Reduced quality of life in living kidney donors: association with fatigue, societal participation and pre-donation variables

Health related quality of life (HRQoL) of living kidney donors on average is good, but some donors experience a low HRQoL after donation. This study assessed the prevalence of reduced HRQoL and explored associations with pre‐ and post‐donation variables. 316 donors (response rate 74%) who donated a kidney between 1997 and 2009 filled in a questionnaire. HRQoL was measured using the Short‐Form 36; fatigue using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory; societal participation using the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation‐Participation. Donors on average had better HRQoL than the general population. However, 12% had a reduced physical (PCS) and 18% a reduced mental (MCS) HRQoL. Donors with reduced HRQoL reported greater fatigue (P < 0.01), lower societal participation (P < 0.01) and showed a trend towards statistical significance in experiencing more donor–recipient relationship changes (P = 0.07). Prior to donation, donors with reduced PCS had a higher BMI (P < 0.05) and more often smoked (P < 0.05). Donors with reduced MCS had higher expectations (P < 0.05). Reduced HRQoL is associated with higher BMI, smoking and higher expectations prior to donation. These results may be used to develop a screening instrument to select donors at high risk for reduced HRQoL.     

Quality of sleep and health-related quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleep complaints are common in haemodialysis patients. In the general population, insomnia impacts negatively on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of this study was to examine the association between quality of sleep and HRQoL in haemodialysis patients independent of known predictors of HRQoL. METHODS: Quality of sleep was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and HRQoL was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) in 89 haemodialysis patients. RESULTS: Sixty-three (71%) subjects were 'poor sleepers' (global PSQI >5). The SF-36 mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) correlated inversely with the global PSQI score (MCS, r = -0.28, P < 0.01; PCS, r = -0.45, P < 0.01). The PCS score also correlated with age (r = -0.24, P = 0.02), haemoglobin (r = 0.21, P = 0.048) and comorbidity (r = -0.40, P < 0.01), and mean PCS was lower in depressed subjects (26.2 vs 35.9, P = 0.02). Subjects with global PSQI >5 had a higher prevalence of depression, lower haemoglobin and lower HRQoL in all SF-36 domains. The global PSQI score was a significant independent predictor of the MCS and PCS after controlling for age, sex, haemoglobin, serum albumin, comorbidity and depression in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep is common in dialysis patients and is associated with lower HRQoL. We hypothesize that end-stage renal disease directly influences quality of sleep, which in turn impacts on HRQoL.     

Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients treated with hemodialysis in Serbia: influence of comorbidity, age, and income

The importance of measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) is being increasingly recognized, but few studies, especially from the Balkan region, have addressed this issue. The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate HRQoL in an outpatient university-affiliated dialysis facility in South Serbia; (ii) to determine the effects of age, presence of comorbidity, primary kidney disease, dose of HD, and family income; and (iii) to make comparisons of the HRQoL in Serbian patients on chronic HD with that reported by others previously. The study enrolled 192 patients on HD for more than 3 months. Comorbidity was assessed using the index of coexistent diseases (ICED), including two subindexes: index of disease severity (IDS) and index of physical impairment (IPI). Patient's self-assessment of HRQoL was measured by the 36-item short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), encompassing eight summary scales and two summary dimensions. Ten of the baseline variables had significant associations with parameters of HRQoL. Fitting these variables in linear regression models resulted in 41.9% variance for physical dimension of HRQoL (physical component summary score [PCS]), and 32.5% for mental dimension of HRQoL (mental component summary score [MCS]). However, statistically significant effect had only IDS, IPI, and age for PCS, and income of patients for MCS. We found that an increase in IDS score for one unit is associated with a decrease of PCS by 13.2%, and SF-36 score (total quality of life) by 15.2%. The increase of IPI score by one unit decreases PCS by 16.1% and SF-36 score by 17.5%. A 5-year increase in age is associated with a decrease of PCS by 3.1%, and SF-36 score by 3.8%. The monthly income increase of 10 euros per family member increases MCS by 5.2% and SF-36 score by 3.0%. HRQoL in patients on HD was found markedly impaired. Comorbid conditions have negative and statistically significant correlation with parameters of HRQoL, and could explain poor HRQoL to a remarkable extent. Older age and poor income substantially reduce HRQoL in HD patients.     

