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Aim: This paper reports the first estimation of an SF-6D value set based on the SF-12 for Spain. Methods: A representative sample (n = 1020) of the Spanish general population valued a selection of 56 hypothetical SF-6D health states by means of a probability lottery equivalent (PLE) method. The value set was derived using both random effects and mean models estimated by ordinary least squares (OLS). The best model was chosen on the basis of its predictive ability assessed in terms of mean absolute error (MAE). Results: The model yielding the lowest MAE (0.075) was that based on main effects using OLS. Pain was the most significant dimension in predicting health state severity. Comparison with the previous SF-6D (SF-36) model estimated for Spain revealed no significant differences, with a similar MAE (0.081). Nevertheless, the new SF-6D (SF-12) model predicted higher utilities than those generated by the SF-6D (SF-36) scoring algorithm (minimum value − 0.071 vs − 0.357). Conclusion: A value set for the SF-6D (SF-12) based on Spanish general population preferences elicited by means of a PLE technique is successfully estimated. The new estimated SF-6D (SF-12) preference-based measure provides a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers to assess the cost-effectiveness of new health technologies in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine quality of life (QoL) and mental health among Asian Indians in Southwest and Central-west Florida by COVID-related lifestyle changes, and demographic characteristics. Methods: QoL was assessed using SF-12 questionnaire while mental health/healthcare was assessed using the household pulse survey. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered online surveys were conducted among 151 participants in 2021–22. F and Chi-square statistics were used to examine the differences in QoL scores and mental health/mental healthcare by sociodemographic factors and COVID-related lifestyle changes. Results: Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were lower for those who experienced changes in work expectations (p 0.041), sleep (p 0.002), exercise (p < 0.001), meditation (p.004) and connecting with family (p 0.007) and among those with family testing COVID positive (p.012). Mean Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were lower for caregivers (p.008). PCS scores were lower for certain income groups (p 0.006), retired (p 0.004), older age groups (p 0.002). Lower MCS scores with college education (p.005), those who were students (p <0.001), younger age groups (p < 0.001). Those who helped with homeschooling felt anxious (p 0.049), couldn't stop worrying (p 0.046) and took medications (p < 0.001). Participants' families who tested COVID positive were anxious (p = 0.019) and worried (p = 0.015). Those with greater work expectations sought counseling (p = 0.009) and those who connected more with their family were anxious (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The pandemic affected QoL, especially the mental component and increased anxiety and worrying. Mental health services for younger individuals, those with caregiving responsibilities and facing increased job demands must be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adults with type 2 diabetes are at a greater probability of suffering from mental health issues, which could result in a substantial effect on their HRQoL (health-related quality of life). Thus, the focus of this research was to investigate the relationship between comorbid anxiety, depression, and HRQoL among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2016 to 2021 were used to identify adult patients with type 2 diabetes diagnoses for this research. The MEPS used the SF-12 to measure HRQoL. The study employed multivariable linear regression to analyze the association between anxiety, depression, and HRQoL in individuals with type 2 diabetes, taking into consideration several confounding variables such as age, gender, and comorbidities. Results: This study included 5259 individuals with type 2 diabetes, of which the mean age was 52.9 years, 50.7% were men, and 49.3% were women. The findings from this sample show a negative relationship between anxiety, depression, and type 2 diabetic patients' HRQoL. It shows that after adjusting for other factors, diabetes patients with depression (MCS: = −6.817), anxiety (MCS: = −4.957), and both (MCS: = −0.344) have a significantly poorer HRQoL than those without these mental health comorbidities (p-value < 0.001). It also demonstrated the adverse effects on HRQoL of having coexisting chronic illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses, along with a low socioeconomic status. Additionally, it revealed the benefits of employment, education, and regular exercise for HRQoL. Conclusions: The study's findings highlight the links between anxiety, depression, and type 2 diabetes patients' poor HRQoL. It also showed the adverse effects of coexisting chronic diseases and low socioeconomic status on HRQoL and the benefit of work and exercise on HRQoL. These findings can help policymakers to reform healthcare and enforce the early detection and treatment of anxiety and depression to enhance the HRQoL of type 2 diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mastalgia, a common complaint among women, denotes breast discomfort that can manifest as cyclical or non-cyclical. Reassurance, mechanical support and various non-pharmacological treatments, like flaxseeds, have been seen to have a good effect in treating mastalgia. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigates the efficacy of flaxseed in alleviating pain associated with mastalgia and its impact on the overall health-related quality of life among female patients. Materials and Methods: Conducted at a tertiary care center in Northern India over 18 months, it employed a single-arm interventional design. The participants included females aged 18 years and older presenting with breast pain at the Department of General Surgery. The intervention involved daily consumption of 30 g of milled flaxseed for each participant, administered over a period of six months. Pain severity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) before supplementation and at follow-up intervals up to six months. Concurrently, the Short Form-12 (SF-12) items Health Survey measured health-related quality of life, encompassing both physical and mental health domains. Statistical analysis employed parametric (paired t-test) and nonparametric tests (chi-square, McNemar) where appropriate, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Two hundred women with mastalgia were included with a significant reduction in mean VAS scores from 6.03±0.83 at baseline to 2.19±0.66 at six months post-intervention (p = 0.0001). This reduction in pain intensity demonstrated a positive correlation with duration of flaxseed supplementation, notably declining after the initial three months. The mean difference in physical and mental SF-12 score at first visit and at 6 months after intervention was significant (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of flaxseed as a therapeutic option for managing mastalgia and enhancing health-related quality of life among affected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mastalgia, a common complaint among women, denotes breast discomfort that can manifest as cyclical or non-cyclical. Reassurance, mechanical support and various non-pharmacological treatments, like flaxseeds, have been seen to have a good effect in treating mastalgia. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigates the efficacy of flaxseed in alleviating pain associated with mastalgia and its impact on the overall health-related quality of life among female patients. Materials and Methods: Conducted at a tertiary care center in Northern India over 18 months, it employed a single-arm interventional design. The participants included females aged 18 years and older presenting with breast pain at the Department of General Surgery. The intervention involved daily consumption of 30 g of milled flaxseed for each participant, administered over a period of six months. Pain severity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) before supplementation and at follow-up intervals up to six months. Concurrently, the Short Form-12 (SF-12) items Health Survey measured health-related quality of life, encompassing both physical and mental health domains. Statistical analysis employed parametric (paired t-test) and non-parametric tests (chi-square, McNemar) where appropriate, with statistical significance set at p

