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<p>The aim with this thesis was to study cardiovascular disease and hypertension, use of drugs and health from an epidemiological perspective. Various methods - self-rated health (SRH), health related quality of life (HRQL) - the 36-item short form questionnaire (SF-36) - and health utility measurements - the rating scale (RS) and the time-trade off (TTO) methods - were employed.</p><p>Data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) in 1984, 1987, 1990, and 1993 as well as a general population survey conducted in Uppsala County in 1995 were used.</p><p>Persons who have cardiovascular disease, both with and without drug treatment, were found to have a lower SRH as compared to others in the population. Longitudinal analyses showed that SRH was relatively stable over time among persons with cardiovascular disease. Both having a low SRH and having cardiovascular disease were associated with a higher mortality rate.</p><p>Hypertensives were found to have a lower HRQL than do others in the general population as measured by the SF-36. The lowest scoring was found in the general health perception scale (GH), whereas role emotional (RE) and mental health (MH) were the scales least affected by hypertension.</p><p>Nearly 20 percent of the antihypertensive drug users reported side effects.The pattern of side effects was similar to that reported in clinical trials. Both hypertension itself and the drug treatment were found to have an impact on the patient's health-state utility as measured by the RS. Comparative analyses showed that health utilities and psychometric quality-of-life instruments were only moderately correlated among hypertensives. </p><p>The results also showed that inequalities in HRQL were present with respect to several sociodemographic factors. </p><p>In summary, this thesis revealed that persons with cardiovascular disease and/or with hypertension experience poorer health than others in the population. The poor health may be caused both by the disease and/or the drug treatment. The results in this thesis also suggested that special attention and care should be directed to persons with cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension reporting ill health. This especially is important given that low HRQL can be a riskfactor for subsequent cardiovascular events or complications which in turn might result in higher mortality rate.</p>

The general aim of this thesis was to classify and describe long-term pain two years after a stroke and to describe the experiences of pain, and the consequences it has on the persons’ lives. The studies were conducted from a multidimensional perspective on pain, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Three types of long-term pain were classified and described among the 43 participants included, aged 33-82 years. These were central post-stroke pain, nociceptive, mainly shoulder pain, and tension-type headache. Pain onset, within one to six months in most of the cases was after discharge from the hospital. Continuous pain or pain almost every day was reported by nearly two-thirds. The pain was mostly described as troublesome, annoying and tiring in all pain groups. The rating of pain intensity revealed individual differences among the participants within the pain groups. In addition to long-term pain, the participants suffered several impairments and nearly half of them were dependent on others, and two-thirds on assistive devices. Several coping strategies were described, most often problem-focused. Their health-related quality of life was decreased, mostly related to their long-term pain and physical impairments. Their experiences of caring revealed the need of improvements in knowledge about longterm pain, attention and understanding among the professionals, and continuity in the contacts. / On the day of the public defence the status of article III was: Accepted for publication and the status of article IV was: In press.

Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2006 S. 1-125 : 4 uppsatser

<p>This study attests to the fact that disability is an issue in conflict-affected populations, in particular refugees. Refugees with disabilities living in Mayukwayukwa refugee camp also have poor HRQOL similar to other studies. Education was the only variable significantly correlated to the psychological and social domains of the HRQOL. The study highlighted that environmental and personal variables played a role in the determination of health related quality of life among refugees with disabilities.</p>

The aim with this thesis was to study cardiovascular disease and hypertension, use of drugs and health from an epidemiological perspective. Various methods - self-rated health (SRH), health related quality of life (HRQL) - the 36-item short form questionnaire (SF-36) - and health utility measurements - the rating scale (RS) and the time-trade off (TTO) methods - were employed. Data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) in 1984, 1987, 1990, and 1993 as well as a general population survey conducted in Uppsala County in 1995 were used. Persons who have cardiovascular disease, both with and without drug treatment, were found to have a lower SRH as compared to others in the population. Longitudinal analyses showed that SRH was relatively stable over time among persons with cardiovascular disease. Both having a low SRH and having cardiovascular disease were associated with a higher mortality rate. Hypertensives were found to have a lower HRQL than do others in the general population as measured by the SF-36. The lowest scoring was found in the general health perception scale (GH), whereas role emotional (RE) and mental health (MH) were the scales least affected by hypertension. Nearly 20 percent of the antihypertensive drug users reported side effects.The pattern of side effects was similar to that reported in clinical trials. Both hypertension itself and the drug treatment were found to have an impact on the patient's health-state utility as measured by the RS. Comparative analyses showed that health utilities and psychometric quality-of-life instruments were only moderately correlated among hypertensives. The results also showed that inequalities in HRQL were present with respect to several sociodemographic factors. In summary, this thesis revealed that persons with cardiovascular disease and/or with hypertension experience poorer health than others in the population. The poor health may be caused both by the disease and/or the drug treatment. The results in this thesis also suggested that special attention and care should be directed to persons with cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension reporting ill health. This especially is important given that low HRQL can be a riskfactor for subsequent cardiovascular events or complications which in turn might result in higher mortality rate.

