Swollen limbs: The impact on quality of life

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Natasha Posner ◽  
Sirous Momenzadeh

A swollen limb from lymphoedema is a chronic condition that has not had a high medical profile. Very little research on how it is experienced has been carried out. This paper reports on part of the results of a survey of 137 people with lymphoedema conducted among members of the Lymphoedema Association of Queensland. One of the aims of the study was to assess the degree and nature of the impact of the condition on individual lives. Responses to two open-ended questions were analysed, revealing a considerable variation in the effects of the condition from ?minimal? to ?devastating?, and a range of impacts across functional and emotional dimensions. The condition can substantially reduce mobility and capacity for many activities, cause embarrassment and distress, and make wearing normal clothes difficult, and thus can have a considerable impact on quality of life. For many, the condition is secondary to treatment for cancer, resulting from removal of lymph nodes, and develops with no prior warning or information at a time when recovery from cancer is in prospect. This can make acceptance, participation in treatment and adjustment particularly difficult. Our data map the nature of the impact of a swollen limb (or limbs) on quality of life and body image.

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 3943-3949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Brandberg ◽  
Kerstin Sandelin ◽  
Staffan Erikson ◽  
Göran Jurell ◽  
Annelie Liljegren ◽  
...  

Purpose To prospectively evaluate body image, sexuality, emotional reactions (anxiety, depression), and quality of life in a sample of women having increased risk for breast cancer before and 6 months and 1 year after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM), and to compare preoperative expectations of the operation with postoperative reactions concerning the impact on six areas of the women's lives. Patients and Methods A total of 90 of 98 consecutive women who underwent BPM during October 1997 to December 2005 were included. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires (eg, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Swedish Short Term-36 Health Survey, Body Image Scale, Sexual Activity Questionnaire) before the operation (n = 81), and 6 (n = 71) and 12 months (n = 65) after BPM. Results Anxiety decreased over time (P = .0004). No corresponding difference was found for depression. No differences in health-related quality of life over time were found, with one exception. A substantial proportion of the women reported problems with body image 1 year after BPM (eg, self consciousness, 48%; feeling less sexually attractive, 48%; and dissatisfaction with the scars, 44%). Sexual pleasure was rated lower 1-year post-BPM as compared with before operation (P = .005), but no differences over time in habit, discomfort, or activity were found. Conclusion No negative effects on anxiety, depression, and quality of life were found. Anxiety and social activities improved. Negative impact on sexuality and body image was reported.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S289-S289
Author(s):  
J A Vázquez Gómez ◽  
M Velasco Rodríguez-Belvís ◽  
L M Palomino Pérez ◽  
P Sánchez Llorente ◽  
C Aguilar Ladrón de Guevara ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multi-dimensional concept used to examine the impact of health status on their global well-being. The IMPACT-III is a 35-item questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (pIBD). This questionnaire had its origin in 1999 in Canada (Otley et al.) and, since then, it has been adapted to many languages. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life of pIBD patients using the IMPACT-III questionnaire and to identify specific needs according to the patient’s profile. Methods An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was carried out in November 2020, including the pIBD patients undergoing follow-up in a tertiary hospital that have previously completed the IMPACT-III questionnaire. Epidemiological and clinical data were anonymously retrieved from the electronic medical records. We established three blocks of IMPACT-III items according to physical, emotional and social well-being, or to the perception of body image. The results of each block and totals were compared according to gender, age, diagnosis, time of evolution, activity and treatment. To make the comparison, the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples for 2 groups and the Kruskal-Wallis test for 3 or more independent groups were used. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and the results were considered statistically significant when reaching a bilateral critical level (p) ≤ 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Results We included a total of 40 patients. There were no significant differences according to gender, type of IBD or type of treatment. The group of adolescents obtained a higher score in the body image block (p = 0.009). Patients with over two years of evolution of the disease obtained statistically significantly higher scores in the physical well-being block (p = 0.027). In patients who filled out the questionnaire during a flare, the scores on questions of physical well-being (p = 0.007), emotional and social (p = 0.037), as well as total (p = 0.012) were significantly higher. Overall, 31 patients (77.5%) answered that IBD had negatively affected their family. Conclusion Our data suggest that patients with a longer evolution time, adolescents and patients suffering an active flare seem to report a worst HRQOL. Patients with the mentioned characteristics constitute a vulnerable population with special care needs that should be addressed from an interdisciplinary point of view. Despite the limitations of the retrospective design and the scarce number of patients, our results indicate that family-centered care should be a priority.


