INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a serious public health issue that puts individuals at risk for various morbidity and mortality indicators. One of the most crucial factors in managing blood pressure and preventing complications is medication adherence which is linked to several determinants. This study explored the correlation between medication adherence among middle-aged hypertensive adults and the different domains of quality of life (QOL), which includes physical, psychological, social relationship and environment.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 96 Filipino residents of Brgy. San Jose, Navotas City aged 35 to 65 years old diagnosed with hypertension and prescribed anti-hypertensive medications. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to calculate the correlation between different domains of QOL as well as the overall QOL score.

RESULTS

Results revealed a statistically significant but weak positive correlation between overall QOL and medication adherence (r = 0.336, p<0.001). Among the QOL domains, environmental domain had the strongest correlation with adherence (r = 0.446, p = 0.00), followed by physical health (r = 0.443, p = 0.01) and psychological well-being (r = 0.382, p = 0.01). The social relationship domain showed negligible correlation (r = 0.163, p = 0.4).

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates that while medication adherence is modestly associated with better perceived QOL, especially in physical, psychological and environmental aspects, other factors likely influence both outcomes. These findings highlight the need for holistic, community-based interventions that address not only medication adherence but also environmental and psychosocial barriers to care in managing hypertension.

Human ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Quality Of Life ; Public Health ; Medication Adherence ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Interpersonal Relations

INRODUCTION

Stroke is one of the top five leading causes of disability in the Philippines. It has a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients, particularly in the functional and psycho-emotional aspects. Thus, it is important to understand the health-related quality of life in stroke patients (HRQoLISP), which focuses on the clinical impact of the disease and disability. The assessment of a stroke patient’s QoL is prognostically significant as it can predict a patient’s treatment success and survival.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to translate the HRQoLISP-26 into Filipino and assess its content validity for Filipino adult stroke patients.

METHODOLOGY

The HRQoLISP-26 was translated into Filipino using a forward translation protocol and an expert analyzed the forward translation. Selected expert committee members reviewed the first version to assess for content validity and the questionnaire was modified accordingly. The content validity index (CVI) was used for content validity.

RESULTS

Majority of the revisions made were done to improve the semantic and grammatical accuracy of items in the Filipino version of the HRQoLISP-26. Only a few items had no revisions implemented. No revisions were done in the final version of the translated questionnaire as each item had a CVI of 1 indicating that it has good content validity.

CONCLUSION

The Filipino translated HRQoLISP-26 questionnaire is a validated questionnaire that allows assessment of a stroke survivor’s QoL.

Quality Of Life ; Patients ; Life ; Health ; Adult ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Filipino version of the Vascular Access Quality of Life (VASQoL) measure.

METHODS

The Vascular Access Quality of Life (VASQoL) measure was translated to the Filipino language and, subsequently back translated to the English version by professors from the university. This translated questionnaire was face validated by a vascular surgeon, both adept in using both Filipino and English language. Pre-test was done on 10 subjects to assess cross cultural applicability of the questionnaire. Reliability was tested on 24 patients who were all diagnosed with Stage V Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients were recruited in the study with a mean age of 50.6, ranging from 15 to 77 years old. Slightly higher population of female versus male participants. For both test and retest, the internal consistency of the VASQoL was unacceptable with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.5209. Test-retest reliability showed almost perfect agreement except for one item (Q7) with substantial agreement.

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of the Filipino version of the VASQoL measure has revealed shortcomings in terms of reliability, suggesting that it may not be a dependable tool for assessing the experiences of patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in the Filipino population.

Human ; Quality Of Life ; Language ; Patients

METHODOLOGY

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilized, involving the translation of the SS-QOL from English to Filipino through Collaborative Translation Protocols, which centered on group consensus. Three Filipino language experts rigorously evaluated the initial translation for linguistic and cultural appropriateness. To assess content and face validity, an expert committee of three neurology consultants provided ratings, which were analyzed using the item-level content validity index (i-CVI). Subsequently, a pilot testing phase was conducted with 10 stroke survivors recruited via purposeful sampling in Metro Manila to evaluate the SS-QOL-Filipino’s clarity, layout, understandability and answerability, while also measuring the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess consistency and agreement among items

RESULTS

This study successfully developed a stroke-specific HRQOL tool for the Philippines, addressing a critical need for objective measures in patient-centered care. The use of Collaborative Translation Protocols ensured the questionnaire’s conceptual, linguistic and cultural equivalence, incorporating nuances specific to the Filipino context in areas like eating habits, emotional expressions and technological terms. The high face and content validity, coupled with strong consistency and high understandability observed during pilot testing underscore the SS-QOL-Filipino’s suitability for the target population, positioning it as a valuable instrument for both clinical practice and research.

