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.

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.

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.

Associations between Continuing Symptoms and Quality of Life in Post-COVID-19 Patients (2023)

COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can cause various symptoms which last even after the acute stage and negatively impact the quality of life of patients. It is of utmost importance to comprehensively evaluate how COVID-19 affects not only patients’ physical and mental health, but also their family and social life. This knowledge plays a significant role in the creation of effective ways to assist those suffering from long COVID to address health-related quality of life issues in a timely manner.

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.

Effect of Malocclusion on Quality of Life among Persons Aged 7 - 25 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The theory of Oral Health Related Quality Of Life (OHRQOL) has manifold qualities. It endeavors to address social and/or emotional concerns as well as any symptoms or functional problems related to the teeth and jaws from the patients view point. The difficulty of utilizing any one standard evaluation tool to determine how the patient feels about problems with malocclusions or arising from them, led to the development of this construct/theory. Aim: To evaluate the impact of malocclusion on the socio-functional and psychological wellbeing of persons 7 - 25 years old. Method: 100 patients within the ages of 7 - 25 years who visited the Orthodontics Unit of the Oral Health Directorate of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, were conveniently sampled and surveyed. Participants were given questionnaires to assess the effects of malocclusion on their Oral Health Related Quality of Life and also to determine if their educational status had any influence on the impact of malocclusion on their oral health related quality of life. Results: The modal age of the participants was 10 - 15 years with 40% as it frequency followed by 7 - 9 years while the age with least frequency was 16 - 25 years which stood at 22.0%. 28 respondents reported negative effects on their functional domain. 71 of the participants reported negative effects on psychological well-being and 49 of them reported negative effects on social well-being. Conclusion: Malocclusion has an overall negative impact on Oral Health Related Quality of Life and its related purviews. It was observed to be highest for the psychological discomfort domain and the lowest in the functional well-being domain.

A Systematic Review of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement for Psoriasis in Chinese Population

Objective To review the development of patient-reported outcome measurement(PROM)for patients with psoriasis in China,and to analyze the main results and methodology.Methods The systematic review method of COSMIN(consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments)was adopted,and the domestic and foreign databases were searched to find the patient-reported outcome scales based on Chinese psoriasis patients.Then,the included studies were evaluated by using COSMIN risk of bias checklist.Results and Conclusion A total of 3 studies were included,involving 3 scales.We found that the quality evaluation of the development process of the 3 scales was not high,and there were large methodological loopholes in the whole cycle of scale development and verification.The included studies have many problems such as low extrapolation,poor quality,and lack of validation,which can provide more insights for the quality control requirements of the whole cycle of scale development in the future.

Evaluation of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Institutionalized Orphan Children

Introduction:Children residing in orphanages are a disadvantaged section of the population.Inadequate care can impair the quality of life of orphan children.Aim:The aim of this study was to assess the oral health-related quality of life and dental caries status among institutionalized orphan children.Materials and Methods:Children without parents,aged 6-14 years,were selected from government-run orphanages.Children who were willing to participate were included.Data on oral health-related quality of life were collected by personal interviews by a single investigator.Following,intraoral examination of each child was carried out in an adequate natural light using a sterilized mouth mirror and probe.Dental caries was assessed according to the World Health Organization criteria.The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results:The Decayed,Missed and Filled teeth(DMFT)score of males was 0.41士0.86 and females was 0.97士1.44,and the difference was statistically significant.The mean of oral symptoms,functional limitation,emotional well-being,and social well-being was 26.49±4.48,37.75士3.63,33.31±4.1&and 47.92士3.37,respectively.Conclusions:The prevalence of dental caries was low among these orphan children.The quality of life of these children was not affected by their dental caries status.