2019 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Rixon ◽  
Rebecca A. Wenig ◽  
Brittany N. Rigdon

This is a case report demonstrating appropriate diagnosis and management of PSS and its possible sequelae. Posner-Schlossman Syndrome is characterized by recurrent, unilateral attacks of significantly increased intraocular pressure. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition remains unclear. Duration of this chronic condition and the risk of developing secondary open angle glaucoma are directly proportional. The patient and managing optometrist must be aware of the necessity of timely intervention during acute attacks, as well as adherent longitudinal care to preserve function and quality of life. The ensuing case report and review underscores the impact of this disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-178
Author(s):  
Allison Gomes ◽  
Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia ◽  
Laura Matarese ◽  
Jane Ziegler

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tânia Louza Santiago ◽  
Eduardo Santos ◽  
Ana Catarina Duarte ◽  
Patrícia Martins ◽  
Marlene Sousa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients’ objectives and experiences must be core to the study and management of chronic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). Although patient-reported outcomes have attracted increasing attention, evaluation of the impact of disease on the overall subjective well-being, equivalent to ‘happiness’, is remarkably lacking. Objectives To examine the determinants of happiness and quality of life in patients with SSc, with emphasis on disease features and personality traits. Methods Observational, cross-sectional multicentre study, including 142 patients, with complete data regarding disease activity, disease impact, personality, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and happiness. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate the association between the variables. Results The results indicated an acceptable fit of the model to the data. Perceived disease impact had a significant negative direct relation with HR-QoL (β=-0.79, p < 0.001) and with happiness (β=-0.52, p < 0.001). Positive personality traits had a positive relation with happiness (β = 0.36, p = 0.002) and an important indirect association upon QoL (β = 0.43) and happiness (β = 0.23). Perceived disease impact is influenced by body image, fatigue, and SSc-related disability to a higher degree (β =  0.6–0.7) than by disease activity (β = 0.28) or form (β = 0.17). Impact of disease had a much stronger relation with HR-QoL than with happiness. Conclusions The results suggest that treatment strategies targeting not only disease control but also the mitigation of relevant domains of disease impact (body image, fatigue, global disability) may be important to improve the patients’ experience of the disease. The reinforcement of resilience factors, such as positive psychological traits, may also play a contributory role towards better patient outcomes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Nunes Garcia ◽  
Raquel De Castro Figueiredo Pereira Coelho ◽  
Pamella Naiana Dias dos Santos ◽  
Mariluci Alves Maftum ◽  
Maria De Fátima Mantovani ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to investigate the impairment of social and emotional functions, body image and future perspective in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment. This is a longitudinal research conducted from October 2012 to October 2013 at the chemotherapy unit of a private institution of Oncology located in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were applied, Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 e Quality of Life Questionnaire – Breast Cancer Module, to 48 women subjected for the first time to chemotherapy, in three different stages of the treatment. Analysis with Friedman`s, Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests was performed. Changes were observed in social function and body image, which compromised quality of life significantly. Results can subsidize the planning of and adjustments to the care provided to these women by considering the perception about the impact of therapy on QL and their perspectives. 


