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Purpose This review systematically identified and critically appraised the available literature that has examined the association between religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods We searched several electronic online databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and CINAHL) from database inception until October 2017. Included articles were peer-reviewed, published in English, and quantitatively examined the association between R/S and QOL. We assessed the methodological quality of each included study. Results The 15 articles included were published between 2002 and 2017. Most studies were conducted in the US and enrolled patients with heart failure. Sixteen dimensions of R/S were assessed with a variety of instruments. QOL domains examined were global, health-related, and disease-specific QOL. Ten studies reported a significant positive association between R/S and QOL, with higher spiritual well-being, intrinsic religiousness, and frequency of church attendance positively related with mental and emotional well-being. Approximately half of the included studies reported negative or null associations. Conclusions Our findings suggest that higher levels of R/S may be related to better QOL among patients with CVD, with varying associations depending on the R/S dimension and QOL domain assessed. Future longitudinal studies in large patient samples with different CVDs and designs are needed to better understand how R/S may influence QOL. More uniformity in assessing R/S would enhance the comparability of results across studies. Understanding the influence of R/S on QOL would promote a holistic approach in managing patients with CVD.

Introduction There is a lack of performance comparisons of the generic quality of life tool EQ-5D-5L against disease- and treatment-specific measures in venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to compare EQ-5D-5L against the pulmonary embolism (PE)-specific PEmb-QoL and the deep vein thrombosis (DVT)-specific VEINES-QOL/Sym, and PACT-Q2 (treatment-specific) questionnaires in five language settings. Methods PREFER in VTE was a non-interventional disease registry conducted between 2013 and 2014 in primary and secondary care across seven European countries with five languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Consecutive patients with acute PE/DVT were enrolled and followed over 12 months. Only patients who completed all three questionnaires at baseline were included in the study sample. The psychometric properties examined included acceptability (missing, ceiling and floor effects), validity (convergent and known-groups validity), and responsiveness. Known groups validity and responsiveness were assessed using both effect size (Cohen’s d ) and relative efficiency ( F -statistic). All analyses were conducted in each language version and the total sample across all languages. Results A total of 1054 PE and 1537 DVT patients were included. 14% of PE and 10% of DVT patients had the maximum EQ-5D-5L index score. EQ-5D-5L was low to moderately correlated with other measures ( r  < 0.5). EQ-5D-5L was associated with larger effect size/relative efficiency in most of known group comparisons in both VTE groups. Similar results were observed for responsiveness. EQ-5D-5L performed relatively better in French, Italian and Spanish language versions. Conclusion Overall EQ-5D-5L is comparable to PEmb-QoL, VEINES-QOL/Sym and PACT-Q2 in terms of acceptability, validity and responsiveness in both PE and DVT populations in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish language version. Nevertheless, it should be noted that each measure is designed to capture different aspects of health-related quality of life.

The word “quality of life” has been used vigorously from everyday language to research studies. Often, it becomes challenging to differentiate between notions related to QoL, well-being, satisfaction, and happiness. UQoL is a notion that has been conversed in recent studies as a response to various urban issues and challenges. The paper aims to define the concept of QoL in urban context through a descriptive analytical approach and reviews various QoL models and approaches of QoL-studies and compares the number of indices measuring QoL at the national and city level to identify various dimensions and indicators. Finally, a conceptual model concluding the UQoL indicators have been deduced in the form of a matrix. These dimensions represent a guide for policymakers, Planners, Architects, and Designers.

Review of existing research reveals sporadic explorations of the vast concept of perceived Quality of Life (QoL) of elderly. Assessment of QoL of elderly in South Asian countries have been so far based on measurement models developed on western ideologies. The distinctively dissimilar perspectives and philosophies of the elderly living in South Asian countries seeks for development of QoL models from their perspective. The importance of the neighbourhood environment in the lives of the elderly and the preference of the elderly to age-in-place, also necessitates research on improving the QoL of the elderly in the context of their residential environment. This paper, exploring the perspectives of a group of Indian elderly, describes the stages of identification of a set of factors (components) and a broad set of domains (latent constructs which these factors cater to), influencing perceived QoL of Indian elderly to promote ageing-in-place. The methodology combines qualitative and quantitative research techniques, which includes literature review, followed by focus group discussions and close-ended interviews with Indian elderly from varied socio-demographic backgrounds. The present study, using Principal Component Analysis, identifies seven broad domains and 37 QoL factors influencing perceived QoL of Indian and elderly, which can be further validated on a larger sample for the development of a QoL index. The structure of domains and factors, identified for the Indian elderly varies considerably from that identified from literature. The study concludes with an exploration of the prioritisation of the identified domains among different socio-demographic groups.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prominent medical condition that can affect an individual at some point in their life time which could lead to poor quality of life (QOL). Low back pain has affected approximately 577 million individuals globally by 2017. The aim of the current systematic review is to synthesise the existing evidence on the factors influencing the QOL in individuals with CLBP and to identify strategies to improve their QOL. PubMed, ScienceDirect, PsychNet and Google Scholar were used to extract studies reporting quantitative relationships between QOL and its possible determinants in individuals having CLBP and the intervention strategies to improve QOL. 10,851 studies were initially identified and twenty-six studies which met the inclusion criteria were selected for the review. 21 studies reported relationship between QOL and potential determinants and five studies assessed the influence of interventions on QOL. Determinants were classified as kinesiophobia, fear avoidance belief, or pain belief; occupation-related factors; pain and disability; activity; personal factors including age, gender, employment status; and other psychological factors including anxiety, quality of sleep, and health locus of control. Intervention strategies including MBSR, Pilates method and Back School Programme improved QOL in individuals with CLBP. Psychosocial factors as well as the physical status of the individual contributed to the QOL in individuals having CLBP.

Naldemedine is a peripherally-acting µ-opioid-receptor antagonist, approved in Japan for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). In two open-label, single-arm, Phase III studies, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of naldemedine in Japanese patients with OIC receiving regular-use opioids (COMPOSE-6) or prolonged-release oxycodone (COMPOSE-7) for chronic noncancer pain. Eligible Japanese adults with OIC and chronic noncancer pain received once-daily oral naldemedine 0.2 mg for 48 weeks, irrespective of food intake. Primary end points included measures of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), pain intensity, and opioid withdrawal. Secondary efficacy end points were evaluated at treatment week 2. Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) scores were evaluated in both 48-week studies. Of patients enrolled in COMPOSE-6 (N = 43) and COMPOSE-7 (N = 10), TEAEs were reported in 88% (95% CI 74.9-96.1) and 90% (95% CI 55.5-99.7), respectively. The most frequently reported TEAEs, nasopharyngitis and diarrhea, were mostly mild or moderate in severity. Assessments of pain intensity and opioid withdrawal remained stable over the 48-week treatment periods of both studies. The proportion of spontaneous bowel-movement responders at week 2 in COMPOSE-6 was 81.0% (95% CI 65.9-91.4) and 90.0% (95% CI 55.5-99.7) in COMPOSE-7. Significant and sustained improvements in PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores were also observed in both studies (all <0.05). Side effects that occurred with naldemedine were mostly mild or moderate in severity, and the data suggested that naldemedine can improve bowel function and QOL in Japanese patients with OIC receiving regular-use opioids or prolonged-release oxycodone for chronic noncancer pain.

Endo-Venous Radio-Frequency Ablation (EVRF) is widely used for treating varicose veins, offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. However, the trajectory of postoperative symptoms, recurrence patterns, and patient-centered outcomes remains variable across populations. To evaluate postoperative symptom changes, vein occlusion patterns, recurrence, cutaneous effects, patient satisfaction, and quality of life in patients undergoing EVRF over a one-year follow-up period. A prospective observational study was conducted on 125 patients treated with EVRF at Dijlah Private Hospital, Maysan, Iraq. Clinical outcomes—including paresthesia, thrombophlebitis, ecchymosis, redness and skin changes, cellulitis, recurrence, occlusion rate, patient satisfaction, and quality of life—were assessed using a standardized four-point scoring system. Evaluations were performed at week one, 30 days, and one year. Paired t-tests were applied to compare temporal changes. Significant early improvements were observed across most clinical indicators. Paresthesia decreased from 1.3462 at week one to 1.0692 at 30 days (P<0.001). Redness, skin changes, thrombophlebitis, and ecchymosis demonstrated similar reductions. Recurrence improved significantly from 0.9846 to 0.6769 at one year (P<0.001). In contrast, occlusion scores declined from 2.8846 at week one to 1.9231 at one year (P<0.001), suggesting partial recanalization. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly from 3.6154 to 2.4154 (P<0.001). Despite these objective improvements, patient satisfaction decreased from 2.8154 to 1.8538 over the same period (P<0.001). Cellulitis showed no significant change (P=0.074). EVRF provides substantial early postoperative benefits and long-term improvements in quality of life, with low complication rates. However, reduced occlusion durability and declining patient satisfaction highlight the importance of standardized imaging follow-up and enhanced patient counseling to optimize long-term outcomes.

