scholarly journals The influence of activeness and independence on the quality of life of senior citizens

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-345
Author(s):  
Edyta Bonk

Abstract In this study the author has focused on the impact of activeness and independence on the quality of life of seniors. Activeness is taken to mean the participation in regular everyday tasks. Functional independence is independence in everyday life. Quality of life in old age describes the level of satisfaction with life and indicators of successful ageing. The survey was conducted in October 2013 among four groups of seniors. Two variables determined the distribution of respondents: the level of activeness and the functional independence of the seniors. The study involved 99 seniors from Sopot and Gdansk. Functional independence has a much greater impact on the quality of life of seniors than activeness in as much as independence is influenced by our state of health over which we may always have full control, whereas activeness to a large extent depends on ourselves.

10.3823/2492 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Franklin Cordeiro Neto ◽  
Roberto Carlos Mourão Pinho ◽  
Raulison Vieira de Sousa ◽  
Bruna De Carvalho Farias Vajgel ◽  
Renata Cimões

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the type of malocclusion affects the perception of quality and satisfaction with people's lives. Material and Methods: Three questionnaires were applied: the first one assessed the social and economic factors and the diagnosis of malocclusion through Angle´s classification, the second was the OHIP-14, and the third was the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Results: This study involved 444 patients aged 18 to 72 years. According to the classification of malocclusion 48.65% was Class I, 22.75% was Class II division 1, 12.16% was Class II division 2 and Class III 16.44%. The malocclusion did not have negative impact on the level of satisfaction with life, but in all dimensions analyzed by OHIP-14, malocclusion had negative impact on quality of life and was statistically significant. The most severe malocclusions such as Class II and Class III represent a more negative impact when compared to Class I malocclusion. Moreover, for the dimensions assessed by the OHIP-14, physical pain and psychological discomfort were those who showed a greater negative impact on quality of life. Conclusions: Malocclusions do not interfere with the judgment of the level of satisfaction with life, but they produce a negative impact on quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesreen Fathi Mahmoud ◽  
Huda Zahran ◽  
Sherif Abdelmonam

Abstract Background This study focuses on the self-perception of the voice in the elderly as assessed by the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) questionnaire. This work aimed to compare differences in the voice-related quality of life outcomes between (1) elderly with and without voice disorders, (2) female and male elderly with voice disorders, and (3) different types of voice disorders, and to explore the correlation between the V-RQOL and perceptual analysis done by the clinician. Forty-three dysphonic and 44 non-dysphonic elderly filled out the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) protocol that analyzes the impact of dysphonia on life quality. Vocal perceptual assessment of each subject with dysphonia was made by three voice therapists, followed by a flexible nasofibrolaryngoscope. Results A significant statistical difference was found between the means of total V-RQOL scores and its subdomains for each group (dysphonic and non-dysphonic). No significant differences were found between male and female elderly with dysphonia. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation with the vocal assessment made by the clinicians and the V-RQOL self-assessment made by the subjects. Conclusions This study provides valuable information regarding the risk factors that contribute to vocal quality in the elderly population. Our results revealed that different types of voice disorders are common among the elderly population with significant negative effects on quality of life. It was observed that the poorest score on the V-RQOL was for functional voice disorders, followed by neoplastic lesions, whereas MAPLs had the best score on the V-RQOL.


Author(s):  
Adele Bianco

The topic of this article is quality of life and ageing process specially focused on today young generations and their coming retirement situation. The main idea is that quality of life is increasing, that means longer, safer and better living condition; consequently positive ageing processes mean also reforming retirement sector. The hypothesis carried out in this paper is an alternative one. Despite of the positive trends, we describe how three main factor of nowadays life are, on the contrary, turning into worse condition the future of young generations and their coming life situation. Firstly we consider the socio-economic aspects, the impact on health and the implications connected with precarious work. Secondly we consider pollution and its effects on health, life quality and life expectation. Thirdly we pay attention about climate and environmental change and their effect on health, life quality and expectation. In conclusion, the retirement future of today young generations may be very different (worse) than expected. The paper in based on WHO, IPCC and European Agency for Safety and Health at Work data and reports.Key words: Young generations; Coming quality of life; Population ageing and future of retirement question.Parole chiave: Giovani generazioni; Qualitŕ della vita; Invecchiamento della popolazione e pensioni.


Author(s):  
Faizan Younus Shah ◽  
Ifrah Shafat Kitab ◽  
Aaqib Aslam Shah ◽  
Faisal Younis Shah ◽  
Mohd Younus Shah ◽  
...  

