Effectiveness of the active communication education program in improving the general quality of life of older adults who use hearing aids: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss in older adults affects general, generic health-related and disease-specific quality of life (QoL). The conventional strategy to address it is through hearing aids, which have been shown to improve disease-specific QoL. However, the long-term results regarding general quality of life are unknown, and communication problems and stigma associated with hearing loss may persist. An effective intervention strategy to address these problems is group communication programs, most notably Active Communication Education (ACE). This program has been shown to increase communication strategies and reduce communication activity limitations and participation restrictions. These precedents allow us to hypothesize that this program could improve general QoL. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 114 older adult hearing aid users. Fifty-four subjects composed the intervention group that received the ACE program, while 60 subjects composed the control group that received an informational-lectures type intervention. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to measure general QoL. Measurements were taken before and right after the intervention, with follow-ups at 6 and 12 months. Multilevel linear mixed models were estimated, considering the WHOQOL-BREF dimension scores and total score as the outcomes, and an interaction term between time since intervention and group as the predictor. Within- and between-group comparisons were made. RESULTS: Compared to the baseline time-point, the ACE group showed significant improvements right after the intervention, and at the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups for the dimensions of psychological health, social relationships, environment, and total score. Compared to the control group, the ACE group exhibited significantly greater improvements in the social dimension at all postintervention assessments, as well as in the environment dimension and total score at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE program improved general QoL in terms of social relationships and environment dimensions, which lasted up to 12 months after the intervention. Therefore, ACE is positioned as an effective complement for HA users, enhancing and delivering new benefits related to broader aspects of QoL not necessarily tied to health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN54021189 (retrospectively registered on 18/07/2023).

Assessment of oral hygiene and quality of life in rehabilitated patients with fixed parcial dentures.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the influence of oral hygiene guidance for the maintenance of fixed partial dentures (FPD) and the influence of this treatment on the quality of life (QL) of rehabilitated patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Bleeding on Probing Index (BOP) methods was employed to evaluate oral hygiene (OH), and the OHIP-14 questionnaire to assessment QL. The sample consisted of 33 patients (26 females and 7 males, mean age 51.53 years) in treatment with FPD. The OH and QL assessments were conducted in temporary FPD placing session and 30 days after definitive cementation. R e s u l t s: OHI-S and BOP showed increasing results (p <0.05) comparing initial and final assessments. There was a negative correlation between OHI-S and BOP, in both periods of analysis. The OHIP-14 showed a significant result according to the Likert scale scores, with an impact reduction from 9.33 to 0.57. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that FPD rehabilitations need of properly oral hygiene guidance, that could be influence on oral health status. In addition, the FPD rehabilitation improved the QL of the patients.

Patient Experience of Herpes Zoster Disease in Argentina: Validation of a Health-Related Quality of Life Conceptual Model.

OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster (HZ) substantially affects patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), both in the acute phase and also in those developing postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Building upon a previous qualitative concept elicitation study in Canada, we adopted a similar approach to further understand the patient experience of HZ/PHN in Argentina and impact on quality of life and qualitatively validate the previously published conceptual model for Argentina. METHODS: (1) Comprehensive literature review of HZ impact on HRQoL in Latin America. (2) Qualitative concept elicitation interviews with participants aged ≥50 years with acute HZ or PHN. Verbatim interview transcripts underwent thematic and content analysis related to symptoms and impacts. RESULTS: Studies from the literature (n = 6) identified 5 dimensions of HZ impact on HRQoL: pain management, disease management, family life, work, and emotional impact. A total of 10 participants were interviewed (5 acute HZ and 5 with PHN) with a mean age of 68.5 years (range 50-77 years) and 60% female. All participants reported rash and pain (some reporting a migratory element), fatigue (7 of 10), and itchiness (4 of 10). HRQoL domains most commonly affected were activities of daily living (9 of 10), emotional functioning (8 of 10), physical functioning (8 of 10), and sleep (7 of 10). Emergent themes on disease management included the need for greater public disease awareness/education, participants with PHN seeking alternative/traditional medical therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This study qualitatively validates the previously reported HRQoL conceptual framework. HZ symptoms, especially acute and chronic pain, substantially impair various aspects of HRQoL, prompting some participants to seek out alternative medical treatments.