Aims: The overall aim was to determine how lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) affect sleep, health related quality of life and disease specific quality of life, and how the men’s urinary symptoms affect their partners. Subjects and methods: In papers I–II, a descriptive design with a pre-test and post-test was used and in papers III-IV the design was descriptive and comparative. The method was self-administered questionnaires. In papers I- II: The questionnaires were translated in the ethnographic mode. In paper I the reliability of the questionnaire was tested in 122 patients with LUTS/ BPO. The disease specific quality of life was studied before and after intervention in 572 consecutive patients with BPO, aged 45-94 yrs. In paper II, the partner specific quality of life was studied in partners to men with BPO before and after TURP. The reliability and the responsiveness of the questionnaire were tested in two groups with 51 partners each. Papers III-IV: A study of 239 men with LUTS, aged 45-80 yrs, and their partners (n=126) who were compared to randomly selected men from the population (n=213) and their partners (n=131). The men had an extra control group, men with inguinal hernia (n=200). Sleep and health related quality of life was studied in both men and their partners. The partners’ specific quality of life was also studied and the men with LUTS answered questions about urinary symptoms and disease specific quality of life. Results: Papers I-II: All the tested questionnaires showed an acceptable reliability and responsiveness. I: Before and after intervention the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 46 % and 16 % respectively. II: Partners were affected by the patients’ BPO symptoms before and improved after the patients TURPs. III: Most sleep variables were significantly impaired in men with LUTS compared to one or both of the control groups. The men with LUTS had a significantly higher prevalence of insomnia (40 %) than both control groups and significantly lower sleep efficiency (49 %) than men with hernia. The men with LUTS were significantly impaired in most domains of the health related quality of life compared to men in the population. IV: There were no significant differences between the two partner groups regarding the quantity and quality of sleep or the health related quality of life. Conclusions: All tested questionnaires showed an acceptable reliability and responsiveness. The prevalence of urinary incontinence before and after intervention was higher than earlier reported. Men with LUTS had significantly poorer sleep quality, reduced sleep efficiency and a higher prevalence of insomnia than men in the population and men with inguinal hernia. The HRQOL is impaired in men with LUTS compared to men in the population and men with inguinal hernia. Partners are affected by the patients’ symptoms, and it is emotional rather than practical aspects that affect them most. Partners of men with LUTS did not differ significantly from partners in the population with regard to sleep and health related quality of life.

