PMID: 11341601May 9, 2001Paper

Experience with a generic quality of life instrument in a general surgical practice

International Journal of Surgical Investigation
V Velanovich

Abstract

The new emphasis on measuring outcomes has generated interest in quality of life instruments. One such instrument is the SF-36, a well-tested and widely used health status survey. This survey was prospectively evaluated over a three month period in a general surgical practice. Ninety-seven patients completed 115 surveys. Patients were asked the following questions: (1) Do you like the survery? (2) Does it accurately reflect your present health condition? (3) Does it reflect the reason for which you came to the surgeon? Patients were then categorized into distinct groups. The results were averaged and compared with national norms of a cross-sectional survey of 2,474 individuals, 79.5% of whom had medical problems. RESULTS Sixty-four percent of patients liked the survey; 77% thought it accurately reflected their health status; but only 45% thought it accurately reflected the problem for which they came to the surgeon. Patients with breast masses did not differ from the norms in any of the eight domains measured by the SF-36. Those with fibrocystic disease/mastalgia showed poorer scores in three domains; patients with thyroid disease had poorer scores in three domains; those with irritable bowel syndrome/chronic abdominal pain had...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
W W GuirguisA A Khalaf
Pain Research & Management : the Journal of the Canadian Pain Society = Journal De La Société Canadienne Pour Le Traitement De La Douleur
Paul StoleeMaggie C Gibson
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved