1.Assessing quality of life among patients with pulmonary embolism
Javzan-Orlom D ; Munkh-Erdene D ; Zolzaya B ; Solongo B ; Chuluunbileg B ; Altankhuyag N ; Badamsed Ts ; Tumur-Ochir Ts
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;86(2):154-159
Background:
The assessment of patients’ quality of life has emerged as a critical metric in evaluating healthcare services.
Internationally, numerous studies have been conducted to assess the QoL of individuals diagnosed with pulmonary
embolism through the development of standardized questionnaires and their association with various clinical parameters.
Aim:
To adapt a standardized questionnaire for assessing the quality of life following a pulmonary embolism and to evaluate
the quality of life of affected patients.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 33 patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and hospitalized in the Department
of Pulmonology at the Third State Central Hospital in Mongolia between August 2022 and December 2023 were included
in the study. An observational cross-sectional study design was used. Inclusion criteria encompassed all patients diagnosed
with PE during the study period, while exclusion criteria included individuals with severe comorbidities, those aged
over 85 years, and those who declined participation. QoL was assessed using the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life
(PEmb-QoL) questionnaire, which consists of 39 questions categorized into six domains. Higher scores indicate poorer
QoL. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
Results:
The average age of the participants was 61±15 years, and 18 (54.5%) were female. The median duration of anticoagulant
therapy was 170 days (range: 27–2555 days), and the average monthly expenditure on medication was 80,000
MNT (range: 63,000–400,000 MNT). The overall mean QoL score was 69.7±23.2. The median scores for the six domains
were as follows: frequency of complaints 1.6 (IQR 1.5-1.9; max 5 score), activities of daily living limitations 1.5 (1.3–1.8;
max 3 score), work-related problems 1.7 (1.5–2.0; max 2 score), social limitations 2.0 (2.0–3.0; max 5 score), intensity
of complaints 3.0 (3.0–4.0; max 6 score), emotional complaints 2.0 (1.5–2.4; max 6 score). The internal consistency reliability
of the questionnaire was assessed, with the symptom frequency category scoring well (α=0.74), while the other
categories had excellent reliability (α>0.85). A weak positive correlation was observed between overall QoL scores and
age, while a weak negative correlation was identified with body mass index (r=0.14 & r= -0.13, P>0.05).
Conclusion
The study findings indicate a low QoL among PE patients, emphasizing the necessity for enhancements in
post-diagnosis medical care and long-term management strategies to improve patient outcomes.