Quality of life at the dead sea region: the lower the better? an observational study

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Research

Ygal Plakht¹  Michael Friger²  Shaul Sukenik³  Lior Fuchs³  Dimitry Dartava⁴  Assi Cicurel⁴  Robert Satran⁴  Armando Apfelbaum⁴  Avital Avriel⁵ 

[1] Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion Avenue, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel;Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ben Gurion Avenue, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel;Department of Internal Medicine "D", Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion Avenue, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel;Division of Community Health, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion Avenue, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel;Pulmonary Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion Avenue, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel;

关键词: Atopic Dermatitis;    Physical Component Summary;    Mental Component Summary;    Barometric Pressure;    Mycosis Fungoides;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1477-7525-9-38

 received in 2011-02-03, accepted in 2011-05-27,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe Dead Sea region, the lowest in the world at 410 meters below sea level, is considered a potent climatotherapy center for the treatment of different chronic diseases.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of chronic diseases and the quality of life of residents of the Dead Sea region compared with residents of the Ramat Negev region, which has a similar climate, but is situated 600 meters above sea level.MethodsAn observational study based on a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from kibbutz (communal settlement) members in both regions. Residents of the Dead Sea were the study group and of Ramat Negev were the control group. We compared demographic characteristics, the prevalence of different chronic diseases and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using the SF-36 questionnaire.ResultsThere was a higher prevalence of skin nevi and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases (NIRD) among Dead Sea residents, but they had significantly higher HRQOL mean scores in general health (68.7 ± 21 vs. 64.4 ± 22, p = 0.023) and vitality (64.7 ± 17.9 vs. 59.6 ± 17.3, p = 0.001), as well as significantly higher summary scores: physical component score (80.7 ± 18.2 vs. 78 ± 18.6, p = 0.042), and mental component score (79 ± 16.4 vs. 77.2 ± 15, p = 0.02). These results did not change after adjusting for social-demographic characteristics, health-related habits, and chronic diseases.ConclusionsNo significant difference between the groups was found in the prevalence of most chronic diseases, except for higher rates of skin nevi and NIRD among Dead Sea residents. HRQOL was significantly higher among Dead Sea residents, both healthy or with chronic disease.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Avriel et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011