The Relationship Between Disease Control,Symptom Distress,Functioning, and Quality of Life in Adults with Asthma

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) from a multidimensional perspective in relation to asthma control, symptom distress, and functioning in adults with asthma. Methods. A cross-sectional, mailing survey design was used. The convenience sample of 172 people diagnosed with asthma participated in this study. QOL, conceptualized as subjective satisfaction with life, was measured by the Quality of Life Index-Pulmonary Version III (QLI-PV III). Functioning was measured with the Living with Asthma Questionnaire (LWAQ). Instruments measuring asthma control and symptom experience have been developed for this study. Multiple regression and path analysis were used to examine the relationships. Results. The QOL was affected directly by functioning (β = ?0.70). Asthma control and symptom distress were indirectly influencing QOL. Among the predictors, direct paths were found between asthma control and functioning (γ = 0.20), and between symptom distress and functioning (γ = 0.57); 51% of the total variation in functioning was explained by symptom distress and asthma control; 48% of the total variation in QOL was explained by functioning. Conclusion. The findings highlight the importance of symptom distress and control of asthma symptoms with respect to functioning and QOL in people with asthma.     

早发男性非糖尿病冠心病患者健康相关生活质量及危险因素分析

目的　分析早发男性非糖尿病冠心病患者健康相关生活质量及危险因素相关性。方法　搜集2012　年1月至　2015年1月在中山大学孙逸仙纪念医院心内科住院男性、年龄≤50岁、非糖尿病患者215例,均行冠状动脉造影检查,其中冠状动脉狭窄≥50%　诊断为冠心病的患者104例为早发男性非糖尿病冠心病组;冠状动脉狭窄＜50%　111例为男性非糖尿病对照组,搜集临床资料及健康相关生活质量调查。结果　早发男性非糖尿病冠心病组中,高血压、高脂血症、吸烟、家族史、收缩压、舒张压水平显著高于男性非糖尿病对照组（均P<0.05）;早发男性非糖尿病冠心病组中,教育水平低、压力大、过度劳累比例显著高于男性非糖尿病对照组（均P<0.05）;校正吸烟、饮酒、高血压、高脂血症、高尿酸血症、冠心病家族史、教育水平低、压力大、过度劳累等危险因素后,吸烟（OR＝5.005,95%CI：2.096～11.954）、高血压（OR＝3.704,95%CI：1.466～9.355）、压力大（OR＝2.635,95%CI：1.309～5.302）、过度劳累（OR＝2.594,95%CI：1.192～5.648）均显著增加早发非糖尿病男性冠心病发病风险（均P<0.05）。结论　早发非糖尿病男性中吸烟、高血压、压力大、过度劳累均为冠心病发病风险,其中吸烟风险最大。     

The Study of the Relationship Between Wellness and Life Satisfaction of Older Adults

This study examines the relationship between the wellness status and life satisfaction of a sample of older adults (N = 180). Data was obtained by administering two instruments, the Self- responsibility for wellness measure (McConatha & McConatha, 1985) and the Life Satisfaction Index (Neugarten, Havighurst & To- bin, 1961). The results indicated that there was a positive significant relationship in the two variables, the implications of these results for the understanding and increasing the life satisfaction of older adults are discussed.     

The Relationship Between Asthma-Specific Quality of Life and Asthma Control

Few studies have quantitatively addressed the relationship between asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control as assessed by validated tools. Questionnaires were completed at home by a random sample of 542 adult asthmatic patients. The correlations of the two asthma control tools (Asthma Control Test™ and Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire™) with the quality of life tool (mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) were strongest with the symptoms and activity domains (r = 0.63-0.77); lower with the emotions domain (r = 0.57-0.64); and lowest with the environment domain (r = 0.38-0.43). Asthma control tools reflect the symptoms and activity themes of asthma quality of life well, but reflect the environmental domain less well.     

The Relationship Between Asthma-Specific Quality of Life and Asthma Control

Few studies have quantitatively addressed the relationship between asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control as assessed by validated tools. Questionnaires were completed at home by a random sample of 542 adult asthmatic patients. The correlations of the two asthma control tools (Asthma Control Test? and Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire?) with the quality of life tool (mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire) were strongest with the symptoms and activity domains (r = 0.63–0.77); lower with the emotions domain (r = 0.57–0.64); and lowest with the environment domain (r = 0.38–0.43). Asthma control tools reflect the symptoms and activity themes of asthma quality of life well, but reflect the environmental domain less well.     

