Perceived built environment, health-related quality of life and health care utilization.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Cerletti P
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8101743 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundDifferences in health care utilization by educational level can contribute to inequalities in health. Understanding health care utilization and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of educational groups may provide important insights into the presence of these inequalities. Therefore, we assessed characteristics, health care utilization and HRQoL of injury patients by educational level.MethodData for this registry based cohort study were extracted from the Dutch Injury Surveillance System. At 6-month follow-up, a stratified sample of patients (≥25 years) with an unintentional injury reported their health care utilization since discharge and completed the EQ-5-Dimension, 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) and visual analogue scale (EQ VAS). Logistic regression analyses, adjusting for patient and injury characteristics, were performed to investigate the association between educational level and health care utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse HRQoL scores by educational level, for hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.ResultsThis study included 2606 patients; 47.9% had a low, 24.4% a middle level, and 27.7% a high level of education. Patients with low education were more often female, were older, had more comorbidities, and lived more often alone compared to patients with high education (p < 0.001). Patients with high education were more likely to visit a general practitioner (OR: 1.38; CI: 1.11-1.72) but less likely to be hospitalized (OR: 0.79; CI: 0.63-1.00) and to have nursing care at home (OR: 0.66; CI: 0.49-0.90) compared to their low educated counterparts. For both hospitalized an non-hospitalized persons, those with low educational level reported lower HRQoL and more problems on all dimensions than those with a higher educational level.ConclusionPost-discharge, level of education was associated with visiting the general practitioner and nursing care at home, but not significantly with use of other health care services in the 6 months post-injury. Additionally, patients with a low educational level had a poorer HRQoL. However, other factors including age and sex may also explain a part of these differences between educational groups. It is important that patients are aware of potential consequences of their trauma and when and why they should consult a specific health care service after ED or hospital discharge.
| S-EPMC8451142 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although women will account for almost 11% of veterans by 2040, we know little about their health and functioning, particularly compared to men.To compare women and men veterans' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and VA health care utilization and to see if previously described associations between HRQOL, subsequent VA health care utilization, and mortality in male veterans would generalize to women veterans.Prospective cohort study of all veterans who received medical care from an Upper Midwest Veterans Affairs facility between 10/1/96 and 3/31/98 and returned a mailed questionnaire.Women's effective survey response rate was 52% (n = 1,500); men's, 58% (n = 35,000). In the following year, 9% of women and 12% of men had at least one hospitalization. One percent of women and 3% of men died in the post-survey year. After adjustment, women's HRQOL was higher than men's; for every 10-point decrement in overall physical or mental functioning, women and men had similarly increased risk/odds of subsequently dying, being hospitalized at a VA facility, or making a VA outpatient stop. Among younger women and women who received VA care outside of the Twin City metro area, poorer overall mental or physical health functioning was associated with fewer primary care stops; among their male counterparts, it was associated with more primary care stops.Compared to men, women veterans receiving VA health care in the upper Midwest catchment area had better HRQOL and used fewer health services. Although VA health care utilization was similar across gender after adjusting for HRQOL, poorer mental or physical health was associated with fewer primary care stops for selected subgroups of women.
| S-EPMC2219767 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundIn patients operated with laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass (LABFB) for atherosclerotic obstruction in aortoiliac segment, the main focus of the reports published during the last two decades has been morbidity and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to examine the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in these patients before and after LABFB.Patients and methodsFifty consecutive patients (27 females) with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II, type D lesions were prospectively included. Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to get information about the HRQL before LABFB and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the operation. Main indication for LABFB was intermittent claudication. Linear mixed-effect models were used to assess changes in HRQL over time. Age, gender, smoking, blood loss, operation time, concomitant operation, the American Society of Anesthesiologists category, length of hospital stay, previous vascular procedures and aorta cross-clamping were used as fixed factors and their impact on the physical components of the SF-36, as well as the summary scores were determined with univariate analysis. Variables with P<0.2 were included in the multivariate regression analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsStatistically significant improvement was found in all SF-36 domains as well as in the summary scores after LABFB compared to the preoperative scores. The improvement in scores was substantial already at 1 month and the effect was maintained at 3 and 6 months survey time points. Concomitant operations had a statistically significant negative impact on the physical components of SF-36. Data completeness of item questionnaires was 93% in the whole material. Reliability scale and homogeneity estimates for the eight domains had high internal consistency.ConclusionPatients operated with LABFB for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II, type D lesions have reduced HRQL. LABFB leads to substantial and statistically significant improvement in the patients' HRQL, when examined with SF-36. These results need to be replicated by a randomized clinical trial.