Background: Psoriasis affects nearly 1% of the world population. It can be a source of significant morbidity and psychological stress to the patient but is not lethal under ordinary circumstances. Patients suffering from the disease feel a lack of empathy on part of care-givers, family members, healthcare professionals as well as society in general. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) is a questionnaire-based assessment of health related quality of life in patients suffering from skin disorders and has been seen to correlate well with the impact of the disease on a patient. This study was done to understand the impact of psoriasis on the overall well-being of patients using DLQI as the tool of assessment.Methods: The study included 40 cases of psoriasis that were assessed for the severity of the disease based on percentage body surface area involvement. The impact of disease severity and other factors on the quality of life of the patient was assessed using DLQI.Results: Out of 35 patients with BSA involvement <50% (mild and moderate disease), 28.6% (n=10/35) showed a very large or extremely large effect on the quality of life while no patient with a BSA involvement >50% (severe and very severe disease) reported the same. A small, moderate or no effect on the DLQI was seen in 71.4% (n=25/35) of cases from the mild and moderate disease group while 100% (n=5/5) of cases from severe and very severe disease group reported a similar effect. Thus, DLQI was not directly related to the extent of BSA involvement and was dependent on other factors as well.Conclusion: Age had a correlation with the effect of the disease on the quality of life of psoriasis cases. Patients who were younger were more likely to report stress and anxiety related to the recurrences seen with the disease. Patients with lesions on sites that are socially exposed like face, hands, scalp, etc. were more likely to feel embarrassed about their condition. Younger age, female gender, lesions on exposed sites and recently diagnosed patients (<12 months) were factors which had a significant impact on the health-related quality of life of patients. The severity of disease and extent of involvement were not always directly related to extent of impact on the quality of life.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 546-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Heelan ◽  
S. L. Hitzig ◽  
S. Knowles ◽  
A. M. Drucker ◽  
N. Mittmann ◽  
...  

Background: Little is known about quality of life and work productivity in autoimmune bullous dermatoses (AIBDs). Objective: To determine the impact of AIBDs on quality of life and work productivity. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study took place between February and May 2013 at an AIBD tertiary referral centre. Ninety-four patients were included. All participants completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment–Specific Health Problem questionnaires. Results: Responders to treatment had less impairment ( P < .001) than nonresponders. Patients with severe AIBD had significantly more impairment that those with mild ( P < .001) and moderate ( P = .002) AIBD. Greater impairment was associated with higher percentage of work missed. Those with a higher Dermatology Life Quality Index score had greater work impairment and overall activity impairment ( P = .041, P = .024). Nonresponders had increased impairment while working ( P < .001), overall work impairment ( P < .001), and activity impairment ( P < .001). Severely affected patients had worse impairment in all Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire domains. Conclusions: AIBD has the potential to be a large burden on ability to work and quality of life. Larger studies are needed to clarify how these domains change over time and whether or not they improve with treatment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 862-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Tasoula ◽  
Stamatis Gregoriou ◽  
John Chalikias ◽  
Dimitris Lazarou ◽  
Ifigenia Danopoulou ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris can severely affect social and psychological functioning. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of acne vulgaris and its severity on Quality of Life of young adolescents in Greece. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire based survey among 1560 adolescent between the ages of 11 and 19 years old and 1531 of these were completed. Adolescents with acne filled all the questions including the Children Dermatology Life Quality Index. Adolescents without acne filled the questions about age, family history of acne, stress and smoking. Data were analyzed with Pearson Chi Square test. RESULTS: Acne prevalence was 51.2% affecting both sexes equally. Self reported mild acne was present in 71.2% and moderate-severe acne in 28.8% of the study population. The mean age of the study population was 15.77y. The median score of Children Dermatology Life Quality Index was 4.02. The impact of acne on quality of life is associated with the severity of the acne (p<0.0001). Patients with moderate/severe acne experience greater psychosocial and emotional impairment (p<0.0001). Body image is modified proportionally to the severity of acne (p<0.0001). Symptoms and treatment of acne are factors that also influence their quality of life. Girls and boys are equally affected. Stress and heredity are correlated with acne and its severity (p<0.0001). We didn't find any correlation between smoking and acne. CONCLUSION: Acne affects Quality of Life of young adolescents in Greece. The impact is proportional to the severity of acne. More severe acne is associated with greater effect on quality of life with implications for self esteem, body image and relationships with others.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héloïse Bourien ◽  
Elodie Pelotte ◽  
Aurélie Thébault ◽  
Claire Larible-Lefort ◽  
Frédérique Lebrun ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Several studies have highlighted the difficulties faced by caregivers of patients with brain tumors. We created the educational workshops called AGAPE. Their aim is to explain precisely the medical aspects of brain tumors, describe resources available, and allow a moment of exchange between caregivers. Purpose To evaluate outcomes of AGAPE. Methods This was an observational uncontrolled pilot study. Feasibility was evaluated by the caregivers’ attendance of the 2 theoretical scheduled sessions and their satisfaction. Additional outcomes were the percentage of caregivers in favour of AGAPE sustainability and the impact on their quality of life according to CarGOQoL questionnaires (Caregiver Oncology Quality of Life) between baseline before the first workshop and after the last one. Results From February 2015 to March 2019, 12 three-month sessions were organized allowing 87 caregivers to participate. 84% of caregivers attended at least 2 theoretical sessions, the level of satisfaction was very high, and all caregivers were in favor of AGAPE sustainability. 36 caregivers submitted completed questionnaires at baseline and after the last workshop attended, separated by more than 2 months. The first workshop took place mostly during or after the adjuvant treatment of their loved ones. Two-thirds of their loved ones had a progressive disease after the first workshop and 21 died. Caregivers’ quality of life was stable between the first and last attended workshop. Conclusion Our study showed that AGAPE helped to maintain caregiver’s quality of life despite patient’s disease progression and its feasibility. Moreover, AGAPE may easily be run in other hospitals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Émerson Soares PONTES ◽  
Ana Karênina de Freitas Jordão do AMARAL ◽  
Flávia Luiza Costa do RÊGO ◽  
Elma Heitmann Mares AZEVEDO ◽  
Priscila Oliveira Costa SILVA

