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The aim of the study was to determine the level of QoL (quality of life) satisfaction/dissatisfaction in patients with colorectal cancer in eight health concepts in the study and control group. In this cross-sectional study, the standardized questionnaire MOS of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used. The study group consisted of patients who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer (n = 18, 83.3% males; mean age 62.3 ± 15.9 years). The control group consisted of patients who were diagnosed with other diseases but not cancerous ones (n = 34, 58.8% males; mean age 50.6 ± 8.2 years). In the study group the highest rate of patient QoL dissatisfaction (expressed as a mean score) was observed in the subcategory of role limitations due to physical health (6.9 ± 11.5), whereas in the control group one of the highest rate of patients QoL satisfaction was achieved in this category (69.1 ± 39.9; P = 0.000). A similar high significant result was observed in the subcategory of role limitations due to emotional problems: there was a very low score in the study group and a high score in the control group (7.4 ± 18.3 and 71.6 ± 37.7, respectively; P = 0.000). The highest rate of patients QoL satisfaction in the study group and the control group was observed in the subcategory of pain (31.7 ± 15.6 and 77.6 ± 13.9, respectively; P = 0.000). Our results are the argument for intervention aimed at understanding the QoL experienced by colorectal cancer patients. This is essential for evaluating the full impact of the illness on individuals, their families and their communities.

Introduction: The number of long-term surviving patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is growing. Their quality of life is rarely examined. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in long-term surviving patients with CRC and determine demographic and clinical correlations that significantly affect HRQoL of the patients. Methods: 162 long-term CRC survivors in the Slovak Republic were contacted through self-help groups. The condition for inclusion in the sample was at least three years of survival after diagnosis of CRC and termination of the treatment. The patients filled-in two questionnaires of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer: QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR 29. Results: The analysis of the results shows statistically significant correlations between sex and Fatigue - SFA (p = 0.011) and Insomnia - SL (p = 0.005). Significant correlations between age and Role functioning - RF2 (p = 0.041) and Nausea and vomiting - NV (p = 0.011) have been shown. There are significant correlations between age and the following scales: Body image - BI (p = 0.023), Anxiety - ANX (p = 0.011), Sexual interest - SEXF (p = 0.006), Financial difficulties - FI (p = 0.015) and Dyspareunia - DYS (p = 0.034). None of the scales correlate with disease duration. Conclusions: The quality of life in the study group was not affected by the duration of survival. The quality of life scales are affected by age and sex of the respondents.

The aim of the study was to find out the quality of life in patients with laryngeal cancer after the treatment and to compare it with the quality of life of the general population of the same average age. Data collection was conducted through a cross-sectional quantitative survey using the standardized World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), including the population standards for the age groups. Data collection was undertaken in patients treated at the Otorhinolaryngological Department. Data from 42 patients, with an average age of 70 (16 patients with permanent tracheostomy) were evaluated. A t-test was used for the statistical evaluation of the quality of life in patients after the treatment of laryngeal cancer and the general population of the same average age. We found out that patients displayed a higher quality of life in most areas of the WHOQOL-BREF (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environment, and overall quality of life and health). A difference was found in the area of physical health, which patients rated lower than the other surveyed areas. The use of the paired t-test for equal and unequal variances demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the subjective WHOQOL-BREF assessment of the quality of life between patients after the treatment of laryngeal cancer and the general population of the given average age. From a practical point of view (clinical intervention), it cannot be clearly stated that the results of the quality of life of patients after the treatment of laryngeal cancer are significantly different from the values of the given average age population.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of Type D personality with demographic factors and various clinical characteristics, as well as the relationship of Type D personality with the quality of working life among adult childhood cancer survivors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1st September 2018 until 1st September 2019. The participants were working adult childhood cancer survivors who were undergoing hospital follow-up sessions. Type D personality was assessed using the Type D scale, while the quality of working of life was evaluated using the Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and bivariate correlations were used to analyse the data collected. Among the adult childhood cancer survivors, 25.3 percent were found to have Type D personality. The study results showed the association of Type D personality with employment status [F(2, 66) = 3.27, p = 0.028] and the number of cancer diagnoses performed [t(67) = -3.89, p = 0.000]. Type D personality was also associated with decreased quality of working life (r = -0.289, n = 69, p < 0.05). This investigation, the first to assess Type D personality among adult childhood cancer survivors in Malaysia, offers new knowledge that can be used to help practitioners design intervention strategies to curb damaging psychological tendencies among this group, and improve their emotional and social wellbeing.

Objective: Multiple sclerosis is characterized by a diverse clinical course and high disability of the disease. The aim of the study was to identify and analyse the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The authors collected data using WHOQOL-BREF tool. The research sample consisted of 81.40% women and 18.60% men. In terms of age, the largest representation was recorded in persons aged 31-50 (56.98%). The research sample was divided into two groups: persons with a disease duration of up to 11 years (60.47%), and persons with a disease duration over 11 years (39.53%). Results: We compared the research findings in each domain with the standard population Statistical significance was confirmed in the physical domain in the area of mobility (p = 0.002**). Pain and discomfort were perceived more positively in both groups (M = 2.54 and M = 2.93) than in the population standard (PN = 4.03). We confirmed the statistical significance of survival in the area of concentration (p = 0.045*). The availability of health services proved to be important (p = 0.027**) in the environmental field. When comparing both groups in terms of disease duration, statistical significance was confirmed in the health satisfaction domain (p = 0.049*). Conclusion: Decreased ability to move independently represents the greatest correlation with decreased quality of life. For patients with multiple sclerosis, it is advisable to create checklists and rehabilitation programs to improve their quality of life.

The quality of life of sufferers of chronic and serious diseases is a phenomenon which has come to the attention of contemporary medicine, nursing and other supporting professionals working with cancer patients. This research set out to determine whether there is a difference in the self-perception of the quality of life of hospitalized cancer patients and cancer outpatients.
This study deals with the comparison of quality of life in 128 outpatient and hospitalized cancer patients in the curative stage of cancer. The QLACS (Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors) "How do I live with the disease?" questionnaire was used in the survey. To ascertain the total value of the quality of life we used scoring with a potential spread of responses from 1 to 7 in the QLACS questionnaire. Using this scale, various items in the questionnaire measured the level of each frequency of problems (1 = never, 7 = always). The resulting value of quality of life of the patient was higher when the final score was lower. A significance level of 0.005 in the resulting value of quality of life (sig. = 0.000) in the study group of patients confirmed the hypothesis, which assumed that the quality of life of hospitalized cancer patients is significantly lower than the quality of life of cancer outpatients. The quality of life of hospitalized cancer patients is significantly lower than the quality of life of cancer outpatients (sig. = 0.000) since admission to hospital with all the accompanying negative factors for the patient - the separation from family and loved ones, unfamiliar environment, undergoing often difficult and invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, which amongst others, are very stressful for the patient, with a potentially negative impact on the patient's quality of life.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is the most frequent cancer in the head and neck area. Approximately one third of patients are treated by total laryngectomy (TL). The rate of the patient's adaptation to new conditions is crucial to the quality of his or her future life. Some patients survive tens of years after this operation. The preparation for TL is a complicated process that affects a patient's cooperation in postsurgical time. The patient is informed of the essence of the disease, treatment possibilities, the process of preoperative preparation, as well as the operation itself. Great emphasis is put on awareness of the postoperative development, the patient's good cooperation, as well as good prognosis of the disease. Losing one's voice and the cosmetic defects caused by the tracheostoma are a great problem for the patient. The aim of this study was to show the main problems that patients after total laryngectomy deal with in common life.
Material: In the group, there were 102 patients who had been operated on between 2003 and 2013, 62 of which met the classification criteria.
Methods: This prospective study was statistically evaluated. The frequencies of responses were processed in tables.
Results: During the early postoperative period, the greatest problem of patients after total laryngectomy is their adaptation to new principles of breathing, which is subsequently followed by the adaptation to a new and different way of communication. The best option for the patient is to communicate using esophageal voice. Only 55% of operated patients use one of the verbal forms of alternative voice communication in their future lives.

