Pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ): Validation among asthmatic children in Thailand

Quality of life (QoL) is an important consideration among asthma sufferers. The Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring health-related QoL in children with asthma. The standardized version of PAQLQ contains 23 questions in three domains, i.e., activity limitation, symptoms and emotional function. The objective of this study was to validate the Thai-translated version of the PAQLQ. The study design consisted of a five-week single cohort study. Patients recorded symptoms, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) each morning and evening during the first and fifth week of the study in asthma diary. At each clinic visit, a trained-interviewer administered the PAQLQ and performed spirometric measurements. Fifty-one children, ages between 7 and 17 yr participated in the study. Scores from the asthma diary were used to classify patients into stable vs. unstable groups. The construct validity of the questionnaire was confirmed in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies by demonstrating correlations between various PAQLQ domains with clinical asthma parameters (asthma diary, beta-agonist use and PEFR). There was high internal consistency for scores of the three domains (Cronbach's alpha-coefficient = 0.83-0.95). For those with stable asthma, the reliability of PAQLQ was good for the rating scale (intra-class correlation coefficient--ICC = 0.84) and for total score (alpha = 0.97) indicating high reproducibility of the PAQLQ. The significant difference of changes QoL scores between stable and unstable groups was observed in all domains. We conclude that the Thai version of PAQLQ is valid and reliable for implementing in Thai children with asthma.     

The Present and Future of Clinical Psychology in Private Practice

This article discusses clinical psychologists' current concerns, challenges, and opportunities in private practice. The future of clinicians in independent practice is presented within two paradigms, namely, psychology as a health profession, and psychology as life enhancement. Finally, the author argues that psychotechnology, corporate clinical psychology, and psychology as life enrichment will evolve within the future of clinical psychological independent practice.     

Correlation between regional myasthenic weakness and mental aspects of quality of life

Here we report how the different types of regional muscle involvement, i.e. bulbar, ocular or generalized, in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) influence the mental aspects of quality of life. Clinical examination according to Osserman was performed in 48 MG patients (45 women, three men; mean age 54, SD 12 years). Each patient was at the time for clinical evaluation asked to fill out the disease-specific Myasthenia Gravis Questionnaire (MGQ) and the Short-Form 36-item questionnaire for health survey (SF-36) as patient-oriented tools. We related the regional domains (generalized domain, bulbar domain and ocular domain) of the MGQ and the clinical findings, respectively, with mental quality of life as assessed by SF-36. Bulbar and generalized involvement results in impairment of mental aspects of quality of life, whereas ocular involvement does not.     

Changes in the SF-12 among Depressed Elders Six Months after Discharge from an Inpatient Geropsychiatric Unit

Using the SF-12 to measure physical and mental functioning, the authors examine the intra-individual changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 6 months post-discharge for depressed older adults. In addition, they examine three sets of predictors that might influence these changes. The sample of depressed older adults was recruited from an inpatient geropsychiatry unit. Although their physical and mental health scores on the SF-12 were lower than comparable norms, the sample showed an average increase in their mental functioning but a decrease in the physical functioning over the 6 months. Negative life-events were significant predictors of people who reported no change in their mental health functioning and decreases in their physical health functioning. Interestingly, those who experienced positive life events were more likely to report declines and younger participants were more likely to report no change in their physical functioning. The findings indicate that the effects of depression on HRQOL can have enduring effects on a sample of previously hospitalized older adults. The significance of life event changes might signify the importance of taking into account non-traditional areas of medical interventions. Further, the findings indicate the usefulness of the SF-12 quantifying HRQOL outcomes.     

Outcomes of low-vision services using optometric and multidisciplinary approaches: a non-randomized comparison

Consecutive patients (n = 215) who were referred to optometric (55%) or multidisciplinary (45%) low-vision services and above 50 years of age were recruited from four hospitals in the Netherlands. They completed two vision-related quality of life questionnaires, the Vision Quality of Life Core Measure (VCM1) and the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (LVQOL), before their first visit with low-vision services and 1 year later. At follow-up, patients referred to multidisciplinary low-vision services had lower scores on the mobility subscale of the LVQOL than patients referred to optometric low-vision services [5.3 points; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2-10.5]. Paired sample t-tests for the two groups of patients taken together show improvement for the VCM1 (3.1 points; 95% CI: 0.6-5.6) and deterioration for the basic aspects of vision (3.5 points; 95% CI: 1.1-5.9) and the mobility (6.6 points; 95% CI: 3.7-9.5) subscales of the LVQOL. In conclusion, people referred to optometric services showed less deterioration in mobility than those referred to multidisciplinary services. No differences were observed for any of the other subscales of the LVQOL and the VCM1. Future research in this field should include randomized controlled designs comparing low-vision services with no treatment or placebo.     