CONCLUSION

The SS-QOL scale was successfully translated into Filipino using Collaborative Translation Protocols and rigorously validated. The SS-QOL-Filipino version demonstrates high content and face validity, strong consistency and excellent understandability and answerability, affirming its status as a reliable and appropriate outcome measure for assessing the QOL among stroke patients in Metro Manila.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Aged: 65-79 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Life ; Quality Of Life ; Stroke ; Survivors

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The treatment for cervical cancer among young women can result in adverse effects that contribute to a negative quality of life (QOL). The literature shows varied studies on the QOL of cervical cancer patients, but evidence on the local context is limited, particularly in young patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the QOL of young women with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 72 cervical cancer patients who were 40 years old and younger and treated with chemoradiation were recruited using complete enumeration. The study locale was in a tertiary government hospital, which is a training center for gynecologic oncology in the Philippines. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and EORTC QLQ of women with Cervical Cancer (CX24) served as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe and synthesize the data.

RESULTS

Seventy-two young women with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation reported a mean global health status score of 4.75, indicating a moderate QOL. However, functional domains were generally low, with the lowest scores in cognitive (1.71), social (1.64), and physical interference with social activities (1.96). The average symptom score was 2.10, reflecting moderate symptomatology. On the EORTC QLQ-CX24, most QOL aspects were rated low, except for body image (2.01), menopausal symptoms (2.31), and sexual worry (2.79). Sexual enjoyment scored the lowest at 1.16, with an overall average of 1.71.

CONCLUSIONS

The study highlights low-to-moderate QoL among young cervical cancer patients post-chemoradiation, underscoring the need for improved supportive care addressing physical, psychological, and social challenges caused by the disease and treatment modality.

Human ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Quality Of Life

OBJECTIVES: Near vision loss (NVL) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide, exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development. This study aims to analyze the burden of NVL in China by sex and age groups from 1990 to 2021 and to project trends over the next 15 years. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we conducted descriptive analyses of NVL prevalence in China, calculated age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates (ASDR) to compare burden differences between sexes and age groups, and applied an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict NVL trends for the next 15 years. The model selection was based on best-fit criteria to ensure reliable projections. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, China's ASPR of NVL rose from 10 096.24/100 000 to 15 624.54/100 000, and ASDR increased from 101.75/100 000 to 158.75/100 000. In 2021, ASPR (16 551.70/100 000) and ASDR (167.69/100 000) were higher among females than males (14 686.21/100 000 and 149.76/100 000, respectively). China ranked highest globally in both NVL cases and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with female burden significantly exceeding male burden. Projections indicated this trend and sex gap will persist until 2036. Compared with 1990, the prevalence cases and DALYs increased by 239.20% and 238.82%, respectively in 2021, with the highest burden among females and the 55-59 age group. The ARIMA model predicted continued increases in prevalence and DALYs by 2036, with females maintaining a higher burden than males. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals a marked increase in the NVL burden in China and predicts continued growth in the coming years. Public health policies should prioritize NVL prevention and control, with special attention to women and middle-aged populations to mitigate long-term societal and health impacts.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Adult ; Global Burden of Disease ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Aged ; Sex Factors ; Child ; Young Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Cost of Illness ; Infant ; Aged, 80 and over ; Vision Disorders/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVES: Stigma is common among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia and has a profound negative impact on both psychiatric symptoms and quality of life. This study aims to explore the association between stigma and quality of life in this population and to examine the multiple mediating roles of anxiety and depression symptoms. METHODS: The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select the community-dwelling patients with schizophrenics in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. The questionnaire included general demographic characteristics, stigma question, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The SF-12 was used to measure quality of life, including physical health and mental health dimensions. A multiple mediation model was used to analyse the mediating effects of anxiety and depression symptoms together between stigma and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 1 087 community patients with schizophrenia were included with a mean age of 50.68±12.73 years; 525 (48.30%) were male. Stigma was reported by 543 patients (49.95%). Anxiety symptoms were present in 292 patients (26.86%), and depression symptoms in 407 patients (37.44%). The physical health quality of life score was 72.01 ± 20.99, and the mental health quality of life score was 71.68 ± 19.38. Multiple mediation analysis showed that stigma directly affected quality of life, and also indirectly affected quality of life through anxiety and depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression jointly mediated 42.26% of the total effect of stigma on physical health quality of life and 47.51% on mental health quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Reducing stigma and preventing anxiety and depression symptoms in community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia can effectively improve their quality of life and support reintegration into society.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Male ; Depression/psychology* ; Middle Aged ; Social Stigma ; Schizophrenia ; Female ; Anxiety/psychology* ; China ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adult ; Schizophrenic Psychology ; Independent Living ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common condition among women that severely impairs quality of life. Pelvic floor proprioceptive training (PFPT) has attracted increasing attention for its potential to enhance pelvic floor muscle function and alleviate SUI symptoms. This study aims to observe and compare the clinical efficacy of PFPT combined with electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback therapy versus conventional therapy consisting of electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback alone in women with SUI, and to explore the role of PFPT in improving symptom and functional outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 72 women with mild to moderate SUI were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between December 2021 and October 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=36) or a control group (n=36). Both groups received health education. The control group underwent electroacupuncture combined with electrical stimulation and biofeedback therapy, while the experimental group additionally received PFPT 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength, bladder neck mobility, and balance ability. The ICIQ-SF was reassessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all parameters after treatment (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in most measures (all P>0.05). The experimental group demonstrated longer single-leg stance duration with eyes closed than the control group (left leg: P=0.026; right leg: P=0.006), with a significant increase from baseline (P<0.001). At 6 months post-treatment, the cure rate in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS Conventional therapy effectively improves SUI symptoms, but adding PFPT provides notable additional benefits, including enhanced balance ability and sustained mid-term cure rates. These findings suggest that PFPT is a valuable adjunct to standard SUI management strategies.
Humans ; Female ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology* ; Pelvic Floor/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Adult ; Exercise Therapy/methods* ; Proprioception ; Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Quality of Life ; Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

