Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, and Psychosocial Support Status of Caregivers Having Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study From Bangladesh.

Background Although caregiving is considered a normal phenomenon for parents, delivering care to a child with neurodevelopmental disabilities can be taxing and disastrously impact parents' quality of life (QoL). This study explored the relationship between QoL, coping strategies, and psychosocial support status of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Methodology This cross-sectional study included 906 caregivers of children having neurodevelopmental disabilities utilizing the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief and Perceived Stress Scale. A tailored questionnaire gauged coping strategies and psychosocial support. Linear regression was used to identify significant contributors. Results Most caregivers (78.8%) experienced a moderate level of stress, and their QoL scores were 14.4 (SD = 2.5) for physical health, 12.0 (SD = 2.4) for psychological health, 14.6 (SD = 1.9) for social relationships, and 12.1 (SD = 2.1) for the environment. Mothers had the lowest QoL of all caregivers. Negative influences on QoL encompassed caregiver and child age, perceived stress, and lower socioeconomic status. A higher coping score positively predicted a high health-related QoL score. Gender differences were observed in psychosocial support sources. Conclusions The study underscores the need for policymaking considering findings to develop psychosocial intervention programs for enhancing the QoL of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Impact of Various Treatment Modalities on Long-Term Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Survivors.

Introduction Given treatment advancements and the long life expectancy of mostly young patients with cervical cancer, their post-treatment quality of life (QoL) is essential to consider. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term QoL in cervical cancer survivors treated with various approaches. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Cervical Cancer Module 24 (EORTC-QLQ-CX24) questionnaires and involved members of the online cervical cancer patient support group (01/2024-02/2024). Eligible participants were ≥18 years old, diagnosed with stage IA2-IIB cervical cancer, and had completed their treatment. Respondents were stratified into four management groups: neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery +/- radiation therapy (RT), surgery + RT, RT alone, and surgery alone. Results Overall, 173 patients participated: 20 (11.6%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery +/- RT, 50 (28.9%) had surgery + RT, 69 (39.9%) had RT alone, and 34 (19.7%) had surgery alone. Patients after surgery alone had significantly better global QoL (p<0.001). Their physical (p<0.001), role (p=0.037), emotional (p=0.024), and social (p=0.006) functioning were also substantially better. This group also reported the lowest severity of fatigue (p=0.001), nausea and vomiting (p<0.001), and diarrhea (p<0.001). Sexual functioning was better in the surgery-alone group in almost all aspects. There were no major differences in QoL among the groups, receiving RT alone or combined with other treatments. Conclusions Cervical cancer survivors who underwent surgery alone reported the highest QoL and lower symptom intensity compared to those treated with RT or treatment combinations. RT combined with other modalities did not appear to substantially decrease QoL compared to RT alone.

Emphasis on Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Bronchial Asthma.

Quality of life (QoL) encompasses the overall well-being of individuals or populations, addressing both positive and negative elements at specific points in time. It is critical to recognize that mere existence is insufficient; the standard of living plays a vital role. The domains of symptom, emotion and activity need to be focused and areas requiring intervention to enhance individual and societal health should be understood, thus alleviating burdens on society, government, and healthcare systems. Bronchial asthma is one such area. Untreated asthma correlates with higher absenteeism and poorer academic performance in children and there is an overall impact on their overall well-being. Research shows that proper medical treatment and counseling significantly improve QoL in asthmatic children, particularly in the activity and symptom domains, though the emotional domain often shows no significant improvement. In India, limited studies have assessed QoL domains in asthmatic children, and even fewer have implemented steps to improve QoL. Evaluating QoL helps assess treatment efficacy and the need for further care, underscoring the importance of addressing asthma's long-term effects on children's well-being.

Decision regret analysis in early URSL vs medical expulsive therapy 1 for ureteric calculi ≤ 1cm.