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The elderly population faces many difficulties as a result of the aging process. Conceptualize and evaluate their life quality is a challenge, being hard to characterize the impact on daily activities and on functional capacity. The stroke is one of the most disabling neurological diseases, becoming a public health problem. As an aggravating result, there is dysphagia, a disorder that compromises the progression of the food from the mouth to the stomach, causing clinical complications to the individual. OBJECTIVE Characterize the life quality of the elderly swallowing affected by stroke. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital, attended by 35 elderly with stroke, being 19 women and 16 men, with age between 60 and 90 years old, that self-reported satisfactory overall clinical picture. It was applied the Quality of Life Swallowing protocol. The data were statistically analyzed, by means of ANOVA tests, Spearman correlation, t test, with significance level of 5%. RESULTS The mean age was 69.5 years; as for the scores obtained by the 35 participants in the 11 domains of the protocol, it was observed a change in score indicating severe to moderate impact in quality of life related to self-reported swallowing (31.8% to 59.5%); the domain that most interfered was the feeding time (31.8%). CONCLUSION Elderly affected by stroke that present dysphagia has low scores in quality of life related to swallowing.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Agrawal ◽  
A Rijal ◽  
S Bhattarai

Background Patch testing has previously been shown to influence the quality of life, although a very few studies have shown if this is dependent on the result of the patch tests. Objective To assess the impact of patch testing on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with hand eczema (HE). Methods A total of 50 patients diagnosed of hand eczema at the time of patch testing, aged 16 years and above participated in this study. Detailed demographic information and diagnosis of hand eczema were collected on the day of the patch test. After six weeks, the patients were asked about the hand eczema, knowledge of their allergies and change in their life style to avoid the relevant allergens demonstrated on the patch test. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to measure the QOL on both occasions. Results The patch test positivity was found in 68% of patients to one or more allergens. The sum score of DLQI at baseline was 12.16 ± 5.58 with median 12.0. HE had most impact on symptoms and feelings. Patients with both positive patch test (mean baseline= 11.94± 5.88; mean at six weeks=2.81± 2.01; P<0.001) and negative patch test (mean baseline=12.63± 5.03; mean at 6 weeks=5.4± 3.56; P=0.001) showed significant improvement in DLQI scores, however it was more improved in patients with positive patch test than in patients with negative patch test. Conclusions Hand eczema had an appreciable impact on the QOL. Patch testing had been beneficial to most patients in improving patient quality of life considerably. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i3.12506 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2013; 43(3):216-220


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra S. Macy ◽  
Jonathan N. Theo ◽  
Sonia C. V. Kaufmann ◽  
Rassil B. Ghazzaoui ◽  
Paul A. Pawlowski ◽  
...  

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a profound impact with a high disease burden. In order to truly understand the scope of the effect OCD has on the patient population, one must take into account not only the relentless symptoms beleaguering the patients but also examine their overall ability to enjoy their life. Quality of life (QOL) assessments/improvements are becoming an increasingly important component of healthcare, especially in the mental health field. This review examines QOL in OCD, as well as the influence of comorbidities, and the impact that OCD treatment has on QOL. We searched MEDLINE/PUBMED and PsycINFO databases from 1980–2011 using keywords “obsessive compulsive disorder” OR “OCD” AND “quality of life” OR “QOL.” Fifty-eight studies meeting specific selection criteria were ultimately included in this review. The results show that QOL in OCD is significantly impaired when compared to QOL in the general population and in patients with other psychiatric and medical disorders. Likewise, QOL in OCD also appears to be largely affected by comorbid conditions, which should be taken into account when developing a treatment plan. Furthermore, QOL in OCD has been shown to improve with medications and with both individual and group psychotherapy, albeit not to the levels enjoyed by community norms. QOL assessment in both clinical and research settings is important to examine the disease burden, to monitor treatment effectiveness, and to determine full recovery from OCD. Treatment providers should strive to not only reach symptom abatement, but also to assure that patients have regained satisfaction and functioning in their daily lives.


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