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.

SF-36量表和EORTC QLQ-LC43量表在肺癌患者生活质量测定中的应用效果

目的 比较健康调查简表(the MOS item short from health survey,SF-36)和欧洲癌症研究和治疗组织肿瘤肺癌患者生存质量量表(the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core 30 Questionnaire,EORTC QLQ-LC43)在肺癌患者生活质量测定中的应用效果。方法 选取2020年9月—2022年6月158例肺癌患者作为研究对象,分别采用SF-36量表和EORTC QLQ-LC43量表调查受试对象的生活质量,采用Pearson线性相关性分析比较两种量表不同维度评分之间的相关性,以Karnofsky评分(KPS评分)功能状态评分作为效标,比较两种生存质量量表的相关性及效度。结果 SF-36量表总克朗巴赫系数为0.766,分量表克朗巴赫系数为0.493~0.849。SF-36量表的躯体功能、躯体角色、躯体疼痛、情感职能、社会活动、一般健康等6个分量表分别与EORTC QLQ-LC43量表的躯体功能、角色功能、疼痛、情绪功能、社会功能、整体生活质量的6个分量表对应,其相关系数为0.784~0.842,相关性差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。上述对应的分量表具有中等程度的一致性(Kappa值> 0.4)。不同临床分期分组中,肺癌患者SF-36各个维度得分与肿瘤分期显著相关,肿瘤分期越晚,生存质量得分越低(P<0.001)。肺癌患者SF-36各个维度得分与患者的体力状态得分显著相关,体力状态越差,生存质量得分越低(P <0.001)。结论 与EORTC QLQ-LC43量表相比,SF-36量表在评价肺癌患者生活质量方面具有较高的一致性和区分能力,可以作为EORTC QLQ-LC43量表的替代。

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.

Post-surgery Quality of Life in Patients with Acromegaly Using SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire-prospective Study

Introduction:Acromegaly is chronic progressive disease with multisystem involvement characterised by an excess secretion of growth hormone and increased circulating insulin like growth factor 1 concentration.Aims and Objectives:To assess surgical outcome of acromegaly patients at tertiary care institute using SF 36 quality of life questionnaire.SF-36 scores comprise 3 components:the physical component summary(PCS),the mental component summary(MCS)and role-social component summary(RCS).30 acromegaly patients admitted in Guwahati medical college were enrolled in study and followed up post operatively for surgical remission.All participants completed the SF-36 preoperatively,1 year and 2 years postoperatively.Material and Method:Out of 30 patients 6 patients had surgical remission post operatively on the basis of postoperative glucose suppressed GH Level done after 12 weeks.Preoperatively subscale scores(physical functioning,role physical,general health)which were below the set standards for the normal population show significant postoperative improvements along with mental health(MH)scores.Similarly,PCS,MCS and RCS scores changed significantly after surgery.We also compared the QOL of 6 patients whose peak GH level was<0.4μg/L during postoperative oral glucose tolerance testing with those patients whose nadir GH level was≥0.4μg/L.There was significant difference between partial and complete remission group in subscale score role physical,social function and mental health.Similarly,PCS and RCS score significantly different in partial and complete remission group than MCS score.Conclusions:QOL is considerably reduced in patients with acromegaly compared to general population which improves significantly after surgical treatment.Patients achieving the new remission criteria had significant improvement in physical and social components than those who did not.

Value of quality of life analysis in liver cancer: A clinician's perspective

Health related quality of life(HRQOL) is increasingly recognized as an important clinical parameter and research endpoint in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). HRQOL in HCC patients is multifaceted and affected by medical factor which encompasses HCC and its complications, oncological and palliative treatment for HCC, underlying liver disease, as well as the psychological, social or spiritual reaction to the disease. Many patients presented late with advanced disease and limited survival, plagued with multiple symptoms, rendering QOL a very important aspect in their general well being. Various instruments have been developed and validated to measure and report HRQOL in HCC patients, these included general HRQOL instruments, e.g., Short form(SF)-36, SF-12, Euro Qo L-5D, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment 100(WHOQOL-100), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment abbreviated version; general cancer HRQOL instruments, e.g., the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC) QLQ-C30, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy(FACT)-General, Spitzer Quality of Life Index; and liver-cancer specific HRQOL instruments, e.g., EORTC QLQ-HCC18, FACT-Hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep), FACT-Hep Symptom Index, Trial Outcome Index. Important utilization of HRQOL in HCC patients included description of symptomatology and HRQOL of patients, treatment endpoint in clinical trial, prognostication of survival, benchmarking of palliative care service and health care valuation. In this review, difficulties regarding the use of HRQOL data in research and clinical practice, including choosing a suitable instrument, problems of missing data, data interpretation, analysis and presentation are examined. Potential solutions are also discussed.