BACKGROUND: The study assesses the decisional regret following Shared Decision-making (SDM) in patients selecting either early ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) or medical expulsive therapy (MET) for ureteric stones ≤ 1 cm, with the aim to evaluate their decisional Conflict, satisfaction, and regret regarding their opted treatment choices. METHODS: Adults aged more than 18 years with one stone up to 1 cm in either ureter were included. After SDM, the patients were allocated into their opted group viz. URSL or MET. Patients in each group were reassessed at "treatment completion". Cambridge Ureteric Stone PROM (CUSP) questionnaire for HRQoL, Decision Regret Scale and the OPTION scale (SDM) were filled at treatment completion. FINDINGS: 111 patients opted for MET, while 396 patients opted for early URSL. Mean stone size was larger in URSL group (7.16 ± 1.63 mm vs. 5.50 ± 1.89; p < 0.001). Decisional conflict was higher in patients opting for URSL (77.3% vs. 57.7%; p < 0.001). Stone-free rate at four weeks was higher in URSL group (87.1%vs68.5%, p < 0.001). Decisional regret was higher in patients opting for MET (33.24 ± 30.89 vs. 17.26 ± 12.92; p = 0.002). Anxiety, was higher in patients opting for MET (6.94 ± 1.89 vs. 5.85 ± 1.54; p < 0.001). Urinary symptoms and interference in patients' travel plans and work-related activities were more in URSL group (6.21 ± 1.57 vs. 5.59 ± 1.46; p < 0.001 and 6.56 ± 1.59 vs. 6.05 ± 1.72; p < 0.001 respectively). INTERPRETATION: After SDM, decisional regret is higher in patients opting for MET mainly due protracted treatment duration with increased pain and anxiety during the treatment course and the need for additional procedure for attaining stone clearance and the. Despite higher decisional conflict, a larger proportion of patients opt for early URSL with the aim of avoiding anxiety and achieving early stone clearance.

Patient satisfaction and operator proficiency in gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy under IONM: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the surgical safety and effectiveness of gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy (GTET), assess patients' short-term perceptions and long-term outcomes, and delineate the learning curve and key surgical techniques of the operators. Materials and methods: Clinicopathological and postoperative follow-up data from patients with unilateral thyroid cancer in the same period were collected. These patients were divided into the GTET group and the traditional open surgery group to compare and analyze the differences and explore the factors affecting the learning curve of GTET. Results: Patients who chose GTET had better general health and thyroid conditions than those in the open group, and the quality of postoperative life was better in the GTET group than in the open group, with the main differences between the two groups being appearance and neck and shoulder function. The GTET learning curve in this study peaked at 19 cases, with slight differences between left and right, and a larger sample size is still needed to explore the factors affecting the learning curve. Conclusions: GTET has a reliable safety and efficacy profile for patients with unilateral thyroid cancer. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) techniques require some adaptation in GTET. In some respects, patients' postoperative experience and quality of life are superior to those of conventional open surgery. There is a learning curve for GTET, but large samples are still needed to explore its true significance.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction of Patients with Malignant IDH Wild-Type Gliomas and Their Caregivers.

(1) Background: Clinical aspects like sex, age, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and psychosocial distress can affect the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and treatment satisfaction of patients with malignant isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type (IDHwt) gliomas and caregivers. (2) Methods: We prospectively investigated the HR-QoL and patient/caregiver treatment satisfaction in a cross-sectional study with univariable and multiple regression analyses. Questionnaires were applied to investigate the HR-QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BN20) and treatment satisfaction (EORTC PATSAT-C33). (3) Results: A cohort of 61 patients was investigated. A higher KPS was significantly associated with a better HR-QoL regarding the functional scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (p < 0.004) and a lower symptom burden regarding the EORTC QLQ-BN20 (p < 0.001). The patient treatment satisfaction was significantly poorer in the patients older than 60 years in the domain of family involvement (p = 0.010). None of the investigated aspects showed a significant impact on the treatment satisfaction of caregivers. (4) Conclusions: We demonstrated that in patients with IDHwt gliomas, the KPS was the most important predictor for a better HR-QoL in functional domains. Data on the HR-QoL and treatment satisfaction in patients with IDHwt gliomas and their caregivers are rare; therefore, further efforts should be made to improve supportive care in this highly distressed cohort.

Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a self-directed online psychosocial intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer: Finding My Way-Advanced.

