Higher vitamin D serum concentration increases health related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

AIM: To investigate the effect of vitamin D (VD) concentrations and VD supplementation on health related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.

Relationship of Internet Addiction with Depression, Loneliness and Health Related Lifestyle among University Students

Internet addiction （IA） is a newly emerged clinical disorder and it has negative effects on physical and mental health. University students are the most vulnerable group for IA, The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship of IA with depression, loneliness and health related lifestyle among university students. Cross-sectional survey was conducted by enrolling 175 students of Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya. Internet addiction test （IAT） was used to assess the level of IA. Depression, loneliness, and health related lifestyle were assessed using Peradeniya depression scale （PDS）, University of California at Los Angeles （UCLA） loneliness scale and health practice score （HPS） respectively. T-test and ANOVA were conducted to examine the differences; and correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between variables. Overall, 40.6% of students were placed in IA group. Generally 28.6% of students had mild and 12.0% had moderate addiction. No case of severe IA was seen. There were 20.6% of students in depressive state and 17.1% of students had poor HPS. The average score that the student got from loneliness scale was 23.42. There was a positive significant correlation between IA and both depression and loneliness. Moreover, a negative significant correlation found between IA and health related lifestyle. Male students had higher IA scores than female students. The study results are considered to develop preventive interventions and treatment strategies.

A Review of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatment, and Health Related Quality of Life Issues

In this paper, we present a thorough review of one of the most life-threatening autoimmune diseases, Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). Symptoms, risk factors, including genetic and epidemiological factors are discussed. Treatment, life expectancies, and Health Related Quality of Life of patients with SLE will be discussed as well. Special attention will be given to Lupus Nephritis.

Health related quality of life after surgery for colonic diverticular disease

Diverticular disease(DD) of the colon is very common in developed countries and is ranked the fifth most important gastrointestinal disease worldwide.The management of acute diverticulitis without perforation and peritonitis is still debated.Health related quality of life(HRQL),subjectively perceived by patients,is becoming a major issue in the evaluation of any therapeutic intervention,mainly in patients with chronic disease.To date only a few published studies can be found on Medline examining HRQL in patients with DD.The aim of this study was to review the impact of surgery for DD on HRQL.All Medline articles regarding HRQL after surgery for colonic DD,particularly those comparing different surgical approaches,were reviewed.DD has a negative impact on HRQL with lower scores in bowel function and systemic symptoms.Both surgery-related complications and disease activity have a significant impact on patients' HRQL.While no signif icant differences in HRQL between different operations for DD in non-randomized studies were revealed,the only prospective double-blind randomized study that compared laparoscopic and open colectomy found that patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy had signif icantly reduced major postoperative complication rates and subsequently had better HRQL scores.Formal assessment of HRQL could be a good instrument in the selection of appropriate patients for elective surgery as well as in the assessment of surgical outcome.

Health Related Quality of Life in Adult with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: The health related quality of life (HRQoL) has an important role in adults suffering from diabetes. Objective: To assess the health related quality of life in adult with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess diabetic patient’s HRQoL on 119 purposively selected type-2 DM patients (aged ≥ 18 years and duration of diabetes ≥ 1 year). Data were collected by face-to-face interview and by medical record review through a Bangle version of SF-36 semi-structured questionnaire and a checklist. Place and period of study: The study was conducted at outpatient department in Gopalganj 50 bedded diabetic hospital from 1st January, 2018 to 31st December 2018. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 52.34 (SD ± 10.19) years. Age group shows a significant difference associated with all domains of quality of life except role emotion (>0.05), gender shows the significant in social and pain domain (0.05) respectively co-morbidity shows the significant difference with all domains expect pain (>0.05). Physical functioning, emotional, pain and general health of the quality of life show the significant difference associated with use of insulin (Conclusion: The overall QoL of type-2 DM patients was poor and had lower score of health related quality of life.

The Effect of Partial Removable Denture Use on Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Masticatory Function, after 5 Years Use

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether partial removable denture use indeed leads to improved oral health related quality of life and masticatory function. Materials and Methods: Partially edentulous patients presenting for removable denture treatment at the Prosthodontics Service in the Hospital Affiliated to Kinshasa University (Democratic Republic of Congo) were assessed for enrolment in this study. After applying exclusion criteria, 378 patients were included in the study, and randomly assigned into 2 groups. Oral health related quality of life (OHIP-23) and mastication time (MaT), number of chewing cycles (MaC), mastication frequency (MaF), and the sizes of the peanut fragments (FraS) were compared in both groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The average MaC, MaT, MaF, and FraS were 119 (± SD 53.70), 86.75 (±SD 35.35), 1.38 (±SD 0.25), and 3.3 (±SD 3.25) for the denture group and 77.9 (±SD 23.9), 60.2 (±SD 17.91), 1.29 (±SD 0.15), and 1.5 (±SD 0.7) for the non-denture group, respectively. Conclusion: The overall oral health related quality of life was best in the non-denture than denture.