Quality of life and emotional change for middle -aged and elderly patients with diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To evaluate the SF-36, Diabetes Specificity Quality of Life Scale (DSQL) and anxiety and depression symptoms and investigate its changes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) by vitrectomy interventions. METHODS:The present study included 108 diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients:54 with PDR and 54 with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Each healthy control group (n =54) sociodemographically matched to DR groups was established respectively. The quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated and analyzed on preoperative and postoperative month 1 using SF-36, DSQL and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). · RESULTS:DR patients described impaired HRQL (Health Related Quality of life, SF -36) in 6 out of 8 subscales, including ‘Body Health’, ‘Body RoleFunction’,‘General Health’,‘Society Function’,‘Emotion Role Function’and‘Mental Health’. Compared with controls, DR patients (NPDR and PDR) suffered from statistically significantly impaired HRQL (SF-36 Summary score) (P【 0.05). By surgical intervention, the anxiety and depression score were significantly reduced, while the health and quality of life (SF-36 Summary scores and DSQL scores) was improved in patients with PDR (P 【0.05). CONCLUSION:DR patients were affected in mentation and quality of life. Surgery interventions can improve SF-36, DSQL, anxiety and depression in PDR patients.

Science Letters:Crossover randomized controlled trial of the electronic version of the Chinese SF-36

Objectives:to verify the feasibility and reliability of the electronic version of Chinese SF-36 based on the Quality-of-Life-Recorder. Design: A crossover randomized controlled trial, comparing a paper-based and an electronic version of the Chinese SF-36, was conducted. According to generated random numbers, interviewees were asked to fill out either the electronic version or the paper version first. The second version was filled in after a pause of at least 10 min. Settings and participants: One group of 100 medical students at the School of Medicine of Zhejiang University and the other group of 50 outpatients at a clinic for general practice in Hangzhou City (China) were eventually recruited in this study. Results: The acceptance of the electronic version was good (60% of medical students and 84% of outpatients preferred the electronic version). At the level of eight-scale scores, the mean-difference for each scale (except for general health) between the two versions was less than 5%. At the level of 36 questions, the percentage of "exact agreement" ranged within 64%～99%; the percentage of "global agreement" ranged within 72%～99%; 77% of the kappa coefficients demonstrated "good/excellent agreement" and 23% of the kappa coefficients demonstrated "medium agreement". Conclusion: This study, for the first time, can provide empirical basis for the confirmation of the feasibility and reliability of the electronic version of the Chinese SF-36 and may provide an impulse towards widespread deployment of the Quality-of-Life-Recorder in Chinese populations.

Effects of hospital–community integrated transitional care on quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To explore the effects of “hospital–community integrated transitional care” model on quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: A total of 117 inpatients with COPD from the Department of Respiratory Medicine in a tertiary general hospital in Nanjing were enrolled by convenience sampling from January to December in 2016 and then were divided into intervention group (n = 60) and control group (n = 57) by random number table. Patients in the intervention group accepted both routine care and hospital– community integrated transitional care for 3 months after discharge. Assessment of quality of life by telephone follow-up or interview within a week before discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge was evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire. Results: For a total score of quality of life, there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05): 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. In addition, for each dimension score of quality of life, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) except vitality dimension, 1 month after discharge, and there were significant differences in all dimensions, 3 and 6 months after discharge (P < 0.05) Conclusions: Hospital–community integrated transitional care model can improve the quality of life of patients with COPD.