Health-related quality of life,depression and mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients in Turkey: seven-year experience of a center

Introduction: Impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and being in a depressive mood were found to be associated with increased mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We aimed to investigate the association between HRQoL, depression, other factors and mortality in PD patients. Materials and methods: Totally 171 PD patients were included and followed for 7 years in this prospective study. Results: Of 171 PD patients, 45 (26.3%) deceased, 18 (10.5%) maintained on PD, 87 (50.9%) shifted to hemodialysis (HD) and 21 (12.3%) underwent transplantation. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular disease (32, 71.1%) followed by infection (6, 13.3%), cerebrovascular accident (5, 11.2%). The etiology of patients who shifted to HD was PD failure (41, 47.1%), peritonitis (33, 37.9%), leakage (6, 6.9%), catheter dysfunction (3, 3.4%), self willingness (4, 4.6%). Non-survivors were older than survivors (56.6?±?15.0 vs. 43.6?±?14.6, p?=?0.003). There were also statistically significant difference in terms of albumin, residual urine, presence of diabetes and co-morbidity. When the groups were compared regarding HRQoL scores, non-survivors had lower physical functioning (p?<?0.001), role-physical (p?=?0.0045), general health (p?=?0.004), role-emotional (p?=?0.011), physical component scale (PCS) (p?=?0.004), mental component scale (MCS) (p?=?0.029). Age, presence of residual urine, diabetes, albumin, PCS and MCS were entered in regression analysis. Decrease of 1?g/dL of albumin and being diabetic were found to be the independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Diabetes and hypoalbuminemia but not HRQOL scores were associated with higher mortality in PD patients after 7 years of following period.     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in hypertensive recipients following renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improves after renal transplantation. However, it is unclear which variables are the strongest determinants of HRQoL following renal transplantation. In this study, we wanted to assess whether antihypertensive medication, donor type, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatibility or other variables could predict HRQoL 6-12 months after transplantation. METHODS: The study was a follow up of 124 patients recruited to a single center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, comparing the effects of lisinopril and nifedipine in hypertensive renal transplant recipients. HRQoL was assessed with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between potential predictors and the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales of the SF-36. RESULTS: Average scores 6-12 months after transplantation did not differ between patients randomized to lisinopril or nifedipine, or between cadaveric and living donor recipients on any of the eight SF-36 scales, or the two summary scales. In multivariate analyses, recipient age (p = 0.01) and cold ischemia time >14.5 h (p = 0.04) were independent predictors of the PCS score. Recipient age (p = 0.05), 2-4 HLA-AB mismatches (p = 0.05) and donor age (p = 0.03) were independent predictors of the MCS score. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of differences in HRQoL according to lisinopril or nifedipine, or living vs. cadaveric donor transplantation. HRQoL was significantly reduced with longer cold ischemia time and more than one HLA-AB mismatches, after adjusting for age. These donor kidneys related issues need confirmation.     

Persistent fatigue in liver transplant recipients: a two-year follow-up study

Background:  Fatigue after liver transplantation (LTx) is a major problem that is associated with lower daily functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess changes over time in fatigue following LTx. We also examined daily functioning and HRQoL changes over time and assessed the influence of fatigue and changes in fatigue on daily functioning and HRQoL. We determined whether sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were associated with fatigue.
Methods:  We identified 70 LTx recipients who had previously participated in a cross-sectional study and reassessed them after two yr to determine changes in level of fatigue, daily functioning, and HRQoL. We also assessed sleep quality, anxiety, and depression after two yr.
Results:  Level of fatigue and level of daily functioning were unchanged at follow-up. HRQoL domains remained stable or worsened. Fatigue was a significant predictor of daily functioning and all HRQoL domains (p < 0.01). Change in fatigue was a significant predictor of daily functioning and the HRQoL domains of "physical functioning,""vitality," and "pain" (p < 0.05). Sleep quality, anxiety, and depression were associated with fatigue severity (r = 0.35 to r = 0.60, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:  This longitudinal study shows that fatigue is a chronic problem after LTx and that daily functioning and HRQoL do not improve over time. This study supports the need for intervention programs to address fatigue after LTx.     

Predictors of health-related quality of life in neurosurgical brain tumor patients: focus on patient-centered perspective

Background

In brain tumor (BT) patients, the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological characteristics remains largely unknown. We evaluated the association of personality traits, clinical factors, psychological distress symptoms, and cognitive state with HRQoL in BT patients.

Methods

On admission for BT surgery, 200 patients (69 % women; age 55.8?±?14.5 years) were evaluated for HRQoL (SF-36 scale), Big-Five personality traits (Ten-Item Personality Inventory), psychological distress symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale or HADS), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination or MMSE) and clinical characteristics, including functional status (Barthel index or BI). The most common BT diagnoses were meningioma (39 %) and high-grade glioma (18 %).

Results

Only factors significantly associated with SF-36 domains in univariable regression analyses were included in their respective multivariable models and predicted from 6 %–49 % of the total variance of SF-36 scores. Greater TIPI emotional stability score was independently associated with greater SF-36 emotional well-being (β?=?0.23, p?<?0.001) and general health (β?=?0.18, p?=?0.01) scores, and greater TIPI consciousness score, with greater SF-36 emotional well-being score (β?=?0.13, p?=?0.02). HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression scores were the strongest independent determinants of all, except physical functioning, SF-36 scores (β-values range from 0.14 to 0.56; p values?≤?0.03). BI score was the strongest independent determinant of SF-36 physical functioning score (β?=?0.36, p?<?0.001). MMSE score was associated with all but emotional well-being and social functioning SF-36 scores.

Conclusions

Consciousness and emotional stability should be considered important personality-related determinants of HRQoL in BT patients. Psychological distress, functional disability, and cognitive impairment are also important predictors of HRQoL.     

Differences in physical and mental health-related quality of life outcomes 3 years after bariatric surgery: a group-based trajectory analysis

BackgroundWhile bariatric surgery has proven to be effective to achieve significant weight loss and short-term improvements in both physical and mental (HRQoL), little is known about the factors associated with long-term decline in mental HRQoL after bariatric surgery.ObjectiveTo examine differences in physical and mental HRQoL trajectories in a bariatric patient population 3 years after bariatric surgery and examine associated sociodemographic, weight, and mental health factors.SettingA Canadian academic bariatric care center.MethodsA group-based trajectory model was used to examine physical and mental HRQoL trajectories 3 years after bariatric surgery. In a prospective cohort bariatric sample (n = 2270), demographic factors, body mass index, binge eating symptoms, anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and physical and mental HRQoL (Short-form health survey-36 (SF-36)), were measured at baseline, 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years respectively. The effect of time-varying covariates (body mass index, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) were investigated to examine effects on physical and mental HRQoL trajectories.ResultsFive distinct trajectories described changes in (n = 1939 of 2270) individuals’ physical HRQoL outcomes (SF-36–physical health component summary score) and five other trajectories described changes in mental HRQoL (SF-36–mental health component summary score) outcomes from baseline to 3 years postsurgery. The group-based distribution for the 5 physical HRQoL trajectories were as follows: (1) low baseline-stable low (5.8%); (2) low baseline-moderate rise (12%); (3) low baseline-stable high (41.1%); (4) high baseline-stable high (33.2%); and (5) moderate baseline-decline (7.9%). The 5 mental HRQoL trajectories were as follows: (1) low baseline-slow decline (10%); (2) low baseline-stable high (25%); (3) high baseline-unstable rise (12%); (4) high baseline-stable high (48.9%); and (5) high baseline-transient decline (4.1%). Compared with physical HRQoL, mental HRQoL trajectories were not associated with changes in body mass index, yet strongly correlated with changes in binge eating symptoms, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire measures at all time points.ConclusionThis study demonstrates distinct patterns in physical and mental HRQoL trajectories after bariatric surgery. The decline in mental HRQoL trajectories was more heterogeneous and associated with several psychosocial predictors that may be useful to guide risk prediction of long-term physical and mental HRQoL outcomes postbariatric surgery.     

Health-related quality of life in patients on peritoneal dialysis in Serbia: comparison with hemodialysis

