Quality of life Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(10):518-523
To translate into Portuguese, culturally adapt and validate the Uterine Fibroid Symptom - Quality of Life (UFS-QoL) questionnaire for Brazilian women with uterine leiomyoma.
Initially, the UFS-QoL questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese in accordance with international standards, with subsequent cultural, structural, conceptual and semantic adaptations, so that patients were able to properly answer the questionnaire. Fifty patients with uterine leiomyoma and 19 patients without the disease, confirmed by abdominal pelvic examination and/or transvaginal ultrasound, were selected at the outpatient clinics of the Department of Gynecology of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). The UFS-QoL questionnaire was administered to all women twice on the same day, with two different interviewers, with an interval of 15 minutes between interviews. After 15 days, the questionnaire was readministered by the first interviewer. Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), construct and discriminative validity were tested to ratify the questionnaire.
The reliability of the instrument was assessed by Cronbach’s α coefficient with an overall result of 0.97, indicating high reliability. The survey results showed a high correlation (p= 0.94; p 0.001).
The UFS-QoL questionnaire was successfully adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, showing reliability and validity.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(10):518-523
To translate into Portuguese, culturally adapt and validate the Uterine Fibroid Symptom - Quality of Life (UFS-QoL) questionnaire for Brazilian women with uterine leiomyoma.
Initially, the UFS-QoL questionnaire was translated into Brazilian Portuguese in accordance with international standards, with subsequent cultural, structural, conceptual and semantic adaptations, so that patients were able to properly answer the questionnaire. Fifty patients with uterine leiomyoma and 19 patients without the disease, confirmed by abdominal pelvic examination and/or transvaginal ultrasound, were selected at the outpatient clinics of the Department of Gynecology of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). The UFS-QoL questionnaire was administered to all women twice on the same day, with two different interviewers, with an interval of 15 minutes between interviews. After 15 days, the questionnaire was readministered by the first interviewer. Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), construct and discriminative validity were tested to ratify the questionnaire.
The reliability of the instrument was assessed by Cronbach’s α coefficient with an overall result of 0.97, indicating high reliability. The survey results showed a high correlation (p= 0.94; p 0.001).
The UFS-QoL questionnaire was successfully adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese language and Brazilian culture, showing reliability and validity.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(6):266-272
Some studies have investigated the influence of hormonal deficits and menopausal status in muscle disorders of women. However, it has not been investigated the relationship of both climacteric symptoms and the perception of quality of life with physical performance.
To evaluate the correlation of menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance in middle-aged women.
This cross-sectional study was performed from April to November 2013 in the municipality of Parnamirim, in the Brazilian state, Rio Grande do Norte. The sample was composed of 497 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) questionnaire were used to evaluate menopausal symptoms and quality of life respectively. Measures of physical performance included handgrip strength, knee extensor and flexor strengths (using an isometric dynamometer), gait speed, and chair stand test. The correlation between menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient with significance set at p< 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95 %.
There was a significant negative correlation between handgrip strength and somatic MRS score (p= 0.002) and total MRS score (p= 0.03). There was a significant correlation between knee flexor strength and sit-to-stand time and all menopausal symptom areas (p< 0.05), except psychological symptoms. There was a positive correlation between physical performance of the knee flexors and quality of life items including occupational (p= 0.001), emotional (p= 0.005), and total UQOL (p= 0.01) , but a negative correlation with sit-to-stand time and all quality of life domains (p< 0.05).
A greater intensity of menopausal symptoms and worse quality of life were related with worse physical performance. Thus, preventive measures should be implemented to avoid adverse effects on physical performance at more advanced ages.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(6):266-272
Some studies have investigated the influence of hormonal deficits and menopausal status in muscle disorders of women. However, it has not been investigated the relationship of both climacteric symptoms and the perception of quality of life with physical performance.
To evaluate the correlation of menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance in middle-aged women.
