Assessment of health-related quality of life among patients with hypertension: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Background

The ability to identify indicators of poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is crucial for both improving clinical care and determining targets of intervention for the prevention and treatment of disease. The main objectives of this study were to assess the HRQoL profile of individuals with hypertension in Palestine, and to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with poor HRQoL.

Breakfast cereal is associated with a lower prevalence of obesity among 10-12-year-old children: the PANACEA study

Background and aimEating behaviours and obesity status among children have already been evaluated in several studies, with conflicting results. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation of breakfast cereal with childhood obesity.Methods and resultsA representative sample of 700 children (323 male) selected from 18 schools located in Athens greater area were enrolled. Children and their parents completed questionnaires that evaluated dietary habits and physical activity. We also retrieved information about the type of breakfast most frequently consumed. Height and weight of the children was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Simple and multiple logistic regression methods were used in order to determine the relationship between cereal intake for breakfast and obesity.Some boys (8.6%) and girls (9.0%) were obese, whereas 33.9% of boys and 22.1% of girls were overweight. For boys, the adjusted odds ratio for breakfast cereal intake for being overweight or obese was 0.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45–1.29), while for girls it was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.21–0.79). Moreover, the odds ratio of overweight/obesity for boys who ate daily breakfast was 0.51 (95% CI: 0.25–1.05), and for girls was 0.27 (95% CI: 0.12–0.64), adjusted for physical activity and other potential confounders.ConclusionThese data provide evidence that breakfast cereal as a most frequent choice, and daily consumption of breakfast, are inversely associated with the prevalence of overweight or obesity in 10–12-year-old children.     

Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination and reported atopic disorders in 8-12-year-old children

Because Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination was added recently to most vaccination programs, no conclusive data on the relationship with atopic disorders are yet available. We sought to assess the risk of atopic disorders at ages 8-12 years associated with Hib vaccination in the first year of life, in addition to diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-inactivated poliomyelitis vaccination (DTP-IPV) and other childhood vaccinations. Parents of 1,201 children attending Orthodox Reformed (Protestant) primary schools in The Netherlands returned questionnaires reporting data on vaccination status, atopic symptoms and physician-diagnosed lifetime atopic disorders (asthma, hay fever, eczema, and food allergy), and possible confounders. This study was conducted within the framework of a larger study on the relationship between the DTP-IPV and reported atopic disorders. The adjusted odds ratio of any atopic disorder (Hib-vaccinated/unvaccinated) was 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79-1.50). For asthma, hay fever, eczema, and food allergy, the results were, respectively, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.55-1.43), 0.94 (95% CI, 0.47-1.90), 1.09 (95% CI, 0.75-1.58), and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.38-1.19). In conclusion, in the Dutch population, there is no indication for a higher risk of reported physician-diagnosed atopic disorders at primary schools age after Hib vaccination in the first year of life, in addition to other vaccinations.     

Respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life in post-tuberculosis subjects with physician-diagnosed bronchiectasis: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevalence, respiratory symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) in post-tuberculosis (TB) subjects with bronchiectasis are not well elucidated.MethodsSubjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2007–2009 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We evaluated the prevalence of physician-diagnosed bronchiectasis among post-TB subjects. We compared respiratory symptoms, physical activity limitations, and QoL between post-TB subjects with and without bronchiectasis.ResultsThe prevalence of bronchiectasis was 3.3% among 963 post-TB subjects. Post-TB subjects with bronchiectasis showed a higher rate of asthma (29.6% vs. 4.9%, P<0.001) than those without bronchiectasis. Post-TB subjects with bronchiectasis showed more cough (23.9% vs. 6.7%, P=0.033) and physical activity limitations due to respiratory diseases (35.0% vs. 8.9%, P=0.033) than those without bronchiectasis. Furthermore, compared with post-TB subjects without bronchiectasis, those with bronchiectasis had lower QoL measured by the EuroQoL five-dimension (EQ-5D) index (0.84 vs. 0.93, P=0.048). Linear regression analysis found that the EQ-5D index in post-TB subjects with bronchiectasis was significantly lower than in those without bronchiectasis (difference estimate =–0.089, P=0.030), especially in the anxiety/depression component.ConclusionsPost-TB subjects with bronchiectasis had more cough and physical activity limitations and lower health-related QoL than those without bronchiectasis.     

