title: [Perception of quality of life by women with stage III or IV primary pulmonary hypertension and receiving treatment with prostacyclin].
abstract: The goal of this study was to examine perception of quality of life in women suffering from stage III or IV primary pulmonary hypertension and being treated with prostacycline. This medication is a non-specific vasodilator with a short half-life. This was an explorative and descriptive multiple-case study (3 cases). The interview guides were elaborated according to Zhan's conceptual model of quality of life (1992). These helped in collecting qualitative data for content analysis. The results indicated that the 3 women were not satisfied with their quality of life, in terms of physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being, during the 12 weeks following the initiation of their treatment Even though medical studies have shown a decease in the mortality rate of individuals suffering from primary pulmonary hypertension within the first 12 weeks of prostacycline treatment, this case study cannot conclude that the quality of life of these 3 women has improved. A longer data collection period, with a larger sample size of patients, is recommended for future research.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peloquin
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robichaud-Ekstran
authors.forename: Jacinth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pepin