| S-EPMC5437970 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundChronic respiratory disease represents an important comorbidity for persons living with HIV (PLWH). HIV itself is associated with greater impairment in lung function. We aimed to determine the association between declining lung function and both quality of life (QOL) and health care utilization for PLWH.MethodsUsing longitudinal data from the Study of HIV Infection in the Etiology of Lung Disease 2009-2017, we studied the association between changes in lung function and both QOL and acute care events (emergency department visit or hospitalization). The Medical Outcomes Studies-HIV Questionnaire provided QOL domains. Multivariable regression models were performed with generalized estimating equations accounting for 1499 participants, 485 with HIV, contributing 10,825 spirometry visits.ResultsAmong PLWH, decreased FEV1 was associated with worse physical health for those with higher viral load [β: -1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.11 to -0.39] compared to those with viral suppression (β: -0.58, 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.162), even in those without airflow obstruction. Lower FEV1 was also associated with increased odds of both emergency department (odds ratio: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.34) and inpatient (odds ratio: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.42) hospitalizations for PLWH. Lung function was not associated with increased odds of acute care events for HIV-uninfected participants.ConclusionsFEV1 declines represent an independent predictor of QOL and acute care events among PLWH. Although the generalizability of these results may be limited, because of the high-risk population included, findings suggest that care for PLWH should involve monitoring FEV1 over time, especially in those with poor virologic control, with emphasis on the development and implementation of interventions to mitigate lung function decline.
| S-EPMC7494951 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWith almost 17 million U.S. cancer survivors, understanding multilevel factors impacting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is critical to improving survivorship outcomes. Few studies have evaluated neighborhood impact on HRQOL among cancer survivors.MethodsWe combined sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral data from three registry-based studies in California. Using a three-level mixed linear regression model (participants nested within block groups and study/regions), we examined associations of both independent neighborhood attributes and neighborhood archetypes, which capture interactions inherent among neighborhood attributes, with two HRQOL outcomes, physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) composite scores.ResultsFor the 2,477 survivors, 46% were 70+ years, 52% were non-Hispanic White, and 53% had localized disease. In models minimally adjusted for age, stage, and cancer recurrence, HRQOL was associated with neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), racial/ethnic composition, population density, street connectivity, restaurant environment index, traffic density, urbanicity, crowding, rental properties, and non-single family units. In fully adjusted models, higher nSES remained associated with better PCS, and restaurant environment index, specifically more unhealthy restaurants, associated with worse MCS. In multivariable-adjusted models of neighborhood archetype, compared with upper middle-class suburb, Hispanic small town and inner city had lower PCS, and high status had higher MCS.ConclusionsAmong survivors, higher nSES was associated with better HRQOL; more unhealthy restaurants were associated with worse HQROL. As some neighborhood archetypes were associated with HRQOL, they provide an approach to capture how neighborhood attributes interact to impact HRQOL.ImpactElucidating the pathways through which neighborhood attributes influence HRQOL is important in improving survivorship outcomes.
| S-EPMC8755614 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Refugees who have fled from the ongoing civil war in Syria that arrived in Germany often develop post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). The aim of this study was to determine health care services utilization (HCSU), health care costs and health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of Syrian refugees with mild to moderate PTSS without current treatment in Germany. The study was based on the baseline sample of a randomized controlled trial of a self-help app for Syrian refugees with PTSS (n = 133). HCSU and HrQoL based on the EQ-5D-5L and its visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) were assessed with standardized interviews. Annual health care costs were calculated using extrapolated four-month HCSU and standardized unit costs. Associations between health care costs, HrQoL and PTSS severity were examined using generalized linear models. Overall, 85.0% of the sample utilized health care services within four months. The mean total annual health care costs were EUR 1920 per person. PTSS severity was not associated with health care costs. The EQ-5D-5L index score and the EQ-VAS score was 0.82 and 73.6, respectively. For Syrian refugees with higher PTSS severity, the EQ-5D-5L index score was lower (-0.17; p < 0.001). The HCSU and the resulting health care costs of Syrian refugees with mild to moderate PTSS without current treatment are low and those with a higher PTSS severity had a lower HrQoL.