PURPOSE: Few digital interventions target patients with advanced cancer. Hence, we feasibility-tested Finding My Way-Advanced (FMW-A), a self-guided program for women with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: A single-site randomised controlled pilot trial was conducted. Participants were recruited through clinicians, professional networks, and social media and randomised to intervention or usual-care control. Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention (FMW-A; a 6-week, 6-module CBT-based online self-directed psychosocial program for women with MBC + usual care resources) or control (usual care resources: BCNA's Hope and Hurdles kit). Feasibility outcomes included rates of recruitment, uptake, engagement, and attrition. Distress, QOL, and unmet needs were evaluated for signals of efficacy, and qualitative feedback was collected to assess acceptability. RESULTS: Due to COVID-19 and funding constraints, the target recruitment of 40 was not reached (n = 60 approached; n = 55 eligible; n = 35 consented). Uptake was high (n = 35/55; 63.6%), engagement modest (median 3/6 modules per user), and attrition acceptable (66% completed post-treatment). Efficacy signals were mixed: compared to controls, FMW-A participants experienced small improvements in fear of progression (d = 0.21) and global QOL (d = 0.22) and demonstrated a trend towards improvements in cancer-specific distress (d = 0.13) and role functioning (d = 0.18). However, FMW-A participants experienced small-to-moderate deteriorations in general distress (d = 0.23), mental QOL (d = 0.51), and social functioning (d = 0.27), whereas controls improved. Qualitatively, participants (n = 4) were satisfied with the program, perceived it as appropriate, but noted some sections could evoke transient distress. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated feasibility (high uptake and acceptable retention) and generated realistic recruitment estimates. While FMW-A appears promising for targeting cancer-specific distress and fear of progression, the mixed findings in quality of life and general distress warrant further revisions and testing.

Health related quality of life and associated factors among patients treated for ischaemic heart disease in two public sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the level of health-related quality of life among patients treated for ischaemic heart disease in two public-sector tertiary care settings. METHODS: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2021 at two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi after approval from the ethics review boards of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Dow University of Health Sciences, and comprised patients of either gender treated for ischaemic heart disease after being diagnosed within the preceding year who were coming for follow-up in the outpatient department. Data was collected using the short version of the World Health Organisation quality of life tool. Association of socio-demographic and clinical variables with health-related quality of life was explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients aged 25-85 years, 212(70.7%) were males and 88(29.3%) were females. The mean total quality of life score was 6.1+/-1.4, while mean general health was 52.6+/-10.5. The lowest score among quality of life subscales was for environmental 44.7+/-15.1, while the highest score was for psychological 60.1+/-10.7 domains. Quality of life was significantly associated with patients' age, education, comorbidities, marital status, monthly income, body mass index, activities of daily living and smoking status (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ischaemic heart disease patients had average health-related quality of life in all domains, but showed low quality of life in the environmental domain.

Health and behavior factors, quality of life and productivity among commercial fishermen in Rhode Island, US: a research framework.

BACKGROUND: Commercial fishermen represent a particularly vulnerable group within the Blue Economy (BE), enduring hazardous working conditions, strenuous labor, prolonged exposure to extreme weather, and irregular sleep and nutritional patterns. The health of these invisible workers holds significant implications for the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of fisheries, as it directly influences productivity. Despite their importance, no public data are available on fishermen's cardiometabolic health and health behaviors in Rhode Island. However, sound evidence suggests elevated cardiometabolic risks, altered sleep patterns, and chronic stress in similar fishermen populations globally. This paper establishes a comprehensive research framework to examine commercial fishermen's cardiometabolic health, protective and risk factors, quality of life (QoL), lifestyle behaviors, and productivity. The overarching goal is to identify potential targets for intervention to improve commercial fishermen's health behaviors, QoL, and cardiovascular health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following the STROBE guidelines, this framework includes methodological, societal, environmental, and economic aspects to guide the development of an exploratory study protocol. A two-phase mixed-methods study will be conducted. Phase 1 (qualitative) will hold two focus groups (n = 6-10 participants per group) and will inform Phase 2 (quantitative), where biomarkers, health factors and behaviors, QoL, and productivity of commercial fishermen (n = 59) will be gathered. RESULTS: Recruitment began in January 2024, and data collection will end in August 2024. The results of this study are expected to be published in 2025. CONCLUSIONS: A framework was developed considering the impact and implications of commercial fishermen's health-related behaviors on BE-based states, sustainable communities, and marine ecosystems. This protocol established a guideline-based, two-phase mixed-methods study to explore the cardiometabolic health, QoL, and productivity of commercial fishermen. Since better cardiovascular health is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease death and all-cause mortality, the findings will provide a situational screening and inform the development of tailored theory-based preventive behavioral interventions.

