Improved Health-related Quality of Life after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Is Unrelated to Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

This prospective study was instituted to assess whether the use of the on-pump method or the off-pump method affects changes in health-related quality of life (QOL) as evaluated a year after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Data including preoperative risk factors and postoperative morbidity up to discharge were collected from 508 CABG patients operated in the Heart Center of a university hospital and further treated in secondary referral hospitals. Four hundred and fifty-two (89.0%) patients underwent operation with the on-pump method and 56 (11.0%) with the off-pump method, i.e., without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The RAND-36 Health Survey (RAND-36) was used as indicator of QOL. The primary outcome measure was a change in the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) from the RAND-36. Symptomatic status was estimated according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Assessments were made preoperatively and repeated 12 months later. The majority of patients operated on-pump (85.6%) and off-pump (92.9%) had a favorable outcome without major complications (p = 0.136). The present data showed significant improvement (p < 0.001) in all eight domains of QOL following on-pump CABG. Likewise, off-pump patients improved in all eight aspects, and the change was statistically significant in six dimensions. A highly significant (p < 0.001) pattern of change was seen in the RAND-36 MCS and PCS scores in both operative groups. Differences between the groups were nonsignificant. We conclude that most patients experience significant improvement in health-related QOL during the first year after CABG, and that cardiopulmonary bypass has no effect on patients subsequent health-related QOL, but its use depends on specific indications.     

Changes in health-related quality of life and functional capacity following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Improvement in survival and quality of life are the primary indications for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations. Among elderly patients the main goal of surgery is not necessarily to prolong life, but to improve the health-related quality of life. Factors associated with mortality and morbidity following CABG surgery have been well defined, but the quality of life and functional capacity in elderly patients undergoing CABG are poorly documented. The aim here was to investigate changes in health-related quality of life, overall performance status and symptomatic status during 1 year after CABG surgery. METHODS: Comprehensive data on 508 CABG patients were prospectively collected, including preoperative risk factors and postoperative morbidity in a surgical center and in all eighteen secondary referral hospitals up to discharge. The RAND-36 Health Survey (RAND-36) was used as indicator of quality of life. The primary outcome was change in the physical component summary, mental component summary and General Health summary scores from the RAND-36. Karnofsky dependency category was used to assess overall performance status, and symptomatic status was estimated according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. All assessments were made preoperatively and repeated 12 months later. Analysis was based on three age groups: 64 years or less (282 patients), 65-74 years (175 patients), and 75 or more years (51 patients). RESULTS: Thirty-day and 1-year survival rates were 98.2 and 96.7%, respectively. A great majority (86.4%) of the patients recovered without major complication. In all, the present data showed significant improvement in all eight domains of QOL as well as in functional capacity and NYHA class during the 1st year after CABG. However, the mean change in RAND-36 Mental Component Summary scores among patients aged 75 years or more did not reach a statistically significant level (P=0.097) and they had significantly minor improvement as compared to younger patients (P<0.05). Moreover, their General Health score improvement was poorer and statistically insignificant (P=0.817). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients not only have higher mortality and morbidity but also derive less benefit from CABG regarding certain aspects of QOL.     

Impact of Obesity on Outcome and Changes in Quality of Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background An increasing proportion of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are obese and are thought to carry a higher mortality and morbidity in association with surgery, but data on whether health-related quality of life (QOL) improves similarly after CABG in obese and non-obese patients are limited. We assessed in detail the effect of obesity on changes in health-related QOL (RAND-36 Health Survey) during the first year following CABG. Methods Comprehensive data on 508 CABG patients were prospectively collected. One hundred patients (19.7%) were categorized as obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²). The RAND-36 Health Survey was used as an indicator of quality of life. Assessments were made preoperatively and repeated 12 months later. Results The obese group fared significantly worse than the non-obese group with regard to the likelihood of superficial wound infection (19.0% versus 7.1%, P < 0.001), impaired renal function (31.7% versus 14.4%, P = 0.01), and required on average 2 days longer in hospital (P < 0.05). The incidence of mediastinitis was not significantly higher among the obese patients (2.0% versus 1.2%, P = 0.55), and they less frequently needed postoperative red cell transfusions (29.0% versus 44.9%, P = 0.004). The obese improved significantly (P < 0.001) in 7, and the non-obese (P < 0.001) in all 8 RAND-36 dimensions. Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores on the RAND-36 improved significantly (P < 0.001) in obese as well as in non-obese patients. Conclusions Although obese patients differ from non-obese patients in that they had inferior QOL before and in the year following CABG, they gain a similar improvement in QOL 1 year after surgery compared with non-obese patients. Excluding superficial wound infection, transient impaired renal function, and slightly longer hospital stay, obesity does not significantly increase the risk of other adverse outcomes during the first year following CABG.     

