Health-Related Quality of Life With Regard to Smoking, Consumption of Alcohol, and Sports Participation

Regular physical activity improves physical function and health-related quality of life among middle-aged and older women who suffered a fragility fracture-a population-based cohort

Fragility fractures are a major problem in our aging society leading to early death and loss of independence for activities of daily living. Physical activity in a long-term follow-up of Portuguese women over 50 years with a fragility fracture was associated with better physical function and quality of life.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term impact of physical activity on physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women ≥ 50 years old who suffered a fragility fracture.

METHODS

We evaluated the association of physical activity with physical function and HRQoL in women ≥ 50 years old who self-reported at least one low-impact fracture ≥ 40 years old from the EpiDoC cohort, a population-based cohort. Self-reported data regarding sociodemographics, clinical, and lifestyle behaviors were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire at baseline during a face-to-face clinical interview. During a long-term follow-up, a phone interview was conducted to evaluate physical activity (using a non-validated scale developed for the EpiDoC study), physical function (Health Assessment Questionnaire), and HRQoL (European Quality of Life - 5 Dimension). Women were divided into three groups according to the frequency of physical activity (non-frequent = 0 times/week, frequent = 1-2 times/week, or very frequent =  ≥ 3 times/week). The association of physical activity frequency (non-frequent, frequent, and very frequent) with physical function and HRQoL over time was assessed through linear mixed models considering varying intercepts for each woman.

RESULTS

This study followed 323 post-fracture women, during a mean follow-up of 3.9 ± 3.5 years. Frequent (β =  - 0.1419 [- 0.2783, - 0.0064]) and very frequent (β =  - 0.1908 [- 0.2944, - 0.0881]) physical exercise were associated with improvements in physical function relative to non-frequent physical exercise adjusted for BMI, multimorbidity, hospitalizations, alcohol and smoking habits, and the number of fragility fractures at baseline. As for HRQoL, a positive association was found for exercise frequency, specifically frequent (β = 0.1305 [0.0646, 0.1958]) and very frequent (β = 0.1354 [0.0856, 0.1859]) suggesting improvements for HRQoL, in this follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings based on longitudinal data with long-term follow-up suggest that regular physical activity is associated with better function and HRQol among middle-aged and older post-fracture osteoporotic Portuguese women.

The effect of aerobic exercises of different intensities on anxiety, cigarette addiction, sleep quality, and quality of life in former smokers

BACKGROUND

There is a worldwide struggle to quit smoking and prevent relapsing. Aerobic exercises are frequently utilized to aid in smoking cessation and prevent relapse.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercises of different intensity on the level of anxiety, smoking addiction, and quality of sleep and life in former smokers.

METHODS

The study included 60 people aged 18 to 45 who had quit smoking within the previous month. Individuals were randomly assigned to control (CON), mild-intensity aerobic activity (MIA), and moderate-intensity aerobic activity (MoIA) groups. The MIA group did submaximal aerobic exercises at 40% of maximum heart rate (MHR), while the MoIA group did them at 60% of MHR for 8 weeks/3 days. Participants' anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), smoking addiction was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and Substance Craving Scale (SCS), sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 Short Form Scale (SF-36).

RESULTS

The SCS score of the MoIA group declined more than the MIA and CON groups, and the MIA group had a lower sleep disturbance score than other groups when the influence of exercise training was assessed over time (p < 0.05). Aerobic exercise had no influence on SF-36 or BAS scores (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of mild and moderate aerobic exercise on quality of life and anxiety are similar. However, mild-intensity aerobic exercises may be suitable for sleep difficulties while moderate-intensity aerobic exercises may be preferred for reducing smoking addiction.

Quality of life and sleep in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome according to different diagnostic criteria and inflammatory bowel diseases: A comparison using data from a population-based survey

BACKGROUND

A proportion of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affected patients does not fulfil Rome criteria despite considerable impairment similarly to that in patients with organic gastrointestinal diseases.This investigation aims to examine differences regarding Mental (MQoL), Physical Quality of Life (PQoL), and sleep between IBS according to Rome III (IBS Rome), clinically defined IBS, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and non-IBS/non-IBD individuals.

METHODS

Data from SHIP-Trend (Study of Health in Pomerania, 2008-2012), a population-based cohort study in Germany, were used.

RESULTS

Response was 50.1% (N = 4420). Prevalence was 3.5% for IBS Rome (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0 - 4.1%, n = 148), 0.6% for clinically defined IBS (CI: 0.4 - 0.9%, n = 27), and 0.8% for IBD (CI: 0.6 - 1.1%, n = 34). Individuals with IBS Rome (4.54 (CI: -5.92; -3.17)) and clinically defined IBS (4.69 (CI: -7.82; -1.56)) had lower scores for MQoL compared to the non-IBS/non-IBD group. PQoL scores were lowered in IBS Rome (6.39 (CI: -7.89; -4.88)) and IBD (5.37 (CI: -8.51; -2.22)), but not in clinically defined IBS compared to the non-IBS/non-IBD group. IBS Rome was the only gastroenterological condition with higher odds of sleeping problems (odds ratio (OR) "falling asleep": 1.74; CI: 1.29; 2.36; OR "remaining asleep": 1.73; CI: 1.26; 2.38).

CONCLUSIONS

IBS Rome is associated with reduced MQoL, PQoL, and sleep problems. Clinically defined IBS is associated only with reduced MQoL. Heterogeneity within IBS affected patients should be considered in clinical routine and screening for daily life impairment should be performed.

