Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 1470 in total

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  1. Hassan BA, Yusoff ZB
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2010;11(6):1523-7.
    PMID: 21338191
    INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most important worries of cancer patients. Although not life-threatening, it has a great negative impact on quality of life (QOL).

    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of CINV (i.e., acute and delayed) on breast cancer patients QOL and to discern opinions related with antiemetic guidelines used dependent on the three main races in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese, Indian).

    METHODS: In this longitudinal prospective observational study, 158 breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy were interviewed and valid questionnaires (MANE and ONEM) were used to report the impact of CINV on their QOL within the first 24 hours and after 3 to 5 days of chemotherapy treatment.

    RESULTS: The main result was that delayed CINV has an impact on QOL greater than acute CINV. The impact of nausea was reportedly higher than that of vomiting. Also differences in race i.e., genetic polymorphisms (pharmacogenomics) influenced the utility of antiemetic treatments and patients opinions.

    CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our study a new guideline for antiemetic treatment should be used to reduce the impact of CINV on QOL, taking into account variation in genetic polymorphisms among the three races in Malaysia.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  2. Esa R, Jamaludin M, Yusof ZYM
    Health Qual Life Outcomes, 2020 Sep 29;18(1):319.
    PMID: 32993663 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01565-z
    BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence with regards to the association between both maternal and child dental anxiety and the mother's perception of her child's oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of maternal and child dental anxiety with COHRQoL and the effect of demographic factors as moderators in this relationship. In addition, the association between child's dental caries experience and the COHRQoL was also assessed.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1150, 5-6 year-old preschool children in Selangor, Malaysia. Mothers answered a questionnaire on socio-economic status, the Malay-Modified Dental Anxiety Scale to assess maternal dental anxiety, and the Malay-Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale to assess COHRQoL. Child's dental anxiety was assessed using the Malay-Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale via a face-to-face interview prior to oral examination to assess dental caries. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to assess the relationship between maternal and child dental anxiety and COHRQoL.

    RESULTS: Overall, complete data on 842 mother-child dyads were analysed. The mean scores of total ECOHIS, the child impacts section (CIS), and the family impacts section (FIS) were 17.7 (SD = 4.9), 12.6 (SD = 3.7), and 5.1 (SD = 1.9), respectively. The mean dental anxiety scores for mothers and children were 11.8 (SD = 4.5) and 16.9 (SD = 4.3), respectively. Maternal dental anxiety was associated with the CIS (b = 0.08, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  3. Wan Hassan WN, Makhbul MZM, Yusof ZYM
    J Orofac Orthop, 2021 May 03.
    PMID: 33938957 DOI: 10.1007/s00056-021-00298-y
    PURPOSE: The sociodental model integrates clinical assessment, perceived impacts of malocclusion on quality of life, and behavioural propensity when prioritising orthodontic treatment. This study compares the effect of using different instruments to measure impact-related need on the assessment of orthodontic treatment need based on the sociodental framework.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 206 Malaysian adolescents (age: 11-18 years) were screened in orthodontic clinics to identify those with normative need, oral impacts due to malocclusion, and having high and medium-to-high behavioural propensities. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need classified normative need. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDA) questionnaire and the Condition-Specific Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (CS-OIDP) index measured oral impacts. Subjects' behavioural propensities for successful treatment outcome were based on the Basic Periodontal Examination and International Caries Detection and Assessment System. Data were analysed using the McNemar test.

