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Poverty, one of the most pressing and long-standing fundamental problems of the contemporary world, claims imbalances both at the base of Maslow’s pyramid – mortality, disease, hunger or malnutrition, absence of rest, sleep or quality life, lack or insecurity of shelter, employment, social exclusion, conditioning of love, sense of belonging, and at the top – failure to fulfil potential, low self-esteem, mistrust, lack of identity, lack of creativity, spontaneity, dignity. Although globalisation has actively contributed to the eradication of absolute poverty, it persists in terms of relative poverty. Poverty is a perennial, persistent problem, even within the European Union. The present article aims to examine through a comprehensive qualitative analysis the issue of security from the perspective of the phenomenon of poverty, integrating quality of life as a factor of human security and linking the culture of poverty, the concept of soft security with the impact of globalisation on the current security environment and on the state of human rights. The phenomenon of poverty is multifaceted, continuous and very complex, incorporating vulnerabilities, risks and social inequalities, ranging from lack of income to provide food, adequate housing for individual needs, decent or good living conditions, to limited access to basic services or needs to fulfil potential. Fulfilling one’s full potential is in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and includes one’s own aspirations, creative actions, focus on the inner self, quality education, expanding possibilities and horizons for action. There is no emphasis on the needs at the bottom of the pyramid, as these are an implicit necessity, and poverty can be defined not only in terms of living on the edge of subsistence, but also in terms of the precariousness of daily life, of a limited, inadequate life, at odds with universal principles, values and ideals.

Introduction: Low back pain is a public health problem that affects Quality of Life (QoL) and generates disability. Objective: To determine QoL and disability in patients with low back pain at the Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) in Tegucigalpa, from May to July 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, 165 patients from the Specialised Centre of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with a diagnosis of low back pain were evaluated. The clinical characteristics of low back pain, CV with Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) 1.0 scale and disabil-ity with Oswestry index (ODI) 1.0 were measured. Analysis was performed by calculating frequencies and percentages for qualita-tive variables and measures of central tendency for quantitative variables. Statistical tests were used: Spearman, Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney, p-value

Introduction: Adherence to treatment is a public health problem, with importance in chronic disease therapies. Poor adherence to long-term treatment compromises treatment effectiveness and directly influences quality of life. Objective:To establish the relationship between adherence to treatment and quality of life in adult hypertensive patients in two second level hospitals. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, with analysis of association, non-probabilistic convenience sampling, sample was selected using the Open Epi online programme, resulting in 206 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Adherence was measured with the Morisky-Green-Levine test and quality of life with MINICHAL. Data were analyzed in SPSS Statistic 21.0; univariate analysis, calculating frequencies, percentages and bivariate analysis (association between adherence/adherence factors and quality of life), chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were applied. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: The study population was predominantly female, aged 51-60 years, literate, married, poor. 71.4% (147) were adherent to treatment. The quality of life was medium-high in 80.1% (165). There was an association between adherence and schooling (p

Background: Recovery from psychopathology in patients with personality disorder (PD) after the therapeutic intervention is not necessarily accompanied by an increase in their quality of life. This phenomenon can be understood from a bifactorial model of affect and challenges our therapeutic design to focus on recovery. Method: In a sample of severe PD, we evaluate emotional and clinical variables before (N = 414) and after (N = 247) a 6-month intervention program. Results: The level of emotion intensity influences the association between positive and negative affect (PA and NA; p < .0001). Patients with a “self-constructive” affective profile improve more in PA than in NA ( p = .008). Conclusions: The specific promotion of PA, applied in a phase in which the person experiences less negative emotional reactivity, could improve satisfaction with life and psychosocial functioning of PD patients.

There is evidence that anxiety and avoidance toward close relationships (i.e., insecure attachment orientations), as well as posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), are linked to a poor quality of life. The current study aimed to investigate the potential mediating effects of PTSSs on the associations between insecure attachment orientations and domains of quality of life. A convenience sample of 497 adults (375 females, 75.5%), ranging in age between 18 and 65 years old (M = 32.48, SD = 13.26), was recruited. Participants were administered self-report instruments assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance, PTSSs, and domains of quality of life, including physical health, psychological status, social relationships, and environment. A series of mediation analyses were performed to test the mediating role of PTSSs in the relationships between attachment orientations and domains of quality of life. Results showed that attachment anxiety was related to decreased levels of quality of life in all domains, and that their associations were mediated by PTSSs. Also, attachment avoidance was related to a worse quality of psychological status and social relationships, and PTSSs were a significant mediating variable in these associations. Prevention programs and clinical interventions focused on promoting effective strategies for managing distress might be critical in reducing the impact of distressing events on the quality of life of individuals with insecure attachment.

Aim: To study the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and quality of life (QoL) in adults to identify key mechanisms to better design future psychosocial interventions. Method: 13,222 participants from three consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), aged 65 or older, 56.3% women. They were analyzed using cross-lagged panel model (CLPM), random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM), and multi-group models disaggregated by gender. Results: The RI-CLPM provided a better fit than the CLPM. Both models showed the stability of QoL and loneliness. All autoregressive paths were significant, and a negative association between concurrent QoL and loneliness was observed across all waves. The CLPM supported a reciprocal relationship, while the RI-CLPM only confirmed the effects of loneliness on QoL. Women reported higher levels of loneliness and poorer QoL, but no gender differences were identified in the longitudinal association. Conclusions: Addressing loneliness in early stages could be a better preventive measure to promote quality of life in both genders.

The ‘leitmotif’ of the compact city has become a widely embraced template for sustainable urban development. Particularly infill and redevelopment areas, as well as many planned new settlements, have been built following the planning principles of urban compaction. Numerous positive effects are attributed to high-density settlements such as more efficient use of infrastructure and less reliance on automobile travel. Planning law and policies, in Germany as well as other countries around the world, regularly strive to advance high-density developments, but it is by no means clear whether the prescribed densities in planning policies actually lead to vibrant and healthy places which fulfill the expectations of their inhabitants with regards to their quality of life. The study aims to analyze the relation between binding land-use plans in Germany and individual perceptions of urban density through a case study-based survey. This paper contributes to providing new information on achieving compact urban form and quality of life in new urban quarters by analyzing the change of densities over the past three decades in ‘large’ urban developments across Germany, by an in-depth assessment of planned and built densities within an archetypal urban extension and finally by contrasting these ‘objective’ figures and findings with the ‘subjective’ feelings of inhabitants. For sources of information, this paper draws from literature, surveys and empirical analyses as well as desktop-studies.

Introduction: Kidney disease is a major challenge for modern medicine, despite advances in its diagnosis and therapy. Hemodialysis, as one of the key renal replacement therapies, sustains patients' vital functions, but is associated with significant challenges in terms of the quality of life. Aim: To assess the quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis with consideration of the type of vascular access. Material and method: The study was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024 among patients of dialysis stations in the district of Jastrzębie, diversified in terms of age, place of residence, education, and marital status. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a self-constructed questionnaire and a KDQOL-SFTM tool. Results and conclusions: Patients with a fistula tend to have a higher quality of life, better physical and social functioning, and better overall health than patients using a vascular catheter. Gender and place of residence have no significant effect on the quality of life of hemodialyzed patients, regardless of the type of vascular access. Patients under 60 years of age show better physical health than older patients. Secondary and higher education correlates with higher quality of life in terms of symptoms. Marital status has a significant impact on physical health. Shorter duration of dialysis treatment is associated with better quality of life in terms of symptoms, disease quality of life and mental health. The absence of dialysis complications correlates with higher quality of life in terms of symptoms, quality of life in disease and physical health. The results of the study highlight the importance of the type of vascular access and socio-demographic factors in assessing the quality of life of hemodialyzed patients.

Objective: To analyze the subjective perception of quality of life in Chilean older women according to the levels of physical activity they perform after the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study involved 250 older women of whom 120 were physically active (age 68.6±4.6 years; body mass 62.4±3.2 kg; height 1.61±4.3 m; body mass index 24.1±37 km/m2), while 130 were physically inactive (age 71.3±5.2 years; body mass 72.3±5. 9 kg; height 1.58±4.8 m; body mass index 29±8.3 km/m2). Eight dimensions (emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, rights and material well-being) were analyzed using the FUMAT-24 Scale for the subjective Perception of Quality of Life. Results: significant differences p

Abstract: University students and health professionals have a higher prevalence of psychological distress compared to the general population. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and quality of life in Brazilian psychology professionals and students and to verify whether there are differences in the intensity of symptoms between the two samples. A total of 2,324 individuals answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the WHOQOL-Bref quality of life assessment instrument, and the Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale. The results revealed a high prevalence of symptoms of depression (50%) and anxiety (45.8%) among psychology students, values more than two times higher than those observed in professionals, of whom 20% reported symptoms of depression and 12.7% of anxiety. Both groups reported a satisfactory level (above 80 points) of overall quality of life. The study concludes that targeted self-care interventions are essential for these groups that take care of the mental health of the population.

Introduction and Purpose of Research. There are diverse types of insulin pumps available, such as traditional pumps with tubing, tubeless pumps or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, pumps with automated insulin suspension. Diabetes complications lead to raised death rates, and overall decreased quality of life among patients. The aim of the study is to examine the impact of insulin pump usage including the effects on glycemic control, quality of life and limitations in daily life. Our work aims to emphasize the importance of using appropriate therapies in patients with diabetes. Material and Methods. The review was based on the analysis of materials collected in the Google Scholar and,, PubMed’’. The following keywords were entered during the search for scholarly articles: insulin pump, continuous glucose monitoring, quality of life, diabetes mellitus and insulin therapy. A total of 36 articles were considered for the study and verified for their relevance to the topic. Brief description of the state of Knowledge. The use of an insulin pump as an innovation can simplify tasks to manage the process and to maintain desired levels of blood glucose. Patients using a pump have more flexible possibilities regarding meals and diet. Additional non-health-related benefits, such as reduced worry about supplies while traveling, can significantly improve patients’ QoL as well activities, and community integration, as the pump aids in refining self-care habits. Conclusions. In this study, we investigated the impact of wearable technology of insulin pumps on metabolic management, the quality-of-life patients' comfort of life and daily activity in children and adolescents with diabetes. The quality of life can substantially increase when the performances of advanced devices and algorithms are associated with considerable support from family and healthcare providers.

