Quality of life among breast cancer patients at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Malaysia

Background: Among the factors reported to determine the quality of life of breast cancer patients are socio- demographic background, clinical stage, type of treatment received, and the duration since diagnosis. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) scores among breast cancer patients at a Malaysian public hospital. Materials abd methods: This cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients was conducted between March to June 2013. QOL scores were determined using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23). Both the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 assess items from functional and symptom scales. The QLQ-C30 in addition also measures the Global Health Status (GHS). Systematic random sampling was used to recruit patients. Results: 223 breast cancer patients were recruited with a response rate of 92.1%. The mean age of the patients was 52.4 years (95% CI = 51.0, 53.7, SD=10.3). Majority of respondents are Malays (60.5%), followed by Chinese (19.3%), Indians (18.4%), and others (1.8%). More than 50% of respondents are at stage III and stage IV of malignancy. The mean Global Health Status was 65.7 (SD = 21.4). From the QLQ-C30, the mean score in the functioning scale was highest for 'cognitive functioning' (84.1, SD=18.0), while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'financial difficulties' (40.1, SD=31.6). From the QLQ-BR23, the mean score for functioning scale was highest for 'body image' (80.0, SD=24.6) while the mean score in the symptom scale was highest for 'upset by hair loss' (36.2, SD=29.4). Two significant predictors for Global Health Status were age and employment. The predictors explained 10.6% of the variation of global health status (R2=0.106). Conclusions: Age and employment were found to be significant predictors for Global Health Status (GHS). The Quality of Life among breast cancer patients reflected by the GHS improves as age and employment increases

Phase-III Randomized trial comparing topical application of natural honey in the management of radiation mucositis among patient undergoing radical radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer

Introduction: Radiation n1ucositis is a very common acute morbidity su fered by almost all patients undergoing radiotherapy to the head and neck region. Mater als and Methods: This is a prospective double blind randomized control trial comparing t pical application of natural honey in mucositis induced by che1no-radiotherapy in nasopl aryngeal cancer. One hundred twenty patients were treated with chemo-radiotherapy usi g cisplatinun1. Radioth~:rapy consists of 70Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks period alo g with 30mg parenteral \Veekly cisplatinum was administered. Sixty (60) patients we ·e subjected to j topical application of honey before and after each fractions of radiother~py. The n1ucositis, dysphagia and dry mouth were assessed using RTOG gradink systetn. Weekly body weight n1onitoring, the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and general EORTb QLQ-C30 questionnaire were recorded before and after radiotherapy. Results: ThJre were 82 1nales and 38 f<~male with a median age of 48 years (I O-S I years) in this studyj The compliance I to honey and placebo application was poor in our patient population with only 49-patients l (40.8°/o) accepted con1plete course; 21 (17.5o/o)-incon1plete and remainir1g refused application including 6-patients developed adverse effects in the fonn ~f bun1ing mucosal pain. The concurrent chemotherapy was accepted in 51 ( 42.5%) patient~, incomplete in 6 7 (55. 8%) patients and not received in 2 ( 1.6%) patients. The quality of life in Head & Neck specific scale changed fron1 42 to 54 points in study arm and 43 tp 54 points in control arn1. The grade4 n1ucositis appeared to be less in honey treated larm co1npared to controls \Vhoever other grades of mucositis or weight changes was equt'vocal in both anns Conclusions: Due to non-co1npliance of topical application of study ag nts, there was no significant difference in mucositis, body weight, dysphagia grade or drt mouth in study and control group of patients. Proper selection of honey, method of ap lication of honey with mucosal adhesion properties might reveal imnprovement of n1ucos tis in future researc

The significance of R&D investment and ICT usage in generating high income economy: an analysis on selected ASEAN countries / Chong Fen Nee ... [et al.]

The main purpose of this study is to explore the impact of R&D investment on the proxies of income or wealth among ASEAN countries. Gross national income (GNI) per capital will be used as proxy of wealth in this study. This study is of significant because in order to cope with the globalization and transforming into knowledge based economy both the government and industries have beefed up efforts in R & D. Nevertheless, prior research only examined the significance of R&D investment at the firm rather than country level. Some believe that it enhances corporate growth while other found it generates higher income much later. In terms of methodology, multi-factor model will be employed as it is a better alternative comparing to the CAPM and APT in explaining variations in stock returns. Relevant data will be extracted from secondary resources. Furthermore, time series econometrics will be used to analyze and provide results to the objectives proposed in this study. Apart from providing additional information to the practitioners to facilitate better decision making in the future and enriching the existing literature to pave ways for more researchers to the academics, this study also intends to contribute useful input for future policy formulation

Improving the capture of adverse event data in clinical trials: The role of the international atomic energy agency

Purpose: To report meetings of the Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy section of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), organized to discuss issues surrounding, and develop initiatives to improve, the recording of adverse events (AE) in clinical trials

Preliminary survey of 3D image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer at representative hospitals in Asian countries.

3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) has become a standard therapy for cervical cancer. However, the use of 3D-IGBT is limited in East and Southeast Asia. This study aimed to clarify the current usage patterns of 3D-IGBT for cervical cancer in East and Southeast Asia. A questionnaire-based survey was performed in 11 countries within the framework of the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia. The questionnaire collected the treatment information of patients with cervical cancer who underwent 3D-IGBT. The cumulative external beam radiotherapy and 3D-IGBT doses were summarized and normalized to a biological equivalent dose of 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2) using a linear-quadratic model. Of the 11 institutions representing the participating countries, six (55%) responded to the questionnaire. Overall, data of 36 patients were collected from the six institutions. Twenty-one patients underwent whole-pelvic irradiation and 15 underwent whole-pelvic irradiation with central shielding. Patients received a median of four treatment sessions of 3D-IGBT (range, 2-6). All 3D-IGBT sessions were computed tomography (CT)-based and not magnetic resonance image-based. The median doses to the high-risk clinical target volume D90, bladder D2cc, rectum D2cc and sigmoid colon D2cc were 80.9 Gy EQD2 (range, 58.9-105.9), 77.7 Gy EQD2 (range, 56.9-99.1), 68.0 Gy EQD2 (range, 48.6-90.7) and 62.0 Gy EQD2 (range, 39.6-83.7), respectively. This study elucidated the current patterns of 3D-IGBT for the treatment of cervical cancer in East and Southeast Asia. The results indicate the feasibility of observational studies of CT-based 3D-IGBT for cervical cancer in these countries