Impact of gastroesophageal reflux control through tailored proton pump inhibition therapy or fundoplication in patients with Barrett's esophagus

AIM To determine the impact of upwards titration of proton pump inhibition(PPI) on acid reflux, symptom scores and histology, compared to clinically successful fundoplication.METHODS Two cohorts of long-segment Barrett's esophagus(BE) patients were studied. In group 1(n = 24), increasing doses of PPI were administered in 8-wk intervals until acid reflux normalization. At each assessment, ambulatory 24 h p H recording, endoscopy with biopsies and symptom scoring(by a gastroesophageal reflux disease health related quality of life questionnaire, GERD/HRLQ) were performed. Group 2(n = 30) consisted of patients with a previous fundoplication. RESULTS In group 1, acid reflux normalized in 23 of 24 patients, resulting in improved GERD/HRQL scores(P = 0.001), which were most pronounced after the starting dose of PPI(P < 0.001). PPI treatment reached the same level of GERD/HRQL scores as after a clinically successful fundoplication(P = 0.5). Normalization of acid reflux in both groups was associated with reduction in papillary length, basal cell layer thickness, intercellular space dilatation, and acute and chronic inflammation of squamous epithelium. CONCLUSION This study shows that acid reflux and symptom scores co-vary throughout PPI increments in long-segment BE patients, especially after the first dose of PPI, reaching the same level as after a successful fundoplication. Minor changes were found among GERD markers at the morphological level.

Assesment of diabetes related quality of life and the impact of pharmaceutical care in its improvement

Objective:To assess the role of pharmaceutical care in improving quality of life in type II diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care hospital.Methods:A prospective observational survey study was carried out for a period of 9 months in the General Medicine Department of the hospital.A total of 106 patients were enrolled and were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups with 53 patients in each group.Version-19 of audit on diabetes-dependent quality of life questionnaire were provided to the patients,at the time of admission and during review.At the time of admission the intervention group was provided with counseling for diabetes and with patient information leaflets on the disease.A data entry format comprising the socio-demographic details of the patients,their medical and medication history,laboratory results,etc.were used to note down the patient details.The prescribing patterns of different oral hypoglycemic agents were noted.Results:A total of 106 patients were recruited,51%being male.Age ranged from 32 to 80 years with a mean age of 60.210±10.045.The duration since diagnosis was 5-10 years for most of the participants(67%),10-20 years for 29%and>20 years for the remaining.At the time of study,17.9%of participants were received insulin treatment,and 82.1%on oral hypoglycemic agent.The average weighted impact of intervention group which improved from-1.7526±0.5630 to-1.668800±0.048013 was found to be statistically significant.Thus the study showed that pharmaceutical care has a positive impact on the quality of life of diabetes patients.Conclusions:Quality of life is worsened in diabetes mellitus patients,particularly for the'freedom to eat'domain,indicating that an intervention to improve dietary freedom might be a good way of improving quality of life.The study also showed that patient counseling played an important role in improving quality of life of diabetes patients.

Risks Factors of Caries and Periodontal Diseases in the Patients, after 5 Years Use a Partial Removable Denture

Objective: The goal of the removable partial denture is to restore impaired esthetics and masticatory function by replacing missing teeth. The aim of this study was to establish a possible correla-tion between removable partial denture in acrylic resin use after 5 years and dental diseases. Materials and Methods: Partially edentulous patients presenting for removable denture treatment at the Prosthodontics service of the Affiliated Hospital of Kinshasa University, Democratic Republic of Congo were assessed in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: Denture and non-denture group. Caries and periodontal diseases were compared between both groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The average age in the denture and non-denture-group was 53.15 (±SD 22.05) and 31.59 (±SD 11.98) years. Out of 160 teeth were decayed, both 110 teeth (68.75%) in the denture-group and 50 teeth (31.25%) in the non-denture group. The DMFT index calculated at start time of the study was 0.2 for both groups, after five years was 7.1 for the denture-group and 2.6 for the non-denture-group. The plaque index in the denture-group had an index of 1 and that of non-denture-group was 0.5. Conclusion: The relationship has been found between patients’ wearers a RPD and dental diseases.