scholarly journals Who cares? The impact on caregivers of suspected mining-related lung cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lightfoot ◽  
L. MacEwan ◽  
L. Tufford ◽  
D. L. Holness ◽  
C. Mayer ◽  
...  

Background In the present study, we investigated the emotional, physical, financial, occupational, practical, and quality-of-life impacts on caregivers of patients with mining-related lung cancer.Methods This concurrent, embedded, mixed-methods study used individual in-depth qualitative interviews and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (version 2: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, U.S.A.) quality-of-life measure with 8 caregivers of patients with suspected mining-related lung cancer who had worked in Sudbury or Elliot Lake (or both), and sometimes elsewhere. Individuals who assist workers in filing compensation claims were also interviewed in Sudbury and Elliot Lake. Interviews (n = 11) were transcribed and analyzed thematically.Results Caregiver themes focused on the long time to, and the shock of, diagnosis and dealing with lung cancer; not much of a life for caregivers; strong views about potential cancer causes; concerns about financial impacts; compensation experiences and long time to compensation; and suggestions for additional support. Quality-of-life scores were below the norm for most measures. Individuals who assist workers in preparing claims were passionate about challenges in the compensation journey; the requirement for more and better family support; the need to focus on compensation compared with cost control; the need for better exposure monitoring, controls, resources, and research; and job challenges, barriers, and satisfaction.Conclusions Caregivers expressed a need for more education about the compensation process and for greater support. Worker representatives required persistence, additional workplace monitoring and controls, additional research, and a focus on compensation compared with cost control. They also emphasized the need for more family support.

2007 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivete Alonso Bredda Saad ◽  
Neury José Botega ◽  
Ivan Felizardo Contrera Toro

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: There is increasing involvement of health professionals in organizing protocols to determine the impact of lung surgery on functional state and activities of daily living, with the aim of improving quality of life (QoL). The objective of this study was to investigate predictors of QoL improvement among patients undergoing parenchyma resection due to lung cancer. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study, at teaching hospital of Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). METHODS: 36 patients with lung cancer diagnosis were assessed before surgery and on the 30th, 90th and 180th days after surgery. The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used as the dependent variable. The independent variables were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, a six-minute walking test (6-MWT), a visual analogue scale for pain, forced vital capacity (FVC), type of surgery and use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) were utilized. RESULTS: The median age for these 20 men and 16 women was 55.5 ± 13.4 years. Both FVC and 6-MWT were predictors of improvement in the physical dimensions of QoL (p = 0.011 and 0.0003, respectively), as was smaller extent of surgical resection (p = 0.04). The social component of QoL had improved by the third postoperative month (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The predictors that affected QoL positively were better FVC and 6-MWT results and less extensive lung resection. Three months after the surgery, an improvement in social life was already seen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1761
Author(s):  
Anna Rutkowska ◽  
Sebastian Rutkowski ◽  
Adam Wrzeciono ◽  
Oliver Czech ◽  
Jan Szczegielniak ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of exercise training on the quality of life (QoL) of patients diagnosed with stage IIIB and stage IV non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to a passive control group (CG). The exercise-trained group (ETG) consisted of 18 patients, and the CG consisted of 8 patients. The training program in the ETG consisted of two 2-week running cycles interspersed with consecutive rounds of chemotherapy with cytostatic drugs. A comparison of the changes in the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung (FACT-L) was the primary outcome. Analysis of the results of the SGRQ and the SF-36 questionnaire did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the assessment of QoL between the examined groups. The analysis of FACT-L questionnaires showed statistically significant changes, indicating deterioration of QoL in domains describing physical well-being in the CG. Therefore, the analysis of the results of the QoL assessment did not show any significant improvements in the group of patients undergoing comprehensive exercise training, although deterioration of QoL was noted in the CG.


Author(s):  
Stefano Tozza ◽  
Dario Bruzzese ◽  
Daniele Severi ◽  
Emanuele Spina ◽  
Rosa Iodice ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patients, daily life is mainly influenced by mobility and ambulation dysfunctions. The aim of our work was to evaluate the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on daily life in CMT1A patients and its difference on the basis of age, gender, disability, and quality of life. Methods Forty-one CMT1A patients underwent neurological assessment focused on establishing clinical disability through the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score (CMTNS) and quality of life through the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. We identified from CMT disturbances 5 categories [weakness in lower limbs (WLL), weakness in upper limbs (WUL), skeletal deformities (SD), sensory symptoms (SS), balance (B)] and patients classified the categories from the highest to the lowest impact on daily life (1: highest; 5: lowest). Ranking of the 5 categories, in the overall sample and in the different subgroups (dividing by gender, median of age and disease duration, CMTNS, domains of SF-36), was obtained and differences among subgroups were assessed using a bootstrap approach. Results Rank analysis showed that WLL was the most important disturbance on daily life whereas WUL had the lowest impact. In the older CMT1A group, the most important disturbance on daily life was B that was also the most relevant disturbance in patients with a greater disability. SD influenced daily life in younger patients. SS had less impact on daily life, with the exception of patients with a milder disability. Discussion Our findings demonstrated that the perception of disturbances that mostly impact on CMT1A patients’ daily life changes over the lifetime and with degree of disability.