Health Related Physical Fitness Measures: Reference Values and Predictive Equations for Saudi Female College Students

Health related-physical fitness (HRPF) is critical for maintaining and enhancing health and quality of life. Purposes: To estimate the reference values and predictive equations for frequently used clinical field HRPF measures in a sample of Saudi female college students aged 18 - 24 years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, body fat percentage (BF %) was estimated. Curl-up test (CUT) and sit and reach test (SRT) were applied in 216 students. The Queen’s College Step Test (QCST) was used to predict maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Physical activity (PA) level was also measured using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: The mean of BF %, SRT, CUT, and predicted VO2 max were 23.98% ± 6.13%, 17.10 ± 7.50 cm, 28.17 ± 7.72 number/min, and 39.58 ± 4.01 ml/kg/min respectively. There was no significant effect of age on all HRPF measures except for BF % (F (6,215) = 3.25, p (6,215) = 4.01, p strated that BMI was the predictor for BF % and SRT and explained 65% and 4% of total variance respectively. IPAQ score, age, and height were the predictors of CUT counting 17% of total variance. While, BMI and IPAQ score were the predictors for VO2 max and explained 13% of the total variance. Conclusion: Reference values can be used clinically in the evaluation of HRPF, in the rehabilitation process as well as in designing a program to improve the HRPF for female college students with consideration of age, height, BMI, and PA level for a particular population.

Temperament and character as predictor of health related quality of life after metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty ——Personality and MCP joint arthroplasty outcome

Purpose: To evaluate personality characteris- tics’ impact upon outcome after silicone-based MP arthroplasty in RA patients. Methods: 40 RA patients who had undergone operations on their MP joints were investigated in a one-year fol- low-up. Objective measurement to assess grip strength and active range of motion—Paper- pencil-tests to assess pain during activity and at rest performance, QoL, and personality. Results: Significant improvement was observed in func- tion and pain related scores except for the pain related VAS and in several QoL facets and do- mains. Patients who experienced improvement reported higher scores on the activities of daily living facet of the WHO QoL questionnaire. Those with lower pain showed more independ- ence. The variance of the QoL domain scores, other than social and physical domains, could substantially and meaningfully be explained by variance of objective measures combined with personality scores. Conclusions: Most RA pa- tients’ QoL can be improved by MP arthroplasty despite remaining substantial level of pain. NS and HA seem to play an important role in the adaptation process during the long term, chronic illness;whereas SD represents a tool of coping with the burden of pain and disability. Personal- ity characteristics are highly predictive for QoL suggesting their important mediating role be- tween experienced pain and disability and HR QoL.

Changes in acute and late toxicity and patient-reported health-related quality of life following radiotherapy in women with breast cancer:A 1-year longitudinal study

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of acute and late toxicities,as well as changes in the quality of life(QOL)for breast cancer patients following radiotherapy(RT).Materials and Methods:A total of 108 breast cancer women were recruited for this prospective study.Data were collected at various intervals;prior to,and 1,3,6 months,and 1 year after radiation therapy.The primary outcomes were toxicity radiation therapy oncology group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC)criteria.Our secondary outcome was QOL,measured using EORTC QLQ-C30 and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.We employed Friedman’s two-way analysis to evaluate the changes in QOL over the course of 1 year.Results:The early toxicities that are most commonly experienced include pharyngeal,skin,and mucous membrane toxicity.Late toxicities frequently involve skin and submucosal toxicity.To measure patient functionality,all functional subscale scores except for the patient’s emotional state increased over time compared to pre-RT.Symptoms of the patients,which were included in the QOL symptom scale,decreased during the follow-up period,except for fatigue;however,changes in pain,insomnia,and loss of appetite did not significantly change.We identified the analogous symptom profiles in Edmonton.Although patients’overall health scores declined in the 1st and 3rd months after radiotherapy(RT),they rebounded at 6 and 12 months.Conclusion:For breast cancer patients,RT did not adversely affect functional capacity or exacerbate symptoms,but persistent fatigue did increase during the observation period.Health-care professionals ought to devise strategies to assist patients with skin toxicity and fatigue.

