Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that has great influence on functional independence and quality of life, leading to reduced bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration, increased bone fragility, bone fractures with minimal trauma, decreased bone mineral density and decrease bone quality. This quality is defined by the bone health of it and is closely related to physical activity and body composition, genetic and hormonal factors and nutrition. Under normal conditions, bone mineral density evolves, increased up to 27 years, leveling up to 40. From here begins to decrease and there is a sharp decline in the menopausal stage and after it keeps a sharp downward trend. Thus we aim to evaluate the physical condition of postmenopausal osteoporotic women, assessing their functional status, different manifestations of strength and body composition. After approval by the Ethics Committee of the North Health Region, we identified women diagnosed with osteoporosis by dual-energy bone densitometry (DEXA), which showed inclusion criteria and who wanted to participate in the study of their own free will. After assessment of blood pressure and heart rate were subjected to: a) Demographic variables b) Quality of life evaluated with the osteoporosis assessment questionnaire (OPAQ) – 1 to 5 points represented by numeric scale from 1 to 5...

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that has great influence on functional independence and quality of life, leading to reduced bone mass, microarchitectural deterioration, increased bone fragility, bone fractures with minimal trauma, decreased bone mineral density and decrease bone quality. This quality is defined by the bone health of it and is closely related to physical activity and body composition, genetic and hormonal factors and nutrition. Under normal conditions, bone mineral density evolves, increased up to 27 years, leveling up to 40. From here begins to decrease and there is a sharp decline in the menopausal stage and after it keeps a sharp downward trend. Thus we aim to evaluate the physical condition of postmenopausal osteoporotic women, assessing their functional status, different manifestations of strength and body composition. After approval by the Ethics Committee of the North Health Region, we identified women diagnosed with osteoporosis by dual-energy bone densitometry (DEXA), which showed inclusion criteria and who wanted to participate in the study of their own free will. After assessment of blood pressure and heart rate were subjected to: a) Demographic variables b) Quality of life evaluated with the osteoporosis assessment questionnaire (OPAQ) – 1 to 5 points represented by numeric scale from 1 to 5...

The Research Project “Costs and Benefits of urban dispersion on a local scale” aims to compare costs and benefits of different forms of land use in two urban areas in Portugal: Aveiro and Évora. Concerning the costs, it will look at public infrastructure and mobility, while the benefits will be assumed and assessed as Quality of Life (QoL). We expect that such data, expressed in monetary terms, will provide new input for the decision-making process in urban planning and design, contemplating objective data, as well as different perceptions and valuations of urban contexts. This paper will briefly go through the Project’s purposes, emphasising those specific to the task on the definition and the assessment of QoL. Methodologically this task has three main steps: i) to provide background information on the multidimensionality of the QoL concept and its operationalization (problems and difficulties); ii) to develop a new concept of QoL at the local level (to identify the main attributes that explain the QoL in different settlement types - dispersed and continuous); iii) to develop, conceptually, a methodology to measure QoL on a local scale. A final note is due to state that no results will be presented, only methodological developments achieved so far.

Abstract - Objectives: To analyze the contributions of Universities of third age (U3A) through their proposed activities and effects in functional fitness and quality of life of elderly participants and non-participants. Methods: The sample was composed of two groups: elderly participants in U3A (EPG; n=25) and elderly non-participants (ENPG; n=25). Data collection was obtained through questionnaires: one about sociodemografic characteristics and U3A attendance (General questionnaire) and another about quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF Portuguese version). Also, were applied two test of the Fullerton Tests battery (30-second chair stand and 8-food up and go). Results: The results show statistically significant differences in attendance between women (76%) and men (24%). There is a predominance of married (68%) that attend the U3A. The educational level indicates that the EPG present more years of education (28%) and more people with higher education (24%). The main reason why the ENPG didn’t attend U3A was lack of time (44%). For lower body strength, the results showed differences between EPG and ENPG (p=0.022), in favor of EPG. No differences were observed between groups for agility/dynamic balance (p=0.977). In quality of life were observed differences between groups in the physical domain (p=0.026)...

Aims: to compare the physical activity, sedentary activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in institutionalized vs. non-institutionalized elderly, and to establish a pattern of relationship and prediction of physical and sedentary activity with physical and mental components of HRQoL. Methods: the sample consisted of 383 elderly with ≥ 75 years old (n=187 institutionalized and n=196 non-institutionalized). Were administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for evaluated the physical and sedentary activity and HRQoL. Also was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as exclusion criteria for cognitive problems in the elderly. Results: differences between institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly were found in moderate-intensity activities and walking, a favour of non-institutionalized. The institutionalized elderly remain more minutes in sedentary activity. Also, were observed differences between both groups in physical component of HRQoL, a favour of non-institutionalized elderly. The mental component remained unchanged. The multivariate regression analyses showed that physical activity predicted the physical (8 to 12%) and mental (5 to 8%) components of HRQoL for institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly. Conclusions: non-institutionalized elderly were more physically active...