Assessment of long-term quality of life after laparoscopic and open surgery for Crohn''s disease

OBJECTIVE: Surgery for Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with a high recurrence rate and quality of life (QOL) in these patients is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess QOL in patients after laparoscopic and open surgery for CD by two different validated instruments, a generic nonspecific score and a specific gastrointestinal QOL index. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with CD who underwent elective laparoscopic or open ileocaecal resection with primary anastomosis between 1992 and 2000 were followed for recurrence and surgery-related complications. QOL was assessed by the SF-36 Health Survey containing a mental (MCS) and a physical (PCS) component summary score and by the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) developed by Eypasch. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with a mean age of 48.8 +/- 18.4 years including 23 females and 14 males were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 42.6 +/-25.8 months (minimum of 8 months). Twenty-one (57%) patients underwent laparoscopic resection and 16 (43%) open surgery. Both groups were well matched for age, gender, ASA class and body mass index. Fourteen (38%) patients developed recurrent disease and 3 (8%) had postoperative incisional hernias. Overall, QOL scores were 103 +/- 26.8 for the GIQLI, 47.2 +/- 11.8 for the PCS, and 49.2 +/- 11.5 for the MCS. The GIQLI correlated well with the SF36, correlation coefficient = 0.68 for GIQLI vs PCS (95% CI, 0.41,0.95) and 0.67 for GIQLI vs MCS (95%CI, 0.39, 0.95), respectively. When compared to the general US population, mean GIQLI scores (-13.8, P = 0.002) and mean PCS scores (-4.7, P = 0.001) were significantly lower in these patients than in healthy individuals. In a multivariate analysis of impact factors on QOL, recurrence within the follow-up period was the single significant determinant reducing the PCS (-35.1, P = 0.026) and the GIQLI (-36.1, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: QOL is significantly reduced in patients with CD at long-term follow-up after both laparoscopic and open surgery. Recurrence is the only factor adversely affecting QOL of CD patients in remission irrespective of the operative technique applied.     

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.     

Correlation of SF-12 and SF-36 in a trauma population

BACKGROUND: The SF-36 is a commonly used general measure of health-related quality of life (QoL). The SF-12 is a related tool with less response burden, but its performance in a general trauma population is unknown. Hypothesis: The SF-12 would provide similar QoL information to the SF-36 in blunt trauma patients. METHODS: Adults with nonneurological blunt injury were prospectively enrolled. Demographic, injury, and socioeconomic data were collected. Patients were assessed with functional and psychologic questionnaires 1 and 6 months after injury. Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores of the SF-36 and SF-12 were compared using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Linear regression identified factors associated with the SF-12 and SF-36 PCS and MCS. Responsiveness to change was assessed using the standardized response mean. RESULTS: Correlation of the PCS was 0.924 and MCS was 0.925 (both P < 0.001). QoL remained below population norms at 6 months. PCS was moderately responsive to change and was equivalent using either the SF-12 or the SF-36. MCS was not responsive to change using either tool. At both time points, at least 25% of patients with normal SF-12 PCS or MCS had SF-36 subscale scores significantly below the normal population. CONCLUSIONS: The SF-12 can be used to assess QoL in trauma patients. The lack of responsiveness to change of the MCS suggests other methods may be necessary to fully evaluate mental QoL. Summary scores may not be sufficient to fully assess QoL in this population. Combining the SF-12 with measures to assess psychosocial variables should be further investigated.     