Objective: To assess the functional health literacy of parents and carers of infants up to one year of age. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of pregnant women and carers of infants up to 1 year of age. The population consisted of pregnant women, men and women caring for infants up to 1 year of age, over 18 years of age, residing in the State of Tocantins. We used the instrument culturally adapted and validated in Brazil to assess the level of functional health literacy related to child health, the Parental Health Literacy Activities Test (PHLAT). Results: The sample consisted of 37 participants, the majority of whom were mothers. The mean age of the babies was 6.5 months. The majority of primary caregivers were married (78.4%) and had their mother as their primary caregiver (94.6%). The mean age of the primary caregiver was 32.0 years. Among the PHLAT domains, the clinical/assessment/vaccination domain showed high literacy. However, in two important aspects, two of the questions with the highest percentage of errors were also in this domain: administering medication without a prescription and dosing according to the instructions on the package leaflet (which is an inappropriate practice). Literacy was also low in the psychosocial/developmental domain. Also of concern is the nutrition domain, where four of the eight items had high literacy. The items with low literacy required reading infant formula labels, calculating serum therapy dosages, and being able to read and interpret content. Conclusion: Participants demonstrate inadequate functional health literacy.

This study investigates the impact of physical activity on the quality of life among university students using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, focusing on three primary dimensions: physical health, psychological health, and social relations. Sixty students were divided into two groups based on their lifestyle patterns: thirty engaged regularly in sports and physical activities (Group A), and thirty led a predominantly sedentary lifestyle (Group B). The results highlighted significant positive correlations between regular physical activity and both physical and psychological health. Specifically, Group A exhibited superior physical and psychological health scores compared to Group B, substantiating the hypothesis that physical activity significantly enhances these aspects of quality of life. Conversely, no significant difference was found in social relations between the two groups, suggesting that the influence of physical activity on social interactions might be less straightforward and possibly moderated by other unmeasured variables. These findings underscore the necessity for universities to foster environments that encourage physical activities, as part of a broader strategy to enhance overall student well-being and academic performance. The study contributes to the existing literature by reaffirming the multifaceted benefits of physical activity and calls for integrated health promotion strategies within educational institutions to support the holistic development of students. Keywords: physical activity, university students, quality of life, WHOQOL-BREF, psychological health, social relations, sedentary lifestyle, health promotion, student well-being, educational policy.

In recent years, research on physical literacy has experienced remarkable growth, identifying the factors in this multidimensional concept that may play a role in the acquisition of healthy habits. In addition, multiple studies have identified significant correlations between physical literacy and quality of life, although they did not find a reason for this relationship. One of the factors that could explain this behavior is physical fitness. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the role of physical fitness and its components in the relationship between physical literacy and life satisfaction. For this purpose, the Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the differences in the scores of the questionnaires applied, Spearman's rho, to determine the correlations between physical literacy and life satisfaction, using Hedges' g for the interpretation of the effect size. In addition, a mediation analysis was conducted to understand how physical fitness affects the relationship between literacy and life satisfaction. A moderation analysis was then applied to explore whether variables related to physical fitness modified the correlation and added to the prediction model. Finally, the reliability and validity of the questionnaires were tested using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's omega coefficient. The results showed that physical fitness, especially cardiorespiratory fitness, was a moderator and mediator in this relationship, demonstrating that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness enhances the effect of physical literacy on improving life satisfaction among high school students.

Cancer-related fatigue is one of the symptoms that most impacts the quality of life of patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Yoga has been used as a non pharmacological intervention to alleviate symptoms during breast cancer treatment. However, further studies are needed to elucidate and fill possible gaps regarding the effects of Yoga in this population. This article describes the protocol for a randomized clinical trial that aims to analyze the effects of a Yoga program, compared to a control group, on the physical and psychological outcomes of patients diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing treatment within the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Thirty women will be randomized into a Yoga or control group. Participants in the Yoga group will undergo a Yoga program associated with health education, twice a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes. The control group will participate only in health education meetings, once a week, also for eight weeks with sessions of 60 minutes. Assessments of cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, pain, functional capacity, and level of leisure time physical activity will be performed before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations and Bonferroni post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). The study protocol is registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry under number RBR- 6vk2vjr.

ABSTRACT Objective: to verify the effect of educational technologies on the quality of life of people with diabetes. Method: quasi-experimental study, before-and-after type, developed with a group of 34 people. Six interventions were carried out, in groups or individually, using educational technologies, such as clinical simulators and physical educational games. A questionnaire was used to extract sociodemographic and clinical data. To assess quality of life, the Diabetes Quality of Life Measure (DQOL) was applied at the initial (T0) and final (T1) moments. The paired Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean scores at T0 and T1, adopting a significance level ≤ 0.05. Results: the mean overall DQOL score revealed an increase from 142.7 (±11.8) to 162.2 (±9.1), with a statistically significant difference (p

ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity has been increasing at alarming rates in Brazil and worldwide. It is known that bariatric surgery is an effective and safe treatment for severely obese adults with related comorbidities or morbidly obese individuals. Among the various comorbidities, chronic low back pain is one of the major sources of discomfort and reduced quality of life in these patients. Studies that investigate the impact of bariatric surgery on the lives of obese individuals with chronic low back pain are scarce. Methods: We analyzed 38 patients who were obese grade 3 or severely obese grade 2 and suffered from chronic low back pain. These patients underwent bariatric surgery. Eight variables were assessed before the surgery and 6 months post-surgery, comprising 5 quantitative variables and 3 qualitative variables. Results: Paired t-tests were used for the statistical analysis of quantitative variables. The mean values of interleukin-6 before the surgery did not differ statistically from post-operative measurements. However, the values of C-reactive protein, weight, BMI, and Oswestry Disability Index 2.0 were all statistically different post-operatively. As for qualitative variables, the 3 variables analyzed using the Wilcoxon test showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Substantial reduction in weight following bariatric surgery may be associated with significant reductions in chronic low back pain in the early post-operative period. This effect could result from an overall improvement in well-being associated with weight loss but may also be associated with a reduction in inflammatory factors, as indicated by the decrease in C-reactive protein, although not confirmed by interleukin-6.

Objetivo. Comparar la percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) tras la COVID-19 en función del sexo. Metodología. Estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal en pacientes post-COVID de neumología-medicina interna del Complejo asistencial de Zamora, diagnosticados de COVID-19 al menos 3 meses antes. La CVRS se valoró mediante el cuestionario EQ-5D-5L. Resultados. Se incluyeron 192 pacientes, 91 mujeres (47,4 %), edad 57±13 años. 127 pacientes (66,0%) reflejaron un EQ-5D Index < 1, lo que supone una merma en su CVRS. En el análisis comparativo en función del sexo, las mujeres manifestaron mayor dificultad para las actividades cotidianas (38 [41,3%] vs. 22 [21,6%]; p=0,003), dolor/malestar de forma habitual (50 [54,3%] vs. 35 [34,3%]; p=0,005) y ansiedad/depresión (48 [52,2%] vs. 38 [37,3%]; p=0,037). La Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) fue mayor en hombres (69,8±18,7 vs. 63,1±19,5; p=0,016), así como el EQ-5D Index (0,84±0,22 vs. 0,76±0,25; p=0,023). La regresión lineal multivariante confirmó que las mujeres tenían una peor autopercepción de la CVRS independientemente del resto de factores analizados, tanto en el EQ-5D Index [b (IC95%): -0,090 (-0,153 a -0,026)] como en la EVA [b (IC95%): -6,858 (-12,083 a -1,633)]. Discusión. El sexo femenino es un factor de riesgo significativo para una peor calidad de vida auto percibida en pacientes que han pasado la COVID-19, con mayor incidencia de ansiedad, depresión, dolor y limitaciones en actividades cotidianas. Estos problemas fueron más prevalentes en mujeres, quienes mostraron diferencias significativamente menores en el índice EQ-5D y la escala EVA en comparación con los hombres. ABSTRACT Objective. To compare the health-related quality of life perception (HRQoL) after COVID-19 according to sex. Methodology. Cross-sectional study in post-COVID patients attending neumology and internal medicine consultation rooms at Complejo Asistencial de Zamora, diagnosed from COVID-19, at least 3 months before. HRQoL was evaluated using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Results: 192 patients were included, 91 women (47,4 %), aged 57±13. 127 patients (66,0%) obtained EQ-5D Index < 1, what means a decrease in their HRQoL. Comparative analysis according to sex showed women had higher difficulties for daily activities (38 [41,3%] vs. 22 [21,6%]; p=0,003), usual pain/discomfort (50 [54,3%] vs. 35 [34,3%]; p=0,005), anxiety/depression (48 [52,2%] vs. 38 [37,3%]; p=0,037). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was higher among men (69,8±18,7 vs. 63,1±19,5; p=0,016), as well as EQ-5D Index (0,84±0,22 vs. 0,76±0,25; p=0,023). Multivariate linear regression confirmed women had a worse HRQoL perception with independence of the rest of the analyzed factors, in EQ-5D Index [b (IC95%): -0,090 (-0,153 a -0,026)] as well as VAS [b (IC95%): -6,858 (-12,083 a -1,633)]. Discussion: Female sex is a significative risk factor for a worse self-perceived quality of life in patients who had suffered from COVID-19, with a high incidence of anxiety, depression, pain, and limitations for daily activities. These problems were more prevalent in women, who showed significant lower differences in the EQ-5D index and the VAS scale compared to men.

