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Purpose: To describe the quality of life (QoL) of Brazilian speech therapists and relate it to sociodemographic and professiographic aspects, and to their role in the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Population-based, cross-sectional epidemiological study. The research involved speech therapists from Brazil, who were invited to answer, online, the WHOQOL-bref form about their health and QoL, in addition to sociodemographic and professional questions., Results: 609 speech therapists aged between 21 and 65 years, average age of 34 years, participated in the study. Lower scores in the physical domain of QoL were given by female speech therapists, providing outpatient care, who did not work in private clinics, acted indirectly in the pandemic, were absent from work due to psycho-emotional aspects; in the psychological domain, they were female, without a partner, working in a private clinic or elsewhere and acted directly or indirectly in the pandemic; in the social relations domain, they had no partner, worked in outpatient care, but not in private clinics; and in the environment domain, lower scores were in black and brown race/color, without a partner, attending home care, but not in a private clinic or management/administrative or other., Conclusion: Brazilian speech therapists had the lowest QoL scores in the psychological and environmental domains; their QoL is related to factors such as sex, color/race, presence of a partner, council region, service environments, direct action with COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 diagnosis.

We report a case of a 61-years-old woman in remission of psoriasis for 20 years. She presented recurrence of psoriasis in the form of plaques few days after taking L-methylfolate 15mg/day. The L-methylfolate was prescribed as an adjuvant for the treatment of depression in a patient with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism (MTHFR).

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of life in individuals with bilateral visual impairment secondary to uveitis and its association with sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial aspects., Methods: Data were collected through a structured interviews, using four forms; the SF-12v2, HADS, NEI-VFQ-25 and a specific form developed to collect clinical and sociodemographic data., Results: 80 patients were included with a mean age of 42.8 years; 63.8% female; 57.5% with permanent reduction of familiar income. The average number of medical visits was 15.2 ±10.7/year. In terms of health-related quality of life (HRQol), the mean of VFQ-25 score was 36.6 ± 15.1 and the mean of SF-12 physical and mental components scores were 43.3 ± 9.9 and 44.9 ± 12.2. Anxiety and depression symptoms were found in 65.1% and 32.5% of patients, respectively., Conclusions: Visual impairment has impact on several scales of HRQoL leading to productivity loss and consumption of health resources.

Purpose: To determine the vision status, ophthalmic findings, and quality of life among the very elderly., Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study of individuals aged 80 years and above. A comprehensive ophthalmic exam was performed with mea surement of both the presenting (PVA) and best-corrected visual acuity. The Quality of Life Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) were also administered., Results: A total of 150 non-institutionalized participants were assigned to three age groups: 80-89 years (n=70), 90-99 years (n=50), and 100 years and older (n=30). PVA and best-corrected visual acuity were normal (≥20/30) in 20 (13.3%) and 37 participants (24.7%), respectively. Regarding PVA, mild visual impairment (<20/30 to ≥20/60) was found in in 53 (35.4%), moderate visual impairment (<20/60 to ≥20/200) in 50 (33.3%), severe visual impairment (<20/200 to ≥20/400) in 8 (5.3%), and blindness (<20/400) in 19 (12.7%) participants. Regarding best-corrected visual acuity, mild, moderate, and severe visual impairments were present in 55 (36.7%), 38 (25.3%), and 5 (3.3%) participants, respectively, and blindness was present in 15 (10%). The main causes of visual impairment/blindness were cataract (43.8%), refractive errors (21.5%), age-related macular degeneration (17.7%), and myopic degeneration (3.8%). SF-36 scores were worse in those with low visual acuity, while VFQ-25 domain scores were poorer in those with vision impairment/blindness., Conclusion: Vision impairment and blindness was present in three-quarters of this sample, but it was notable that adequate correction with spectacles improved visual acuity. This reinforces the need for regular ophthalmic care in elderly patients to improve their quality of life by optimizing vision.