Health related quality of life after percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation. 12-month follow up.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of percutaneous and surgical revascularization in acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation is similar. Therefore, other factors, like health-related quality of life, should play an important role in choosing the revascularization method. METHODS: We compared 12-month health-related quality of life for high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation assigned to percutaneous coronary intervention (group A) versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (group B). Patients had an episode of rest angina within 24h prior to admission and had to fulfil at least one of the criteria: (1) ST-segment depression (>or=0.05mV), (2) transient (<20min) ST-segment elevation or T-wave inversion (>or=0.1mV), (3) positive serum cardiac markers. Four hundred and ninety-six (91.34%) of 543 patients alive 12-months after index hospitalization completed a Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status survey. Group A comprised 392 patients and group B comprised 104 patients. We compared mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) scores from the SF-36 survey between analyzed groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in MCS scores (47.21+/-12.30 vs. 46.60+/-11.3 in group A and group B, respectively, NS). PCS scores were lower in group A (38.30+/-11.10 vs. 42.64+/-9.76; p=0.003). Patients of group A had a higher rate of unstable angina (22.45 vs. 5.77%, p=0.0002) and repeated revascularization (12.76 vs. 1.92%, p=0.001) at 1 year. Patients of group A also had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure during follow-up (138.17+/-20.41 vs. 133.47+/-19.21, p=0.04 and 82.48+/-11.32 vs. 77.25+/-16.17, p=0.0003, respectively). Systolic blood pressure was inversely associated with PCS scores in group A (Spearman's R= -0.18 p=0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that there is a significant difference in health-related quality of life 12-months after percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This difference arises from better physical function (physical component summary) for coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients compared with percutaneous coronary intervention patients. Despite impairment of the physical health status (physical component summary), the mental health status (mental component summary) remained similar in both groups.     

Prevalence of whiplash injury and its association with quality of life in local residents in Japan: A cross sectional study

BackgroundAssociations between whiplash injuries and quality of life (QOL) have been previously published by conducting surveys among patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of whiplash injuries in a Japanese community, and the association between whiplash injuries and QOL was also determined.MethodsIn all, 1140 volunteers participated in this study, filled out a questionnaire about whether they had experienced a whiplash injury, or had any neck pain or neck-shoulder stiffness in the previous 3 months, and completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. QOL was evaluated from the eight domain scores, and the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. We compared the characteristics, habits, history, medication, body mass index, and health-related QOL (eight domains, PCS and MCS scores) between the groups with whiplash injuries and no whiplash injuries for each sex. Multiple linear regressions with the forced-entry procedure were performed to evaluate the effects of a whiplash injury on the PCS and MCS. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of whiplash injuries was 7.7% and 9.6% in men and women, respectively. The percentage of those who experienced whiplash injuries with symptoms persisting for more than 3 months was 34.3% and 24.2% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence of neck symptoms was significantly higher in the whiplash injury group than in the non-whiplash injury group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, although whiplash injuries were associated with poor health-related QOL in men, age was more associated with health-related QOL than whiplash injuries in both sexes.ConclusionThe prevalence of whiplash injuries was 7.7% and 9.6% in men and women in local residents in Japan, respectively. Whiplash injuries were poorly associated with a poor health-related QOL in men (P = 0.015).     

