Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, degenerative autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. MS is characterized by a wide range of symptoms and unpredictable prognosis, which can severely affect patient quality of life (QOL). The treatment strategy includes acute relapse treatment, disease-modifying treatment (DMT), and symptomatic therapy. Adherence to long-term DMTs is essential in order to maximize the therapeutic effects for MS and is crucial to health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between QOL and adherence to DMTs in MS patients. A group of 344 patients (73% females) aged 39.1 years with relapsing-reemitting MS were included. The Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQOL) and the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ) were used. An injection of interferon (IFN)-β1b was used in 107 patients, IFN-β1a in 94 patients, and glatiramer acetate in 34 patients. The oral treatment includes teriflunomide in 14 patients, dimethyl fumarate in 86 patients, and fingolimod in nine patients. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in adherent (ADH) vs. non-adherent patients (non-ADH) in MusiQOL. The total adherence rate was 72% (MS-TAQ). An analysis of the univariate logistic regression model showed an effect of only the activities of daily living (ADL) and relationship with the healthcare system (RHCS) domains on the level of adherence to treatment recommendations. The other variables studied do not affect the level of adherence. Higher QOL levels in the ADL and RHCS domains affect medication adherence in MS patients. Our findings could help manage MS patients, promoting interventions on ADLs and good relationships with healthcare providers to improve their adherence to therapy and result in better QOL.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving decreased dopamine release and atrophy of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Frailty syndrome (FS) is common in older adults, which, in combination with PD symptoms, can substantially affect the quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of FS among PD patients and to identify variables affecting their QOL with particular attention to FS. The study included 296 patients (n = 173 women) with a mean age of 70.3 ± 5.7 years suffering from PD for an average of 8.2 ± 5.6 years. Patients were classified as at least stage II according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale. The following standardized questionnaires were used in the study: Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living (SE-ADL), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). FS was found in 96% (n = 283) of the PD patients studied. No depression occurred in 30% (n = 89) of subjects, moderate depression in 48% (n = 141) of subjects, and severe depression in 22% (n = 66) of subjects. The mean score of the PDQ-39 questionnaire in PD subjects with FS was 41.6 pts (min–max: 5.2–81.5 pts; SD = 17.4 pts), which was statistically significantly higher than in subjects without FS (p < 0.05). FS has been shown to be present in most of the subjects with PD. FS occurs more frequently with a longer PD period, which is associated with reduced physical capacity and QOL. Physical activity improves QOL and reduces disease progression. FS, similar to PD, is a common cause of disability in older adults and their dependency. Predictors such as depression, advanced stage of the disease, higher education, and low professional and economic status significantly affect the QOL level of PD patients. However, the results obtained among the Polish population of PD patients do not confirm the impact of FS on the QOL, so there is a need to conduct further research on this subject.

Purpose: Parkinson’s disease (PD) significantly affects functioning of patients, thereby lowering their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sociodemographic variables on illness acceptance and quality of life in patients with idiopathic PD. Design: This is a cross-sectional research study. Methods: The study was conducted with 50 patients with PD. The diagnostic survey method was applied for the purposes of this study with the use of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, and a study-specific demographic questionnaire that included questions about sociodemographic data. Multivariable logistic regression was derived to define independent predictors of quality of life. Findings: Men assessed quality of life in the bodily discomfort domain as significantly worse than women (p = .0214). Age negatively and significantly affected the assessment of quality of life in particular domains. Professionally active respondents significantly more often accepted their disease than others (p = .0070). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Being professionally active, living in urban areas, and having higher education and higher financial status increase subjective assessment of quality of life in patients with PD. Knowing the impact of sociodemographic variables on quality of life allows rehabilitation nurses to plan nursing and rehabilitation activities more effectively and in line with the capacity of a patient and caregivers.

Introduction. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a global epidemiological and clinical problem. In 2020, it was the seventh most common type of cancer worldwide. In 2019, HNC was the fourth most common cause of cancer death among men in Poland. Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with HNC at all clinical stages. However, it is associated with a significant rate of early and late adverse effects. As head and neck cancers are located close to vital anatomical structures, both the local progression of the disease and the treatments used can cause serious problems for patients with HNC, reducing their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as increasing the risk of depressive disorders. Despite this, the current literature lacks research on these aspects of the therapeutic process in the Polish population. The aim of this study was to assess the early impact of radiotherapy on HRQoL outcomes, psychological distress, nutritional status, and overall performance of patients with HNC. Methods. The study was carried out among 85 patients with HNC treated in the Inpatient Radiotherapy Unit of the Radiotherapy Department of the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wrocław. The patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires, including the EORTC QLQ-H&N35, the BDI, the NRS-2002, and the ECOG scale, at two time points: before the initiation of radiotherapy treatment and after a course of radiotherapy. The period between the assessments was 7 to 8 weeks. Results. Our findings demonstrated a negative impact of radiotherapy on scores in all the cancer-specific symptom and functioning scales used in the study. As regards functioning scales, the largest differences were observed for senses and swallowing, whereas with symptoms scales, the largest differences were noted for “sticky saliva” and “dry mouth”. Over half of the patients included in the study required nutritional support after radiotherapy treatment. We found statistically significant differences in the levels of depressive symptom severity before and after radiotherapy treatment. Conclusion. The present study showed significant changes in the physical and psychological functioning and nutritional status of the patients with HNC studied after radiotherapy treatment, which may have an impact on the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable disease resulting in progressive disability, which is associated with the loss of productivity and the inability to earn money, which might lead to a financial burden on the patient's family. Undoubtedly, the clinical picture of the disease and its consequences lead to the reduction of the quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of selected factors on the subjective assessment of the quality of life and general health of patients with RA. The study was conducted among 270 patients with RA treated at the Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. The quality of life and general health were assessed with the use of the SF-36 and the GHQ-30 questionnaires. In the study group, a statistically significant correlation between the results of the SF-36 and the GHQ-30 questionnaires was observed. It has been shown that the level of role limitations due to physical health problems (RP) is mostly affected by interpersonal relationships based on GHQ-30 questionnaire (p = 0.002), general health (GHQ-30) (p = 0.001) and subjective health condition (SF-36) (p < 0.001). In contrast, general health (GHQ-30) is positively affected by education (p = 0.003) and professional activity (p = 0.001), and negatively affected by a positive family history of RA (p = 0.002), frequent hospitalization (p = 0.008) and poor subjective health condition (p < 0.001). People with poor subjective health condition are characterized by more limited activity due to physical health and lower general health condition. General health (GHQ-30) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is influenced by education, place of residence, professional work, family history of RA and subjective health status.

Wstęp. Choroba Parkinsona jest jednym z najczęściej występujących chorób neurodegeneracyjnych. Schorzenie to występuje w charakterze postępującym. Określa się, że na chorobę Parkinsona chorują w Europie głównie osoby powyżej 60 roku życia. Zakłada się, że w Polsce na chorobę Parkinsona obecnie choruje około 80–100 tys. osób. Choroba dotyka głównie mężczyzn. Cel. Ocena poziomu obciążenia opiekunów w opiece nad osobami z chorobą Parkinsona oraz ocena ich jakości życia. Materiał i metody. Badania zostały przeprowadzone w Kole Przyjaciół Ludzi z Chorobą Parkinsona TWK we Wrocławiu oraz w Leszczyńskim Stowarzyszeniu Osób z Chorobami Alzheimera i Parkinsona w Lesznie na grupie 92 chorych na chorobę Parkinsona oraz ich 92 opiekunów. Badanie przeprowadzono za pomocą metody sondażu diagnostycznego z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza ankiety własnego autorstwa oraz następujących wystandaryzowanych narzędzi dla opiekunów: kwestionariusza WHOQoL-BREF, skali obciążenia opiekunów CBS oraz skali lęku i depresji HADS. W niniejszej pracy wykorzystano również kwestionariusze skierowane do chorych na chorobę Parkinsona: ankietę socjodemograficzną, kwestionariusz jakości życia PDQ-39, skalę określającą stadium zaawansowania choroby według Hoehn–Yahra oraz skalę depresji Becka BDI. Wyniki. Analiza materiału badawczego wykazała, że: jakość życia opiekunów w dziedzinie fizycznej, środowiskowej i psychologicznej była istotnie lepsza u osób sprawujących tę opiekę od 1–5 lat, niż u opiekunów zajmujących się chorymi ponad 10 lat. Badania własne wykazały, że obciążenie ogólne wśród opiekunów było istotnie większe gdy pacjent chorował ponad 5 lat, niż gdy chorował od 2–5 lat oraz stwierdzono, że im niższy ogólny poziom jakości życia i nasilenie objawów depresji wśród chorych na PD, tym gorsza jakość życia ich opiekunów. Na skali obciążenia ogólnego 47 spośród 92 uczestników ankiety (51,09%) miało średni poziom obciążenia, 24 ankietowanych (26,09%) miało wysoki poziom obciążenia. Ponadto długotrwały czas trwania choroby skutkuje wyższym poziomem obciążenia opiekunów. Wnioski. Trudności związane z obciążeniem opieką opiekunów osób chorujących na PD stanowią istotny problem kliniczny, społeczny a także ekonomiczny. Co więcej w istotny sposób wpływają na obniżenie jakości życia opiekunów niejednokrotnie odbierając im radość czerpaną z opieki nad najbliższymi chorującymi na chorobę Parkinsona. (PNN 2021;10(4):144–152)