Abstract:  Patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important indicator of the effectiveness of the medical care they receive. Patients who reach end-stage renal disease are older and have a considerable extent of comorbidity. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate HRQoL in patients at the initiation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment (incident cohort) and in patients on long-term CAPD therapy (prevalent cohort), and (ii) to compare influence of comorbidity on HRQoL in CAPD and hemodialysis (HD) patients. In a cross-sectional study we enrolled 99 CAPD and 192 HD patients. HRQoL was assessed with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). HRQoL summary scales in both incident and prevalent groups of CAPD patients were similar for physical component summary score (PCS) and for mental component summary score (MCS). Generally, higher values were found in mental health domains in comparison to PCS. In the incident group of patients, 1 year of peritoneal dialysis treatment was associated with a slight improvement in both PCS and MCS, but statistical significance ( P  < 0.05) was found in the role-physical limitation (RP), bodily pain (BP), and vitality (VT) scales only. CAPD patients with the highest disease severity (Index of Disease Severity [IDS]-3) and physical impairment (Index of Physical Impairment [IPI]-2) scored significantly higher parameters of HRQoL than HD patients. Comorbidity had negative influence on HRQoL, but statistically significant correlation has been found in HD patients only. In conclusion, comorbid conditions had negative correlation with parameters of HRQoL in both CAPD and HD patients. One year after starting CAPD, patients reported better scores in some domains, especially in RP, BP, and VT scales. Assessment of HRQoL and comorbidity might be useful in clinical practice in the follow-up of patients treated with both CAPD and HD.     

Self-assessed quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies comparing quality of life (QOL) between peritoneal and hemodialysis patients have yielded inconsistent results. Physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scales of Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey are highly validated measures of self-assessed QOL. We sought to evaluate these indices in PD patients: (1) as measures of QOL, (2) predictors of QOL, (3) to study change in QOL over time, and (4) to compare QOL in PD vs. hemodialysis patients. METHODS: SF-36 questionnaires were administered every 3 months to patients over a 2-year period and PCS and MCS were calculated. Mean follow-up was 15.3 +/- 6.6 months for PD and 14.5 +/- 5.7 months for HD. RESULTS: Average PCS in PD (31.8 +/- 7.8) was lower than HD (36.9 +/- 9.8) (p < 0.02), while MCS was similar in the groups (p = NS). The prevalence of depression was 26.1% in PD and 25.4% in HD patients (p = NS). Serum albumin was the only significant predictor of PCS among PD patients and explained much of the decrease in PCS in them. The number of hospitalizations and in-hospital days were significantly lower for PD compared to HD patients (p < 0.05). PCS as well as MCS remained stable in both groups throughout the observation period. CONCLUSION: Self-assessed physical function is diminished, while mental function is similar in PD compared to HD patients. When corrected for serum albumin, this difference is eliminated. Over time, QOL in patients treated with PD remained stable.     

Evaluating health-related quality of life as a prognostic tool for overall survival in routine cancer care for older patients with bladder cancer: A US based study

PurposeHealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes, in addition to being useful for monitoring a person's health and well-being, may also predict overall survival (OS) in cancer patients. This study's objective was to examine the association of longitudinally assessed HRQoL and OS in patients with a history of bladder cancer (BC).Materials and MethodsThis longitudinal retrospective cohort study used the 1998 to 2013 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database linked with Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. Study cohort included patients having HRQoL assessments both pre- and post-BC diagnosis using Short Form-36/Veterans Rand-12. Using Cox Proportional Hazards adjusted for demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgery type, we studied the associations of 3-point difference in HRQoL assessed pre- and post-BC diagnosis and change from pre-to-post diagnosis with overall survival.ResultsThe study cohort included 438 BC patients with deceased patients (n = 222; 50.7%) being significantly older than those alive (77.2 vs. 75.4 years; P = 0.004). Adjusting for covariates, a 3-point difference in physical HRQoL (physical component summary [PCS]) pre-, post-, and pre-to-post BC diagnosis was associated with respectively 6.1%, 8.7%, and 7.3% (P < 0.01 for all) decreased risk of death for higher PCS. Similarly, a 3-point difference in mental HRQoL (mental component summary [MCS]) post-BC diagnosis was associated with 4.5% (P < 0.05) decreased risk of death for higher MCS.ConclusionsAssociations between PCS/MCS and OS imply that elderly BC patients with better physical/mental health are more likely to survive longer. Monitoring HRQoL in routine cancer care would facilitate early detection of HRQoL decline and enable timely intervention by clinicians to improve OS.     

