The objective of the present study is to compare the QL of a wide range of chronic disease patients. Secondary analysis of eight existing data sets, including over 15,000 patients, was performed. The studies were conducted between 1993 and 1996 and included population-based samples, referred samples, consecutive samples, and/or consecutive samples. The SF-36 or SF-24 were employed as generic QL instruments. Patients who were older, female, had a low level of education, were not living with a partner, and had at least one comorbid condition, in general, reported the poorest level of QL. On the basis of rank ordering across the QL dimensions, three broad categories could be distinguished. Urogenital conditions, hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and dermatologic conditions were found to result in relatively favorable functioning. A group of disease clusters assuming an intermediate position encompassed cardiovascular conditions, cancer, endocrinologic conditions, visual impairments, and chronic respiratory diseases. Gastrointestinal conditions, cerebrovascular/neurologic conditions, renal diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions led to the most adverse sequelae. This categorization reflects the combined result of the diseases and comorbid conditions. If these results are replicated and validated in future studies, they can be considered in addition to information on the prevalence of the diseases, potential benefits of care, and current disease-specific expenditures. This combined information will help to better plan and allocate resources for research, training, and health care.

The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the COMFORT scale as a postoperative pain instrument for children aged 0-3 years. Subjects were 158 neonates and toddlers after major abdominal or thoracic surgery. Trained nurses rated the children's pain at 3, 6 and 9 h postoperative on the Pediatric Surgical Intensive Care Unit using the COMFORT and a VAS for pain. Interrater reliability of the COMFORT items proved to be good (Kappa 0.63-0.93) for all items with the exception of the item 'Respiratory response', which was moderate (Kappa 0.54). LISREL analyses showed that the structure of the COMFORT data was best represented by three latent variables: COMFORT 'behaviour' with loadings from the behavioural items (Alertness, Calmness, Respiratory response/Crying, Physical movement, Muscle tone and Facial tension) and separate latent variables for 'Heart rate baseline' (HR) and 'Mean arterial blood pressure baseline' (MAP). Factor loadings of the items were invariant across time, indicating stability of the structure. The latent variables COMFORT 'behaviour' and VAS pain were highly interrelated indicating congruent validity. Stability of COMFORT 'behaviour' and VAS pain was moderate which might be due to varying painful episodes in this sample. HR and MAP, although stable across time, were weakly related to VAS pain and COMFORT 'behaviour'. These findings support the use of the COMFORT 'behaviour' scale to assess postoperative pain in neonates and infants.

Both patients and their partners demonstrated high levels of anxiety and distress in the early period after the diagnosis. These findings indicate careful attention by health care professionals to identify those who may benefit from further psychological support.

Disability status, depression and anxiety are important determinants of quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated whether anxiety and depression influence the relation between disability status and QoL in our cohort of recently diagnosed patients. Disability status [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)], anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and QoL (SF-36) were prospectively obtained in 101 MS patients. The relation between EDSS and SF-36 scales was examined using regression analyses, without and with adjustment for anxiety and depression. Interaction effects were investigated by comparing the relation between EDSS and QoL in patients with high and low anxiety and depression. In the unadjusted analyses, EDSS was significantly related to all SF-36 physical and mental health scales. After adjustment for anxiety and depression, EDSS was significantly related only to the SF-36 physical functioning, role-physical functioning and bodily pain scales. The relation between EDSS and these SF-36 scales was consistently higher in patients with more symptoms of anxiety or depression, suggesting that anxiety and depression strengthened the association of EDSS in these SF-36 physical health scales. After adjustment for anxiety and depression, EDSS was not significantly related to the SF-36 mental health scales and the general health scale. This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that anxiety and depression are intermediate factors in the association of EDSS with these SF-36 scales. Screening for symptoms of anxiety and depression is recommended in studies that use QoL as an outcome measure of treatment or intervention efficacy.