Associated factors of self-reported psychopathology and health related quality of life among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV/AIDS in Dalian, China: a pilot study

Background:Despite the availability of Anti-Retroviral Therapy(ART),the health-related quality of life(HRQoL)among HIV-positive men who have sex with men(HIVMSM)in China remains poor.This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-reported psychopathology and HRQoL among HIVMSM in Dalian,China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 HIVMSM.Symptom check list 90(SCL 90):a measure of psychopathology and World Health Organization quality of life in HIV infection(WHOQOL-HIV-Bref):a measure of HRQoL were used.Correlation and multiple regression analysis were employed to explore the association between self-reported psychopathology and HRQoL in HIVMSM.Results:Out of the total 112 HIVMSM cases,9(8%)cases were homosexuals and 103(92%)ones were bisexuals.The participants who had low family income(P=0.001),perceived discrimination(P=0.001)and lack of regular attendance in medical follow-ups(P=0.014)reported poorer HRQoL than their counterparts.Somatization,obsession,depression,phobia and overall SCL 90 scores in self-reported psycholpathology had a negative impact on the domains of HRQoL among HIVMSM.Conclusions:Total quality of life was predicted by family income,perceived discrimination,and medical follow-up attendance.Self-reported psychopathology was negatively correlated with HRQoL in HIVMSM.The Strategies that target MSM focusing on linking and engaging HIV-positive patients in medical care is the key step to improve their HRQoL.More emphasis is needed on the newly diagnosed HIVMSM in Dalian in order to develop a more targeted intervention to prevent perceived discrimination and lack of proper medical follow-up services.Trial registration:The trial registration number does not require for this manuscript.The study is cross-sectional design that do not involve intervention at all,it is not a clinical trial.

Health related quality of life among patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease in China

Background Chronic graft-versus-host disease （GVHD）,the commonest long-term complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation （HSCT）,has a negative impact on patients＇ health related quality of life （HRQoL）.This study was designed to investigate the HRQoL in patients with chronic GVHD in China.Methods Two hundred and sixty-four patients with chronic GVHD who were ＞24 months post-HSCT and had been in continuous complete remission since HSCT were enrolled in this retrospective study.HRQoL was evaluated using an SF-36 questionnaire.Multivariate analysis was used to identify the factors that affect HRQoL in patients with chronic GVHD.Results HRQoL in patients categorized as having mild and moderate chronic GVHD was significantly better than in those in the severe category.In the moderate chronic GVHD category,markedly poorer HRQoL was observed in patients with both multiple organ involvement and more severe organ impairment than in those without these factors.According to multivariate analysis,chronic GVHD severity had the greatest significant negative impact on patients＇ HRQoL; whereas being female was associated with a negative impact on psychological health.Conclusion Chronic GVHD severity strongly correlates with negative impacts on patients＇ HRQoL.

Health related behaviors among HIV-infected people who are successfully linked to care:an institutional-based crosssectional study

Background:By the end of October 2019,there were 958 thousand people were reported living with HIV/AIDS in China.Unhealthy lifestyle factors,such as smoking,drinking alcohol,using illicit drugs and no physical activity have been found to mitigate the positive impact of antiretroviral therapy(ART)on viral load and HIV-related quality of life.Moreover,risky sexual behavior among HIV-positive persons places their partners at risk for HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections.The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of unhealthy behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS and related influencing factors,particularly those that are closely connected with HIV infection and ART effects.Methods:An institutional based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA)in Beijing and Yunnan Province.The following information was included in the questionnaire survey:social-demographic characteristics,health behavior information,sexual risk behaviors.Binary logistic regression model was conducted to analyze the influencing factors of unhealthy general health behaviors and risky sexual behaviors.Results:In total,2575 PLWHA were included in the study and 78.3%(2017/2575)were male.For the general health behaviors,34.2%(987/2544)smoke;33.8%(870/2575)drank alcohol and 2.3%(49/2134)reported the use of illicit drugs in the previous 6 months.From the sexual behaviors perspective,59.0%(1519/2575)had sex in the previous 6 months.Among people who had sex,92.0%(1398/1519)had fixed sexual partners.Among those with no fixed sexual partner,38.0%(46/121)had more than three partners.Among men who had sex,34.7%(448/1292)reported having sex with men in the previous 6 months and 167%(75/448)of these had group sexual activity.Among participants,72.2%(1053/1458)used condoms every time they had sex while 6.4%(94/1458)of people never used condom.Male people living with HIV/AIDS were more likely to have sexual risk behaviors(adjusted odds ratio[OR]=2.208,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.147-4.252)and unhealthy general health behaviors(adjusted OR=2.029,95%CI:1.480-2.783).The odds of higher risk sexual behaviors was 1.546 times(95%CI:1.302-1.827,P=0.001)greater among participants who drank alcohol compared with their non-drinking counterparts.Conclusions:PLWHA is a group that is vulnerable to problematic health behaviors,especially for men who were more likely to drink alcohol,have more sexual partners,more sexual risk behaviors including group sexual activity,not using condoms and using drugs.Therefore,interventions focusing on gender-specific risk behaviors reduction for people living with HIV/AIDS are now necessary to control the spread of HIV infection and improve the efficacy of antiviral treatment.

