Health-related quality of life assessment in young adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND: In health-related quality of life (HRQL) studies on allergic rhinitis, both disease-specific and generic questionnaires have been extensively used. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) has been studied mainly by focusing on symptomatology. The present study aimed to evaluate the SAR-HRQL by means of two questionnaires, the Medical Outcome Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and a new instrument examining satisfaction in 32 aspects of daily life: the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P). METHODS: Thirty-three patients with SAR (aged 33.5+/-8.5 years; 12 men, 21 women) were evaluated during and 2 months after the pollen season. Data were compared with reference samples by t-test, and baseline and follow-up HRQL scores were compared by a matched-pair test. RESULTS: Patients' HRQL scores collected during the pollen season were significantly lower than reference sample data in many SF-36 scores and in one SAT-P item. No differences emerged between SF-36 and SAT-P scores collected outside the pollen season and reference sample scores. Compared to baseline, outside the pollen season, patients reported significantly higher scores in the following SF-36 scales: physical functioning (P=0.002), physical role (P=0.00001), bodily pain (P=0.01), and vitality (P=0.008); and significantly higher scores in only two SAT-P items (physical well-being [P=0.009] and resistance to stress [P=0.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the utility of using symptomatologic and health-status questionnaires in evaluating the HRQL of SAR patients. More general quality of life questionnaires may prevent the symptomatologic and functional problems from being adequately recognized and managed. SAT-P can be a fruitful additional tool in HRQL evaluation.     

Quality of life in early phases of panic disorder: predictive factors

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the quality of life (QoL) of patients with panic disorder of recent onset and to find related clinical variables. METHOD: Panic disorder patients with and without agoraphobia (N=125) in the first stages of the disorder (median of 8 months since the first panic attack) were compared with a community control group. Quality of life was evaluated by 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and by a single-item scale evaluating subjective well-being. RESULTS: Panic disorder patients had worse scores than the general population in all of the dimensions of the SF-36. Anxiety and depressive symptoms, age, frequency of panic attacks and agoraphobic avoidance accounted for 18-42% of the variance in QoL scores. Frequency of panic attacks and agoraphobic avoidance were variables accounting for poor QoL in physical functioning and mental health respectively. However, unspecific factors in addition to panic symptomatology, particularly depressive and anxiety symptoms, significantly contribute to the worse QoL of these patients. CONCLUSION: Panic disorder of recent onset is a deteriorating condition. Clinical variables do not equally affect mental health and physical functioning, and unspecific factors in addition to panic contribute to the poor QoL.     

The unfavorable effects of concomitant asthma and sleeplessness due to the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) on quality of life in subjects allergic to house-dust mites

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis, asthma or the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) may independently impair quality of life in patients. However, although many allergic patients may suffer from more than one disorder, the effect of concomitant disease -- in particular, the impact of AEDS -- is largely unknown. As part of a large multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy of mattress casings in house-dust mite (HDM) allergy, generic quality of life in a mixed population of 224 subjects with rhinitis (n = 198) and/or asthma (n = 111) and/or AEDS (n = 64) was studied. The study aimed to estimate quality of life impairment in these atopic patients and to address the question/issue of whether one atopic disorder goes beyond other existing allergic diseases, thereby causing further impairment to quality of life. METHODS: Generic quality of life was assessed by SF-36. Quality of life in the atopic group was compared with a Dutch norm population. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the effects of disease (i.e. the presence of allergic rhinitis, asthma or AEDS) or disease severity, as assessed by visual analog scores (VAS) for asthma, rhinitis, VAS sleeplessness and VAS itching being considered as major symptoms in AEDS on SF-36 domains. RESULTS: Compared to the norm group, atopic patients were impaired in: physical functioning; role physical functioning; general health; vitality; and social functioning. The diagnosis of asthma was negatively associated with the SF-36 subscales for physical functioning (P = 0.02), and general health (P < 0.01). In line with these findings, asthma severity (VAS asthma) was negatively associated with physical functioning (P < 0.01), role physical functioning (P < 0.01), general health (P < 0.0.1), social functioning (P = 0.01), emotional functioning (P = 0.01), and vitality (P = 0.01). VAS sleeplessness had significant negative effect on role physical functioning (P < 0.01), bodily pain (P < 0.01), General health (P = 0.01), mental health (P < 0.01), social functioning (P < 0.01), and vitality (P < 0.01). In contrast, neither the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or AEDS, nor VAS itching as an outcome parameter of AEDS, exerted additional effects on the SF-36 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with atopic disease based on HDM allergy may have impaired quality of life. The majority of these patients have allergic rhinitis. The (co)existence of asthma, expressed in terms of diagnostic criteria or symptom severity, or the presence of sleep disorders as a consequence of AEDS, may further impair quality of life.     