Objective:To study whether the auditory rehabilitation effect and quality of life of elderly patients have improved after cochlear implantation. Methods:Selected 36 elderly deafness patients over 60 years during the period January 2020 to December 2022, After exclusion of surgical contraindications, a minimally invasive cochlear implant was performed. Using the auditory behavior grading-Ⅱ（CAP-Ⅱ）, the Nijmegen cochlear implant scale（NCIQ）, the scores of preoperative, postoperative 6 months and postoperative 18 months of cochlear implantation in 36 elderly deafness patients were collected through questionnaire survey, and statistical analysis was conducted, compare the auditory ability and quality of life of elderly patients after cochlear implantation. Results:The preoperative score of CAP-Ⅱ （2.50±0.85） and the total score of NCIQ （23.73±2.12）; the CAP-Ⅱ score at the sixth postoperative month was （4.39±1.02） and the NCIQ total table score （40.55±3.52）. The CAP-Ⅱ score at the eighteen postoperative months was （5.97±1.28）, NCIQ total table （57.36±4.02）, and the highest score. Statistically significant difference per group（P<0.05）. Conclusion:After cochlear implantation in elderly patients with deafness, their auditory ability, basic sound perception, social ability, self-confidence and other quality of life were significantly improved.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Cochlear Implants ; Middle Aged ; Deafness/surgery* ; Postoperative Period ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; Female ; Treatment Outcome

Over the past decade, the assessment and management of voice disorders have witnessed remarkable progress. The assessment framework encompasses a multidimensional system that includes subjective audio-perceptual assessment, objective acoustic analysis, voice-related quality of life assessment, laryngoscopy and vocal fold vibration evaluation, aerodynamic analysis and laryngeal electromyography. In China, the Expert Consensus for Assessment of Vocal Function was published in 2024. Therapeutically, continuous refinement of phonomicrosurgical techniques, injection laryngoplasty, laryngeal framework surgery, and laryngeal reinnervation procedures has yielded favorable functional outcomes in phonation and swallowing. Voice therapy delivered either as an adjunct to surgery or as a standalone intervention-now plays an indispensable role in comprehensive voice care. In the future, voice disorders will be assessed more precisely, treated more effectively, and supported by more comprehensive rehabilitation.
Humans ; Voice Disorders/diagnosis* ; Quality of Life ; Laryngoscopy ; Voice Training ; Voice Quality ; Vocal Cords ; Electromyography ; Laryngoplasty