This cross-sectional study was performed from April to November 2013 in the municipality of Parnamirim, in the Brazilian state, Rio Grande do Norte. The sample was composed of 497 women aged 40-65 years. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) questionnaire were used to evaluate menopausal symptoms and quality of life respectively. Measures of physical performance included handgrip strength, knee extensor and flexor strengths (using an isometric dynamometer), gait speed, and chair stand test. The correlation between menopausal symptoms and quality of life with physical performance was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient with significance set at p< 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95 %.
There was a significant negative correlation between handgrip strength and somatic MRS score (p= 0.002) and total MRS score (p= 0.03). There was a significant correlation between knee flexor strength and sit-to-stand time and all menopausal symptom areas (p< 0.05), except psychological symptoms. There was a positive correlation between physical performance of the knee flexors and quality of life items including occupational (p= 0.001), emotional (p= 0.005), and total UQOL (p= 0.01) , but a negative correlation with sit-to-stand time and all quality of life domains (p< 0.05).
A greater intensity of menopausal symptoms and worse quality of life were related with worse physical performance. Thus, preventive measures should be implemented to avoid adverse effects on physical performance at more advanced ages.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):246-252
to evaluate the quality of life of HIV positive (HIVþ) pregnant women using the HIV/AIDS Target Quality of Life (HAT-QoL) instrument.
cross-sectional study, conducted between May 2014 and November 2015 , with HIVþ pregnant women selected by convenience sampling. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected through interviews, and the HAT-QoL questionnaire was applied. Clinical and laboratorial data were collected from medical records.
twenty-seven pregnant women participated in the study. Their mean age was 27 years (standard deviation - SD: 7.3). The majority (59%) had up to 8 years of education, 52% identified themselves as white, 56% were unemployed, and 59% had a household income higher than the minimum wage. The mean infection time by the virus was 68.4 months (5.7 years). The majority (74%) were contaminated with HIV through sexual intercourse, and 67% declared not having a HIVþrelative. Regarding the use of condoms, 41% reported using them sporadically, and the same number did not have proper knowledge about them. Only 23 patients (85%) reported having been prescribed antiretrovirals. Fourteen (64%) had a CD4 count higher than 500 cells/mm3, and 13 pregnant women (59%) had an undetectable viral load. The scores from the quality of life questionnaire dimensions that were more affected are: infection "disclosure concerns" (mean: 39.8; SD: 27.1), followed by "financial concerns" (mean: 49.1; SD: 36), and "HIV acceptance" (mean: 49.1; SD: 35.8). The dimension with the best score was "medication concerns" (mean: 80.8; SD: 26.5).
quality of life has been increasingly used as a clinical outcome evaluation parameter. The results of this study contribute to the establishment of interventions based on the needs of HIVþ pregnant women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):246-252
to evaluate the quality of life of HIV positive (HIVþ) pregnant women using the HIV/AIDS Target Quality of Life (HAT-QoL) instrument.
cross-sectional study, conducted between May 2014 and November 2015 , with HIVþ pregnant women selected by convenience sampling. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected through interviews, and the HAT-QoL questionnaire was applied. Clinical and laboratorial data were collected from medical records.
twenty-seven pregnant women participated in the study. Their mean age was 27 years (standard deviation - SD: 7.3). The majority (59%) had up to 8 years of education, 52% identified themselves as white, 56% were unemployed, and 59% had a household income higher than the minimum wage. The mean infection time by the virus was 68.4 months (5.7 years). The majority (74%) were contaminated with HIV through sexual intercourse, and 67% declared not having a HIVþrelative. Regarding the use of condoms, 41% reported using them sporadically, and the same number did not have proper knowledge about them. Only 23 patients (85%) reported having been prescribed antiretrovirals. Fourteen (64%) had a CD4 count higher than 500 cells/mm3, and 13 pregnant women (59%) had an undetectable viral load. The scores from the quality of life questionnaire dimensions that were more affected are: infection "disclosure concerns" (mean: 39.8; SD: 27.1), followed by "financial concerns" (mean: 49.1; SD: 36), and "HIV acceptance" (mean: 49.1; SD: 35.8). The dimension with the best score was "medication concerns" (mean: 80.8; SD: 26.5).
quality of life has been increasingly used as a clinical outcome evaluation parameter. The results of this study contribute to the establishment of interventions based on the needs of HIVþ pregnant women.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(11):520-525
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005438
To translate, to adapt and to validate the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population.