    RESULTS: The response rate was 99.0%. Estimates of normative need (89.7%) were significantly reduced under the sociodental model by 65.7% (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  4. Wan Hassan WN, Makhbul MZM, Othman SA, Yusof ZYM
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022 Jul 16;19(14).
    PMID: 35886519 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148665
    (1) This study aimed to generate a simplified form of the Malaysian psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics questionnaire (PIDAQ[M]) and validate its use in the sociodental approach for estimating orthodontic treatment need. (2) Two eight-item forms were derived: an impact simplified PIDAQ[M] (ISP8), comprising the most impactful items as rated by 35 participants, and a regression simplified PIDAQ[M] (RSP8), derived from regression analysis of 590 participants’ data from the PIDAQ[M] validation study. Their psychometric performances were assessed for internal consistency, validity (criterion and construct), reproducibility (reliability and agreement), and responsiveness to change. The sociodental estimates were based on 204 orthodontic patients’ data who were assessed for normative need, impact-related need, and propensity-related need. McNemar analysis compared the sociodental estimates when both simplified PIDAQ[M] forms and the original PIDAQ[M] were used to measure impact-related need. (3) Both simplified PIDAQ[M] forms were valid, reproducible, and responsive. The sociodental estimates when using the ISP8 (38.2%) were similar to when the PIDAQ[M] (35.8%) was used (p > 0.05) but overestimated by 3.4% (p < 0.05) when the RSP8 (39.2%) was used as the assessment tool. (4) The simplified PIDAQ[M] can replace the original PIDAQ[M] in the sociodental approach to estimate the orthodontic treatment needs of the Malaysian population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology
  5. Sulaiman W, Othman M, Mokhtar AM, Rosman A, Ong SG, Soo IS, et al.
    APLAR Journal of Rheumatology, 2006;9 Suppl 1:A54-A55.
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8077.2006.00199_24.x
    Objective: To determine the number of RA cases and to evaluate the demographic patterns in all 4 Rheumatology Referral Centers under the Ministry of Health Malaysia. Materials and methods: One thousand and eighty-four rheumatoid arthritis patients from all 4 centers i.e. Hospital Selayang, Putra Jaya, Seremban and Taiping which are situated in the west coast of West Malaysia, using rheumatoid arthritis database comprising of basic clinical and patient questionnaire, until the end of year 2004 were analysed. Results: At the time of documentation, 88.6% were female at all range of ages especially between age of 25 and 54 years (77.6%) with female to male ratio 8 :1. 52.1% were housewives. Mean age of onset of RA was 49.6 ± 11.8 SD with female 49.3 ± 11.7 SD and male 52.0 ± 12.0 SD (p < 0.05). Indian was the predominant ethnic group (54.5%), followed by Malay (31.4%), Chinese (11.6%) and others (27%). Majority had their education up to secondary level (50.8%), followed by primary (32.6%), and tertiary (6.3%) levels while 10.3% of cases had not received any formal education in their lives. 74.4% were seropositive and 87.3% fulfilled at least 4 out of 7 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. 74% were diagnosed RA within 2 years after the onset of arthritis. Seropositivity was not significantly related to gender. Positive rheumatoid factor was dominated by Indian followed by Malay and Chinese. 83.3% were married. 23.3% female and 33.9% male between age group 25-54 were employed. 7.4% had achieved their retirement at time of entry whilst 8.9% were unemployed. Employment status was statistically significant across gender (p < 0.001). The cases differed between rheumatology centers as well as individual practices. Conclusion: There are increasing numbers of RA cases in Malaysia. Results from this study did not reflect the true prevalence of RA in Malaysia. Hence, a larger and more comprehensive database on RA with collaboration of all Government and Private Hospitals in the whole nation will provide better information about the patient case mix in different healthcare settings, treatment practice as well as disease complications. The implementation of rheumatology centers with better regional cooperation, will lead to better treatment and outcome in terms of identification of early as well as established RA cases. Early referral to the centers will be made possible for proper treatment institution and rehabilitation. Hence, improve quality of life including socio-economic status especially among those within the productive age.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  6. Amiri IS, Azzuhri SRB, Jalil MA, Hairi HM, Ali J, Bunruangses M, et al.
    Micromachines (Basel), 2018 Sep 11;9(9).
    PMID: 30424385 DOI: 10.3390/mi9090452
    Light has found applications in data transmission, such as optical fibers and waveguides and in optoelectronics. It consists of a series of electromagnetic waves, with particle behavior. Photonics involves the proper use of light as a tool for the benefit of humans. It is derived from the root word "photon", which connotes the tiniest entity of light analogous to an electron in electricity. Photonics have a broad range of scientific and technological applications that are practically limitless and include medical diagnostics, organic synthesis, communications, as well as fusion energy. This will enhance the quality of life in many areas such as communications and information technology, advanced manufacturing, defense, health, medicine, and energy. The signal transmission methods used in wireless photonic systems are digital baseband and RoF (Radio-over-Fiber) optical communication. Microwave photonics is considered to be one of the emerging research fields. The mid infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy offers a principal means for biological structure analysis as well as nonintrusive measurements. There is a lower loss in the propagations involving waveguides. Waveguides have simple structures and are cost-efficient in comparison with optical fibers. These are important components due to their compactness, low profile, and many advantages over conventional metallic waveguides. Among the waveguides, optofluidic waveguides have been found to provide a very powerful foundation for building optofluidic sensors. These can be used to fabricate the biosensors based on fluorescence. In an optical fiber, the evanescent field excitation is employed to sense the environmental refractive index changes. Optical fibers as waveguides can be used as sensors to measure strain, temperature, pressure, displacements, vibrations, and other quantities by modifying a fiber. For some application areas, however, fiber-optic sensors are increasingly recognized as a technology with very interesting possibilities. In this review, we present the most common and recent applications of the optical fiber-based sensors. These kinds of sensors can be fabricated by a modification of the waveguide structures to enhance the evanescent field; therefore, direct interactions of the measurand with electromagnetic waves can be performed. In this research, the most recent applications of photonics components are studied and discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  7. Gan GG, Yuen Ling H
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 02;74(1):57-61.
    PMID: 30846664
    BACKGROUND: Medical education is known to be highly stressful and challenging. Many medical students suffer from psychological stress which may lead to burnout and poor academic performances. Quality of life (QOL) of medical students is also affected. In this study, we aim to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression of the senior medical students and to assess their QOL.

    METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which involved medical students in their final two years of study at a public university in Malaysia. Self-administered Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and World Health Organisation QOL questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to assess their psychological symptoms and QOL.

    RESULTS: A total 149 students participated. The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were 33% and 11% respectively. Malay students had significantly more anxiety compared to the other ethnic groups, P<0.05. Female students had significantly lower psychological score compared to male; 70.73 vs 66.32(P<0.05). Anxiety and depression were associated with significantly poorer QOL. Students with depression symptoms were associated with lower physical, psychological and environmental domain score whereas those with anxiety had lower psychological, social and environmental scores, P<0.05. Overall QOL score was significantly lower in Chinese students (P<0.05) and those with depression (P<0.001).

    CONCLUSION: QOL of medical students are significantly affected by the presence of anxiety and depression. It is recommended that medical schools implement measures which can identify students at risk and to offer comprehensive intervention and preventive programmes to improve the students' wellbeing.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  8. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Khan NA, Yuen KH
    J Urol, 2016 07;196(1):153-8.
    PMID: 26812304 DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2016.01.090
    PURPOSE: Studies of the effects of stress urinary incontinence on the sexual function of couples are scarce. We prospectively evaluated couple sexual function and the relationship between sexual function and quality of life. We also compared quality of life in females with vs without stress urinary incontinence.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sexually active females at least 21 years old with or without stress urinary incontinence and their partners were recruited for study. To assess sexual function the couples completed GRISS (Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction) and a 1-item question on overall sexual experience, "Over the past 4 weeks, how satisfied have you been with your overall sexual life?" Additionally, females completed ICIQ-LUTSqol (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life) to assess quality of life.

    RESULTS: For sexual function assessment 66 of 134 couples with (49.3%) and 95 of 176 without (54.0%) stress urinary incontinence were recruited. Females with stress urinary incontinence had lower overall sexual function, lower frequency of sexual intercourse, less satisfaction (each p <0.001) and higher avoidance behavior (p = 0.026). Partners of females with stress urinary incontinence had more problems with erectile dysfunction (p = 0.027), less satisfaction (p = 0.006) and lower frequency of sexual intercourse (p = 0.001) but no difference in overall GRISS score (p = 0.093). Couples with stress urinary incontinence had poorer overall sexual experience (p <0.05). Females with stress urinary incontinence had poorer quality of life than those without stress urinary incontinence (120 of 134, response rate 89.6% vs 145 of 176, response rate 82.4%, p <0.001). Sexual function and quality of life did not significantly correlate (r = 0.001, p = 0.997).

