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

Abstract Background: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) encompasses cognitive, motor, and mental impairments persisting for years in ICU survivors. Despite its significance, the prevalence of PICS in Indonesia remains uncertain due to limited research and a lack of validated measurement tools. This study aims to translate and validate the PICS Questionnaire for use among ICU survivors in Indonesia. Methods: The study followed a two-phase approach: translation and evaluation. The translation phase adhered to the 10-step process of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines. The analysis phase involved 184 subjects, using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) for validation and Cronbach's α and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for reliability testing. Results: The CFA reported factor loadings (λ >0.40) for each item in its relevant domain. Fit index values indicated a good-to-acceptable fit. Internal reliability was high for the mental, physical, and cognitive domains (0.812 vs. 0.779 vs. 0.855), with Cronbach's α of > 0.70. Test-retest reliability and ICC demonstrated dependable results (>0.70) for each domain. Conclusion: The translated and validated Indonesian PICS Questionnaire demonstrates good validity and reliability. This tool will enable healthcare professionals to assess PICS among ICU survivors in Indonesia and facilitate further research on its prevalence and impact on quality of life.
Intensive Care Unit ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Factor Analysis ; Statistical ; Indonesia

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is painless, paroxysmal, repetitive twitching of the unilateral facial muscle initially starting with the orbicularis oculi progressing to mid and lower facial muscles. This condition can be disabling and affect quality of life. Microvascular decompression (MVD) offers t he m ost permanent treatment and outcomes are measured through cessation of spasm. There are currently no Filipino-translated questionnaires to measure the quality of life (QOL) of patients with HFS. This study translated and validated the HFS-7 questionnaire and used it to assess and compare the preoperative and postoperative QOL of patients with HFS following MVD.

METHODS

The HFS-7 questionnaire was translated to Tagalog using a “forward–backward” translation method by 2 independent linguists. The translated questionnaire was validated by 4 expert neurosurgeons and were sent to 27 HFS patients to retrospectively assess pre-op and post-op QOL.

RESULTS

Twenty out of 27 HFS patients answered the survey. Majority of HFS patients were middle-aged females. The Criterion Validity Index (CVI) showed a result of 1 which indicates good validity of the translated HFS-7. It has good reliability with Cronbach alpha score of 0.97. T-test comparing the pre-op and post op scores showed that there is a significant improvement in QOL of HFS patients after MVD.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HFS, MVD offers an improvement of postoperative versus preoperative quality of life measurements. The Tagalog-translated HFS-7 questionnaire is a valid and reliable objective tool in measuring this treatment outcome.

Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Microvascular Decompression ; Hemifacial Spasm ; Quality Of Life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a locoregional therapy used in patients with unresectable intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has proven benefit on overall survival, but considerable side effects and potential complications may occur. Preservation of quality of life is a concern in many cancer-related therapies, and the same goal should apply in TACE. This study aimed to determine the effect of TACE on the immediate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Filipino patients with unresectable HCC.

METHODS

A prospective observational survey study of 18 HCC patients who underwent TACE was conducted. HRQoL scores were measured using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HCC18 questionnaires, 1-2 days before and two weeks after TACE. Baseline clinical data, which included tumor characteristics, Child-Pugh score, and performance status score, were also obtained. Changes in HRQoL scores before and after TACE, and any association of demographic and clinical variables with HRQoL outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients experienced overall decline in their global health status and functional scores with increase in their symptom scores after undergoing TACE. Statistically significant deterioration was observed in global health status (-13.9%), physical functioning (-23.0%), and role functioning (-31.4%). Alcohol users had lower global health status scores at baseline and follow-up, although there was no significant difference in the degree of decline in their post-TACE scores compared with non-alcohol users. Patients with BCLC stage C disease also had lower global health status scores at baseline, although scores were no longer significantly different from patients of other stages on post-TACE follow-up. Patients with BCLC stage B tumor experienced significant decline in their global health status scores. The presence of minimal ascites at baseline was associated with less deterioration in physical function scores after TACE. Largest and significant increases in symptomatology were seen for appetite loss (+41.1%), fever (+30.3%), fatigue (+28.5%), and general pain (+25.1%).

CONCLUSION

TACE can negatively affect the HRQoL of Filipino patients in the early phase after treatment, with significant deteriorations in global health status, physical, and role functioning, and increased severity in symptoms, especially appetite loss, fever, fatigue and pain. Knowledge of these changes should be used to improve patient care, compliance, and expectations.

Human ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Health-related Quality Of Life ; Quality Of Life

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) are used in the diagnosis and prognostication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We wanted to determine the specific contributions of RF and ACPA to the biological nature of RA and whether they act synergistically. METHODS: We identified 731 patients from our prospective multi-ethnic RA cohort and categorised them into four groups: ACPA-positive, RF-positive, doubly positive and doubly negative. We compared the demographics, Disease Activity Score-28, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, quality of life using Short Form 36 and the use of prednisolone and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) of these patient groups. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-one patients (67.2%) were ACPA+RF+, 54 (7.4%) were ACPA+RF-, 82 (11.2%) were ACPA-RF+ and 104 (14.2%) were ACPA-RF-. Mean disease duration before the study entry was not different in the four groups. Patients with older age of onset were less likely to be positive for RF and ACPA. Fewer ACPA+RF+ patients were in remission compared to those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher at study entry in the ACPA+RF+ group (40.4 mm/h vs. 30.6-30.9 mm/h, P < 0.05). Prednisolone and number of DMARDs used were higher in the ACPA+RF+ group compared to the doubly negative group. There were no differences in the functional status and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS RA patients who were positive for both ACPA and RF had lower remission rate, higher baseline ESR and required more corticosteroid and DMARD treatment compared to those who were singly positive or doubly negative. Being doubly positive confers a worse outcome to RA patients.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatoid Factor/blood* ; Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies/blood* ; Adult ; Quality of Life ; Prospective Studies ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Peptides, Cyclic/immunology* ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Severity of Illness Index ; Prognosis

INTRODUCTION: The survival rate for childhood cancer has increased with advances in medical care. Along with this comes the growing burden of long-term side effects of cancer treatment and cancer survivorship. Childhood cancer survivors are more likely to be sedentary and have a lower quality of life. Physical activity (PA) can promote health and well-being in childhood cancer survivors, but few studies have explored the role of parents of childhood cancer survivors (PCCS) in promoting PA. This qualitative study aims to explore the perceptions of PCCS in Singapore and the role they may have with regard to PA. METHODS: Participants were recruited through a local charity via email, social media and posters. One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted online with seven parents. With consent, the interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our study discussed thematically parents' accounts on (1) the barriers and enablers of PA and (2) the complications of cancer that potentially affect the levels of PA in childhood cancer survivors. Parents reported that childhood cancer negatively affects the quality of life and participation in PA. The determinants of participation in PA were multifaceted, and socioecological and health belief models were used to demonstrate how these factors were interlinked. CONCLUSION Participation in PA is influenced at an individual, family, community and societal level. The improved understanding facilitated by this research can be used to shape paediatric cancer care practices in Singapore and guide institutional or national policy interventions.
Humans ; Singapore ; Parents/psychology* ; Cancer Survivors/psychology* ; Qualitative Research ; Female ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Exercise ; Child ; Adult ; Neoplasms ; Adolescent ; Perception ; Middle Aged ; Interviews as Topic