Nasal polyposis and its impact on quality of life: comparison between the effects of medical and surgical treatments

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis (NP) is not a life-threatening disorder but may have a great impact on the quality of life (QoL). The objective of this study: (i) to investigate the health burden incurred by NP compared with the Spanish general population using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire; (ii) to compare the QoL outcome after medical or surgical treatment; and (iii) to assess and compare the effect of medical and surgical treatment on nasal symptoms. METHODS: About 109 patients with nasal polyps were included. Fifty-three patients were randomly allocated to receive oral prednisone for 2 weeks and 56 to undergo endoscopic sinus surgery. All patients administered intranasal budesonide for 12 months. Patients were evaluated for nasal symptoms, polyp size, and QoL. RESULTS: In comparison with the Spanish general population, patients with NP had worse scores on all SF-36 domains except for physical functioning. Nonasthmatic patients with NP had better QoL than asthmatic patients with NP on role physical functioning, body pain, and vitality (P <0.05). At 6 and 12 months, a significant improvement on all of SF-36 domains was observed after both medical and surgical treatment reaching the levels of general population (P <0.05). Nasal symptoms and polyp size improved after both medical and surgical treatment at 6 and 12 months (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NP has considerable impact on a patient's QoL and that both medical and surgical treatment led to similar effects in improving QoL.     

SF-36: evaluation of quality of life in severe and mild insomniacs compared with good sleepers

OBJECTIVE: Despite many studies, the impact of chronic insomnia on daytime functioning is not well understood. The aim of our study was to detect this impact by evaluating quality of life (QoL) using a validated instrument, the 36-item Short Form Health Survey of the Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36), in three matched groups of severe insomniacs, mild insomniacs, and good sleepers selected from the general population. METHODS: Three matched groups of 240 severe insomniacs, 422 mild insomniacs, and 391 good sleepers were recruited from the general French population after eliminating those with DSM-IV criteria for anxiety or depression. All subjects were asked to complete the SF-36. Scores for each QoL dimension were calculated and compared statistically among the three groups. RESULTS: Severe insomniacs had lower QoL scores in eight dimensions of the SF-36 than mild insomniacs and good sleepers. Mild insomniacs had lower scores in the same eight dimensions when compared with good sleepers. No dimension was significantly more altered than the other. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health status and role of emotional QoL dimensions were worse in severe and mild insomniacs than in good sleepers. This result held even though we screened for psychiatric diseases, which shows a clear interrelation between insomnia and emotional state. General health status was also worse in severe and mild insomniacs than in good sleepers. However, we could conclude only that insomnia was related to a worse health status and not whether it was a cause or consequence of this worse health status. Finally, the degradation of QoL scores was correlated with the severity of insomnia.     

强迫症患者生活质量及相关因素分析

目的:了解强迫症患者生活质量的现状,探讨其相关影响因素。方法:采用自编一般情况调查表、健康状况问卷(SF-36),Yale-Brown强迫量表(Y-BOCS)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD),对60例强迫症患者进行调查。结果:除外生理健康和疼痛,强迫症患者总体生活质量其它各维度均低于中国常模(P<0.001);强迫症患者汉密尔顿抑郁分、强迫症严重程度分、强迫思维分与SF-36各维度均相关(P<0.05,或P<0.01);而强迫行为仅与SF-36中的社会功能、情感职能、精神健康和精力四个维度相关;就业状况与生理职能相关;合并躯体疾病的患者在一般健康、社会功能和精神健康维度得分更低,合并其它精神障碍的患者在疼痛、一般健康、社会功能和精神健康维度得分更低。结论:强迫症患者的生活质量明显低于正常人群,强迫的严重程度,尤其是强迫思维、同时是否合并其它躯体和精神障碍及就业状况对患者的生活质量有很大的影响。     

