title: Home-based immunoglobulin infusion therapy: quality of life and patient health perceptions.
abstract: Thirty-seven antibody-deficient patients who were participating in a multicenter trial evaluating home-based, self-administered IVIG therapy anonymously completed questionnaires regarding beliefs concerning health control, quality of life, and attitudes toward active participation in medical care. Their responses were compared with a group of 29 patients undergoing traditional IVIG therapy in a medical clinic setting. A subsample of the home-based group who later returned to clinic-based IVIG therapy allowed comparison of responses given by the same patients in both settings. Home-based therapy was preferred to clinic-based therapy. Independence, convenience, comfort, decreased disruption of activities, travel time, and costs were specific factors rated most favorably. On the Health Belief Questionnaires, patients preferred informed, self-involved medical care regardless of the setting for their IVIG treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Ochs
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pirofsky
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sprouse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous