correlation between the measurements produced by the 2 questionnaires. Cross-sectional study. 95 patients from 15 Italian hospitals with NSCLC (93% male, mean age 62 years) completed both questionnaires. The mean scores for the 8 domains of the SF-36 ranged from 20.8 (physical role) to 63.0 (social functioning). The mean physical and mental summed scores of the SF-36 were 36.8 [standard deviation (SD) 9.8] and 43.0 (SD 11.5), respectively. The EuroQOL mean score was 0.58 (SD 0.32) in the self-classifier (SC) version and 0.58 (SD 0.20) in the visual analogue scale (VAS) version. Among the clinical variables that affected quality of life and utility, the presence of metastasis had the greatest impact: patients with metastasis had statistically significantly lower scores for 2 domains of the SF-36 (physical functioning, p = 0.009; bodily pain, p = 0.016), for the physical component summed score of the SF-36 (p = 0.015) and for both utility estimates (EuroQOL-SC, p = 0.027; EuroQOL-VAS, p = 0.038) than patients without metastasis. Both the SC and VAS EuroQOL scores showed a statistically significant correlation with each of the 8 domains of the SF-36. The scores for both the SF-36 and the EuroQOL in patients with NSCLC were considerably worse (relative differences ranging from -8 to -73%) than the corresponding values (normative data) previously reported for healthy individuals. Our study quantified the degree to which quality of life is impaired in patients with NSCLC, showed that the presence of metastasis had an important role, and indicated a strong correlation between the measurements produced by the 2 questionnaires. The EuroQOL measurements obtained from these patients will aid evaluation of the cost-utility ratio for NSCLC therapies.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate effects of the antidepressant sertraline on executive function and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.Material/MethodsWe assigned 122 patients with stage III or IV cancer to the depressed group (DG, n=86) or the non-depressed group (NG, n=36). All subjects were given supportive treatment and patients in the DG received additional antidepressant treatment.ResultsThere were significant differences in total scores of the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), performance in the Wisconsin card sorting test, and SF-36 domains. After antidepressant treatment, the level of depression and anxiety decreased significantly in the DG, but was still significantly higher than in the NG. Low executive function was enhanced in the DG, but a worsening executive function was found in total errors in the NG (−2.3±3.8) (P<0.05). The dimensions of SF-36 in physical functioning (PF), role limitations-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role limitations-emotional (RE), and mental health (MH) were decreased significantly at baseline in the DG compared to the NG (P<0.01). After 12-week Sertraline treatment, improvement in the DG in factors VT, SF, RE, and MH were more powerful than in the NG (P<0.05). HAMA, HAMD, and VAS scores and tumor stage were significantly correlated to any one dimension of quality of life.ConclusionsDepression is an important cause of decreased quality of life and executive function in patients with advanced cancer. The antidepressant sertraline can improve the executive function and quality of life, which may be helpful in the clinical practice of cancer treatment.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Although studies in Western countries have investigated the quality of life (QoL) of heroin users, limited research on this topic has been conducted in Asia. The present study assessed QoL in patients with heroin dependence receiving medications to treat opioid use disorder. We performed a cross-sectional study of patients with heroin dependence receiving methadone and buprenorphine treatment. The demographic and substance use variables of patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine were compared. The Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12), Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Form Taiwan version (WHOQOL-BREF-T) were administered to measure patient mental health problems, addiction severity, and QoL, respectively. Multivariate regression was used to identify the factors associated with QoL. A total of 149 patients receiving methadone and 31 receiving buprenorphine completed the questionnaires. Individuals in the buprenorphine group were more likely to be married (p = 0.024) or employed (p = 0.024), have a higher educational level (p = 0.013), have lower drug craving (OCDUS: p = 0.035), or have higher QoL (WHOQOL-BREF-T: p = 0.004) than those in the methadone group. After adjustment for other variables, employment was positively associated with the physical, psychological, and environmental domains of QoL. Receiving buprenorphine treatment (p = 0.032) and longer treatment duration (p = 0.016) were associated with higher psychological QoL. Several factors were associated with QoL in patients with heroin dependence. Some measures may improve their QoL, such as reducing employment barriers, improving treatment adherence, or increasing accessibility to buprenorphine treatment.

Correlations between impairment, psychological distress, disability, and quality of life in peripheral facial palsy

To compare the effect of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery on the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the growth period after the operation, and to provide a reference for surgical treatment decisions of patients with CRC. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched through May 7, 2022 for clinical studies comparing the postoperative quality of life in CRC patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery with those who underwent open surgery. Data were extracted from eligible studies following rigorous quality review. All studies included patient numbers, surgery type, follow-up length, and quality of life scores. A total of 6 studies were included, resulting in significantly better physical functioning scores with laparoscopic versus open surgery. (Standardized mean difference = 0.45; 95% CI (0.15, 0.75), P = .003). However, in general health, social functioning, bodily pain, vitality, quality of life index, Global Quality Scale, physical component summary and mental component summary, there was no telling difference between the 2 surgical therapies. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has weak advantages. There was no noteworthy difference in the long-term quality of life between the 2 surgical treatments for CRC patients. Whether laparoscopic surgery can bring more improvement to the quality of life of patients with CRC needs more high-quality clinical randomized studies to verify.

Quality of Life Scores Improve with Increasing Hemoglobin but Optimal Thresholds Vary According to Transfusion Dependence and Clinical Risk Scores: A Canadian Cross Sectional Study of 689 Patients with 2969 Measurements