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The aim of this paper was to find out the association of relevant factors on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among ovarian cancer patients and their ability to work. Analyzed data were prospectively collected on 123 ovarian cancer patients enrolled across multiple oncology practices in Slovakia. We examined knowledge about the disease, negative perceptions related to health care, ability to work and social and economic ranking. HRQOL measurements included quality of life based on a numeric scale (1-worst, 10-best) and selected aspects from QoL-Ov28 questionnaire. We have used non-parametric Friedman and Dunne pairwise comparison tests to detect differences in HRQOL and the ability to work. Spearman correlation was used to measure the strength of association between variables. With hindsight, patients identified first signs of disease 3.6 months prior to diagnosis, with median duration of disease being 3.1 years. HRQOL was significantly different at various points during cancer journey; between current state and at diagnosis (4.19), between current state and at time without cancer or at time in full health (8.94, 9.52 respectively). Similarly, significant differences were noted in patients' current work ability (WA) compared to WA at diagnosis, or at time without cancer or in full health (4.2, 9.07, 9.58). The highest correlation of HRQOL was found in relation to current ability to work (r = 0.87) and in impact of cancer treatment (r = 0.66). Medium correlation was noted with visits to oncology clinics, knowledge about cancer, salary, future expectations or perceived quality of life of relatives (r < 0.51). Low correlation (r < 0.3) was found with other aspects related to healthcare (nursing care, general practitioner appointments) or demographics (age, number of children) and others. Patients were willing to pay monthly for curative treatment €191.84 from an average monthly salary €470.84 (41%). Ovarian cancer diagnosis has a significant impact on HRQOL and WA and both are positively highly correlated. Ovarian cancer patients are willing to give significant share of their monthly salary for treatment leading to cure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy used in the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) as a supplementary therapy to the first-line medical treatment according to the different applied pressures used in HBO2 treatment while maintaining the same number of sessions, periodicity and exposure times. We evaluated data from 115 patients suffering from SSNHL within seven days of hearing loss: 35 patients received the standard treatment protocol (control group), and 80 individuals were treated with additional application of HBO2 therapy pressured to 2.0 ATA (H2.0; n=49) or 2.5 ATA (H2.5; n=31), respectively. Treatment success was assessed using pre- and post-treatment audiograms. We found significant differences in both HBO2 groups compared to the control group. In low frequencies the most significant differences can be seen in both H2.0 and H2.5. In spoken speech frequencies only the H2.0 group was statistically significant. In high frequencies the therapeutic benefits were the lowest. Furthermore, we found a notable difference in the therapeutic effect of HBO2 therapy according to the different applied pressure. At low frequencies, the use of 2.5 ATA pressure was more efficient. However, in the higher frequency ranges, the better hearing gains were obtained at the 2.0 ATA pressure. Our results support the possibility of optimizing treatments individually, depending on the type and frequency range of hearing impairment (shape of the audiogram) in favor of using the 2.0 ATA. This is important in terms of an individual approach to each patient as well as to minimize the burden of a patient in order to obtain the maximum therapeutic effect., Competing Interests: The authors of this paper declare no conflicts of interest exist with this submission., (Copyright© Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.)