Introduction: Meeting the actual role of positive psychology, begins to be recognized the contribution of positive variables in health outcomes. Objective: To know the contribution of happiness, hope and affection individually and as a whole in the quality of life and functionality of individuals with heart failure. Population and Methodology: 128 individuals with heart failure, 98 men and 30 women, 61.9±12,1 years of age, 6,6±3,9 years of school and 74,2% retired because of this disease. 56,3% were in Class III of New York Heart Association, with poor left ventricular ejection fraction (25,3±6,2%). The clinical history was of 9,4±8,5 years for this heart disease and had at least one hospitalization due to heart failure with 51,6% having ischemic heart disease.

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of psychiatric comorbidities on the health-related quality of life of HCV-infected patients. Assessment of clinical, socio-demographic and quality of life data of the patients followed up at a Hepatology unit was performed by using a standard questionnaire and the SF-36 instrument. Psychiatric diagnoses were confirmed by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Brazilian version 5.0.0 (MINI Plus). Evaluation using the MINI plus demonstrated that 46 (51%) patients did not have any psychiatric diagnosis, while 44 (49%) had at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Among patients with a psychiatric comorbidity, 26 (59.1%) had a current mental disorder, out of which 22 (84.6%) had not been previously diagnosed. Patients with psychiatric disorders had lower scores in all dimensions of the SF-36 when compared to those who had no psychiatric diagnosis. Scores of physical functioning and bodily pain domains were lower for those suffering from a current psychiatric disorder when compared to those who had had a psychiatric disorder in the past. Females had lower scores of bodily pain and mental health dimensions when compared to males. Scores for mental health dimension were also lower for patients with advanced fibrosis. The presence of a psychiatric comorbidity was the variable that was most associated with the different scores in the SF-36...

Objective: We were curious about the degree of anxiety and depression and their effect on the quality of life of the caregivers of veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: A convenience sample of 72 out of 120 caregiver spouses of veterans with spinal cord injury participated in our study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were considered as a measure of depression and anxiety. The World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was considered to evaluate the quality of life. To compare the caregivers, we enrolled 74 matched caregiver spouses of patients without spinal cord injury. Results: The average age of the spouses was 44.7±6.5. The average time elapsed from the injury was 26.4±3.1 years. There was a significant difference in all domains of quality of life and depression between the caregivers and the control group, but there was not a significant difference in terms of anxiety. There was a negative correlation between depression and age, level of education and quality of life. Conclusion: Mental care support should be implemented for veterans and their spouses in addition to the provided facilities.

within the Business Division of Niagara College of Arts and Technology, 245 students were utilised for a convenience stratified sample of First, Second, and Third Year ,students. The students answered 33 items regarding their Quality of Program and 40 concerning their Quality of Life, along with demographic and motivational questions and open comments. The responses were classified using an SPSS/PC statistical package and frequency statistics extracted. The data were examined for the entire sample and also for each year within the Business Division. There were high positive responses to both QOP andQOL items. However, there was greater satisfaction for students in First Year Accelerated, Second Year and Third Year than First Year. All students noted high satisfaction for the overall assessment of the program. There were lower positive responses for Professor Items where students were unsure if teachers helped them to do their best or took a personal interest in helping students do their best. This may highlight problems which need attention in the Freshman year. The area where all students were most neutral was regarding how others view them which raises questions of the self-esteem of students at Niagara College. The implications from this study seem to suggest that well-motivated...

AIMS: Quality of life (QoL) is often impaired in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A novel nurse-led integrated chronic care approach demonstrated superiority compared with usual care in terms of cardiovascular hospitalization and mortality. Consequently, we hypothesized that this approach may also improve QoL and AF-related knowledge, which in turn may positively correlate with QoL. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this randomized controlled trial, 712 patients were randomly assigned to nurse-led care vs. usual care. Nurse-led care consisted of guidelines-based, software supported care, supervised by cardiologists. Usual care was provided by cardiologists in the regular outpatient setting. Quality of life was assessed by means of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression scores. The AF knowledge scale was used to gain an insight into the patients' AF knowledge levels. Baseline QoL scores were relatively high in both groups, with median scores ranging from 55 to 100. Quality of life significantly improved over time in both groups with no significant differences between the two groups. Atrial fibrillation-related knowledge improved over time and was significantly higher at follow-up in the intervention group...