Objective: To analyze quality of life and demographic and clinical variables associated to its impairment in a large Brazilian cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA)., Methods: A common protocol of investigation was applied to 1465 Brazilian patients classified as SpA according to the European Spondyloarthropaties Study Group (ESSG) criteria, attended at 29 reference centers for Rheumatology in Brazil. Clinical and demographic variables were recorded. Quality of life was analyzed through the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire., Results: The mean ASQoL score was 7.74 (+5.39). When analyzing the specific diseases in the SpA group, the ASQoL scores did not present statistical significance. Demographic data showed worse scores of ASQoL associated with female gender (p=0.014) and African-Brazilian ethnicity (p<0.001). The analysis of the clinical symptoms showed that buttock pain (p=0.032), cervical pain (p<0.001) and hip pain (p=0.001) were statistically associated with worse scores of ASQoL. Continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p<0.001) and biologic agents (p=0.044) were associated with higher scores of ASQoL, while the other medications did not interfere with the ASQoL scores., Conclusion: In this large series of patients with SpA, female gender and African-Brazilian ethnicity, as well as predominant axial symptoms, were associated with impaired quality of life., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) is a non-inflammatory chronic pain condition that occurs mainly in girls aged 9-15 years. JFMS is characterized by constant widespread pain in different parts of the body, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and an altered mood. Concomitant psychological and organic factors result in a diminished capacity to cope with pain. The quality of life of individuals with chronic pain and their caregivers is severely restricted and the occurrence of symptoms of anxiety and depression is common in this population. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature on psychosocial factors related to JFMS. The findings reveal differences in opinion between patients and family members regarding the effect of the condition, as mothers tend to classify JFMS as more severe than the patients themselves. Individuals with JFMS seem to share the same personality traits and there seems to be a type of family environment that is favorable to the occurrence of this condition. Psychological and functional aspects should be treated with methods that can help patients and family members alter their coping strategies regarding day-to-day problems, attenuate the dysfunctional consequences of pain and fatigue and diminish the risk of catastrophizing that individuals submitted to constant pain develop in relation to their surrounding environment., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effects of elastic tubing training compared with conventional resistance training on the improvement of functional exercise capacity, muscle strength, fat-free mass, and systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease., Design: A prospective, randomized, eight-week clinical trial., Setting: The study was conducted in a university-based, outpatient, physical therapy clinic., Subjects: A total of 49 patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease., Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to perform elastic tubing training or conventional resistance training three times per week for eight weeks., Main Measures: The primary outcome measure was functional exercise capacity. The secondary outcome measures were peripheral muscle strength, health-related quality of life assessed by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ), fat-free mass, and cytokine profile., Results: After eight weeks, the mean distance covered during six minutes increased by 73 meters (±69) in the elastic tubing group and by 42 meters (±59) in the conventional group (p < 0.05). The muscle strength and quality of life improved in both groups (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the groups. There was a trend toward an improved fat-free mass in both groups (P = 0.05). After the first and last sessions, there was an increase in interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) in both groups, while tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was stimulated only in the conventional training group., Conclusion: Elastic tubing training had a greater effect on functional exercise capacity than conventional resistance training. Both interventions were equally effective in improving muscle strength and quality of life., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Background: The aim of the present study was to analyze the score of fatigue in a large cohort of Brazilian patients with SpA, comparing different disease patterns and its association with demographic and disease-specific variables., Methods: A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1492 Brazilian patients classified as SpA according to the European Spondyloarthropathies Study Group (ESSG) criteria, attended at 29 reference centers. Clinical and demographic variables were recorded. Fatigue was evaluated using the first item of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) questionnaire., Results: The mean BASDAI fatigue score was 4.20 ± 2.99. There was no significant difference in the fatigue score between the different SpA. Fatigue was higher in female patients (p < 0.001), with mixed (axial + peripheral) involvement (p < 0.001) and in those who did not practice exercises (p < 0.001). Higher scores of fatigue were significantly associated with inflammatory low back pain (p = 0.013), alternating buttock pain (p = 0.001), cervical pain (p = 0.001), and hip involvement (p = 0.005). Fatigue presented a moderate positive statistical correlation with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) (0.469; p < 0.001) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (0.462; p < 0.001)., Conclusion: In this large series of Brazilian SpA patients, higher fatigue scores were associated with female gender, sedentary, worse functionality, and quality of life.

