1.Adiponectin, Leptin and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Adults: A Narrative Review
Ali Nurnazahiah ; Pei Lin Lua ; Mohd Razif Shahril
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2016;23(6):7-24
The objective of this study was to compile and analyse existing scientific evidences
reporting the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of adiponectin and
leptin. Articles related to the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of
adiponectin and leptin were searched from the Medline and PubMed databases. The search was
limited to ‘objectively measured’ physical activity, and studies that did not objectively measure
the physical activity were excluded. Only English articles were included in the search and review.
A total of 18 articles encompassing 2,026 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The eligible
articles included all forms of evidence (e.g., cross-sectional and intervention). Seventeen and 11
studies showed the effects of objectively measured physical activity on adiponectin and leptin,
respectively. Five and four cross-sectional studies showed the effects of objectively measured
physical activity on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. Two out of five studies showed a weak
to moderate positive association between adiponectin and objectively measured physical activity,
while three out of four studies showed a weak to moderate inverse association between leptin and
objectively measured physical activity. For intervention studies, six out of 12 studies involving
adiponectin and five out of seven studies involving leptin showed a significant effect between
the proteins and objectively measured physical activity. However, a definitive conclusion could
not be drawn due to several methodological flaws in the existing articles and the acute lack of
additional research in this area. In conclusion, the existing evidences are encouraging but yet
not compelling. Hence, further well-designed large trials are needed before the effectiveness of
objectively measured physical activity in elevating adiponectin levels and in decreasing leptin
levels could be strongly confirmed.
2.Health-Related Quality of Life among Long Term and Short Term Breast Cancer Survivors
Pei Lin Lua ; Nor Syamimi Zakarai ; Ali Nurnazahiah ; Ab Hadi Imisairi ; Mohamad Hussain ; Aryati Ahmad ; Suhaina Sulaiman ; Mohd Razif Shahril
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.4):146-152
Introduction: The number of breast cancer survivors in developing Asian countries is still lacking compared to
Western countries. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cancer patients is one of the significant predictors of
survival. Hence, this study was conducted to determine HRQoL status among breast cancer survivors of different
diagnosis duration in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected for 128 breast
cancer survivors, aged 37 to 72 years who were recruited by using purposive sampling method at two main government hospitals in Kelantan (n=67) and Terengganu (n=61). The validated European Organization for Research and
Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ–C30) and Breast Cancer Supplementary Measure
(EORTC QLQ-BR23) which had been translated into the Malay language were used to measure HRQoL. Independent t-test was used to compare HRQoL status among short term (≤5 years duration since diagnosis) and long term
(>5 years duration since diagnosis) breast cancer survivors. Results: Overall, our breast cancer survivors reported
good HRQoL, with high scores for global health status, functional status and low symptoms scores. Long term breast
cancer survivors had better social functioning compared to short term survivors (p=.038). Nevertheless, there was no
significant difference found for other HRQoL status between short and long term breast cancer survivors. Conclusion:
Breast cancer survivors in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia generally experienced good HRQoL. The relatively similar HRQoL status between long-term and short-term survivors indicated a constant HRQoL profile among survivors
throughout their survivorship.