non-peer-reviewed; Background Dementia is the broad term used to describe a range of conditions, which effect the function of the brain. In addition to behavioural, emotional and social changes, dementia has a progressive decline in functional abilities (Cummins and Warren 2010; Olazarán et al 2010). As the prevalence of dementia diagnoses rise; the demands for occupational therapy services will escalate (Perrin et al 2008). Objectives To review the literature to establish current occupational therapy interventions for individuals with mild to moderate dementia and to ascertain the influence on quality of life and wellbeing for individuals with mild to moderate dementia who are living at home in their communities Methods The following databases were searched (AMED, Cinahl, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycInfo, PubMed, UK & Ireland Reference Centre) for literature since 2005. Findings Over 1900 studies found. However, only three papers (Graff et al 2007b; Lam et al 2010; Voigt-Radloff et al 2011) specifically addressed quality of life for individuals with dementia in the community. Their findings were mixed regarding the influence occupational therapy has on quality of life. Conclusions Recent years have seen an increase in the literature for occupational therapy in dementia care. However...

Introduction The demographic epidemiologic transition is a worldwide phenomenon and it is present both in the developed countries and increasingly in the developing ones. The population estimates in the studied countries show that Portugal is nowadays in the list of the oldest countries in the world and in Brazil the “ageing of the top” will occur up to 2025 occupying the 6th elderly population of the world, in absolute terms. Methods The aim of this study was to analyze comparatively Life Quality between the senior citizens who participate in the Public Physical Activity Programs at Nisa, Portugal (Program Activ Sénior) and Florianópolis, Brazil (Programa Floripa Ativa). A transversal descriptive study was carried out including 258 senior citizens, both genders, from October to December 2011 using the Brazilian and Portuguese versions of the Short Form 36 questionnaire. The statistics tests performed were Student’s t-teste, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test and K-S test. Results The global Cronbach’s alpha was 0.72 for the Physical and 0.73 for the Mental Component. Descriptive analysis showed that the subjects' average age was 69,56 years old (PD:+/- 5,74 years) and that most of them were women (84,8%). The best scores for both cities/countries were obtained for the Mental Component: Social Function (83...

Purpose: Systematic review to identify the factors associated to the quality of life (QOL) of the caregivers of people with aphasia (PWA). Methods: Studies were searched using Medline, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases. Peer-reviewed papers that studied the QOL of PWA’s caregivers or the consequences of aphasia in caregivers’ life were included. Findings were extracted from the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results: No data is available reporting particularly the QOL of PWA caregivers’ or their QOL predictors. Nevertheless, it was possible to extract aspects related to QOL from the studies that report the consequences of aphasia, and life changes in PWA’s caregivers. Nine (9) studies including PWA’s caregivers were found, but only 5 reported data separately on them. Methodological heterogeneity impedes cross-study comparisons, although some considerations can be made. PWA’s caregivers reported life changes such as: loss of freedom; social isolation; new responsibilities; anxiety; emotional loneliness; need for support and respite. Conclusions: Changes in social relationships, in emotional status, increased burden and need for support and respite were experienced by PWA’s caregivers. Stroke QOL studies need to include PWA caregivers’ and report separately on them. Further research is needed in this area in order to determine their QOL predictors and identify what interventions and referrals better suit their needs.

The HAM/TSP caused by HTLV-1 infection usually affects patients to disabling states, and sometimes can lead them to paraplegia presenting symptoms of depression and anxiety, impacting on quality of life. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of depression and anxiety and its impact on quality of life in HTLV-1-infected TSP/HAM patients. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 67 asymptomatic (control group) and 63 with TSP/HAM subjects. The instruments used were a demographic questionnaire, scales for anxiety and depression diagnosis (BDI and BAI), questionnaire for the assessment of Quality of Life of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-Brief) and neurological scale to measure the disability level (Osame's Disability Status Scale). All patients had HTLV-I diagnosis by serological and molecular approaches, monitored at Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas from May 2008 to July 2009. Data were analyzed statistically by frequencies, the Mann-Whitney test and the Spearman correlation test. Data among groups were analyzed and correlated with functional and severity aspects. Results: The results showed that patients with HAM/TSP compared to asymptomatic carriers had higher rates of depression (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001)...

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection patients have higher rates of psychiatric disorders than the general population. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is known to be associated with impaired health related quality of life. To our knowledge, there is no previous research of health related quality of life in chronic hepatitis C patients that combined structured psychiatric interview and careful psychopathological evaluation, including depression, anxiety and fatigue instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate health related quality of life of chronic hepatitis C patients and to investigate the association with sociodemographic, psychopathological and psychiatric factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-one individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus infection receiving care at a Brazilian public university-based outpatient service for infectious diseases were enrolled in the study. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version was used to assess health related quality of life. Standard psychiatric interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus) was conducted to establish Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. Further instruments completed psychopathological investigation: Beck Depression Inventory...

