ABSTRACT
Prayers, spiritual healing, yoga, meditation, t’ai chi, qigong and support groups are classified as mind body complementary therapies (MBCTs). The study aimed to examine the prevalence of MBCTs use and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on 184 cancer patients at the oncology clinic of Penang general hospital, Malaysia. MBCTs was assessed using a self- administered questionnaire while the HRQoL of the participants was assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: Among the complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) users, 75(40.7%) patients self-reported using MBCTs while having cancer. Majority of MBCTs users were female 60(80%, p=0.01), aged between 38 and 57 (58%), and were of Malay ethnicity (61%). Socio-demographic factors including age (r=0.15, p=0.03) and monthly house-hold income (r= -0.25, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with MBCTs use. Prayers for health reasons was the most frequently practised MBCTs modality, followed by spiritual practices 20(10.8%), meditation 7(5.9%), t’ai chi 7(3.8%), music therapy 4(2.1%), qigong 1(0.5%), hypnotherapy 1(0.5%), and reiki 1(0.5%). Recommendations from friends and family members 53(70%) were the most common reasons of MBCTs use followed by patient’s own will 22(29.3%). Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores showed significant difference in all functional and symptoms scores among MBCTs users and non-users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study helps to identify numerous MBCTs commonly practised by a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Prayers specifically for health reasons and spiritual practices were somewhat common among patients. Viewing MBCTs, not as alternative but to complement conventional cancer therapies may help to address cancer patients’ emotional and psychological needs.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to find out the association between blood group B and Myocardial Infarction [Ml] in sample population in Malaysia. A case-control study. The study was conducted at Hospital Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia, from 2006 to 2007. The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia. The study included 170 patients with confirmed Ml as cases and 170 subjects without Ml were taken as controls. After ethical approval, patients were recruited for the study from Hospital Kepala Batas after informed consent. Blood sample around 2 ml was collected from each patient and control. Each blood sample was tested by ABO gel card test for the blood group. Sample size was calculated using a power and sample size software, whereby power of study was 80%, Confidence Interval [Cl] was 95%, odds ratio was 2 and ratio of control to case was 1. Odds ratio and the Cl were used to describe the association between Ml and group B. A total of 170 Ml patients and 170 controls were tested for ABO blood groups. Statistical analysis showed that among 170 Ml subjects, 54 [31.8%] were blood group B and among 170 controls, 51 [30%] were blood group B. Simple logistic regression analysis showed no association of Ml with blood group B [p=0.824, crude OR 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.62-1.47]. Multiple logistic regression analysis also did not show association of blood group B with Ml [p=0.222, adjusted OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.37-1.26]. This study failed to demonstrate any association of blood group B with Ml in sample population in Malaysia compared to few studies reporting positive association, however, we suggest further studies to elaborate on this finding in Malaysian population