    CONCLUSIONS: Stress urinary incontinence in females is negatively associated not only with female quality of life and sexual function but also with partner sexual function.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  9. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Khan NA, Yuen KH
    Trials, 2015;16:279.
    PMID: 26093910 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-015-0803-1
    There is currently a lack of randomized, sham-controlled trials that are adequately powered, using validated outcomes, to allow for firm recommendations on the use of magnetic stimulation for stress urinary incontinence. We report a protocol of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled parallel-group trial to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic stimulation for stress urinary incontinence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  10. Lim R, Liong ML, Lim KK, Leong WS, Yuen KH
    Urology, 2019 Nov;133:91-95.
    PMID: 31415780 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.08.004
    OBJECTIVE: To estimate the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) using both anchor-based and distribution-based methods for women with stress urinary incontinence undergoing nonsurgical treatment.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from a randomized clinical trial evaluating efficacy of a nonsurgical intervention in women with stress urinary incontinence were used for analyses. The overall score of ICIQ-UI SF ranges from 0 to 21, with greater values indicating increased severity. The ICIQ-LUTSqol ranges from 19 to 76, with greater values indicating increased impact on quality of life. Instruments used in the anchor-based method were the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, patient satisfaction, 1-hour pad test and the incontinence episode frequency. The distribution-based method used an effect size of 0.5 standard deviation. Triangulation of findings was used to converge on a single value of MCID.

    RESULTS: At 12-month post-treatment, 106 (88.3%) participants completed the follow-up and were included in the analysis. Anchor-based MCIDs of the ICIQ-UI SF were between 3.4 and 4.4, while the distribution-based MCID was 1.7. Anchor-based MCIDs of the ICIQ-LUTSqol were between 4.8 and 6.9, while the distribution-based MCID was 5.2. Triangulation of findings showed that MCIDs of 4 for ICIQ-UI SF and 6 for ICIQ-LUTSqol were the most appropriate.

    CONCLUSION: For women undergoing nonsurgical treatments for incontinence, reductions of 4 and 6 points in ICIQ-UI SF and ICIQ-LUTSqol, respectively are perceived as clinically meaningful.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  11. Lim R, Liong ML, Lau YK, Yuen KH
    Neurourol Urodyn, 2017 02;36(2):438-442.
    PMID: 26693962 DOI: 10.1002/nau.22950
    AIMS: To enable the use of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) and ICIQ-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) in Southeast Asia, we translated and subsequently evaluated their validity (content and discriminant validity), reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability), and responsiveness in female patients with stress urinary incontinence.

    METHODS: Permission was obtained to translate the English versions into Malay and subsequently validate them, and to validate the existing Chinese versions. The translated questionnaires were taken for pilot testing. Validation was carried out for the face/content and discriminant validity. Reliability was assessed for test-retest and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient respectively. The responsiveness was calculated via effect size and standardized response mean.

    RESULTS: Ten patients were recruited for the pilot testing. The English and Chinese versions had "substantial" or "almost perfect" agreement as measured by weighted Kappa. 284 participants (139 patients with stress urinary incontinence and 145 healthy volunteers) were included in the subsequent phases. The ICIQ-UI SF and ICIQ-LUTSqol had good discriminant validity. The ICIQ-UI SF had moderate internal consistency although the ICIQ-LUTSqol had good internal consistency. Both questionnaires had high test-retest reliability. Responsiveness was established with a moderate to large effect size and a standardized response mean.

    CONCLUSIONS: The English, Chinese, and Malay versions each proved to be valid and reliable in our Malaysian population, thereby enabling more cross-cultural research in this region. Neurourol. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:438-442, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  12. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Khan NAK, Yuen KH
    Int Urogynecol J, 2018 07;29(7):997-1004.
    PMID: 28744557 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-017-3425-1
    INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated patients' perception and satisfaction with nonsurgical pulsed magnetic stimulation (PMS) for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.

    METHODS: Women with SUI (n = 120) were randomized to either active or sham PMS for 8 weeks (twice/week). Patients answered seven questions on their perception and acceptability, each measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using two parameters: (i) the single-item question "Overall, please rate how satisfied you are with the treatment" and (ii) Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). All adverse events were documented.