OBJECTIVE To examine temporal trends in the burden of eating disorder (ED) features, as estimated by the composite of their prevalence and impact upon quality of life (QoL) over a period of 10 years. METHODOLOGY Representative samples of 3010 participants in 1998 and 3034 participants in 2008 from the South Australian adult population were assessed for endorsement of ED features (objective binge eating, extreme dieting, and purging were assessed in both years; subjective binge eating and extreme weight/shape concerns were also assessed in 2008) and QoL using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS From 1998 to 2008 significant increases in the prevalence of objective binge eating (2.7% to 4.9%, p<0.01) and extreme dieting (1.5% to 3.3%, p<0.01), but not purging, were observed. Lower scores on the SF-36 were significantly associated with endorsement of any of these behaviors in both 1998 and 2008 (all p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in the effect of the endorsement of these ED behaviors on QoL between 1998 and 2008 (all p>0.05). Multiple linear regressions found that in 1998 only objective binge eating significantly predicted scores on the mental health summary scale of the SF-36; however, in 2008 extreme weight/shape concerns...

In recent decades, what matters for individual quality of life (QoL) has increasingly been the focus of empirical social science research. However, individuals are rarely asked directly what is important for their quality of life as part of large-scale surveys. The present analysis studies perceptions of what matters for QoL in a largescale longitudinal dataset ? the British Household Panel Survey ? which includes an open-ended question on QoL in three waves spanning ten years. We find that concepts of QoL change over the life course and differ between men and women.We hypothesize that changes in perceptions of QoL are related to important life events, such as the birth of a first child and retirement. These life events constitute ?turning points? after which individuals often shift their priorities of what matters for their QoL.We further explore whether such shifts in priorities are stable or disappear more than five years after the life event.

Cotugna, Nancy; Introduction. This study was designed to explore characteristics of overweight and obese Alli?? users and how the drug affected their quality of life. Methods. This obesity drug???s impact was investigated through a qualitative survey questionnaire. The population of interest was overweight or obese individuals (BMI =25) who were currently taking Alli??. The sample consisted of volunteers living in and outof the United States who met the criteria for the study; currentlytaking Alli?? and the ability toanswer basic questions about their usage, compliance, weight loss, side effects and quality of life. Furthermore, individuals had to be =18 years of age to participate. Fliers were developed torecruit participants through several different methods. The only successful method was through the social networking site Facebook. Participants volunteered to completea short online surveythat was developed through the program Qualtrics??. Results. A total of 16 individuals responded to a requestfor participation in the study. All of the participants were female. In addition, the majority were also white, from the US and between the ages of 25 and 34. Most participants (57%) in this study had a BMI >40, with ~87% of participants with a BMI =30. The BMI range was between 26.9 and 57.6. The most common side effects documented were gastrointestinal (GI) problems. A significant association between race and quality of life for discrimination was seen with a p value .03. Conclusion. Due to the small sample size...

The aim of this study is to develop and validate a scale on the Quality of Life (QoL) of people with intellectual disabilities as assessed by family members (external perspective). The instrument measures improvement in QoL due to actions by organizations delivering services to individuals with intellectual disabilities (organization-oriented measure). In order to design the items for the scale, focus groups were set up with professionals dedicated to attending to individuals with intellectual disabilities. An initial scale of 20 items was constructed by consensus. A total of 1195 family members answered the questionnaire. In order to assess the structure of the scale, EFA recommended deleting 3 overlapping items. The final scale consisted of 17 items (α=95) and was composed of four main dimensions: self-determination (SD), social inclusion (SI), rights (RI) and overall improvement (OI), which explained 74.83% of the variance. Finally, the consistency and validity were assessed. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were satisfactory. Moreover, CFA confirmed the structure of the scale. Main conclusions, limitations and practical implications are discussed.

Background and Objectives: The assessment of wellbeing is a top priority in health sciences. The aim of this paper is to review the history of the concept of wellbeing and "Quality of Life" (QoL), and to understand the theories and assumptions that guided this field in order to provide a conceptual framework that may eventually facilitate the development of a formal synset (grouping of synonyms and semantically similar terms) of health-related wellbeing. Methods: The history of the concept of wellbeing and QoL was reviewed in order to provide a conceptual framework. Results: Huge differences exist on the definition of "Wellbeing" and its relationship with QoL, "Happiness" and "Functioning" in the health context. From a dimensional perspective, health related wellbeing could be regarded as an overarching construct characterised by asymmetrical polarity, where "wellbeing" embeds the concept of "ill-being" as "health" incorporates de concept of "disease". Conclusions: A common conceptual framework of these terms may eventually facilitate the development of a formal synset of health-related wellbeing. This terminological clarification should be part of a new taxonomy of health-related wellbeing based on the International Classification of Functioning...