02935nas a2200385   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653003000055653003100085653002600116653003100142653002000173653003700193653001500230653001800245653000900263653001800272653001200290653001100302653002300313653002900336653001100365653002800376653001100404653000900415653003100424100001900455700001300474700001200487245005800499300000700557490000700564520196400571022001402535       2014                            d  c2014 Jan10aWorld Health Organization10aSurveys and Questionnaires10aSocioeconomic Factors10aReproducibility of Results10aQuality of Life10aPsychiatric Status Rating Scales10aPerception10aMental Health10aMale10aLinear Models10aleprosy10aHumans10aHome Care Services10aHealth Status Indicators10aFemale10aCross-Sectional Studies10aBrazil10aAged10aActivities of Daily Living1 aEl Ouazzani FZ1 aTahiri L1 aHarzy T00aChronic inflammatory joint disease revealing leprosy.  a910 v813 a<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Quality of life (QoL) is a broad concept that has become more important during the last decades. Despite this fact, few studies have been conducted to evaluate leprosy patients, none of which has specifically addressed patients with leprosy sequels submitted to home care.</p>

<p><strong>PURPOSE: </strong>To evaluate the QoL of leprosy sequel bearers and the factors that may affect their perception of their condition.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>WHOQoL-BREF, a questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization, was administered to 32 people living in the coverage area of a former leprosarium. Patient socio-demographic and care-related caregiver data were collected. Activities of daily living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scales were used to evaluate autonomy. Mini-Mental Status Examination was used to evaluate cognitive status. Simple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistical Software and the non-standardized beta values were presented.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The patients were mainly female, widowed, elderly, with bone sequels; all had impairment of at least one Instrumental Daily Living Activity. QoL scores were 12.35 in a 4-20 scale (52.18 %) in the physical domain, 12.95 (55.94 %) in the psychological health domain, 13.18 (57.40 %) in the environment domain, and 16.09 (75.56 %) in the social domain. Univariate analysis suggests that instrumental daily activity "capacity of shopping," marital status, and caregiver age were associated with self-perceived QoL. Data were also compared to those from other studies.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Individuals affected by leprosy had low QoL scores in the physical and psychological health domains and high scores in the social domain. The factors that impact their QoL seem to be related to specific conditions found in the leprosarium and the previous isolation practices.</p>
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