Bypassing the Blues: Telephone Treatment for Depression Post-Bypass Surgery Improves Quality of Life Nov 23, 2009
"Men with depression were particularly likely to benefit from the intervention. However, the mean health-related quality of life and physical functioning of intervention patients did not reach that of the non-depressed comparison group," said Dr. Rollman. Co-authors of the study include Bea Herbeck Belnap, senior research associate, Department of Medicine, Wishwa N. Kapoor, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and director, Center for Research on Health... (Science Daily)
'ECG For The Mind' Could Diagnose Depression In An Hour Oct 17, 2009
(June 18, 2009) Affective disorders comorbid with medical, somatic illnesses have been found to have a major impact on health-related quality of life and disability with more pronounced effects in dysthymic disorder. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Treatment Not Testicular Cancer Poses Greatest Risk To Survivors' Long-term Health Oct 16, 2009
" Key findings from the review, which covered 40 studies published between 1990 and 2008, included: About 80 per cent of men who have one testicle removed continue to produce sperm, often at reduced levels, and although men are advised to freeze their semen before treatment, less than 10 per cent use their frozen samples later on. Pulmonary complications can arise in men who receive the drug bleomycin before larger surgical procedures, particularly if they are aged 40 or over. Radiotherapy can... (Science Daily)
Simple Tool Can Boost Motivation, Improve Health In Older Adults Oct 13, 2009
Women with GoB scores 50 (representing higher motivation) at baseline were statistically significantly more likely at 6 months to have good health-related quality of life, good self-perceived health and report regular exercise than those with scores <50, indicating good predictive ability. "The ability to identify patients with low motivation establishes an opportunity for health care providers to develop and implement interventions to improve older adults' motivation and to help them attain and... (Science Daily)
Triple therapy halves exacerbations in moderate-to-severe COPD Oct 8, 2009
"We wanted to evaluate the effect of budesonide/formoterol combined with the tiotropium on lung function, patient-centered clinical outcomes (symptoms, health-related quality of life, exacerbations and morning activities), and tolerability in patients with COPD," said Dr. Welte. The researchers recruited more than 600 patients with moderate to severe COPD to participate in the randomized, double-blind, multi-center, parallel group trial. (EurekAlert!)
Intensive hog farming operations and self-reported health among nearby rural residents in Ottawa, Canada Sep 10, 2009
This study evaluates the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and the prevalence of respiratory conditions among adults and children who lived in proximity to this farm. Methods. (BioMed Central)
Two Treatments Equally Effective For Chronic Pelvic Pain Sep 3, 2009
The condition "has a major effect on health-related quality of life, work attendance and productivity, and health-care use, accounting for 40 percent of referrals for diagnostic laparoscopy," Jane Daniels, of Birmingham Women's Hospital, University of Birmingham, U.K., and colleagues wrote in their report. Some doctors chose to treat patients by disrupting nerves that were thought to contribute to perceived pain. (MEDLINEplus)
Aging With GRACE: New Health Care Delivery Model Improves Outcomes, Saves Money Sep 1, 2009
In a previous study published in the Dec. 12, 2007, issue of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) the researchers reported their success in improving both quality of care and health-related quality of life measures while reducing emergency department use ... 12, 2007) A JAMA study reports success by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers in both improving quality of care and health-related quality of life measures while reducing emergency department use. (Science Daily)
GERD negatively impacts sleep quality, results in considerable economic burden Sep 1, 2009
Nighttime GERD symptoms interfere with patients falling and staying asleep, and result in considerable economic burden and reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). "These sleep difficulties result in substantial costs to the health-care system by increasing provider visits. There is a greater loss of productivity to the employer and poorer HRQOL to the patient," said Susan C. Bolge, PhD, of Consumer Health Sciences and corresponding author of the study. (EurekAlert!)