| S-EPMC8036810 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose:Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia are public health concerns. However, little is known about how these affect patient-level health measures. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of a chronic care model (CCM) on the participant's health-related quality of life (QoL). Patients and methods:Participants received either usual care or CCM by a team of health care professionals including pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, and general practitioners. The participants in the intervention group received medication counseling, adherence, and dietary advice from the health care team. The QoL was measured using the EQ-5D (EuroQoL-five dimension, health-related quality of life questionnaire) and comparison was made between usual care and intervention groups at the beginning and end of the study at 6 months. Results:Mean (standard deviation) EQ-5D index scores improved significantly in the intervention group (0.92±0.10 vs 0.95±0.08; P?0.01), but not in the usual care group (0.94±0.09 vs 0.95±0.09; P=0.084). Similarly, more participants in the intervention group reported improvements in their QoL compared with the usual care group, especially in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions. Conclusion:The implementation of the CCM resulted in significant improvement in QoL. An interdisciplinary team CCM approach should be encouraged, to ultimately result in behavior changes and improve the QoL of the patients.
| S-EPMC5741033 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE:The aims of the study were to assess the magnitude and predictors of the unmet need for spectacles utilization and to quantify its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among rural Chinese adolescents. METHODS:This school-based survey of 2346 grade-7 students (mean age: 13.8 years) was conducted in Southwestern China in 2016. Spectacles need was defined as uncorrected visual acuity (VA) of 20/40 or worse but correctable to 20/40 or better in the better-seeing eye, together with the presence of myopia of less than -0.5 diopters (D), hyperopia of more than +2.0?D, or astigmatism of more than 0.75?D in both eyes. The HRQOL was measured using self-reported versions of 23-item Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL 4.0). RESULTS:Among 579 (24.7%) adolescents with an uncorrected VA of 20/40 or less, 483 (83.4%) needed vision corrections and 172 (35.6%) used them. Higher parental education levels (odds ratio (OR)?=?2.73; 95% CI, 1.29-5.77), negative attitude regarding spectacles (OR?=?0.49; 95% CI, 0.25-0.97), and poorer uncorrected VA (OR?=?31.27; 95% CI, 3.76-260.23) were independent determinants for spectacles utilization. Adolescents not using spectacles had a lower HRQOL score compared to those using spectacles in terms of psychosocial health (65.91 vs. 70.59; P?=?0.028), emotional health (56.85 vs. 63.24; P?=?0.012), and social functioning (72.99 vs. 78.60; P?=?0.036). CONCLUSIONS:The rate of spectacles utilization in rural China was low. Adolescents were not accustomed to use spectacles had a worse HRQOL score.
| S-EPMC6292848 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundsRisk factors related to the built environment have been associated with women's mental health and preventive care. This study sought to identify built environment factors that are associated with variations in prenatal care and subsequent pregnancy-related outcomes in an urban setting.MethodsIn a retrospective observational study, we characterized the types and frequency of prenatal care events that are associated with the various built environment factors of the patients' residing neighborhoods. In comparison to women living in higher-quality built environments, we hypothesize that women who reside in lower-quality built environments experience different patterns of clinical events that may increase the risk for adverse outcomes. Using machine learning, we performed pattern detection to characterize the variability in prenatal care concerning encounter types, clinical problems, and medication prescriptions. Structural equation modeling was used to test the associations among built environment, prenatal care variation, and pregnancy outcome. The main outcome is postpartum depression (PPD) diagnosis within 1 year following childbirth. The exposures were the quality of the built environment in the patients' residing neighborhoods. Electronic health records (EHR) data of pregnant women (n = 8,949) who had live delivery at an urban academic medical center from 2015 to 2017 were included in the study.ResultsWe discovered prenatal care patterns that were summarized into three common types. Women who experienced the prenatal care pattern with the highest rates of PPD were more likely to reside in neighborhoods with homogeneous land use, lower walkability, lower air pollutant concentration, and lower retail floor ratios after adjusting for age, neighborhood average education level, marital status, and income inequality.ConclusionsIn an urban setting, multi-purpose and walkable communities were found to be associated with a lower risk of PPD. Findings may inform urban design policies and provide awareness for care providers on the association of patients' residing neighborhoods and healthy pregnancy.
| S-EPMC8417675 | biostudies-literature