阿尔茨海默病患者照料者生命质量与主观幸福感的关系

目的:探讨阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者照料者主观幸福感与生命质量现状的关系,为AD患者照料者的干预研究提供理论支持。方法:采用健康测量量表(SF-36)、总体幸福感量表(GWB)对200名患者照料者进行调查。结果:(1)AD患者照料者的生命质量各维度得分与常模均有显著性差异,生理功能、生理职能、躯体疼痛、总体健康、活力、社会功能、情感职能、精神健康(t=-11.463,-12.487,-36.390,-10.801,-9.658,-25.556,-5.584,-13.298;P0.001)显著低于常模;(2)不同子女情况的AD患者照料者在生理功能、生理职能、总体健康、活力、社会功能、情感职能(t=-2.534,-7.205,-3.177,-3.397,-4.277,-4.591;P0.001)6个维度及生命质量总分(t=-9.608,P0.001)、主观幸福感总分(t=-2.613,P0.05)上差异具有显著性;(3)主观幸福感总分与生命质量总分、生理功能、生理职能、情感职能、总体健康(r=0.446,0.591,0.553,0.284,0.760;P0.01)均呈显著正相关;(4)主观幸福感得分可以显著预测生命质量量表总分(F=49.168,P0.001)。结论:(1)AD患者的生命质量状况低于全国水平;不同子女情况是影响AD患者照料者生命质量、主观幸福感的因素;(2)主观幸福感越强,AD患者照料者的生命质量水平越高。     

Correlation between Karnofsky Performance Status Scale and Short-Form Health Survey in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: Assessment of quality of life is vital inmonitoring response to various treatment measures. Various instruments, which include both generic and disease-specific instruments, are used in the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In this study, we compare two commonly used generic instruments. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare two generic instruments, the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale and the SF-36 Health Survey in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The study also aims to find out the association (if any) between HRQOL scores using these two scales and various clinical and biochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two maintenance HD patients were recruited after informed consents were obtained. Detailed sociodemographic data was obtained. They were assessed during their regular HD sessions. Serum chemistry (which included serum urea, creatinine, Na+, K+, HCO3-, Ca2+, Po4(2-)), albumin, globulin, total protein and hemoglobin (g/dl) were assessed in all the patients. Adequacy of HD was assessed using second-generation Daugirdais formula. HRQOL was assessed using the Karnofsky and SSF-36 instruments and the scores collated and compared. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 10. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients completed the study (27 males and 28 females, mean age 40.76 +/- 11.05 years and age range of 20-65 years). There was a significant positive correlation between Karnofsky scores and all eight SF-36 domains, but only physical functioning, social functioning and role limitation due to emotional problems maintained the significance on multiple regression analysis. The serum creatinine and hemoglobin postively correlated with physical function, bodily pain, social functioning and Karnofsky scores. Age of the patients correlated negatively with two SF-36 dimensions (physical functioning and role limitation due to physical fitness) and Karnofsky scores. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a good correlation between Karnofsky performance status scale and the short-form (SF36) health survey in this Egyptian population. Age, serum creatinine and hemoglobin significantly influence quality of life in this HD patient population.     

The role of the Short Form 36 Health Survey in autologous chondrocyte implantation

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) in the preoperative assessment and postoperative review of patients undergoing autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of the knee. We used the SF-36, a validated health related quality of life survey, and The Modified Cincinnati Knee score, a commonly used knee function scoring system, to evaluate 25 consecutive patients preoperatively and 1 year following surgery. Before surgery, patients scored lower for all aspects of general health and level of functioning compared to a normalised general population. We demonstrated significant increases of overall SF-36 scores following surgery, reflecting improvements to perceived general health. Most significant improvements were seen in the physical categories of "Physical Functioning" (44.8 to 56.2, p=0.014), "Role Physical"(35.0 to 52.2, p=0.044) and "Bodily Pain"(33.6 to 50.9, p=0.001). Higher preoperative SF-36 scores were found to correlate significantly with greater increases of Modified Cincinnati Knee scores. Postoperative knee function scores correlated well with physical categories of the SF-36. However, we found poor correlation between postoperative Modified Cincinnati Knee scores and SF-36 scores for vitality, social functioning and emotional domains. This suggests that knee function scores alone do not incorporate all the benefits to patient health following ACI surgery. We recommend using a knee function scoring system and the SF-36 for both the preoperative assessment and postoperative review of ACI patients.     