Cardiovascular,muscular and perceptual contributions to physical fatigue in prevalent kidney transplant recipients

Physical fatigue is debilitating and common among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study investigated the mechanistic aetiology of physical fatigue in this setting through examinations of muscle mass, muscular and cardiovascular function, and perceived exertion. The incidence of physical fatigue, its association with quality of life (QoL), and the predictors of perceived exertion, were evaluated. This single‐centre observational cross‐sectional study enrolled 55 KTRs. Muscle mass was quantified using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. Muscular function was assessed by jumping mechanography. Cardiovascular function (maximal oxygen consumption and oxygen pulse) was estimated during submaximal exercise testing, with perceived exertion determined using age‐adjusted Borg scale‐ratings. Physical fatigue was measured using Multi‐Dimensional Fatigue Inventory‐20. QoL was assessed using Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36. Demographic, clinical, nutritional, psychosocial and behavioural predictors of perceived exertion were assessed. Of clinical importance, increased perceived exertion was the only independent predictor of physical fatigue (P = 0.001), with no association found between physical fatigue and muscular or cardiovascular parameters. Physical fatigue occurred in 22% of KTRs, and negatively impacted on QoL (P < 0.001). Predictors of heightened perception included anxiety (P < 0.05) and mental fatigue (P < 0.05). Perception is a key determinant of physical fatigue in KTRs, paving the way for future interventions.     

Differences in health-related quality of life between elderly and younger patients on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that elderly patients have a great capacity of adaptation to renal replacement therapy (RRT). The aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of a cohort of patients at 3 and 12 months after the start of hemodialysis, searching for differences between elderly (aged>or=65 years) and younger (aged <65 years) patients. METHODS: This was a longitudinal prospective study of 93 patients starting RRT. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 health survey and the physical symptom dimension of the Kidney Disease Questionnaire (KDQ) at 3 and 12 months from the start of RRT. Physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and standardized scores, in which a lower score indicated lower HRQoL, by age and sex were obtained. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age was 66 years (12.26 years). At 3 months, differences between younger patients and elderly ones were statistically significant in the general health dimension, and at 12 months in physical functioning, role physical, general health dimensions and PCS, indicating less loss of HRQoL in elderly patients. At 3 months it was found that the functional state measured on the Karnofsky scale was independently associated with PCS (p=0.003), and hematocrit to MCS (p=0.036). At 1 year, PCS was independently associated with age (p=0.043) and Karnofsky score (p=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Using scores standardized by age and sex, elderly patients had less loss of HRQoL in the physical aspects, than younger patients at 1 year from the start of hemodialysis.     

Fatigue and physical function after orthotopic liver transplantation

Over the last two decades, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become an established treatment for acute and chronic liver failure. OLT impacts not only on survival, but also on health-related quality of life. This study was undertaken to describe the self-rated health of Danish liver transplant recipients, compare their self-rated health against that of the general population, and to investigate associations between sex, age, diagnosis, time after OLT, and postoperative physical function and fatigue. All adult surviving liver transplant recipients who underwent OLT in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 1990 to 1998 (n = 154) were contacted by mail and asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and questions on marital status, education, and work. The response rate was 84.4% (n = 130). Liver transplant recipients reported poorer self-rated health than the general population in physical, but not in mental, health areas. One health aspect, fatigue, was investigated in great detail. This study found that liver transplant recipients experienced physical, rather than mental, fatigue. Diagnosis was found to be a predictor of postoperative physical function and fatigue because patients with an alcoholic or cryptogenic cirrhosis background had significantly poorer physical function and experienced more physical fatigue than liver transplant recipients with other diagnoses. Work status and survival time after OLT had significant effects on postoperative physical function and fatigue. Working and having undergone transplantation 4 to 5 years previously were associated with significantly better physical function and less physical fatigue than not working and having undergone transplantation 1 to 3 years previously. This study suggests that liver transplant recipients experience physical, rather than mental, impairment and fatigue and that diagnosis, work status, and survival time after OLT are associated with physical function and fatigue. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:251-259.)     

Fatigue is a major problem after liver transplantation.

Fatigue is often experienced after liver transplantation. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the severity of fatigue in liver transplant recipients. In addition, the nature of fatigue and factors that may be associated with severity of fatigue after liver transplantation were explored. Ninety-six patients up to 15 years after liver transplantation were included. Severity of fatigue and nature of fatigue were assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, respectively. Furthermore, age, gender, indication for transplantation, time since transplantation, immunosuppressive medication, self-experienced disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed as potential associated factors. Sixty-six percent of all patients was fatigued (FSS > or = 4.0) and 44% of all patients was severely fatigued (FSS > or = 5.1). Patients experienced physical fatigue and had reduced activity rather than mental fatigue and reduced motivation. Age, gender, self-experienced disabilities, and HRQoL were correlated with severity of fatigue. Results of the study indicate that fatigue is a major problem in patients after liver transplantation and no indications were found that complaints of fatigue improve over time. Liver transplant recipients experience physical fatigue and reduced activity rather than mental fatigue and reduced motivation. These findings have implications for the development of interventions needed to rehabilitate persons after liver transplantation.     