Background: This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate whether prior engagement in a physical exercise program correlated with enhanced perceptions of quality-of-life components among older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Methods: The cohort comprised elderly individuals (aged ≥ 65 years) who had previously partaken in a 12-week randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a mixed aerobic–anaerobic, moderate-intensity exercise program. Participants' health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey-12 item (SF-12) at the beginning of the initial trial and, again, one year later during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the exercise group, 44 participants were included, while the control group consisted of 49 participants, with computer-based, double-blind randomization conducted in Cagliari, Italy. The differences in scores for each SF-12 item between the two groups from T0 to T1 were compared using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed on average by age (exercise group vs. control group 72.20 ± 4.78 vs. 72.91 ± 4.77; F = 0.513, p = 0.476). A decrease from T0 to T1 towards a better score on the SF-12 was observed in the exercise group compared to the control group in item 1 (F = 67.463, p < 0.0001); in item 5 (F = 4.319, p = 0.041); item 8 (F = 4.269, p = 0.041); item 9 (F = 10.761, p = 0.001); item 10 (F = 170.433, p < 0.001); and item 11 (F = 4.075, p = 0.046). Conclusions: The results suggest that participation in a moderate physical exercise program one year prior may have equipped older adults with better coping mechanisms to navigate the stress and isolation imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown, as reflected by their enhanced scores on quality-of-life components pertaining to mental well-being. Exercise may confer a protective effect against the adverse psychological impacts of stressful events like the pandemic, even among older adults with chronic conditions. This study underscores the potential benefits of exercise interventions for promoting quality of life and preventing mood disorders in the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition with significant morbidity, necessitating comprehensive understanding of its demographic distribution, risk factors, and impact on quality of life. This study assesses the demographics, risk factors, and quality of life among CKD patients attending a dialysis unit at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 CKD patients. Data on demographics, education, occupation, economic status, and risk factors were collected. The quality of life was assessed using the SF12 questionnaire, focusing on physical and mental health components. Results: The majority of patients were male (78%) and aged 41-60 years (62%). A significant portion had no formal education (74%) and belonged to the lower socioeconomic class (59%). Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor (76%), followed by alcohol consumption (41%), sedentary lifestyle (37%), and tobacco use (34%). The quality of life assessment revealed that physical functioning (28 ± 25.44) and general health (28 ± 23.37) were the worst affected domains in the Physical Health Component. In the Mental Health Component, social functioning (6.5 ± 19.33) and role limitation due to emotional problems (24.12 ± 12.34) were most impacted. The overall quality of life score was 31.33 ± 15.24, indicating significant impairment. Conclusion: CKD patients exhibit a high prevalence of multiple risk factors, especially among lower socioeconomic classes, with substantial impairment in both physical and mental health-related quality of life. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by CKD patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related quality of life (WRQoL) is a multidimensional concept related to life satisfaction. Evaluating WRQoL is essential in healthcare settings since employee satisfaction affects patient service quality. Only a few studies have focused on the quality of life of rehabilitation health workers. We aimed to validate the Italian version of the WRQoL scale on a population of rehabilitation health professionals; the secondary objective was to investigate the work-related quality of life of professionals concerning the work settings in which they operate. Methods: Participants were recruited from January 2022 to December 2023 according to specific inclusion criteria. Questionnaires were administered through an online survey requiring also personal employment data, and together with the SF-12 questionnaire, a test-retest was performed on 30 therapists. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha, test-retest stability through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and concurrent validity was calculated using Pearson's correlation. Results: We enrolled 284 individuals. Internal consistency analysis showed statistically significant results: Cronbach's alpha was > 0.70; construct validity analyses revealed statistically significant data for total scores and subscales, compared to SF-12 scores. Conclusion: The WRQoL scale is a valid and reliable tool to assess the quality of working life of rehabilitation professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures result in nonunion in more than 20% of cases. The aim of this study was to assess the functional and radiological results following revision cephalomedullary nailing and 95-degree angled blade plating in aseptic trochanteric and subtrochanteric nonunion. Methods: In a retrospective multi-center study between January 2010 and December 2020, a total of 68 consecutive patients (21 women and 47 men) from two European level I trauma centers with the diagnosis of aseptic nonunion were recruited. Follow-up assessment and the patients' convenience were assessed using the Harris Hip Score, Visual Analog Scale for pain at rest and on stress/exertion and Short Form-12. Results: The patients' mean age was 57 (range 26–85) years. After a follow-up period of 12 months, one case of persistent nonunion in the cephalomedullary nail group and 10 cases in the blade plate group were identified. The mean duration of surgery was 137 ± 47 min in the cephalomedullary nail group and 202 ± 59 min in the blade plate group (<0.0001). Short-term postoperative complications included wound dehiscence, bleeding, mismatched screw and hematoma. The mid-term results 12 months after surgical revision demonstrated significantly different osseous union rates (p = 0.018). The long-term functional outcome according to the Harris Hip Score 6 years (range 2–10) after revision surgery demonstrated 81 ± 21 points in the cephalomedullary nail group and 64 ± 23 points in the plate group (p = 0.026). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the revision treatment of trochanteric and subtrochanteric nonunion using a 95-degree blade plate or cephalomedullary nail resulted in a high percentage of osseous union, with a low incidence of complications and good functional results for both methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate quality of life using the SF-12 scale in euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients on levothyroxine therapy for at least three years. Methods: This prospective case–control study included 44 euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients and 44 matched controls, conducted at a university hospital's endocrinology clinic from 6 November to 30 December 2023. Participants completed the SF-12 questionnaire; data were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk, Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U, Yates chi-squared, and Spearman's tests. Results: The study involved 88 participants (Hashimoto's group: 35 females, 9 males; control group: 31 females, 13 males), with average ages of 49.50 and 47.43 years old, respectively. Significant differences were observed in TSH, T4 levels, and family history (p < 0.05). The Hashimoto's thyroiditis group showed higher thyroid peroxidase antibodies (95.69 IU/mL) and lower scores on both physical and mental sub-dimensions of SF-12, with a significant difference in physical scores (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between age and Anti-TG; Anti-TPO and Anti-TG; BMI and T3; TSH and T4; HDL and triglycerides; MCS-12 and PCS-12; Anti-TPO and T3; cholesterol and T3; and LDL and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Other variables showed no significant correlations (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows that effective control of hypothyroidism is not sufficient to reduce the negative effects of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on patients' health-related quality of life. Beyond the normalization of hormone levels, comprehensive therapeutic strategies targeting the autoimmune aspects of the disease are essential for the management of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This study provides a foundation for developing effective therapies that can enhance quality of life for patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the factor structure of the 12-item Short-Form (SF-12) health-related quality of life (HRQOL) survey for Indian adults and assess the impact of lifestyle modification on the SF-12 of Indian adults with prediabetes. Methods: To validate the context-specific construct of the SF-12, two-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed using data from 1285 adults residing in Chennai, India, who screened for the Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program (D-CLIP). D-CLIP was a randomized controlled trial of 578 participants with prediabetes (283 treatment, 293 control), focusing on the effect of lifestyle modifications on the prevention of diabetes. Physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) were computed by using CFA standardized factor loadings. Multiple linear regression was subsequently conducted to estimate the effect of lifestyle modification on post-study changes of PCS and MCS among D-CLIP participants. Results: Cronbach's alpha and CFA fit indices demonstrated acceptable reliability and model fit of the SF-12 for Indian adults. The intervention group showed greater mean change in PCS after study participation compared to the controls (1.63 ± 0.82, p = 0.046); no significant difference was observed for MCS between two groups (1.00 ± 0.85, p = 0.242). Conclusion: The study confirmed that the SF-12 is suitable for assessing the physical and mental health dimensions of HRQOL for Indian adults. Our findings suggest that the benefits of diabetes prevention lifestyle modification strategies may primarily enhance the physical well-being of adults with prediabetes. Further studies validating the SF-12 in a broader Asian Indian population are needed. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01283308. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The respiratory symptoms experienced by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a burden on daily life. The objective of this study was to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and comprehensively identify its associated factors in Moroccan COPD patients. A cross-sectional, randomized study was carried out in the city of Fes, Morocco, as part of the large multicenter Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Study on people with COPD. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, clinical, and quality-of-life data. The diagnosis of COPD was based on spirometry, and quality of life was measured by the Short Form Survey (SF-12) questionnaire. Using multiple linear regression, we assessed the relationship between several sociodemographic and clinical factors and SF-12 mental and physical quality-of-life scores. A total of 107 patients were included, with a male predominance (63.6%) and the most common age category being 60 years and older (51.4%). Additionally, 46.7% of participants were classified as Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1. The mean SF-12 mental component score was 41.32±9.18, and the mean SF-12 physical component score was 41.91±11.93. Multivariate analysis revealed that a greater mental HRQoL was associated with the male gender, a body mass index of 25 or higher, and GOLD stage 1, while a greater physical HRQoL was associated with the male gender, an age less than 60 years, absence of respiratory comorbidities, and GOLD stage 1. Our results show low scores of the mental and physical components of HRQoL in COPD patients in Morocco, suggesting the implementation of measures to reduce first the prevalence of the disease and then adopt an appropriate COPD management strategy to improve those people's quality of life.