The validated Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory^TM questionnaires (PedsQL^TM) are globally used for measuring the quality of life of children who suffer from diabetes mellitus and cerebral palsy. In the Czech Republic, the PedsQL^TM questionnaires are used very little. The goal of this review article is to inform experts and the wider public about the use of the validated PedsQL^TM questionnaires in families with children who suffer from diabetes mellitus and cerebral palsy. We used the content analysis of documents/studies that are focused on the validated PedsQL^TM questionnaires which deal with children who suffer from diabetes mellitus and cerebral palsy. We used the databases of WOS, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus. The results of our analysis show that the PedsQL^TM questionnaires are globally used. The PedsQL^TM questionnaires have been translated into 109 world languages (the generic module; other special modules have been translated into fewer languages) including Czech. Despite this fact, these questionnaires are not very known in the Czech Republic, nor used for measuring the quality of life of children and their families. The results of the studies confirm the usefulness of the PedsQL^TM questionnaires in our goal group, i.e. children who suffer from diabetes mellitus and cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the quality life of patients with psoriasis treated with biologics, and to analyze the various factors that determine it. Methods: The cross-sectional study was realized with 117 patients at the Centre for Biologic Therapy in Slovakia. The factors analyzed were: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), localization of skin changes, duration of the disease, length of use of biologics, BMI. Results: Mean score of DLQI was 9.03 (SD = 6.59, range = 2-23). DLQI significantly correlates with PASI (r = 0.347), length of use of biologics (r = -0.286), illness perception (r = 0.557) and anxiety (r = 0.338). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that PASI (β = 0.252) and illness perception (β = 2.209) were significant predictors of a patient's quality life. Conclusions: The findings of study indicate that the quality life of psoriatic patients treated with biologics is determined by the disease severity and illness perception. Therefore it is very important to include a psychosocial dimension (assessment, effective intervention) in the care of these patients.

Introduction: Evaluating quality of life in stroke patients is an essential part of treatment. Quality of life can be predicted not only by the physical disability after a stroke, but also by the patient's psychosocial state. The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the acute phase after strokes. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive type of study was carried out. The research sample consisted of 79 patients after a stroke (Mage = 67.9 ± 12.3). Depression and anxiety were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used for data analysis. Results: Depression and anxiety predicted overall quality of life in patients after a stroke. The physical aspect of quality of life and overall quality of life were strongly predicted by depression, while the psychosocial aspect of quality of life was strongly related to anxiety in stroke patients. Higher depression and anxiety are manifested in a worsened quality of life, and it is similar in the physical and psychosocial aspects. Approximately 20% of patients had severe depression and anxiety. Conclusions: A patient's quality of life after a stroke is affected not only by their functional condition, but also by psychosocial distress. Early diagnostics of psychosocial distress should be an important part of the care and treatment of stroke patients.

Background: Lung resection can cause changes in patients' functional status, potentially affecting their quality of life. For effective care planning after resection, it is necessary to identify areas of quality of life that require special attention. Objectives: This prospective study aimed to compare the quality of life, health, and disability before lung resection and three months after it. Methods: Quality of life, health, and disability were assessed using standardized tools: Short Form-12 version 2, and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2. Results: The research group included 44 patients with a mean age of 65.7 years (min. 37, max. 79) referred for lung resection. Men were more represented in the study group (56.8%) than women. Three months after the surgery, statistically significant deterioration in the quality of life was observed in the domains of Physical functioning (p = 0.016) and Bodily pain (p = 0.044). Where disability was concerned, the overall score also deteriorated (p < 0.001). This was driven predominantly by the domains of Mobility (p < 0.001), Life activities (p < 0.001), and Participation (p = 0.037). Conclusion: The deterioration in the quality of life in multiple domains three months after lung resection is highly significant. The deterioration in the domains Physical functioning and Bodily pain in the quality of life field, and of Mobility, Life activities, and Participation in the health and disability score identifies these areas as those that need special attention when planning post-surgery care for these patients.