Health-related quality of life in morbidly obese patients: effect of gastric bypass surgery

Background: The effect of gastric bypass on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of morbidly obese patients was investigated in a cross-sectional study. Methods: A postoperative group of 78 patients on average 13.8 years after gastric bypass was compared with a preoperative control group of 110 patients. The SF-36 was used to assess HRQoL. In preoperative patients, the SF-36 was self-administered, while in the postoperative group, telephone interviews were conducted. In the postoperative sample, multiple stepwise linear regression analyses were carried out to examine putative predictors of the physical (PCS) and the mental (MCS) composite scores of the SF-36. Results: Significant differences between the preand postoperative group were found for all subscales except Mental Health, in favor of the postoperative group. On average 13.8 years after gastric bypass, most of the sub-scales were similar to the US norm values. However, the Bodily Pain and the overall Physical Composite scale (PCS) scores were lower (more impaired) in the postoperative group compared with the US norms. Female patients, patients who were hospitalized since the surgery, and those who had lost less weight had more impaired values on the PCS and patients who reported binge-eating disorder (BED) at follow-up had more impaired values on the Mental Composite Scale (MCS) of the SF-36. Conclusion: HRQoL was significantly better in postoperative gastric bypass patients in comparison to a sample of preoperative patients. However, HRQoL, specifically the physical domain of the SF-36, was more impaired in long-term follow-up patients compared with US norm values. The reoccurrence of BED after surgery negatively influenced the mental domain of the SF-36.     

The association between bladder-emptying methods and health-related quality of life among Iranian individuals with spinal cord injury

Objectives: In this study, we compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) using different bladder emptying methods including normal spontaneous micturition (NSM), micturition with assisted maneuvers (MAM), aseptic intermittent catheterization by patient (IC-P), aseptic IC by an attendant/caregiver (IC-A) and indwelling catheterization.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation center.

Participants: Patients referred to Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center between 2012 and 2014.

Outcome measures: HRQoL was assessed by Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Hierarchical regression analysis with adjustment for probable confounders (demographic and injury-related variables) was performed to assess the relationship between bladder-emptying method and total SF-36 score.

Results: Patients with injury at cervical sections had significantly lower scores in domain of physical functioning (PF), physical component summary (PCS) and total score (P: 0.001, <0.0001 and 0.027, respectively). Longer time since injury was associated with better scores of PCS, Mental component summary (MCS) and total score (P: 0.002, <0.0001 and 0.003, respectively). Regression analysis showed that the effect of bladder-emptying method on total score of SF-36 was significant (P < 0.0001) and this relationship remained significant after adjustment for probable confounders in the second step of hierarchical regression analysis (R: 0.923, R²: 0.852, Adjusted R²: 0.847, P?<?0.0001). Patients with NSM had the highest scores in SF-36 instrument and individuals with indwelling catheterization had the poorest HRQoL in all domains.

Conclusion: This study shows that the type of bladder management method affects HRQoL significantly in patients with SCI. Intermittent catheterization are recommended to be administered instead of indwelling catheterization to improve HRQoL.     

Changes in health-related quality of life outcomes in older patients with kidney cancer: A longitudinal cohort analysis with matched controls

BackgroundCurrent evidence regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes among patients with kidney cancer (KC) is limited. We characterized HRQoL changes from before (baseline) to after (follow-up) diagnosis of KC in older Americans relative to matched controls, and identified sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL changes in older patients with KC.Materials and MethodsThis longitudinal, population-based, retrospective cohort study used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results linked with Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, 1998–2013. Participants aged ≥65 years with baseline and follow-up survey data were identified. Those with primary KC (n = 186) were matched to adults without cancer (n = 558). HRQoL (physical component summary and mental component summary [MCS]) changes in KC patients were compared using generalized linear mixed-effects models to those of controls. Regression models were used to identify baseline factors associated with HRQoL changes.ResultsThe adjusted least squares mean (95% confidence interval) reduction in physical component summary from baseline to follow-up was greater in KC patients vs. controls (−4.1 [−5.6, −2.7] vs. −2.3 [−3.1, −1.4], P = 0.025). While the reduction in MCS was similar in both groups (−2.4 [−3.9, −0.8] vs. −1.5 [−2.4, −0.6], P = 0.338). Lower income and distant stage KC predicted greater declines in MCS among KC patients.ConclusionKC significantly affects overall general health in older patients, with sociodemographic factors and distant KC predicting greater reductions in HRQoL. Findings may help clinicians set patient expectations about their HRQoL post-diagnosis and increase clinician awareness of risk factors for HRQoL deterioration.     