Predictor variables effect on the development of Burnout Syndrome in higher education professor.

OBJECTIVES: to correlate the development of Burnout Syndrome in higher education professors with the following variables: sociodemographic, economic, work, sleep pattern, level of anxiety and quality of life. METHODS: observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Data collection took place from August to November 2022, with 140 professors from a private higher education institution in the Western Brazilian Amazon. RESULTS: professors who carried out activities outside institutional hours and who had sleep duration < 5 hours, presented lower scores in the personal fulfillment dimension of burnout, with (p=0.002) and (p=0.001), respectively. The higher the scores for the physical (p=0.001), psychological (p=0.000) and social relationships (p=0.002) domains of quality of life, the lower the personal fulfillment scores for the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: through linear regression, it was evidenced that several variables explain the development of burnout. Institutional and governmental actions can minimize the negative influence of these variables.

Sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life in females with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can have several consequences on sexual function, which can lead to worsened quality of life. AIM: The study sought to assess sexual function and its association with health functionality and quality of life in females with PAH. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pulmonary circulation outpatient clinics from January 2022 to March 2023 in females diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Assessment was carried out through the application of the Female Sexual Function Index, the 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Survey. OUTCOMES: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and JASP, and Spearman's correlation tests were applied between the instruments, with a P value <.05 considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 91 females were assessed. It was identified that 90.1% of females had sexual dysfunction, with worse scores in females with sexual dysfunction in the domains of satisfaction, arousal, and desire, with average health functionality and quality of life. There were significant correlations between the domains of mobility, getting along, life activities, and the overall functionality score with some domains of sexual function, especially arousal and satisfaction. We found significant correlations between some domains of quality-of-life assessment with the domains of desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and with the overall score of sexual function assessment, as well as strong correlations between health functionality and quality of life. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The data reinforce the need for rehabilitation programs and social support for this population. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is one of the few studies to evaluate sexual function, quality of life, and health functionality in women with PAH. Due to limitations in data collection, we were unable to assess certain factors such as hormone levels and a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSION: We identified a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in females with PAH with mild functional impairment and a moderate quality-of-life score with correlations between sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life.

Assessing Independence in Activities of Daily Living and Quality of Life in Patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Knowledge of performance in activities of daily living and quality of life is important for management decisions and research endpoints. The use of harmonized scales is essential for objective assessment of both caregivers and patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Functionality and quality of life are more impaired in dementia with Lewy bodies than in Alzheimer's disease, mostly due to higher prevalence of behavioral symptoms and motor manifestations in dementia with Lewy bodies. More longitudinal studies are required to assess if causality mediates the associations of clinical features with functional independence and worsened quality of life in these patients.

Is cancer back?-psychological issues faced by survivors of breast cancer.

Breast cancer survival rates have shown notable improvements over the years thanks to advancements in detection, treatment modalities, and supportive care. However, survivors often encounter challenges when reintegrating into daily life and managing persistent physical and psychological concerns. This review article aims to delve into the multifaceted emotional complexities faced by survivors, encompassing a spectrum of issues from fear of recurrence to body image insecurities, thus emphasizing the imperative for comprehensive support. Articles were reviewed through searches of PubMed and through searches of the author's own file. We will examine not only the risk factors contributing to heightened psychological distress but also the periods of vulnerability and the most common unmet needs encountered by these individuals. Additionally, we will discuss various psychological interventions and strategies designed to promote resilience and enhance the quality of life post-diagnosis. Furthermore, we will underscore the pressing need for ongoing, specific research endeavors aimed at addressing the long-term psychological impacts of cancer recurrence on survivorship. By shedding light on these critical aspects, we aim not only to provide insight into the challenges faced by survivors but also to advocate for the importance of integrating comprehensive psychological support into survivorship care. Through this thorough exploration, we seek to empower both survivors and healthcare professionals alike, facilitating a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in the breast cancer survivorship journey. Ultimately, our aim is to highlight the crucial aspects that must be considered by healthcare professionals in providing holistic care to breast cancer survivors.

Mindfulness, teacher mental health, and well-being in early education: a correlational study.