Aims: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and its correlates in children and adolescents with narcolepsy., Methods: We compared the clinical characteristics of control subjects and patients with primary narcolepsy from data collected at the National Reference Centers for Narcolepsy., Results: The cohort included 69 control subjects (29 boys) and 117 patients (65 boys; 59 de novo patients). Cataplexy was present in 81% and DQB1*0602 was positive in 91%. The control children were older (13.5±3.2 vs. 11.6±3.1 years, P<0.001) and less obese (1.4% vs. 60%, P<0.001). Twenty-five percent of the patients and 15.6% of the control subjects had clinically significant depressive feelings on Children's Depression Inventory (CDI≥16) (NS). Fifty-three narcoleptic and 43 control adolescents, 31 narcoleptic children and 23 control children filled out the HRQL questionnaires as well as 83 parents of patients and 60 parents of control subjects. Narcolepsy seriously impacts HRQL in terms of vitality, physical well-being, relations with friends and leisure activities, especially in adolescents. Depression was the factor that most affected HRQL in both narcoleptic and control subjects. For the control subjects and the narcoleptic patients, when the CDI score was entered into the multivariable regression model adjusted for gender and age, no other continuous independent variable could significantly increase the likelihood of the model. When the CDI score increased by 1, the mean HRQL score decreased by 1.7 for narcoleptic patients and 1.5 for control subjects. Apnea-hypopnoea index, diagnosis delay, disease duration, obesity, the presence of cataplexy or treatment had no effects on HRQL., Conclusions: Narcoleptic children and adolescents were at high risk for poor HRQL. Depressive symptoms had a major impact on HRQL. We recommend a more thorough assessment and management of psychological health in this population., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To compare vision-related functioning and health-related quality of life of patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis with those of the US general population and normal-vision reference groups., Methods: Secondary analysis of health-related quality of life measures administered at baseline to patients with noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis participating in the HURON trial, a 26-week, multicenter, masked, randomized, sham-controlled trial of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (n=224) was performed. Patient-reported outcome measures included the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25, the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, the Short Form-6 Dimensions, and the EuroQol-5D. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 scores from the HURON uveitis population were compared with published National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 scores from a normal-vision reference group (n=122). The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Short Form-6 Dimensions, and EuroQol-5D scores were compared with the US general population using data from the National Health Measurement Study (n=3844) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (n=955)., Results: Compared with a normal-vision population, the HURON uveitis population had clinically significant impairments across all National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 subscales and the composite score, with all subscale score differences exceeding 10 points (P< .001). The HURON uveitis population had significantly lower 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey mental component summary and Short Form-6 Dimensions scores compared with a US general population sample (P< .001). No significant differences were found for the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical component summary and EuroQol-5D scores between the uveitis and US general population samples., Conclusions: Compared with the US general population and normal-vision reference groups, noninfectious intermediate or posterior uveitis results in meaningful reductions in mental health outcomes, health-related quality of life, and vision-related functioning., Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00333814.

Unlabelled: Obesity and sleep disorders in adolescence are strongly associated, and they impact both on the health and on quality of life (QL) in this age group., Objective: To comparatively assess QL and sleep in obese and eutrophic adolescents, who are older than ten years of age., Methods: Cross-sectional study including obese adolescents. This analysis was carried out between August 2009 and August 2010. The Control (eutrophic) Group comprised schoolchildren recruited from State schools in the city of Americana, in São Paulo State, Brazil. Instruments applied included a standardized questionnaire, the Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), and the Pediatric QL Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0)., Results: The obese adolescents had poorer QL on physical (p<0.001), emotional (p=0.03), and social (p=0.002) functioning domains. A difference in mean psychosocial functioning was found between the groups (p=0.009) with obese subjects having a mean score of 69.5 (±16.0) and in eutrophic individuals of 76.2 (±16.7). A greater number of sleep problems was evident in the Obese Group (p=0.03)., Conclusions: The obese adolescents had an impaired QL and a higher frequency of sleep problems compared to the eutrophic subjects.