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) pose a serious public health issue, affecting social functioning and psychological well-being and leading to a deterioration in the quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients with CRDs and determine the factors associated with their impairment in Morocco. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pulmonology Department of the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez in 2021. Data collection was carried out using an anonymous questionnaire containing sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic information. We employed the Moroccan version of the 12-item short-form (SF-12) scale to assess the mental and physical quality of life of patients. Bivariate analysis was performed to investigate the association between various factors and quality of life, using tests appropriate to the types of variables studied. Subsequently, multivariate analysis through multiple linear regression was employed to determine factors associated with quality of life, taking into account confounding factors. The threshold for inclusion in the model was set at 20%. Significant associations are presented as β values along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Our study included 209 patients, with 50.7% being female and 74.2% aged over 50 years. The most frequent clinical symptom was coughing. The average physical quality of life was estimated at 34.45±13.78, and the mental quality of life was 33.72±19.79. Multivariate analysis revealed that the deterioration of physical quality of life was associated with marital status (single) [β=-6.84; 95% CI (-11.43; -2.25); p=0.004], stage II dyspnea on the Modified Medical Research Council scale [β=-4.94; 95% CI (-9.41; -0.52); p=0.029], and the presence of cyanosis [β=-9.65; 95% CI (-15.64; -3.67); p=0.002]. The factors negatively associated with mental health in our patients were age ≥50 [β=-7.84; 95% CI (-15.05; -0.62); p=0.033], marital status (single) [β=-7.81; 95% CI (-15.14; -0.48); p=0.037], and presence of cyanosis [β=-10.70; 95% CI (-20.08; -1.32); p=0.026]. The SF-12 calculation reflected an impairment in the quality of life of patients with CRDs. It is imperative to integrate the assessment of quality of life into the management strategy for this pathology.

Background: Fragility-related pertrochanteric fractures have become a significant public health concern, with a rising incidence attributed to the expanding elderly demographic. Assessing patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL), mortality, and factors correlated with them serves as a crucial metric in evaluating the effectiveness of hip fracture surgery. Methods: In a single-center retrospective study, 259 patients underwent surgical treatment with a cephalomedullary nail, with a mean follow-up of 21.7 months. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using SF-12 (12-item Short Form) and EQ-5D (EuroQoL-5 Dimensions) questionnaires. Mobility status was measured by the Crude Mobility Index (CMI). Surveys were administered during hospitalization and six months postoperatively. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, non-parametric controls (Kendall, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon), and Spearman correlation and logistic regression analysis, which were conducted using IBM SPSS version 28. Results: A statistically significant decrease was observed in the mean EQ-5D and SF-12 scores at 6 months post-op compared to the pre-fracture status. The ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) score showed a significant correlation with the decrease in HRQoL measured by the SF-12 questionnaire. The 30-day post-operative mortality rate was 9.3%, increasing to 32.4% at 1 year. Notably, the 30-day mortality significantly rose during the pandemic era (5.0% vs. 12.0%; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Pertrochanteric hip fractures cause a lasting decline in quality of life. Annual mortality is high, and further investigations are needed to formulate policies that prevent hip fractures and reduce mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the association between night work and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among French workers. The association between cumulative duration of night work and HRQoL was also investigated. Methods: Three career-long night work exposure groups were defined at inclusion in the CONSTANCES cohort: permanent night workers, rotating night workers and former night workers. Day workers with no experience of night work were the reference group. HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), in particular the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores, with a higher score indicating better HRQoL. Several linear regression models were built to test the association between night work exposure and HRQoL. The relationship between cumulative duration of night work and HRQoL scores was analyzed using generalised additive models. Results: The sample consisted of 10,372 participants. Former night workers had a significantly lower PCS score than day workers (β [95% CI]: − 1.09 [− 1.73; − 0.45], p = 0.001), whereas permanent night workers had a significantly higher MCS score (β [95% CI]: 1.19 [0.009; 2.36], p = 0.048). A significant decrease in PCS score from 5 to 20 years of cumulative night work was observed among former night workers. Conclusions: Former night workers had poorer physical HRQoL in contrast to permanent and rotating night workers who had similar or even better HRQoL than day workers, suggesting the well-known healthy worker survivor effect. Consequently, both current and former night workers require regular and specific follow-up focused on the physical components of their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of sarcopenia and lumbar paraspinal muscle composition (PMC) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after lumbar fusion surgery with 12-month follow-up (12 M-FU). Methods: A prospective investigation of patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion was conducted. Preoperative MRI-based evaluation of the cross-sectional area (CSA), the functional CSA (fCSA), and the fat infiltration(FI) of the posterior paraspinal muscles (PPM) and the psoas muscle at level L3 was performed. Sarcopenia was defined by the psoas muscle index (PMI) at L3 (CSAPsoas [cm2]/(patients' height [m])2). PROs included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Healthy Survey with Physical (PCS-12) and Mental Component Scores (MCS-12) and Numerical Rating Scale back and leg (NRS-L) pain before surgery and 12 months postoperatively. Univariate and multivariable regression determined associations among sarcopenia, PMC and PROs. Results: 135 patients (52.6% female, 62.1 years, BMI 29.1 kg/m2) were analyzed. The univariate analysis demonstrated that a higher FI (PPM) was associated with worse ODI outcomes at 12 M-FU in males. Sarcopenia (PMI) and higher FI (PPM) were associated with worse ODI and MCS-12 at 12 M-FU in females. Sarcopenia and higher FI of the PPM are associated with worse PCS-12 and more leg pain in females. In the multivariable analysis, a higher preoperative FI of the PPM (β = 0.442; p = 0.012) and lower FI of the psoas (β = −0.439; p = 0.029) were associated with a worse ODI at 12 M-FU after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: Preoperative FI of the psoas and the PPM are associated with worse ODI outcomes one year after lumbar fusion. Sarcopenia is associated with worse ODI, PCS-12 and NRS-L in females, but not males. Considering sex differences, PMI and FI of the PPM might be used to counsel patients on their expectations for health-related quality of life after lumbar fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate detection rates and risk factors for unsuspected proof of bacteria, as well as clinical and radiologic outcomes following femoral shaft nonunion without clinical signs of infection treated by a single-stage surgical revision procedure including reamed intramedullary exchange nailing. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in a European level I trauma center between January 2015 and December 2022. Fifty-eight patients were included who underwent reamed intramedullary exchange nailing as a single-step procedure for surgical revision of posttraumatic diaphyseal femoral nonunion without any indications of infection in medical history and without clinical signs of local infection. Clinical details of the patients were analyzed and functional and radiologic long-term outcomes were determined. Results: In all patients, with and without proof of bacteria osseous, healing could be observed. The physical component summary of the SF-12 demonstrated significantly better results at least one year after the final surgical revision in case of a negative bacterial culture during exchange nailing. Conclusions: Clinical long-term outcomes demonstrated a trend towards better results following femoral shaft nonunion revision if there was no evidence for the presence of low-grade infected nonunion. In this case, a single-stage surgical procedure may be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is one of the highest contributors to disabilities in the world. RA causes both physical and mental problems, which can lead to a worsening of their quality of life (QoL). To date, no study has evaluated factors associated with the quality of life of women with RA, especially in Indonesia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 90 women with RA who seek treatment in an Allergy Immunology Outpatient Clinic, in February–July 2022, using interviews, clinical laboratory examinations, medical record evaluations, and a 12-item QoL short form (SF-12). The results were analyzed with the Mann Whitney-U test for bivariate analysis and linear regression for multivariate. Results: A significant relationship was found in monthly income (p = 0.002) and RA disease control (p = 0.013) variables toward Physical Component Summary (PCS). Meanwhile, for Mental Component Summary (MCS), a significant relationship was only found in the control of RA disease (p = 0.009). After an adjustment with multivariate analysis, monthly income and control of RA continued to have an independent effect on PCS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.01), and control of RA also had an independent effect on MCS (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The quality of life of women with RA in Indonesia is good in the mental component but poor in the physical dimension. Monthly income has a significant effect on PCS and has an independent effect on PCS. In addition, disease control has a significant and independent effect on PCS and MCS.