Impact of Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adult Hypnotic Users With Chronic Insomnia

Results were combined from representative surveys of health related quality of life (HRQoL; n = 11,877; age range = 16–104) with data from a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic insomnia (n = 209; age range = 31–92). Secondary analyses of scores from the SF-36 measure of HRQoL were conducted in order: (a) to compare the health related quality of life profiles of adult hypnotic users with chronic insomnia with those of population norms, and (b) to assess the impact of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for insomnia on HRQoL outcomes over 6 months. Compared with the primary care reference values, HRQoL among the trial participants at baseline was generally poorer. The magnitude of these decrements reduced markedly with advancing age. In the evaluation of the CBT intervention, statistically significant differences in SF-36 scores in favor of the intervention were present for physical functioning, emotional role limitation, and mental health over 6 months. Overall, this study shows that the SF-36 can play an important role in describing HRQoL in this patient group, and in the evaluation of interventions within this group.     

The German version of the chronic urticaria quality-of-life questionnaire: factor analysis, validation, and initial clinical findings

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disorder that causes a substantial burden on patients’ quality‐of‐life (QoL). The aim of this work was to generate and validate a German version of the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU‐Q₂oL) and to provide reference assessments of QoL. Methods: The Italian CU‐Q₂oL was translated into German and administered to 157 CU patients. They also completed two well‐established general dermatology QoL questionnaires, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Skindex‐29. Factor analysis was used to identify scales of the German CU‐Q₂oL. Correlation to the DLQI and Skindex‐29 was used for validation. Multiple linear regression was used to determine which patient characteristics were associated with which dimensions of QoL. Results: The factor analysis identified six scales of the German CU‐Q₂oL: functioning, sleep, itching/embarrassment, mental status, swelling/eating, and limits looks, which accounted for 70% of the data variance. Five of these six scales showed good internal consistency, and another five demonstrated convergent validity. On a percentile scale, they had these median CU‐Q₂oL scores: 29 functioning, 44 sleep, 50 itching/embarrassment, 50 mental status, 31 swelling/eating, 31 limits looks. Disease severity significantly predicted scores on all scales. Age predicted functioning, sleep, itching/embarrassment, and swelling/eating. Sex predicted itching/embarrassment and limits looks. Conclusion: This study yielded a robust validation of the German version of the CU‐Q₂oL. It confirmed previous studies that CU has a clinically meaningful burden on QoL, especially for sleep and mental health, and that women are more severely affected by pruritus. The German CU‐Q₂oL should be widely adopted in clinical research on the treatment of CU.     

Evaluation and impact of chronic cough: comparison of specific vs generic quality-of-life questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common condition that has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether chronic cough is associated with adverse psychological and physical effects on quality of life (QoL) using different HRQoL questionnaires. METHODS: Forty patients were recruited for the study. The diagnostic workup was mainly based on the pathogenic triad in chronic cough: postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The HRQoL was evaluated with the cough-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (CQLQ), Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Symptom scores were significantly correlated with the CQLQ and LCQ (beta = .415 and beta = -.272, respectively) but not with the SF-36. A statistically significant difference was found in all questionnaires, except the physical component summary domain of the SF-36, after specific therapy. Correlation between the 2 specific HRQoL questionnaires was moderate to high when pretreatment and posttreatment scores were compared (r = -0.42 and r = -0.60). Concurrent validity of the LCQ was higher than the CQLQ when compared with the SF-36 domains. The effect size of each specific QoL questionnaire was 1 or higher after treatment, whereas it was much less in the SF-36. There was no change in depression with treatment despite anxiety. Posttreatment symptom scores were related with anxiety (r > 0.40) CONCLUSIONS: Because HRQoL is important to patients, a cough-specific HRQoL instrument, either the CQLQ or LCQ, should be routinely used to optimally evaluate the impact of cough on patients and to evaluate the efficacy of cough-modifying agents.     

Effect of behavioral management on quality of life in mild heart failure: a randomized controlled trial

There has been a lack of research regarding nonpharmacologic interventions in heart failure. The objective was to determine the effect of behavioral management on health related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with heart failure. Participants (N = 116) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: usual care for heart failure (n = 58) and the 15-week behavioral management program (n = 58). Outcomes included exercise performance (6-min walk), physical and mental functioning (SF-36), general health perceptions (SF-36), and disease specific HRQL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire-MLHF). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4, 10 and 16 months. Participants were mostly male (95%) and Caucasian (75%), with a mean age of 67 years (S.D. = 10). Intervention patients showed significantly improved self-reported disease specific HRQL (MLHF physical dimension scores) over time compared to control patients. There were no group differences in exercise performance, physical functioning, mental functioning or general health perceptions.     