Quality of life in patients with skull base meningiomas treated with microsurgery: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Skull base meningiomas are chronic conditions that can present with a wide variety of symptoms ranging from near normalcy to chronic and prolonged disability and also often worsen by treatment-related sequelae. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the quality of life (QOL) among patients with skull base meningioma and evaluate the impact of microsurgery on their overall well-being. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 36 patients undergoing microsurgery for skull base meningioma were assessed for QOL using SF-36 questionnaires. Results were compared to the QOL of 36 patients with a non-neurosurgical chronic disease (diabetes mellitus) and 36 matched healthy volunteers. This study commenced from 2019 and ended in 2022. RESULTS: All QOL parameters in skull base meningioma patients were preoperatively significantly worse than in the healthy population. The most affected QOL domain were role limitation due to physical health (RLPH) and role limitation due to emotional problems (RLEP). Within one year after surgery, skull base meningioma patients showed a significant improvement of all QOL parameters. The domains of physical functioning (PF), emotional well-being (EWB), body pain (BP) and general health (GH) improved to similar values as their matched healthy controls. However, social functioning (SF), RLPH, and RLPE remained still significantly affected. Compared to chronic diabetic patients, the domains PF, EWB, BP, and GH showed significantly better QOL values after one year in skull base meningioma patients, but RLEP and RLPH were worse. CONCLUSION: Microsurgery can significantly improve all QOL domains in skull base meningioma patients within one year. Physical activity, overall health, and mental well-being have been observed to return to even normal levels. While certain QOL domains may still be affected post-microsurgery, it is evident that microsurgery can yield a substantial improvement, ultimately raising QOL to levels surpassing those seen in other non-neurosurgical chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.

Sinonasal Outcomes after Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery in Patients With Cushing's Disease.

PURPOSE: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has become the preferred treatment for pituitary tumors, with minimal sinonasal morbidity. However, patients with Cushing's disease (CD) may represent a subgroup with prolonged impairment of sinonasal quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with CD who underwent EEA at our institution. Control patients with non-functional tumors were matched by age, gender, and extent of EEA. The primary outcome was post-operative 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores. RESULTS: Ten patients with CD met the selection criteria and 20 controls were selected for comparison. Nine of the CD patients achieved persistent endocrinologic remission post-operatively. Comparing the CD and control groups, there was no difference in post-operative SNOT-22 score at 1 or 3 months. At 6 months, SNOT-22 scores were significantly worse in the CD group (27.4 ± 21.6 vs. 2.8 ± 2.3, P = .039). SNOT-22 scores improved to normal from 1 to 6 months in the control cohort (P = .007), but not in the Cushing's group (P = .726). Morbidity was present across all SNOT-22 domains, but was highest in the sleep domain (P = .023). Only morbidity in the facial domain improved over time (P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD have significantly prolonged postoperative sinonasal QOL impairment following EEA compared to patients with non-functioning tumors, who normalize within 6 months. In CD patients, only morbidity in the facial domain, likely related to post-operative pain and nasal packing, improved over time, while the sleep domain was the most affected.

An evaluation of health-related quality of life and its relation with functional vision in children with cerebral visual impairment.

BACKGROUND: Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and its relation with functional vision is understudied in cerebral visual impairment (CVI). AIMS: Characterising HRQOL, comparing child self- and parent proxy-reports, and exploring relations with functional vision. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Seventy-three children with CVI (n females = 33; n males = 40; Mean performance age = 7y2m) were included. HRQOL was measured with Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) child self- and parent proxy-reports and compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Risk for impaired HRQOL was evaluated using cut-off scores. Parents scored functional vision using the Insight Questions Inventory and the Flemish CVI Questionnaire. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: 61 % (self-reported) or 66 % of children (proxy-reported) were at-risk for impaired total HRQOL. Ratings were correlated (rs = 0.305; p = 0.013); however, children rated higher total HRQOL compared to parent-proxy (r = 0.382; p = 0.002). The Insight Questions Inventory and the PedsQL proxy-report were correlated (rp = -0.454; p < 0.001), the Flemish CVI Questionnaire was negligibly correlated (rp = -0.244; p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: HRQOL is reduced in CVI, and both child and parent perspectives are crucial. HRQOL and functional vision are intricately related, and impairment in one negatively affects the other.

