RESUMO
PURPOSE: To determine quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients in The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Care Quality of Life Instrument (EORTC QLQ-C30) and examine relationships between QoL and socioeconomic and medical variables. METHOD: A cross-sectional study, consisting of 480 cancer patients being managed at the National Radiotherapy Centre, was conducted. One-way, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) with post hoc testing was used to analyze relationships between socioeconomic and medical variables and scales on the EORTC QLQ-C30. Stepwise linear regression was used to evaluate which independent variables contributed to the global QoL and function scores. RESULTS: Participants were of mean age 64.1 ± 12.1 years (males) and 56.7 ± 16.6 years (females). Mean values for global QoL and function scales were below 75. Persons in younger age groups had significantly better physical and cognitive function scores (p < 0.05). Males had higher emotional function scores than females (p < 0.05). Persons with higher income and education had better scores on all function scales, except social, and less symptoms (p < 0.05). Persons receiving chemotherapy had more nausea/vomiting, appetite loss, and constipation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Age, income, education, and cancer treatment were factors most associated with scores on the EORTC QLQ-C30. Further research is required in this population to examine these variables in more depth and explore methods to improve QoL of cancer patients in this population.
Assuntos
Nível de Saúde , Neoplasias/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Constipação Intestinal/complicações , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Náusea/complicações , Neoplasias/terapia , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Trinidad e Tobago , Vômito/complicaçõesRESUMO
ABSTRACT Objective: To determine physical activity levels of community dwelling persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who received inpatient rehabilitation at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre (SJGRC). This study also explored the perceived barriers to exercise and the development of secondary health complications. Methods: A non-experimental cross-sectional analysis of relationships was done. Participants were recruited from the SJGRC discharge files. Three questionnaires (The Physical Activity and Disability Scale, Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale and the Barriers to Exercise and Disability Scale) were administered via a telephone interview. Results: Only 58.3% of patients were engaged in some form of exercise and of that amount only 6% engaged in vigorous exercise. The main secondary conditions affecting both persons with paraplegia and quadriplegia were spasticity, chronic, muscle and joint pain. There were no significant differences between persons having paraplegia and quadriplegia in relation to physical activity levels, development of secondary conditions or barriers to exercise. Most persons were interested in an exercise programme but the most common barriers to exercise were cost and not knowing where they could go to exercise. Conclusion: Regardless of injury level, persons with spinal cord injury living in their communities in Jamaica are not engaged in adequate levels of exercise to confer health benefits and aid with healthy ageing. Barriers like cost, availability and accessibility of facilities must be addressed if this situation is to improve.
RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar los niveles de actividad física de las personas con lesión de la médula espinal (LME) que viven en sus comunidades -es decir, en sus casas en vez de asilos o instituciones asistenciales-y que recibieron rehabilitación hospitalaria en el Centro de Rehabilitación Sir John Golding (SJGRC, en inglés). Este estudio también exploró las barreras percibidas para hacer ejercicios, y el desarrollo de complicaciones secundarias de salud. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis transversal no experimental de las relaciones. Los participantes fueron reclutados a partir de los archivos de altas del Centro SJGRC. Se aplicaron tres cuestionarios mediante entrevista telefónica (Escala de Actividad Física y Discapacidad, Escala de Condiciones Secundarias de la Lesión Medular, y Escala de Discapacidad y Barreras al Ejercicio). Resultados: Sólo el 58.3% de los pacientes se hallaban participando en alguna forma de ejercicio, y de este número sólo el 6% practicaba ejercicios fuertes. Las condiciones secundarias principales que afectaban a ambas personas con paraplejia y cuadriplejia eran la espasticidad, y el dolor muscular y articular crónico. No había diferencias significativas entre las personas que tenían paraplejia y cuadriplejia en lo referente a los niveles de actividad física, el desarrollo de condiciones secundarias o las barreras al ejercicio. La mayoría de las personas estaban interesadas en un programa de ejercicios, pero las barreras más comunes eran el costo y el no saber dónde ir a hacerlos. Conclusión: Independientemente del nivel de la lesión, las personas con lesión medular que viven en sus comunidades en Jamaica no participan en niveles adecuados de ejercicio que brinden beneficios de salud y ayuden a un envejecimiento saludable. Las barreras como el costo, la disponibilidad y la accesibilidad de las instalaciones deben ser abordadas, si se quiere mejorar esta situación.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Traumatismos da Coluna Vertebral/reabilitação , Exercício Físico , Estudos Transversais , Entrevistas como Assunto , Avaliação da DeficiênciaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the level of caregiver burden present in Jamaican stroke caregivers and to investigate the relationship between caregiver burden and selected sociodemographic variables. METHOD: The Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale and a demographic sheet were administered to the caregivers. The stroke survivors completed the Barthel Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Interview administration was used for all tools. RESULTS: A total of 48 caregivers with their stroke survivors participated in this study. Preliminary findings showed that caregivers of stroke survivors in Jamaica are experiencing some level of burden with scores ranging from 21 to 62 (mean = 43.64 ± 8.73). Lower burden scores indicate greater burden. Caregivers of female stroke survivors had significantly greater levels of burden (43.5 ± 8.87) than those caring for male survivors [44.4 ± 8.3] (p = 0.03). There were no significant correlations between caregiver burden and age of the stroke survivor; however, a low correlation was found between depression and caregiver burden (r = -0.33, p = 0.02). Female survivors were found to have significantly higher levels of depression than males (16.72 ± 6.21 vs 11.34 ± 7.31, p < 0.01) and caregivers of survivors who had higher depression scores experienced more burden. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings point to depressive symptoms and functional status in the stroke survivor as being a significant contributor to caregiver burden; however, further data collection and analysis need to be completed before more definitive conclusions can be made.