Self-assessed physical and mental function of haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scales of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey are validated measures of quality of life (QOL) and functional status. We sought to evaluate the PCS and MCS in haemodialyis patients as compared to the general population and other chronic diseases. METHODS: A cohort of 134 haemodialysis patients (mean age 60.9+/-14.3 years, males 63.4%, Caucasians 66.4%) was followed from January 1996 to December 1998 (mean follow up 14.5+/-5.7 months). SF-36 questionnaires were administered every 3 months and PCS and MCS were calculated. Results were compared to the general population and other chronic diseases. Correlators of PCS and MCS, change in QOL over time, and the correlators of this change were determined. RESULTS: Mean PCS was 36.9+/-8.8 and mean MCS was 47+/-10.7. Compared to the general US population, these represent a decline of 8.7+/-0.8 for PCS (P<0.0001) and 2.7+/-0.8 for MCS (P<0.001). PCS and MCS in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were lower than in most other chronic diseases studied. Univariate correlators of PCS in haemodialysis patients included age, male sex, haematocrit, serum albumin, and severity of comorbid cardiac and pulmonary illnesses. Multivariate analysis demonstrated independent correlators of PCS to be male sex, serum albumin and severity of comorbid cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Univariate as well as multivariate correlators of MCS included: serum albumin, KT/V(urea), and status living alone. A trend analysis revealed that both PCS and MCS tended to decline in the initial months of dialysis but stabilized over time. Status living alone was a significant predictor of improvement in MCS by univariate as well as multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Self assessed physical and mental health of haemodialysis patients is markedly diminished compared to the general population and other chronic diseases.     

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.     

Application of KDQOL-SFTM 1.3 version in evaluating quality of life of maintenance hemodialysis patients in multiple centers

Objective To understand the quality of life (QOL) and its influencing factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients (hemodialysis maintenance, MHD), and to provide theoretical basis for improving QOL of patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the blood purification centre in 8 hospitals of Hefei, and patients clinical data were collected. KDQOL-SF self-administered questionnaire was applied to assess the health related quality of life (HRQL) of patients and to analyze the factors influencing the QOL. Results The QOL of MHD patients in Hefei City was better compared with previous similar research results. Generally speaking, gender (male), education degree and household income were positive correlated with QOL scores (P＜0.05), and the scores of primary disease of patients with diabetic nephropathy or drugs were lower (P＜0.05) in physiological component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), SF-36 and KDTA. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was negatively correlated with the MCS scores, PCS scores and SF scores (P＜0.05), and patients' occupational and medical insurance had impacts on MCS and KDTA score (P＜0.05). Conclusions The QOL of MHD patients are affected by many factors, and the CCI and cultural level are possible independent influencing factors. In addition, gender, household income per capita, primary disease, occupation, medical insurance also have certain influence.     

Health-related quality of life of family caregivers of dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and burden on family caregivers of chronic dialysis patients and to analyze which factors were associated with it. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicentric study was carried out with 221 patient/caregiver pairs. General population Short Form 36 (SF-36) norms were used to estimate gender and age standardized physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. The Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSS), the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), and sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: The PCS and MCS of caregivers were slightly worse than that of the Spanish population. Multiple regression analysis showed that: (1) lower PCS was associated with younger age and higher ZBI of the caregiver (R2=0.15); (2) lower MCS was associated with higher ZBI and lower FSS of the caregiver, and lower MCS of the patient (R2=0.29); (3) higher ZBI was associated with lower FSS, PCS and MCS of the caregiver, and to older age and lower PCS and MCS of the patient (R2=0.49). Of caregivers 28.3% had a MCS < or = 42; logistic regression analysis showed that a MCS < or = 42 was associated to higher ZBI and lower FSS scores (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The HRQOL of dialysis patient family caregivers is slightly worse than that of the Spanish population of the same age and gender. Younger family members, who are the primary carers of older dialysis patients with poor HRQOL, experienced a higher burden, had a worse HRQOL and had a higher risk of clinical depression; this was worse if low social support was perceived.     