Objectives: The aim of the paper is to present the results of research aimed at determining the quality of life of parents of a child with a disability. Theoretical base: Quality of life, as a multidimensional and multidisciplinary concept, is an important research area in social work. In Slovakia, at least 2,500 children are born with a disability every year. This situation is a long-term burden for parents and the extended family that significantly affects their quality of life. Methods: To reach our goal, we have chosen a quantitative research strategy using a valid research tool, the standardized Family Quality of Life Scale. Results: Results of the research indicate a higher level of quality of life of the respondents than we expected. However, a reduced quality of life of the respondents was found in the dimensions of the scale "Parenting", "Family interaction" and "Emotional well-being". The research also confirmed that there are statistically significant differences in the quality of life of respondents depending on marital status, self-governing region, and education.

Objective: One of the complications in patients after limb amputation is phantom pain (PP) in the missing limb. Mirror therapy (MT) is a non-pharmacological approach to PP. The objective of the study is to describe and assess possible applications, effectiveness, practicability, and international experience with MT in patients with PP after limb amputation. Methods: A descriptive mapping study that analyses, compares, and clusters the content of 22 relevant studies. The search was performed between 2000 and 2017 using the keywords and their combinations in the following databases: EBSCO, PsychINFO, PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, including metasearch engines. Results: The specificities of PP after the application of MT in post amputation patients vary by the location of the amputated limb. MT alleviates PP in patients after amputation of the upper limb, lower limb, as well as in mixed groups (after amputation of the upper limb or lower limb); virtual MT is considered an alternative approach. MT remains a rather experimental therapeutic modality aimed at patients, where other attempts to alleviate PP have failed. Regarding the fact that MT is frequently modified and combined with other approaches (including various indications), the effectiveness of MT cannot be fully generalized. The main finding is the evidence of a short-term effect of MT on decreasing the intensity of PP. Conclusions: Although MT is a relatively new phenomenon compared with other therapies, approaches and interventions, it is well known in foreign countries, and the range of indication is increasing. For MT to be generally spread and acknowledged, further research is needed together with a transfer of knowledge to teams providing comprehensive care to these patients. The outcomes of the mapping study will be used for a detailed analysis of the issue in the Czech Republic, where MT is used rarely and as an experimental additional therapy (particularly in occupational therapy).

Goals: Our goal was to establish the level of life quality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and to find out whether there was a connection between their gender, socio-demographic status, BMI, number of comorbidities, NYHA class, treatment regime, time of treatment, age, and quality of life. Methods: This research was conducted in 2018 at cardiology outpatient wards in patients with CHF using the standardized Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). In order to perform complex monitoring of the relations among the variables within the study we conducted regression analysis, however, in exploratory regime as a descriptive technique, and so regardless of the value of statistical significance, and without an attempt to generalize. The model was realized using the ENTER method. Our goal was to include all of the above variables in it. We then estimated the relative power of influence using a standardized beta coefficient. Results: Based on the values of this coefficient we can say that an increasing NYHA class, and being a male disabled retiree has the most significant influence on life quality. Adherence to the treatment regime does not have a significant impact on life quality; in fact, strict adherence to it may even result in its worsening. Conclusions: For patients with a different NYHA class, treatment goals may differ. It is important for them to be aware of the fact that even if adherence to the treatment regime interferes with their quality of life, adherence to it is necessary in order to slow down the progress of this serious disease.