Women in the climacteric phase, residents in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, located in the Brazilian Northeast, were randomly selected. UQOL and SF-36 questionnaires were used, and the translation from English to Portuguese was made by three teachers, while the adaptation stage of the translated version was made by applying the questionnaire to 35 women, which could mark the answer choice "I did not understand the question"; reproducibility measurements (test-retest) and construct validity were used to validate, following international methodological standards.
The Brazilian version was fully recognized by the target population, which was comprised of 151 women, as no question showed a percentage of "non-understanding" equal to or greater than 20%. The results for intra and interobserver reproducibility demonstrated significant agreement on all the questionnaire items. This version showed consistency above the required criteria (>70), demonstrating its accuracy, while the construct validity was obtained by statistically significant correlations between the domains occupation, health and emotional of UQOL and the SF-36 domains. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole instrument was 0.82, representing good accuracy. Item-total correlation analysis showed the scale homogeneity
From the steps taken, the UQOL questionnaire was translated and adapted for its use in Brazil, with high reproducibility and validity. Thus, it can be included and used in Brazilian studies that aim at evaluating the quality of life of women during the peri- and postmenopausal.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(11):520-525
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005438
To translate, to adapt and to validate the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population.
Women in the climacteric phase, residents in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, located in the Brazilian Northeast, were randomly selected. UQOL and SF-36 questionnaires were used, and the translation from English to Portuguese was made by three teachers, while the adaptation stage of the translated version was made by applying the questionnaire to 35 women, which could mark the answer choice "I did not understand the question"; reproducibility measurements (test-retest) and construct validity were used to validate, following international methodological standards.
The Brazilian version was fully recognized by the target population, which was comprised of 151 women, as no question showed a percentage of "non-understanding" equal to or greater than 20%. The results for intra and interobserver reproducibility demonstrated significant agreement on all the questionnaire items. This version showed consistency above the required criteria (>70), demonstrating its accuracy, while the construct validity was obtained by statistically significant correlations between the domains occupation, health and emotional of UQOL and the SF-36 domains. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole instrument was 0.82, representing good accuracy. Item-total correlation analysis showed the scale homogeneity
From the steps taken, the UQOL questionnaire was translated and adapted for its use in Brazil, with high reproducibility and validity. Thus, it can be included and used in Brazilian studies that aim at evaluating the quality of life of women during the peri- and postmenopausal.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(8):374-380
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005394
To identify the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on quality of life (QoL), to compare the scores of QoL domains in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and mixed incontinence (MUI) and to establish the association between the clinical type of UI and the impact on QoL.
Data of 181 incontinent women attended at a public hospital were collected regarding age, body mass index (BMI) and co-morbidities. King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) was applied and patients were classified into two groups according to the self-assessment of incontinence impact. KHQ scores were compared by the Mann-Whitney test. Depending on their urinary symptoms, women were divided into SUI, OAB and MUI groups and their scores in the KHQ domains were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. The odds ratio (OR) of a woman reporting a worse effect of UI on QoL was estimated using the binary logistic model. The control variables were: age, BMI and number of co-morbidities.
A significant difference was found between the two groups of self-assessment of UI impact for all KHQ domains. The MUI group showed worse scores than the SUI group for all domains, and OAB group, for limitation of physical and daily activities. There was a significant difference between the odds of the women in the SUI and MUI groups reporting worse effects of UI on QoL (OR=2.9; p=0.02).
As reported at other reference services, MUI was the most commom type, and urinary loss had a moderate/major impact on QoL, affecting mainly role limitations domain. The adjusted analysis showed that women with MUI had almost three times greater odds of reporting worse impact on QoL than women with SUI.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(8):374-380
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005394
To identify the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on quality of life (QoL), to compare the scores of QoL domains in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and mixed incontinence (MUI) and to establish the association between the clinical type of UI and the impact on QoL.