Factors affecting quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in South Korea: a cross-sectional study

Clinical Rheumatology - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that significantly reduces the quality of life (QOL) of affected patients. Many studies have emphasized the...     

Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index of 9-11-year-old English children: a serial cross-sectional study from 1998 to 2004

OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes over time in cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) of children. DESIGN: Serial cross-sectional, population-based study. SETTING: Primary schools in Liverpool, UK. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15,621 children (50% boys), representing 74% of eligible 9-11-year olds in the annual school cohorts between 1998/9 and 2003/4, who took part in a 20m multi-stage shuttle run test (20mMST). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, height, BMI (kg/m(2)) and obesity using the International Obesity Taskforce definition. RESULTS: Median (95% confidence interval) 20mMST score (number of runs) fell in boys from 48.9 (47.9-49.9) in 1998/9 to 38.1 (36.8-39.4) in 2003/4, and in girls from 35.8 (35.0-36.6) to 28.1 (27.2-29.1) over the same period. Fitness scores fell across all strata of BMI (P<0.001). Moreover, BMI increased over the same 6-year period even among children in fittest third of 20mMST. CONCLUSION: In a series of uniform cross-sectional assessments of school-aged children, BMI increased whereas cardiorespiratory fitness levels decreased within a 6-year period. Even among lean children, fitness scores decreased. Public health measures to reduce obesity, such as increasing physical activity, may help raise fitness levels among all children - not just the overweight or obese.     

Growth hormone therapy improves bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy: a preliminary pilot study

CONTEXT: Cerebral palsy is associated with osteopenia, increased fracture risk, short stature, and decreased muscle mass, whereas GH therapy is associated with increased bone mineral density (BMD) and linear growth and improvement in body composition. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the effect of 18 months of GH therapy on spinal BMD, linear growth, biochemical markers, and functional measures in children with cerebral palsy. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was a randomized control trial, conducted from 2002-2005 at the University of California, Los Angeles, Orthopedic Hospital's Center for Cerebral Palsy. PATIENTS: Patients included 12 males with cerebral palsy, ages 4.5-15.4 yr. INTERVENTION: We compared 18 months of GH (50 microg daily) vs. no treatment. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Spinal BMD (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan), height, growth factors, and bone markers were assessed. RESULTS: Ten subjects (five in each group) completed the study. Pre- and post-average height z-scores were -1.47 +/- 0.23 and 0.8 +/- 0.2 (GH-treated group) vs. -1.35 +/- 1.26 and -1.36 +/- 1.27 (control group) (Delta SD score, 0.67 vs. -0.01; P = 0.01). Average change in spinal BMD z-score (Delta SD score corrected for height) was 1.169 +/- 0.614 vs. 0.24 +/- 0.25 in the treated and control groups, respectively (P = 0.03). Osteocalcin, IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein 3 levels increased during GH therapy. There was no change in quality of life scores as measured by the Pediatric Orthopedic Disability Inventory. CONCLUSIONS: This small pilot study suggests that 18 months of GH therapy is associated with statistically significant improvement in spinal BMD and linear growth.     

Effects of esomeprazole treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life in 12- to 17-year-old adolescents: an international health outcomes study

Background  

Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in adolescents, the burden of GERD on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adolescents has not been previously evaluated. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the effect of GERD on HRQOL in adolescents.     

Characteristics of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy

Videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow (VMBS) examinations may provide clinically relevant information regarding deglutition in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia. A retrospective review of clinical evaluations and VMBS studies on 90 consecutive children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia was completed. Most children were referred because of concerns regarding airway protection during oral feedings. Most children had multiple disabilities and 93% were nonambulatory. The majority of children were totally dependent for oral feedings (80%). Oral and pharyngeal phase abnormalities were present in almost all patients. Abnormalities of deglutition were observed only while swallowing specific food textures in the majority of patients. Aspiration of specific food textures was significantly more common than aspiration of all food textures (p<0.0001). Finally, aspiration was silent in 97% of the patients. VMBS studies can provide clinicians with valuable information regarding the most appropriate food textures and rates of oral feeding for children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia.     