Association Between Disease-specific Health-related Quality of Life and All-cause Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis

The association between disease-specific health quality of life (QoL) and adverse outcomes remains controversial in patients with heart failure (HF). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association of QoL measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) with all-cause mortality in patients with HF. PubMed and Embase databases were comprehensively searched until December 30, 2022 to identify studies investigating the utility of QoL measured by the MLHFQ or KCCQ in predicting all-cause mortality patients with HF. Twenty-five studies reported on 24 articles enrolling 42,414 HF patients were identified. A comparison of the top with the bottom MLHFQ score, the pooled adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of all-cause mortality was 1.56 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.26-1.94). When analyzed the MLHFQ as continuous variable, each 10-point MLHFQ score increase conferred a 12% (95% CI 6%-18%) higher risk of all-cause mortality, which was consistently significant for physical component (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.09-1.30) and mental component (HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.05-1.40). A comparison of the bottom with the top KCCQ score, the pooled adjusted HR was 2.34 (95% CI 2.10–2.60) for all-cause mortality. Furthermore, each 10-point KCCQ score decrease was associated with a 12% (95% CI 7%-16%) higher risk of all-cause mortality. Worse health-related QoL defined by the higher MLHFQ or lower KCCQ score was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HF. Assessment of disease-specific health QoL at baseline may provide important prognostic information in these patients.     

Life Satisfaction of Older Chinese Adults Living in Rural Communities

Guided by the socio-environmental theoretical framework, this study examined factors associated with life satisfaction experienced by older Chinese adults living in rural communities. The data used in this study were extracted from the Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban/Rural China conducted by the China Research Center on Aging in 2000. This study included 10,084 rural older adults in mainland China. In this study 60.2 % of rural older adults were satisfied with their lives. Results from a multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that life satisfaction reported by rural older Chinese adults was significantly related to education, financial resources, self-rated health, financial support from children, satisfaction with children’s support, house sitting for their children, visiting neighbors, and being invited to dinner by neighbors. Research and policy implications of these findings are also discussed.     

Health-related Quality of Life in College Students with and without Childhood-Onset Asthma

Objective. The current study investigated whether differences existed in health-related quality of life between individuals who self-identified as having childhood-onset asthma and individuals without a chronic illness. Additionally, the relationship between perceived illness intrusiveness and illness uncertainty to health-related quality of life was explored. Methods. College undergraduates at least 18 years of age who self-identified as having childhood asthma were randomly matched by age and gender to healthy control participants. Participants completed a demographic form, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community Form, the Illness Intrusiveness Scale, and the SF-36 Health Survey, a measure of health-related quality of life. Results. Participants with asthma had significantly lower scores on the total and mental health-related quality of life scales than did healthy control subjects. There were no significant differences between self-identified participants with asthma and matched healthy control subjects on physical health-related quality of life scales. Illness intrusiveness was not related to either the physical (e.g., physical functioning, general health) or mental health-related quality of life. Higher levels of illness uncertainty were significantly related to higher levels of mental health-related quality of life (e.g., vitality, mental health). In addition, participants with asthma scored significantly lower than healthy controls on the social functioning and role-emotional subscales. Conclusion. The current study adds to the extant literature by examining the relationships between illness intrusiveness, illness uncertainty, and health-related quality of life among a young adult population. College students with asthma appear to be at risk for diminished quality of life compared to a healthy comparison group. Further examination of various domains of health-related quality of life among older adolescents and young adults with childhood asthma is needed.     

The Relationship Between Weight Loss and Health‐related Quality of Life in a Serbian Population

We examined changes in weight‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and the relation to weight loss in a Serbian population undergoing diet‐induced weight loss treatment. HRQOL was assessed at intake and after 1 year using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite (IWQOL‐Lite) questionnaire. Study sample consists of 135 obese patients. After 1 year of diet therapy, patients experienced an average weight loss of ~12%, and significant improvements were noted in all IWQOL‐Lite domains (Physical Function, Self‐esteem, Sexual Life, Public Distress and Work). Amount of weight loss was closely linked to all domains (F = 27.49; p < 0.001), except Sexual Life (F = 2.08; p = 0.108). In patients with weight reductions of 5%–9.99%, there was a great improvement in physical function and self‐esteem. In those with ≥10% weight loss, there was improvement in all dimensions of IWQOL‐Lite. With the prevalence of obesity rising worldwide, including in Serbia, the positive effects of weight loss on weight‐specific HRQOL are encouraging. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

Relevance of Depression/Anxiety and Health-related Quality of Life in Paced Patients

Depression/anxiety is commonly present in paced patients and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The high prevalence of depression/anxiety in paced patients supports a strategy of increased awareness and treatment for depression/anxiety in paced patients. Health-related quality of life （HRQoL） is being increasingly considered as an expected out-come of therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation programs in clinical cardi- ology including patients before and after pacemaker（PM） implantation. This multispeciahy consensus document reviews the evidence linking depression/anxiety with arrhythmia and cardiac pacing; HRQoL and cardiac pacing, at the same time, provides recommendations for healthcare providers for the treatment of depression/anxiety. （S Chin J Cardiol 2009; 10（4） ： 190 -195）     