Addressing the Overlapping Challenges of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): Impacts and Integrated Management.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) are challenging vestibular disorders with overlapping symptoms that complicate diagnosis and treatment. BPPV causes transient vertigo with head movements, while PPPD involves persistent dizziness and unsteadiness. Both significantly impact the quality of life, including emotional well-being. This review examines the relationship between BPPV and PPPD, stressing the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary management. Effective treatment must address both physical and psychological aspects, using personalized care, technological innovations, and patient education to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Developing Independent Living Support for Older Adults Using Internet of Things and AI-Based Systems: Co-Design Study.

Background: The number of older people with unmet health care and support needs is increasing substantially due to the challenges facing health care systems worldwide. There are potentially great benefits to using the Internet of Things coupled with artificial intelligence to support independent living and the measurement of health risks, thus improving quality of life for the older adult population. Taking a co-design approach has the potential to ensure that these technological solutions are developed to address specific user needs and requirements. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate stakeholders' perceptions of independent living and technology solutions, identify stakeholders' suggestions on how technology could assist older adults to live independently, and explore the acceptability and usefulness of a prototype Internet of Things solution called the NEX system to support independent living for an older adult population. Methods: The development of the NEX system was carried out in 3 key phases with a strong focus on diverse stakeholder involvement. The initial predesign exploratory phase recruited 17 stakeholders, including older adults and family caregivers, using fictitious personas and scenarios to explore initial perceptions of independent living and technology solutions. The subsequent co-design and testing phase expanded this to include a comprehensive web-based survey completed by 380 stakeholders, encompassing older adults, family caregivers, health care professionals, and home care support staff. This phase also included prototype testing at home by 7 older adults to assess technology needs, requirements, and the initial acceptability of the system. Finally, in the postdesign phase, workshops were held between academic and industry partners to analyze data collected from the earlier stages and to discuss recommendations for the future development of the system. Results: The predesign phase revealed 3 broad themes: loneliness and technology, aging and technology, and adopting and using technology. The co-design phase highlighted key areas where technology could assist older adults to live independently: home security, falls and loneliness, remote monitoring by family members, and communication with clients. Prototype testing revealed that the acceptability aspects of the prototype varied across technology types. Ambient sensors and voice-activated assistants were described as the most acceptable technology by participants. Last, the postdesign analysis process highlighted that ambient sensors have the potential for automatic detection of activities of daily living, resulting in key recommendations for future developments and deployments in this area. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the significance of incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives in developing solutions that support independent living. Additionally, it emphasizes the advantages of prototype testing in home environments, offering crucial insights into the real-world experiences of users interacting with technological solutions.

Impact of Interventions by Certified Pharmacists for Outpatients with Cancer Pain on Hospital Admission after the Introduction of Opioid Analgesics.

The treatment of patients with cancer in an outpatient setting is important for maintaining patients' QOL and reducing the social burden of therapy, thus requiring extensive intervention by pharmacists in the outpatient setting. Japan has a system to certify pharmacists with specialized knowledge and skills in palliative care. However, few studies have investigated the impact of certified pharmacists' activities and of pharmacists' interventions on hospitalization and outpatient visits. Therefore, in this study, we retrospectively investigated the effects of interventions by certified pharmacists during the period from the introduction of opioid analgesics to hospitalization for pain management and the duration of outpatient visits at a single acute care hospital. Analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed that interventions by certified pharmacists significantly reduced hospitalizations for pain management (p = 0.014). Further, the results of the log-rank test showed that interventions by certified pharmacists significantly prolonged the period from the introduction of opioid analgesics to hospitalization compared with the absence of such interventions (p = 0.013). Additionally, interventions by certified pharmacists significantly increased the duration of outpatient visits compared with the absence of such interventions (p < 0.001). These results suggest that active and careful interventions by pharmacists, including certified pharmacists, contribute to the maintenance of the patients' QOL and healthcare economics by extending the period from the introduction of opioid analgesics to hospitalization for pain management and the duration of outpatient visits.

Radiofrequency ablation of bilateral splanchnic nerves in a 15-year-old patient with visceral abdominal pain cancer.