Antidepressants: Selective Serotonin And Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs Show Benefits In German Study Aug 29, 2009
With reference to the health-related quality of life, an advantage was proven for duloxetine in the comparison with placebo, but not for venlafaxine. However, if the drugs are compared directly, there is no relevant difference. (Science Daily)
Treating COPD Early Improves Outcomes Aug 29, 2009
"If you treat moderate disease with these anticholinergic drugs, you get clear improvements in lung function, health-related quality of life, exacerbations and even, maybe, in mortality, but that was not statistically significant, but there was a trend," said lead researcher Dr. Marc Decramer, a professor in the department of pathophysiology at University Hospital of the University of Leuven in Belgium. In addition, "you seem to reduce the rate at which the disease progresses," he noted. (MEDLINEplus)
Quality of life in patients with gastric cancer: translation and psychometric evaluation of the Iranian version of EORTC QLQ-STO22 Aug 29, 2009
The purpose of this study was to translate and validate a gastric cancer specific health related quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-STO22) for Iranian patients suffering from gastric cancer. Methods. (BioMed Central)
A comparison of Kneipp hydrotherapy with conventional physiotherapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip or knee:protocol of a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial Aug 19, 2009
Secondary outcomes include health-related quality of life and joint-specific pain and mobility in the course of the study. Statistical analysis of the results will be on an intention-to-treat basis. (BioMed Central)
Pain Level May Predict Survival in Certain Cancer Patients Aug 19, 2009
"The prevalence of post-treatment pain within the first year after diagnosis of head and neck cancer suggests that physicians are not adequately addressing this issue, even though pain is associated with health-related quality of life and recurrent disease," the study authors noted. "Appropriate monitoring can be accomplished through the routine collection of pain as the fifth vital sign," they said. (MEDLINEplus)
Limb-Sparing Surgery May Offer Little Benefit to Cancer Patients Aug 13, 2009
"Future studies that include function, health-related quality of life, economics and stratification of patients by age will be useful contributions to decision-making ... by patients, health-care providers and administrators," Wunder said in a news release from the American Cancer Society. SOURCE: American Cancer Society, news release, Aug. 10, 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Cost-effectiveness of a structured progressive task-oriented circuit class training programme to enhance walking competency after stroke: The protocol of the FIT-Stroke trial Aug 13, 2009
Most patients who suffer a stroke experience reduced walking competency and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A key factor in effective stroke rehabilitation is intensive, task-specific training. (BioMed Central)
Limb-sparing surgery may not provide better quality of life than amputation for bone cancer patients Aug 10, 2009
"Future studies that include function, health-related quality of life, economics, and stratification of patients by age will be useful contributions to decision-making by patients, health care providers and administrators," said Dr. Wunder. . (EurekAlert!)
Hip and back fractures increase mortality rates in people older than 50 Aug 4, 2009
Fractures are associated with negative outcomes such as pain, immobility and reduced health-related quality of life. All types of fractures were more common in women than men except for rib fractures. (EurekAlert!)
Translation and validation study of the Persian version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee Aug 1, 2009
This was to provide a validated instrument to measure functional disability and health-related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in Iran. The aim of this study was to culturally adapt and validate the AIMS2 for Persian-speaking patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in Iran. (BioMed Central)
GERD patient satisfaction hinges on medication type and physician bedside manner Aug 1, 2009
In addition, a decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was associated with greater dissatisfaction. In fact, decreasing HRQoL was correlated with decreasing satisfaction with medical care in general. (EurekAlert!)
Human Genome Sciences and GlaxoSmithKline Announce Positive Phase 3 Study Results for BENLYSTA(TM) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Jul 20, 2009
-- Improvement in health-related quality of life at Week 24 as measured by the SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was not significantly different among treatment groups. However, although not a major secondary endpoint, improvement in the SF-36 PCS score at Week 52 was significantly greater in both belimumab treatment groups (p=0. (Canada Newswire)
Is health related quality of life associated with the risk of low-energy wrist fracture? A case control study. Jul 3, 2009
Is health related quality of life associated with the risk of low-energy wrist fracture. A case control study. (BioMed Central)
Data Demonstrates Long-Term Reduction In Seizure Frequency With Novel Once Daily Anti-Epileptic Zebinix(R) Jun 29, 2009
ESL also significantly improved patient's health related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by the QOLIE-31 score during a one year open label extension of the above 3 studies. ESL is given orally once-daily. (PR Newswire)
Bariatric Surgery Cuts Cancer Risk for Women Jun 25, 2009
Data from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study had previously shown that bariatric surgery has favorable effects on body weight, diabetes, other cardiovascular risk factors, heart structure and function, and health-related quality of life. "We now show a strong reduction in the female cancer incidence," said lead researcher Dr. Lars Sjostrom, a professor in the Department of Body Composition and Metabolism at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. (MEDLINEplus)