Oncoplastic surgery (OP) represents a major advance in breast cancer surgery. It is based on three principles: ideal oncology surgery with free margins and adequate local control of disease, immediate breast reconstruction and symmetry, with the transposition of plastic surgery techniques into breast cancer surgery. Its original focus was to improve the quality of life of patients undergoing oncological treatments that can be more effective from the aesthetic-functional point of view than the traditional breast conserving techniques. As it happens with all changes of paradigms, it brings new challenges for the traversal formation of all involved in the treatment of breast cancer. Besides that, it opens to new perspectives of surgical research related to the aesthetic results, quality of life and local control, as well as optimization of operative timing and reduction of both adverse effects and costs. The aim of this review was to present the principles of this approach and the main techniques applied, evaluating its indications and limits in conservative breast cancer surgery., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: The various kinds of work may interfere in the laborer's quality of sleep. Among the factors, the unemployment caused by the period between the coffee harvests on the agriculture of South Minas may influence the appearance of anxiety and depression symptoms, and it may cause impairments to the quality of life and changes in the rural laborers' pattern of sleep., Objective: To appraise the sleep and the effects on the quality of life in the rural laborers in the period between the coffee harvests., Method: In the study-group, 40 patients, rural laborers, were evaluated, and in the control-group, 40 patients, fixed laborers. Instruments used: clinical interview, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality, Index Beck Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life., Results: The study-group showed impairment in the quality of the sleep; anxiety and depression signals and symptoms were high in both groups; being them higher in the harvesters laborers; the quality of life presented good levels in both groups, with losses in the domain "social relationship" between the harvesters; the sleep disturbances influenced the appearance of anxiety and depression signs and symptoms, but they did not interfere in the perception of the quality of life., Conclusion: The rural laborers that have fixed labors are less exposed to the symptoms of anxiety and depression - along with sleep disorders - than the harvesters laborers. Thus, the study-group's perception of the quality of life is better than the control-group's.

Objective: To evaluate quality of life (QL) and sleep quality impairment of cocaine chronic dependents in use of cocaine., Method: 40 patients, chronic cocaine dependents were evaluated (37 M; 3 F), with mean age of 28.92 years, along with 40 controls paired for gender and age. The following instruments were used: a) the semi-structured clinical interview; b) the Brazil Economic Classification; c) the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; d) World Heath Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)., Results: The cocaine dependents showed QL impairment, with deficits in the physical, psychological and social relations domains. Impaired sleep quality was also observed in the cocaine dependents. However, the QL impairment was not directly due to sleep deficit., Conclusion: Chronic cocaine dependents showed impairment in QL and sleep impairment. However, for the cocaine dependent group, sleep impairment was not regarded as compromising QL probably because cocaine, rather than sleep, was the main factor negatively influencing QL.

Objective: To evaluate the perception of Quality of Life (QL) in Brazilian patients with narcolepsy., Method: 40 adult patients aged between 20 and 72 years (mean=41.55; SD=14.50); (28 F; 12M), with the diagnosis of chronic narcolepsy were followed up at the outpatient clinic (Patient Group). The Control Group was composed of 40 adults. The instrument utilized was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)., Results: The two groups were homogeneous and no difference was found with regards to age, sex, and demographic characteristics. The perception of QL in physical, psychological and social domains showed lower scores in those patients with narcolepsy than in the control group (p<0.05). Concerning physical domain, all the aspects evaluated were significantly impaired, in patient group, including sleep satisfaction (p<0.001); energy for daily activities (p=0.039); capacity to perform activities (p=0.001); and capacity to work (p=0.001)., Conclusion: The perception of QL showed severe impairment in patients with narcolepsy for physical, psychological and social domains.

Purpose: To evaluate the quality of life, vision and stress before and after refractive surgery., Methods: This is a longitudinal, observational study, where 100 patients were evaluated; 54 espectacles wearers, 21 contact lens users before surgery and 25 controls wearers spectacles or contact lenses, who did not want to undergo refractive surgery during one year despite refractive error. The applied questionnaires were Self Reporting Questionnaires SRQ-20 of quality of life and vision and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire NEI VFQ-25 for the assessment of mental health. The intervention group answered the questionnaires before surgery, three, six and twelve months after follow-up and the control group answered the questionnaires at six and twelve months after the baseline. The questionnaires of the intervention group were applied by an independent person., Results: In the intervention group (54 spectacle wearers), 39 were treated by photorefractive excimer laserkeratectomy (PRK) and 15 by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), of the 21 contact lens users: 12 received photorefractive excimer laser keratectomy and nine were treated by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The control group remained stable during the study. After three months of follow-up the intervention group showed improvement in quality of life, vision and reduction of stress. After one year of follow-up the assessments of quality of life and mental health were similar to the control group. After three months there was a significant reduction of psychiatric symptomatology in the intervention group., Conclusion: Patients operated for correction of ametropia showed a significant improvement in quality of life and mental health assessments.