Prevalence of Chronic Pain, Especially Headache, and Relationship with Health-Related Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Japanese Residents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) and the relationship between CP, especially headache adjusted for CP at other sites, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in middle-aged Japanese residents. We examined the prevalence of CP (defined as pain persisting for 3 months or more) and HRQoL (SF-36) in 1117 middle-aged residents of Japan. We assessed the eight dimensions of health status and the 3 component SF-36 summary score to evaluate HRQoL. The prevalence of CP was 15.3% among men and 15.1% among women. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that lumbar pain (p β = -0.132), knee pain (p β = -0.115), foot pain (p = 0.042, β = -0.065), and age (p β = -0.154) were independently correlated with a lower physical component score (PCS). Older age (ppβ = -0.096), knee pain (p β = -0.109), upper limb pain (p β = -0.098), and lumbar pain (p = 0.022, β = -0.077) all showed a significant negative correlation with MCS. The presence of chronic headache (p = 0.011, β = -0.082) was the only factor significantly correlated with a lower role component score (RCS). We identified a negative correlation between chronic headache and RCS, unlike the relation between musculoskeletal pain and PCS or MCS, suggesting that RCS was an independently influenced by CP differently from PCS or MCS in Japanese residents.

Quality of life of patient with hypertension in Kathmandu

Objective:The study aims to describe Quality of Life of Patients with Hypertension and its predictors.Methods:The study was descriptive cross sectional involving 237 patients with hypertension attending outpatient department of Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre.Data was collected by interview technique using SF-36 questionnaire.The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and p values<0.05 were considered significant.Independent t-test,ANOVA and multiple linear regression was used for statistical analysis.The quality of life was determined by Physical Component Summary(PCS)and Mental Component Summary(MCS).Result:In multivariate analysis,increasing age(CI:
-4.47 to
-1.48,p<0.001),marital status(CI:
-6.18 to
-2.53,p<0.001)and educational status(CI:1.11e-2.04,p<0.001)were strongly associated with PCS score.Whereas,marital status(CI:
-15.173 to
-11.782,p<0.001)and educational status(CI:0.27-1.07,p=0.001)were predictor of MCS score.Conclusion:This study identified increasing age,non formal education,being single to be associated with lower quality of life.Screening for most vulnerable group of the hypertensive patient might be done and evaluated which in turns helps to take necessary intervention for hypertension.

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.

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.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life of Tuberculosis Patients in Fako Division, South-West Region of Cameroon

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Despite the global impact of TB and treatment received, a gap persists between treatment and quality of life of the patients especially in resource limited countries. This study therefore evaluated the health related quality of life of TB patients and the different factors influencing their quality of life at the post intensive phase of their treatment in the Fako division of the South-West Region of Cameroon. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in 4 tuberculosis treatment centers, namely two regional (Buea and Limbe) and two district (Tiko and Muyuka) hospitals in Fako Division between June and July 2017. One hundred and sixty-seven TB patients were enrolled in the study and relevant information from them was gathered using the SF-36 questionnaire. Various aspects such as their perception of the disease, their socio-demographics and socio-economics conditions were evaluated. Results: Of the 167 participants enrolled in the study, 95 (56.9%) were male and 72 (43.1%) were female. One hundred and thirty-three (79.6%) of the 167 participants were affected by pulmonary tuberculosis and 34 (20.4%) by extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Fifty-five (32.9%) were HIV positive and 90 (53.9%) had been receiving treatment for 4 - 6 months, 73 (43.7%) for 1 - 3 months and 4 (2.4%) for 7 - 9 months. The lowest and highest scores were recorded on the role limitation due to emotional problems scale (30.54 ± 35.36), and on the social functioning scale (47.68 ± 16.33) respectively. There was a significant difference (p = 0.021), between pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis (49.15 ± 16.08 vs. 41.91 ± 16.25) on the social functioning. Financial difficulty restraining drug collection affected the general health perception (p = 0.003), vitality (p = 0.007), emotional well-being (p < 0.001) and social functioning (p = 0.05) of the patients. Low income affected the vitality (p = 0.039), emotional well-being (p = 0.015), role limitations due to physical (p = 0.046) and emotional (p = 0.003) problems of the patients. Equally, the HIV status affected their vitality (p < 0.001) and emotional well-being (p = 0.011). Conclusion: The quality of life of the TB patients in the study area was generally poor. Counselling of diagnosed TB patients and provision of financial assistance through a social package can improve the acceptance of the disease during their treatment period to avoid default and relapse.