Aquesta tesi tracta de la Qualitat de vida dels adolescents amb Escoliosi idiopàtica (EIA) quan ese sotmeten a tractament conservador. Així mateix, concepte central és el de Qualitat de Vida relacionat amb la Salut (QVRS), dins del model biopsicosocial. Es tracta d'un model complex i multicausal, on ment i cos estan estrictament inter-relacionats. Per tant, considerem també: l'auto-imatge, l'estrès i la família. En l'EIA, definida com una desviació lateral de la columna associada a una rotació, es presenten dos factors importants: un possible deteriorament de l 'auto-imatge i una vivència de pèrdua de perfecció, per part dels pacients i dels seus pares. Potencials factors que poden dificultar l'elaboració d'aquest dol són la incertesa en relació a l'evolució de la corba i una possible herència genètica, normalment a càrrec de les mares. Els mètodes de intervencions, en relació a la gravetat de la deformació, comprenen: la simple observació, el tractament conservador amb corset i fisioteràpia, l'operació quirúrgica i/o la fisioteràpia. En relació a un interès sempre més fort per part d'investigadors i clínics, es van crear instruments de mesura que varien des dels genèrics als específics i als super-específics. Arran dels limitats estudis sobre els impactes de la fisioteràpia i del tractament “mixt” que inclou corset i fisioteràpia, hem dut a terme una investigació comptant amb una mostra d'adolescents provinents de dos centres, a Barcelona i a Milà. Els instruments utilitzats van ser: un qüestionari de dades soci-demogràfic, el test d'autoestima de Rosenberg, l'Autoconcepte Forma 5, l'Escala de satisfacció amb el propi cos, el SRS-22, el BSSQ (corset).es/it. Es van realitzar 4 estudis. El primer va ser un estudi de tipus descriptiu sobre la mostra. El segon, una comparació entre els dos grups de fisioteràpia de Milà i de Barcelona, va revelar un augment de la CVRS amb referència al Dolor en el grup de Milà; els dos Tractaments van tenir efectes diferents sobre l'AF-Emocional i el SRS-Autoimatge, amb puntuacions més altes en el grup de Barcelona. El tercer, una comparació entre el grup de fisioteràpia i el mixt en la mostra de Milà , va ensenyar una millora en CVRS quant a Dolor al llarg del temps en el grup de fisioteràpia en contra d'una reducció en el grup mixt. El quart, una comparació entre el grup de fisioteràpia i el sense tractament en la mostra de Barcelona, va indicar que independentment del tractament, hi va haver-una reducció de l'Auto concepte familiar. Tenint en compte el limitat nombre de la mostra, la seva composició heterogènia, les eines utilitzades, es plantegen investigacions més completes en el futur. / Esta tesis trata de la Calidad de vida de los adolescentes con Escoliosis idiopática (EIA) cuando se someten a tratamiento conservador. Asimismo, concepto central es el de Calidad de Vida relacionado con la salud (CVRS), dentro del modelo biopsicosocial. Se trata de un modelo complejo y multicausal, donde mente y cuerpo están estrictamente inter-relacionados. Por lo tanto, consideramos también: la autoimagen, el estrés y la familia. En la EIA, definida como una desviación lateral de la columna asociada a una rotación, se presentan dos factores importantes: un posible deterioro de la autoimagen y una vivencia de pérdida de perfección, por parte de los pacientes y de sus padres. Potenciales factores que pueden dificultar la elaboración de este duelo son la incertidumbre en relación a la evolución de la curva y una posible herencia genética, normalmente a cargo de las madres. Los métodos de intervenciones, en relación a la gravedad de la deformación, comprenden: la simple observación, el tratamiento conservador con corsé y fisioterapia, la operación quirúrgica y/o la fisioterapia. En relación a un interés siempre más fuerte por parte de investigadores y clínicos, se crearon instrumentos de medición que varían desde los genéricos a los específicos y a los superespecíficos. A raíz de los limitados estudios sobre los impactos de la fisioterapia y del tratamiento “mixto” que incluye corsé y fisioterapia, hemos llevado a cabo una investigación contando con una muestra de adolescentes provenientes de dos centros, en Barcelona y en Milán. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: un cuestionario de datos-socio-demográfico, el test de autoestima de Rosenberg, el Autoconcepto Forma 5, la Escala de satisfacción con el propio cuerpo, el SRS-22, el BSSQ (corsé).es/it. Se realizaron 4 estudios. El primero fue un estudio de tipo descriptivo sobre la muestra. El segundo, una comparación entre los dos grupos de fisioterapia de Milán y de Barcelona, reveló un aumento de la CVRS con referencia al Dolor en el grupo de Milán; los dos Tratamientos tuvieron efectos diferentes sobre el AF-Emocional y el SRS-Autoimagen, con puntuaciones más altas en el grupo español. El tercero, una comparación entre el grupo de fisioterapia y el mixto en la muestra de Milán, enseñó una mejora en CVRS en cuanto a Dolor a lo largo del tiempo en el grupo de fisioterapia en contra de una reducción en el grupo mixto. El cuarto, una comparación entre el grupo de fisioterapia y el sin tratamiento en la muestra de Barcelona, indicó que indiferentemente de l tratamiento, hubo una reducción del Autoconcepto familiar. Teniendo en cuenta el limitado numero de la muestra, su composición heterogénea, las herramientas utilizadas, se plantean investigaciones más completas en futuro. / The present thesis deals with the quality of life of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (EIA) when subjected to conservative treatment. Besides, the main concept is the quality of life related to health (HRQOL), within the biopsychosocial model. This is a complex and multi-causal model, where mind and body are strictly interrelated. Therefore, we consider the following elements: self-image, stress and family. In the EIA, defined as a lateral deviation of the spine associated with a rotation, there are two important factors: a possible deterioration of the self-image and a feeling of the lost perfection perceived by the patients and their parents. Potential factors that may hinder the development of this grief are the uncertainty regarding the evolution of the curve and the possible genetic inheritance, usually from maternal side. The methods of intervention in relation to the severity of the deformity may be listed as follows: the simple observation, the conservative treatment with braces and physiotherapy, surgery and / or physiotherapy. With regard to the ever-stronger interest shown by researchers and clinicians, measurement tools ranging from generic to specific and super-specific have been created. Because of the limited studies on the impacts of the physiotherapy treatment and the "mixed" one, including brace and physical therapy, we investigated a sample of adolescents from two centres, in Barcelona and in Milan. The instruments used were a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem test, the Self-concept Form 5, the Scale of satisfaction with one's body, the SRS-22, BSSQ (brace). The following four studies were conducted . The first was a description of the sample. The second, a comparison between the two groups – from Milan and from Barcelona-, showed an increase of “pain referred HRQOL” in the Milan group; the two treatments had different effects on the AF-Emotional and SRS-Self-image, with higher scores in the Spanish group. The third, a comparison between the physiotherapy group and the mixed one in the sample from Milan, showed an improved “pain referred HRQOL” with the passing of time in the physiotherapy group against a reduction in the mixed group. The fourth, a comparison between the physiotherapy group and the untreated one in the sample from Barcelona, indicated that regardless of the treatment, there was a reduction of the family self-concept. Given the limited sample numbers, its heterogeneous composition, the tools used, the present study requires a more extensive investigation in the future.