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherryn Evans ◽  
Richard Newton ◽  
Sally Higgins

Objective: Olanzapine is the most commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotic medication in Australia. Research repor ts an average weight gain of between 4.5 and 7 kg in the 3 months following its commencement. Trying to minimize this weight gain in a population with an already high prevalence of obesity, mor tality and morbidity is of clinical and social importance. This randomized controlled trial investigated the impact of individual nutrition education provided by a dietitian on weight gain in the 3 and 6 months following the commencement of olanzapine. Method: Fifty-one individuals (29 females, 22 males) who had star ted on olanzapine in the previous 3 months (mean length of 27 days 20) were recruited through Peninsula Health Psychiatric Services and were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 29) or the control group (n = 22). Individuals in the intervention group received six 1 hour nutrition education sessions over a 3-month period. Weight, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and qualitative measures of exercise levels, quality of life, health and body image were collected at baselineat 3 and 6 months. Results: After 3 months, the control group had gained significantly more weight than the treatment group (6.0 kg vs 2.0 kg, p≤0.002). Weight gain of more than 7% of initial weight occurred in 64% of the control group compared to 13% of the treatment group. The control group's BMI increased significantly more than the treatment group's (2 kg/m2 vs 0.7 kg/m2, p ≤0.03). The treatment group reported significantly greater improvements in moderate exercise levels, quality of life, health and body image compared to the controls. At 6 months, the control group continued to show significantly more weight gain since baseline than the treatment group (9.9 kg vs 2.0 kg, p≤0.013) and consequently had significantly greater increases in BMI (3.2 kg/m2vs 0.8 kg/m2, p ≤0.017). Conclusion: Individualnutritional intervention provided bya dietitian is highly successful at preventing olanzapine-induced weight gain.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Parisi ◽  
Teresa Di Filippo ◽  
Michele Roccella

Nowadays, quality of life is receiving an increasing attention in all scientific areas. Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurological development, affecting mainly females. The congenital disease affects the central nervous system, and is one of the most common causes of severe intellectual disability. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of RTT on the quality of life of people who are affected. Both parents of 18 subjects, all female, diagnosed with RTT, took part in the research. Quality of life was assessed using the Italian version of the Impact of Childhood Illness Scale. This scale consists of 30 questions that investigate the effect of illness on children, parents and families. For each question, the parent was asked to rate two variables: frequency and importance. Another questionnaire was administered to obtain medical history, diagnostic and therapeutic data of the persons with RTT. Our data show that RTT has a considerable impact on both the child’s development and the entire family. Parents’ answers demonstrated that their child’s illness had consequences for the child and how the family coped with it. For this reason, attention should be directed at psychological and social aspects, as well as attitudes, manners, reactions and effects such disturbances can have on the entire family.


Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 1691-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motolani E Ogunsanya ◽  
Sung Kyung Cho ◽  
Andrew Hudson ◽  
Benjamin F Chong

Objectives The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in adults and identify the clinical and non-clinical factors associated with quality of life (QoL), using the Revised Wilson and Cleary Model. Methods 101 patients diagnosed with CLE were included in this cross-sectional study. QoL was measured with the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life (CLEQoL) scale and disease activity and damage with the Cutaneous Lupus Activity and Severity Index (CLASI). Patient demographics, clinical, and disease characteristics were also collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multiple regression was employed to determine significant (p < 0.05) predictors of overall QoL. Data were analyzed using SPSS v24. Results The overall regression QoL model was significantly different from zero, (F = 24.96; df = 14, 76; p = <0.001). Disease activity (β = 0.13), pain (β = 0.13), fatigue (β = 0.24), body image (β = 0.62), and side effects (β = –0.13) were significant predictors of overall QoL while controlling for other predictor variables. Patients who experienced higher levels of disease activity, fatigue severity, pain levels, and greater degree of body dissatisfaction had significantly poorer QoL. Fewer side effects experienced from CLE medications were significantly associated with higher QoL. Conclusions Study findings support the considerable burden associated with CLE. Several modifiable variables such as pain, fatigue, body image, and disease activity were associated with QoL. Therefore, interventions that incorporate these variables may reduce negative impacts on QoL life and improve health outcomes in CLE patients. Furthermore, given the chronic and recurring nature of the condition, strategies focused on improving QoL are needed for this vulnerable population.


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