OBJECTIVES: This study explored the clinical efficacy of VitalStim electrical stimulation combined with swallowing function training for patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with dysphagia following an acute stroke were admitted to our hospital and were further divided into two groups using prospective research methods. There were 36 cases in each group according to the random number table method. The control group received conventional medical treatment and swallowing function training while the experimental group received conventional […]

OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLH) includes the promotion of healthier habits, including physical activity (PA). This study aimed to describe a multicomponent pragmatic trial protocol to assess the effect of PA in preventing body changes and metabolic disturbances, improving the quality of life of PLH starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) and present cohort characteristics. METHODS: PLH undergoing ART for ≤4 months were recruited for a randomized trial. The intervention comprised three cardiorespiratory and/or strength […]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel in the treatment of refractory pressure injuries and its effect on wound healing time and quality of life of patients. METHODS: A random number table method was used to group 102 patients with refractory pressure injuries into either a control group (CG) (51 cases) receiving negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) or a study group (SG) (51 cases) receiving NPWT+PRP gel. RESULTS: The total efficacy rate in the SG (92.16%) […]

OBJECTIVES: To investigate predictors and propose reference equations for the augmentation index normalized to 75 bpm heart rate (AIx@75) in healthy children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study involving 134 healthy children and adolescents aged 9 to 19 years old. Participants were categorized into child (n=53) and adolescent (n=81) groups, as well as into male (n=69) and female (n=65) groups. We evaluated AIx@75, vascular and hemodynamic parameters, anthropometric data, physical activity profile, and quality of life (Peds-QL4.0; […]

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of life of hospitalized pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), and compare with a group of healthy pregnant women (HP). METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted among 58 pregnant women; 28 of them had preeclampsia and 30 were healthy. The WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, which was divided into four aspects: physical, psychological, social, and environmental, was applied to each subject. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed regarding maternal age (PE 27.8±6.2 x HG 23.0±6.6, p

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate several instruments currently used for the assessment of the quality of life of patients who underwent total laryngectomy and speech rehabilitation. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted with 38 patients after total laryngectomy and speech therapy aiming to develop oesophageal speech. The patients were divided into the following two groups (19 participants each): speakers and non-speakers. The quality of life instruments used were as follows: visual analogue scale (VAS); Voice […]

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the self-perception of oral health according to the physical, psychosocial and pain/discomfort dimensions related to clinical conditions and orofacial pain of elderly people living in three different environments. METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study with a population-based approach and nonprobabilistic convenience sampling that included 81 elderly people: 27 resided in institutional homes for elderly individuals, 27 resided in an urban area and 27 resided in a rural area in the interior of […]

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the perceptions related to dietary intake with the domains and subscales of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in women with breast neoplasms receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: In this prospective study, 55 women with breast cancer were followed up during chemotherapy at three different times (T0, T1, T2). Before chemotherapy, perceptions related to food consumption were evaluated. HRQL was analyzed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 and Br23 instruments 21 days after each investigated cycle. The differences (T2-T0) in the subscales […]

OBJECTIVES: The current study sought to evaluate the quality of life of young patients with cystic fibrosis and correlate these results with the clinical parameters indicative of disease severity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study applied the validated Portuguese version of a cystic fibrosis specific quality of life questionnaire to clinically stable patients aged 14 to 21 years old. The correlations between the questionnaire domain scores and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) values, the Shwachman-Kulczycki score, and body mass index […]

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of ischemic stroke on health-related quality of life (QoL) and associate this event with individuals’ clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: We investigated the clinical and demographic aspects of stroke patients. The Modified Rankin Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QoL) were used for correlation analysis. RESULTS: Among 131 patients with ischemic stroke, 53.4% of patients presented with moderate to […]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse patient-reported outcomes of reduction mammoplasty among Brazilian women. METHODS: A total of 100 women were enrolled in this cross-sectional controlled study, 50 with breast hypertrophy (Hypertrophy Group) and 50 who had undergone breast reduction at least six and up to 12 months before (Mammoplasty Group). The Brazilian version of the BREAST-Q® was applied to assess patient-reported outcomes. The module reduction/mastopexy was used, and the preoperative and postoperative versions were applied to […]

The aim of this study was to analyze scientific production concerning the validation and cultural adaptation of quality of life evaluation instruments for patients with melasma and to offer a critical reflection on these methods. A literature review was performed based on a search of the Web of Science, Bireme, PubMed, Elsevier Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. All published articles from indexed periodicals in these electronic databases up to December 2015 were included. Eight articles were identified, of which only […]

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the voice quality of individuals with dysphonia and to investigate possible correlations between the degree of voice deviation (D) and scores on the Dysphonia Risk Screening Protocol-General (DRSP), the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) measure and the Voice Handicap Index, short version (VHI-10). METHODS: The sample included 200 individuals with dysphonia. Following laryngoscopy, the participants completed the DRSP, the V-RQOL measure, and the VHI-10; subsequently, voice samples were recorded for auditory-perceptual and acoustic analyses. The correlation between […]

OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of an outpatient clinic with the multidisciplinary evaluation of intensive care unit survivors and to analyze their social, psychological, and physical characteristics in a low-income population and a developing country. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Adult survivors from a general intensive care unit were evaluated three months after discharge in a post-intensive care unit outpatient multidisciplinary clinic over a period of 6 years (2008-2014) in a University Hospital in southern Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 688 […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of pain on quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 400 patients, including 118 without metastasis, 160 with loco-regional metastasis and 122 with distant metastasis. The instruments used were the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 and the Breast Cancer-specific 23 and short McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 71.7% of patients reported pain. The most frequent sensory descriptor used by patients was […]