Validation of the Thai version of the family reported outcome measure (FROM-16)© to assess the impact of disease on the partner or family members of patients with cancer

© The Author(s). 2019Background: Cancer not only impairs a patient's physical and psychosocial functional behaviour, but also contributes to negative impact on family members' health related quality of life. Currently, there is an absence of a relevant tool in Thai with which to measure such impact. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Family Reported Outcome Measure (FROM-16) in Thai cancer patients' family members. Methods: Thai version of FROM-16 was generated by interactive forward-backward translation process following standard guidelines. This was tested for psychometric properties including reliability and validity, namely content validity, concurrent validity, known group validity, internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Construct validity was examined by comparing the Thai FROM-16 version with the WHOQOL-BREF-THAI. Results: The internal consistency reliability was strong (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86). A Negative moderate correlation between the Thai FROM-16 and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI was observed (r = - 0.4545, p < 0.00), and known group validity was proved by a statistically significant higher score in family members with high burden of care and insufficient income. The factor analysis supported both 3-factor and 2-factor loading model with slight difference when compared with the original version. Conclusions: The Thai FROM-16 showed good reliability and validity in Thai family members of patients with cancer. A slight difference in factor analysis results compared to the original version could be due to cross-culture application.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Antioxidant activity of ginger extract as a daily supplement in cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: a pilot study

Kwanjit Danwilai,1,2 Jitprapa Konmun,2,3 Bung-orn Sripanidkulchai,4 Suphat Subongkot,2,4,5 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 2The College of Pharmacotherapy of Thailand, Nonthaburi, 3Department of Pharmacy, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 4Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products, 5Clinical Pharmacy Division, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant activity of ginger extract oral supplement in newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy compared to placebo.Patients and methods: Newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving moderate-to-high emetogenic potential adjuvant chemotherapy were randomized to receive either a ginger extract (standardized 6-gingerol 20&nbsp;mg/day) or a placebo 3&nbsp;days prior to chemotherapy, which they continued daily. Oxidant/antioxidant parameters, including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total glutathione (GSH/GSSG), lipid peroxidation products detected as malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO2-/NO3-, were measured at baseline and at days 1, 22, 43 and 64 after undergoing chemotherapy. Two-sided statistical analysis, with P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.05, was used to determine statistical significance.Results: A total of 43 patients were included in the study: 19 and 24 patients were randomly assigned to the ginger group and placebo group, respectively. Antioxidant activity parameters, including SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH/GSSG, were significantly increased at day 64 in the ginger group compared to those in the placebo group, while MDA and NO2-/NO3- levels were significantly decreased (P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.0001). When compared to the baseline, the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of GPx and GSH/GSSG were significantly higher on day 64 (P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.01), while the blood levels of MDA and NO2-/NO3- were significantly decreased (P&nbsp;&lt;&nbsp;0.01).Conclusion: Daily supplement of ginger extract started 3&nbsp;days prior to chemotherapy has been shown to significantly elevate antioxidant activity and reduce oxidative marker levels in patients who received moderate-to-high emetogenic potential chemotherapy compared to placebo. Keywords: ginger extract, antioxidant activity, emetogenic potential adjuvant chemotherap

Hospitalization and cost after switching from atypical to typical antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients in Thailand

Tuanthon Boonlue,1,2 Suphat Subongkot,1,2 Piyameth Dilokthornsakul,3,4 Ronnachai Kongsakon,5 Oraluck Pattanaprateep,6 Orabhorn Suanchang,7 Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk3,8&ndash;10 1Clinical Pharmacy Division, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 2The College of Pharmacotherapy of Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand; 3Center of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; 4Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA; 5Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 6Department of Health Informatics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 7Department of Pharmacy, Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry, Bangkok, Thailand; 8School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia; 9School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; 10School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA Background: Several clinical practice guidelines suggest using atypical over typical antipsychotics in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Nevertheless, cost-containment policy urged restricting usage of atypical antipsychotics and switching from atypical to typical antipsychotics. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate clinical and economic impacts of switching from atypical to typical antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients in Thailand. Methods: From October 2010 through September 2013, a retrospective cohort study was performed utilizing electronic database of two tertiary hospitals. Schizophrenia patients aged 18 years or older and being treated with atypical antipsychotics were included. Patients were classified as atypical antipsychotic switching group if they switched to typical antipsychotics after 180 days of continual atypical antipsychotics therapy. Outcomes were schizophrenia-related hospitalization and total health care cost. Logistic and Poisson regression were used to evaluate the risk of hospitalization, and generalized linear model with gamma distribution was used to determine the health care cost. All analyses were adjusted by employing propensity score and multivariable analyses. All cost estimates were adjusted according to 2013 consumer price index and converted to US$at an exchange rate of 32.85 Thai bahts/US$. Results: A total of 2,354 patients were included. Of them, 166 (7.1%) patients switched to typical antipsychotics. The adjusted odds ratio for schizophrenia-related hospitalization in atypical antipsychotic switching group was 1.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23&ndash;2.83). The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 2.44 (95% CI 1.57&ndash;3.79) for schizophrenia-related hospitalizations. The average total health care cost was lower in patients with antipsychotic switching (&ndash;$64; 95$459 to $332). Conclusion: Switching from atypical to typical antipsychotics is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia-related hospitalization. Nonetheless, association with average total health care cost was not observed. These findings can be of use as a part of evidence in executing prospective cost-containment policy. Keywords: antipsychotic switching, schizophrenia, hospitalization, cost, atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotic

Etodolac transdermal cubosomes for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: ex vivo permeation and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies

Journal Drug Delivery Volume 24, 2017 - Issue 1In this study, transdermal etodolac-loaded cubosomes were developed in order to relieve patient pain and joints stiffness by providing stable etodolac concentration at the targeting sites through controlled drug delivery via the noninvasive skin route with more sustaining and less frequent dosing. Different ratios and percentages of poloxamer 407 and monoolein were used to formulate the cubosomes using emulsification and homogenization processes. The etodolac-loaded cubosomes showed particle size values ranging from 135.95 to 288.35 nm and zeta potential values ranging from −18.40 to −36.10 mV. All the cubosomes offered an encapsulation efficiency value of about 100% and showed drug loading capacity ranging from 1.28 to 6.09%. The in vitro drug release studies revealed a controlled drug release profile with a drug release rate up to 15.08%/h. Increasing poloxamer concentration in etodolac-loaded cubosomes resulted in nanoparticles with less particle size and faster drug release. The particles exhibited cubic and hexagonal shapes. The DSC and X-ray analysis demonstrated that the drug was encapsulated in the cubosomes bicontinuous structures in amorphous form. In addition, investigated cubosomes exhibited fast drug penetration through excited mice skin followed by slower drug penetration for up to 24 h. The pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers showed that the selected etodolac-loaded cubosomes enhanced the bioavailability of etodolac as compared to the oral capsules (266.11%) with evidence of longer half-life and higher MRT that reached 18.86 and 29.55 h, respectively. The etodolac-loaded cubosomes propose a promising system for treatment of arthritis simply through skin application