Author(s):  
Eman M. Khedr ◽  
Rania M. Gamal ◽  
Sounia M. Rashad ◽  
Mary Yacoub ◽  
Gellan K. Ahmed

Abstract Background Depression is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is an unmeasured risk factor, yet its symptoms can be neglected in standard disease evaluations. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and the impact of depression on quality of life in SLE patients. We recruited 32 patients with SLE and 15 healthy control volunteers in the study. The following investigations were undertaken in each patient: clinical and rheumatologic assessment, SLE Disease Activity Index-2k (SLEDAI-2k), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, and routine laboratory tests. Results There was a high percentage of depression (46.9%) in the SLE patients. Regarding quality of life (SF-36), there were significant affection of the physical and mental composite summary domains (PCS and MCS) scores in lupus patients compared with controls (P < 0.000 for both) with the same significant in depressed compared with non-depressed patients. SF-36 subscales (physical function, limit emotional, emotional wellbeing, and social function) were significantly affected in depressed lupus patients compared with non-depressed patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the score of MCS domain of SF-36 with BDI (P < 0.000) while positive correlation between SLEDAI score with depression score. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between MCS or PCS with age, duration of illness, or SLEDAI-2K. Conclusions Depression is common in SLE patients and had a negative impact on quality of life particularly on MCS domain and positive correlation with disease severity score. Trial registration This study was registered on clinical trial with registration number: NCT03165682 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03165682 on 24 May 2017.


Lung Cancer ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel R Scott ◽  
Donald C McMillan ◽  
Duncan J.F Brown ◽  
Lynn M Forrest ◽  
Colin S McArdle ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-162
Author(s):  
Steffany M. Chleboun ◽  
Kathryn Brady ◽  
Jennie Zelenak

Much of what we know about stroke is limited to the first 5 years postinjury; however, the effects of having a stroke remain several years, even decades, postinjury, and the impact this has on an individual's quality of life over a long period of time is not completely understood. Purpose The purpose of this study was to understand one woman's experience living with the effects of stroke over multiple decades postinjury and to explore factors that affected her quality of life during this time. Method Using Grounded Theory methodology, data were drawn from 28 years of journals kept by the participant and from semistructured family interviews. Results Four major interacting themes emerged from the data: family support, faith, personality, and journaling. Findings are discussed in the context of resilience theory.


2020 ◽  
Vol 182 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Mirallié ◽  
F Borel ◽  
C Tresallet ◽  
A Hamy ◽  
M Mathonnet ◽  
...  

Objective This study is to determine the impact of complications after total thyroidectomy on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and to identify significant predictive factors of HR-QoL changes. HR-QoL is usually impaired in patients with thyroid diseases compared to the general population. Thyroidectomy is largely performed in the case of benign thyroid benign and can be associated with long-term complications (vocal cord palsy, hypoparathyroidism). Design The prospective ThyrQoL multicenter trial (NCT02167529) included 800 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign or malignant non-extensive disease in seven French referral hospitals between 2014 and 2016. Methods HR-QoL was assessed using the MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) self-questionnaire with a 6-month follow-up. Results We observed a significant improvement of HR-QoL 6 months after surgery (P < 0.0001). Postoperative complications were associated with a non-significant impairment of HR-QoL. In multivariable analysis, Graves’ disease was associated with a significant improvement of HR-QoL (OR = 2.39 [1.49; 3.84]) and thyroid malignant disease with an impairment of HR-QoL (OR = 1.44 [0.99; 2.08]) after thyroidectomy. Conclusion We observed a significant improvement of HR-QoL 6 months after total thyroid surgery for benign thyroid disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Fatima I. AlNashri ◽  
Hayfa H. Almutary ◽  
Elham A. Al Nagshabandi

Context: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a life-threatening problem of global concern. Living with CKD is associated with many psychological problems, including depression and anxiety, which can directly or indirectly affect the quality of life. Only one review in the existing literature has assessed these associations among CKD patients using different dialysis modalities. However, the experience of these symptoms could be higher among patients on hemodialysis therapy. In this purview, there is a need to narrow the previous work to be more focused on hemodialysis patients. Aim: This scoping review aims to determine the gaps in the knowledge about the impact of anxiety and depression concerning QOL among people undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: The studies selected were those examined the relationships between depression or/and anxiety with quality of life in adult patients on hemodialysis. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Pub Med databases were searched for literature published between January 2012 and December 2019. The quality of the included studies was also apprised. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Six studies examined the impact of depression and anxiety on the quality of life. Five studies identified from the review have examined the relationships between depression and quality of life. It was established that the prevalence of anxiety and depression was high among hemodialysis patients, and the same was associated with low quality of life. Conclusion: The literature review highlights the negative associations between anxiety, depression, and quality of life among hemodialysis patients. It is, therefore, essential to screen hemodialysis patients frequently for anxiety and depression using a short-form questionnaire. This screening would allow for providing early interventions, and the potential deterioration of quality of life could be prevented. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess these relationships. Additionally, further research is needed to determine effective interventional programs to improve the overall quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 90-97
Author(s):  
E. A. Toneev ◽  
O. V. Pikin ◽  
V. I. Orelkin ◽  
A. L. Charyshkin ◽  
A. A. Martynov ◽  
...  

Background. Pneumonectomy is one of the most traumatic thoracic surgeries, leading to a significant decrease in the patient’s functional status. Despite numerous questionnaires, there is no standard approach to the study of the quality of life of patients who have undergone radical surgery for lung cancer.The purpose of the study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of the quality of life of patients who underwent pneumonectomy during the period 2017–2018, taking into account the extent of surgery, presence of concomitant disease and adjuvant antitumor treatment.Material and Methods. Changes in the quality of life (qol) during combined modality treatment were evaluated in 40 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. To assess the functional status, the criteria adopted for determining the surgical risk were used. The st. George`s Respiratory Questionnaire (sgrq) and Quality Outcomes study short-Form 36 (sf-36) were used to assess the respiratory system of patients. Data collection was carried out 12 months after surgery using a questionnaire method based on a direct survey of respondents.Conclusion. Postoperative special treatment significantly worsens both the functional parameters of patients and the quality of life. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patient with participation of an oncologist, pulmonologist, physiotherapist, and rehabilitologist is required.


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