Prospective assessment of health-related quality of life after endovascular repair of pararenal and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms using fenestrated-branched endografts

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate changes in health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients treated for pararenal aortic aneurysms (PAAs) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) with fenestrated-branched endovascular aneurysm repair (F-BEVAR).MethodsA total of 159 consecutive patients (70% male; mean age, 75 ± 7 years) were enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomized single-center study using manufactured F-BEVAR (2013-2016). All patients were observed for at least 12 months (mean follow-up time, 27 ± 12 months). Patients' health-related QOL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire at baseline (N = 159), 6 to 8 weeks (n = 136), 6 months (n = 129), and 12 months (n = 123). Physical component scores (PCSs) and mental component scores (MCSs) were compared with historical results of patients enrolled in the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) 1 trial who were treated by standard EVAR for simple infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.ResultsThere were 57 patients with PAAs and 102 patients with TAAAs (50 extent IV and 52 extent I-III TAAAs). There were no 30-day deaths, in-hospital deaths, conversions to open surgery, or aorta-related deaths. Survival was 96% at 1 year and 87% at 2 years. Major adverse events occurred in 18% of patients, and 1-year reintervention rate was 14%. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in 30-day outcomes. Patients treated for TAAAs had lower baseline scores compared with those treated for PAAs (P < .05). PCS declined significantly 6 to 8 weeks after F-BEVAR in both groups and returned to baseline values at 12 months in the PAA group but not in the TAAA group. Patients with TAAAs had significantly lower PCSs at 12 months compared with those with PAAs (P < .001). There was no decline in mean MCS. Major adverse events were associated with decline in PCS assessed at 6 to 8 weeks (P = .021) but not in the subsequent evaluations. Reinterventions had no effect on PCS or MCS. Overall, patients treated by F-BEVAR had similar changes in QOL measures as those who underwent standard EVAR in the EVAR 1 trial, except for lower PCS in TAAA patients at 12 months.ConclusionsPatients treated for TAAAs had lower scores at baseline in their physical aspect of health-related QOL. F-BEVAR was associated with significant decline in PCSs in both groups, which improved after 2 months and returned to baseline values at 12 months in patients with PAAs but not in those with TAAAs. Patients treated for PAAs had similar changes in QOL compared with those treated for infrarenal aortic aneurysms with standard EVAR.     

Assessment of quality of life and its influence factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the quality of life (QOL) of maintenance hemodialysis （MHD）patients and its influencing factors. Methods A total of 257 MHD patients in our hospital were recruited in this study. Clinical data of the patients were collected, and the QOL was assessed by MOS 36 item short form health survey(SF-36). Nutritional status of patients was evaluated by modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA). Univariate analysis of variance,pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were performed to determine the effect of related factors on QOL scores. Results The scores of all scales of SF - 36 evaluation in MHD patients were relatively lower than that of general population as reported before. Their physiological component summary (PCS) score decreased gradually as age grew, nevertheless, the mental component summary (MCS) score was highest in the group aged 41 - 60. The score was lower in patients with moderate to severe malnutrition or diabetic nephropathy when compared with other patients. Univariate analysis of variance also revealed that high SF-36 scores associated with higher education or income. Multivariate analysis indicated that PCS score and total SF-36 score of MHD patients were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol, but negatively correlated with diabetic nephropathy, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and MQSGA score (all P＜0.05). There was positive correlation between MCS score and income,yet negative correlation between MCS score and MQSGA score (all P＜0.05). Conclusion MHD patients had relatively poor QOL. Primary diseases and nutritional status were probably the main influencing factors. Age, educated level, family income and pulmonary artery systolic pressure might also have effects on their QOL.     

Organ quality and quality of life after liver transplantation

Not only is there a limited supply of organs for liver transplantation, but the quality of the available organs is not uniform. Risk factors such as donor age and cause of death are known to predict graft failure, but their impact on the recipient's quality of life (QOL) has not been reported. We sent a QOL survey to 299 adults at our institution who had received a liver transplant 1 to 7 years before the study. For the 171 patients (57%) who completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36), the mean Physical Composite Score (PCS) and the mean Mental Composite Score (MCS) were 61 and 66, respectively; the highest scores were for the Social Functioning subscale, and the lowest scores were for the Role Functioning/Physical and Energy/Fatigue subscales. The mean donor risk index (DRI) of the organs that the subjects received was 1.4 (range = 0.8-2.4). There was no correlation between the SF-36 scores and the DRI [there were changes of -4.8 and -2.8 in the PCS and MCS per unit increase in the DRI (P = 0.4 and 0.6, respectively)], even though we controlled for potential confounders such as age, sex, hospitalization before transplantation, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score at transplantation, years since transplantation, previous transplantation, and the Charlson comorbidity index. In conclusion, we found no association between organ quality and QOL after liver transplantation. If this finding is confirmed in prospective, multicenter studies, it will be useful in counseling patients about the decision to accept or not accept high-risk organ offers.     