Introduction. Reports regarding the correlation and effect size of change of the full spectrum of quality of life and disease severity measures applied in-person to patients with atopic dermatitis are scarce. Objectives. To assess quality-of-life with 3 different instruments and to evaluate disease severity indices and to determine their correlation and effect size of change between two measurements. Materials and methods. Patient-level data were obtained through two in-person visits. Sociodemographic information and data related to disease distribution, severity (through the BSA, EASI, SCORAD, POEM, and itching scales), and the impact of atopic dermatitis on quality of life using the DLQI and Skindex-29, and EQ-5D, were assessed. The correlation between change in quality-of-life scores and disease severity scores in addition to the standardized effect size were also evaluated. Results. Only 139 out of 212 patients completed the follow-up visit. BSA highly correlated with SCORAD and EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The best correlation of pruritus VAS was found with sleep disturbance. The SCORAD score highly correlated with EASI, and the lowest correlation was found with POEM. The magnitude of the effect at initiation of the study vs follow-up was in average moderate to important. Conclusions. Patients with atopic dermatitis experience a substantial burden on quality of life. Disease activity correlates better with quality-of-life measurements when the disease is less severe after starting therapy. POEM and Skindex-29 seem to be optimal to determine disease severity and quality of life in adults with atopic dermatitis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often goes unrecognized despite common symptoms, such as excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and impaired quality of life (QoL). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment for OSA, but optimal daily usage and time needed for observable effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of CPAP on daytime sleepiness and QoL in patients with severe OSA. Medical records were collected from 87 patients with severe OSA who initiated CPAP therapy. Also, validated questionnaires were used before and after one month of CPAP to analyze QoL—the Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI), the Cues to CPAP Use Questionnaire (CCUQ), and daytime sleepiness—the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of CPAP usage. Of the total participants aged 55.6 ± 12.5, 77% were males, and 62% were CPAP adherent. Reductions in daytime sleepiness (ESS) were noted, as well as improvements in both overall QoL (SAQLI) and specifically in the domains of daily functioning, social interactions, emotional well-being, and symptom perception. Important cues for CPAP usage recognized by patients were physicians’ instructions and physicians’ concern regarding their patients’ condition. Furthermore, multiple regression revealed higher SAQLI scores and lower ESS scores as positive predictors of CPAP usage, along with lower AHI after one month of CPAP being associated with sufficient adherence.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) is a dynamic process fundamentally dependent on an individual's expectations, experiences, and societal interactions. In pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder (NB), a chronic health condition, not only is the patient's QoL affected but also that of their entire family, who often play the role of primary caregivers. Objective: To explore the perception of QoL in families with pediatric patients diagnosed with NB. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study collected data from clinical records and the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire. Descriptive statistical techniques were employed using SPSS® software version 22. Results were presented in terms of frequency, percentage, and mean with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 54 families with NB patients, 68.52% had neural tube defects (myelomeningocele) as the primary etiology. 57.41% of the patients had received non-surgical treatment; 96.3% were enrolled in the subsidized health care system, and 18.52% of the families had a caregiver from the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF). Twenty-two questionnaires were administered to analyze the families' QoL. 68.18% rated their QoL as moderate, and 54.5% reported feeling moderately satisfied with their health. The highest-rated domain was psychological, while the lowest was the environment. Conclusions: Having a patient with a chronic disease, especially NB, directly and negatively impacts the family's QoL. This effect is particularly pronounced due to how the disease's consequences and sequelae affect the life dynamics of all family members, and especially due to the economic implications and time consumption involved in their care.

The promotion of decent work plays a central role in the transformation of tourism into a sustainable activity. The literature on this topic has multiplied, but it is imperative to pay more attention to workers in the potentially most vulnerable sectors, such as those without employment contracts and without formal higher education. The aim of this study on independent workers in tourism is to investigate how they perceive their work as decent and to analyze their quality of life. In addition, the study aims to analyze the mediating effect of career adaptability on the relationship between decent work and quality of life. The sample consists of 228 tourism workers in Portugal, mainly women, aged between 19 and 71 years. The results support the hypothesis that decent work can improve the quality of life of workers in the tourism industry. They also show that decent work is associated with a greater likelihood that workers are able and feel confident to adapt to changing tasks, to engage in continuous training and to manage their careers, which has a positive impact on their quality of life. The importance of prioritizing decent work and psychosocial resources to cope with the changing working and working conditions of the independent workers in the tourism sector in Portugal is discussed.

The prevalence of breast cancer has been progressively rising as a result of advancements in anti-cancer therapies, however, these patients also experience a variety of long-term adverse effects from their illness and treatments. The current study sought to determine how an exercise training intervention influenced physical and mental health indices in breast cancer patients. A total of 30 female breast cancer patients (aged 42.81 ± 3.31 years, body mass index (BMI) 26.87 ± 0.59 kg/m2, and waist circumference 97.61 ± 1.94 cm) engaged in 12 weekly exercise regimens twice weekly that comprised aerobic, resistance, and flexibility activities. The exercise intervention improved participants' cardiorespiratory fitness, BMI, waist circumference, and muscle function, including sitting to standing, sit-ups, and push-ups. It also showed positive results for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, self-reported fatigue, quality of life, and physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results imply that the advantages of an exercise training program may help breast cancer patients lessen the negative impacts of treatment-related factors on physical performance, overall quality of life, and mental health. Keywords: breast cancer; physical exercise; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder; quality of life

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and occupational influences on health professionals’ quality of life. Method: This descriptive-exploratory, cross-sectional, analytical, and quantitative study addressed 94 health workers, including nursing technicians, nurses, and physical therapists working in Intensive Care Units in a town in the extreme south of Brazil in 2023. The student’s t-test and Spearman correlation were used. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between being a woman and the psychological domain and between income and the social and environmental domain while working hours were inversely related to general QoL. Additionally, workload negatively impacted the physical, psychological, and general QOL, furniture negatively influenced the psychological domain, and equipment was negatively associated with the physical and psychological domain. Conclusion: The characteristics of the work environment interfere with several areas of quality of life.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the clinical and sociodemographic profile and associate them with the quality of life of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus being followed up in a public hospital in an inner city of the state of São Paulo. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional, and analytical study, performed with 80 dyads. Data were collected through a clinical/sociodemographic form and a Quality of Life Instrument. For analysis, descriptive statistics were used, and Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were applied to assess the association between quality of life and clinical/sociodemographic variables. Results: Out of the total participants, the ones who scored high quality of life were mostly, female (52.5%), in the age group 15 to 17 years old (56.3%), 51.3% self-identified as white, and 40.1% were attending high school. In the preoccupation domain, a significant association was found to the time since diagnosis (p=0.035), demonstrating that young adolescents with a longer time of diagnosis had a worse quality of life. Conclusion: The majority of adolescents in this study (51.3%) had been living with diabetes for 10 or more years. It was identified that the duration of the diagnosis has the potential to interfere with the quality of life of these young individuals.

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the transitional processes that affect the adaptation of people who live with limitations resulting from leprosy. Methods: This is a qualitative study based on the precepts of Transition Theory, mediated by care-research, with 24 people with limitations resulting from leprosy in an ex-hospital colony in Piauí. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interviews were analyzed using Iramuteq software. Results: the researched-caregivers experienced the four types of transitions, including feelings of fear, worry, loneliness, hopelessness, guilt and a tendency to hide the diagnosis. Breakdowns and resignation were revealed, with spirituality, adaptation to the new life situation and acceptance as facilitating conditions for coping with the transitional process, with a consequent improvement in quality of life. Final considerations: the transitional processes had a positive significance, since they contributed to adaptation and the achievement of quality of life.

Abtract This study aims analyze the important influencing factors that affect the life satisfaction of Koreans, and to identify the relative importance of these factors. For this purpose, we utilize academic papers on what influences life satisfaction, and questionnaire data from the survey on social integration conducted annually by the Korean Government. A topic modelling analysis method was used to derive important influencing factors, and a neural network analysis method, one of the machine learning methods, was used to analyze the relative importance of influencing factors. The analysis showed that the factor that had the greatest impact on Koreans’ life satisfaction was satisfaction with work. Other factors included self-esteem, level of worry and anxiety, and level of satisfaction with health status. The study used methods such as topic modeling and neural network analysis to derive the main factors affecting life satisfaction and analyze the relative importance of the factor involved. The study results suggest that in recognition of the importance of job satisfaction, future research should be expanded, and that the Korean Government should introduce various policies to increase job satisfaction.

Resumen: Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil del cuidador primario informal (CPI) de pacientes adultos con diabetes tipo 2 (DT2) y los posibles factores asociados al colapso del cuidador (CC). Diseño: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y analítico, Emplazamiento: Unidad Médica de Atención Ambulatoria. Participantes: CPI mexicanos de pacientes adultos con DT2. Mediciones principales: Se recopilaron datos mediante un diseño prolectivo utilizando la escala de Zarit y una encuesta estructurada sobre factores sociodemográficos. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo y modelos de regresión logística univariantes y multivariantes. Resultados: El perfil del CPI es asumido por: mujeres, personas de 36-58 años, hijas, personas con un nivel educativo de secundaria y preparatoria, casados, católicos, con ingresos 5 años al cuidado de su paciente, sin capacitación y con enfermedades crónicas. Los factores de riesgo que incrementan el riesgo del CC son: ser mujer (OR = 11,03; IC 95%: 1,49-81,95), tener el antecedente de más de 5 años de haber asumido el papel de cuidador (OR = 2,65; IC 95%: 1,07-6,55), vivir en una casa propia (OR = 3,03; IC 95%: 1,04-8,82), con 6 o más habitantes (OR = 2,41; IC 95%: 1,08-5,38). El apoyo de redes se asoció como factor protector (OR = 0,15; IC 95: 0,07-0,33). Conclusiones: Se requieren programas de prevención para evitar el CC y sus complicaciones, así como, intervenciones para mejorar la calidad de vida de los CPI y la de los pacientes cuidados, incorporando estrategias para generar y/o incrementar sus redes de apoyo familiar y social. Abstract: Objective: To characterize the profile of the informal primary caregiver (IPC) of adult patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the possible factors associated with caregiver collapse (CC). Design: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study. Site: Ambulatory Care Medical Unit. Participants: Mexican CPIs of adult patients with T2D. Main measurements: Data were collected through a prolective design using the Zarit scale and a structured survey on sociodemographic factors. A descriptive statistical analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed. Results: The CPI profile is assumed by: women, people aged 36-58, daughters, people with a secondary and high school educational level, married, Catholic, with income 5 years to the care of their patient, without training and with chronic diseases. The risk factors that increase the risk of CC are: being a woman (OR = 11.03; 95% CI: 1.49-81.95), having a history of more than 5 years of having assumed the role of caregiver (OR = 2, 65; 95% CI: 1.07-6.55), living in one's own house (OR = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.04-8.82), with 6 or more inhabitants (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.08-5.38). The support of other family members and/or friends was associated as a protective factor (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07-0.33). Conclusions: Prevention programs are required to avoid CC and complications, as well as interventions to improve the quality of life of the CPI and patients in care, incorporating strategies to generate and/or increase their family and social support networks.