Background Irritable bowel syndrome patients report reduced disease‐specific quality of life (IBSQOL). Factors of potential relevance for QOL include gastrointestinal (GI), psychological, and somatic symptoms, demographics, and GI motor and sensory abnormalities. Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the relative importance of these factors on the different IBSQOL dimensions. Methods We included irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients who completed validated questionnaires to assess QOL, stool form and frequency, GI symptom severity, psychological distress, GI‐specific anxiety, sense of coherence, and overall somatic symptom severity. Patients also underwent tests for oroanal transit time and rectal sensitivity. The nine dimensions of IBSQOL and their average (overall IBSQOL) were used as outcome variables, and factors associated with these were assessed using general linear models. Results We included 314 IBS patients (74% female, mean age 36.3 ± 12.2 years). Higher stool frequency, GI and overall somatic symptom severity, psychological distress, and GI‐specific anxiety were independently associated with reduced overall IBSQOL, with the model explaining 60% of the variance (p < 0.001). In models using each of the nine dimensions as outcomes, different association of demographic factors, GI symptoms, overall somatic symptom severity, psychological factors and sense of coherence were associated with reduced IBSQOL, explaining 20%–60% of the variance, with GI‐specific anxiety being the factor that contributed most frequently. Rectal sensitivity or oroanal transit time were not independently associated with any of the dimensions. Conclusion Different combinations of demographic factors, GI and somatic symptoms, and psychological factors are of importance for the nine IBSQOL dimensions. Gastrointestinal‐specific anxiety was the most important factor contributing to the majority of those dimensions in patients with IBS.

The rapid urban growth poses a huge challenge in sustaining the quality of local environment and life characteristics in contemporary cities. There is a growing body of literature on sustainable cities, QoL, livability; yet a transparent and verifiable knowledge on its assessment at the urban scale is both limited and disparate. Very recently, the use of computational models, tools and indices has seen a sudden upsurge in QoL assessment at the city and sub-city level. This research, through an exhaustive review of scientific and policy literature postulates that despite promulgation of numerous and comprehensive indices and tools, yet these demonstrate a great deal of inconsistency and incomparability. This necessitates an investigation into what ought to be the preferred attributes/features of an ideal model, thereby demanding a systematic, transparent and objective appraisal of urban QoL assessment tools used worldwide. Addressing to the above objective, the research examines peer-reviewed papers to derive eight fundamental study criteria (type of dataset, scope or parameters, sample- coverage and unit, approach, technique, model type, interphase and application) that could typically characterizes such tool. It then reviews scientific and policy literature, open-access webpages on the internet to identify a first of its kind, exhaustive inventory of 26 urban QoL models and then critically evaluates these on the basis of the eight study criteria. The ensuing results bring to the fore a plethora of new, interesting and some inconvenient findings, most importantly that not even a single tool captures all the seven theoretical dimensions of QoL. Despite meant to evaluate quality in cities, only few tools conduct qualitative, subjective, bottom-up, GIS based simulation modeling that could effectively be put to use for more public and policy oriented applications. Lastly, the research demonstrates with credible evidence that a majority of tools/index continue to understand the city as a homogenous entity, with limited know-how on the variability of QoL at the neighbourhood level.

ObjectivesShared decision-making (SDM) is increasingly emphasized in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although SDM has been linked to quality of life (QoL) in various diseases, its direct and quantitative relationship with QoL in SLE remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal relationship between SDM and QoL in a multicenter cohort of patients with SLE.MethodsPatients aged 20 years or older diagnosed with SLE according to the 1997 revised American College of Rheumatology criteria were included. The association between baseline scores on the SDM-Q-9, an indicator of SDM, and one-year changes in scores on the LupusPRO, a QoL measure for patients with SLE, was examined using multiple regression analysis. Additionally, we evaluated the association between SDM changes and QoL, both overall and across the four groups, categorized by baseline SDM levels and SDM changes.ResultsA total of 436 patients were included in this analysis. Higher baseline SDM-Q-9 scores were associated with a 0.16-point improvement (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.071–0.24, p = 0.001) in non-health-related QoL, particularly in the satisfaction with care domain (0.36-point improvement, 95% CI: 0.14–0.58, p = 0.003). For health-related QoL, SDM-Q-9 scores improved the procreation domain by 0.13 points (95% CI: 0.033–0.22, p = 0.01 ). Longitudinal changes in SDM over one year did not substantially alter these associations.ConclusionsHigher SDM levels in patients with SLE may enhance their QoL. Sustained high SDM appears to be more influential than short-term improvements.