Data of 181 incontinent women attended at a public hospital were collected regarding age, body mass index (BMI) and co-morbidities. King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) was applied and patients were classified into two groups according to the self-assessment of incontinence impact. KHQ scores were compared by the Mann-Whitney test. Depending on their urinary symptoms, women were divided into SUI, OAB and MUI groups and their scores in the KHQ domains were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. The odds ratio (OR) of a woman reporting a worse effect of UI on QoL was estimated using the binary logistic model. The control variables were: age, BMI and number of co-morbidities.
A significant difference was found between the two groups of self-assessment of UI impact for all KHQ domains. The MUI group showed worse scores than the SUI group for all domains, and OAB group, for limitation of physical and daily activities. There was a significant difference between the odds of the women in the SUI and MUI groups reporting worse effects of UI on QoL (OR=2.9; p=0.02).
As reported at other reference services, MUI was the most commom type, and urinary loss had a moderate/major impact on QoL, affecting mainly role limitations domain. The adjusted analysis showed that women with MUI had almost three times greater odds of reporting worse impact on QoL than women with SUI.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(6):266-271
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005254
To investigate the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in
pregnant women living in two cities of Northeastern Brazil.
The sample consisted of 207 pregnant women. The data were collected through a
questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic, gynecological and
obstetrical data, body and sexual knowledge. Quality of life was assessed by
applying the Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI Ferrans and Power).
Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF). Data
were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon
tests.
The pregnant women studied had a median age of 30 years (quartile 26-33 years)
and were approximately at the 26th gestational week. A significant
decrease in the monthly frequency of sexual relations of the couple was observed,
with a median of 12 to 4 times per month (Z=-10.56; p<0.001). Sexual
dysfunction was detected in 35.7% of the pregnant women studied, whose quality of
life was lower when compared to women with unchanged sexual function (Z=-2.9;
p=0.004).
The results of this study show that sexual dysfunction negatively affected the
quality of life of pregnant women, and this should be an important aspect for
review during prenatal consultations.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(6):266-271
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005254
To investigate the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in
pregnant women living in two cities of Northeastern Brazil.
The sample consisted of 207 pregnant women. The data were collected through a
questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic, gynecological and
obstetrical data, body and sexual knowledge. Quality of life was assessed by
applying the Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI Ferrans and Power).
Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF). Data
were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon
tests.
The pregnant women studied had a median age of 30 years (quartile 26-33 years)
and were approximately at the 26th gestational week. A significant
decrease in the monthly frequency of sexual relations of the couple was observed,
with a median of 12 to 4 times per month (Z=-10.56; p<0.001). Sexual
dysfunction was detected in 35.7% of the pregnant women studied, whose quality of
life was lower when compared to women with unchanged sexual function (Z=-2.9;
p=0.004).
The results of this study show that sexual dysfunction negatively affected the
quality of life of pregnant women, and this should be an important aspect for
review during prenatal consultations.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(3):119-126
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005247
To assess fatigue and quality of life in disease-free breast cancer survivors in relation to a sample of age-matched women with no cancer history and to explore the relationship between fatigue and quality of life.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 202 consecutive disease-free Brazilian breast cancer survivors, all of whom had completed treatment, treated at 2 large hospitals. The patients were compared to age-matched women with no cancer history attending a primary health care center. The Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to measure the fatigue and quality of life, respectively. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were also obtained. The χ2 test, generalized linear model, and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for statistical purposes. The adopted level of significance was 5%.
Breast cancer survivors experienced significantly greater total and subscale fatigue scores than comparison group (all p-values<0.05). In addition, survivors reported a poorer quality of life in physical (p=0.002), psychological (p=0.03), and social relationships (p=0.03) domains than comparison group. No difference was found for the environmental domain (p=0.08) for both groups. For survivors of breast cancer and for comparison group, the total and subscale fatigue scores were related to lower quality of life (all p-values<0.01).