Influence of Metabolic Syndrome versus Musculoskeletal Disorders on Saudi Health-Related Quality of Life

Aim: This work aimed to study the influence of two chronic health conditions, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Saudis. Method: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status questionnaire was used to measure the HRQoL and compare the mean scores of the questionnaire subscales and physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) of 33 patients with MetS, 18 patients with MSDs, and 30 apparently healthy (AH) subjects. Regression analysis was used to measure the prediction power of the study group, age and gender of the participants in estimating the HRQoL. Results: Results showed that the mean scores of the physical subscales, the PCS, the mental subscales and MCS were arranged in descending order from AH subjects, patients with MetS, to patients with MSDs. The mean scores difference among the 3 study groups were statistically significant with the only exception for the general mental health (GMH) subscale (P = 0.404). The study group and age accounted for 41.8% of the variability of PCS while the study group accounted for 19.6% of the variability in the MCS. The resulted equation to estimate the PCS score was as follows: PCS = 113.18 - 12.85 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs) - 0.67 age. On the other hand the resulted equation to estimate the MCS score was as follows: MCS = 76.203 - 10.426 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs). Conclusion: Patients with MetS and patients with MSDs had lower HRQoL than AH subjects. All the physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL are negatively influenced with MetS and with MSDs with the only exception for the GMH subscale. The physical and mental burden of MSDs is more dominant. The study group and age can be used to predict the PCS while the study group can be used to predict the MCS.

Effect of Music on Quality of Life in Stable Angina: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Quality of life associated with coronary artery disease can be affected by number of factors. Even though standard treatment has improved survival of such patients, the quality of life may be less than ideal as the disease affects the physical, social, and emotional functioning of such individuals. Therefore improvement of the quality of life of the patients with coronary artery disease is vital. Though music has been identified having a potential benefit in improving quality of life for many years, researches conducted to recognize the effect of music on quality of life were sparse. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the effect of frequent long term listening to Indian classical music on quality of life in chronic stable angina (SA) patients. Methodology: This single blind randomized clinical trial was conducted for one month. The intervention group of 30 patients listened to a music based on Indian classical system at home twice a day complementary to their regular treatment. The control group of 30 was only on their usual treatment. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention for the quality of life by the Sinhala version of SF-36 questionnaire. Results: A statistically significant increase of scores for physical function by 16.17

Effect of ultra-low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on dysphagia in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and quality of life

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of ultra-low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on dysphagia in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and its impact on quality of life.Methods:60 elderly patients with dysphagia caused by acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into rTMS group and control group,30 cases in each group.Both groups received routine drug therapy and swallowing function training.rTMS group was additionally treated by ultra-low frequency(10mHZ)repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for 14 days.The changes of NIHSS score andADL score and NSE serum level and Wa Tian drinking water experiment and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia scale score and SWAL-QOL score and SF-36 score were observed between the two groups before and after treatment.The clinical effect was evaluated by Wa Tian drinking water experiment.Results:After treatment,The clinical effective rate in rTMS group was significantly higher compared with that in the control group(P<0.05),NIHSS score and serum NSE level were significantly lower compared with the control group(P<0.05),ADL score and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia score and SWAL-QOL score and SF-36 scores were significantly higher compared with the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,SF-36 total score(or SWAL-QOL Score)was negatively correlated with NSE serum level and NIHSS score,which was positively correlated with ADL score and Fujishima Ichiro dysphagia scale score score.Conclusion:Ultra-low frequency rTMS therapy can reduce NSE level,effectively improve dysphagia in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction and significantly improve the elderly patients'life quality.

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.

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.

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.

Self-reported ischemic heart disease: Prevalence, sociodemographics, health behavior, health-care utilization, and quality of life

The aim of this study was to present the prevalence of self-reported Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) based on a national population-based survey and to characterize people with self-reported IHD with respect to health behavior, risk factors, health-care services utilization and health-related HRQoL;further to compare people with self-reported IHD to those with other chronic illness and people without chronic illness. Based on the Danish Health Interview Survey 2005 (SUSY), a sample of 10,983 persons aged 35 years or older was examined. Data was collected through personal interviews (response rate = 66.7%) and self-administered questionnaires (51.5%). The sample was divided into three mutual exclusive groups: IHD;other chronic illnesses;and no chronic illness. The prevalence of IHD was 5.6% (5.2 - 6.0). The disease was more common in men than women, and the average age was 67.5 years. People with self-reported IHD were characterized as having poorer health behaviors;more risk factors: 40% smokers, 21% sedentary lifestyle, 26% obese;higher utilization of the health-care services;and poorer HRQoL. When compared to people with other chronic diseases, people with IHD continued to show the same characteristics. The IHD group had more problems affecting their daily lives than the other two groups. The issues that affected the people with IHD have also been shown to increase the load on the health-care system. Therefore, it is important to the patients, health-care, and society that the prevalence of IHD is reduced and the burden of disease is made a priority.