Introduction and purpose: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss. While it is not life-threatening, it can lead to significant psychological distress. With advancements in modern medicine, new treatments, personalized therapies, and various therapeutic options have emerged. The aim of this study is to review and assess the efficacy, outcomes, and side effects of the available treatment options. Material and methods : To compile this article “PUBMED” and “Google Scholar” databases were used with the great attention given to the articles not older than the year 2018 Brief description of the state of knowledge: There are various treatment options for Alopecia Areata (AA), beginning with topical treatments such as corticosteroids, prostaglandin analogs, minoxidil, and contact immunotherapy. In more severe cases, systemic therapy, biological therapy, or alternative treatments should be considered. Results and conclusions: In the treatment of mild Alopecia Areata (AA), topical therapies are the preferred option due to their minimal side effects and easy to apply nature, with corticosteroids demonstrating the best outcomes, particularly when used in combination therapies. In patients with moderate or severe AA, systemic therapies are recommended, alone or in combination with topical treatment. In patients resistant to other forms of therapy, biological treatments or less commonly used methods should be considered.

The aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive scoping review focused on the educational effects of active music-making participation in wind bands. This review combines mapping studies to identify the primary sources, authors, institutions, and types of evidence available in wind band research and a literature review to identify the key concepts underpinning this research domain. Based on peer-review journal literature published between 2010 and 2021, a total of 712 records were examined, resulting in 459 papers screened and 84 studies included in the analysis. Findings indicate that, in the past decade, the essential contribution to research about active music-making participation in wind bands came from Western English-speaking academic institutions based in the United States of America, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. The research’s relevant focus was on the purposes of music education and the psychosocial and health effects of participation. Furthermore, the psychosocial effects encompassed a comprehensive set of themes, such as social bonding, community music participation, emotional well-being, and individual quality of life. Nevertheless, all these topics are closely linked to the single overarching expression of the quality of life. Other than music education, educational effects were not at the heart of the last decade of wind band research. A few gaps in the literature exist, including a lack of research concerning the educational benefits of informal and intergenerational environments of wind band practices. Equally important is the lack of research on the impacts of wind band activities on social cohesion or the inclusive intercultural development of their local communities. Lastly, there is a significant opportunity to provide up-to-date insights into the educational potential of non-school contexts and the impacts of wind band activities on supporting their places’ cultural ecology.

Background: Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by an abnormal clotting process leading to serious health complications such as thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. Despite its clinical significance, the estimated broader economic and social impacts in Italy on patients and society remain underexplored. Methods: A detailed questionnaire, developed and validated by a panel of cTTP experts, was distributed to healthcare professionals and patient associations to gather comprehensive data on the economic and social burden of cTTP in Italy. The study was focused on direct and indirect costs associated with the disease management of 15 patients with cTTP, as well as out-of-pocket expenses incurred by patients. Results: The analysis revealed that of the 15 patients diagnosed with cTTP in Italy, 60% were adults aged 40-55 years. Productivity loss and diminished quality of life dominated the economic burden of cTTP, accounting for 81.05% of total costs. Direct medical costs, while substantial, represented a smaller portion of the overall financial impact. Additionally, out-of-pocket expenses, though constituting the smallest fraction, underscored the financial contributions made by patients towards their own care management. Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to cTTP management that extends beyond the clinical treatment. Addressing the economic and social implications of the disease is crucial for improving patient well-being and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems. The study advocates for increased awareness, research, and access to care for cTTP patients, highlighting the importance of comprehensive support networks to mitigate the disease’s broader societal impacts, estimated to be around 2 million euro for 15 patients in 10 years.

Objective: to analyze sociodemographic variables, quality of life, self-perceived health, learning motivation and behavior of adolescents in 2018 and 2021. Method: observational cross-sectional study with 124 adolescents in 2018, and 68 in 2021. A Form for sociodemographic variables, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Self-Perceived Health instrument, Learning Motivation Scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data collection was carried out using forms on Google Forms. For the analysis, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used. Results: the majority of participants belonged to class A. In the comparison between 2018 and 2021, there was a worsening in the assessment of self-perceived health. In the assessment of QoL by parents, there was a statistically significant difference between the scores of the social and psychosocial dimensions. Among adolescents, there were differences between QoL scores in the physical and psychosocial dimensions. Conclusion: the adolescent with a better mental health assessment had a greater chance of having a better quality of life in the periods investigated (OR=5.35 and OR=5.51). Younger students showed greater motivation to learn, increasing the chance of improving their quality of life by up to 9.75 and 5.02 times in the two periods, respectively.