The findings of this study highlight the importance of assessing fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(3):119-126
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005247
To assess fatigue and quality of life in disease-free breast cancer survivors in relation to a sample of age-matched women with no cancer history and to explore the relationship between fatigue and quality of life.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 202 consecutive disease-free Brazilian breast cancer survivors, all of whom had completed treatment, treated at 2 large hospitals. The patients were compared to age-matched women with no cancer history attending a primary health care center. The Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to measure the fatigue and quality of life, respectively. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were also obtained. The χ2 test, generalized linear model, and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for statistical purposes. The adopted level of significance was 5%.
Breast cancer survivors experienced significantly greater total and subscale fatigue scores than comparison group (all p-values<0.05). In addition, survivors reported a poorer quality of life in physical (p=0.002), psychological (p=0.03), and social relationships (p=0.03) domains than comparison group. No difference was found for the environmental domain (p=0.08) for both groups. For survivors of breast cancer and for comparison group, the total and subscale fatigue scores were related to lower quality of life (all p-values<0.01).
The findings of this study highlight the importance of assessing fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(2):87-93
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004650
To assess the relationship between the histological classification and the quality of life of patients operated for endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study, with assessment of 32 biopsies of the intestine, peritoneum and uterosacral ligament from 40 women with deep endometriosis. The quality of life (QOL) was determined by applying the SF-36 questionnaire pre-operatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Biopsies were histologically classified into pure stromal (EP), glandular differentiated (GD), glandular undifferentiated (GI) and mixed (GM), remaining in the sample only GI and GM, which are related to eight domains of the SF-36.
According to the histologic type, the following distribution was observed: peritoneum 63% GI and 35% GM; intestine 19% GI and 24% GM; uterosacral ligament with 41% GI and 35% GM. Regarding the QOL and the histological classification, in the intestine only GM was associated with improvement of social and emotional aspects from 0 to 6 months; the domains general health status (p=0.01) and social aspect (p=0.04) were significantly related to improvement of the QOL from 0 to 6 months, and the general health status tended to improve from 0 to 12 months. Regarding pain (p=0.06) and the emotional aspect (p=0.05), the QOL tended to improve from 0 to 6 months and the vital capacity (p=0.1) improved from 0 to 6 months and from 0 to 12 months. Regarding the emotional aspect, evolution of the two histological types was not favorable for improvement in MG from 0 to 6 months. No significant relationships between histologic type and QOL were evident in the uterosacral ligament samples.
Improvement in the QOL of women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for deep endometriosis is associated with the histologic grade. The peritoneal biopsy of GI revealed improved QOL after surgery.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(2):87-93
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004650
To assess the relationship between the histological classification and the quality of life of patients operated for endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study, with assessment of 32 biopsies of the intestine, peritoneum and uterosacral ligament from 40 women with deep endometriosis. The quality of life (QOL) was determined by applying the SF-36 questionnaire pre-operatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Biopsies were histologically classified into pure stromal (EP), glandular differentiated (GD), glandular undifferentiated (GI) and mixed (GM), remaining in the sample only GI and GM, which are related to eight domains of the SF-36.
According to the histologic type, the following distribution was observed: peritoneum 63% GI and 35% GM; intestine 19% GI and 24% GM; uterosacral ligament with 41% GI and 35% GM. Regarding the QOL and the histological classification, in the intestine only GM was associated with improvement of social and emotional aspects from 0 to 6 months; the domains general health status (p=0.01) and social aspect (p=0.04) were significantly related to improvement of the QOL from 0 to 6 months, and the general health status tended to improve from 0 to 12 months. Regarding pain (p=0.06) and the emotional aspect (p=0.05), the QOL tended to improve from 0 to 6 months and the vital capacity (p=0.1) improved from 0 to 6 months and from 0 to 12 months. Regarding the emotional aspect, evolution of the two histological types was not favorable for improvement in MG from 0 to 6 months. No significant relationships between histologic type and QOL were evident in the uterosacral ligament samples.
Improvement in the QOL of women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for deep endometriosis is associated with the histologic grade. The peritoneal biopsy of GI revealed improved QOL after surgery.