Study Objectives: To evaluate 6 months' eszopiclone treatment upon patient-reported sleep, fatigue and sleepiness, insomnia severity, quality of life, and work limitations., Design: Randomized, double blind, controlled clinical trial., Setting: 54 research sites in the U.S., Patients: 830 primary insomnia patients who reported mean nightly total sleep time (TST) < or = 6.5 hours/night and/or mean nightly sleep latency (SL) >30 min., Intervention: Eszopiclone 3 mg or matching placebo., Measurements: Patient-reported sleep measures, Insomnia Severity Index, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Work Limitations Questionnaire, and other assessments measured during baseline, treatment Months 1-6, and 2 weeks following discontinuation of treatment., Results: Patient-reported sleep and daytime function were improved more with eszopiclone than with placebo at all months (P <0.001). Eszopiclone reduced Insomnia Severity Index scores to below clinically meaningful levels for 50% of patients (vs 19% with placebo; P <0.05) at Month 6. SF-36 domains of Physical Functioning, Vitality, and Social Functioning were improved with eszopiclone vs placebo for the Month 1-6 average (P < 0.05). Similarly, improvements were observed for all domains of the Work Limitations Questionnaire with eszopiclone vs placebo for the Month 1-6 average (P <0.05)., Conclusions: This is the first placebo-controlled investigation to demonstrate that long-term nightly pharmacologic treatment of primary insomnia with any hypnotic enhanced quality of life, reduced work limitations, and reduced global insomnia severity, in addition to improving patient-reported sleep variables.

Introduction: Keratoconus is a progressive and non-inflammatory ectasia of the cornea, mostly bilateral causing low vision because of the irregular astigmatism. The influence of the disease on quality of life is dependent on limiting factors and personality type., Purpose: To verify quality of life and personality type of the person with keratoconus., Methods: Sixty-eight individuals with keratoconus and 52 without the ocular disease were studied. The following data were collected: personal demographic data, keratoconus measurements and specific questions, complete ophthalmologic examination, measurement of quality of life and personality type using standardized instruments., Results: Both groups were demographically similar and comparable. SF-36 and MIPS differed between keratoconus and control patients. SF-36 scores showed that the keratoconus group had lower scores regarding the physical component (353.0 +/- 58.2 x 379.1 +/- 52.9) (p=0.005) as well as the mental component (326.3 +/- 89.9 x 364.2 +/- 66.4) (p=0.004), mainly functional capacity (86.3 +/- 9.7 x 92.6 +/- 9.7) (p<0.0001) and general health (76.8 +/- 16.9 x 83.5 +/- 16.5) (p=0.014). MIPS scores showed that patients with keratoconus were significantly more pain avoiding (p=0.007) presented more, imaginative intuition (p=0.004), asocial withdrawal (p=0.014) and anxious hesitation (p=0.010) than the control group., Conclusion: The results showed psychosocial impairment in the keratoconus group. Keratoconus influenced the quality of life expressed by the SF-36. MIPS showed keratoconus patients to be more pain avoiding, with more imaginative intuition, asocial withdrawal and anxious hesitation than the control group.

