Management of Acne in Unani System of Medicine: A Case Report

Introduction: Acne is a common skin disorder of pilosebaceous gland. It caused due to excessive production of sebum, hyperkeratinisation and proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. Case presentation: This case report is of 38 years of female having severe problem of acne. She has no family history and her menstrual order was normal. Previously she had taken modern medicine orally and topically but did not relieve. Conclusion: The treatment with Majoon Ushbah orally and multicomponent powdered formulation applied topically proved to be effective. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction of Global Acne Grading Score (GAGS) nearly 81% as compared to baseline. VAS (Visual Analogue Scale)) indicated changes in appearance and symptoms at the end of study. There was significant improvement in DQLI (Dermatology Quality of Life Index). The tested drug proved to be effective in management of acne

You Are What You Eat: Affirming Podcast and Subjective Wellbeing among African American Women

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate whether intentional exposure to affirming messages via podcast would lead to improvement in subjective wellbeing in a sample of African American women. This two-part study used a mixed-methods design to measure subjective wellbeing using the Multicultural Quality of Life Index and a series of focus groups. During Phase 1, participants rated and discussed culturally relevant affirmations that informed the development of the podcast intervention used in Phase 2. The results revealed that stressors such as microaggressions, mental distress, and competing demands justified the need for support. Participants indicated that the podcast intervention was an enriching experience that illuminated the necessity of restorative practices that heal and revitalize the spirit. The intervention led to positive behavior change; and these results demonstrated the podcast benefits, suggesting that intentional exposure to positive messages may help some African American women cope with life stressors.

Life quality as an indicator of sustainable development: international statistical research

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the methodology for determining the European quality of life index. The theoretical and methodological basis of research is the ideas of the interdependence of life quality and sustainable development. To achieve the desired goal, the following research methods were used: analysis and synthesis (for determining theoretical and practical aspects of ensuring the life quality); statistical (for determining standardized indicators and a European Quality of Life Index for Sweden and Ukraine); abstract-logical (for theoretical summarization and conclusion). As a result, the authors created the European Quality of Life Index based on the comparison of the characteristics of international life quality assessment systems (calculation principle, number and composition of indicators, number of countries covered for calculation), as well as systematization of research by Ukrainian and foreign authors. Therefore, the authors selected twelve main indicators. The indicators are divided into two groups: stimulants (prosperity index, basic human needs index, welfare bases, availability of nutrition and basic health care, GDP per capita, population, global competitiveness index, personal security, access to basic knowledge, ecosystem status) and disincentive (government debt, unemployment). To determine the “European life quality index”, the authors used the formula for calculating the arithmetic mean, as all selected indicators can be considered equivalent as a result of standardization by the method of “minimum- maximum”. In addition, for in-depth analysis, the authors calculated the growth rates of indicators, as well as coefficients of variation. The authors made calculations based on data of 2013–2019 for two countries, namely Sweden and Ukraine. Sweden occupies a much better position in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, so studying the impact of life quality on sustainable development in this country will suggest ways to achieve the chosen strategic priorities for Ukraine.

Quality of life in patients with scabies in Erbil, Iraq

Background and objective: Scabies, known as the seven-year itch, is a contagious skin infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that causes a pruritic skin eruption. Scabies is endemic in most of the communities of the developing world. This study aimed to assess the quality of life of scabies patients, taking into consideration the demographic profile and clinical presentation of patients in Erbil. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 scabies patients attending a private dermatology clinic were recruited. Dermatology Quality of Life Index questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: More than half (51.4%) of the patients were less than 30 years of age, including 58.9% males, 70.1% of them were married, and 67.3% were living in the urban area. More than 84% of the study sample’s quality of life was very large and extremely large affected. The overall mean of the quality of life scores was 14.95±4.5 with no significant association between the overall quality of life scores to disease severity and certain sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. The mean scores of the two domains of embarrassment and shopping were significantly associated with the male gender (P = 0.003 and 0.021, respectively). However, 40.2%, 35.5%, and 29% of the patients reported that the disease affected very much on their shopping, clothing, and working activities, respectively. Conclusion: The disease had caused a significant effect on patients' lives, with no significant association between the severity of the disease and overall quality of life scores. The disease in its mild, moderate, and severe forms adversely affected patient lives. The commonest quality of life scores were those in the range of 11-20. Keywords: Quality of life; Scabies; Erbil; Iraq.