This study analyzed the relationship between mindfulness and variables considered relevant for teacher-student interactions: teacher burnout, general stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. We hypothesized that mindfulness would relate negatively with mental health variables and positively with quality of life. We also explored which specific aspects of mindfulness would predict burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life. Given the results of regression analyses, mediation models were performed to explore the mechanisms through which different facets of mindfulness affect quality of life. As predicted, the correlation analysis showed that mindfulness and its dimensions were positively associated with the quality of life of the teachers and burnout dimension of personal fulfillment and negatively associated with anxiety, depression, and stress (considering FFMQ total score and most of its dimensions). Consistently, regression analysis showed that the overall level of mindfulness, after controlling for the grade level at which the teacher works, showed significant associations with the level of personal fulfillment, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life. The results of the mediation analyses showed that the ability not to judge ourselves was associated with fewer symptoms of depression and stress and, through these pathways, positively affected quality of life. On the other hand, the ability not to react favored quality of life by reducing anxiety and stress. Finally, acting with awareness was the only facet of mindfulness that favored quality of life, affecting one of the dimensions of burnout.

Pleural effusions identified by thoracic ultrasound predict poor quality of life in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusion (PE) is a common manifestation of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF); however, its influence on the quality of life (QoL) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To identify whether PE detected using thoracic ultrasound (TUS) is associated with poorer QoL in patients with ADHF and a reduced ejection fraction (≤40 %). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, descriptive, observational, single-center study at a university hospital in Mexico. We included participants with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction who were admitted for ADHF. We performed TUS and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) within the first 48 h of hospitalization. RESULTS: Forty patients with ADHF (30 males and 10 females; mean age, 51.24 ± 16.942 years) were included in this study. The participants were categorized into two groups: those with (n = 25, 62.5 %) or without (n = 15, 37.5 %) PE on TUS. We found a statistically significant association between the presence of PEs and a worse perception of QoL. The mean MLHFQ score in the group of patients with PEs was 40 points, compared to 12 points in the group without PEs (p < 0.001). Poorer QoL was associated with a higher quantity of pleural fluid, as evidenced by the greater number of intercostal spaces occupied by the PE (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ADHF and a reduced ejection fraction who present with PE have a worse perception of QoL than patients without PE.

The EQ-5D-5L valuation study for Trinidad and Tobago.

PURPOSE: The 2016 EQ-5D-3L value set for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) allows for the calculation of EQ-5D-5L values via the crosswalk algorithm. The 2016 value set was based on methods predating the EQ-VT protocol, now considered the gold standard for developing EQ-5D value sets. Furthermore, direct elicitation of EQ-5D-5L is preferred over crosswalked values. This study aimed to produce an EQ-5D-5L value set for T&T. METHODS: A representative sample (age, sex, geography) of adults each completed 10 composite Time Trade-Off (cTTO) tasks and 12 Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) tasks in face-to-face interviews. The cTTO data were analyzed using a Tobit model that corrects for heteroskedasticity. DCE data were analyzed using a mixed logit model. The cTTO and DCE data were combined in hybrid models. RESULTS: One thousand and seventy-nine adults completed the valuation interviews. Among the modelling approaches that were explored, the hybrid heteroskedastic Tobit model produced all internally consistent, statistically significant coefficients, and performed best in terms of out-of-sample predictivity for single states. Compared to the existing EQ-5D-5L crosswalk set, the new value set had a higher number of negative values (236 or 7.6% versus 21 or 0.7%). The mean absolute difference was 0.157 and the correlation coefficient between the two sets was 0.879. CONCLUSION: This study provides a value set for the EQ-5D-5L for T&T using the EQ-VT protocol. We recommend this value set for QALY computations relating to T&T.

Cost-utility analysis of a palliative care program in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The economic assessment of health care models in palliative care promotes their global development. The purpose of the study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of a palliative care program (named Contigo) with that of conventional care from the perspective of a health benefit plan administrator company, Sanitas, in Colombia. METHODS: The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) and the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were estimated using micro-costing in a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional study on the care of terminally ill patients enrolled in a palliative care program. A 6-month time horizon prior to death was used. The EQ-5D-3 L questionnaire (EQ-5D-3 L) and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL) were used to measure the quality of life. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients managed within the program and 16 patients who received conventional medical management. The program was less expensive than the conventional practice (difference of 1,924.35 US dollars (USD), P = 0.18). When compared to the last 15 days, there is a higher perception of quality of life, which yielded 0.25 in the EQ-5D-3 L (p < 0.01) and 1.55 in the MQOL (P < 0.01). The ICUR was negative and the INMB was positive. CONCLUSION: Because the Contigo program reduces costs while improving quality of life, it is considered to be net cost-saving and a model with value in health care. Greater availability of palliative care programs, such as Contigo, in Colombia can help reduce existing gaps in access to universal palliative care health coverage, resulting in more cost-effective care.

