title: Quality of life of users of psychoactive substances, relatives, and non-users assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF.
abstract: Quality of life is related to one of the basic human desires, which is to live well and feel good. The scope of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of psychoactive substance users and relatives, compared to non-users, analyzed by socioeconomic strata. A cross-sectional study with users of psychoactive substances, relatives, and other individuals who called the Information and Orientation Service regarding drug abuse. Data collection took place between November 2009 and December 2010. Data was collected from users, relatives, and non-users, including socioeconomic characteristics and data regarding substance consumption when appropriate. In addition to this the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was given to 347 individuals. Among the 138 users (70%) used alcohol, 76 (39%), marijuana, 111 (57%) tobacco, 78 (40%) cocaine and 70 (36%) crack. Control subjects had higher, scores than the relatives of users and users in all areas of the questionnaire (p < 0.05). Psychoactive substance users scored lower in almost all domains and overall score in the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in comparison with the sample of non-drug users. These findings reflect poor quality of life of patients and their relatives.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacologia e Toxicologia, Fundação Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, R.Sarmento Leite 245/316, Porto Alegre, RS. taiscmoreira@gmail.com
authors.forename: Taís de Campos
authors.initials: Tde C
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Luciana Rizzieri
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Figueiró
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Fernanda Maia
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Justo
authors.forename: Ismael Rodrigo
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Helena Maria Tannhauser
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Maristela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferigolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs