Impact of fatigue on quality of life among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Objectives@#Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom experienced by cancer patients and has a profound effect on their quality of life (QOL). The study aimed to determine the impact of fatigue on QOL among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and to identify the risk factors associated with severe fatigue incidence. @*Methods@#This was an observational prospective study carried out at multiple centers. In total, 172 breast cancer patients were included. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Questionnaire was used to measure QOL, while the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was used to assess the severity of fatigue. @*Results@#The total average mean and standard deviation of QOL were 84.58±18.07 and 4.65±1.14 for BFI scores, respectively. A significant association between fatigue and QOL was found in linear and multiple regression analyses. The relationships between fatigue severity and cancer stage, chemotherapy dose delay, dose reduction, chemotherapy regimen, and ethnicity were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study are believed to be useful for helping oncologists effectively evaluate, monitor, and treat fatigue related to QOL changes.

Impact of fatigue on quality of life among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Objectives@#Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom experienced by cancer patients and has a profound effect on their quality of life (QOL). The study aimed to determine the impact of fatigue on QOL among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and to identify the risk factors associated with severe fatigue incidence. @*Methods@#This was an observational prospective study carried out at multiple centers. In total, 172 breast cancer patients were included. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Questionnaire was used to measure QOL, while the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was used to assess the severity of fatigue. @*Results@#The total average mean and standard deviation of QOL were 84.58±18.07 and 4.65±1.14 for BFI scores, respectively. A significant association between fatigue and QOL was found in linear and multiple regression analyses. The relationships between fatigue severity and cancer stage, chemotherapy dose delay, dose reduction, chemotherapy regimen, and ethnicity were determined using binary logistic regression analysis. @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study are believed to be useful for helping oncologists effectively evaluate, monitor, and treat fatigue related to QOL changes.

Use, Awareness, Knowledge and Beliefs of Medication During Pregnancy in Malaysia

Objectives@#This study aimed to assess medication use in pregnant women in Malaysia by measuring use, knowledge, awareness, and beliefs about medications. @*Methods@#This was an observational, cross-sectional study involving a total of 447 pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Malaysia. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect participant data. @*Results@#Most of pregnant women had taken medication during pregnancy and more than half of them (52.8%) showed a poor level of knowledge about the medication use during pregnancy. Eighty-three percent had a poor level of awareness and 56.5% had negative beliefs. Age and education level were significantly associated with the level of knowledge regarding medication use during pregnancy.Multiparous pregnant women, and pregnant women from rural areas were observed to have a higher level of awareness compared with those who lived in urban areas. Use of medication during pregnancy was determined to be significantly associated with education level, and race. @*Conclusion@#Although there was prevalent use of medication among pregnant women, many had negative beliefs, and insufficient knowledge and awareness about the risks of taking medication during pregnancy. Several sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with the use (race and education level), level of knowledge (age and education level), awareness (parity and place of residence), and beliefs (race, education level, and occupation status) towards medication use during pregnancy.

Use, Awareness, Knowledge and Beliefs of Medication During Pregnancy in Malaysia

Objectives@#This study aimed to assess medication use in pregnant women in Malaysia by measuring use, knowledge, awareness, and beliefs about medications. @*Methods@#This was an observational, cross-sectional study involving a total of 447 pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Malaysia. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect participant data. @*Results@#Most of pregnant women had taken medication during pregnancy and more than half of them (52.8%) showed a poor level of knowledge about the medication use during pregnancy. Eighty-three percent had a poor level of awareness and 56.5% had negative beliefs. Age and education level were significantly associated with the level of knowledge regarding medication use during pregnancy.Multiparous pregnant women, and pregnant women from rural areas were observed to have a higher level of awareness compared with those who lived in urban areas. Use of medication during pregnancy was determined to be significantly associated with education level, and race. @*Conclusion@#Although there was prevalent use of medication among pregnant women, many had negative beliefs, and insufficient knowledge and awareness about the risks of taking medication during pregnancy. Several sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with the use (race and education level), level of knowledge (age and education level), awareness (parity and place of residence), and beliefs (race, education level, and occupation status) towards medication use during pregnancy.

Osteoid osteoma of the fifth metatarsal bone

A twelve-year-old male with 6-week history of atraumatic pain in the lateral aspect of his right forefoot not responding to conservative treatment were seen in the orthopedic clinic. The pain was worse at night and relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Plain radiographs and MRI revealed features of osteoid osteoma of the right fifth metatarsal bone. The osteoid osteoma was removed by curettage, which gave the patient a complete relief of his presenting symptoms. This case demonstrates the rare anatomic position of osteoid osteoma

Flexible intramedullary fixation of pediatric forearm fractures - report on twenty-one patients

The aim of the study is to assess the outcome of treating pediatric forearm fractures with flexible intramedullary nails. Orthopedic Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Kingdom of Bahrain. Retrospective study. Between May 2004 and April 2006, twenty one pediatric patients with displaced forearm fractures were treated with flexible intramedullary nails at SMC. The study group included 19 boys and 2 girls aged 6 and 14 years [mean 9.3]. Closed reduction and percutaneous introduction of nails was tried in all patients; failure to do so, a mini incision was performed to facilitate the procedure. Closed reduction and percutaneous introduction of the nails was possible in 9 patients. In 8 patients, a mini incision was needed for either the radius or the ulna. In 4 patients, both the radius and ulna needed exposure through mini incision. The patients were followed-up for a period between 6.7 to 35.7 weeks [mean 18.7 weeks]. All fractures were united in acceptable alignment and nails were removed at a mean interval of 18.7 weeks. Nine pediatric patients had closed forearm fracture reduction and twelve patients needed mini incision; there were few minor complications and the outcome was satisfactory