Level of physical activity and quality of life associated with health in Paraguay adults

Studies have shown that the performance of scheduled physical activity is positively related to a higher quality of life related to health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity according to the quality of life in the adult population of Paraguay in the period from November to December 2020. A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional design study, which included 211 adults of both sexes. Sociodemographic data such as age, sex and origin were collected, as well as data on physical activity (IPAQ/METS questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D questionnaire). The predominant sex was female (89%), 53.5% resided in Gran Asunción and the average age was 34.6±10.6. The level of physical activity was mostly moderate (36.5%). The quality of life index was 0.67±0.15 and the perception of health was 79.12±18.35. Within the dimensions of quality of life, it was observed that 23% had moderate pain or discomfort and that 33% had moderate depression or anxiety. Significant differences were found between the level of physical activity and the quality of life index and the perception of health. The level of physical activity is a determinant of health-related quality of life, the greater the intensity of physical activity, the better the quality and perception of health indices in adults.

The effect of eradication therapy on the quality of life of patients with chronic erosive gastritis induced with Helicobacter pylori

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of eradication therapy on the quality of life of patients with chronic erosive gastritis induced with Helicobacter pylori. The quality of life was assessed according to the GIQLI questionnaire before treatment during incomplete remission, remission, and during the year. It was found that the exacerbation of the disease significantly changes the level of quality of life of patients, and the complex treatment, eradication of Helicobacter pylori, which stopped the exacerbation of the disease, gradually increases and brings this indicator closer to the control group. The gastrointestinal quality of life index can be used as an additional criterion for diagnosing the stages of chronic erosive gastritis, for evaluating the effectiveness of therapy, determining the timing of treatment, rehabilitation and prevention in the dispensary management of patients at the therapeutic site.

GERIATRIC STATUS OF GLAUCOMA PATIENTS

Во многих странах продолжается увеличение заболеваемости первичной открытоугольной глаукомой, а гериатрический статус пациентов ухудшается. В связи с этим актуальным является коррекция гериатрического статуса. Цель исследования - изучение гериатрического статуса пациентов, страдающих ПОУГ, после проведения селективной лазерной трабекулопластики. Результаты исследования базируются на комплексном офтальмологическом и гериатрическом обследовании до и после проведения селективной лазерной трабекулопластики. При изучении гериатрического статуса проведен анализ изменений таких гериатрических синдромов как зрительный дефицит, индекс качества жизни, депрессивный синдром. В ходе исследования установлено позитивное влияние селективной лазерной трабекулопластики на величину снижения зрительного дефицита. Так, острота зрения без коррекции и максимальная корригированная острота зрения после проведенного оперативного вмешательства повысились соответственно с 0,51±0,02 до 0,6±0,01 и с 0,62±0,02 до 0,68±0,01. Однако селективная лазерная трабекулопластика не изменила уровень депрессии, а интегральный показатель качества жизни имел тенденцию к снижению с 438,6±3,9 баллов до 429,4±3,8 баллов. Это указывает на необходимость коррекции гериатрического статуса больных с первичной открытоугольной глаукомой In many countries, the incidence of primary open-angle glaucoma continues to increase, and the geriatric status of patients is deteriorating. In this regard, the correction of geriatric status is relevant. The aim of the study was to study the geriatric status of patients suffering from POAG after selective laser trabeculoplasty. The results of the study are based on a comprehensive ophthalmological and geriatric examination before and after selective laser trabeculoplasty. When studying the geriatric status, the analysis of changes in such geriatric syndromes as visual deficit, quality of life index, and depressive syndrome was carried out. The study found a positive effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty on the reduction of visual deficit. Thus, the visual acuity without correction and the maximum corrected visual acuity after the surgical intervention increased, respectively, from 0.51±0.02 to 0.6±0.01 and from 0.62±0.02 to 0.68±0.01. However, selective laser trabeculoplasty did not change the level of depression, and the integral indicator of quality of life tended to decrease from 438.6±3.9 points to 429.4±3.8 points. This indicates the need to correct the geriatric status of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

A 52 weeks dupilumab treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in Korea: long-term efficacy and safety in real world

Previously, we have reported short term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in Korea. In this study, we are trying to report the long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in Korea. Ninety-nine patients with moderate to severe AD were analyzed. They were evaluated using Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), and Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) at baseline, week 16, 32 and 52. Efficacy outcomes showed higher improvement at 52 weeks compared with 16 weeks; high percentual reductions in EASI (88.1%), peak pruritus NRS (65.6%), POEM (67.2%), and DLQI (69.0%) compared to baseline. Proportion of patients achieving EASI 75 and 90 were 90.2% and 53.7%. POEM and DLQI had high correlation with clinical measured outcomes. In the analysis for the factors affecting achievement of EASI 90, female gender (OR 2.5), eosinophilia (OR 0.2) and elevated LDH (OR 0.07) were significantly associated. Most frequent adverse events included facial erythema (19.2%) and conjunctivitis (17.2%), which were mild/moderate and resolved during treatment. In conclusion, dupilumab treatment for 52 weeks in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe AD confirmed long term effectiveness and safety.