Introduction: In the treatment of patients with chronic pain, whole-body electrostatic therapy using the Elosan Cabin C1 has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy. So far, data on the use of this cabin are limited. Promising results with a significant reduction in pain scores have been obtained in a small group of patients. However, treatment with Elosan Cabin C1 has not been the subject of evaluation in a larger patient population. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of electrostatic treatment in such a population. Methods: Prospective, multi-center, observational clinical trial conducted in daily practice in a large adult ambulatory population with chronic pain. Each patient received eight weekly Elosan C1 treatment sessions for up to 9 weeks. Treatment was added to an established conservative pain management. Pain scores (visual analog scale (VAS) 0–100, primary outcome) and sleep quality (seven-point Likert scale, secondary outcome) were assessed before, during, and at the end of the treatment period; quality of life (SF-12: Physical Component Summary = PCS, Mental Component Summary = MCS; secondary outcome) was assessed before and at the end of the treatment period. Subgroup analyses were performed for sex, age, duration of pain, initial pain location, pain entity, and pain medication at the start of treatment. Results: A total of 192 patients were enrolled, 143 patients (74.5%) had a complete set of 8 treatment sessions. A reduction in pain scores from 68 ± 14 points to 47 ± 22 points was observed (p < 0.001), 65% of patients (responders) had a reduction of > 15 points. Female patients had a significantly better response than male patients with a higher number of responders (76% vs. 38%; p < 0.001). Patients with a pain history < 1 year had a significantly better response than patients with a pain history > 1 year. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) increased from 36 ± 11 to 41 ± 11 (+ 18%, p < 0.001) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) from 41 ± 7 to 43 ± 7 (+ 6%, p = 0.3). Overall sleep quality improved significantly from 4.6 ± 1.7 to 3.73 ± 1.7 points (p < 0.001), with a higher proportion of responders in the female group (37 vs. 18%; p < 0.034). No serious adverse events were observed during treatment. Conclusions: Electrostatic therapy with Elosan Cabin C1 may be a useful and effective adjunct therapy for patients with chronic pain. The results suggest that female patients and those with a recent history of pain experience the greatest benefit. Trial Registration: NCT04818294 (clinicaltrials.gov). Plain Language Summary: Electrostatic treatment with the Elosan Cabin C1 is a form of pain therapy that works by applying an electrical charge to the outside of the whole body without a corresponding current flowing inside. The treatment is painless and lasts 8 min per session. The study investigated the effect of the Elosan treatment in 143 patients over a period of 8 weeks with sessions once per week. Investigated outcomes were changes in pain, quality of life, sleep quality, and side effects of the treatment. 65% of the patients had a relevant improvement in pain levels, the average pain reduction in all patients was 30.9%. Quality of life and sleep quality also improved significantly. There were no relevant side effects of the treatment. The best effect was seen in female patients and if the duration of pain was less than 1 year. It was found that by applying the electrostatic field once a week, various types of pain can be reduced with a long-lasting effect. The treatment is ideally combined with physiotherapy and other complementary pain therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study is to investigate the longitudinal and cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey (SF-12) between Native Germans, European migrants and Non-European Migrants. Further, we test for differences in latent means dependent on invariance restrictions. Methods: We include 7 waves (2006-2018) from a representative panel study in Germany. We apply Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis via a Structural Equation Modelling approach. Finally, we compare gender and age adjusted latent means between different settings of invariance assumptions. Results: The decrease in model fit measures by increasing equality constraints on the SF-12 factor structure of both physical and mental health between origin groups and across time is within common thresholds for good model fit. Latent means of both health factors differ, dependent on whether scalar invariance is set longitudinally and cross-culturally, or only longitudinally. Conclusion: We conclude acceptable longitudinal and cross-cultural measurement invariance of the SF-12 for a period of 12 years. Yet, ignoring multigroup scalar invariance constraints produces bias in the latent means of both health factors, where migrant health is shown to be overestimated, especially for Non-European migrants if indicator intercepts are not sufficiently constrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has long-term implications for adult health and function, whether or not people were infected with the disease. Although cognitive disruptions are among the major symptoms of COVID-19, most research focused on managing medical symptoms, such as respiratory symptoms or pain. Thus, less is known about the pandemic's long-term implications for assessing functional cognition. This study aimed to examine COVID-19's effects on community-dwelling adults' functional cognition and health, comparing gender differences. Methods: This cross-sectional study divided 118 community-dwelling adults (25 previously infected with COVID-19) into gender groups. Primary outcome measures included the Daily Living Questionnaire (DLQ) and short form health status survey, SF-12. Results: No significant differences were found in functional cognition or health between participants who had contracted COVID-19 and those who remained healthy, but men had better functional cognition and health measures in comparison with women. Conclusions: Gender differences in functional cognition and health state may relate to gender-based family roles. It is essential to assess functional cognition of young adults who were exposed to a pandemic, such as COVID-19, because it may significantly affect their health and functional status. The DLQ is a reliable, valid assessment of functional cognition that may suit individuals who previously contracted COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction In the treatment of patients with chronic pain, whole-body electrostatic therapy using the Elosan Cabin C1 has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy. So far, data on the use of this cabin are limited. Promising results with a significant reduction in pain scores have been obtained in a small group of patients. However, treatment with Elosan Cabin C1 has not been the subject of evaluation in a larger patient population. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and adverse effects of electrostatic treatment in such a population. Methods Prospective, multi-center, observational clinical trial conducted in daily practice in a large adult ambulatory population with chronic pain. Each patient received eight weekly Elosan C1 treatment sessions for up to 9 weeks. Treatment was added to an established conservative pain management. Pain scores (visual analog scale (VAS) 0–100, primary outcome) and sleep quality (seven-point Likert scale, secondary outcome) were assessed before, during, and at the end of the treatment period; quality of life (SF-12: Physical Component Summary = PCS, Mental Component Summary = MCS; secondary outcome) was assessed before and at the end of the treatment period. Subgroup analyses were performed for sex, age, duration of pain, initial pain location, pain entity, and pain medication at the start of treatment. Results A total of 192 patients were enrolled, 143 patients (74.5%) had a complete set of 8 treatment sessions. A reduction in pain scores from 68 ± 14 points to 47 ± 22 points was observed (p 15 points. Female patients had a significantly better response than male patients with a higher number of responders (76% vs. 38%; p 1 year. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) increased from 36 ± 11 to 41 ± 11 (+ 18%, p

Hisham M Jammal,1 Yousef Khader,2 Saddam F Kanaan,3 Rami Al-Dwairi,1 Hasan Mohidat,1 Rami Al-Omari,4 Noor Alqudah,1 Omar A Saleh,1 Haneen Alshorman,1 Muawyah Al Bdour5 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; 5Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, JordanCorrespondence: Hisham M Jammal, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan, Tel +962-2-7201000, Fax + 962-2-7095123, Email hmjammal@just.edu.joPurpose: To assess the effect of visual impairment (VI), its severity, and ocular diseases on vision-related and health-related quality of life (QoL) in Jordan.Patients and Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted among a group of 278 patients with VI aged ≥ 18 years, and age and sex-matched control group of 278 individuals with no VI. An interviewer administered the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) to all participants.Results: All the mean VFQ-25 subscales scores, physical component scale (PCS) and the mental component scale (MCS) of the SF-12 were significantly lower in patients with VI compared to controls with no VI. The VFQ-25 subscales (except general health and ocular pain), PCS, and MCS scores significantly decreased with more severity of VI. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, lower level of education (p=0.013), male sex (p=0.016), and the presence of cerebrovascular disease (p=0.019) were significantly associated with lower VFQ-25 composite scores in visually impaired patients compared to controls. Ocular disease duration of > 5 years and progressive VI were significantly associated with lower VFQ-25 composite scores (p= 0.026 and p< 0.001) respectively, in patients with VI. Glaucoma had a significantly larger reduction in mean scores of all the VFQ-25 subscales, and the PCS of the SF-12 compared to all other ocular diseases.Conclusion: Both VI and increasing severity of impairment were associated with reduced vision-related and health-related quality of life in adult Jordanians. Glaucoma patients and less educated people were particularly affected. Routine assessment of QoL in visually impaired patients and improving referral protocols to vision rehabilitation services is recommended to improve the QoL in those patients.Keywords: quality of life, SF-12, VFQ-25, vision impairment, vision rehabilitation

Background: This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate whether prior engagement in a physical exercise program correlated with enhanced perceptions of quality-of-life components among older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Methods: The cohort comprised elderly individuals (aged ≥ 65 years) who had previously partaken in a 12-week randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a mixed aerobic–anaerobic, moderate-intensity exercise program. Participants’ health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey-12 item (SF-12) at the beginning of the initial trial and, again, one year later during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the exercise group, 44 participants were included, while the control group consisted of 49 participants, with computer-based, double-blind randomization conducted in Cagliari, Italy. The differences in scores for each SF-12 item between the two groups from T0 to T1 were compared using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed on average by age (exercise group vs. control group 72.20 ± 4.78 vs. 72.91 ± 4.77; F = 0.513, p = 0.476). A decrease from T0 to T1 towards a better score on the SF-12 was observed in the exercise group compared to the control group in item 1 (F = 67.463, p < 0.0001); in item 5 (F = 4.319, p = 0.041); item 8 (F = 4.269, p = 0.041); item 9 (F = 10.761, p = 0.001); item 10 (F = 170.433, p < 0.001); and item 11 (F = 4.075, p = 0.046). Conclusions: The results suggest that participation in a moderate physical exercise program one year prior may have equipped older adults with better coping mechanisms to navigate the stress and isolation imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown, as reflected by their enhanced scores on quality-of-life components pertaining to mental well-being. Exercise may confer a protective effect against the adverse psychological impacts of stressful events like the pandemic, even among older adults with chronic conditions. This study underscores the potential benefits of exercise interventions for promoting quality of life and preventing mood disorders in the elderly population.

Existing research suggests adverse short-term health effects of economic crises during early life, yet, the long-term health effects for children and adolescents exposed to economic crises are still understudied. We investigated the early-adult health implications of experiencing the post-reunification economic crisis in East Germany in the early 1990s during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and its linkage with German pension records (SOEP-RV), we applied entropy balancing and conditional quantile regression to assess the relationship between the experience of the economic crisis during early life (ages 0-17) and physical and mental health effects (SF-12 summary scores) in N = 2,337 young adults (aged 17-30) from East and West Germany. Our results indicate mainly no significant physical health effects, yet, significant adverse mental health effects for respondents exposed to the economic crisis in East Germany, especially in young women of average and better mental health. Parental unemployment was an additional risk factor for young women’s mental health. Thus, we suggest women who experienced economic crises during early life are at increased risk of adverse mental health effects already early in their adulthood. Support for families in times of economic crisis and early prevention for infants, children and adolescents exposed to economic adversities is warranted.

Background: Group medical visits (GMV) effectively improve patient care and outcomes through interactive education, increased patient contact, and facilitated social support. This quality improvement research examined if patient activation and quality of life correlate with weight, blood pressure (BP), and hemoglobin A1c (A1C) through GMV interventions. Methods: Participants were enrolled in GMV Lighten Up for weight management or GMV Diabetes. At pre- and post-intervention, patients completed the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and the healthrelated quality of life measure, the SF-12; and were assessed for weight, blood pressure (BP), and hemoglobin A1c (A1C). Results: Weight and PAM scores significantly improved regardless of group. For patients in GMV Diabetes, A1C significantly decreased. GMV Lighten Up participants had statistically significant declines in diastolic BP. Both groups improved patient activation, but statistically significantly so only in GMV Diabetes participants. SF-12 scores did not statistically significantly improve. There were no predictors of A1C and PAM score change for the Diabetes GMV. However, age, SBP and SF-12 scores predicted PAM score changes in GMV Lighten up participants. Conclusions: Participants in this study showed overall improvement in biomarkers and patient activation. Thus, GMV continue to be a viable method for healthcare delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are susceptible to mental disorders that might significantly affect their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate how HRQoL in individuals with GERD is related to coexisting anxiety and depression. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 3068 adult patients 22 years of age and older with GERD diagnoses have been identified using the data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2017 to 2020 for United States adults. Data are gathered by MEPS using an overlapping panel design over a period of two and a half years. HRQoL was established using the Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS & MCS) values from the SF-12. Multivariate forward linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between anxiety, depression, and HRQoL in people with GERD after accounting for various factors. Results: Of the 3068 people with GERD who had been identified, 56.4% were women, 59.4% were in their 50s or 60s and 64.8% were employed. Thirteen per cent of people with GERD had depression, thirteen per cent had anxiety, and ten per cent had both. Adults with concurrent anxiety and depression had the lowest mean PCS and MCS scores compared to those with GERD. After adjusting for all independent factors, GERD patients with anxiety (MCS = −10.819, p-value < 0.0001), depression (MCS = −6.395, p-value < 0.0001), and both (MCS= −42.869, p-value < 0.0001) had substantially worse HRQoL than those without these comorbidities. Notably, better HRQoL scores were positively associated with marital status, employment, perceived overall health, and physical activity. Conclusions: The results from this nationally representative sample shed insight into the relationships between low HRQoL and anxiety and depression among individuals with GERD. It also demonstrated the detrimental impacts of co-occurring chronic illnesses, low socioeconomic status, and the positive benefits of employment and exercise on HRQoL. This study emphasizes the clinical, policy, and public health implications for better healthcare, allocation of resources, and promotion of lifestyle modifications to improve the HRQoL in patients with GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the demographic and clinical correlates of HIV stigma and evaluated how HIV stigma was associated with physical and mental health outcomes one year later in a primary-care based cohort of persons living with HIV (PLHIV; N = 584). HIV stigma was measured using a modified Berger HIV stigma scale, which includes four subscales: (1) personalized stigma; (2) disclosure concerns; (3) negative self-image; and (4) concerns around public attitudes towards PLHIV. Physical and mental health were assessed using the 12-item short form survey (SF-12). Compared to whites, African Americans were more likely to have higher personalized stigma scores (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.54 [95% confidence interval 1.10-2.15]), disclosure concerns (aPR 1.40 [1.03-1.92]), and concerns with public attitudes about PLHIV (aPR 1.61 [1.11-2.34]). Hispanic/Latinx participants were more likely to have concerns around public attitudes towards PLHIV (aPR 1.50 [1.11-2.02]) than whites. Compared to men, women were more likely to have higher negative self-image scores (aPR 1.50 [1.08-2.08]). Higher stigma scores were associated with poorer subsequent self-reported physical and mental health functional status. Our findings highlight the substantial need for addressing HIV stigma, particularly among minority subgroups.

BackgroundAdults who suffer from migraines are highly susceptible to mental illnesses that may have significant association with their HRQoL. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how anxiety and depression related to HRQoL in adults with Migraine.MethodsData from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2017 to 2020 were used to identify adult patients 18 years of age and older with a migraine diagnosis. The Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS & MCS) scores from the SF-12 were used to calculate HRQoL. To adjust for a wide range of variables, multivariate linear regressions were used to evaluate the association between depression and anxiety and HRQoL among adults with migraine.ResultsAmong the 1,713 identified adults with migraines, 11.2% experienced depression, 14.6% experienced anxiety, and 13.7% had both conditions. Compared to migraineurs who had only migraine, adults with comorbid depression and anxiety had the lowest mean scores on the PCS and MCS. Additionally, migraineurs who had depression had significantly lower HRQoL MCS scores (depression: β = −7.552, p

The aim of this paper is to verify if people with a positive score on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) without comorbidity of mood disorders showed a worse level of Health-related Quality of life (HRQol) compared to a control-matched sample of MDQ negatives, identifying a specific syndrome. This is a case-control study based on a database from a community survey. Cases: MDQ-positive without mood disorders; Controls: MDQ negatives matched by sex, age, and psychiatric diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Tools: MDQ, the Advanced Neuropsychiatric Tools and Assessment Schedule (ANTAS) semi-structured interview for psychiatric diagnosis, and the Health Survey Short Form (SF-12) for measuring HRQol. People scoring positive on the MDQ without a diagnosis of mood disorders showed significantly lower scores on the SF-12 compared to people of the same age and of the same sex with an equal diagnosis of psychiatric disorders not related to mood disorders (35.21 ± 6.30 vs. 41.48 ± 3.39, p < 0.0001). In the debate whether a positive score on the MDQ selects an area of "malaise" due to the presence of disorders differing from Bipolar Disorders, or if a positive score on the MDQ may be considered a "subthreshold" form of bipolar disorder in people who may later develop bipolar disorder, a third hypothesis can be advanced, i.e., that a positive score on the MDQ identifies a specific "Dysregulation of Mood, Energy, and Social Rhythms Syndrome" (DYMERS), characterized by a considerable amount of suffering and not attributable to other disorders, and which might represent a trigger for the previously mentioned disorders with which a positive score on the MDQ is associated, probably including, in severe conditions, bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPhysical activity is a modifiable healthy behavior that has been shown to positively influence health-related quality of life. However, research examining the link between physical activity and health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino adults is limited and inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to assess whether accelerometer-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with self-reported (a) mental health-related quality of life, and (b) physical health-related quality of life among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US.MethodsCross-sectional data from 12,379 adults ages 18-74 years in 2008-2011, who participated in HCHS/SOL and had complete data were analyzed using complex survey design methods. Accelerometer data were categorized into no MVPA, low, moderate, and high MVPA. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short-Form 12 and we used the mental and physical component subscales where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. Multivariate linear regression models were used to derive adjusted means with 95% confidence intervals and linear trends.ResultsWe observed no significant linear trend between accelerometer-measured MVPA and mental health-related quality of life (ptrend = 0.73). There was a significant positive association between MVPA and physical health-related quality of life (ptrend

This study aimed to examine the physical and mental Quality of Life (QoL) trajectories in prostate cancer (PCa) patients participating in the Pros-IT CNR study. QoL was assessed using the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS) of Short-Form Health Survey upon diagnosis and two years later. Growth mixture models were applied on 1158 patients and 3 trajectories over time were identified for MCS: 75% of patients had constantly high scores, 13% had permanently low scores and 12% starting with low scores had a recovery; the predictors that differentiated the trajectories were age, comorbidities, a family history of PCa, and the bowel, urinary and sexual functional scores at diagnosis. In the physical domain, 2 trajectories were defined: 85% of patients had constantly high scores, while 15% started with low scores and had a further slight decrease. Two years after diagnosis, the psychological and physical status was moderately compromised in more than 10% of PCa patients. For mental health, the trajectory analysis suggested that following the compromised patients at diagnosis until treatment could allow identification of those more vulnerable, for which a level 2 intervention with support from a non-oncology team supervised by a clinical psychologist could be of help.

Li-Fraumeni-syndrome (LFS) is a rare, highly penetrant cancer predisposition syndrome (CPS) caused by pathogenic variants (PVs) in TP53. Physical activity (PA) and a Mediterranean diet lead to cancer reduction or survival benefits and increased quality of life (QoL), but this is yet unstudied among LFS. TP53 PV carriers (PVC) and their relatives were questioned on dietary patterns (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener), PA (Freiburg Questionnaire), QoL (Short-form-Health-Survey-12), smoking, alcohol consumption and perception of cancer risk in a German bi-centric study from March 2020–June 2021. The study enrolled 70 PVC and 43 relatives. Women compared to men (6.49 vs. 5.38, p = 0.005) and PVC to relatives (6.59 vs. 5.51; p = 0.006) showed a healthier diet, associated with participation in surveillance (p = 0.04) and education (diet p = 0.02 smoking p = 0.0003). Women smoked less (2.91 vs. 5.91 packyears; p = 0.03), psychological well-being was higher among men (SF-12: males 48.06 vs. females 41.94; p = 0.004). PVC rated their own cancer risk statistically higher than relatives (72% vs. 38%, p < 0.001) however, cancer risk of the general population was rated lower (38% vs. 70%, p < 0.001). A relative’s cancer-related death increased the estimated personal cancer risk (p = 0.01). The possibilities of reducing cancer through self-determined health behavior among PVC and relatives has not yet been exhausted. Educating families with a CPS on cancer-preventive behavior requires further investigation with regard to acceptance and real-life implementation.

Abstract Background This study was designed and conducted to determine the status of depression literacy (D-Lit) and its relationship with the quality of life across the Iranian population. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 among 1382 participating from the general population in Gonabad, Iran. Participants were selected and recruited using a multistage sampling method. Data were collected using three sets of questionnaires (demographic section, D-Lit scale, and quality of life questionnaire). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 and using independent samples t- test, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results Based on the results, the mean (± standard deviation) of D-Lit and quality of life were 44.14 (± 4.69) and 35.81 (± 5.17), respectively. Based on the results of Pearson correlation coefficient, there was a significant positive correlation between D-Lit and quality of life (r = 0.104, p

Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of Chinese AIDS patients in three regions (Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Henan) and to examine the relationship between region and the HRQOL. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2018. Multistage stratified sampling was employed to recruit 1,273 AIDS patients from local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data were collected by means of face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire including the SF-12 and various rating scales. The multivariate linear and logistic regression models were performed to analyze the relationship of region and a variety of factors with the HRQOL and health utility. Results: The three most affected dimensions were mental health, general health, and vitality as 18.2%, 18.0%, and 16.4% of the patients reported problems respectively. The mean (SD) scores of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), were 48.19 (8.02) and 46.74 (10.71) respectively. The mean (SD) health utility score was 0.75 (0.13) assessed by the SF-6D derived from the SF-12. Region, age, employment status, individual income, government assistance and stigma significantly affected the patients' HRQOL (P < 0.01). BMI, opportunistic infection, treatment compliance and time of treatment were also found to be significant factors of the HRQOL. Conclusion: This study comprehensively estimated the HRQOL and health utility for the AIDS population in China, their HRQOL was mainly deteriorated in psychological dimensions, and geographical area may be closely related. Hence, close attention needs to be paid on the regional differences in HRQOL and the psychological problems of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The goal of this study is to develop an approach for estimating nationally representative quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) loss from injury and poisoning conditions using data collected in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Methods: This study uses data from the 2002– 2015 NHIS and MEPS surveys. Injuries were identified in the MEPS medical events file and through self-reporting of medical conditions. We restricted our model to 163,731 adults, for which we predict a total of 294,977 EQ-5D scores using responses to the self-administered questionnaire. EQ-5D scores were modeled using age, sex, comorbidities, and binary indicators of the presence and duration of injury at the time of the health status questionnaire. These models consider nonlinearity over time during the first 3 y following the injury event. Results. Injuries are identified in MEPS using medical events that provide a reasonable proxy for the date of injury occurrence. Healthrelated quality of life (HRQL) decrements can be estimated using binary indicators of injury during different time periods. When grouped into 29 injury categories, most categories were statistically significant predictors of HRQL scores in the first year after injury. For these groups of injuries, mean first-year QALY loss estimates range from 0.005 (sprains and strains of joints and adjacent muscles, n = 7067) to 0.109 (injury to nerves and spinal cord, n = 71). Fewer estimates are significant in the second and third years after injury, which may reflect a return to baseline HRQL. Conclusion. This research presents both a framework for estimating QALY loss for short-lived medical conditions and nationally representative, community-based HRQL scores associated with a wide variety of injury and poisoning conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the longitudinal SOEP data representative of the German population, we find that mental health shocks significantly decrease the willingness to take risks. We also find that mental health improvements increase the willingness to take risks significantly. Our findings are relevant for better understanding the economic decision making of the large number of individuals with mental health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by chronic follicular occlusion that presents with recurrent nodules, inflamed abscesses, and scarring. Research has shown that these patients have a decreased quality of life. In addition to its psychosocial effects, hidradenitis suppurativa has recently been associated with joint pathology. In this study, we distributed a survey consisting of the Short Form 12 Health Survey, used for assessing health outcomes, along with additional questions about joint pain to an online hidradenitis suppurativa support group in order to understand the effect of comorbid arthralgia on quality of life in this disease. The respondents in this study had significantly reduced physical health composite scores-12 (PCS-12), (35.8 versus 50, P

Abstract Background We report the clinical evaluation, quality of life and pain assessment in patients who had a femoral neck SPIRON endoprosthesis. Methods The study group consisted of 27 men in whom 35 femoral neck endoprosthesis were implanted (8 on the left side, 12 on the right side and 7 bilateral) due to idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip (20 patients) or avascular femoral osteonecrosis (7 patients) in a mean 7-year follow-up. Results The median pre-operative Harris Hip score (HHS) was 35.5 and post-operative 98.5 (p 30) is associated with worse operation outcomes.

Abstract Background The RAND-36 and RAND-12 (equivalent to versions 1 of the SF-36 Health Survey and SF-12 Health Survey, respectively) are widely used measures of health-related quality of life. However, there are diverging views regarding how to create the physical health and mental health composite scores of these questionnaires. We present a simple approach using an unweighted linear combination of subscale scores for constructing composite scores for physical and mental health that assumes these scores should be free to correlate. The aim of this study was to investigate the criterion validity and convergent validity of these scores. Methods We investigated oblique and unweighted RAND-36/12 composite scores from a random sample of the general Norwegian population (N = 2107). Criterion validity was tested by examining the correlation between unweighted composite scores and weighted scores derived from oblique principal component analysis. Convergent validity was examined by analysing the associations between the different composite scores, age, gender, body mass index, physical activity, rheumatic disease, and depression. Results The correlations between the composite scores derived by the two methods were substantial (r = 0.97 to 0.99) for both the RAND-36 and RAND-12. The effect sizes of the associations between the oblique versus the unweighted composite scores and other variables had comparable magnitudes. Conclusion The unweighted RAND-36 and RAND-12 composite scores demonstrated satisfactory criterion validity and convergent validity. This suggests that if the physical and mental composite scores are free to be correlated, the calculation of these composite scores can be kept simple.

School‐to‐work transition research has persistently provided empirical evidence for the theoretical predictions of human capital, signaling, and credentialing, thereby emphasizing the importance of school performance and degree attainment for labor market entries. However, hitherto, research in this tradition has paid less attention to noncognitive and socioemotional factors. We address this gap by analyzing the influence of mental and physical health, coping abilities, cooperativeness, and work commitment on the transition from apprenticeship training to first job. For this purpose, this study draws on a unique dataset of 1,061 individuals from Germany, combining rich survey (i.e., information concerning baseline health, personality disorders, and work attitudes) and register (i.e., labor market information) data. The results of linear probability models reveal that only physical health is associated with finding a first job within six months. Physical and mental health are associated with a smooth transition into the labor market, i.e., a situation in which an individual transitions into regular employment without any job search gaps. Overall health and coping abilities are important to finding decent employment. However, after taking important preselection variables (i.e., educational outcomes and training firm characteristics) into account, these associations are weakened and become statistically nonsignificant. Overall, this study provides evidence that health and personality disorders have the potential to induce inequality at an important life course stage.