Leprosy and its impact on the quality of life of people with physical disabilities: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: to identify and synthesize, from the literature, the impacts of physical disability caused by leprosy on the quality of life of individuals receiving care within the Health Care Network. METHODS: this is a scoping review conducted following the JBI recommendations. The databases used in the search included the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Embase, Leprosy Information Services, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: 1690 documents were identified, of which 36 were included in the review. Physical disability caused by leprosy affects the quality of life in the areas of daily activities, socioeconomic aspects, psychological well-being, pain, and overall well-being. CONCLUSIONS: we identified the impairments caused by physical disability in the quality of life, highlighting the need for prevention, promotion, and rehabilitation actions, such as screening, case management, and health education.

Longitudinal cross-lagged analysis of depression, loneliness, and quality of life in 12 European countries.

BACKGROUND: In the older population, depression, loneliness, and quality of life are closely related, significantly influencing health status. This paper aimed (1) to investigate autoregressive and cross-lagged associations over 2 years between depression, loneliness, and quality of life, and (2) to examine sex-related differences in the 2-year associations between depression, loneliness, and quality of life in a large sample of European citizens aged ≥ 50 years. METHODS: This is a longitudinal analysis. We included 7.456 individuals (70.89 ± 7.64 years; (4.268 females) who responded to waves 7 (2017) and 8 (2019) of the SHARE project. The variables analyzed in both waves were depression, loneliness, and quality of life. RESULTS: Comparatively, females indicated higher depression and loneliness scores than males and a lower perception of quality of life. Autoregressive associations pointed that past depression, loneliness, and quality of life predicted their future episodes 2 years later (p < 0.001). The cross-lagged analysis of males showed positive and significant bidirectional associations between depression and loneliness 2 years later. Females also showed a positive and significant association between depression and loneliness, but loneliness was not associated with depression 2 years later. In turn, previous high levels of quality of life had a protective role in late depression and loneliness up to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the need to simultaneously assess and manage depression, loneliness, and quality of life in the older European population. It is suggested that sex-specific policies can be created, including social support, in order to reduce depression and loneliness, and promote quality of life.

Quality of life at work for health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quality of life at work of health professionals in direct and indirect care of COVID-19 cases. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study with 156 health professionals from a referral hospital. The relationship between sociodemographic and work-related variables and perceived stress and domains of the Quality of Life at Work Scale was investigated using inferential statistics and regression. RESULTS: Satisfaction with Compassion was moderate (mean: 38.2), with low perception of stress, Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (means: 18.8, 21.6 and 19.1). There were associations between: education, salary, multiple jobs and direct care with Compassion Satisfaction; low income, being a nurse and working overtime with Burnout; and working more than 12 hours, underlying disease and hospitalization for COVID-19 with Secondary Traumatic Stress. CONCLUSION: quality of life at work was satisfactory, despite the presence of Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress.

Resilience and quality of life in patients who underwent mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19, one year after discharge: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID-19 often experience severe long-term sequelae. This study aimed to assess resilience and Quality of Life (QoL) of patients who underwent mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19, one year after discharge. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients who received mechanical ventilation for severe COVID-19 and were assessed one-year post-discharge. Participants completed a structured questionnaire via telephone comprising the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status scale (PCFS). To establish the association between QoL and resilience, Spearman correlations were calculated between the PCFS and the CD-RISC. Linear regression models were adjusted to evaluate which factors were associated with QoL, with the total score of PCFS as the dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were included in the analysis. The CD-RISC had a median score of 83 (IQR 74-91). The PCFS results showed that 61.3% (n = 138) of the patients were able to resume their daily activities without limitations. Among them, 37.3% (n = 84) were classified as Grade 0 and 24% (n = 54) as Grade 1. Mild and moderate functional limitations were found in 33.7% of the patients, with 24.8% (n = 56) classified as Grade 2 and 8.8% (n = 20) as Grade 3. Severe functional limitations (Grade 4) were observed in 4.8% (n = 11) of the patients. High CD-RISC scores were associated with lower levels of PCFS score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of critically ill patients who underwent mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19, 38% of patients experienced a significant decline in their QoL one year after hospital discharge. Finally, a high level of resilience was strongly associated with better QoL one year after discharge.

Telenursing in the postoperative period: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: to map available evidence on telenursing use in the postoperative period and its impact on patient outcomes. METHODS: a scoping review, conducted according to the JBI model and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The search was carried out in the CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS: twelve studies were included, published between 2011 and 2023, 66.6% of which were in developed countries. Of the positive outcomes, we highlight improved levels of disability, autonomy and quality of life, lower rates of post-operative complications, pain and reduced costs. Telephone monitoring was the most widely used modality, but there were few studies in the pediatric context and in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: of the studies, 11 (91.6%) identified at least one positive outcome in telenursing use and none showed negative aspects in the postoperative period. The role of nurses in digital health needs further study.

The effect of mandala coloring on anxiety and quality of life of women in the climacteric period: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of mandala coloring on anxiety and quality of life of women in the climacteric period. METHODS: This research was conducted as an experimental study based on a randomized controlled pre-test and post-test model (single-blind). The study was conducted with women in the climacteric period who presented to a training and research hospital in a western city of Turkey between November 1, 2022, and April 28, 2023. Participants were divided into mandala coloring (n=38) and control groups (n=38). RESULTS: According to the women's socio-demographic and descriptive characteristics, mean age, body mass index, and frequency of menopausal symptoms were similar in both groups. The mean post-test scores of the women in the mandala coloring group on the state-trait anxiety inventory and menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual subscales (29.71±5.22, 0.86±0.97, 0.53±0.61, 0.79±0.84, and 0.92±1.24, respectively) were lower than the mean post-test scores of the women in the control group on the same scales (41.02±1.20, 1.79±1.76, 1.49±1.39, 1.72±1.38, and 1.95±1.82, respectively) (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Mandala coloring reduces menopause-related anxiety levels and improves quality of life effectively.

Effects of Hearing Aid Use on Individuals Diagnosed with Hearing Loss and Dementia: A Systematic Review.

Background: The assumption that hearing rehabilitation could improve quality of life and reduce dementia risk in people with hearing loss is a subject that needs further studies, especially clinical trials. It is necessary to determine the effects of hearing aid use, as part of hearing rehabilitation, among people diagnosed with dementia. Objective: To systematically review the literature to evaluate the effects of hearing aid use on cognition and quality of life of people with dementia. Methods: Protocol for this systematic review was registered (CRD42023387187). The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases, as well as grey literature, including Google Scholar and ResearchGate, were systematically searched for clinical trials using MeSH terms. The PICOS principle was used to develop the inclusion criteria: population (P): adults and older adults, individuals diagnosed with dementia and hearing loss; intervention (I): rehabilitation with hearing aids; control (C): not using a hearing aid; outcome (O): cognitive and/or quality of life assessment using validated tests; study design (S): clinical trial. Results: The initial search yielded 576 studies, five of which met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analyses. Two of the included studies were randomized clinical trials, and three were crossover clinical trials, demonstrating the lack of studies on the subject. Four studies included participants with Alzheimer's disease. Quality of life was found to improve with the use of hearing aids, and hearing rehabilitation was not shown to affect cognitive outcomes. Conclusions: Hearing aid use appears to have a positive impact on quality of life.