Pain, a prevalent and debilitating symptom in cancer patients, significantly diminishes the quality of life for both individuals and their families. Addressing this critical issue, our study presents the case of a 15-year-old diagnosed with synchronous multifocal multicentric osteosarcoma. We utilized radiofrequency ablation of bilateral splanchnic nerves, a strategy of multimodal pain and palliative care. This approach not only proved to be safe and effective but also markedly improved the patient's quality of life. Our findings shine a light of hope, emphasizing the paramount importance of innovative pain management in pediatric oncology, especially in the final stages of life. This case report highlights the unwavering dedication to excellence in relieving suffering, offering hope for patients grappling with cancer.

Pain is a common and serious problem for cancer patients, osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that often affects children. making life hard for them and their families. We used a therapy called radiofrequency ablation on specific nerves to manage the pain. In the case of the patient's abdominal pain, this therapy was safe, worked well, and greatly improved the patient's quality of life. Our findings show the importance of new pain management methods in helping children with cancer, helping them reduce pain, using fewer strong pain medications and helping children in this case in the final stage of life.

Evaluating the Impact of Different Treatments on the Quality of Life in Patients With Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

The profound impact of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) on patients' quality of life (QoL) highlights the critical need to identify effective treatments for this condition. This study aims to evaluate and compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among individuals diagnosed with BMS, focusing on different treatment modalities. For that purpose, a scoping review was designed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for scoping review reporting guidelines and the registration with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). An electronic search was then conducted in March 2024, encompassing the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Trip Database. Publications were deemed eligible if they assessed the impact of different treatments for BMS on health-related and oral health-related QoL. Out of the initial 5400, only 13 studies were considered suitable to be included in this review. The instrument used to evaluate HRQoL was the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). For OHRQoL, the preferred tools were the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Literature reported improvements in patients' HRQoL across the majority of analyzed treatment modalities. However, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and n-acetylcysteine (NAC) plus clonazepam were the most effective in improving OHRQoL. This review highlights several promising treatment options for improving both HRQoL and OHRQoL in individuals with BMS. Nevertheless, the variability among the studies analyzed underscores the need for further research to identify and establish consistently effective treatments for this condition, reflecting the need for consistent trial designs to accurately assess the true impact of treatments on the disease.

Validated patient reported outcome measures in speech-language pathology: A scoping review of adult practice.

PURPOSE: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to inform value-based healthcare. Within speech-language pathology (SLP), there is no synthesis of validated PROMs to guide professional practice. This scoping review systematically identifies and evaluates condition-specific PROMs across adult SLP practice. METHOD: A literature search was performed to identify studies published until 18th February 2022 from MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Collaboration, and Web of Science. Abstracts and full texts were screened in Covidence. Relevant studies that validated PROMs in English were extracted and assessed using the "Checklist to operationalise measurement characteristics of PROMs" by two independent reviewers. RESULT: Ninety-seven articles provided validation data for 71 PROMS across seven SLP practice areas. These included voice (n = 18), swallowing (n = 14), language (n = 11), fluency (n = 8), speech (n = 4), laryngectomy (n = 3), and cognitive-communication (n = 2). No PROMs were identified for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) (n = 0). Quality ratings were variable on the Francis et al. checklist. CONCLUSION: A range of validated PROMs were identified to guide SLP practice in measuring patient perceptions across a range of practice areas in adults. Opportunities for further development in SLP practice areas with limited PROMs, such as speech, cognitive-communication, and AAC are also highlighted.

Assessing the Quality of Life of Healthcare Professionals in High-Stress Units at a Tertiary Health Centre in South-eastern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Work serves as a fundamental pillar of human life, shaping both individual livelihoods and societal engagements. The intricacies of the work environment play a pivotal role in determining the Quality of Life (QoL), with increasing emphasis on creating conducive workspaces that enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. Healthcare professionals, in particular, face various factors that contribute to occupational stress and such stressors can adversely affect their health and diminish their QoL. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess the quality of life of healthcare professionals in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and other stressful units in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 296 consenting participants after approval from the ethics and research committees at NAUTH, Nnewi. They were selected using a two-stage sampling approach. Data were collected with a structured self-administered questionnaire adopted from the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The results showed the mean overall quality of life score was 74.62 ± 14.0, the mean score for the physical domain (59.15 ± 12.49), the psychological domain (70.16 ± 13.46), the social domain (65.82 ± 18.19), and the environmental domain (53.90 ± 15.49). The majority 268 (90.5%), of the respondents had good quality of life. The profession (X2 =12.44, p<.05), years of work experience (X2 = 25.85, p<.05), and income level (X2 = 19.56, p<.05), show a statistically significant association with quality of life. CONCLUSION: The result obtained from this study shows that the majority of the respondents report a good quality of life. Most respondents with poor quality of life were attributed to their profession, years of work experience and income.

INTRODUCTION: Le travail est un pilier fondamental de la vie humaine, qui façonne à la fois les moyens de subsistance individuels et les engagements sociétaux. Les subtilités de l'environnement de travail jouent un rôle essentiel dans la détermination de la qualité de vie (QoL), et l'accent est mis de plus en plus sur la création d'espaces de travail propices à l'amélioration de la satisfaction et de la productivité des employés. Les professionnels de la santé, en particulier, sont confrontés à divers facteurs qui contribuent au stress professionnel et ces facteurs de stress peuvent nuire à leur santé et diminuer leur qualité de vie. OBJECTIF: Cette étude visait à évaluer la qualité de vie des professionnels de la santé dans les unités de soins intensifs (USI) et autres unités stressantes du Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) de Nnewi. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Une étude transversale a été menée auprès de 296 participants consentants, après approbation des comités d'éthique et de recherche du NAUTH, à Nnewi. Ils ont été sélectionnés à l'aide d'une méthode d'échantillonnage en deux étapes. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré auto-administré adopté à partir de l'échelle de qualité de vie de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (WHOQOL-BREF) et analysées à l'aide du logiciel SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25.0. Le niveau de signification a été fixé à P < 0,05. RÉSULTATS: Les résultats ont montré que le score global moyen de qualité de vie était de 74,62 ± 14,0, le score moyen pour le domainephysique (59,15 ± 12,49), le domaine psychologique (70,16 ± 13,46), le domaine social (65,82 ± 18,19) et le domaine environnemental (53,90 ±15,49). La majorité des 268 (90,5%) répondants avaient une bonne qualité de vie. La profession (X2 = 12,44, p<0,05), les années d'expérience professionnelle (X2 = 25,85, p<0,05) et le niveau de revenu (X2 = 19,56, p<0,05) présentent une association statistiquement significative avec la qualité de vie. CONCLUSION: Les résultats de cette étude montrent que la majorité des personnes interrogées déclarent avoir une bonne qualité de vie. La plupart des répondants ayant une mauvaise qualité de vie sont attribués à leur profession, au nombre d'années d'expérience professionnelle et à leur revenu. MOTS CLÉS: Qualité de vie (QoL) ; Professionnels de la santé ; Unités à haut niveau de stress ; Centre de santé ; Nigeria.

Assessing Long-Term Quality of Life Concerns Through Survivorship Clinic in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the concerns of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and discern changes in quality-of-life (QoL) during long-term follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Survivorship clinic at a tertiary academic center. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on HNC patients seen in our survivorship clinic between 1/2020 and 1/2024 using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) Questionnaire. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-two patients were seen for 914 encounters. Patients were divided into 4 groups: pretreatment (n = 326), 0 to 12 months posttreatment (n = 247), 1 to 3 years posttreatment (n = 248), and more than 3 years posttreatment (n = 64). The average follow-up after treatment was 459 days (range: 0-5.2 years). Multivariable analysis revealed significant improvements in overall QoL, health-related QoL, social-emotional composite scores, activity, anxiety, appearance, chewing, mood, pain, speech, and recreation at more than 1-year posttreatment compared to less than 1-year posttreatment. However, declines were noted in saliva and taste scores. No differences in scores were observed between patients 1 to 3 years posttreatment and those >3 years posttreatment. At all timepoints before and after treatment, top concerns were pain, activity, and swallowing. Patients with oral cancer followed for more than 1-year posttreatment had worse scores in appearance, chewing, pain, and speech compared to those with oropharyngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the evolving concerns of HNC patients is imperative for enhancing care. Most QoL domains improve at 1-year posttreatment except for saliva, taste, swallowing, and shoulder function. QoL scores stabilize after 1-year post-treatment. Pain, activity, and swallowing remain the top concerns at all time points.