Health-related Quality of Life in CKD Patients: Correlates and Evolution over Time

Background and objectives: Very few large-scale studies have investigated the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis or the evolution of HRQOL over time.Design and setting: A prospective evaluation was undertaken of HRQOL in a cohort of 1186 CKD patients cared for in nephrology clinics in North America. Baseline and follow-up HRQOL were evaluated using the validated Kidney Disease Quality Of Life instrument.Results: Baseline measures of HRQOL were reduced in CKD patients in proportion to the severity grade of CKD. Physical functioning score declined progressively with more advanced stages of CKD and so did the score for role-physical. Female gender and the presence of diabetes and a history of cardiovascular co-morbidities were also associated with reduced HRQOL (physical composite score: male: 41.0 ± 10.2; female: 37.7 ± 10.8; P < 0.0001; diabetic: 37.3 ± 10.6; nondiabetic: 41.6 ± 10.2; P < 0.0001; history of congestive heart failure, yes: 35.4 ± 9.7; no: 40.3 ± 10.6; P < 0.0001; history of myocardial infarction, yes: 36.1 ± 10.0; no: 40.2 ± 10.6; P < 0.0001). Anemia and beta blocker usage were also associated with lower HRQOL scores. HRQOL measures declined over time in this population. The main correlates of change over time were age, albumin level and co-existent co-morbidities.Conclusions: These observations highlight the profound impact CKD has on HRQOL and suggest potential areas that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.Patients'' perception of their well being and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are becoming an integral part of evaluations of the human cost of chronic illnesses and the assessment of the impact of therapeutic interventions. Measures of health- related quality of life (HRQOL) have not only become popular investigative tools, but have been used in an effort to define and alter models of health care delivery. To date, there have been very few large-scale studies that have investigated the determinants of HRQOL in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis, or the evolution of HRQOL over time using PROs. Most studies have tended to be small in size and cross-sectional (1–5). Larger studies have lacked a longitudinal component (6,7), and longitudinal studies have been modest in size (8) or used tools not developed for patients with kidney disease (9).The quality of life of CKD patients is a frequently overlooked yet critical consideration when evaluating their overall medical care (10). The importance of measuring HRQOL has been underscored by recent studies indicating an association between various HRQOL measures and mortality and hospitalization rates in dialysis patients (11–16). These studies have raised the question of whether addressing HRQOL problems in dialysis patients and patients with CKD can improve medical outcomes. Given the well documented, high mortality and hospitalization rate in CKD patients, understanding the HRQOL issues of CKD patients would seem to be an important area to explore (17).     

Contemporary Incidence of Postprostatectomy Incontinence and Impact on Health-related Quality of Life

The incidence of postprostatectomy incontinence (PPI) has been notoriously difficult to assess. We investigated the contemporary incidence of PPI and the impact of PPI on health-related quality of life. Large studies with patient self-reported outcomes and more than 12 months of follow-up demonstrated that 80% to 98.5% of men report using 0 or 1 pad per day, and that in the setting of cancer control, most men who use 0 or 1 pad per day consider themselves continent.     

Relationship Between Psychiatric Disorders and Quality of Life in Nondialysis Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) and quality of life (QOL) in nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsQOL was evaluated in a sample of 57 nondialysis patients with CKD using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire comprising 8 scales, including the physical component summary and mental component summary measures. Depression and anxiety were estimated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, respectively.ResultsDepression and anxiety scores were negatively correlated with 7 of the 8 scales of the Short Form 36 questionnaire, and with the physical component summary and mental component summary scores, despite 38.6% patients with depression and 54.4% with anxiety, whereas QOL in the depression group, the anxiety group, and the anxiety and depression comorbid group was lower than that for those without the corresponding psychiatric disorders (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that depression and anxiety, commonly encountered in patients with CKD, could be a risk factor for QOL in these patients.     

The Relationship Between the Quality of Life of Children with Asthma and Family Functioning

The quality of life of 84 children with asthma, aged 7–12 years, and their family functioning was assessed using standard questionnaires. A significant relationship was found between children's reports of their quality of life and several key dimensions of family functioning. The results suggest that independent of their frequency, the extent to which asthma symptoms upset and bother children varies depending on the level of the functioning of the children's families. Treatment approaches designed to improve family functioning may reduce the extent to which children are bothered by their asthma symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.     