The objective of this work is the evaluation of the impact on health care of the systematic use of health related quality of life (HRQL) measures. A systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials were performed. A novel method was developed for the interpretation of scores that was based on Item Response Theory and it was applied to Visual Function Index VF-14, a perceived visual function measure for cataract patients. In a before-after trial, the visual function of 833 consecutive cataract patients attending 19 ophthalmologists in hospital and primary care based practices was routinely assessed. The results suggest that the feed back on HRQL and perceived health to health professionals might improve some aspects of medical care process, but not its outcome. / El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar el impacto en la atención médica del uso sistemático de instrumentos de medida de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Para ello se realizó una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis de ensayos clínicos. Se desarrolló un método para la interpretación de las puntuaciones basado en Teoría de Respuesta al Ítem y se aplicó al Índice de Función Visual VF-14, una medida de función visual percibida para pacientes con cataratas. Se diseñó un estudio de intervención antes-después en el que se midió de forma sistemática la función visual de 833 pacientes con cataratas que acudieron de forma consecutiva a las consultas de 19 oftalmólogos en centros hospitalarios y de atención primaria. Los resultados indican que la administración de información sobre CVRS y salud percibida a los profesionales de la salud podría modificar algunos componentes del proceso de la atención sanitaria, pero no su resultado. / L' objectiu del present treball és l'avaluació de l'impacto a l' atenció mèdica de l'us sistemàtic dels instruments de mesura de la qualitat de vida relacionada amb la salut (QVRS). Es realitzà una revisió sistemàtica i meta-anàlisi d'assaijos clínics. Es va desenvolupar un mètode per a la interpretació de les puntuacions basat en la Teoria de Resposta a l'Ítem que es va aplicar a l'Índex de Funció Visual VF-14, una mesura de funció visual percebuda per a pacients amb cataractes. Es va dissenyar un estudi d'intervenció abans-després en el que es mesurà de forma sistemàtica la funció visual de 833 pacients amb cataractes atesos de forma consecutiva a les consultas de 19 oftalmòlegs de centres hospitalaris i d'atenció primària. Els resultats indiquen que l'administració d'información sobre QVRS i salut percebuda als professionals de la salut pot modificar alguns components del procés de l' atenció sanitària, pero no el seu resultat.

<p>This study attests to the fact that disability is an issue in conflict-affected populations, in particular refugees. Refugees with disabilities living in Mayukwayukwa refugee camp also have poor HRQOL similar to other studies. Education was the only variable significantly correlated to the psychological and social domains of the HRQOL. The study highlighted that environmental and personal variables played a role in the determination of health related quality of life among refugees with disabilities.</p>