This study aimed to assess the proportion of patients with advanced breast cancer who report benefit from first-line palliative chemotherapy using a simple global measure of wellbeing and to identify factors predicting benefit. A consecutive series of women with advanced breast cancer undergoing first-line palliative chemotherapy was evaluated. The main outcome measure was patient report of overall wellbeing assessed at post-treatment interview. Physical, psychological and functional status were assessed using the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) on three occasions (pretreatment, at the start of the third cycle and post treatment). It was planned that treatment would be discontinued after six cycles (i.e. 18-24 weeks). One hundred and sixty patients started treatment, of whom 155 were assessable for quality of life. After treatment, 41 (26%) patients reported they felt better, 29 (19%) felt the same and 34 (22%) felt worse than they did before treatment. The other 51 (33%) patients either died or stopped attending the hospital before the post-treatment interview and were assigned as treatment 'failures'. Patients who reported feeling better after treatment had improvements in psychological distress (P < 0.0001), pain (P = 0.01), lack of energy (P = 0.02) and tiredness (P = 0.02), as well as improvement in functional status (P = 0.07). Feeling better was also correlated with disease response (P = 0.03). Feeling worse after treatment or treatment 'failure' was predicted by the pretreatment presence of a dry mouth (P = 0.003) and high levels of psychological distress (P = 0.03). Pretreatment lack of energy (P = 0.01), dry mouth (P = 0.02), presence of liver metastases (P = 0.03) and breathlessness (P = 0.03) predicted treatment 'failures'. The results of this study suggest that first-line palliative chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer confers benefit on a substantial proportion of patients, with about one-quarter feeling better after treatment and nearly a half feeling better or the same some 4-6 months after the start of treatment. Factors identified in this study may assist clinicians in deciding which patients should not be offered treatment, because of high risk of feeling worse or treatment 'failure'. This work now needs to be validated on a further cohort of women receiving chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer.

Transsexualism implies that an anatomically normal individual feels that he or she is actually a member of the opposite sex. Treatment usually includes real-life experience along with hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery. Voice modification surgery may be necessary, as pass ability in general is still in a large extent dependent on the aspects of voice in transsexual people. Often male-to-female patients report being addressed in telephone conversations as their genetic gender, which is experienced as a disability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of voice on the quality of life in transsexuals.In order to detect the disability caused by a voice disorder, the validated assessment method the Voice Handicap Inventory (VHI) was used. An additional question about the way patients were addressed in a telephone conversation was added.As part of a study describing general health in transsexual persons, done at the Ghent University Hospital Belgium, a total of 48 patients were evaluated. In female-to-male transsexuals the median scores were very low, suggesting testosterone treatment led to an acceptable voice alteration. A higher serum LH level was significantly correlated with higher total, functional and emotional VHI scores. In male-to-female transsexuals the scores were significantly higher than those of the female-to-male transsexuals, but still there was no indication of a real disability/handicap. The extra telephone question was scored higher suggesting male-to-female transsexuals did experience a disability caused by their voice. From this study it is concluded that the VHI values did not demonstrate a handicapping effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and sleep disorders in adolescence are strongly associated, and they impact both on the health and on quality of life (QL) in this age group. OBJECTIVE: To comparatively assess QL and sleep in obese and eutrophic adolescents, who are older than ten years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including obese adolescents. This analysis was carried out between August 2009 and August 2010. The Control (eutrophic) Group comprised schoolchildren recruited from State schools in the city of Americana, in São Paulo State, Brazil. Instruments applied included a standardized questionnaire, the Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), and the Pediatric QL Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0). RESULTS: The obese adolescents had poorer QL on physical (pObesidade e distúrbios do sono na adolescência estão amplamente associados, afetando a saúde e a qualidade de vida (QV) de tal grupo etário. OBJETIVO: Foi avaliar comparando a QV e o sono em adolescentes obesos e eutróficos maiores de dez anos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado entre agosto de 2009 e agosto de 2010, com adolescentes obesos. O Grupo Controle (eutróficos) foi constituído por estudantes da rede pública de ensino da cidade de Americana, em São Paulo. Foram utilizados ficha de identificação, Questionário do Comportamento do Sono (SBQ), Questionário de QV (PedsQL TM 4.0) como instrumentos. RESULTADOS: Os adolescentes obesos apresentaram QV inferior à dos controles nos domínios físico (p