Differential changes in self-reported quality of life in elderly populations after diagnosis of a genitourinary malignancy

BackgroundThe time of cancer diagnosis is a major event during which quality of life (QOL) can be affected and represents a crucial time to identify patients at high risk of decline. We sought to compare the differential effects of the diagnosis of 3 major urologic malignancies on QOL.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare Health Outcomes Survey database was queried for patients who completed a QOL questionnaire (SF-36 or VR-12) before and after a diagnosis of bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer. Primary outcome measures were the mental component summary (MCS), and physical component summary (PCS) scores. Mixed effects linear regression was performed with cancer diagnosis as the primary variable of interest, with race and cardiovascular comorbidity status included as potentially confounding independent variables.ResultsThere were 3,258 patients with urologic cancers. Both MCS and PCS scores dropped after diagnosis in all disease states. Bladder and kidney cancer patients demonstrated the greatest decline in MCS score (-1.762 points, 95% CI-2.571 to -0.952, P < 0.001) and PCS score (-3.769 points, 95% CI-5.042 to -2.496, P < 0.001), respectively, after adjustment for potential confounders. By contrast, prostate cancer patients demonstrated the smallest decline in both domains. Race and cardiovascular comorbidity status were independently associated with QOL, with an association 2 to 3 times greater than that of cancer diagnosis.ConclusionsDiagnosis of a urologic cancer was associated with a decline in patient-reported QOL, particularly in those with bladder or kidney cancer. Changes in physical health were more prominent than in mental health. Race and cardiovascular comorbidity status influenced QOL domains to a greater extent than specific urologic cancer diagnosis.     

Changes in health-related quality of life following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background. There are limited data to help clinicians identify patients likely to have an improvement in quality of life following CABG surgery. We evaluated the relationship between preoperative health status and changes in quality of life following CABG surgery.

Methods. We evaluated 1,744 patients enrolled in the VA Cooperative Processes, Structures, and Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery study who completed preoperative and 6-month postoperative Short Form-36 (SF-36) surveys. The primary outcome was change in the Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores from the SF-36.

Results. On average, physical and mental health status improved following the operation. Preoperative health status was the major determinant of change in quality of life following surgery, independent of anginal burden and other clinical characteristics. Patients with MCS scores less than 44 or PCS scores less than 38 were most likely to have an improvement in quality of life. Patients with higher preoperative scores were unlikely to have an improvement in quality of life.

Conclusions. Patients with preoperative health status deficits are likely to have an improvement in their quality of life following CABG surgery. Alternatively, patients with relatively good preoperative health status are unlikely to have a quality of life benefit from surgery and the operation should primarily be performed to improve survival.     

Sleep quality predicts quality of life and mortality risk in haemodialysis patients: results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality (SQ) affects many haemodialysis (HD) patients and could potentially predict their morbidity, mortality, quality of life (QOL) and patterns of medication use. METHODS: Data on SQ were collected from 11,351 patients in 308 dialysis units in seven countries in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) between 1996 and 2001 through a patient self-reported SQ scale, ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). A score of <6 reflected poor SQ. Sleep disturbance was also assessed by self-reported daytime sleepiness, feeling drained and nocturnal awakening. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to assess predictors of SQ and associations with QOL. Cox regression examined associations with mortality. Analyses accounted for case-mix, facility clustering and country. RESULTS: Nearly half (49%) of patients experienced poor SQ. Mean SQ scores varied by country, ranging from 4.9 in Germany to 6.5 in Japan. Patients with poor SQ were more likely to be prescribed antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, narcotics, gastrointestinal (GI) medications, anti-asthmatics or hypnotics. Physical exercise at least once a week (vs < once a week) was associated with lower odds of poor SQ (AOR = 0.55-0.85, P < 0.05). Poorer SQ was associated with significantly lower mental and physical component summary (MCS/PCS) scores (MCS scores 1.9-13.2 points lower and PCS scores 1.5-7.7 points lower when SQ scores were <10 vs 10). The RR of mortality was 16% higher for HD patients with poor SQ. CONCLUSIONS: Poor SQ is common among HD patients in DOPPS countries and is independently associated with several QOL indices, medication use patterns and mortality. Assessment and management of SQ should be an important component of care.     

Health-related quality of life as a predictor of mortality and hospitalization: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS)

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether indicators of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may predict the risk of death and hospitalization among hemodialysis patients treated in seven countries, taking into account serum albumin concentration and several other risk factors for death and hospitalization. We also compared HRQOL measures with serum albumin regarding their power to predict outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), an international, prospective, observational study of randomly selected hemodialysis patients in the United States (148 facilities), five European countries (101 facilities), and Japan (65 facilities). The total sample size was composed of 17,236 patients. Using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM), we determined scores for three components of HRQOL: (1) physical component summary (PCS), (2) mental component summary (MCS), and (3) kidney disease component summary (KDCS). Complete responses on HRQOL measures were obtained from 10,030 patients. Cox models were used to assess associations between HRQOL and the risk of death and hospitalization, adjusted for multiple sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, and laboratory factors. RESULTS: For patients in the lowest quintile of PCS, the adjusted risk (RR) of death was 93% higher (RR = 1.93, P < 0.001) and the risk of hospitalization was 56% higher (RR = 1.56, P < 0.001) than it was for patients in the highest quintile level. The adjusted relative risk values of mortality per 10-point lower HRQOL score were 1.13 for MCS, 1.25 for PCS, and 1.11 for KDCS. The corresponding adjusted values for RR for first hospitalization were 1.06 for MCS, 1.15 for PCS, and 1.07 for KDCS. Each RR differed significantly from 1 (P < 0.001). For 1 g/dL lower serum albumin concentration, the RR of death adjusted for PCS, MCS, and KDCS and the other covariates was 1.17 (P < 0.01). Albumin was not significantly associated with hospitalization (RR = 1.03, P> 0.5). CONCLUSION: Lower scores for the three major components of HRQOL were strongly associated with higher risk of death and hospitalization in hemodialysis patients, independent of a series of demographic and comorbid factors. A 10-point lower PCS score was associated with higher elevation in the adjusted mortality risk, as was a 1 g/dL lower serum albumin level. More research is needed to assess whether interventions to improve quality of life lower these risks among hemodialysis patients.     

A comparison of the changes in generic quality of life after superficial venous surgery with those after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Superficial venous surgery (SVS) results in a significant improvement in generic health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, it is unclear how this improvement compares with that observed after other commonly performed general and vascular operations. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in generic HRQL observed before and after SVS for CEAP clinical grade 2 to 4 venous disease with those observed before and after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) for biliary colic. METHODS: The Short Form 12 questionnaire was mailed to patients before and 3, 6, and 12 months after SVS (n = 143) and ELC (n = 60). The responses were used to calculate physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores at each time point. A higher score indicates a better HRQL. RESULTS: Before surgery and 3 and 12 months after surgery, patients in the ELC group had a significantly lower PCS than those in the SVS group (40.2 vs 49.5, 48.9 vs 53.1, and 45.4 vs 53.8; P < .001, P = .033, and P < .001, respectively; Mann-Whitney U test). However, the change in PCS observed over the first 12 postoperative months was not significantly different between the SVS and ELC groups. Patients in the ELC group had a significantly lower MCS than those in the SVS group before surgery (45.9 vs 50.8; P = .002; Mann-Whitney U test), but not after surgery. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative change in MCS. CONCLUSIONS: SVS is associated with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in generic HRQL that is similar to that observed after ELC. These novel data lend further support to the clinical benefit of SVS and will help health care purchasers make decisions regarding the prioritization of vascular and general surgical services.