Purpose: Surgeon- and patient-related factors have been shown to influence patient experiences, quality of life (QoL), and surgical outcomes. We examined the association between patient–surgeon race and gender concordance with QoL after breast reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy followed by breast reconstruction over a 3-year period. We created the following categories with respect to the race and gender of a patient–surgeon triad: no, intermediate, and perfect concordance. Multivariable regression was used to correlate postoperative global (SF-12) and condition-specific (BREAST-Q) QoL performance with patient-level covariates, gender and race concordance. Results: We identified 375 patients with a mean (± SD) age of 57.6 ± 11.9 years, median (IQR) body mass index of 27.5 (24.0, 32.0), and median morbidity burden of 3 (2, 4). The majority of encounters were of intermediate concordance for gender (70%) and race (52%). Compared with gender-discordant triads, intermediate gender concordance was associated with higher SF-Mental scores (β, 2.60; 95% CI, 0.21–4.99, p = 0.003). Perfect race concordance (35% of encounters) was associated with significantly higher adjusted SF-Physical scores (β, 2.14; 95% CI, 0.50–4.22, p = 0.045) than the race-discordant group. There were no significant associations observed between race or gender concordance and BREAST-Q performance. Conclusion: Race-concordant relationships following breast cancer surgery were more likely to have improved global QoL. Perfect gender concordance was not associated with variation in QoL outcomes. Policy-level interventions are needed to facilitate personalized care and optimize breast cancer surgery outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of KDQOL-36 Bahasa Indonesia in hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients in Indonesia. Methods: The psychometric analysis was conducted in three hospitals offering both HD and CAPD. The validity was assessed through structural, convergent, and known-group validity, while reliability was evaluated using internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Results: The study involved 370 participants of which 71% received HD treatment. No floor and ceiling effects (< 10%) were identified. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a good model fit for both generic and kidney-specific domains, while exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors for kidney-specific domains and only three items with a loading factor below 0.4. Convergent validity showed positive correlations between kidney-specific domains, generic domains, and EQ-5D. The comparison of quality of life among subgroups based on dialysis type and whether or not patients had diabetes supported the hypotheses of known-group validity. Cronbach's alpha and omega values had demonstrated good internal consistency. Test–retest reliability indicated burden of kidney disease had good reliability, while other domains had moderate reliability. Conclusion: The study supports the validity and reliability of both generic and kidney-specific domains of KDQOL-36 Bahasa Indonesia to evaluate quality of life in patients with HD and CAPD in Indonesia. As health-related quality of life is a crucial predictor of patient outcomes, this report contributes new evidence about validity and reliability to recommend the use of KDQOL-36 Bahasa Indonesia in dialysis centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research suggests adverse short-term health effects of economic crises during early life, yet, the long-term health effects for children and adolescents exposed to economic crises are still understudied. We investigated the early-adult health implications of experiencing the post-reunication economic crisis in East Germany in the early 1990s during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and its linkage with German pension records (SOEP-RV), we applied entropy balancing and conditional quantile regression to assess the relationship between the experience of the economic crisis during early life (ages 0-17) and physical and mental health effects (SF-12 summary scores) in N = 2,337 young adults (aged 17-30) from East and West Germany. Our results indicate mainly no significant physical health effects, yet, significant adverse mental health effects for respondents exposed to the economic crisis in East Germany, especially in young women of average and better mental health. Parental unemployment was an additional risk factor for young women's mental health. Thus, we suggest women who experienced economic crises during early life are at increased risk of adverse mental health effects already early in their adulthood. Support for families in times of economic crisis and early prevention for infants, children and adolescents exposed to economic adversities is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humeral nonunion is estimated to occur at a rate of 1.1%-25% depending on the fracture location and pattern, mechanism of injury, patient compliance with the immobilization protocol and patient's nutritional status and medical comorbidities. Fracture nonunion can cause chronic pain and limited range of motion and may hinder normal function. There is very little data from the patients' perspective regarding their experience with a humeral nonunion. The aim of this study was to establish health-related quality of life (HRQoL) norms for patients diagnosed with a humeral nonunion. We reviewed a prospectively collected database of 185 humeral nonunions seen and treated at our quaternary referral center. We recorded patient characteristics including sex, age, history of infection, previous surgery, associated nerve palsy, handedness, and the anatomic location of the nonunion. At initial clinical evaluation, all patients were asked to complete the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and a time trade-off questionnaire. These scores were compared to other well-known chronic medical conditions' HRQoL scores. The cohort reported an average utility score of 0.55 ± 0.35, average SF-12 Physical Component Summary score of 30.2 ± 7.6, average SF-12 Mental Component Summary score of 42.5 ± 6.1, and average raw DASH score of 69 ± 21, which was worse than the general US population, patients with asthma, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and AIDS. Patients with humeral nonunion are willing to trade 45% of their remaining life to obtain perfect health, and when stratified by handedness, we found that patients with a humeral nonunion of their dominant arm were willing to trade 49.7% compared with 39.7% in patients with a humeral nonunion of their nondominant arm (P =.04). The results of our study show that humeral nonunion is a chronic medical condition that has a debilitating effect on patients, both physically and mentally. It is important for orthopedic surgeons to acknowledge these conditions as physically and mentally debilitating to their patients. Our study highlights these physical and mental burdens and helps to quantify humeral nonunion in relation to more well-known chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, AIDS, and stroke. Humeral nonunions have a devastating effect on a patient's physical and mental health with HRQoL measures lower than patients with other chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, AIDS, and stroke. We found that our patients, on average, would trade approximately 45% of their remaining life span for perfect health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The aims of this survey were to assess the perceived health status and to evaluate the use of healthcare services during the pandemic period. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to October 2021 in the Campania and Calabria regions, Southern Italy. The sample was selected among 655 subjects attending vaccination or primary care physician clinics. (3) Results: More than half (57.2%) of the respondents were female, the mean age was 49 years (range 19–97), and 61.3% had at least one chronic disease. Among the respondents, 56.3% declared that they had accessed healthcare at least once during the pandemic and, among all respondents who did not access healthcare, 23.2% gave reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two scores obtained from the Short-Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), physical health summary (PCS) and mental health summary (MCS), had a means of 48.4 and 45.9, respectively. Among the respondents, 2.3% of respondents considered their health poor, 43.1% good and 6.4% excellent. (4) Conclusions: Our results suggest the need to ensure, in similar health emergency situations, a quick response from the National Health System so that ordinary medical assistance activities can be guaranteed in full safety, avoiding the risk of missed access or lack of assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Even though irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not life-threatening, it can have a significant impact on a patient's daily activities and quality of life. Studies indicate that IBS is more prevalent in women than in men. The mechanism, etiology, and signs of IBS are not well understood, but there is evidence that gender and age is a biological characteristic that affects these subjects. This influence on the quality of life of Saudi adults by gender and age has not previously been compared. (2) Methods: A snowball sampling techniques of 279 people in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, is surveyed online to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The Short SF-36 was self-administered to assess HRQoL; logistic regression models, Mann-Whitney, and the Kruskal-Wallis were used. SPSS version 23.0 was used to store and analyze all data. (3) Results: The prevalence of IBS among Saudi adults was 17.6%. IBS has a statistically significant association with age and gender which is more common among older women. IBS participants have poorer HRQoL than the overall population, particularly in Physical Component Score (PCS). (4) Conclusions: IBS is more prevalent among Saudi adults in Qatif and has a significant negative impact on the HRQoL, particularly among elderly women.