Factors promoting health-related quality of life in people with rheumatic diseases: a 12 month longitudinal study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rheumatic diseases have a significant adverse impact on the individual from physical, mental and social aspects, resulting in a low health-related quality of life (HRQL). There is a lack of longitudinal studies on HRQL in people with rheumatic diseases that focus on factors promoting HRQL instead of risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between suggested health promoting factors at baseline and outcome in HRQL at a 12 month follow-up in people with rheumatic diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A longitudinal cohort study was conducted in 185 individuals with rheumatic diseases with questionnaires one week and 12 months after rehabilitation in a Swedish rheumatology clinic. HRQL was assessed by SF-36 together with suggested health factors. The associations between SF-36 subscales and the health factors were analysed by multivariable logistic regressions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Factors predicting better outcome in HRQL in one or several SF-36 subscales were being younger or middle-aged, feeling painless, having good sleep structure, feeling rested after sleep, performing low effort of exercise more than twice per week, having strong sense of coherence (SOC), emotional support and practical assistance, higher educational level and work capacity. The most important factors were having strong SOC, feeling rested after sleep, having work capacity, being younger or middle-aged, and having good sleep structure.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study identified several factors that promoted a good outcome in HRQL to people with rheumatic diseases. These health factors could be important to address in clinical work with rheumatic diseases in order to optimise treatment strategies.</p

Future challenges for occupational health services can be prevented by proactive collaboration with the companies using the services: a participatory and reflection project

Marie Lydell,1 Cathrine Hildingh,1 Arne S&ouml;derbom,2 Kristina Ziegert1 1Center of Research on Welfare, Health and Sport (CVHI), School of Social and Health Sciences, 2Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learning Research (CIEL), School of Economics, Technology and Science, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden Background: There is clearly a need for research in the field of occupational health service (OHS) for applying new perspectives. Proactive collaboration is needed between the OHSs and the companies. The customers of the companies using the services should be able to safeguard themselves from the health problems caused by the work environment through proactive collaboration with the OHSs. Objective: The main purpose of this interdisciplinary study was to explore how the stakeholders reflected to create and agree on core values for future challenges in OHS, as seen from the perspectives of OHS professionals and customer companies. Methodology: An action research process was conducted. This study was divided into three phases. In phase I, the data were collected from interviews and diaries of interdisciplinary occupational health professionals (n=12). A focus group that sampled the eight managers of the customer companies was also included. In phase II, a questionnaire was developed with 24 questions focusing on examining the future challenges for OHS. The questionnaire was sent to customer companies (n=116). In phase III, a scoping review was undertaken. Results: Three categories emerged from the analysis: &ldquo;Balancing complex situations&rdquo; clarified the complexity regarding senior employees; &ldquo;Working with a proactive approach&rdquo; indicated the need for working with a new proactive approach supporting sustainable health; and &ldquo;Collaborate internally and externally&rdquo; showed good relationships between the customer and the OHS, which is a mutual responsibility to both the partners. Conclusion: The results outlined that it is necessary to take action to apply new proactive health promotions, with a focus on workplace health promotion. The results also indicated that interventions for senior employees are of importance. This study was done in collaboration with the stakeholders from the occupational health care service center and the managers from the customer companies. The use of a participatory research design, including close collaboration with the participants, allows the researchers to see the challenges. Keywords: health-promoting workplace, managers, future challenges, participatory approach, senior worker

The benefits of peer support with diabetes.

TOPIC: Peer coaching for diabetes support. purpose. To see if peer coaching assists a person with diabetes make the correct diet and activity choices. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: Journal articles, Internet. CONCLUSIONS: Peer support is helpful for people who are struggling to cope with diabetes. If peer support is offered, a structured follow-up program needs to be in place