The various kinds of work may interfere in the laborer's quality of sleep. Among the factors, the unemployment caused by the period between the coffee harvests on the agriculture of South Minas may influence the appearance of anxiety and depression symptoms, and it may cause impairments to the quality of life and changes in the rural laborers' pattern of sleep. OBJECTIVE: To appraise the sleep and the effects on the quality of life in the rural laborers in the period between the coffee harvests. METHOD: In the study-group, 40 patients, rural laborers, were evaluated, and in the control-group, 40 patients, fixed laborers. Instruments used: clinical interview, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality, Index Beck Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life. RESULTS: The study-group showed impairment in the quality of the sleep; anxiety and depression signals and symptoms were high in both groups; being them higher in the harvesters laborers; the quality of life presented good levels in both groups, with losses in the domain "social relationship" between the harvesters; the sleep disturbances influenced the appearance of anxiety and depression signs and symptoms, but they did not interfere in the perception of the quality of life. CONCLUSION: The rural laborers that have fixed labors are less exposed to the symptoms of anxiety and depression - along with sleep disorders - than the harvesters laborers. Thus, the study-group's perception of the quality of life is better than the control-group's.As diversas formas de trabalho podem interferir na qualidade do sono do trabalhador. Entre os fatores, o desemprego ocasionado pela entressafra da cultura cafeeira nas lavouras sul mineiras pode influenciar no surgimento de sintomas de ansiedade e de depressão e causar prejuízos na qualidade de vida e alterações no padrão do sono dos trabalhadores rurais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o sono e as repercussões na qualidade de vida em trabalhadores rurais na entressafra cafeeira. MÉTODO: No grupo-estudo foram avaliados 40 pacientes trabalhadores rurais e no grupo-controle 40 pacientes trabalhadores fixos. Instrumentos utilizados: entrevista clínica, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck anxiety Inventory, Hamilton depression rating Scale e World Health Organization Quality of Life. RESULTADOS: O grupo-estudo apresentou prejuízo na qualidade do sono; sinais e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foram elevados nos dois grupos, sendo maior nos trabalhadores safristas; a qualidade de vida apresentou bons níveis nos dois grupos, havendo perdas no domínio "relações sociais" entre os safristas; os distúrbios do sono influenciaram no surgimento de sinais e sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, mas não interferiram na percepção da qualidade de vida. CONCLUSÃO: Trabalhadores rurais detentores de trabalho fixo estão menos expostos aos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão - acompanhados de distúrbios do sono - que os trabalhadores safristas. Assim, a percepção da qualidade de vida do grupo-estudo é melhor que a do grupo-controle.

Avaliaram-se os distúrbios do sono, trabalho em turnos, sonolência excessiva diurna (SDE) e qualidade de vida (QV) de 206 caminhoneiros brasileiros e 200 portugueses. Aplicaram-se a Escala de Sonolência de Epworth, o SF-36 e o PSQI. Os portugueses dormem mais nos dias de trabalho (pSe evaluaron disturbios del sueño, trabajo en turnos, somnolencia diurna excesiva (SDE) y calidad de vida (CV), de 206 camioneros brasileños y 200 portugueses. Se aplicaron la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth, SF-36 y PSQI. Los portugueses duermen más los días de trabajo (pSleep disorders, shift work, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and quality of life (QL) were evaluated by Epworth sleepiness scale, SF-36 and PSQI in 206 Brazilian and 200 Portuguese truck drivers. Portuguese drivers sleep more on working days (p

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of Quality of Life (QL) in Brazilian patients with narcolepsy. METHOD: 40 adult patients aged between 20 and 72 years (mean=41.55; SD=14.50); (28 F; 12M), with the diagnosis of chronic narcolepsy were followed up at the outpatient clinic (Patient Group). The Control Group was composed of 40 adults. The instrument utilized was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The two groups were homogeneous and no difference was found with regards to age, sex, and demographic characteristics. The perception of QL in physical, psychological and social domains showed lower scores in those patients with narcolepsy than in the control group (pOBJETIVO: Avaliar a percepção de qualidade de vida (QV) em pacientes com narcolepsia. MÉTODO: 40 pacientes com idades de 20 a 72 anos (média 41,55; desvio padrão=14,50); (28 F; 12 M), com diagnóstico de narcolepsia, crônica, seguidos em ambulatório (Grupo Paciente). O Grupo Controle foi composto de 40 adultos. O instrumento utilizado foi o Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos foram homogêneos e não foram encontradas diferenças de idade, sexo e características demográficas. A percepção da QV nos domínios físico, psicológico e social mostrou escores menores nos pacientes com narcolepsia do que no Grupo Controle (p