Health-related quality of life and self-esteem in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: results of a cross-sectional comparative study

To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted among 35 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending outpatient clinics in Pouso Alegre, Brazil. Fifteen (15) patients with and 20 without a DFU participated in the study. Demographic variables were obtained and HRQoL and self-esteem were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. In both groups, 80% of patients were women. Average age did not differ significantly between the DFU and control groups (average 56 [SD 8.42] and 52 years [SD 6.68], respectively) but disease duration was significantly longer (P < 0.001) in the DFU (mean 12 years, range 3 to 24 years) than in the control group (mean 8 years, range 1 to 21 years). Mean HRQoL scores in all domains were lower in the DFU than in the control group with significant differences in the following domains: physical functioning (P = 0.043), role physical (P = 0.003), social functioning (P = 0.022), and role emotional (P = 0.001). Self-esteem scores were similar in both groups. The results of this study confirm that patient HRQoL is negatively affected by the presence of a DFU. Wound prevention programs for patients with DM may help reduce the scope of this problem while DFU treatment programs that include psychological support may improve patient QoL.     

脑瘫患儿的气质特征分析及意义

目的 探讨脑性瘫痪(脑瘫)患儿的气质特征及其对预后的影响。方法 应用张劲松等翻译的气质问卷(中文电子软件版)，对364例4个月至7岁不同类型脑瘫患儿的气质特征进行了分析，并与正常儿童比较。结果 脑瘫患儿有明显的消极气质，表现为活动性差、注意力欠集中、坚持性差、情绪本质消极等；不同智力水平的脑瘫患儿未见气质差异。结论 脑瘫患儿有明显的消极气质，此对患儿成长过程中个性和行为发展有不利影响。     

Self-reported health-related quality of life in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Adult chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder manifested by varying degrees of purpura and mucosal bleeding, rarely including intracranial hemorrhage. Therapy is aimed at increasing the patient's platelet count to safe levels and includes a wide variety of treatments. While the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of chronic ITP have been extensively discussed, the effect of ITP and its treatment on patient quality of life has not been evaluated in adults. In this study, the Short-Form 36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of 73 adult ITP patients compared with that of the general U.S. population and of patients with six other relatively common chronic disorders. This study shows that the HRQOL of adult patients with ITP is significantly worse than that of the general U.S. population. It is also worse than that of patients with hypertension, arthritis, or cancer; similar to that of patients with diabetes; but better than that of patients with congestive heart failure or a missing or paralyzed limb. Future studies need to address the effects of treatment not only on the platelet count and bleeding but also on HRQOL.     

Health-related quality of life among adults living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey in Armenia

ABSTRACT

Few studies have examined health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 180 PLWHIV aged 18 years+ in Armenia who were on cART and used the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey to assess HRQoL. The highest HRQoL domain score was 85.3 (SD 24.7) for physical functioning, followed by 82.1 (SD 25.0) for pain, 77.9 (SD 24.2) for social functioning, 76.4 (SD 39.6) for emotional role-functioning, 71.1 (SD 39.7) for physical role-functioning, and 64.0 (SD 20.3) for energy/fatigue, 63.7 (SD 22.7) for emotional well-being and 63.4 for general health 63.4 (SD 21.2). In the physical domain, chronic comorbidities and low emotional support were associated with worse physical functioning, physical role-functioning, general health and pain scores (p?<?0.05). Unemployment and hepatitis C coinfection were associated with worse physical role functioning and pain scores (p?<?0.01). As for mental HRQoL, we found that unemployment, chronic comorbidities, and lower emotional support were associated with poorer emotional well-being, energy, and emotional role-functioning scores (p?<?0.05). These findings suggest that improved social support, employment opportunities, mental health services and integrated care for noncommunicable comorbidities may improve HRQoL in Armenia and similar settings.