Does obesity affect the quality of life of adolescents?

Abstract located in Obesity Facts: the European journal of obesity : Vol. 2 : Suppl. 2 : Abstract number :T2:PO.09

Measuring quality of life in alcohol and other drug users - the need for improvement

Objective : The use of Quality of Life (QoL) -related measures in Alcohol and Other Drug-related research has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, there remains a great deal of confusion about which type of QoL measure is most valid, what each constrict actually measures and the ethicality of the process of QoL measurement and its subsequent transfer to monetary value. This is particularly important in regard to subsequent resource allocation on the basis of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). We aim to review the logic of current QoL -related measurement and determine the most conceptually valid way of measuring QoL.

Methods : This review considers some of the broad principles that concern quality of life assessment. These are discussed in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the measurement of subjective well-being.

Results : We argue that there are serious logical and methodological issues concerning HRQoL measurement, to the extent that the instruments may not be regarded as valid measures of life quality as this term is generally understood.

Conclusions : It is recommended that HRQoL measurement be abandoned in favour of three separate forms of measurement as medical symptoms, subjective well-being and specific dimensions of psychological ill-being.

Impact of social anxiety on quality of life : a longitudinal study

This thesis found that individuals with social anxiety had high levels of co-morbid depression, reduced quality of life, poorer health and wellbeing, and they used maladaptive coping strategies. The negative effects of social anxiety and social anxiety co-morbid depression could be predicted over a 6-month time period. The portfolio argues the impact of poor attachment style, poor parenting behaviour and negative environmental influences as contributors to individuals' longer term psychological functioning with four case studies highlighting the contributing role of these early influences on later functioning.

Reproductive performance and egg and larval quality of the blacklip abalone

The study highlights the interrelationship between physical characteristics of female broodstock with reproductive performance, egg quality and subsequent larval success, and reproductive seasonality of the blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra Leach). Suitable indices for assessing broodstock were developed. Seasonal changes in biochemical compositions in relation to maturation and development was discussed.

Subjective quality of life of people with MS and their partners

The findings of this thesis supported a model proposed to explain the influence of psychological factors on subjective quality of life. In comparison with their partners, and with a control group, people with MS reported a lowered subjective quality of life and self-esteem, an increased need for social support, and maladaptive use of control. Recommendations for interventions were made based on these findings.

Predicting subjective quality of life

This thesis showed that as samples move from a homeostatic position of high-normal subjective quality of life, to normal, to low-normal subjective quality of life, the contributions of personality (extroversion and neuroticism) and perceived control (approach and avoidant control) to the maintenance of subjective quality of life becomes more complicated

Homeostatic mechanism : subjective quality of life and chronic pain

Investigates the maintenance of subjective quality of life in the presence of chronic pain. A homeostatic mechanism is proposed and examined in terms of the roles of the suggested components and how these are altered by the threat of chronic pain.

A systematic review of the quality of liver biopsy specimens

Characteristics for an optimal liver biopsy specimen were recently defined as 20 to 25 mm long and/or containing more than 11 complete portal tracts (CPTs). A systematic review of percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) and transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) series yielded only 32 PLB studies in which these characteristics were evaluated: mean ± SD length, 17.7 ± 5.8 mm and number of CPTs, 7.5 ± 3.4; and 15 TJLB studies: mean ± SD length, 13.5 ± 4.5 mm and number of CPTs, 6.8 ± 2.3. Studies of sampling heterogeneity and intraobserver and interobserver variability also used inadequate specimens by present standards. Only 11 (5.3%) of 207 therapeutic studies for chronic hepatitis B and C documented length and/or number of CPTs. Of the current 12 studies evaluating noninvasive fibrosis tests, only 8 documented length or number of CPTs, and only 1 documented length and number of CPTs. New studies are needed based on adequate liver biopsy samples to provide reliable estimation of grading and staging in chronic liver disease.