Prevalence of hypertension among individuals aged 50 years and over and its impact on health related quality of life in a semi-rural area of western TUrkey

Background Hypertension is common, especially in individuals aged 40 years and over, and it affects about half of the population aged 60 years and over. This study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of hypertension among individuals aged 50 years and over, and to examine its effect on the health related quality of life （HRQOL）. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two settlements in a region of western Turkey between March 1 and April 30, 2007. A questionnaire concerning life habits associated with hypertension, medical histories, and demographic characteristics was filled in by a face to face interview. The SF-36 scale was used to assess HRQOL. Body mass index （BMI） was calculated by measuring the weight and length of the body. Results Of 1599 individuals living in the region, 1193 participated in the survey （48.3% men and 51.7% women）. The overall prevalence rate of hypertension was 59.5% （n=-710）, being 58.0% in men and 60.9% in women （P 〉0.05）. The variables that most positively influenced hypertension （P ≤0.05, for each one） were older age （especially the age group of those aged 60 and over）, single, no health insurance, consumption of animal fat in meals, and family history of hypertension. The HRQOL of the patients with hypertension was lower than that of those without hypertension （P ≤0.05）. The HRQOL was better in hypertensive patients whose blood pressure was under control, whereas it was worse in those with at least one chronic disorder accompanying hypertension （P≤0.05, for each one）. Conclusions Great emphasis should be placed on the need for a public health program for the detection, prevention, and control of hypertension, including other risk factors, as well as for the modification of foods and life habits, specifically in individuals who are most likely to be at risk of hypertension.

Hepatitis C virus eradication with directly acting antivirals improves health-related quality of life and psychological symptoms

BACKGROUND Alterations in health-related quality of life(HRQoL)and neuropsychological disorders were described in the hepatitis C virus(HCV)patients.Although several studies investigated the modifications of HRQoL after HCV eradication,no data exists on the modifications of neuropsychological symptoms.AIM To investigate the effect of directly acting antivirals(DAAs)treatment on HRQoL and neuropsychological symptoms.METHODS Thirty nine patients with HCV infection underwent a neuropsychological assessment,including Zung-Self Depression-Rating-Scale,Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y1-Y2 and the Toronto-Alexithymia Scale-20 items before and after DAAs treatment.HRQoL was detected by Short-Form-36(SF-36).RESULTS All HRQoL domains,but role limitation physical and bodily pain,significantly improved after treatment.Interestingly,after DAAs treatment,all domains of HRQoL returned similar to those of controls.Each neuropsychological test significantly improved after HCV eradication.A significant correlation was observed among each psychological test and the summary components of SF-36.At multiple linear regression analysis including each psychological test as possible covariates,Zung-Self Depression Rating Scale(Zung-SDS)score was independently and significantly related to summary components of the SF-36 in the basal state and the difference between Zung-SDS score before and after treatment was the only variable significantly and independently related to the modification of HRQoL induced by the treatment.CONCLUSION Neuropsychological symptoms strongly influenced HRQoL in HCV patients and there was a significant improvement of neuropsychological tests and HRQoL after DAAs treatment.