Introduction: Strokes are the third most common cause of hospitalization in Slovakia. This is a serious social and economic problem, because after a stroke almost half of the patients have a persistent neurological deficit. The goal of this research was to assess the quality of life of patients who have had an acute stroke. Design: Quantitative cross-sectional study. Methods: The Stroke Impact Scale (SIS 3.0) was completed by 80 patients, an average age of 69.9 (± 9.49) years within 28 days after a stroke. The results were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation. Results: The average score for each SIS 3.0 domain ranged from 48.28 (social participation) to 75.18 (communication). The overall recovery rate was estimated at an average of 54.10 (± 29.19) points. There were no significant differences in the SIS domains by gender, and a worse score in the memory and thinking domain was only identified in women (p ≤ 0.05). Older age significantly correlated with most domains (p ≤ 0.05). The association between overall recovery rate and all SIS domains (p ≤ 0.05), except the emotion domain, was confirmed. Conclusions: Assessing the consequences of strokes is important for the effective management of healthcare, psychological and social care, respecting the individual needs of the patient.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, and its dependence on the duration of ulceration, the use of insulin therapy, smoking and Body Mass Index. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A standardized questionnaire, the Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale, was used for data collection. A quantitative study included 247 adults with diabetic foot ulcers. Data collection was performed between April 2014 and December 2014 in 18 podiatric outpatient and chronic wound outpatient clinics spread out over the entire Czech Republic. Results: The study found that the highest average index of quality of life was in the domain of noncompliance (84.6), while the lowest was in the domain of leisure (49.2). The duration of diabetic foot ulcer has significant influence on three domains of quality of life: physical health (p = 0.022), noncompliance (p = 0.044) and positive attitude (p = 0.018). The use of insulin therapy has an important influence on three domains of quality of life: physical health (p = 0.002), daily activities (p = 0.012) and emotions (p = 0.029). Statistically significant differences in quality of life scores have been found between smokers and non-smokers in two domains: noncompliance (p < 0.0001) and positive attitude (p = 0.003). Conclusions: In our sample it was demonstrated that quality of life is dependent on the duration of diabetic foot ulcers - the longer the duration, the lower the quality of life. The dependence was revealed in three domains: physical health, noncompliance and positive attitude. The use of insulin therapy as well as smoking proved to have an impact on the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The use of insulin therapy as well as smoking proved to have an impact on the quality of life of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Prevention, early detection and monitoring of diabetic foot ulcers is necessary in order to prevent continuing deterioration of quality of life of diabetic patients.

Introduction: Chronic pain has become a common problem in primary care and can negatively impact the lives of patients. Objective: To evaluate and investigate the impact of chronic lower back pain on patients' quality of life (QoL) using quantitative and qualitative data. Methods: A standardized SF-36 quality of life questionnaire was used. The group included 161 respondents aged 18 and over, with chronic lower back pain, lasting at least 6 months, with a diagnosis of lumbosciatica radicular syndrome. The average age of the respondents was 49.8 years. Results: The RP (Role Physical) and DZ (change in health) had the lowest average score. The values of the individual domains of the sexes are comparable. The most significant difference is in the Physical Functioning domain, which was rated higher by women (W; d = 62.9; M; d = 52.3). All domains have significant correlations with age (p < 0.001), with the exception of VT - vitality, and MH - mental health. The statistical significance was also determined between Seniority (Employment) and RP - physical restrictions, Bodily Pain and Physical Component Summary. They worsen with seniority. All domain scores correlate with employment. A strong statistical relationship between Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary was demonstrated. Conclusions: The results show that the quality of life of patients with chronic lower back pain decreases significantly with age. Seniority deepens physical restrictions (Role Physical) and worsens Bodily Pain as well as Physical Component Summary.

With the development of dialysing and treating process the life expectancy is extended and the patient's need of an improved quality of life (QoL) arises as well, but still not enough close to the level of a healthy population.
We performed an area assessment of quality of life (QoL) in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the Czech Republic (n = 95; male/female = 49/46, average age 56.9 ± 12.8; total time on PD from 0.25 to 224 months; average time of PD 29.1 ± 32.4 months). Rating in QoL of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) is significantly decreased as compared with average values of Czech standards, especially in the domain "physical health" (p < 0.001). Significantly higher average rating was found in the domain of "environment" (p < 0.001) and "DIS module" (p = 0.035).
In addition to quality of the health care nonmedical interventions that support the improvement of QoL, especially in the domain of physical health, should be also included in the treatment plan, and thus support the ageing population of dialysis patients maintaining self-sufficiency and self-care. One of the possibilities is exercise intervention, which should be seen as the way to improve the treatment. It should be seen as cost effective, efficient and acceptable for patients.