Vpliv vadbe na kakovost življenja bolnic z osteopenijo ali osteoporozo - uvedba vprašalnika QUALEFFO-41 v Sloveniji
Effect of exercise on quality of life in patients with osteopaenia or osteoporosis - implementation of the QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire in Slovenia

slovenian

2011

volume 10, issue 1

Univerzitetni rehabilitacijski inštitut RS – Soča
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background: The burden of chronic diseases in population, one of them being osteoporosis, is growing. It is inevitable that today physicians pay more attention to measures of quality of life that imply patients' perspective about their illness. This provides them with additional information along with important investigations such as physical examination and imaging techniques. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of 3-monthly course of group physical exercise on the quality of life in women with osteopaenia or osteoporosis using the disease-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis QUALEFFO-41. Another aim was to find out if any correlation exists between bone mineral density (BMD) and quality of life, independently of fractures. Methods: The study included 28 women, members of League against osteoporosis Maribor, with osteopaenia or osteoporosis. They have been enrolled in a 3- month courseof group exercise with physical therapists. The structure of the study was pre-test - post-test experimental model. The questionnaire QUALEFFO-41 was administered before starting with the exercise course and at the end of the course after 3 months. The questionnaire comprises 41 questions organized into five domains: pain, physical function, social function, general health perception, and mental function. Results: The mean total QUALEFFO-41 score after exercise was significantly lower (23.9, SD 12.1) then before starting the exercise (27.1, SD 13.7; p = 0.001). Statistically significant improvements were also observed in the domain of pain and two subdomains of physical function, mobility and activities of daily living. We did not find any correlation between BMD and quality of life. Conclusions: The disease-specific questionnaire QUALEFFO-41 has not been validated in Slovenia yet. In our opinion it could be used as an additional instrument to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic procedures in rehabilitation medicine treating the patients with osteoporosis.

07.03.2012