Prostate cancer represents a prevalent malignancy within the male genitourinary system. In recent years, its incidence in China has gradually increased, becoming a significant public health issue. While early detection correlates strongly with improved prognosis, the majority of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients in China are already in intermediate or advanced stages, precluding curative-intent interventions and contributing to marked survival disparities. The progression of prostate cancer is lengthy, typically encompassing diagnosis, treatment, progression, metastasis, and death, accompanied by a decline in quality of life. Personalized treatment plans should be developed based on the disease stage and patient preferences. In non-metastatic prostate cancer, where the tumor is confined to the prostate, surgery and radiotherapy are the primary treatments, supplemented by neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies to delay metastasis. For metastatic prostate cancer, systemic therapy is prioritized to prolong survival. In metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, controlling androgen levels is crucial, while treatment options for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer are relatively limited, necessitating individualized and precise treatment. During prostate cancer management, prostate-specific antigen levels are closely linked to prognosis and require monitoring. Bone metastasis, the most common site in prostate cancer patients, often triggers skeletal-related events, demanding effective prevention and management. Treatment-related adverse reactions are also a clinical challenge, requiring balanced risk-benefit assessments and judicious drug selection to preserve quality of life. Rapid advancements in screening technologies, surgical innovations, drug development, and China-specific epidemiological factors further complicate decision-making in holistic prostate cancer management. To optimize the standardization of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment in China, the Genitourinary Oncology Committee of Chinese Anti-cancer Association synthesized global guidelines, clinical evidence and clinical expertise, and addressed critical challenges in the whole-course management of prostate cancer to formulate a multidisciplinary consensus. The expert consensus on whole-course management of prostate cancer (2025 edition) establishes standardized protocols to guide clinical practice, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance patient quality of life.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Consensus ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Quality of Life ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant/pathology* ; China ; Bone Neoplasms/secondary* ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on the quality of life in the elderly patients with malignant tumor based on palliative treatment. METHODS: A total of 100 elderly patients with malignant tumor were randomly divided into an observation group (50 cases, 3 cases dropped out) and a control group (50 cases, 4 cases dropped out). The conventional palliative treatment was performed in the control group. On the basis of conventional palliative treatment, heat-sensitive moxibustion was added at Shenque (CV8) and Zhongwan (CV12) in the observation group, once a day, 5 times a week, one course of treatment was composed of 2 weeks, and 2 consecutive courses of treatment were given. In the observation group, 15 patients voluntarily continued heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment, which was collected in the sub-observation group No.1, these patients were treated 3 times a week and for 6 months consecutively. Using the propensity score matching method, 15 patients who only completed 2 courses of treatment were assigned into the sub-observation group No.2. Before and after treatment, the scores of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and the anorexia/cachexia subscale-12 (A/CS-12), as well as the immune indexes (the contents of serum immune globulin [Ig]G, IgA, IgM and complements C3 and C4) were observed in the patients of the observation group and the control group. The monthly survivals were recorded in the two sub-observation groups after 6 months of treatment completion. The coordination was analyzed on the score of deqi scale of heat-sensitive moxibustion at the probing stage before treatment and the change in the score of EORTC QLQ-C30 before and after treatment in the patients of the observation group. RESULTS: After treatment, except the score related to the financial difficulties, the score of every items in EORTC QLQ-C30 was greater than that before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05); the scores for overall health, nausea/vomiting, pain, short breath, constipation and diarrhea of the scale were higher than those before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). The score for each item of the scale in the observation group was higher when compared with that in the control group, except the score for financial difficulties (P<0.05). After treatment, KPS score increased in the observation group when compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, A/CS-12 score was elevated in comparison with that before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and the score in the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the observation group, the contents of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, and C3 and C4 increased in comparison with those before treatment (P<0.05); and in the control group, the contents of serum IgG, C3 and C4 were declined (P<0.05). After treatment, the contents of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, and C3 and C4 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 6 months of treatment completion, the survival rate in the sub-observation group No.1 was higher than that of the sub-observation group No.2 (P<0.05). In the observation group, the positive coordination was presented between the score of deqi scale of heat-sensitive moxibustion and the change in the score of EORTC QLQ-C30 in the observation group (r>0, P<0.001). CONCLUSION On the basis of palliative treatment, heat-sensitive moxibustion can improve the quality of life, appetite and the immunity of the elderly patients with malignant tumor. Consecutive long-term moxibustion is contributed to prolonging the life span. The stronger deqi is felt during moxibustion delivery, the more significant the therapeutic effect is obtained.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Quality of Life ; Neoplasms/psychology* ; Palliative Care ; Aged, 80 and over ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of thread-embedding at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points for functional constipation with intestinal excess heat. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with functional constipation of intestinal excess heat were randomly divided into a thread-embedding group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a Chinese patent medication group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out). Based on the theory of combined lower he-sea and front-mu points for diseases of fu organs, Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37), Tianshu (ST25), Xiajuxu (ST39) were selected and thread-embedding therapy was delivered in the thread-embedding group, once a week. Maren Runchang pill was given orally in the Chinese patent medication group, 6-12 g each time, twice a day. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of constipation assessment scale (CAS), Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), patient-assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QOL) and TCM syndrome were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the CAS scores and the TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), while the BSFS scores were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups; the total scores, as well as the physical discomfort and psychosocial discomfort scores of PAC-QOL were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups, the worry and anxiety, and the satisfaction scores of PAC-QOL were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the thread-embedding group. After treatment, the CAS score, the total score and item-scores of PAC-QOL, as well as the TCM syndrome score in the thread-embedding group were lower than those in the Chinese patent medication group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 78.9% (30/38) in the thread-embedding group, which was higher than 56.4% (22/39) in the Chinese patent medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Thread-embedding at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points can effectively treat functional constipation with intestinal excess heat and improve quality of life.
Humans ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; Intestines/physiopathology* ; Quality of Life