    RESULTS: A total of 115 patients completed treatments (active: n = 57, sham: n = 58). There were no significant differences between groups in all parameters regarding perception and acceptability (p > 0.05). In terms of treatment satisfaction, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the active group (n = 47/57, 82.4%) were either mostly or completely satisfied compared with those in the sham group (n = 27/58, 46.6%) ((p = 0.001). Similarly, a statistically significantly higher percentage of patients in the active group (n = 39/57, 68.4%) felt much or very much better compared with patients in the sham group (n = 11/58, 19.0%) as measured using the PGI-I (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  13. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Lau YK, Khan NAK, Yuen KH
    Urology, 2018 Feb;112:38-45.
    PMID: 29107131 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2017.10.019
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) on individual components of quality of life (QoL) using both condition-specific and generic questionnaires, and to compare the results of the 2 instruments with a control group.

    METHODS: Women with or without SUI aged ≥21 years old were recruited. Subjects completed the International Consultation of Incontinence-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), International Consultation of Incontinence-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol), and EQ-5D questionnaires.

    RESULTS: A total of 120 women with SUI and 145 controls participated. The ICIQ-LUTSqol total score (mean ± standard deviation) was significantly higher in the SUI group (38.96 ± 10.28) compared with the control group (20.78 ± 2.73) (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  14. Lim R, Liong ML, Leong WS, Khan NAK, Yuen KH
    Int Urogynecol J, 2018 04;29(4):547-554.
    PMID: 28791447 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-017-3439-8
    INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We evaluated the effects of pulsed magnetic stimulation (PMS) on overall and different aspects of quality of life (QoL) in female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

    METHODS: This study involved 120 female SUI subjects aged ≥21 years old randomized to either active or sham PMS. Treatment involved two PMS sessions per week for 2 months (16 sessions). After 2 months, subjects could opt for 16 additional sessions regardless of initial randomization. The primary response criterion was a 7-point reduction in the total score of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Quality of Life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) questionnaire. Follow-ups were conducted at months 1, 2, 5, 8, and 14.

    RESULTS: At 2 months, 35 out of 60 (58%) subjects in the active arm and 21 out of 60 (21%) in the sham arm were treatment responders (≥7-point reduction) (p = 0.006). There was a significant difference in changes in the mean ± SE ICIQ-LUTSqol total score between the active and sham arms (Mdiff = -8.74 ± 1.25 vs -4.10 ± 1.08, p = 0.006). At 1-year post-treatment, regardless of number of PMS sessions (16 or 32 sessions), subjects who received active PMS (63 out of 94, 67%) were more likely to be treatment responders compared with subjects who did not receive any active PMS (3 out of 12, 25%; p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  15. Li J, Fong DYT, Lok KYW, Wong JYH, Ho MM, Choi EPH, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2023 Oct 20;13:04125.
    PMID: 37861130 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04125
    BACKGROUND: The interconnected nature of lifestyles and interim health outcomes implies the presence of the central lifestyle, central interim health outcome and bridge lifestyle, which are yet to be determined. Modifying these factors holds immense potential for substantial positive changes across all aspects of health and lifestyles. We aimed to identify these factors from a pool of 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes while investigating potential gender and occupation differences.

    METHODS: An international cross-sectional study was conducted in 30 countries across six World Health Organization regions from July 2020 to August 2021, with 16 512 adults self-reporting changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes since the pandemic.

    RESULTS: Three networks were computed and tested. The central variables decided by the expected influence centrality were consumption of fruits and vegetables (centrality = 0.98) jointly with less sugary drinks (centrality = 0.93) in the lifestyles network; and quality of life (centrality = 1.00) co-dominant (centrality = 1.00) with less emotional distress in the interim health outcomes network. The overall amount of exercise had the highest bridge expected influence centrality in the bridge network (centrality = 0.51). No significant differences were found in the network global strength or the centrality of the aforementioned key variables within each network between males and females or health workers and non-health workers (all P-values >0.05 after Holm-Bonferroni correction).

    CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of fruits and vegetables, sugary drinks, quality of life, emotional distress, and the overall amount of exercise are key intervention components for improving overall lifestyle, overall health and overall health via lifestyle in the general population, respectively. Although modifications are needed for all aspects of lifestyle and interim health outcomes, a larger allocation of resources and more intensive interventions were recommended for these key variables to produce the most cost-effective improvements in lifestyles and health, regardless of gender or occupation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life*
  16. Li J, Fong DYT, Lok KYW, Wong JYH, Man Ho M, Choi EPH, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2024 Apr 12;14:04068.
    PMID: 38606605 DOI: 10.7189/jogh-14-04068
    BACKGROUND: Central and bridge nodes can drive significant overall improvements within their respective networks. We aimed to identify them in 16 prevalent chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to guide effective intervention strategies and appropriate resource allocation for most significant holistic lifestyle and health improvements.

    METHODS: We surveyed 16 512 adults from July 2020 to August 2021 in 30 territories. Participants self-reported their medical histories and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes. For each disease subgroup, we generated lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks. Variables with the highest centrality indices in each were identified central or bridge. We validated these networks using nonparametric and case-dropping subset bootstrapping and confirmed central and bridge variables' significantly higher indices through a centrality difference test.

    FINDINGS: Among the 48 networks, 44 were validated (all correlation-stability coefficients >0.25). Six central lifestyle factors were identified: less consumption of snacks (for the chronic disease: anxiety), less sugary drinks (cancer, gastric ulcer, hypertension, insomnia, and pre-diabetes), less smoking tobacco (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), frequency of exercise (depression and fatty liver disease), duration of exercise (irritable bowel syndrome), and overall amount of exercise (autoimmune disease, diabetes, eczema, heart attack, and high cholesterol). Two central health outcomes emerged: less emotional distress (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eczema, fatty liver disease, gastric ulcer, heart attack, high cholesterol, hypertension, insomnia, and pre-diabetes) and quality of life (anxiety, autoimmune disease, cancer, depression, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome). Four bridge lifestyles were identified: consumption of fruits and vegetables (diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and insomnia), less duration of sitting (eczema, fatty liver disease, and heart attack), frequency of exercise (autoimmune disease, depression, and heart attack), and overall amount of exercise (anxiety, gastric ulcer, and insomnia). The centrality difference test showed the central and bridge variables had significantly higher centrality indices than others in their networks (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  17. Ho KY, Ahn JS, Calimag MM, Chao TC, Kim YC, Moon H, et al.
    Asia Pac J Clin Oncol, 2018 Jun;14(3):159-166.
    PMID: 28670820 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.12696
    AIM: To examine the treatment practices for cancer pain relief and adverse event management, and the factors related to patient outcomes in the participating countries/regions.

    METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted between September and December 2013 in 10 countries/regions across Asia. Adult patients with a history of cancer pain at least 1 month before study entry completed the survey questionnaire.

    RESULTS: A total of 1190 patients were included. The mean Box Scale-11 (BS-11) pain score was 6.0 (SD 2.1), with 86.2% experiencing moderate-to-severe pain and 53.2% receiving opioids at time of the survey. The mean BS-11 scores were 5.3 (SD 2.1) in the "others" (single non-opioid medication or untreated) group, 6.3 (SD 2.0) in the ≥2 non-opioids group and 6.7 (SD 1.9) in the opioid group. The proportions of patients experiencing moderate-to-severe pain were 79.1%, 87.3% and 93.7%, respectively. About 70% of patients reported adverse events due to their pain medications, about half had received medications to manage these symptoms. Adverse events were negatively associated with activities of daily living (P < 0.0001). Pain and hindrance to activities of daily living were negatively associated with employment status (P = 0.003 and 0.021). Unemployment was significantly associated with poorer quality of life (P < 0.0001).

    CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrates inadequate management of cancer pain and treatment-related adverse events in the participating cohort. Pain and inadequate management of adverse events were negatively associated with patients' overall well-being. More collaborative efforts should be taken to optimize pain treatment and increase awareness of adverse event management in physicians.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life/psychology*
  18. Ferdaos N, Harada A, Masuda E, Kasai S, Horaguchi T, Yoshizawa K
    Nutr Cancer, 2023;75(3):1005-1013.
    PMID: 36714982 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2022.2163669
    Caffeine is a widely consumed stimulant, known for its positive effects on physical and mental performance. These effects are potentially beneficial for ameliorating cancer-related fatigue, which affects the quality of life of patients with cancer. This study aimed to determine the anti-fatigue and antitumor effects of caffeine in tumor-bearing mice. BALB/c mice were intravenously injected with C26 colon carcinoma cells and fed with normal or 0.05% caffeine-supplemented diet. Fatigue-like behavior was assessed by running performance using a treadmill test. Lung, blood, liver, muscle, and epididymal adipose tissue samples were collected on day 13 and examined. The antitumor effect of caffeine was assessed using subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice fed with 0.05% caffeine-supplemented diet, and the tumor volume was measured. C26 tumor-bearing mice showed fatigue-like behavior associated with hypoglycemia, depleted liver glycogen and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels. C26 tumor-bearing mice fed with 0.05% caffeine-supplemented diet showed improved running performance associated with restored NEFA levels. However, exacerbated hypoglycemia and liver glycogen levels after caffeine consumption may be due to tumor-induced catabolic signals, as the tumor volume was not affected. Collectively, caffeine may exert anti-fatigue effects through enhanced lipolysis leading to restored NEFA levels, which can be used as an alternative energy source.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  19. Er YT, Chan YM, Mohd Shariff Z, Abdul Hamid H, Mat Daud Z', Yong HY
    BMJ Open, 2023 Nov 20;13(11):e075937.
    PMID: 37989361 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075937
    INTRODUCTION: Nutrition education is the cornerstone to maintain optimal pregnancy outcomes including gestational weight gain (GWG). Nevertheless, default for appointments is common and often lead to suboptimal achievement of GWG, accompanied with unfavourable maternal and child health outcomes. While mobile health (mHealth) usage is increasing and helps minimising barriers to clinic appointments among pregnant mothers, its effectiveness on health outcomes has been inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to address the gap between current knowledge and clinical care, by exploring the effectiveness of mHealth on GWG as the primary outcome, hoping to serve as a fundamental work to achieve optimal health outcomes with the improvement of secondary outcomes such as physical activity, psychosocial well-being, dietary intake, quality of life and sleep quality among pregnant mothers.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 294 eligible participants will be recruited and allocated into 3 groups comprising of mHealth intervention alone, mHealth intervention integrated with personal medical nutrition therapy and a control group. Pretested structured questionnaires are used to obtain the respondents' personal information, anthropometry data, prenatal knowledge, physical activity, psychosocial well-being, dietary intake, quality of life, sleep quality and GWG. There will be at least three time points of data collection, with all participants recruited during their first or second trimester will be followed up prospectively (after 3 months or/and after 6 months) until delivery. Generalised linear mixed models will be used to compare the mean changes of outcome measures over the entire study period between the three groups.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approvals were obtained from the ethics committee of human subjects research of Universiti Putra Malaysia (JKEUPM-2022-072) and medical research & ethics committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia: NMRR ID-22-00622-EPU(IIR). The results will be disseminated through journals and conferences targeting stakeholders involved in nutrition research.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinicaltrial.gov ID: NCT05377151.

    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
  20. Loh, S.Y., Yip, C.H.
    JUMMEC, 2006;9(2):3-11.
    MyJurnal
    Evidence suggests that breast cancer is taking the form of a chronic illness. This will add on to the present burden of managing chronic diseases in the healthcare delivery system. The burden of breast cancer being a chronic illness, calls for greater efforts to address the many neglected, physical-psycho-social and occupational functioning consequences. Timely efforts are needed to identify and implement interventions that are aim at improving the quality of life of women with breast cancer. At present, research evidence is highlighting that chronic diseases may best be managed using a self-management approach, and best treated by a balance of traditional medical care and the day-to-day practice of self-management skills. This paper presents the perspective of breast cancer as a chronic illness and its implication for rehabilitation and medical education. It is imperative that health professionals be made aware of these survivorship issues through medical education. The goals are to reduce the many disability risks, encourage patient-health provider communication and enhance partnership in care, within a timely, holistic therapeutic program to improve the quality of life of women with breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Quality of Life
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