Health-related quality of life in patients with permanent pacemaker at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital: A cross-sectional correlational study

Introduction@#The evolution of cardiac pacing is expected to decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but this type of intervention might affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and eventually the overall prognosis of the patient. This study assessed the HRQOL in patients with permanent pacemaker using Philippines (Tagalog) Short Form (SF)-36v2 health survey.Introduction:The evolution of cardiac pacing is expected to decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but this type of intervention might affect the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and eventually the overall prognosis of the patient. This study assessed the HRQOL in patients with permanent pacemaker using Philippines (Tagalog) Short Form (SF)-36v2 health survey.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional correlation study was conducted. Philippines (Tagalog) SF-36v2 health survey was administered among patients with permanent pacemaker who had their pacemaker analysis at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital from October to December 2015. The higher the score the better HRQOL and many studies used a cut-off point of 50. Pearson Correlation and Non-Parametric Mann-Whitney Tests were used in this study. @*Results@#Forty-two patients were enrolled in this study. There were 24 male and 18 females with mean interval of age 71.48+12.3. Most of the HRQOL scores were lower than 50. The highest HRQOL scores were vitality and mental health aspect while the worst were role emotional and physical functional aspect. Age, educational attainment, type of permanent pacemaker, pacemaker dependency, NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional capacity and presence of co-morbidities particularly diabetes mellitus type 2 were significant factors for poor HRQOL. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that overall the HRQOL in patients with permanent pacemaker was below average. A comprehensive management in order to improve the HRQOL should be considered among patients with permanent pacemaker.

Outcome Determining Factors for displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures treated operatively

Introduction: Calcaneal fractures are caused by high energy trauma and mostly are intra-articular fractures. Nondisplaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture (IACF) can be treated non-operatively. However, displaced intra-articular need to be reduced and fixed anatomically to facilitate early ankle rehabilitation and minimize functional impairment. This study was done to find out the outcome of the IACF patients who underwent operative treatment. Methods: 62 patients with IACF were selected in this study and had been followed up from June 2009 to May 2013. They were placed into two groups; the operative treated and non-operative treated groups. Bilateral ankle lateral view plain radiographs were taken for comparison of the Bohler and Gissane angles. Both groups of patients were assessed by the Maryland Foot Score (MFS) and the SF-36v2 general health survey questionnaire. The ability of the patients to perform activity of daily living (ADL) and /or return to work (RTW) was assessed as well. Results: The operative treatment group of displaced IACF patients achieved no significant better scores in the mean MFS and SF-36v2 mean scores as compared to non operated cases. There was no difference in RTW between the 2 groups, but earlier ADL was recorded in the operated group. However, this study had found 5 associated factors which causes major effect to the patients’ outcome to treatment. Conclusions: The patient’s compliance with post-operative rehabilitation regimen were found to be significantly related with the outcomes.