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effects of soy protein containing isoflavones on quality of life in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal estrogen decline is implicated in several age-related physical and psychological changes in women, including decreases in perceived quality of life (QoL). A number of trials with hormone therapy showed beneficial effects of the intervention on parameters of quality of life. However, because of known or suspected serious side-effects of conventional hormone therapy there is a need for alternatives. DESIGN: We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with soy protein, containing 52 mg genistein, 41 mg daidzein, and 6 mg glycitein (aglycone weights), or milk protein (placebo) daily for 1 year. For this trial, we recruited 202 postmenopausal women aged 60 to 75 years. RESULTS: At baseline and at final visit, participants filled in the Short Form of 36 questions (SF-36), the Questionnaire on Life Satisfaction Modules (QLS(M)), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). For the placebo group scores on all dimensions of the SF-36 and the QLS(M) decreased during the intervention year, except for the dimension "role limitations caused by physical problems." The soy group showed increases on two dimensions of the SF-36 ("social functioning" and "role limitations caused by physical problems") and on one dimension of the QLS(M). There were however no statistically significant differences in changes of scores between the two intervention groups. For the GDS similarly, no significant differences were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the findings in this randomized trial do not support the presence of a marked effect of soy protein substitution on quality of life (health status, life satisfaction, and depression) in elderly postmenopausal women.     

Sleep problems and depressed mood negatively impact health-related quality of life during pregnancy

The objectives of this study were to evaluate and identify determinants of health related quality of life (HRQoL) during pregnancy. Pregnant women (n = 245) completed questionnaires measuring: HRQoL (Short Form Health Survey SF-36), life stress, social support, sleep, and depressed mood in the third trimester. Demographics and medical variables were also collected. Compared to Canadian normative data, our sample scored significantly poorer on the following HRQoL domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain, vitality, and social functioning. Multivariate linear regressions were used to model each of the SF-36 subscales. Experiencing sleep problems emerged as a significant determinant of poorer HRQoL in all domains, with the exception of emotional role. Higher depressed mood scores was independently associated with lower HRQoL in six of the eight domains, including bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health. Greater pregnancy-related anxiety was independently associated with lower scores on physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health problems. Women experience lower HRQoL during pregnancy, particularly in the physical domains. The importance of identifying and managing modifiable determinants early in pregnancy to enhance maternal health status is discussed.     

Ethnic differences in satisfaction and quality of life in veterans with ischemic heart disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in self-reported health status and satisfaction between African-American and caucasian veterans with ischemic heart disease (IHD). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: African-American and caucasian patients enrolled in General Internal Medicine clinics at six Veteran Affairs Medical Centers. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline survey data from the Ambulatory Care Quality Improvement Project (ACQUIP). Patients who responded to an initial health-screening questionnaire were sent follow-up surveys, which included the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Health Survey (SF-36), the Seattle Outpatient Satisfaction Questionnaire (SOSQ), and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Of the 44,965 patients approached, 27,977 (62%) returned the baseline survey, of which 10,385 patients reported IHD and were sent the SAQ. Of those, 7,985 patients (84% caucasian, 16% African-American) responded. Caucasian respondents tended to be older, married, nonsmokers, with annual incomes over dollar 10,000, and had higher educational attainment than African Americans. African-American patients reported significantly fewer cardiac procedures (33% vs. 52%, p < 0.001) but were more likely to have diabetes (37% vs. 28%, p < 0.001) and hypertension (81% vs. 68%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, clinic site, and site-ethnicity interactions, SF-36 scores for physical function, role physical, bodily pain, and vitality were greater for African Americans than caucasians, while adjusted scores were significantly lower for role emotional. However, because of the site-ethnicity interaction, scores varied significantly by site. For the SAQ, overall adjusted physical function summary scores and disease stability scores were significantly greater for African Americans than caucasians. Adjusted summary satisfaction scores for provider satisfaction were not significantly lower for African Americans overall but were significant at two of six sites. Similarly, on the SAQ, adjusted treatment satisfaction scores were significantly lower for African Americans at half of the sites and minimally but not clinically significant overall. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors, African-American patients with CAD who were treated in the VA system appeared to have a greater level of physical functioning, vitality, and angina stability. After adjustment for confounding demographic variables, however, these differences were not consistently significant at all geographic locations. This suggests that many other sociodemographic variables, in addition to ethnicity, influence apparent discrepancies in quality of life, satisfaction, and angina.     