Quality of life of patients after kidney transplant: ADHERE Brazil multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is a measure to evaluate kidney transplant (KT) results. AIM: To describe the QoL profile in a larger sample of Brazilian patients who underwent KT according to age, sex, and access to KT. METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the ADHERE BRAZIL multicenter cross-sectional study including 1105 patients from 20 centers, considering KT access region and transplant activity. QoL was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF. Data was compared using Generalized Estimating Equations. RESULTS: Overall, 58.5 % of the patients were men, mean age of 47.6 ± 12.6 years. The general QoL score was 81 ± 15.1, 58.6 ± 11.6 for physical, 65.5 ± 11.4 for psychological, 68.3 ± 17.1 for social relationships, and 64.2 ± 13.3 for environmental domain. Higher QoL scores were observed in men compared to women in three WHOQOL-BREF domains: psychological (OR:2.62; CI, 1.29 ̶ 3.95, p < 0.0001), social relationships (OR:3.21; CI, 1.2 ̶ 5.23, p = 0.002) and environmental (OR:3.79; CI:2.23 ̶ 5.35, p < 0.0001). Younger patients (18-44 years) had higher scores in the psychological (OR:-2.69; CI, -4.13 ̶ -1.25; p < 0.001; OR:-3.52; CI, -5.39 ̶ -1.66; p < 0.001) and social (OR:-3.46; CI, -5.64 ̶ -1.27; p = 0.002; OR:-7.17; CI, -10 ̶ -4.35; p < 0.0001) domains than older ones (45-59 and > 60 years, respectively). Patients from higher KT access region had higher scores in environmental domain (OR:3.53; CI, 0.28 ̶ 6.78; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Featuring the results of KT under patient view, the physical and social relationships domains were the most and least affected, respectively. Lower QoL subgroups (females and age > 45 years) should be targeted in future multi-professional interventions.

Tratamiento de las pápulas perladas peneanas mediante uso de láser de dióxido de carbono fraccionado / Treatment of pearly penile papules using fractionated carbon dioxide laser

Las pápulas perladas del pene son angiofibromas acrales, lesiones asintomáticas benignas, no infecciosas, ubicadas alrededor del glande masculino. Debido su aspecto suelen causar angustia, disminución de autoestima y dificultades en la intimidad sexual. Todo esto lleva a un deterioro de la calidad de vida sexual. Métodos. Se incluyeron pacientes varones con pápulas perladas peneanas que recibieron tratamiento con láser de dióxido de carbono fraccionado entre diciembre de 2023 y abril de 2014. Se trataron en total 75 pacientes. Previo al tratamiento se les realizó una encuesta para saber si había realizado consulta previa con especialista y los motivos para realizar el tratamiento. Se les realizó el primer control postratamiento entre 10 a 15 días post tratamiento. En caso de presentar pápulas perladas peneanas residuales se procedió a un segundo o tercer tratamiento. Se les realizó segundo y tercer control postratamiento entre 10 a 15 días postratamiento. En dicho segundo o tercer control se les realizó encuesta de satisfacción. Resultados. Todos los pacientes incluidos en nuestro estudio informaron que se lograron eliminar sus pápulas perladas peneanas: 13% (10 pacientes) en primera sesión, 82% (62 pacientes) en segunda sesión y solo 4% (3 pacientes) requirieron una tercera sesión. Conclusiones. Las pápulas perladas peneanas, aun siendo de etiología benigna y no contagiosa, reducen significativamente la calidad de vida sexual de los varones, especialmente los jóvenes, y merecen de un tratamiento médico. El tratamiento de las pápulas perladas peneanas mediante uso de láser de dióxido de carbono fraccionado demostró ser un tratamiento rápido, seguro y eficaz

Pearly penile papules are acral angiofi bromas, benign, non-infectious, asymptomatic lesions around the male glans. Due to their appearance, they often cause distress, decreased self-esteem, and difficulties in sexual intimacy. All this leads to a deterioration in the quality of sexual life. Methods. Male patients with pearly penile papules who received fractionated carbon dioxide laser treatment between December 2023 and April 2014 were included. A total of 75 patients were treated. Before the treatment, a survey was conducted to fi nd out if they had previously consulted with a specialist and what motivated them to undergo the treatment. They underwent their first post-treatment control between 10 to 15 days after treatment. If residual pearly penile papules were present, a second or third treatment was performed. A second and third post-treatment control was carried out between 10 to 15 days after treatment. In said second or third control, a satisfaction survey was carried out. Results. All patients included in our study reported that their pearly penile papules were eliminated: 13% (10 patients) in the fi rst session, 82% (62 patients) in the second session, and only 4% (3 patients) required a third session. Conclusions. Pearly penile papules, even though they are of benign and non-contagious etiology. They signifi cantly reduce the quality of sexual life of men, especially young men, and deserve medical treatment. The treatment of pearly penile papules using fractionated carbon dioxide laser proved to be fast, safe, and effective.