Health-related quality of life assessed before and during chemotherapy predicts for survival in multiple myeloma

Measurement of health-related quality of life was integrated into a randomized trial (NMSG 4/90) comparing melphalan/prednisone to melphalan/prednisone + interferon α-2b in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. One of the aims of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of quality-of-life scores, using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Univariate analysis showed a highly significant association with survival from the start of therapy for physical functioning as well as role and cognitive functioning, global quality of life, fatigue and pain. In multivariate analysis, physical functioning and W.H.O. performance status were independent prognostic factors ( P values=0.001 for both) when analysed in a Cox regression model with the somatic variables β-2 microglobulin, skeletal disease and age. The best prediction for survival from the start of therapy was obtained by combining the β-2 microglobulin and physical functioning scores in a variable consisting of three risk factor levels with an estimated median survival of 17, 29 and 49 months, respectively. At a 12 months landmark analysis, the relative risk for patients with physical functioning score 0–20 v 80–100 was 5.63 (99% CI 2.76–11.49), whereas the relative risk for patients without an objective response to chemotherapy compared to those with at least a minor response was 2.32 (99% CI 1.44–3.74). Quality-of-life assessment may be an independent and valuable addition to the known prognostic factors in multiple myeloma.     

重庆市城市居民1991～2000年死亡损失生命年分析

目的：研究重庆市城市居民20世纪90年代疾病所致早死的生命损失。方法：用死亡损失生命年YLLs为测量单位，计算不同性别、不同社区的死因别标化YLLs率，及分析1991～2000年死因别标化YLLs率的变化趋势。结果：非传染性疾病标化YLLs率为42.58‰，占全死因的82.76%，其中，恶性肿瘤标化YLLs率为12.80‰，占30.06%，脑血管疾病标化YLLs率 6.62‰，占15.55%，呼吸系统疾病标化YLLs率5.77‰，占13.55%，心脏病标化YLLs率4.38‰，占10.29%；意外死亡标化YLLs率为7.59‰，占全死因的14.75%；传染病、妇科及围产期疾病标化YLLs率为1.28‰，仅占2.49%。在社区之间，死因别标化YLLs率存在明显差异。结核病和精神病标化YLLs率曾出现上升趋势。结论：非传染性疾病已成为该城市居民的主要疾病负担，结核病防治不能放松，精神卫生工作急待开展。     

青年急性冠脉综合征冠脉造特点及随访

目的:探讨青年急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)冠状动脉(冠状)造影特点及其与远期心脏事件的关系。方法:比较青年ACS与老年ACS患者冠脉病变程度、范围,并进行心脏事件随访。结果:78例青年ACS患者有冠脉病变74例(94.9％),单支病变46例(58.9％);171例老年ACS患者有冠脉病变166例(97.1％),单支病变41例(23.9％)。平均随访9个月,青年ACS患者发生心脏事件者10例(12.8％),其中心绞痛再入院6例(7.7％);老年ACS患者发生心脏事件者47例(27.5％),其中心绞痛再入院30例(17.5％),两组比较差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:ACS患者冠状动脉粥样硬化青年时期之前已经发生,ACS预后与冠脉病变程度和年龄呈正相关。     

老年慢性病患者常见症状与生存质量的相关性研究

目的 探讨老年慢性病患者常见症状间的相互关系及其对生存质量的影响,以寻找提高其生存质量的护理对策.方法 采用焦虑自评量表、老年人抑郁量表、SF-36量表对230例老年慢性病患者进行常见症状及生存质量调查,并分析各种症状间的关系以及症状与生存质量的相关性.结果 老年慢性病患者生存质量八大项目得分偏低.常见躯体症状包括躯体疼痛、头晕、疲乏、睡眠障碍发生率依次为25.73%、33.80%、25.00%、22.05%.常见心理症状焦虑和抑郁得分为38.35±7.26、8.71±5.21.且各种常见症状之间呈正相关(r=0.80～0.612,P<0.05),各种常见症状与生存质量呈负相关(r=-0.175～-0.623,P<0.05).结论 在老年慢性病患者居家护理过程中,须及时采取积极有效护理措施控制或减轻病人症状,且躯体症状护理与心理护理应并重,措施实施与原因排查应同步,主要症状与次要症状要兼顾,以提高其生存质量.