Health-related behaviors and health insurance status among US adults: Findings from the 2017 behavioral risk factor surveillance system

Health insurance coverage has increased overtime in the US. This study examined the associations between health insurance status and adoption of health-related behaviors among US adults. Using data collected through the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on health insurance coverage and type of insurance, we examined four health-related behaviors (i.e., no tobacco use, nondrinking or moderate drinking, meeting aerobic physical activity recommendations, and having a healthy body weight) and their associations with health insurance status. We conducted log-linear regression analyses to assess the associations with adjustment for potential confounders. Results showed the percentages of adults who reported no tobacco use or meeting physical activity recommendations were significantly higher, and the percentages of adults with a healthy body weight were significantly lower among those who were insured versus uninsured, or among adults with private insurance versus uninsured. Adults with health insurance also had a higher prevalence of reporting all 4 health-related behaviors than those uninsured. These patterns persisted after multivariable adjustment for potential confounders including sociodemographics, routine checkup, and number of chronic diseases. Adults with public insurance were 7% more likely to report no tobacco use than adults who were uninsured. Additionally, adults with private insurance were 8% and 7% more likely to report no tobacco use and meeting physical activity recommendations, respectively, but 10% less likely to report nondrinking or moderate drinking than adults with public insurance. In conclusion, we found significant associations existed between having health insurance coverage and engaging in some health-related behaviors among US adults.

Associations between health-related quality of life and health behaviors in Australian nursing students

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is being increasingly studied as an indicator of wellbeing. This study evaluated the HRQoL of nursing students and relationships between lifestyle behaviors including smoking, diet, alcohol intake and physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 using the Short-Form 12V2 to measure the HRQoL of 475 students from both regional and metropolitan universities in Queensland, Australia. z-scores were aggregated into a Physical Composite Score (PCS) and a Mental Composite Score (MCS). Multivariate linear regression was used to explore the associations. Nursing students (94.5% female) had lower HRQoL scores relative to the general Australian population. Students enrolled at the regional university, with higher income; higher intakes of vitamin A, calcium, and iodine; and more physical activity had a higher Mental Composite Score, but those with health conditions and high intakes of meat, fat, carbohydrates, and sugar reported lower Physical Composite Score compared to their counterparts. Skipping breakfast, physical inactivity, and alcohol score were inversely associated with HRQoL. This study highlights the need for strategies to address the poor lifestyle and HRQoL in nursing students to support their physical and mental health.

Health-related quality of life in pilots of a Chinese commercial airline

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is currently an important issue in the medical industry. However, data on HRQOL in commercial airline pilots are lacking. This study aimed to investigate HRQOL and its related factors in a sample of commercial pilots. A purposive sample of 373 participants was recruited from a Chinese Commercial Airline. The median (IQR) score for physical health, psychological health and social relationship were 64.3 (75-53.6), 62.5 (70.8-54.2) and 75 (75-58.3), respectively. The mean (SD) score for Environment was 62.2 (16). After controlling for demographics, the multiple linear regression analyses showed that physical activity, fruit intake and vegetable intake were positively correlated with HRQOL score (p < .05), while time-zone flights, smoking, alcohol drinking and being dyslipidemic showed a negative correlation with HRQOL score (p < .05). Healthcare providers should consider time-zone flights, behavioral factors and dyslipidemia when planning related health promotion and disease prevention programs for commercial pilots in the future.

Health Perception According to the Lifestyle of University Students

University students are characterized by having inadequate eating habits, along with an unhealthy lifestyle, which, among other factors, can affect the perception they have of their state of health. The aim of the study was to evaluate the health perception of a group of university students according to lifestyle. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 214 university students from different universities and branches of knowledge. Anthropometric data were collected. Three questionnaires were administered: PREDIMED (Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence), SF-36 (perception of health state) and GPAQ (physical activity (PA)). The differences between variables were analyzed using Student-t or Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson Chi-Square tests. Statistical significance was reached at p < 0.05. Most students were found to be normal weighted. The subjects presented an moderate MD adherence, this being better in Health Sciences students. 75.7% practiced light PA. The health perception is worse for most of the subscales analyzed than that of the reference population (except physical-function, physical-role, and emotional-role). There is an association between PA and health perception: students with intense PA have less body pain and better physical function; the less active, the less vitality. The more physically active subjects the greater MD adherence. Lifestyle and eating habits of health sciences students are healthier than that of students from other branches of knowledge. The physically active subjects have a better perception of quality of life-related to health and greater MD adherence.

Alcohol consumption, Quality of Life and Brief Intervention among Nursing university students

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate nursing university students’ alcohol consumption patterns, Brief Intervention and Quality of Life (QoL). Method: This is a prospective and longitudinal study containing sociodemographic, economic information concerning alcoholic beverages, BI and QoL evaluation among 281 nursing university students. Since surveys have been applied, seminars have been given and consumption patterns have been discussed, an educational material was delivered after university students’ revaluation and BI reinforcement. Descriptive and analytical statistics have been conducted. Results: 90% of the students have already consumed alcohol and 20.6% that consumed for the first time and abused alcohol were minors. After the implementation of BI, the alcohol consumption has decreased among university students. Besides the vitality, generate state of health, and emotional aspects have decreased, mental health was substantially low among the students that used to drink. Conclusion: BI contributes to decrease alcoholic beverages consumption and promotes health.