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) de caminhoneiros brasileiros. MÉTODOS: O método foi exploratório-descritivo, comparativo e de corte transversal. Aplicaram-se um questionário sociodemográfico e o Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36). A amostra foi seqüencial e os sujeitos entrevistados em postos de gasolina ou restaurantes. A população incluiu 206 caminhoneiros em atividade nas rodovias federais brasileiras. A análise estatística foi feita com testes t de Student, análise de variância, análise de contingência pelo teste do qui-quadrado (χ²), análise de correlação simples de Pearson e teste exato de Fisher. O nível de significância foi de 5%. RESULTADOS: As médias dos preditores de QV foram melhores no desempenho físico (p < 0,0001), na vitalidade (p = 0,0002) e na função social (p < 0,0001). Não houve diferença significativa quanto à função física, saúde geral e desempenho emocional. A redução do tempo de sono, o despertar antes das 5 horas e o longo tempo de direção afetaram negativamente o SF-36. CONCLUSÃO: Em relação aos caminhoneiros avaliados neste estudo, as médias dos preditores de qualidade de vida de acordo com o SF-36 foram melhores para desempenho físico, vitalidade e função social. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto aos subitens de função física, saúde geral e desempenho emocional.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Brazilian road truck drivers' quality of life. METHODS: The research method used was descriptive-exploratory, comparative and cross-sectional. The assessment instruments used were: a demographic questionnaire; the generic quality of life questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36). The total population studied was 206 road truck drivers active in the Brazilian federal roads. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test, the means comparison by variance analysis, qui-square (χ²)contingency analysis, the Pearson simple correlation analysis, and the Fisher exact test. The significance level was 5%. RESULTS: The drivers showed better scores on physical (p < 0.0001), vitality (p = 0.0002) and social function (p < 0.0001) sub-scales. There was no significant difference between physical function, general health and emotional aspects. Furthermore sleep duration reduction, too early awakenings and prolonged driving affected negatively the SF-36 scores. CONCLUSION: According to SF-36 scores, the truck drivers assessed in this study showed the best quality of life predictors for physical function, vitality and social function. No significant differences were found in terms of physical function, general health and emotional aspects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life (QL) and sleep quality impairment of cocaine chronic dependents in use of cocaine. METHOD: 40 patients, chronic cocaine dependents were evaluated (37 M; 3 F), with mean age of 28.92 years, along with 40 controls paired for gender and age. The following instruments were used: a) the semi-structured clinical interview; b) the Brazil Economic Classification; c) the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; d) World Heath Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The cocaine dependents showed QL impairment, with deficits in the physical, psychological and social relations domains. Impaired sleep quality was also observed in the cocaine dependents. However, the QL impairment was not directly due to sleep deficit. CONCLUSION: Chronic cocaine dependents showed impairment in QL and sleep impairment. However, for the cocaine dependent group, sleep impairment was not regarded as compromising QL probably because cocaine, rather than sleep, was the main factor negatively influencing QL.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) em dependentes de cocaína na fase de uso de droga e comprometimento da qualidade do sono. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 40 pacientes dependentes de cocaína (37 M; 3 F), com média de idade de 29,92 anos; e 40 controles, equiparando-se as variáveis de gênero e idade e utilizando-se os seguintes instrumentos: a) Entrevista clínica semi-dirigida; b) Classificação Econômica Brasil; c) Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh; d) World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-Breve). RESULTADOS: Os dependentes de cocaína apresentaram prejuízo na QV, com alterações nos domínios físico, psicológico e também das relações sociais. No grupo estudo não houve associação entre QV e qualidade do sono, ou seja, para os sujeitos desta amostra, a qualidade do sono não afetou a QV. CONCLUSÃO: No grupo estudo a QV foi considerada prejudicada, mas não devida de forma primordial ao comprometimento da qualidade do sono. Nestes pacientes a cocaína é provavelmente o fator primordial negativo sobre a QV e não o comprometimento do sono.

Obesity and sleep disorders in adolescence are strongly associated, and they impact both on the health and on quality of life (QL) in this age group. OBJECTIVE: To comparatively assess QL and sleep in obese and eutrophic adolescents, who are older than ten years of age. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including obese adolescents. This analysis was carried out between August 2009 and August 2010. The Control (eutrophic) Group comprised schoolchildren recruited from State schools in the city of Americana, in São Paulo State, Brazil. Instruments applied included a standardized questionnaire, the Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), and the Pediatric QL Inventory (PedsQL TM 4.0). RESULTS: The obese adolescents had poorer QL on physical (p