Abstract: This study aimed to estimate the population-based Parkinson disease prevalence, and to explore potentially associated factors and conditions. A population-based survey was conducted in Northern Peru. Symptoms compatible with Parkinson’s were defined using a validated Spanish questionnaire (≥ 42 points suggest Parkinson’s). Potential factors (e.g., age, sex, etc.) and clinical conditions (e.g., depressive symptoms, perceived stress, etc.) associated with Parkinson’s were assessed. In total, 1,609 subjects were included, mean age of participants was 48.2 (SD: 10.6), and 810 (50.3%) were women. Parkinson’s prevalence was 1.6% (95%CI: 1.0; 2.4). Those aged ≥ 55 years, and those who reported using wood as fuel for household cooking had a Parkinson’s prevalence from 3.5 to 4 times greater than those who did not. The presence of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, poor sleep quality, and cognitive impairment was more common among those with Parkinson’s, and quality of life in these participants was lower than those without Parkinson’s. In conclusion, 1.6% of the population shows symptoms compatible with Parkinson’s. Age and use of wood for household cooking were factors associated with Parkinson’s. Several mental health conditions and lower quality of life were more frequent among those with Parkinson’s. Appropriate strategies are required to detect, prevent, and manage Parkinson’s cases.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to correlate the development of Burnout Syndrome in higher education professors with the following variables: sociodemographic, economic, work, sleep pattern, level of anxiety and quality of life. Methods: observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Data collection took place from August to November 2022, with 140 professors from a private higher education institution in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Results: professors who carried out activities outside institutional hours and who had sleep duration < 5 hours, presented lower scores in the personal fulfillment dimension of burnout, with (p=0.002) and (p=0.001), respectively. The higher the scores for the physical (p=0.001), psychological (p=0.000) and social relationships (p=0.002) domains of quality of life, the lower the personal fulfillment scores for the syndrome. Conclusions: through linear regression, it was evidenced that several variables explain the development of burnout. Institutional and governmental actions can minimize the negative influence of these variables.

Abstract This study intends to investigate how cancer affects one’s quality of life in the context of religion and spirituality using bibliometric analysis. Keyword-specific publishing trends are analyzed based on a search on the Scopus database. In total, 406 documents were considered in the final analysis. The review of the available literature focused on six primary themes: religion, spirituality, coping, depression, quality of life, optimism. Following that, a thorough examination of these cancer-related topics was conducted. As a result, spirituality, religion, and optimism paved the way for cancer therapy.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the contextual factors associated with the quality of life (QOL) of Brazilian children aged 0–12 years during the strict period of social isolation. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2020 using an online questionnaire on QOL-related family factors and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™). Results were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: The sample had 849 children, mostly from the South Region of Brazil (75%), white (83%), with typical development (79%), sedentary (68%), using screen (85%) for >3 h/day (44%). Their mothers were their main caregivers (90%). The following variables were significantly associated with high scores of QOL: typical health status (OR 2.38; 95%CI 1.60–3.55; screen time ≤2 h/day (OR 1.62; 95%CI 1.17–2.24); social distancing considered as “easy” (OR 1.67; 95%CI 1.20–2.32), and stimulation of the child by the family (OR 1.93; 95%CI 1.08–3.45). Conclusions: This study indicates that the family context can influence children’s QOL, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and home environment reorganization.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra and characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Boxing is a type of complementary therapy to improve symptoms in PD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with PD. The literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search engines. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. This systematic review included three studies that examined disease severity, mobility, physical activity, balance, and quality of life. According to the PEDro scale criteria, the three articles included were of high methodological quality. Statistically significant improvements after the implementation of boxing training was shown for balance and quality of life in contrast to the other variables. Boxing training intervention programs had a positive effect on balance and quality of life in patients with PD; however, the results are conflicting regarding certain functionality variables. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research to examine the effectiveness of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease.

This study aims to validate the Spanish version of the Measure of Happiness (MH), a questionnaire that identifies the specific areas of an individual’s life that are related to experienced happiness. The sample consisted of 458 Spanish native speakers (65.7% women, 34.3% men; mean age = 24.14, SD = 8.45) and was divided into two groups: Sample 1 (N = 226) underwent Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Sample 2 (N = 232) underwent Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The convergent and discriminant validity of the Spanish version of the MH and its subscales was assessed by calculating Pearson correlations between the MH factors and the Subjective Happiness Scale, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the WHOQOL-BREF. The EFA and CFA confirmed the original five-factor structure of the MH questionnaire. The only difference in the Spanish version of the MH is that Item 4, which was originally assigned to Factor 2 “Financial Status”, was reallocated to Factor 1 “Psychophysical Status”. The reliability of the Spanish version of the MH questionnaire was also confirmed, and the factors correlated in the expected direction with the constructs of quality of life, happiness, anxiety, and depression. The MH questionnaire demonstrated excellent psychometric properties among Spanish respondents.

Eating disorders have serious physical, mental and social consequences that can affect the quality of life of the sufferer. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the severity of ED-related psychopathology and clinical impairment in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) as well as their perception of health-related quality of life. Eighty-six Spanish young women with AN completed a set of questionnaires assessing eating disorder pathology, clinical impairment, and quality of life. The set included the following instruments: the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Clinical Impairment Assessment, Short Form-12 Item Health Survey, and the Eating Disorder-Specific Heath-Related Quality of Life instrument. Descriptive and regression analyses were applied to identify associations between variables. Higher scores on clinical impairment domains were associated with greater impairment of mental and physical health. Moreover, clinical impairment domains and concerns due to ED were related to a lower quality of life. In conclusion, adolescents with AN have a poor quality of life. Moreover, the findings suggest that the clinical features of impairment may serve as severity indicators of quality of life.