The Relationship Between the Quality of Life of Children with Asthma and Family Functioning

The quality of life of 84 children with asthma, aged 7-12 years, and their family functioning was assessed using standard questionnaires. A significant relationship was found between children's reports of their quality of life and several key dimensions of family functioning. The results suggest that independent of their frequency, the extent to which asthma symptoms upset and bother children varies depending on the level of the functioning of the children's families. Treatment approaches designed to improve family functioning may reduce the extent to which children are bothered by their asthma symptoms and thus improve their quality of life.     

Late Life Immigration and Quality of Life among Asian Indian Older Adults

Late-life immigration among seniors for purposes of family reunification is a growing phenomenon in developed countries. Using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life instrument short form (WHOQOL-BREF) and other psychosocial measures related to the political/legal context of immigration, and personal and environmental autonomy (mastery, immigration status, access to transportation, and language barrier), this study examined quality of life (QoL) in Asian Indian seniors (N = 109), who immigrated to the United States to reunite with their adult children. The sample scores on Overall QoL and QoL domains (physical and psychological health, social relationships, and environment) were similar to established norms. Although all QoL domains correlated significantly with Overall QoL at the bivariate level, multivariate analysis showed that only environmental domain contributed significantly to Overall QoL. Linear regressions indicated: Mastery contributed significantly to Overall QoL and all QoL domains; access to transport contributed to Overall QoL, physical health, and environmental QoL; immigration status (a proxy for political/legal context) contributed to environmental QoL whereas language barrier contributed to none. Implications for improving perceptions of QoL, mastery, access to transport and other services are discussed.     

Symptoms Burden and Health-related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Background and AimsPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease that negatively affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. Furthermore, the HRQoL of Chinese patients has been neglected for a long time. The present study aimed to assess the HRQoL of Chinese patients with PBC and explore the clinical variables correlating to the improvement of itch and fatigue.MethodsThis was an observational, cross-sectional study. The PBC-40 and itch numerical rating scales were used to evaluate the symptoms and HRQoL of patients.ResultsA total of 383 patients were recruited, and 86.4% were female, with a median age of 55 years (range: 49–63 years). We found that females had significantly higher scores than males in symptoms (p=0.033) and cognitive domains (p=0.021), and the fatigue domain was higher in elderly patients (p=0.007). Meanwhile, patients whose body mass index was <18.5 had the highest scores in the symptoms (p=0.009), fatigue (p=0.010), and cognitive (p=0.019) domains. Age at participation (odds ratio [OR]=1.068, p=0.015) and albumin level at 12 months after ursodeoxycholic acid treatment (OR=208.807, p=0.025) were independent factors that affected the improvement of the itch and fatigue domains, respectively.ConclusionsThe HRQoL of Chinese patients with PBC was significantly impaired depending on sex, age, and body mass index. Age and albumin level were significantly associated with the improvement of itch and fatigue, respectively. Therefore, treatment and support aimed at these two factors can be provided to improve the HRQoL of patients.     

Association Between Awareness of Hypertension and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Rural Area of Northwest China

Hypertensive patients have more complex health care needs and are more likely to have poorer health-related quality of life than normotensive people. The awareness of hypertension could be related to reduce health-related quality of life. We propose the use of quantile regression to explore more detailed relationships between awareness of hypertension and health-related quality of life.In a cross-sectional, population-based study, 2737 participants (including 1035 hypertensive patients and 1702 normotensive participants) completed the Short-Form Health Survey. A quantile regression model was employed to investigate the association of physical component summary scores and mental component summary scores with awareness of hypertension and to evaluate the associated factors.Patients who were aware of hypertension (N = 554) had lower scores than patients who were unaware of hypertension (N = 481). The median (IQR) of physical component summary scores: 48.20 (13.88) versus 53.27 (10.79), P < 0.01; the mental component summary scores: 50.68 (15.09) versus 51.70 (10.65), P = 0.03. adjusting for covariates, the quantile regression results suggest awareness of hypertension was associated with most physical component summary scores quantiles (P < 0.05 except 10th and 20th quantiles) in which the β-estimates from −2.14 (95% CI: −3.80 to −0.48) to −1.45 (95% CI: −2.42 to −0.47), as the same significant trend with some poorer mental component summary scores quantiles in which the β-estimates from −3.47 (95% CI: −6.65 to −0.39) to −2.18 (95% CI: −4.30 to −0.06). The awareness of hypertension has a greater effect on those with intermediate physical component summary status: the β-estimates were equal to −2.04 (95% CI: −3.51 to −0.57, P < 0.05) at the 40th and decreased further to −1.45 (95% CI: −2.42 to −0.47, P < 0.01) at the 90th quantile.Awareness of hypertension was negatively related to health-related quality of life in hypertensive patients in rural western China, which has a greater effect on mental component summary scores with the poorer status and on physical component summary scores with the intermediate status.