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We used the Psoriasis Caregiver Impact Scale to explore the quality of life (QoL) of parents/caregivers of children with psoriasis. We found that the QoL of parents of children with psoriasis is negatively affected in numerous domains including family and social life, emotional health, work, activities, and finances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Heart failure (HF) is a common and morbid condition impacting multiple health domains. We previously reported the development of the PROMIS®‐Plus‐HF (PROMIS+HF) profile measure, including universal and HF‐specific items. To facilitate use, we developed shorter, PROMIS+HF profiles intended for research and clinical use. Methods and results: Candidate items were selected based on psychometric properties and symptom range coverage. HF clinicians (n = 43) rated item importance and clinical actionability. Based on these results, we developed the PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 profiles with summary scores (0–100) for overall, physical, mental, and social health. In a cross‐sectional sample (n = 600), we measured internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha and Spearman–Brown), test–retest reliability (intraclass coefficient; n = 100), known‐groups validity via New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and convergent validity with Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores. In a longitudinal sample (n = 75), we evaluated responsiveness of baseline/follow‐up scores by calculating mean differences and Cohen's d and comparing with paired t‐tests. Internal consistency was good to excellent (α 0.82–0.94) for all PROMIS+HF‐27 scores and acceptable to good (α/Spearman–Brown 0.60–0.85) for PROMIS+HF‐10 scores. Test–retest intraclass coefficients were acceptable to excellent (0.75–0.97). Both profiles demonstrated known‐groups validity for the overall and physical health summary scores based on NYHA class, and convergent validity for nearly all scores compared with KCCQ scores. In the longitudinal sample, we demonstrated responsiveness for PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 overall and physical summary scores. For the PROMIS+HF overall summary scores, a group‐based increase of 7.6–8.3 points represented a small to medium change (Cohen's d = 0.40–0.42). For the PROMIS+HF physical summary scores, a group‐based increase of 5.0–5.9 points represented a small to medium change (Cohen's d = 0.29–0.35). Conclusions: The PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 profiles demonstrated good psychometric characteristics with evidence of responsiveness for overall and physical health. These new measures can facilitate patient‐centred research and clinical care, such as improving care quality through symptom monitoring, facilitating shared decision‐making, evaluating quality of care, assessing new interventions, and monitoring during the initiation and titration of guideline‐directed medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was a National Institutes of Health-funded initiative to develop measures of symptoms and function. Responsiveness is the degree to which a measure can detect underlying changes over time. The objective of the current study was to document the responsiveness of 8 PROMIS measures in a large, population-based cancer cohort.Methods: The Measuring Your Health study recruited 2968 patients who were diagnosed with 1 of 7 cancers between 2010 and 2012 through 4 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. Participants completed a baseline survey (6-13 months after diagnosis) and a 6-month follow-up survey. Changes in 8 PROMIS scores were compared with global ratings of transition, changes in performance status, and clinical events.Results: Measures were responsive to 6-month declines and improvements in performance status with small to large effect sizes (ES) (Cohen d = 0.34-0.71; P < .01). Mean changes and effect sizes were larger for participants who reported declines compared with those who reported improvements. Small-to-medium ES were observed in patients who reported being "a little" worse (d = 0.31-0.56), and medium-to-large ES were observed in those who reported being "a lot" worse (d = 0.53-0.72). Hospitalized participants reported significant score increases, resulting in worsening of pain (d = 0.51), fatigue (d = 0.35), and depression (d = 0.57; all P < .01). Cancer recurrence and progression were associated with smaller increases in pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance (d = 0.22-0.27).Conclusions: The current results indicated that all 8 PROMIS measures were sensitive to patient-perceived worsening and improvement and to major clinical events. These findings will be able to inform the design and interpretation of future research studies and clinical initiatives administering PROMIS measures. Cancer 2017;123:327-335. © 2016 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the established effectiveness of diverse treatments for prostate cancer, identification of the physical and psychosocial consequences of the disease and various treatments becomes critical. We review the literature on the effects of prostate cancer and its treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Studies show that prostate cancer and its treatment affect both disease-specific HRQoL (i.e. urinary, sexual, and bowel function) as well as general HRQoL (i.e. energy/vitality, performance in physical and social roles). Yet, these effects appear to differ across stage of disease and type of treatment. We outline evidence from three sources: (1) studies that compare men with the disease with an age-matched sample of men without the disease, (2) studies that assess men with the disease across time, and (3) cross-sectional studies that highlight predictors of HRQoL. Future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]