Structured chronic primary care and health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure Jun 20, 2009
The purpose of this study was to explore the associations of structured care characteristics, derived from the Chronic Care Model, with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and optimal clinical management in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients in primary care, as well as the association between optimal management and HRQOL. Methods Cross-sectional observational study using multi-level random-coefficient analyses of a representative sample of 357 patients diagnosed with CHF from 42 primary... (BioMed Central)
How Much Does Chronic Depression With Medical Disorders Affect Work Performance? Jun 19, 2009
ScienceDaily (June 18, 2009) An Australian study shows that affective disorders comorbid with medical, somatic illnesses have a major impact on health-related quality of life and disability with more pronounced effects in dysthymic disorder than in major depressive disorder ... A group of Australian researchers investigated in medical disorders the effects of comorbid dysthymic disorder as compared to major depressive disorder (MDD) on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and disability days... (Science Daily)
Cancer Diagnosis May Tax Physical, Mental Health Jun 16, 2009
Bryce B. Reeve of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and a team of researchers looked at the health-related quality of life of 1,432 people 65 years of age or older who were diagnosed with cancer of the prostate, breast, bladder or kidney, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer or non-Hodgkin lymphoma between 1998 and 2003 ... "We expect this study to provide a benchmark for capturing the burden of cancer on health-related quality of life and an evidence base for future research and... (MEDLINEplus)
Healthier Lifestyle Can Cut COPD Symptoms May 22, 2009
"This is the first randomized controlled trial showing that community-based pulmonary rehabilitation is feasible and effective, even for patients with less advanced airflow obstruction, and that the INTERCOM program improves functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life during 24 months relative to usual care at acceptable costs," Annemie Schols, a professor of nutrition and metabolism in chronic diseases at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, said in an American Thoracic... (MEDLINEplus)
Diet And Exercise Intervention Helps Older, Overweight Cancer Survivors Reduce Functional Decline May 16, 2009
e., use of legs) subscales of the Late Life Function and Disability Index (score range, 0-100), physical activity, body mass index and overall health-related quality of life ... Overall health-related quality of life decreased in every subscale in the control group throughout the 12-month period. (Science Daily)
More Pills, Less Quality Of Life For Kidney Patients May 13, 2009
ScienceDaily (May 12, 2009) The more pills a dialysis patients takes, the worse their health-related quality of life, according to a new study ... While these medications are important for controlling patients' disease, at some point taking too many pills (with their ensuing side effects) may negatively affect patients' health-related quality of life, or their perceived physical and mental health ... Rajnish Mehrotra, MD and Yi-Wen Chiu, MD (Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute), and their... (Science Daily)
What Teens Don't Know About OTC Medications Can Hurt Them May 9, 2009
2, 2008) A new study found that taking two NSAIDs was associated with lower scores on a health-related quality of life assessment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat arthritis. (Science Daily)
Up To One In Six Older People Living At Home Face Malnutrition Risk May 9, 2009
We carried out a wide range of physical and biochemical tests on the people who took part in the study and asked them lots of questions, including how they perceived their health and their health-related quality of life explains Yvonne Johansson from the Department of Medical and Health Sciences at the University. Our aim was to discover how prevalent the problem was and identify key factors that can predict an increased risk of malnutrition among older people living at home. (Science Daily)
Gel Effective for Women with Overactive Bladder May 6, 2009
Overactive bladder can be disabling and is associated with a marked decrease in health-related quality of life as well as higher rates of depression, Dr. Roger Dmochowski noted. The condition affects both men and women, but women experience more severe symptoms earlier in life than men. (MEDLINEplus)
New outcomes study reports TYSABRI patients show overall improvement in cognition and quality of life, with lower levels of fatigue Apr 30, 2009
The poster Change in Health-Related Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Receiving Natalizumab (P05. 144) will be available for viewing on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 11:30 a.m. PDT.. (EurekAlert!)
Novel Once Daily Anti-Epileptic Zebinix(R) Approved in the European Union Apr 28, 2009
The studies found that patients taking ESL also showed statistically significant improvement in scores of health related quality of life measures such as reduced 'seizure worry', improvements in 'cognitive functioning' and reduced 'medication effects', all factors which significantly affect the lives of patients living with epilepsy ... ESL also significantly improved patient's health related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by the QOLIE-31 score during a one year open label extension of the... (PR Newswire)
New drug shows promising results for psoriatic arthritis Apr 8, 2009
Patients treated with the drug had significant improvement in physical function and health-related quality of life, as well as significant improvement in enthesitis, an inflammation where muscles attach to bones. In addition to improving arthritic symptoms, golimumab also improved psoriasis symptoms: 40 percent of the 50 mg group and 58 percent of the 100 mg group had at least 75 percent improvement in psoriasis symptoms, compared with 3 percent of the placebo group. (EurekAlert!)