Emotional health and quality of life after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background

Emotional disorders and decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are well-documented sequelae of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of emotional disorders on HRQoL in survivors of SAH.

Methods

This was a retrospective study enrolling 114 SAH-survivors at 1–10 years (mean 4,5 years) after the disease. Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q) was used to measure emotional health and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess HRQoL of the patients.

Results

Most of the patients reported good recovery, but EST-Q results revealed high prevalence of emotional disorders after SAH. Almost half of the patients had higher than cut-off values indicating fatigue (47 %) and insomnia (46 %). About one third of SAH-patients had higher than cut-off scores demonstrating depression (30 %) and anxiety (31 %). The patients scored significantly lower in all scales of SF-36 as compared to age-matched general population. All EST-Q subscale results were significantly and negatively correlated with SF-36 scores. Fatigue was independently related to all SF-36 subscales and depression to most of the mental health component scores. Emotional symptoms alone were demonstrated to explain 23–47 % of the SF-36 subscale values, and more than half of the variance of mental health component score values were found to be explained by emotional disorders (53 %).

Conclusions

Emotional disorders are frequent after SAH and significantly associated with impairment of HRQOL. Proper and timely screening tests are important to reveal development of emotional problems and improve QoL for the SAH-patients.     

Early and late-recorded predictors of health-related quality of life of burn patients on long-term follow-up

BackgroundUnintentional and intentional burn injuries vary across age groups, gender, income, and global region. In high-income countries, the trend over the last several years has been a reduction in burn incidence, burn severity, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate. However, there is a lack of data on predictors of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of major burn survivors extending beyond a follow-up period of 10 years.Patients and methodsThis single-center cross-sectional study is considering 42 long-term severe burn survivors with deep partial thickness burns and an affected total body surface area (TBSA) of ≥20%. For study eligibility design a minimum follow-up of 10 years was obligatory. Entitled individuals were asked to fill in the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores of the SF-36 were used as the primary outcome variables. Putative predictor variables were drawn from medical records. Burn-specific functionality and scar tissue quality were assessed using the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), respectively. Correlation between putative predictor variables and SF-36 norm scores were evaluated by Pearson- and Point-Biserial correlation as well as multivariate linear regression. The SF-36 norm scores were compared to the general German population.ResultsMean follow-up was 14 (±3) years with a minimum and maximum of 10 and 28 years, respectively. Mean age at the time of the incident was 37 (±17) years. The majority of individuals were male (74%). The mean burn size was 39 (±17) % (TBSA) with 76% of the individuals showing a full thickness burn.SF-36 norm scores were not statistically different from the general population. Statistically significant independent predictor variables of the physical summary score were: age at the time of the injury (−0.381), time since injury (−0.466), length of hospital stay (−0.356), limb amputation (−0.318), unemployment (−0.433), work (0.593), hand function (0.601), body image (0.518), affect (0.355), simple abilities (0.602), burns involving the hands (−0.339) and back (−0.343), POSAS patient- (−0.521) and observer scores (−0.483). In multivariate analysis, work (4.315), the POSAS Score (−2.082) and the age at the time of the incident (−0.242) were statistically significant predictors. Statistically significant independent predictor variables of the mental summary score were: duration of mechanical ventilation (−0.459), hand function (0.415), body image (0.502), sexual activity (0.625), social support (0.542), burns involving the back (−0.315) and affect (0.692). In multivariate analysis, affect (13.844) and the length of mechanical ventilation (−0.115) were statistically significant independent predictor variables.ConclusionTen years after the burn incident, the quality of life was on average comparable to the one in the general population. Multiple variables seem to influence the physical and mental long-term outcome. Herein presented data may support in adapting and designing follow-up strategies tailored to a patient’s burn-specific circumstances.