Understanding quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer: comparison of data from a randomised controlled trial,a population based cohort study and the norm reference population

Background and aims:Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome measure in clinical studies. However, there is little experience with the interpretation of QoL results. Methods:To guide interpretation of QoL results from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) targeting the effectiveness of the immune modulator G-CSF on postoperative recovery in high risk (ASA III/IV) colorectal cancer patients, we compared RCT data with data from a population based cohort study and norm reference data. QoL was assessed using the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and CR38 questionnaires. QoL results were analysed on discharge from hospital and six months postoperatively. Results:Colorectal cancer patients (both from the RCT and the cohort study) showed the greatest differences in QoL scores compared to norm reference data at discharge from hospital. Six months postoperatively, global quality of life and pain approximated norm reference values indicating optimal recovery. However, deficits still appeared in scores for role functioning, physical functioning, social functioning and fatigue. The best improvements (discharge from hospital to six months postoperatively) were seen with respect to physical functioning, fatigue and pain. Conclusions:For further analysis of RCT data, physical functioning and fatigue scores may be more sensitive than global quality of life to detect differences in treatment effects.     

What variables predict generic and health-related quality of life in a sample of Brazilian women experiencing infertility?

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a condition associated with impairment in several areas of life. Questionnaires about quality of life (QoL) allow the examination of the impact of health conditions in a broader way, comprehending outcomes beyond symptomatology, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with various aspects of QoL. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the following: a socio-demographic and clinical data form, the Health Survey Short Form (SF-36) which examines health-related QoL and the WHOQOL-BREF which examines general QoL. RESULTS: 177 women seeking fertility assistance were interviewed. The sample was predominantly composed of women between 30 and 40 years old (64%), who had known about their infertility for <5 years (57%) and who had had no previous attempts at assisted reproduction (79%). Logistic regression indicated the following predictor variables: age (for better general health and physical functioning), previous in vitro fertilization (for lower vitality and poor psychological health scores), previous reproductive tract surgery (for worse general health but higher environment scores), advanced education (for higher vitality, mental health and environment scores, but for worse social relationships) and perception of worse sexual life (for lower overall scores). CONCLUSIONS: The identification of factors associated with better or worse QoL, in its different domains, is vital in order to propose and test scientifically based interventions on infertile women.     

Sleep Problems and Life Satisfaction as Predictors of Health in Men with Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies

More knowledge is needed about men with sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA). We present self-reported data from 53 men with SCA (M_age = 36.8 years, SD = 12.3, range 19–67). The Health Survey–Short Form (SF-36) measured eight health domains (physical functioning, role-physical, role-emotional, vitality, emotional health, social functioning, pain, general health). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index measured sleep problems. The Personal Wellbeing Index measured satisfaction with eight life domains. Compared to norms, SCA reported poorer health (mean d = ?0.80) and more sleep problems (mean d = ?0.85). Differences between SCA and norms on personal well-being were small, except lower health satisfaction in SCA (d = ?1.06). Seven of eight regression models predicting the SF-36 domains from life satisfaction and sleep problems were significant (explained variance 12.2% to 46.2%), except physical functioning (ns). Clinical assessment/intervention for a broad range of health and sleep problems is indicated for men with SCA.     

Impact of cognitive behavior therapy on health-related quality of life among adult hypnotic users with chronic insomnia

Results were combined from representative surveys of health related quality of life (HRQoL; n = 11, 877; age range = 16-104) with data from a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic insomnia (n = 209; age range = 31-92). Secondary analyses of scores from the SF-36 measure of HRQoL were conducted in order: (a) to compare the health related quality of life profiles of adult hypnotic users with chronic insomnia with those of population norms, and (b) to assess the impact of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for insomnia on HRQoL outcomes over 6 months. Compared with the primary care reference values, HRQoL among the trial participants at baseline was generally poorer. The magnitude of these decrements reduced markedly with advancing age. In the evaluation of the CBT intervention, statistically significant differences in SF-36 scores in favor of the intervention were present for physical functioning, emotional role limitation, and mental health over 6 months. Overall, this study shows that the SF-36 can play an important role in describing HRQoL in this patient group, and in the evaluation of interventions within this group.