Health Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in ICU Survivors: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Follow-Up and Correlations between the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28)

We investigated the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological distress in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors 12 months after ICU discharge. The purpose of this study, conducted and completed before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was to find correlations among psychiatric symptoms detected by a screening tool as the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the different domains of HRQOL measured with the SF-36 health survey (SF-36), in order to identify ICU survivors with Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) who need a specific psychiatric intervention to improve their HRQOL. Among 298 ICU survivors who stayed in the ICU for at least 72 hours, 48 patients were enrolled one year after discharge undergoing a clinical interview to assess their functional impairment (Barthel index), mental health (GHQ-28), and health-related quality of life (SF-36). 19% of those subjects had a GHQ-28 ≥ 5 and were identified as “psychiatric cases”, and they were older and experienced a greater impairment in HRQOL. Anxiety, insomnia, and depressive symptoms seemed to be particularly involved in the impairment of HRQOL. A negative correlation between GHQ-28 total scores and subscales and SF-36 subscales was found. Our findings highlighted that psychological distress in ICU survivors may negatively impact physical health recovery and quality of life;conversely, physical impairment and functional disability may trigger the onset of psychiatric symptoms after discharge. The present study is firstly to investigate the correlations between HRQOL and psychological distress in ICU survivors through the GHQ-28, and then affirms the need to carry out follow-up checks for psychiatric symptoms in ICU survivors.

Smoking and Health-Related Quality of Life(SF-36).A Population-Based Study in Campinas,SP,Brazil

Introduction: Smoking persists as a global and relevant health problem being one of the major risk factors to non-communicable diseases and early death. Studies on the association between smoking and health related quality of life (HRQL) are scarce in Brazil and Latin America. The aim of this study was to analyze the HRQL according to smoking status on adults aged 20 to 59 years, living in Campinas, Brazil. Method: It is a population-based cross-sectional study, carried out with data from the Campinas Health Survey developed in 2008/2009. The dependent variables were the eight scales and the two components—physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the instrument SF-36, version 2. Means and confidence intervals of the SF-36 scale scores and components were estimated according to smoking (never smokers, former smokers, current smokers) and nicotine dependence (mild, moderate, heavy). Results: The sample comprised 957 individuals (mean age of 37.5 years). Comparing with never smokers, smokers had lower score means in all SF-36 scales, except in physical functioning and role-physical;among the former smokers, lower scores were observed in vitality and mental health. A reduction of the MCS score was observed among smokers and former smokers among men;but in the female population, this reduction was observed only in smokers compared with never smokers. According to the nicotine dependence, it was observed an increasing reduction in MCS scores from mild, to moderate and heavy smokers. Conclusion: Smoking is significantly and negatively associated with HRQL in the studied population. The results point out the importance of the strategic policies against smoking, to reduce morbidity and premature death, but also to increase the quality of life and well-being. It is also important to consider the mental health dimension, since that best mental health can be relevant to promote healthier behaviors.

Health related quality of life of university students in Lebanon: Lifestyles behaviors and socio-demographic predictors

Measuring and monitoring health related quality of life (HRQoL) in youth are important for both researchers and decision makers. During the time that young people are at university, many will encounter a number of academic, as well as social, emotional and psychological difficulties. The aims of this study are to: 1) assess the health related quality of life of youths using SF-36 questionnaire and its factor determinants, and 2) provide an objective basis for a health promotion structure. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in South Lebanon, in a population of 282 young university students attending a public university which is the largest and most widespread institution of higher education in Lebanon. Socioeconomic and lifestyle behaviors data were collected. Students’ HRQoL was measured using the SF-36 Health Survey. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 18.7 years (SD = 1.16), 80.1% were women, 64.5% were living in rural area. The proportion of current smokers was significantly greater among men than women (26.8% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.01). Water pipe was the main type of smoking. Education of the fathers had negatively influenced HRQoL. Younger age scored higher in Social Functioning and Role-Emotional;the area of residence had no influences on SF-36 scales scores. Females had poorer HRQoL than males especially in mental health scales. Smokers had low Vitality and Mental Health scores. Sedentary lifestyle was linked to a lower score of Physical Functioning (β = -5.16, 95% CI = -7.67 -2.65), and Vitality ( β= -5.85, 95% CI = -10.24 -1.45). The HRQoL of the students studying business and economics was higher than those studying health. Conclusion: Youths’ HRQoL is affected by socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics. Effective health-promoting actions, social support, and counseling services should be implemented in the campus and are a necessary step towards the main goal of improving the overall HRQoL of the university young students in Lebanon.

Physical Activity Level and Adult Saudi Health Related Quality of Life

Purpose: Physical inactivity in Saudi Arabia is a growing challenge to public health. This study aimed to define the relationship between the physical activity level (PAL) and adult Saudi health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: Participants of this study were 100 Saudi adult aged from 18 - 70 years. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) was used to measure the participant’s HRQoL. The SF-36 is comprised of 8 domains. The electronic version of the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to categorize participants in terms of physical activity level into;inactive, moderately inactive, moderately active, and active. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to treat the collected data. Results: Results showed that only 17% of the Saudi adults had active PAL. The PAL had significantly positive relationship with 4 domains of HRQoL including: physical functioning (P = 0.004), role limitations caused by physical health problems (P = 0.048), vitality (P = 0.009), and general health (P = 0.044). Results also confirmed that the younger the subject, the higher the PAL (P = 0.0001) and the better the HRQoL. This is true for all domains except the role limitations caused by emotional problems and emotional wellbeing. Conclusion: The poor physical activity level of adult Saudi negatively impacts their HRQoL.

Quantities of comorbidities affects physical, but not mental health related quality of life in type 1 diabetes with confirmed polyneuropathy

BACKGROUND A large number of adults with long-term type 1 diabetes are affected by symmetrical peripheral neuropathy.These complications increase socioeconomic expenses and diminish the individual quality of life.The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)is a generic patient reported questionnaire,measuring mental and physical health related quality of life.We hypothesized that diabetic neuropathy would decrease physical and mental quality of life measured with SF-36,and that clinical appearance may be associated with the decline.AIM To investigate if diabetic neuropathy would decrease physical and mental quality of life measured with SF-36,and if clinical appearance may be associated with the decline.METHODS Forty-eight adults[age 50±9 years,10 females,disease duration 32(14-51)years]with verified diabetic symmetrical peripheral neuropathy and 21 healthy participants(age 51±6 years,6 females)underwent standardised nerve conduction testing and completed the SF-36 questionnaire.Furthermore,disease duration,number of comorbidities,both diabetes related and nondiabetes related,vibration perception threshold,number of hypoglycaemic events,HbA1c and administration way of insulin was notified.RESULTS In comparison to healthy subjects,patients’mental composite score was not significantly diminished(51.9±8.9 vs 53.1±5.5,P=0.558),while the physical composite score was(46.3±11.7 vs 54.6±3.3,P=0.002).As expected,the overall physical health related symptoms in patients were associated to total number of comorbidities(P<0.0001),comorbidities relation to diabetes(P=0.0002)and HbA1c(P=0.005)as well as comorbidities not related to diabetes(P=0.0006).CONCLUSION The finding of this study emphasises the importance of focusing on quality of life in adults with diabetes and especially in those with multiple comorbidities as well as the possibility of HbA1c as a biomarker for severe complication.

城市贫困人群生命质量及其主要影响因素

目的 研究城市贫困人群生命质量及其主要影响因素。方法 用SF -3 6量表对沈阳市 2 3 7名贫困人群和 2 61名对照人群的生命质量进行评价。经t检验、Logistic回归分析得出主要影响因素。结果 贫困人群与对照人群的生命质量有显著性差异。年龄、性别、医疗花费、债务、救济渠道、患病对贫困人群的生理健康影响明显 ;而医疗花费、教育花费、债务、救济渠道则是影响贫困人群心理健康的主要因素。除生理职能 (RP)维度以外 ,其它维度的量化值均随困难年数增加而减少。结论 被调查贫困人群的生命质量低于对照人群 ,尤以 3 5～ 50岁年龄段的贫困人群更为明显。贫困人群的生命质量受年龄、性别、医疗花费、债务、救济渠道、患病。

Quality of Life (QOL) in Long-Term Survivors of Osteosarcoma

We conducted this study to analyze the quality of life using the SF-36 health questionnaire and the MSTS scores depending on surgical method and the primary site of occurrence. On the surgical method, the limb salvage had more excellent outcomes (60.9) than the amputation (46.3). The tumor prosthetic replacement had notably higher scores (62.5) than any other methods. For the correlation coefficients on the MSTS and SF-36, the Physical Function had the highest degree of correlation. Excellent functions of the extremities would lead to a good quality of life.

On Practice of the Effect of Systematic Family Nursing Guidance on the Quality of Life of Elderly Patients with Implanted Cardiac Pacemaker

Objective: To inquire into the effect of systematic family nursing guidance on improving the Quality of Life for elderly patients with implanted cardiac pacemaker. Methods: 41 elderly patients in accordance with the corresponding requirements were studied after offering systematic family nursing guidance and surveyed through the questionnaires about the QOL (quality of life) respectively 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after leaving hospital. Results: Compared with that of 1 month and 3 months after the operation, the questionnaire scores for 6 months after the operation were found to have significant improvement, and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: Systematic family nursing guidance can effectively improve the QOL for elderly patients with implanted cardiac pacemaker, which makes them spend their old age in comfort and happiness.