Influence of anxiety/depression on health related quality of life of patients with various pacing modes

Background The thesis is to study the influence of anxiety/depression on health related quality of life （HRQoL） of patients with various pacing modes a month after they have had a pacemaker implanted. Methods HRQoL was assessed consecutively in patients （50 men, 48 women, mean age 52.7±14.1 years） with implanted pacemaker （PM） from June to December 2009 in our hospital （22 patients received VVI pacemaker, 26 received VVIR pacemaker, 26 received DDD pacemaker, 24 received DDDR pacemaker）. HRQoL was measured by the SF-36 and Aquarel questionnaires, anxiety by Zung anxiety scale （SAS） and depression by Zung depression scale （SDS）. Results Patients with rate-adaptive pacing had higher scores in SF-36 scales （health perception, vitality, social functioning and mental health） and Aquarel （chest pain, dyspnea and arrhytmia）; they also presented lower degree of anxiety and depression compared with those with non-rate-adaptive pacing. Differences were shown only in the group with dual chamber pacemakers, but not in the group with single chamber pacemakers. Significant differences were observed between patients with single chamber and dual chamber PM in rate-adaptive pacing. There was a strong correlation between the degree of anxiety and depression and the HRQoL for pacemaker patients. Conclusion Dual chamber rate-adaptive pacing offers better HRQoL and psychological profile than dual chamber non-rate-adaptive pacing. Significant improvement in five SF-36 subscales was observed with DDDR pacing compared with VVIR pacing. Anxiety and depression are important factors in the HRQoL of patients with implanted pacemakers. Early detection and intervention in patients with psychological problems are imperative.

A Study on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors in Elderly Diabetic Patients

Objective:To investigate the oral health related quality of life in elderly diabetic patients and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 190 elderly patients with diabetes under the Department of Endocrinology and Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University as the research subjects.The Chinese version of the Oral Health Influence Scale(OHIP-14)was used to conduct a questionnaire survey,and univariate analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of oral health related quality of life in elderly diabetic patients.Results:The elderly diabetic patients'oral health related quality of life score was 34.48±3.23,which is in the middle-lower range.The findings of multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that the course of disease,regular visits to the dentist,sleep quality,oral health knowledge,and oral health attitude together explained 58.9%of the total variance in elderly diabetic patients in terms of their oral health related quality of life(p<0.05).Conclusion:The oral health related quality of life of elderly diabetic patients is generally low,and is affected by the duration of diabetes,sleep quality,and oral health knowledge,attitude,and behavior(regular visits to the dentist).Improving patientsJ attention to oral health problems by improving sleep as well as their own oral health knowledge,attitude,and behavior is an effective way to enhance oral health related quality of life.

Environmental Occurrence of Selenium in Waters and Related Health Significance

Appreciable amounts of selenium in spring and well waters can be found due to geological occurrence. Concentrations of as much as 400 9000 μg/l have been reported in U. S. waters.These levels are 8 to 180 times the current EPA drinking water standard and approximate dietary exposures of 4900μg in selenosis regions of China. Reviews of health significance of the elevated drinking water exposures to U. S. populations revealed elevated concentrations of selenium in urine and blood. A decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity in such instances was noted. However noticeable symptoms and signs seem absent in studies reviewed. A comparison of intake levels (diet or drinking water) to urinary excretion for residents of China and the U. S. produced a correlation coefficient, r = 0. 82 (P < 0. 01 ) for the three research studies available

National Institutes of Health Funding for disease categories related to Neural Regeneration Research

The National Institutes of Health （NIH）, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation＇s medical research agency-making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.Thanks in large part to NIH-funded medical research, Americans today are living longer and healthier. Life expectancy in the United States has jumped from 47 years in 1900 to 78 years as reported in 2009, and disability in people over age 65 has dropped dramatically in the past 3 decades. In recent years, nationwide rates of new diagnoses and deaths from all cancers combined have fallen significantly.

Problems Related to Divers Health and Comfort in Hyperbaric He-O_2 Environment

The Diver Gas Recovery System(DGRS)is an important accessory equipment of the 300m Saturation Dive System. The system facilitates the recycling of the breathing gases for divers,therefore,it has great economic benefits. In April 1995, a 300 m unmanned test and a 100 m manned test on the HY2031 DGRSwere carried out successively.Ten months later,another manned test on the HY2032 DGRS

Health Literacy at the Elementary School Level

Health literacy measures are well established in school. Nevertheless, the differences between the offers are immense. From individual days for projects to comprehensive programs and codes of practice, such as good healthy school, one can find a broad range of measures in German school settings. Current research results also show that “school” can be a decisive factor to undermine the psychosocial well-being of teachers, students and other school staff. In this contribution, approaches to health promotion and health literacy in elementary schools are presented from different perspectives, which show that the competence modeling for health literacy in elementary schools remains to be investigated. This contribution introduces approaches to health promotion and health literacy, which are relevant for the school setting at the elementary level, from different perspectives.