Talk therapy improves mood after heart surgery Apr 7, 2009
"Cognitive behavior therapy," the investigators report, "was also superior to usual care on most secondary psychological outcomes, including anxiety, hopelessness, perceived stress and the mental (but not the physical) component of health-related quality of life. Supportive stress management was superior to usual care only on some of these measures.". In this study of heart bypass patients, antidepressant medication had no effect on the outcome of depression. (MSNBC -- Health)
Physicians Mending Broken Hearts Apr 3, 2009
To measure how much of an effect these factors have on children, Dr. Marino and his team developed the Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI), a self-administered questionnaire that quantitatively assesses health-related quality of life in children and adolescents age 8-18 years, and their parents ... 28, 2008) Parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients report lower health-related quality of life for their children two years after the surgery, compared to reports from the... (Science Daily)
Maggot Therapy Similar To Standard Care For Leg Ulcers Mar 24, 2009
Participants completed a health-related quality of life questionnaire at the start of the study, and then again at three, six, nine and 12 months ... There was no difference between larvae and hydrogel groups in health-related quality of life or in bacterial load (including MRSA). (Science Daily)
C1-Esterase Inhibitor Concentrate Rapidly Relieves Acute Swelling Attacks Across All Body Sites in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema, According to Study Mar 16, 2009
Additional data presented at the 2009 AAAAI Annual Meeting shows that C1-INH improves health-related quality of life measures in patients with HAE. WASHINGTON, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) concentrate is an effective, well-tolerated therapy that rapidly relieves acute swelling attacks at any body location in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare and serious genetic disorder, according to data presented today at the 2009 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &... (PR Newswire)
Feeling Tired? Study Finds Prevalence Of Anergia In People With Failing Hearts Mar 14, 2009
In the current study, Dr. Maurer, together with Susan Delisle, NP, and the Healthcare Innovation and Technology Lab at Columbia University, found significant discrepancies between self-reported fatigue and actigraphy readings, suggesting that these readings provide complimentary and important information about the link between heart failure, sleep disorders and impairments in health-related quality of life that may be operative through anergia. Encouraged by the results, Maurer and his team have... (Science Daily)
Helium Helps Lung Patients Breathe Easier Mar 12, 2009
This innovative therapy is significant because research has shown that patients who perform more exercise and get greater improvements in fitness also get better improvements in their symptoms and health-related quality of life. "COPD is not curable," says Eves, a researcher with the Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine. (Science Daily)
Savient Provides Update on Pegloticase BLA Feb 13, 2009
Other statistically and clinically meaningful improvements included decreases in tender or swollen joint counts, reduction in flare incidences and frequency in months 4 to 6 of treatment, and meaningful improvements in pain reduction and health related quality of life measures at 6 months compared to placebo. "I believe the recent amendments significantly enhance the overall application and better position the BLA to undergo a satisfactory FDA review. This is an exciting new therapy that, if... (PR Newswire)
Exercise Boosts Older Women's Quality of Life Feb 12, 2009
The women completed a standard questionnaire on health-related quality of life at the beginning and end of the study. Compared with the sedentary group, Martin's team found, women in all three exercise groups showed improvements in quality of life. (MEDLINEplus)
Weight Control Program Ups Diabetics' Well Being Feb 7, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with type 2 diabetes show improvements in their physical and mental health-related quality of life after a year of participation in a weight management program, a report out this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows ... Studies to date, the researchers note, have had mixed results on how lifestyle interventions affect obese people's health-related quality of life ... After 12 months, the control group's physical health-related quality of life had... (MEDLINEplus)
Womens low sex drive tied to poor life quality Feb 7, 2009
NEW YORK - Postmenopausal women who have hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) a low level of sexual desire have a worse health-related quality of life than their counterparts who are happy with their sex lives, according to a new study ... The women with HSDD scored lower on several measures of health-related quality of life including mental health, vitality, social function and bodily pain. (MSNBC -- Health)
